Holiday Matchboxes

I can't resist things that are colorful and tiny. It's why I love dollhouses and candy and making matchboxes into art pieces!

I made at least 12 holiday matchboxes this year and had fun handing them out to friends and family. I used to sell little collections at art shows and I still have a few for sale here.

I use scrapbook paper, glue, sticker embellishments (have you seen Michaels Craft store at the holidays lately? They are loaded with cute decorations like these.) and let my imagination go wild.

I just knew you'd like them!

Match Box Puzzle

I just love this collection of matches I made.  I chose a bunch of different scrapbook papers and glued them to small boxes of matches.  Now they work together as a kind of "artistic puzzle."


I leave them displayed together on a sofa table in the family room and check back periodically to see if they have been rearranged.  As often as not, someone has taken it upon themselves to move the boxes around, changing the arrangement to appeal to them.  I love that!  You wouldn't think that there was a lot of reasoning or placement to a collection of black and white patterns, but there is.  I think it is a bit like a crossword puzzle, finding satisfaction in the solution.


Would you rearrange these boxes if you had the chance?

Shell Matches

It was divine inspiration that had me glance at my box of loose shells and imagine the tiny sand dollar glued to the top of a match box.  The natural piece that was too delicate for jewelry, could be perfectly protected on top of a match box.  Shells are everywhere in decorating right now, and adding a touch of the sea makes perfect sense in my aqua and white powder room. 

Ocean-colored soap, lightly scented candle and a sand dollar topped match box. Never underestimate the power of glue.

Paper Touches

Scrapbookers...is your paper stash living up to it's potential?  I want to show you a few simple things I have done with paper to make my power room look finished.

I started by building a look around a Bella "Capri Olive and Lemonwood" candle (from Target) that comes in a paper-covered tin - it looks great and smells fresh and wonderful.  You could ceratinly rim your own tin with 2-coordinating papers and it would look darling! Go a step further and make a simple candle for it with a kit from the craft store.  

Long ago, I decoupaged two images from a set of Cavallini Decorative Labels- Paris onto an empty jam jar.  One side features the Eiffel Tower and on the other side I chose this interesting crest.  By facing the crest side out and filling the vase with fresh variegated sage leaves and green envy zinnias, I am echoing the tan and green tones in the candle.  Cute, eh?

My final touch was to glue scrapbook paper in the same tones (a bit like this) to an empty matchbox with craft glue.  For a perfect fit, trim the excess paper off with an Xacto knife.  I placed a "gem" sticker on top to finish the look.  Now the candle has some matches and the whole look makes sense.

I hope this inspires you to glue/decoupage paper to vases and matchbooks to make a few quick and easy design elements for your home.   

Designer Matches

Looking for a little "wow-factor" in your living room? Cover your own box of large kitchen matches and have the prettiest accent ever.

I used Sobo glue to attach lime green faux crocodile paper to the box. After the glue had dried, carefully use an X-acto knife to trim the extra paper off. I chose a flat gem set from the jewelry section of the craft store (you may need to cut off the attachment loop on the back with needle nose pliers so that it will lay flat - this particular piece was already flat.) Use Gem-Tac to attach gem set to the top of the box. So pretty, right?

When you are shopping for the gem set, start thinking about the holidays. If you find the perfect combination of paper and stones - get enough to make three! They make a unique hostess or teacher gift.

Hostess Gifts

Want a great idea for a hostess gift this season? Make a collection of match boxes. A wonderful and simple craft, you can make a darling set for under $5. All you need is matches, Sobo glue, pretty scrapbook paper and some 3-dimensional trims. When choosing papers, stick to three colors, but vary the scale to add interest (I even added a map of Paris). Cut a rectangle of paper slightly larger than the matchbox. Brush glue onto 3 sides of box and carefully cover with paper. When dry, trim away excess paper. Highlight a few of the match boxes with a button or paper butterfly on top. Voila! You have a lovely one-of-a-kind gift. Present them to your hostess on a square black paper plate (cover with clear saran wrap to keep them secure) or make two stacks and slide them into a clear gift bag tied shut with a ribbon. If you make a few sets now, you'll be ready when party season hits.

Pretty Match Boxes

What do I love? When everyday items are pretty. Other than a fabulous large box of Martha Stewart Everyday matches from Kmart, all of my matches were from restaurants - not my thing. 

I wanted something sweet laying around suggesting candlelight. Enter my new little obsession: coordinating match boxes! A little collection in itself made by covering small Diamond matchboxes with scrapbook paper and embellishments.