Maybe we should rename our site Young Shadowbox Love. They’re just my jam. I’ve stuffed them with everything from calendars with special dates circled…
… to keys from all of our past homes…
… to wedding paraphernalia.
I think it just goes back to loving the idea of displaying things that make for happy memories instead of tucking them into a closet in a box that never gets opened. So pretty much from the second we started writing our book over three years ago I had my eye out for things that I could save and stick in a box to forever commemorate this crazy journey that we never could’ve guessed we’d ever be on. One of my favorite things to collect throughout the process were the pencils that we used to make edits on the manuscript and the giant layouts that we’d ship back and forth between the publisher and ourselves.
The pencils started out long, but over the 336 pages that make up our book they’d slowly get worn down. We’d use different colors depending on the rounds of edits that we were doing (the spellchecker would write in one color, our editor would use another color, and we’d write in a third color) and the papers would get sent back and forth looking like a fun little rainbow of chaos that only the typesetter could understand. As you might imagine, since the outline for the book was written over a year ago, and things were refined and revised over the last ten months with those crazy little pencils, we amassed quite a collection of them, many of which were worn down to half their size after lots and lots of notes in those margins.
I contemplated just putting the pencils in a shadowbox on their own, but thought it would be fun to add in some other meaningful items to remind us of this crazy book-rollercoaster, so everything from the textured wallpaper to a swatch of fabric, a random post card, and the little personalized rock that reminds us of Burger (all from secret book projects) ended up in my shadowbox pile.
I had a 6 x 6″ shadowbox from Ikea on hand already (they’re super cheap – $5 I think), so I just cut the textured wallpaper to the size of the frame to act as our background, and then used super glue to hold everything from the pencils and the rock to the fabric swatch in place.
I let everything dry in place (don’t wanna hang it up until the glue is totally cured since things have to fight gravity once they’re hanging) and then the next day I stuck it into the frame…
… and hung it up in a nice little place of honor in the hall bathroom. I thought about putting it in our hallway of frames, but for some strange reason it felt like I’d be “burying it” – so I love that it gets a little place of its own so we can gaze at it whenever we’re in that room (it’s where Clara takes her baths and sits on the potty, so we’re logging lots of time in there these days). Oh and we don’t worry about any steam getting in and hurting it since Clara’s baths aren’t hot and we don’t shower in there (our guests have their own guest bath). Whew.
Isn’t that bike towel cute? It’s supposed to be a dishtowel (I got it for John back here) but it works just as well for drying hands on the way out.
What have you guys been shoving into frames lately? Anyone else doing odd things like collecting used-up pencils and saving tiny fabric swatches? I can’t be the only one…
Brooke says
Hey Sherry,
We were planning to come see you on the book tour this Friday in NJ, is that event still on? Hope so…ending what’s sure to be a week without power with a copy of the YHL book and a visit from you all would be wonderful! Let us know, thanks!
Brooke
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s hoping! We’ll keep you posted. We hope to find out something by tomorrow!
xo
s
Shannon Scherrer says
I’m on a mission to make art from all the greeting cards we have saved over the years! Birthdays, job promotions, engagement, marriage, general well wishes, home owners etc. I think it would be great to have that hanging somewhere instead of crammed in a drawer. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kristina says
Love it! I took a drink when you said “secret book projects.” ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, cheers!
xo
s
Sophie says
I’ve finally framed my most recent artwork purchase after spending far too long trying to decide where to put it. An old dictionary page with a gorgeous big peacock drawn onto it. So pretty with a dark green mat :)
Shannon Summers says
Once again, I’m in dire need of creating some of these! Thanks for the inspiration!
Salena Santos says
I recently did some shadow boxes with my little ones shoes in it. I love it because it bring back all the memories from when they were learning how to walk. My little one loves to look at it and see how small thier feet once were.
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
I think my FAVORITE thing about you all is that you make sentimental crafts and art. So much has meaning and I think it helps you find joy in your home.
Very cool, I also just had the brilliant idea to loose my Ikea virginity while visiting Chicago for your book tour!!!! Hello $5 frames, I have been waiting for you :)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoooo! Have fun!!
xo
s
Katie says
Cute!
This year our dog had to be put to sleep and the vet’s office made an impression of her paw in a clay disk. I’ve been saving it to put in a shadow box.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw Katie, I’m so sorry for your loss. That sounds so sweet.
xo
s
Wendy says
Great idea!
BTW, Can you tell me where you found the towel holder? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, it was just at a thrift store. It’s an old iron horse hook, so I definitely don’t think it’s made for towels, but the ring made it perfect for that! Haha!
xo
s
MJ says
Just had to stop by today as I just got confirmation that my book order (2 copies of your book!) has been shipped. Very excited to receive my copy here in good ‘ol Canada.Yah!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhhhhh! So exciting!
xo
s
Nicole says
Just want to thank you for the post on framing the antique keys. It inspired me to frame the key my husband gave me on our wedding day (the one and only key to the elevator where we met). Now it is showcased in our home where everyone can enjoy it, not just my jewelry box. <3
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cute!
xo
s
Kate says
“Book in a box”?? Was that a subtle reference to another Justin Timberlake SNL sketch, or do I just still have Peg on my mind? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- could be! Wink, wink.
xo,
s
Amy says
Love this!! You always come up with the best ideas for displaying sentimental things…I need to try some of them in my house, the cluttered “memory boxes” in my kids’ closet are filling up fast!
P.S. I live near Tacoma, WA and am SO EXCITED for the book signing here in January! I pre-ordered a copy, but maybe I’ll buy one at the signing to have one to read, and one to use in decor :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Amy!
xo
s
Leslie@MsMagpieWrites says
Great idea, but I’m more curious about how you get tulips to bloom in October?? They’re my favorite!
YoungHouseLove says
They’re fakers from HomeGoods, baby!
xo
s
Alicia says
Love all your homemade art posts!! They’ve inspired a lot of wall upgrades in our home recently. One fun thing we did lately was took a little, silver frame we’ve had forever – put paint chips in fun colors as background and then glued some foreign coin from our travels in the openings.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so cute!
xo
s
Madeline says
I love framing memories! We framed cards that we received for our wedding and showers (ones that didnt say “its your wedding day!” or “hey bride and groom!”) to decorate our built ins & for a gallery wall (to be posted on Friday- we used your template method- THANK YOU!)
http://createbakecelebrate.blogspot.com/2012/10/create-better-looking-built-ins.html
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!!!
xo,
s
HeatherKC says
Thanks for all of the great ideas, I can’t wait to get my book. I just finished 3 shadow boxes
1-my grandparents square dancing pins, with a picture of them (they have both passed away and it was a big part of their lives)
2-Photo booth pics!! I love photo booths!!
3-tickets and hotel keys
Megan says
My grandfather collected special fishing luers and put them on display in his home in custom made shadow boxes. When he passed, his collection was sold but his daughters and grand children all received one. We are working on putting it on display (gotta figure out to adhere it without messing it up!). We will have mementos from him, my husbands grandfather, and other family members. I love it all. I really want to do a wedding one (it was 6 years ago) and things for my daughter, plus random family items.
Cait says
I recently cut up a vintage map that I found at a random art store in New Orleans on a trip with the hubby. One frame shows the places that each of us were born, where we met, and where we live now. The other shows where the hubby’s family is from and his favorite football team. I love it! They sit on our mantel for now.
Also, I’m sure people have been asking, but is there a secret way to find tickets to the signing this Thursday that sold out (R Home) that I haven’t figured out yet?? I was so silly and didn’t order them in time, and I am totally bummed. I heard about the other date at Mongrel, but I was REALLLLY hoping to see the silent auction and hear you guys speak. :(
YoungHouseLove says
Unfortunately we don’t know of any way to get into the R.Home event on the 8th. The event is apparently at capacity so they can’t open up any more tickets. So sorry. But we will be at Mongrel on December 2nd!
-John
Shannon S. says
SO special and sentimental…I love it! It’s also such a great conversation piece. You guys really know how to make every piece special! :)
Sarah S. says
Love it! I am drooling for your book! So ready to get my hands on it! I put a bunch of old foreign coins in a frame and skeleton keys from my grandmother’s home in a shadow box. I love looking at them and thinking of all the places they’ve seen!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that idea!
xo,
s
Tiffany says
On my last birthday, a good friend sent me half a dozen white No.2 pencils that said, “You are beautiful.” Not only was it simple and sweet, but the wrapping and card were amazing – brown paper bag, deep smokey blue, and silver. The bow had little clay(?) lilly in it. I loved the wrapping so much that I layered the wrapping paper, card, and ribbon with lilly – using the corrugated inside of a sheet of cardboard as a textured background, and framed it. I guess it’s a bit hard to describe, but I love it, and I think of my friend every time I walk down the hall.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet!
xo,
s
Mallory says
How funny! I work as an archivist and wear down a bunch of pencils as I label folders (pencil > pen in the preservation world). My boss suggested framing the pencil nubs and labeling them with the name of the archive that wore them down. Nice to see it’s potentially a super stylish endeavor!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! I love it!
xo
s
Lynne says
I’ve been inspired by all your framing, and so I recently dug out an old photo booth strip of my husband and i in 1986, when we were dating as high school juniors. I found some cool scrolly scrapbook paper to use as a background, centered the picture on it, and framed it in a black frame with a white mat. It’s now hanging above our bed, along with a meaningful “wall words” quote I applied directly to the wall. Hoping to add a few more interesting and meaningful items to the mix in the coming months.
Can’t wait to see you in Chicago on November 10th!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahh, so excited!
xo
s
Tara says
Super cute! I love your gallery wall and the sentimental things you put on display!
I’ve made shadowboxes with the stuff from our children’s first day in the hospital, my husband’s medals, ribbons, nametags from his time in the Air Force, our keys from each place we’ve lived (8 and counting!). I also made a wall gallery of our wedding paperwork: the receipt from our marriage license, the unofficial marriage certificate we got on the day we got married, a copy of our official license/certificate, along with the star certificate we ordered for one of our anniversaries from the International Star Registry.
I couldn’t find a jewelry box that I liked for my real jewelry, so I found a shadowbox with shelves in it that opened in the front and used some small command hooks (used for hanging string lights) and hung it all up in there.
My mom has a huge shadowbox with things from my sister’s wedding and my wedding. She used the lace from her wedding dress to accent things in my wedding (like the ring pillow), so there’s a piece of her dress in there too.
We are from Hampton Roads, so I check your blog daily to see “home”. I miss it a lot. :)
Jade says
Eeee! I needed for a pretty idea for all the knick knacks I’ve saved over the years. I’m thinking about making my staircase a shadowbox only zone. :)
Alison says
be honest here… when you got your first copy of your book, the real copy… did you sniff it? I totally would have been sniffing it. I love new books, and I am SO excited to get yours! Counting down the days, hoping the mailman doesn’t mind an excited hug or two.
YoungHouseLove says
Totally sniffed it and hugged it to my chest and did a little jig with it. And then put it down and picked it up like 50 times. I was like “ooh let’s read it now” “No I’m scared” “Ok I can look at it” “Ahh it makes me sweaty!” – haha. Talk about multiple personalities!
xo
s
Alissa says
Cute! I wonder if I can figure out a fun way to do this with trip paraphernalia – i.e., your travel jars, but in a frame…
Random question out of curiousity (sparked by the horsie towel holder): how many “animals” do you have in your home? White ceramic or otherwise? Have you counted lately? My grandfather has lots of clocks, and my sister and I used to run around the house trying to count them all. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh, I’m afraid to count. Honestly, probably at least 25 if you count little things like the tiny ceramic pig hook in the frame wall and my little cardboard rhino.
xo
s
Alissa says
You’ve got a ways to go before you catch up with my grandpa’s 40-50 clocks! :-) Sleeping over at their house was always interesting when they all struck midnight and woke you up.
Annie says
Love it! I am not stashing shadow box items yet, but I did get 3 12×12 shadow boxes recently(for a whopping grand total of $5.00, woot!) and am waiting for inspiration to strike! Thinking a wedding one is waaay overdue.
YoungHouseLove says
Such a deal! Send pics!
xo
s
Misty says
Do you have a link for the textured wallpaper?
YoungHouseLove says
Sure! Here it is on sale: http://www.allmodern.com/Graham-and-Brown-Paintable-Small-Squares-Wallpaper-in-White-12011-GAB1311.html
xo
s
Kimberly Parker says
I have just recently discovered the wonders that are shadowboxes! I found two small, vintage cookbooks from my mom’s hometown in an antique store. I framed both of them in shadowboxes for my kitchen. And, although they aren’t in shadowboxes, I also framed some of my grandmother’s hand written recipes in see-through floating frames to add to the montage. Really love how it looks together!
Susan C says
So excited to come home to an email from Amazon that my copy of your book is shipping a week early due to an earlier release date…you guys have so much to be proud of and I love that you keep little reminders of those things in your home and are willing to share them with people like me!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! So excited!
xo
s
Madeline says
I framed cards from our wedding & wedding shower (the ones that didn’t say “bride,” “groom,” or “wedding day” all over them). I used them for our gallery wall & to decorate the built ins!
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9076339373918100769#editor/target=post;postID=7683817988419354195
Madeline says
Sorry, the link above is wrong:( Sandy must have shaken my sanity.
I framed cards from our wedding & wedding shower (the ones that didn’t say “bride,” “groom,” or “wedding day” all over them). I used them for our gallery wall & to decorate the built ins!
http://createbakecelebrate.blogspot.com/2012/10/create-better-looking-built-ins.html
YoungHouseLove says
So charming!
xo
s
Madeline says
I framed cards from our wedding & wedding shower (the ones that didn’t say “bride,” “groom,” or “wedding day” all over them). I used them for our gallery wall & to decorate the built ins!
http://createbakecelebrate.blogspot.com/2012/10/create-better-looking-built-ins.html
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet!
xo
s
Jillian {Her Split Ends} says
OMG i love it!!! So special and what a fantastic way to look back at this exciting time. Love it…love it love it love it. Nicely done…again!!
Cheers
~ Jillian
http://www.hersplitends.com
Marjan says
I love it, so sweet! On another note so so excited just got an email from amazon saying my book will arrive between the 7th and 9th!!! Perfect timing as we have just put a bid on a rambler in no va!!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhhhhhh! So exciting. I’m sweaty.
xo
s
Linda says
Ahhh! I’m a little relieved and I must admit a little disappointed that you didn’t include a certain JT video in your post considering your title. Haha! Here’s to subtlety! Thanks for sharing your little project. I love shadow boxes but they intimidate me. I think I over-think what to put in them.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yeah I was going for that if-you-get-it-wink-wink-to-you thing without scandalizing my mom! Haha.
xo
s
Vicky v says
This is totally random and not related to shadow boxing(although they are totally awesome) but just got an email from amazon who told me your book is shipping earlier which means I’ll get it a full week earlier then expected!!! Made my day, can’t wait to get it!!!! Hope to have you guys sign if one day!!! You guys inspire me!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhhhh! That’s so exciting :)
xo
s
Amy says
LOVE the idea to do a calendar page with special days circled and the keys from past homes.
I store all my sentimental items in a rubbermaid container in the basement, this has motivated me to pull it out and figure out how to display and enjoy the memories.
fun fun
~Amy
heather says
Aww! I love that you saved your book pencils, etc. for a shadow box. I often think about saving a piece of old wallpaper we find, etc. but frankly the people before us in this house (who did it) weren’t the greatest of people so we’ve chosen not to remember them in any way haha. Your shadow box will be a testament every day to how hard you work. When the book tour might get a little tiring or you’re missing your little girl and pup, every time you come home you’ll see that to remind you it’s all worth it. Same when the blog might be overwhelming, just a look at that box will show how far you’ve come. :) I’m so proud of you guys, and I don’t even *really* know you!
We haven’t been shadow boxing things, but we finally turned our open concept into an open reality. There’s still a couple more walls to take down in other areas but this is the big one which ties the addition to the original house! I adore it.
http://www.likeacupoftea.com/wednesday-weekly-renovation-update-from-concept-to-reality/
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Heather, you’re so sweet! And as for your progress, holy cow! You guys are amazing and so hard core. I LOVE IT!!!
xo
s
Sydney says
We used that same wallpaper to back two of our open kitchen cabinets. My husband hand-painted the raised design green to match the green focal wall and it looks amazing!
Krista says
I love this idea! I’m working on a hallway gallery and I’m going to frame some of my families memories. Thanks for the great ideas!
Ginny says
Just got your book in the mail today and it looks great! I ordered a second copy to give to my sister and brother-in-law who just closed on their first house yesterday. Congratulations on all your hard work!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Ginny! That’s so exciting! Ahh!
xo
s
danielle says
i’ve been framing candid photos of family members at family gatherings (my grandmother and her sister bursting out laughing at a cousin’s wedding shower, my grandfather’s friend making “bunny ears” behind his head in a 90th birthday portrait, etc.) to hang in the dining room to keep the spirit of family fun alive and well, even when those distant relatives aren’t close at local family gatherings…
brandi says
Oh I love that! Such a sweet idea, Sherry. I am so excited, I just received an email from Amazon that my copy of your book will be shipped earlier than expected. Woo-hoo! Hopefully you guys will make it to Atlanta.
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
Put your book in a box! It’s easy to do. Just follow these steps.
1 – Buy a shadow box.
2 – Put your book in that box.
3 – Then you hang up that box.
John, I think I know what Sherry wants for Christmas.
Sorry. I couldn’t help my seventeen-year-old (x2) self. You were totally asking for it.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahhahhahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaahahah!
xo
s
house Crazy Sarah says
I’m in love with shadow boxes too… something so tactile and tangible about them (but also titilatingly just beyond reach – at least for kids!)
Shadow boxes are the next big thing, but then again, they’ve been around for a long time!
Great work – your shadow boxes are beautiful.
Christine says
Are we, the readers, suppose to hear the post title as the SNL spoof with Justin Timberlake? As in “@!$& In A Box”? Sorry, I have had two glasses of wine and now your post title will not stop playing in my head. :) I love your shadow box obsession.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s what I like to call a subtle nod (aka: those in the know get it, but I don’t scandalize my mom by embedding the video). Ha!
xo
s
KarenH. says
I am saving tiny swatches of fabric! But it’s for a Sekrit Santa Flat Stanley exchange.
A bunch of people I know from an internet chat group wanted to do a Sekrit Santa exchange but we’re all broke. Another member’s son did. Flat stanley project at school this past year and a coupke of us got to be Flat Stanley hosts, so we decided to decorate Flat Stanleys, take them around our town/neighborhood like we would if the recipient came for a visit, and then ship them off.
Our group also celebrates Muppet Fest sometime dipuring the Christmas holidays, where we all sync up a time (fun, with members in Europe, and both coasts in the US) and simultaneously watch A Muppet Christmas Carol (and of course post with each other throughout). So we will open our Flat stanley exchange packages during Muppet Fest.
So what does that have to do with collecting swatches of fabric? I quilt, so I’m going to dress my Flat Stanley in quilting swatches. And maybe even teeny tiny quilt blocks.
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet! I love that.
xo,
s