How To Make A Layered Air Force Shadow Box with Lights (Tutorial Video!)

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I will show you how to make a layered Air Force shadow box with lights added to the interior frame. This is a quick and easy craft you can do in a few hours in the afternoon or on the weekend! This lighted layered Air Force shadow box is a unique gift idea too. Here you can see the completed 8 x 8 shadow box but you can change the design to also fit a 12 x 12 shadow box frame.

I was inspired to make this design by my family and friends that are / or currently serving in the armed forces. They all serve in different branches of the military. This Air Force shadow box was designed in honor of my friend, who served in the Air Force. It features a saluting airman, fighter jets, missiles, and the American flag in the background.

What You Will Need To Make A Layered Shadow Box with Lights

To make this shadow box you will need to collect the supplies:

Links to Amazon

• A shadow box picture frame

• Recollections cardstock (This is the brand I use for my layered shadow box designs.)

• Acid free adhesive foam

• Your Cricut Machine Don’t have a Cricut? Check out this buyer’s guide to find the right Cricut machine for you!

• Ribbon craft lights

• Shadow box SVG design file

Both emblem designs are included in the SVG design file.

How To Make a Layered Air Force Shadow Box with Lights

• Download the shadow SVG design file to your computer.
  
• Open Cricut Design Space on your computer.
  
• Upload the shadow box SVG design file into your Cricut Design Space.
  
• Check the size of the design to make sure it will fit your shadow box frame. 7.99 x 7.99 design size for 8 x 8 shadow box and 11.99 x 11.99 design size for a 12 x 12 shadow box. Always double-check by measuring the inside of the shadow box before cutting the design with your Cricut.
  
• Cut out your layers with your Cricut machine.
  

• Attach your lights to the inner box frame of the shadow box by removing a small amount of the adhesive protective backing starting at the end closed to the power supply or battery pack.
  
• Press the adhesive end starting at a corner and work your way around the frame.
  
• Cut one of the lower corners off the backing of the frame to make space for the wire to come out the back of the frame.
  

How to layered a shadow box with lights video.

• Place the first 2 layers of cut paper in the shadow box.
  
• Put the inner box frame with the attached lights in the shadow box. Make sure the the power supply or battery pack is at the bottom.
  
• Put the next layer of paper in the shadow box.
  
• Put foam dots the back of the paper layer for areas you want to pop out to give design move visual depth in the shadow box.
  
• Repeat the same process with the next paper layer and foam.
  
• Attach the blue paper with the stars cut out of it to the red flag paper layer. Make sure the are stars line up.
  
• Put the flag layer of paper in the shadow box.
  
• Put the white layer of paper in the shadow box.
  
• Put the shadow box backing on the shadow box and press down the metal tabs to secure it.
  

If you want to backlight the shadow box design then this example layout diagram will help you put it together.

I hope you enjoyed this craft tutorial on how to make a layered Air Force shadow box as much as I do! Please share this craft tutorial on social media because sharing is caring!

I make a commission from purchases made through links in my posts, at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure for more information.

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