Halloween in Wonderland Shadow Box

I hadn't considered doing a project like this before, but Eclectic Paperie included a free small Tim Holtz Configuration box as a bonus with my last order, and I hadn't done anything with my Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland paper set yet, so I figured why not combine the two. The result is this Configurations shadow box. The fragment charm chain in the front is detachable for use as a charm bracelet.

What amazed me about doing this project was how it all came together/evolved as pieces got done. I started with a general idea about the background for each section and then as I built them I'd come up with something to add. In other cases, I started with a small piece like a fragment charm, and then figured out how to use it once it was done.  It was a fun project, but my workspace was barely able to contain it, so lessons in organization for next time.

The outside is the G45 playing card background, covered with Rock Candy Distress Crackle and then inked with Tea Dye and Vintage Photo. I wanted to keep the "Halloween in Wonderland" theme itself toned down in the piece and make it more of mature Alice piece.

The floors of the compartments were made with kraft paper, Distress Stains and stamped with a complimentary Distress Ink. I really like the speed with which a background can be coloured with the stains.

The Mad Hatter "timepiece" was built from 7 Gypsies optical lens, with an Ideaology game spinner over the top. I wanted to use a Tim Holtz pocketwatch, but Archiver's didn't have any. In the end, I think the minimalism of the lens works a timepiece. The pocketwatch might have been overpowering.

Miniature "Drink Me" potion made with Tim Holtz corked vial and some Distress Reinker and water. The attachment points for the chain are done with Memo Pins. Hitch Fasteners would have been ideal here.

Miniature tea cup and showing the continuation of the hatter from the background on the side. I left most of the sides blank in the piece, but the tea party section I did the sides.