While looking over the monthly OWL I had just received, a slow smile spread across my face showing off the rows of pearly teeth. If anyone had chosen that exact moment to look into my humble abode, they would have taken off at breakneck speed to put as much distance between the terrifyingly toothy dragon grin and themselves as possible. This particular dragon loved all things spooky, but I'm really not that scary, I promise. My exceptional editors definitely delivered a treat this month with their scary theme of "Spooks and Spectres". I just couldn't wait to get started!
I knew just what to do, as I had a craft in mind that I had been dying to use for months. It just never seemed to go with the monthly themes I have been given so far. Shadows are one of the things most commonly associated with the spooky and scary. Murmuring excitedly to myself, I mused, "I have the most wonderful idea..... since it's spooky season, perhaps I should go to a haunted house?" Then shaking my head, I realized I was getting distracted again. "Oooops!"
Trotting bouncily to my crafting corner, my tail swishing about rapidly in my exuberance, I kept knocking things off the work surfaces that I had left lying about. I know I really should keep them tidy, but I'm not a fan of cleaning, it's so boring. Anyyyway back to finding what I needed. Looking around quickly, my bright sapphire eyes lit up brightly, "Ah ha I found a box to use!" Now I just to find the other parts. Running the list through my head, I contemplated my supplies.
Supplies
♦ A wooden or cardboard box, 21 x 21 cm (8.25 x 8.25 inches)
♦ Acrylic Paint: White, Orange, Black
♦ A Black cardboard sheet
♦ 3-4 LED tea lights
♦ Scissors/cutting spell
♦ Precision Cutter Knife/cutting spell
♦ Pencil/ writing spell
♦ Paintbrush
You see, my dearest readers while scrolling through the muggle information place called the internet, I stumbled on the perfect gem. I had found this absolutely amazing shadow box I wanted to share with you. The Internet has information on everything, although not all of it is accurate, so beware. The place I found it was called cookingmydreams.com.
Directions
1. Paint the entire box white using two coats of white paint. Let dry completely.
2. Paint the inside walls of the box with two coats of orange paint; you can also paint the border with a bit of black paint.
3. When the paint is completely dried, paint a few bats on the top corners with the black paint and a small brush. Otherwise, you can cut them out of the picture shown below and glue them on.
4. Cut out a square that measures the same size as the box from the black cardboard sheet. Leave an extra inch on one side and fold it.
5. Cut out the silhouettes from the photo given and draw them onto the cardboard. The house should fit in the square you cut out earlier.
6. Cut out the silhouette from the cardboard using Scissors and a precision knife or the cutting spell.
7. Using glue or a sticking charm, attach the gate and the tree to the back of the house silhouette, using the folded flap as a stand.
8. When everything is in place, glue or sticky charm the bottom side of the flap to the bottom inner wall of the box.
9. When the glue is dry, add the tea lights inside the box behind the silhouette and enjoy.
I had an absolute blast making this eerie shadow box; I hope you have just as much fun! You can also use this method for any other spooky picture you find. Till next time this is your friendly toothy little dragon disappearing like a ghost.