Saturday 8 January 2011

Time to Strike Back by Nicky Cresswell

Hello Artistic Stampers.. I'm finally back after my little sabbatical, and boy is it good to be back.
What do you mean you didn't notice i had gone.. Charming.
So anyways, today i have a fun little project for you.
A matchbox on legs {and now the dodgy pun in the title makes sense!}
And i didn't stop there, as inside is a surprise little book.
You'll first need an empty matchbox and 2 small pieces of mountboard which will be your book covers {both the same size & that fit into the draw}. You should give the whole draw and only the edges and one side of the board as shown a coat of silver, i used a marker pen but you can use the medium you prefer. Once these are dry your going to take the covers and triple emboss and stamp the blank side. I used clear utee & then added some other colours a pinch at a time {Jennie has done a great triple embossing vid that you can see HERE}
.................
I used the clock front and back from the Time & Keys plate and used plum archival ink
The next thing your going to need to do is cut a strip of paper to make your folding book page.
I used some of Tim's lush seasonal stack, pretty on one side and light enough on the other for your stamping.
Roughly 7" x 1¾" scored and folded 5 times to make 6 pages, but you can make it bigger/smaller as you wish.
Now you just have fun and go mad with the stamping
I used the Time & Keys plate and also the Ephemera 1 plate.




To break up the phrase i just inked each word one at a time by placing a post it note either side like shown.



And when stamping something like the swirls i masked areas again using post it notes.
When your happy with your stamping your going to attach the covers.




Remember before you glue down the back side your going to need to add a bit of ribbon that will tie your book shut once finished as shown.


Right now back to the matchbox.
Get another piece of patterned paper, i use the same piece as was used for the book, which i also stamped and then wrapped around the box.
I stamped the smallest clock i had onto cardboard and cut it out, adding a couple of game spinners for effect. A good idea is to placed a strip of masking tape to the inside of the box where the long fastener comes through to stop the draw catching on it when opening.


Add a little handle to the draw, i used a hitch fastener, and then glue on 4 legs {I used some old metal beads taken from a broken belt}.
And there you have it. I hope i have explained myself clearly enough, any questions feel free to ask away.
I hope you've enjoyed my little project, don't forget if you give this a try to come and let me know so i can visit your blog and see the results.
♥ HUGZ ♥

25 comments:

Gillian .... said...

Oooooo Minxy, this is such a cool altered piece, love all the different sections, fab tutorial also. x

ellen vargo designs said...

OMG you are SO CLEVER! This is amazing! Glad to have you BACK!!! Hugs, Ellen xx

donnalouiserodgers said...

I LOVE the little book

I am going to make this with a love theme for Niall for his birthday in a couple of weeks, instead of a card, and put photos of us in the book...
must find some legs for the match box....


Dx

Sian said...

Wonderful little book and adorable box .... There's soooo many different ideas floating around my head now, thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Great to see you back hun, dodgy puns & all!! An absolutely brilliant piece of altered art! xxx

Helen Pigott said...

Ooooo this is lovely, it would make a super birthday card, such a different idea
Helen x
www.acraftykindoftruffle.blogspot.com

Kate said...

This is so cute :)

Julia Dunnit said...

How cool is this...and how cool that you've sparked so many ideas already!

Helen said...

Minxy, this is lovely! The little book inside the matchbox is great.

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

How cute is this:)) love that you are right back on form Miss CResswell!!
Hugs x

Sid said...

Fab matchbox, love your little book to go within !!

Sue West said...

Minxy, this is so gorgeous, I'm getting out my melt pot at the same time as typing. Can't wait to have a go at making somthing similar. Thanks for the inspiration, my mojo has done a runner!
Sue :D

Tracy Evans said...

Great altered matchbox, love the addition of the little book. Great idea for a gift. Love all the stamping on the little book too. Tracy Evans x

ScrappyDandyDoo said...

Wowser Nicky thats gorgeous!!!!
Well done you, and what a comeback to the blog!!!
WTGG!!!
Julie xx

Nicks said...

love this Minxy - very cute x

Hels Sheridan said...

Tis gorgeous Minxy - am loving the UTEE clock - it looks like opal! FAB!!! So happy that you are back and making your amazing altered art hunny x

Artyjen said...

Great project for your welcome return :)
Thanks for a fabby tutorial
xoxo Sioux

Gerrie Johnnic said...

That is just too cute, very cre8tive!

Kim Dellow said...

Just totally love this! Kim

Art By Wanda said...

Way cool!!! Fabulous piece of art!!!

TinaB said...

Minxy!! Where do you get you ideas hun! Fabulous work!!

Shazza said...

this is brill! Where do you get such ideas from Minxy
x

Lucy Edmondson said...

Fabulous project, lots of techniques and so well explained. And Yes, I missed you!

Lucy x

Vic said...

Adorable!! TFS

Helen Pigott said...

Craft Stamper magazine has a monthly challenge and this month it is alter a match box, this would make a fab entry.
Helen x