Ash Amadian

Report

[Laser cut and engrave] Laser Cut Romantic First Date in Paris Scene Shadow Box with Eiffel Tower — Project made with xTool M1 Ultra machine for Valentine's Day.

Laser Cut Romantic First Date in Paris Scene Shadow Box with Eiffel Tower

2026 Valentine's Day Contest

Instruction

Valentine-ShadowBox

.xcs

Application scenario

Laser processing

Machine & module

xTool M1 Ultra

10W, 20W

Compatibles · 8

Material used

1/8"(3mm) Basswood Plywood

1/8"(3mm) MDF Board

175

2082

Information

      This shadow box was born from one unforgettable night in 2011.
It was early autumn in Paris. The air was cool, the kind that carries the scent of rain and warm coffee drifting from nearby cafés. The Eiffel Tower shimmered in the distance, glowing softly against the dark sky. It wasn’t a grand, planned moment, just a simple first date between two people who had no idea their lives were about to change.
They met under the gentle light of a streetlamp. There were nervous smiles, quiet laughter, and that familiar question both were too shy to ask: “Is this something special?”
Then it began to rain.
He opened his umbrella without a word. She stepped closer. Not just to stay dry — but because, somehow, it already felt like home. Beneath that umbrella, with the Eiffel Tower standing tall behind them and the city lights flickering like distant stars, time slowed.
They talked for hours. About dreams. About fears. About the kind of future they hoped to build someday. Paris became a blur around them, the world reduced to two silhouettes standing close, hearts beating in sync.
That night in 2011 was only the beginning.
Fifteen years have passed since that first walk together. Fifteen years of shared mornings, late-night conversations, challenges overcome, and countless new memories layered one upon another — just like the layers in this shadow box. Through every season, every storm, every celebration, they have chosen each other again and again.
And they still do.
This laser-cut shadow box captures that very first moment, the umbrella, the lamppost, the Eiffel Tower, the promise in the air. Crafted from 3mm basswood (or 3mm MDF), each intricate layer is carefully cut and assembled to create depth and dimension. When illuminated, the warm glow brings the scene to life,  just as love, when nurtured, only grows warmer over time.
The engraving “Since 2011” is more than a date.
It is the beginning of a lifetime.
This piece was created to celebrate first dates that turned into forever. To honor couples who started with a simple evening walk and built a life from it. To remind us that love doesn’t always arrive loudly, sometimes it begins quietly, under an umbrella, in a city known for romance.
For some, it will simply be a beautiful Parisian love story.
For one woman, however, it may feel strangely familiar, as if she has stood beneath that umbrella before… as if she remembers the exact way the rain sounded that night… as if “Since 2011” is not just engraved in wood, but written into her own life.
Fifteen years later, they are still together.
And they always will be.
Because some nights are not just memories.
They are the foundation of forever.
And sometimes, a Valentine’s gift is not just a decoration, it is a quiet thank you…
for saying yes to that first date.

--- The text on the Shadowbox (the date) is customisable ---

Instruction

Step1

Preview

Step 1 – Attach Middle Layers to Bottom Panel

Begin assembling the main container (the part with multiple side slots).

Glue layers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 into the bottom plane, inserting each tab carefully into its corresponding slot.

Make sure:

All layers are in the correct order

The scene faces forward

Every piece is perfectly aligned and vertical

Apply glue lightly and avoid excess. Hold everything steady until fully dry.

Step2

Preview

Step 2 – Attach the Remaining Main Container Panels

Now attach the top, left, and right panels (the pieces with multiple slots) to the middle layers assembled in Step 1.

Apply wood glue to the tabs and slot edges, then carefully slide the panels into place around layers 2–6.

Make sure:

All tabs are fully inserted

The structure stays square and aligned

The layers remain straight and evenly spaced

Hold firmly until the glue sets and the main container frame is secure.

Step3

Preview

Step 3 – Attach Layer 1 (Front Decorative Frame)

Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the front edges of the main container.

Carefully position Layer 1 (the large decorative front frame) onto the structure, aligning all tabs and edges properly.

Make sure:

The frame sits flush against the container

All corners are aligned evenly

The oval opening is centered over the scene

Press gently and allow the glue to dry completely before moving to the next step.

Step4

Preview

Step 4 – Install the Light and Attach the Back Panel

Before closing the box, attach your preferred LED or light source to the inside of the back panel.

You can use any suitable LED strip, module, or small lamp.
Secure it firmly and route the power cable through the small square hole designed in the back panel.

(As shown here, I used an LED I already had at home — feel free to choose the lighting method that works best for you.)

Once the light is installed and the cable is properly positioned, apply glue to the edges and attach the back panel to the main box as the final layer.

Ensure everything is aligned and allow the glue to dry completely.