Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

French Themed Shadow Box: A Fun Project!

Bon Jour Mon Amis!
I hope that you all are enjoying your holiday weekend!  We are having some wonderfully cool weather today, such a relief from the hot & muggy summer!  I am so looking forward to fall!  Here on the lake, summer is always kind of crazy (luckily we don't live directly on the lake, so we have some peace & quiet and privacy!), so things really start to quiet down after this weekend.  Love that!

Today I wanted to share with you a shadow box that I just finished.  I just love shadow boxes!  I got the box itself from Michael's.  The round wooden base can be picked up at Michael's or Hobby Lobby, and the wooden finial can even be found at hardware stores.  I ended up using a smaller finial than the one I have pictured here.  I saved that one for a larger shadow box that I am working on now.  The candlestick was picked up at a garage sale, I am always on the prowl for them!




I joined all of the pieces together with Loctite epoxy.  Then I primed the entire piece, and followed with several coats of Rustoleum spray paint in aqua.  Love the color!  After a bit of Ralph Lauren antiquing glaze in "smoke", I was ready for the fun part, the inside of the box!!

I began by decoupaging pages from a vintage French book to the inner backing of the shadow box.  The image of the Eiffel Tower is a reproduction vintage postcard I picked up when we were in Paris this past spring.  And of course I had to add this adorable little metal Eiffel Tower that I bought on our trip, too!  I used some spray mount adhesive to adhere the card, then followed with a coat of Mod Podge.

Here you can see the wooden base.  I always seem to have a bunch on hand, you never know when you might need them!

Notice the Eiffel Tower clock?  Love it!
A close up of the Tower.  Cute!! I am putting the shadow box in my Etsy shop, and now I think I need to make one for myself!

Have a great night, and hope you have a safe and fun Labor Day!
I am linking up with the following fun parties.  Be sure to check them out for some amazing inspirations!
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Cottage Instincts Make it 4 Monday 
Craft-O-Maniac's Craftomanic Monday
Cindy Adkins' Whimsical Musings Creative Spirit Challenge 
Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 Party  
504 Main Tickled Pink Party
Frou Frou Decor Fabulous Friday Finds 
Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt it Friday 
Funky Junk Interiors SNS 

30 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Donna-What a darling shadow box...love it..what a creative mind you have! Diana

Beverly {Flamingo Toes} said...

Oh, what a super cute shadow box! I love the blue and your little eiffel tower! You did a great job.

Tete said...

This is a great idea! Love shadow boxes! Love your little clock, too. I love metal and clocks.
Tete

Debbie said...

Hi Donna~~~this is VERY pretty! LOVE the blue, and the post card is great with the little tower inside the box. Great idea, and great job!
Debbie@houseatthelake

Unknown said...

I love this so sooooo much. I need to make one. I would love for you to link this up to CraftOmaniac Monday for my linky party going on now. CraftOmaniac.blogspot.com Enjoy your evening. Jen

Christine said...

It's great Donna! I love that blue!

I wanted to let you know, the hard coat Mod Podge is for furniture, things that might get some real use, I like the formula, I thought it would make the plastic jar a little stronger. Hope that helps!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Donna, this is really wonderful~ very creative and original!! Great project!

Leo said...

Donna - as usual - your creativity is awesome. This is fabulous...I love it!!! How do you come up with all these amazing ideas....? Fantastic.

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
This is gorgeous!!!!
Wow!
Hugs,
xox

kate said...

I love the color you chose and of course the French theme!

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
Thanks so much for linking this up...I just love it!
Hugs,
Cindy

idesign said...

very cool :)

-jackie
http://jaclyndesigns.blogspot.com/

Karie said...

I just love this. I love anything with the Eiffel Tower. Thanks for sharing.

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

Luv it!! I am totally into anything Eiffel Tower and/or french style!!!

xxoo

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

This a Wonderful Piece!Absolutely Beautiful! Thank you for Sharing! I got your Link from Cindy & Her Creative Spirit Link Party!I am so Glad I did!
Have a Wonderful Evening
Jill

Lynne Moncrieff said...

I cannot tell you how much I adore anything Parisian and your art is stunning. Not made my piece for the CSC as yet - had to come and look at this. TFS this amazing, amazing piece. Lynne M

Diane said...

OMGosh, I lovvvve your shadow box. The color is fabulous and I love anything French inspired. Thanks so much for the tut on making these.

Also, thanks for visiting me over at Pittypat Paperie and leaving the nice comment about my printing on fabric.

I'm also your newest follower. Got to keep an eye on this great blog Ü

Karen said...

WOW Donna!!! I love that you added a stand & finial to this already gorgeous piece! X

Biljana said...

Hi Donna!
Great job, the box looks wonderful:))
Greetings from Europe, Biljana

Unknown said...

That is a really clever idea. Love how you pieced it all together! That blue is gorgeous!
Roselle

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

This is beautiful! I love everything about it!

Chris Arlington said...

Donna, you are such a smarty pants. The shadow box is fab. I love your decor. Very cozy and warm looking. How is hubby's knee???
Hugs, Chris xx

Scrapping With Sherry said...

I like it.. Can you tell me how tall it is? When you were explaining the inside contents and where you got them I had to melt when you said you picked up the postcard in Paris... I am also doing the Creative Spirit Challenge. I did it last month too but I did not get my entry in until the last hour...

Take Care~ Sherry

Netty said...

Oh wow, its fabulous, x

Heidi said...

Such a cute project!! i LOVE the blue color you chose!

Jill said...

LOVE THIS! Love the shadow box idea and the color of paint!

Kim B said...

That is a wonderful idea. I love it!

Unknown said...

Donna, Thank you for taking time to visit my blog and become a follower! I am now your newest follower! I've been looking around your blog and adore this project. I've been planning to make a shadowbox for a friend and this idea is just perfect! Now it's off to Goodwill for an old candlestick and I'm good to go! ~ Regards, Sheilla

Its So Very Cheri said...

This ia a cute project.
I don't see any of our Sponsor's products in your post.

Cheri

Sandy Ang said...

What a great vintage shadow box of Paris.
My Paris Thank You Card is here http://angsandy.blogspot.com/2010/09/lcom-card-challenge-effiel.html