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!

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Sale ends Dec 16th

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

2018 #21 Matchbox Art: Crushed with HP {by Bryan Evans}

 2018 Topic 21: Matchbox Art

We can always rely on Bryan to come up with something just that little bit different. And on this occasion, crushed matchboxes are the order of the day. Bryan has a great commentary on his creative process. Fun! ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Bryan from Geezer Crafter with you today, and I'd like to share with you my collage using one of the new sets of Hot Picks stamps, some of the new Fresco Paint range, and a stencil by Sara Naumann.

My collage came to life from this stamp. I was rearranging the letters to make a new word.

Hot Pick 1802

I like incorporating parchment within my collages as a different texture. 

PaperArtsy Stencil 090 (PS090)

Loved how the Versafine Smokey Grey inked through Sara Naumann stencil 090 resisted some of the layer of Fresco Chalk Paint Mustard Pickle.

Very pleased how the crushed matchboxes added interest and texture to my collage. Tissue paper glued and sealed with Ranger Multi Medium Matte worked for me. 

Love the combination of Surf's Up and Mustard Pickle.

Love the target stamp!!. Addition of 'do' aided by the use of a Uniball Signo Gel Pen.

I was going to use the 'flower' part of this stamp, but I do also like using the negative spaces left behind when cutting out elements. So I went with that.

I really enjoyed working with matchboxes, love the effect of them being crushed!! I am looking forward to seeing some 'alternative' match box art. Next time I must remember to add the interest of stencils within my art. Really enjoyed using parts of stamps and cutting up stamped images.

Happy Crafting. Bryan.

Blog: Geezer Crafter

Instagram: bryanevans7772

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

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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.

2018 #21 Matchbox Art: Treasures with ESN {by Miriam Grazier}

 2018 Topic 21: Matchbox Art

To kick off the new topic Miriam has created a matchbox from her own stamped background card. Keeping to a limited palette has allowed her to personalise it perfectly! ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Miriam with you today, and I'd like to share with you a matchbox that I have made to use as a jewellery gift box for a Christmas present.

I love making my own gift boxes.  They add such a touch to a gift.  And for me it's even more special when I create a complete background to use for the box.  

There is something so appealing about collage and layering your favourite stamps.  I always worry whether it looks too busy or not busy enough but once the project is complete it always makes me smile.

I started my project by brayering on with Courtney's newbies: Koala, Mulled Wine and Blah Mange Fresco Acrylic Paints.

I then set about stencilling and stamping using Sara Naumann stencils and stamps.

Eclectica³ Sara Naumann Stencils PS113 and PS114

Eclectica³ Sara Naumann Stamps ESN29 and ESN31
 

I used colours that are not 'traditional' Christmas colours but I loved how they worked and looked together, but I thought these looked quite stylish and 'rich'. There is a link to a matchbox Template here on Leandra's Pinterest page. You can find them online in different sizes.

After the matchbox was die cut I decided to edge it using Mulled Wine Fresco Acrylic paint.  This framed the box.  

I also stamped and cut out the pine leaf.  This was then shaped and added to the top of the
box to create further decoration.

It really was great fun to create this match box.  The possibilities are endless.  You can really personalise the box for the recipient.  I really hope that I have encouraged you to create custom made matchboxes of your own - whether they are for gift boxes or for fun, they are great to make.  You can use whatever colour scheme you wish and I plan to create more of this using other colour schemes.  

Thank you for joining me this evening. You can see more details of how i made this project over on my blog.   I look forward to seeing your creations and inspiration.

Blog:  Miriam's Creative Dreams

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.

2018 Topic 21: Matchbox Art {Topic Introduction and Challenge}

 2018 Topic 21: Matchbox Art

Hi everyone, Leandra here

As Christmas nears (dare I say it, I have done nothing to prepare yet!) here is a lovely topic that can be used in a practical sense, perhaps table place settings, with a gift, maybe an advent calendar, or maybe for tree decorations, whatever you decide, the topic is very flexible - always handy when time is tight! 

This is our final Challenge of the year, there will be one more topic to round off the year, but no challenge with that one.

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 20: Foiling Challenge...

The winner is: Mac Mable from The Sweetest of Peas 

I urge you to go and take a look, Mac actually made several samples over the course of the challenge, and a few went into the linked post above, but there were plenty of other beautiful entries this fortnight too! Thanks for joining us, it's nice to see your take on the challenge! 

Email Leandra to claim your prize. sales@paperartsy.co.uk 

So, back to our topic of the next 2 weeks...boy did I find it hard to select ideas, there are so many ways to go with this topic!

Just like people have collected 'things' forever: stamps, coins, cards, so it is with matchboxes. Initially created as a practical tool to light a fire or perhaps a cigarette, the outer covers soon became a suitable place for images, advertising or seasonal themes, and hence matchbox collections were born.

However, on this occasion, we are more interested on using the box itself as a mini structure. We do like to go small when making art, so this can be great fun, and many see, quite manageable, to tackle a smaller project, than a massive one.

Here's a timely idea, an advent calendar blogged by Ally, that is super effective due to the restricted colour palette of kraft, red and white. Check out the link below the picture for more details on its creation.

My Creative Space

In fact, if that floats your boat, here is a link to a whole bunch of home-made Advent calendars. Within I discovered another matchbox style one hanging from a branch, and the matchboxes were covered with plywood. Again, the colour scheme brings cohesion and simplicity.

The Merry Thought

In 2013, Manoswelt (Mano's World) embarked on an annual project to create 365 boxes. Many of them are teeny tiny, and the details are astonishing! Check out her blog.

December 2013, Mano's World

Here is a close up of the one lower right from the earlier picture. A bunch of boxes within a box. It is hard to comprehend the scale of her project, but I adore the idea of a few boxes wrapped up this way, whether a piece of art in itself, or actual gifts, it's cool!!

Spun By Me

Still on the Christmas theme, Matchboxes as decorations is also going to add a personal touch to your tree. I'm sure you have plenty of images that would work to decorate boxes in this manner! Cute that both the cover and inside are being used to great effect!

Kate Crane

Here's a fun sample by Kate Crane with her Stampotique stamps. Similar in concept to the Darcy sample at the top of the page, it is fun to have legs that can 'grow' as you slowly open up a matchbox!

Luciferdoosje

There is a fantastic tutorial here from Kay Williamson who has created the most stunning tiny matchbox library, the detail of each book is astonishing!

Kay's Keepsakes

This post from Graphic 45 shows how a peek through to the interior can be fun too...

Graphic 45 blog

Here is a wearable matchbox by Gaby Bee, follow the link to see the reverse side, equally beautiful and therefore 2 wearable options in one composition!

Gaby Bee, Colorful Adventure

Annette Green

I really like this hanging idea by Annette Green, created for G45. So many little details, and if you follow the photo link there is also a video for you of how she made this.

Laura Carson

Laura Carson designed this chest from Matchboxes for Alpha Stamps. I'm sure you can spot some Tim Holtz hardware in the mix too.

As you can see, Laura also made a detailed video series of 2 parts, and a downloadable PDF, so there is plenty of info here if a larger project like this tickles your fancy!

My Craft Room

So this blew my mind, and clearly it took the lady, Norma, who made it a long time to figure out too! See here for more. She did this project for a Magnolia blog hop, and it is fabulous! She also generously shares the template too. Think of the drawers as pie shaped sections, and you will get there! Isn't it fabulous!! There are plenty more construction projects on my Pinterest page for this topic too.

Don't forget to follow Darcy and Leandra's Pinterest boards if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there! I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

~ Leandra

An InLinkz Link-up

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.