Impress with This 3D Shadow Box Card and Gift Box Duo | Video Tutorial

You know those moments when a regular flat card just doesn’t feel like enough? That was exactly the case for me recently. I wanted to make something extra special—something that felt like a card and a keepsake all in one. So I pulled out the Poppy Garden 6 x 6 Pattern Paper Collection from Paper Rose Studio and let that beautiful floral imagery guide the design. What came together was this layered 3D Diorama Shadow Box Card paired with a coordinating gift box that made the entire project feel truly elevated and giftable.

This one’s for those hand-delivered moments—a wedding shower, a birthday brunch, a thinking-of-you gift tucked into a care package. It’s dimensional, detailed, and surprisingly simple to pull together once you understand the concept. And bonus: you can use your patterned paper stash in a really stunning way.

Impress with This 3D Shadow Box Card and Gift Box Duo:

Why I Love Diorama Shadow Box Cards

I’ve made a few shadow box cards over the years, but this design is hands-down one of my favorites. The layered look gives the illusion of depth and movement without relying on any complicated mechanisms or bulky embellishments.

I started with a Top Fold White Card Base (from Paper Rose Studio) as the foundation. Then I created three diorama-style layers using Basic White A4 Cardstock. The beauty of this design is that each layer is scored, folded, and die cut with progressively smaller windows—perfect for showcasing your favorite die cuts or little scene elements.

To create those window openings, I reached for the Nested Labels 2 Die Set. The soft shape adds elegance to the design, and by using the three largest dies in the set, each layer has its own unique reveal. It reminded me a little of opening a storybook page by page—each layer pulls you deeper into the scene.

Let the Paper Shine

I can’t say enough good things about the Poppy Garden 6 x 6 Pattern Paper Collection. Every piece is soft, painterly, and full of delicate botanical detail. I chose four different patterns for this project—one for each layer of the diorama and a fourth for the front of the card.

I love when a paper pad makes coordination effortless. No second guessing, no endless flipping to find a match. Just cut to size, layer it up, and everything looks cohesive. I also added narrow strips of patterned paper to the outside frame of the card and a coordinating strip to the inside. Those little details pull everything together and give the card that polished, finished feel.

Bringing the Card to Life with Die Cuts & Sentiments

For the embellishing, I kept it easy and impactful. I used the Poppy Garden Embossed Die Cuts—which, if you haven’t tried these yet, are pre-cut and beautifully textured. They're such a time-saver and add that extra touch of dimension without the bulk.

Each window section got a few floral elements, and I placed a sentiment from the Brighter Days Ahead Embossed Sentiment Sheets right at the center panel. These sentiment strips are pre-embossed on heavy cardstock and look super professional with no extra effort.

Pro Tip: Try bending or curling the edges of your die cuts ever so slightly with your fingers or a bone folder. It gives your layers more life and a touch of realism, especially with floral images.

Don’t Forget the Box!

Now, let’s be honest. A card like this? You’re not mailing it. This is one of those designs that deserves to be hand-delivered with a little ceremony. So I made a coordinating A2-sized gift box using Basic White A4 Cardstock for the lid and Charcoal Black A4 Cardstock for the base.

I’ve always loved wrapping gifts—probably because I grew up watching my grandmother carefully wrap presents with tissue, ribbon, and those foil gift tags that stuck to everything. This gift box gave me all those nostalgic wrapping vibes, but in a way that was fully handmade.

I used another piece of the Poppy Garden patterned paper (cut slightly smaller than the lid) and matted it with Charcoal Black cardstock. Then I repurposed the leftover label die cuts from the card windows to make a custom tag for the top of the box. Add a sentiment strip, a couple die cuts, and a bit of red ribbon from your stash, and it all ties together beautifully.

Pro Tip: When scoring boxes, go slowly and use a strong bone folder for crisp, clean folds. And always double check your measurements—an extra 1/16” on your lid can make all the difference between snug and frustrating.

Cutting Dimensions

Here are the measurements for the Shadow Box and the box too.

Shadow Box Layers:

• Layer 1: 5 ½" x 7 ¼", scored at ½", 1 ½", 5 ¾", 6 ¾"

• Layer 2: 5 ½" x 6 ¾", scored at ½", 1 ¼", 5 ½", 6 ¼"

• Layer 3: 5 ½" x 5 ¾", scored at ¼", ¾", 5", 5 ½"

• A2 Top Folding Card Base

Box Construction Details

• Top: Basic White A4 Cardstock: 7 9/16" x 8 13/16"(just go up on two sides one notch on the trimmer from 7 1/2" x 8 3/4"), scored at 1 ½" on all sides

• Base: Charcoal Black A4 Cardstock: 7 ½" x 8 ¾", scored at 1 ½" on all sides

Final Thoughts

This 3D Shadow Box Card and Gift Box Duo might look complex, but it’s really all about layering. With the right papers and dies, everything falls into place and creates something that feels like a special gift—because it is.

And here’s the best part: once you’ve got the base measurements and concept down, you can remix this idea with seasonal papers, other die sets, or even create mini themed sets as holiday gifts. The options are endless.

If you want to see exactly how the whole thing comes together, be sure to check out the full video tutorial where I walk you through the entire process start to finish.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you’ve ever made a dimensional card like this, or if you’re feeling inspired to try, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Until next time, happy crafting.

Impress with This 3D Shadow Box Card and Gift Box Duo Video Tutorial:

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(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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