The February issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine has a lot of great articles and recipes...go out and get yourself a copy if you don't subscribe (I did, as I had let my subscription lapse. It will be well worth it as it features one of the coolest art projects I have seen, and it's one you can do yourself at home, although maybe not on as grand a scale. Darcy Miller, editor of MS Weddings has assembled a collection of "scrapboxes" -- collaged shadowboxes that feature photos and memorabilia of her family.
The boxes feature unexpected elements and ephemera such as candles from a birthday cake, teething toys, and girl's sunglasses. Because she has three daughters, they are very princess-y, sparkly and whimsical, but I think you could do the same for boys. I have been toying with the idea of displaying my son's birth announcement in an unconventional way, and had been thinking of a shadowbox instead of a conventional frame and matting. This has convinced me to do something more creative....I am just not yet sure what that will be.... Knitted booties, a crocheted bib, or something more unconventional? You could also use greeting cards, silver rattles or spoons, small toys, party favors, perhaps even a beloved pacifier!
I love how Ms. Miller juxtaposes the objects with an accompanying photo, bringing the photo into 3 dimensions, such as putting a real party hat in a frame with a photo of the birthday girl
For ideas, check out the MS website features Darcy Miller's entire collection of boxes and scrapbooks as well as her party ideas.
