This week I whiled away a happy couple of hours making this advent for Ruby. I'm pretty pleased with the results.
Made from covered matchboxes it really can be made for pennies. I bought the matches in bulk and they worked out about 7p each (of course, I still have the matches...and ideas for this little lot? Crafting...large bonfire...)
I've not really done papercraft before, but enjoyed wielding a craft knife. I used decorative papers that came free with a magazine and some old magazines and maps. First cut out a cardboard template then cut your papers to size. Cover the matchbox outer using Pritt stick or similar, then add your numbers. I used silver stickers for the numbering but you could print and cut numbers.
Finally, I filled each box with a little treat for Ruby - hair bobbles and slides, rubbers and pencil sharpener, mini candy canes...
I saw a similar idea on the interweb and now I'm damned if I can find it again, so thanks to whoever I borrowed this from.
What I like most about it is you can adapt it to fit any look - use magazines, comics, wallpaper etc. You can also adapt the advent gifts to match the person.
I can't wait for the 1st of December now.
what a good idea, I am so far behind this year with everything, I was going to sew my kids one but I'm not sure I will have time may just have to buy one
ReplyDeleteBut yours looks amazing :)
I can send you a pinterest invite if you like, I think someone sent me mine?
ooh I love this idea :D
ReplyDeleteMaria x
I can send you an invite to pinterest if you like - send your email address to me - amknittyatgmaildotcom and I'll get one over to you xx
ReplyDeletePS lovin the advent 'jar'
Nice idea lady! I used to love making little chests of drawers out of matchboxes and split pins when I was a kid. Perhaps a matchstick model of the Taj Mahal for the leftover matches??
ReplyDeleteMark my words Pinterest will suck time away like nobody's business, I have to ration myself, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! xxx
Thanks everyone.
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for Pinterest to get their act together, but the lovely Lightly has sent me an invite.
I'm in...now what do I do? (apart from kiss my life goodbye)
Oh I used to do what Christea and Cakes said too, makes me all nostalgic. Love the idea of wielding a craft knife, creatively I mean. What a lovely treat this will be for your daughter.
ReplyDeleteooh that looks lovely, simple but effective.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! Really effective.
ReplyDeleteI love this. I've made one using match boxes too, but taped together in a pyramid shape which i must post about soon-I love the idea of miniature gifts x
ReplyDeleteLooks gorgeous! My sixteen year old mentioned at dinner tonight that he hadn't got an advent calendar yet, hint hint, so I may just have to borrow your idea. Maybe without adding any hair bobbles in though.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea - I've bought a boring chocolate one, but if I can find time to find matchboxes and fill the I might still make this - much more interesting that chocolates! Where did you get the matchboxes from?xx
ReplyDeleteHi Katherine - thank you! We use a lot of matches for lighting the fire so I bought some multi-packs at a discount homeware store.
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