2018 #21 Matchbox Art: Tea Notes with ESC {by Jennie Atkinson}

 2018 Topic 21: Matchbox Art

As ever, a delightful idea from Jennie. I really like the shape of this, the format really appeals to me. What would you put in it??? ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Jennie (Live the Dream) here with you today sharing a tea themed set of matchboxes.  

I can remember spending most of my childhood making matchbox projects. There always seemed to be plenty of boxes to work with having coal fires and a gas stove and I always loved the "compactness" of the box and it's ability to hide away small objects - beach finds, buttons, tiny sweets ..... Obviously I haven't grown up yet! 

I really love Scrapcosy's ESC15 stamp set and thought they would be just perfect for this project. However, I also wanted to try and recreate the colours of a lovely botanical tea pot I had years ago - gorgeous blue hues and pink flowers on a white background. So here I am reminiscing again! 

I started with the matchboxes and luckily I do have a die which cuts them out perfectly. I wanted a plain covering of paint but like using the Gel Plate and a brayer to get something a bit more random. 

I have used Fresco Finish Lake Wanaka and not been too careful brayering or picking up the paint.

ESC15

When this stamp set was launched in July I just knew I would use so many of the small elements. There are plenty of words, individual stamps, little bits of lace ...... just perfect!

Once I had cut out my boxes I stamped the ribbon around what would be the edges of the box. I used Stazon Opaque Cotton White Ink but it dried a lot of lighter.

Once the boxes were made up they were easily glued together and I made a base and top from good quality whiteboard.

As you can see a fairly simple construction. 

Stencil PS106

I wanted texture on the top of the box but wanted to leave everything as white as I could. 

(Note to Self : remember to blow off the dust before taking photographs!!!)

I wanted a more textile feel to the top of the box so stamped on calico. Not very successful but most of it was going to be hidden.

I love how this stamp set just keeps giving. So many little gems - stamps and individual words.

A lovely little label which I coloured and embossed before adding a sentiment.

Finally I added a handmade flower to compliment the blue and white theme. 

As you can see the white lace is quite subtle and delicate ..... a happy accident.

I hadn't thought about how much the acrylic paint would add to the thickness of the card for making the matchboxes. They got a little distressed in the making and creasing the cardstock was made more difficult. The length of the box required some feet to keep it level as well.

I am not sure what I will use the box for as I am not a tea drinker but I do love that it reminds me of that lovely tea pot I had many years ago (it sat on the dresser and was never used !!). A little bit of spring colour in the middle of winter!

I am always on the lookout for a stamp set which can be used in so many ways, the larger stamps have made some lovely birthday cards, but small parts of the stamps are just perfect for smaller projects such as these matchboxes. I can see the postage stamps  being used in journals and the little ribbon stamp is so delicate and pretty it would make a lovely addition to so many projects. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

As always thank you for joining me.

Jennie x

Blog: Live The Dream

To join our challenge and win a £50 PaperArtsy voucher:

Simply make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 21: Matchbox Art will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, December 9th 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy voucher. Please make sure we can contact you as a prize winner - it helps if you share your contact info from the platform you opt to use.

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

NEWS FLASH

Annual Sale on now at PaperArtsy

HERE

on our new look website

Sale ends Dec 16th

Discount applied at checkout automatically

A good time to stock up, or make your Xmas requests from family.