Polar Express Sleigh Bells Shadow Box

Make this Polar Express Sleigh Bells Shadow Box project and capture the magic from the movie for your family this Christmas!

So, Polar Express is one of those Christmas movies I wasn’t really interested in seeing initially. In fact, I didn’t even see the movie until four years after its release when my youngest son insisted on seeing it. I instantly fell in love with the movie and thought it did such a wonderful job of explaining the belief in Santa Claus.

I honestly think this movie is what convinced my youngest son to believe in Santa for as long as he did. He thought that since he could hear the sleigh bell, it was proof of Santa’s existence. My husband and I would pretend we couldn’t hear it and he’d get such a satisfied expression on his little face. That’s why my Polar Express Sleigh Bells Shadow Box is based on that magical scene from the end of the movie where Santa gives him that special sleigh bell.

This scene always makes me tear up:

Polar Express Sleigh Bells Shadow Box

Materials

• 10″ x 10″ Shadow Box
• Large Sleigh Bells
• Leather Cording
• White Pearl Vinyl
• Snowflakes
• Transfer Tape
• Faux Snow
• White Cardstock & Printer
• Scissors
• Double-sided Tape
• Cricut Explore Air 2
• Light Grip Mat
• Weeder Tool

Polar Express Sleigh Bells Shadow Box Steps:

1: Open I new project in Cricut Design Space and add a text box for “I” and another text box for “Believe.” Change the font to one you like and then arrange the words. I chose a font called Aneisha, I think from Hungry JPEG. Select Both and click Attach. Resize the grouping to fit within your shadow box glass, but not fill the whole space.

2: Cut the image out on the vinyl, weed it, then apply it to the glass with the transfer tape.

3: Cut 12-inch pieces of leather cord for each sleigh bell. Slide the cord through the bell slot and tie it in a knot. Repeat for all of the sleigh bells.

4: Find a movie image on Google that you like and print it out. I saved mine into Photoshop to resize, but you could use MS Word or PowerPoint to do it. I made the image size slightly smaller than the shadow box backing. Use the double-sided tape to stick it to the backing.

5: Sprinkle some of the snow into the bottom of the frame. Set the sleigh bells inside. You may want to temporarily place the back on to see if you like the bell placement and adjust. Add some snowflakes. Now replace the backing and clamp it.

That’s it! This Polar Express Sleigh Bells Shadow Box was pretty easy to make but I love the way it turned out, plus my son loves it. I could have added other items to it like a golden train ticket or trees, etc., but I wanted to keep the focus on that specific part of the movie. Kids seem to grow up so fast these days so I love the whole sentiment behind “I believe” because to me it’s like saying “I enjoy being a child.” I know deep down my youngest, the 11-year-old, doesn’t really believe in Santa anymore, but I’m willing to play along for as long as he is, lol.  Except for the Elf on the Shelf. That little dude needs to go.

This Polar Express Sleigh Bells Shadow Box project helps to remind us to believe in the magic of the Christmas season.

If you are looking for some more inspiration for your shadow box project, be sure to see my Welcome Fall Cricut Shadow Box tutorial for ideas!

Welcome Fall Cricut Shadow Box

If you are really into Christmas movie-inspired craft projects, you may find my Die Hard Christmas Ornament tutorial hard to resist as well! Y’all, I even made miniature bearer bonds to go inside, lol.

Die Hard Christmas Ornament

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – time for the annual 25 Days Of Christmas Movies Blog Hop! #ChristmasMoviesHop

We have 25 talented bloggers gathered together to share with you all the wonderful crafts and recipes you can make this Christmas season, based off of some of the most beloved holiday classic films. So be sure to check out the other 24 projects and recipes from my fellow hosts right after the tutorial! If you love Christmas movies, you have come to the right place!!

Let’s Meet The Hosts!

Megan:  C’mon Get Crafty • Marie:  The Inspiration Vault
Carmen:  Gross to Grandiose • Christine:  My Kitchen My Craft
Crissy: First Day of Home • Emily:  Domestic Deadline
Stephanie:  The Tip Toe Fairy • Rebecca:  The Moments at Home
Marianne:  Songbird • Ashley:  Attempts at Domestication
Sue:  A Purdy Little House • Roseann:  This Autoimmune Life
Kim:  Kimspired DIY • Jaime:  Love Jaime
Terri:  Christmas Tree Lane • Lyne:  The Paper Addict
Nicole:  For the the Love of Food • Marie:  DIY Adulation  • Paula:  Paula Tisch
Lara: Love on a Plate • Becky: The Moments at Home • Jaclyn: The Dotted Nest