craftgrrl | Cigar box = shadow box

The bf and I spent the day in Salem, MA last Tuesday (my monthly "take the day off to play hookey" adventure) and, as usual, I collected flotsam throughout the day.
While I was at work during the following days, I got the great idea to display the little things that had made the day special to us.

I was able to pick up these cigar boxes at a local cigar shop that I frequent to buy cigars for the bf. These 4 boxes, plus several paper boxes (free) and a few broken ones that I still have use for... $8!

The things that I had collected during the day. There are playing cards from the "magic show" that we saw, some things that we won at the amusement park and an old time "print your message on a token". Ours says, "Salem, MA - 6/2006"

A map of Salem that I used as a background for the bottom of the box.

The interior of the finished box.

The bottom of the box. I was able to make the box seem more shallow by using the removable cedar inlays that were included in the box. I made something akin to struts. And, they make the box retain the yummy cedar smell.

The top of the box, including the cards, token, Chinese finger cuffs and a picture of a close friend, also a magician.

I plan on making several more of these boxes, as we have many trips like this planned during the summer. I also have a box full of things that we have collected during our relationship. I will probably need more than one box for all of these things and I am thinking about keeping these boxes as my gift to David for our 1 year anniversary in October. We will keep them in our bedroom, private and just for us. :)

Thanks for taking a peek and let me know what you think!