From Goodwill Frame to a Frozen Shadowbox!

I saw this frame at the Goodwill for $1.99. My first thought was not about inserting a photo. Far from it! I was thinking of making another shadowbox for Disney Doorables. I've created two others before.

This time, would be with the Frozen characters, Ana and Elsa. I also had a tiny snowman that we met in Frozen Fever where Elsa got sick. Remember that? Every time she sneezed, tiny snowmen were formed! I had gotten one from a clearanced Color Reveal figure set that I bought for my daughters. They loved the little dolls that came in those sets. But they are too big for something like this project. So here we go! Let's get crafting! 

The base

This is supposed to be a frame. Had this raised glitter outline of a city skyline on the back and 2 sides.

That wouldn't fit an Ana and Elsa look. So I painted over it. I was going for a dark blue, but.... well, the color came out very dark. Depending on the light hitting it, you might see some blue. Otherwise it kinda looked black. But overall, I think it will work still, so I'm moving on. 

I painted the inside as well. The top to look like a sky with clouds, the bottom to look like snow.

Forgive me for not taking pictures through each stage, but I kinda tackled it quickly. I had the snowflake buttons to glue on the back wall. The rocks on either side are from a string of rock beads from the craft store. After touching up the black on the outsides, I added the phrase, "Love is putting someone else's needs before yours."

Then it was ready for the Doorables! The little lizard (the fire spirit from Frozen 2) was also from the Color Reveal set. It is deformed a bit, so I'm debating on gluing him in place instead of just letting his tail stick in the rocks to keep him in place.

Eventually, I'd like to add hardware to the back that will make it hangable for the wall. Not bad for a quick put together!

From a Simple Frame to a Treasured Shadow Box

My dad has been checking out things I've made recently. The shadow boxes, in particular, were a favorite. At 35 years old, I'm still learning things about my dad - like the fact that he loves shadow boxes! Like me, he thinks they are magical. Which is why he has requested that I make one for him to display a part that he made. He is a machinist and takes pride in the parts he designs and/or makes. He didn't just ask for any kind of shadow box though. He wanted a Steampunk one! My specialty! 

Step One

I had to go get a frame. The one I originally planned on using fell apart. So off to WallyWorld to get this one. I chose a 4x6 oak wood photo frame. This was $2.76. I wanted something that would be pretty sturdy. After all, it will have to withstand some changes while also display something. 

Step Two

Time to dismantle the frame! After removing the back, I trace the outline onto foam board piece. This is the back that I will reattach the frame backing to so that my dad can hang it up. 

Then I measure out the sides that will give me a 1 1/2 inch depth for the box. 

This will give me enough room to decorate the box and then still have an open space in the middle for him to add his part to it.

As you can see, I'm not able to make perfect lines. I struggle hard with that! But I make it as straight as I can and do as best I can to secure them. 

Step Three

Next part was to paint the inside orange. I had to go buy some because mixing my own did NOT work at all. I almost ended up with a purple color after mixing yellow and red with a touch of black. My husband said I defied logic on that one. I then covered the 'box' with some brown felt material. This helped to hide the unsightly edges as well as give it a bit more character. 

Now, for the finale! 

On my part at least. I can't complete the project 100% as my dad has the part that will be the crowning glory for this project. I added in some gears that my husband cut for me just for this.

I had picked up these packs of gear decorations from Hobby Lobby. See the missing place in the pack? It was a half gear. My husband cut that one into half, giving me corner pieces.

Now that I have finished it, to the best of my ability, it is time to mail it out. I'm sending this and the instructions that once he has installed the part he made, he can then attach the glass cover permanently to the box.

And now, you can see it in use! I think it was spectacular and so much fun building this for my dad.

A Part of That World!

I had a Disney Doorables. An Ariel one. Can't remember when I had gotten it. Maybe at the FiveBelow here. Anyhow! I had the idea for a shadowbox. And then thought it would make a really sweet gift for one of my sisters. I mistakenly thought they liked the Little Mermaid. But, even if I'm not gifting it, I still think it is the perfect project to work on. Once an idea gets going, it kinda snowballs for me! So here is the process. What do you think about it? 

I had this tiny frame. Took off the back. Cleaned it up nicely. And then made a box from foamboard to fit inside.  

Next came the paint. I had a matte teal to make the darker water from. The grey on the bottom, I added with baking soda so that it would have a gritty texture like sand. 

And then lightened the water going up. If I were better with painting, I'd have gone more ombre, but this is the best I can do. Since she is posed as reaching upwards, I had the idea to paint some sunlight coming down through the water.

I had some of these fake plants from a miniature kit my daughter didn't want. So I glued them, a black flat-bottomed marble, and a couple tiny shells to the sea floor.

I'm really liking the finished product! These are aDoorable! And they make such cute displays for the dolls' dolls.

Creating Doorables Shadowbox Displays

Watching My Froggy Stuff on YouTube can be so dangerous! Toya comes up with some crazy cool ideas. One of her most recent ones that has my attention was creating shadow bow displays for her Disney Doorables collection. While I have a grand total of just 2 so far, I would like to get others one day as they make great dolls for the dolls. And they are cute. My first one was an Ariel that I think we got from Five Below. But then we found out that Walmart has them at the checkout lanes for $1.98 each.  A single figure comes in that pack. This is how I got the Honey Lemon from Big Hero 6. She is too cute! And I decided to go through my odds and ends to make her a shadow box display. 

I had this box without a lid that came from packaging. I decided to use it as my first trial. And I'm pretty happy with the results! I painted the outside to be like a bronze frame. On the inside I tried to create a city scene. I painted the 2 sides to look like buildings. Don't laugh, I'm no good with drawing or painting.

The inner top was a sky. I just smeared blue and pink paints to try my best to copy sort of a cloud look. Though I think the blue ate the pink up.

The bottom was where I wanted a sidewalk with the rocks from a craft kit my daughter didn't need as rubble from the battle! 

In the background, I printed a city scene from the movie. I think the end product was just right! It is aDoorable *pun totally intended*. And if I get future Doorables, I plan to make others. For now, this was a much quicker craft to put together. See you next time!