3D Cannoe at Sunrise Shadow Box - Tutorial

Project Description

This tutorial is for the 4 layer shadow box designed by 3Dcuts.com. The process is similar for many of the 4 layer shadow boxes I have designed.

This shadow box is about 6 1/2" Square when complete. It comes with an optional hanger if you want to hang it on the wall. It is about 7/8" thick and can also stand on a shelf. 

The impact can be dramatically changed by using different background papers. 

The assembly is easy and basic 3d construction. The cutting of the file is more advanced and requires some skill.

Supplies Needed:

• Cutting File available here from 3dcuts.com.

• 8.5 x 11" card stock - I used the 65lb Cardstock from Recollections. Each shadow box takes 4 sheets of black plus 1 sheet for the sky. 

• Adhesive - I use Scor-Tape, Aileen's Tacky Glue, and glue dots although other adhesives would work.

• Scotch tape

• Foam Dots

Parts Sizes:

• Frame 1 - 8.267" w x 8.267" h

• Hanger - 6.26" w x 1.3775" h

• Frame 2 - 7.3176" w x 7.3176" h

• Frame 3 - 6.697" w x 6.697" h

• Frame 4 - 8.202" w x 8.202" h

• It depends on the specific file you are cutting but most will have 4 box layers, 1 back ground piece and an optional hanger. Some designs might have accessories that get added as embellishments. 

• Several of these cutting files have very fine lines. When cutting fine lines I find it best to have a good blade, and a good mat. I switched to the Silhouette Premium blade and had no trouble cutting the fine lines of this design. I also save mats at the perfect stickiness for fine cutting. A slightly seasoned mat will be too sticky and an over-used mat isn't sticky enough. 

• Also when removing the frames from the mat, always turn it paper side down and curl the mat off the paper. Use a spatula to carefully separate the two. Fine lines can tear if you remove it with out care.

5. Construct all 4 box frames.

• Notice there is a cut-out number in the upper left corner of each frame. Use this as a guide. It will help in identifying the layers, identifying front or back, and knowing which corner should be in the upper left.

• I universally design these so that the number is always in the upper left. On some frames it doesn't matter but on others it does. If you always have the number in the upper left as you work you will know you are assembling things correctly.

• The frames are numbered as they will be when complete. Number 1 is the front frame, then 2,and 3  and 4 in the back. You will not assemble them in that order though.

• Start with frame 1.

• Place the 1 in the upper left corner and fold on all dotted fold lines. You will fold the 1 edges AWAY from you on frame 1. 

• Make nice, crisp folds.

• Frame 1 is the outside frame and these corners are visible when the project is complete. I use 2 strips of Scor-tape in each corner and then fold the tab to the inside and adhere.

• Add Embellishments to Frame 1.

• The pine tree gets added to the back side of the right edge.

• Apply 4 foam pop dots to the FRONT of the pine tree.

• Attach it to the back side of the right edge of the frame BUT leave a space between the edge of the tree and the side and bottom walls of about 1/8". The other shadow box walls will slide into this space and you do not want to block them.

• If any of the pop dots are visible from the front, take a sharpie marker and blacken them so they won't stand out.

• The other embellishments (branches) will get added later so you can place them with other landscape parts in view.

• Construct frame 2

• Fold all edges along the dotted fold lines toward the BACK on frame 2.

• This frame is an internal frame and it gets held together with the other frames. I just used 1 glue dot in each corner to adhere the corners.

• Use scotch tape to attach frame 2 and frame 3 together. This keeps the spacing of the layers in place.

• Flip them over. aligned the back edges of one side and apply a piece of scotch tape to the center. 

• Fold it over the edge adhere the back edges together being careful to keep back edges aligned.

• Cut off any extra tape.

• Repeat this on all four sides.

• Time to choose a background for your shadow box. Included with your 3dcuts download are 4 photo backgrounds. You can choose any of these or make your own. Print the background using a color printer. I used photo paper to get the brilliant colors.

• If you downloaded this file from the Silhouette online store, it came with no backgrounds and you need to either create your own or you can purchase just the backgrounds here for 99¢. If you dont have this download you' can print a copyright free photo from the internet or create one using water color washes. Even a simple gradated piece of paper will look stunning.

• Ideally the horizon line should be about 2 3/4" down from the top edge.

• Choose your background and cut it to 6 3/8" square.

• Adhere this potion to the inside of frame 4 aligning it with the top of the box.

• The bottom portion of the background gets adhered to the back of frame 3.

• The bottom potion is 6 3/8" w x about 3 7/5" h.

• Apply Scor-Tape to the edges the back side of frame 3 as shown below in the left image. 

• Peel the backing and adhere the background bottom portion. Make sure it doesn't peek above the landscape.

• Place a glue dot behind the outer most point of land on the left side and glue that down to the background.

• Place a glue dot behind the point of land on the right side as well and glue that to the background.

• Adhere Embellishments to Frame 1.

• A branch extends from behind the right edge just above the pine tree to in front of the frame. 

• Apply adhesive to the front of the branch stem and adhere it behind and then to the back of the branch leaves to attach it to the front.

• Add the smaller branch in the lower right again starting behind the bottom frame but coming out infant of the side edge.

• The optional hanger gets adhered to the inside upper edge of frame 1 before you attach frame 1 to frame 2-4.

• Apply Scor-Tape on the inside edge of the hanger.

• Fold the hanger tab on the dotted score line.

• Place the hanger inside of the top edge of frame 1 and press in place. Be sure to center it.

• Adhere Frame 1 to the combined frames 2-4.

• First apply a 3" strip of Score-Tape to the outside of each side of frame 4 leaving the tape backing in place.

• Place on the back edge and near the center as shown in the left photo.

• Do this on all 4 sides.

• Place frame 1 over frame 4.

• Use tweezers to reach into each side seam and remove the backing to the 4 pieces of Scor-tape and press each side in place.

Here is the Canoe at Sunrise Shadow Box with the four background images that are included with the 3DCuts download. They are also available as Set 3 Shadow Box Skies from 3dCuts.com.

Would you like to make more shadow boxes? I have designed many. Here are a few:

The collection is available at: http://3dcuts.com/shadow-boxes-nature-themes