Saturday, May 21, 2011

Match Box Treasures


Happy Saturday Everyone!
I thought I might share a little of what I have been working on in my art room.
I love making lovely things from items I would normally throw out! There is something that feels so good about taking garbage and giving it a new purpose.

This match box project was inspired by Holly who hosted this swap at Marie Antoinette Mail Art Ning group. The first one I have sent off to Debi and the second is one of my upcoming giveaway items! Yes, I am having a giveaway for June, and there will be at least 6 gifts to win!
Yay! I love giveaways!

To create one of these you begin with an empty match box. This is the larger 4 3/4"x3 3/4" size boxes. If you don't have any almost empty ones sitting around, they come in a pack of 6 and only cost about $3 at Kroger's.

I used a French perfume label made available by the Graphics Fairy.
Thank you so much Karen! (Today I am joining Brag Monday for the first time)
If you have never been to Karen's site, you are in for a treat. It is full of all kinds of free images that are perfect for creating and decorating.

I primed the box with gesso to hide the bright red color.
The background paper I made myself by doing a tissue paper transfer off of an 130 year old French document I purchased in Paris at the Fleas.

I am just finishing a new video tutorial on how to do tissue paper transfers (paper saving version).This video will be out before next weekend. Yay!

I filled the box with all kinds of paper ephemera, as well as charms, ribbons, lace, and millinery (new and vintage). It was stuffed to the brim!
Inside is also a tiny matchbox that I filled with vintage beads, cabochons, buttons, pearls, rhondelles...little treasures for creating.

Art Tea Life by Sandra Gordon, has a fabulous paper doll Marie page. I have minimized it's size so I could mail it along with the box.

This second box I have made is for our upcoming GIVEAWAY!!!

This time I used a Echo Park Papers "Be Mine" series scrapbook paper. I gessoed it a bit to take the brightness down, added some silk ribbon, velvet leave, and a vintage flower. The Marie cameo I created myself.


...and here is a sneak peek of some of the goodies inside!!!I will be announcing the beginning of the giveaway by June 1st.I would love to hear about what you are creating this weekend.Thank you so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Terri
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39 comments:

  1. SherryMay 21, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    So beautiful...what can be done with something as simple as a matchbox...

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  2. AnonymousMay 21, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    How sweet these are! It looks like both of us were busy with art projects this week! That felt SO good to get out the papers and glues and make some art!

    I'll be looking forward to your giveaway. I'd love a Terri piece of art for sure!

    Have a great weekend my dear friend.

    Jan

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  3. judith@poppy cottageMay 21, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    These are so beautiful Terri. I took part in a matchbox swap recently, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll look out for your giveaway with interest, Judith xx

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  4. Татьяна А.May 21, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Hello Terri!!!
    This is so beauteful!!!!

    Hugs,
    Tatiana

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  5. Heather's Blog-o-ramaMay 21, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Those boxes are so beautiful. The Marie Antoinette cameo is really nice. i LOVE that nice little hanging detail from the cameo, too. I would have never thought to use gesso on a matchbox. Now I know better ;) :) Have a lovely weekend. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

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  6. Shortbread and GingerMay 21, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    What a beautiful little box - you have really transformed it!
    Liz

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  7. Elaine AMay 21, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Hi Terri -

    What sweet treasures you've created from items that would normally be thrown in the trash! Gorgeous! So very beautiful, love them.

    Elaine Allen

    P.S. Looking forward to your tissue paper transfer tutorial also!

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  8. Marianne C.May 21, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Ooo. so lovely, as usual, Terri! Beautifully decorated and I like the little pull handle on the 'drawer'.
    Wouldn't they be fun to store love notes in.

    Enjoy your weekend,
    Marianne (hug)

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  9. Marianne C.May 21, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Ooo. so lovely, as usual, Terri! Beautifully decorated and I like the little pull handle on the 'drawer'.
    Wouldn't they be fun to store love notes in.

    Enjoy your weekend,
    Marianne (hug)

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  10. Valerie-JaelMay 21, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    Great little things Terri, those matchboxes are gorgeoous!

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  11. UnknownMay 21, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    Beautiful and such a great idea for upcycling!

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  12. LiLi M.May 21, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Hi Terri, thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. These matchboxes are so lovely! And that there is a treasure to be found inside is even better! I once participated in a matchbox swap and I kept all the matchboxes just as they came, so that I can take a peek inside once in a while. It never bores me!

    I am crocheting a ripple afghan and I should make a little book for my husband's 50th birthday on Thursday. But I create best under a little (or very much) pressure.

    Have a lovely weekend, hugs LiLi

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  13. MarjanneMay 21, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    I love this!! both of them are beautiful!! Have a Sunny Sunday

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  14. AnnekeMay 21, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    That is such a cute and fabulous idea! It's what we in the Netherlands would call a 'hebbeding'!
    (a 'having-thing' or must-have, something you just want to have because you simply want to have it)
    So cute!

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  15. AnnMay 21, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    So delicate and such glamourous colors. Love all the trimmings.
    Ann

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  16. Pellie / PennyMay 21, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Lovely altered matchbox - so feminine and pretty. Love the colors and papers you chose.

    Hugs,
    Penny

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  17. SuzMay 21, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Terri,
    I love those, especially the one with the ledger paper. The little treats inside are wonderful. I did several of those swaps with Heather of Speckled Egg. So much fun! I could never take them apart, though, and use what was inside because it was all so sweet together!
    Hugs,
    Suz

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  18. Gerri HerbstMay 21, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    So very beautiful. I adore your style and follow u now. I will look at more posts too. Enchanting....sigh.

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  19. CatherineMay 21, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    This reminds me of a William Morris quote. "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". In this case it is both! It is really pretty Terri.

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  20. CreateologyMay 21, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Terri you have turned an absolute ordinary match box into an extraordinary piece of art. These are stunning. Looks like you really had fun making these. Wonderful weekend to you my dear...

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  21. Wanda LeeMay 21, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Dear Terri,

    What an innovative and pretty,creative match box project! Thanks for sharing some of the 'how-to's' of this project with us.., So charming!

    Also, with regard to last week's Tuesday tea post: ~ (I was out of the office, after last weeks tea's for several days, so I'm much later getting by to visit than I would have preferred);

    ..,Yet I must say what pure delight it was to have you partake once again with TTTT and also with my 83rd, 'Tuesday Tea For Two'!..,

    Thanks so very much for joining us and we look forward to hopefully having you join us once again in a few days; it's always a pleasure!

    ~(Even when you do not have a teapot per se to showcase Terri, you are welcome to join us, especially for 'Tuesday Tea For Two' which encompasses the overall theme of afternoon tea, as all lovely teacups are always so quintesentially, 'tea')..,

    Your teacups, china cabinet, and especially your amazing black and colourfully, finely detailed antique teapot were exceptional at last week's tea!


    Cheers and hugs from Wanda Lee
    @ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com
    and also
    @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

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  22. AnonymousMay 22, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Oh my goodness...that is so sweet and beautiful! I wanna make one!
    Looking forward for the unveiling of your giveaway!

    As for what I am making this weekend? Well, I'm making clean. My studio is such a mess I am taking time to reorder and reorganize everything...to Billie Holiday playing in the background, of course!

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  23. Christine LeFeverMay 22, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    The match box is so very beautiful. Of course you know you are a constant source of inspiration. Thank you for your sharing nature and your beautiful art.

    I am very eager to learn about tissue paper transfers.

    Working on dolls this weekend with a trip to one estate sale.

    Hugs,

    Christine

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  24. Princesa NadieMay 22, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    Dear Terry
    All your works are always lovely!
    Hugs

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  25. JannMay 22, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    How beautiful! You are so clever and talented, Terri!

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  26. Cinderella Moments May 22, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    THOSE ARE SO GORGEOUS! I absolutely love them. You are amazing!
    PS I love Cath Kidston too! And Tanya Whelan fabrics. They are some of my favorites.
    hugs,
    Caroline

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  27. NettyMay 22, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Fabulous matchbox makeover and loving your paper doll as well. Wonderful work. Enjoy your week, Annette x

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  28. VictoriaMay 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Wow..as always Terri..an Inspiring post...I am always so charmed by everything you share and create...wow!Just gorgeous...yay..fabulous!! Beautiful photos as well...you know how to evoke a beautiful poetic atmosphere with your shots..wonderful!
    Have a beautiful night
    victoria

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  29. Sugar Lump StudiosMay 23, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    Terri these are so sweet and lovely! The embellishments are darling and I love what you added to the inside! beautiful work!

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  30. UnknownMay 23, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    How adorable is that!!!

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  31. Okio B DesignsMay 23, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    What a sweet little box! I love the images you chose from the Graphics Fairy! I've done some in sheet music and drawer liner paper but yours is just divine! Coming over from Brag Monday and your newest follower!

    Jeanine

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  32. MatildeMay 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Wow, I'm very impressed with all your crafted things! And thanks for visiting my blog :))

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  33. Little Birdie BlessingsMay 23, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Hi Terri, I'm so glad you found me, because otherwise I wouldn't have found your fabulous blog. I just did my first matchbox swap. Yours is simply beautiful and you've given me some ideas. It's so much fun. Thanks for your kind comments.

    Abby

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  34. UnknownMay 23, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Oh so beautiful

    Love Dawn xx

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  35. DonnaMay 23, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Oooh, la, la! Your matchboxes are tres magnifique! I love the colors, and the embellishments are perfect. I also love your blog, and am your newest follower:)

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  36. Donna@Conghaile CottageMay 23, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    I LOVE these boxes you create! What a clever idea. I am looking forward to entering your giveaway! Thank you so much for sharing how you make them. Have a wonderful week,
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  37. RellaMay 24, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Oh my!! your work is so gorgeous and the photos are breathtaking. I love the matchbox you created, my friend, and I know Debi is over the moon for it. I look forward to your tutorial and thank you ahead of time for the painstaking work that goes into each video you make.

    big hugs
    xo Rella

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  38. debiMay 24, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Terri, I am so thrilled to be the owner of the first beautiful box here! I just love the colors and papers you used...so very pretty!
    Thank you so very much!

    Your second box is also beautiful. What a wonderful giveaway gift that will make!

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  39. Maminka Girl - Loribeth RobareMay 27, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Just catching up and loving these beautiful treasure boxes. So many possibilities! Have a great weekend.
    xxoo Loribeth

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Thank you so much for stopping by!
I so enjoy each and everyone of your visits.
I read every single comment and try to get back if I can to visit you as well.
Please forgive me for not always being able to as there are so many of you lovely friends to see!
Hugs,
Terri