time for another tutorial and a giveaway too...

I've been busy making small shrines out of die-cut chipboard shapes and it occurred to me it would be fun to share my technique with all of you. This technique was used to create both of the shrines featured in this post and can be used for any shape you can find or dream up.

The first shrine I made was a lovely heart shape just in time for Valentines Day. Alas, the chipboard book I used was so very popular it has sold out. Sooo, I decided to try my hand at a scalloped shell shape for the tutorial and I think it's just as lovely...

 

To create the basic scallop shaped shell shrine, bet you can't say that three times really fast without any mistakes, lol. Anyway, here's the supply/tool list needed to make the basic shrine:

Die-Cut Chipboard Scallop Shell

12x12 Chipboard

Tiny Paper Mache Box Set

White Glue

Craft Knife

Scissors

Metal Ruler

I also used the following items to complete my shrine:

Oiseaux De Mode Collage Sheet

Bees, Birds & Butterflies Collage Sheet

Quite Contrary #2 Collage Sheet

Chipboard Leaf Flourishes

Mysterious Birds Cut-Outs

Key To My Heart 12x12 Paper Pack

Tiny Paper Roses

Orange Daisies

Wood Bird Cages

Narrow Striped Ribbons - Butterscotch

Paint Dabbers - Aqua

Adirondack Metallic Paint Dabber - Gold

Black and White Enamel Accents

Diamond Stickles

First I traced around my paper mache box bottom so I knew where to cut the hole.

I then used a metal ruler and a craft knife to cut the hole out just inside my lines.

Then I measured how high the box bottom was and added a quarter of an inch to the measurement before cutting out a couple of strips of chipboard. I also cut one strip the exact measurement of the height of the box. Using that strip I traced a line down one side of each of the wider strips with a pencil.

Now you just fold each strip on the pencil line.

You can then cut the short side with your scissors at quarter inch spaces. As you can see they don't have to be evenly spaced so don't spend too much time on it.

Next glue your box bottom to the hole you cut out for it earlier and cut and glue a piece of one of your strips to the bottom of your shell.

Cut and glue another piece of one of your strips to the top area of your shell.

After cutting the pieces to fit the spaces between the top and bottom strips it is a good idea to cut the ends at an angle like this:

That way the glued pieces will be able to form an enclosed area. 

Once everything is dry, glue the other shell shape onto the back and you will have your very own shell shrine to decorate.

I like to glue paper, paint and ink the edges of my shrine as I'm building it because it makes it easier to get right to the decorating once the glue dries.

Here's a closer look at the finished shell shrine.

I hope you enjoy building a shell shaped shrine or can use this tutorial for creating something else just as fun. Now before I forget, lets talk about my giveaway...

To enter the random drawing to win my He Flew the Coop heart shaped shrine you must leave me a comment with your name and email address available for me to contact you in case you are the lucky winner. If you become a follower of this blog and you let me know in your comment you will get an extra entry into the drawing. You can enter the drawing until midnight Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday February 12, 2014. I will be posting the name of he lucky winner later that day so following this blog will allow you to keep track. If you are already a follower and want an extra shot at the prize just mention it in your comment. Thanks for stopping by and good luck! Here's one last look at the prize.