DIY Projects & Crafts How to Make an Heirloom Shadow Box Turn your keepsakes into wall art with this easy DIY. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 12, 2024 Shadow boxes are a wonderful way to turn your family heirlooms or meaningful momentos into beautiful décor for your home. Whether it's handwritten journals passed down from generation to generation or a personal collection of matchbooks from your favorite restaurants, these treasures turn into unique art when thoughtfully displayed. For this simple DIY project, we pinned our heirlooms to mat board and tucked the board into acrylic shadow boxes. You can choose any keepsakes you wish—cards from loved ones, your favorite family recipes, and plane tickets from past vacations are all great examples of keepsakes to put in these boxes. Once you've chosen your items, use this tutorial to turn them into beautiful wall art. JOHNNY FOGG 18 Creative Scrapbook Ideas to Preserve Your Family Memories What You'll Need Materials Acrylic premium shadow boxes Uncut mat board Fabric Craft knife Straight pins Pencil Instructions Trace each box onto mat board: Trace each box onto mat board; cut out the board 1/4 inch smaller on all sides to fit neatly inside. Cut the fabric: Cut a piece of fabric 2 inches larger than the mat board on all sides and place face down on work surface. Wrap the board in fabric, taping the edges in back. Mount the objects: Mount objects to the backing of the mat board with pins. (Alternatively, use hot glue—although this will result in a more permanent mount and may damage delicate materials.) Hang the boxes: Place the mat boards inside their designated boxes, and hang up your happy memories. Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART LIVING, MARCH 2019