When I saw this cute project made by Fran Sabad, I knew I'd have to make one.
It takes 25 matchboxes cut from Chocolate & assorted green card stock - I used Old Olive & Mellow Moss. Of course using the Stampin' Up! Matchbox die makes it pretty quick & easy to do.
The secret to making it sturdy is to layer a thin piece of chipboard with green card stock lined to both top & bottom - in fact, I used two pieces of thin chipboard. I like to use the board that comes in the packages of our 12" Designer papers. You can see the thin, covered white chipboard between the green matchboxes & the Chocolate ones.
The numbers were hand written on Real Red card stock & punched out with a 1/2" circle punch & adhered onto our Build a Brads.
The Red polka dot ribbon is wrapped around all of the green matchboxes & secured at the bottom, under the layered chipboard. Then I added a cute bow with a few more lengths of ribbon.
The star is also layered with the thin chipboard using Crushed Curry card stock on both sides & cut out with the Stars die. I punched a tiny hole & added a length of Red wire to it. I curled a thicker base of wire for a bottom & added it under the ribbon with a pop-up glue dot.
Girl! This is awesome! I would love to make one of these for my little niece. Can you tell me how big the little boxes are? I don't have the die, so I will have to make them individually.
Awesome!!!
Posted by: Holly aka Toy | November 02, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Awesome projects! How sweet of your friend to make the advent book for you.
Posted by: lisa808 | November 03, 2009 at 07:07 AM
This project is fantastic! I can't wait to make one for my granddaughters. What a fun project! What do you plan to put in the little boxes?
Posted by: Kathleen Androlewicz | November 03, 2009 at 08:17 AM
Holly, the size of the finished boxes are 2" X 2 3/4".
I found a template that is close - cut the box at 6 1/4" X 5 3/4". Score in 1" & 2" on all sides, cut off the corner tabs & fold into the matchbox.
Hope that helps!
Kathleen - I will be posting ideas for inside the boxes this week.
Posted by: LeeAnn Greff | November 03, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Thank you for sharing this awesome idea! I have 4 little ones and this will be something they all can use...instead of having 4 calendars around! GREAT IDEA! I love it! Merry Christmas!!!:)
Posted by: Kim S. | November 05, 2009 at 06:40 AM
AWESOME!! You have been one busy stampin' lady!! I think I "get" it, but I'm not sure what you mean by making it sturdier with the chipboard. Is each box made with chipboard. . . or are you referring to the "layer" between the base of the tree and the triangle shaped part of the tree. Thanks in advance to answering my question!
Kay
Posted by: Kay Kalthoff | November 05, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Yes Kay, the thin chipboard is just between the base - or between the layers of green & brown matchboxes.
Hope that makes sense!
Posted by: LeeAnn Greff | November 05, 2009 at 11:50 AM