Matchbox Play Book

Hi There and Happy Sunday!!  It's me Shari with you today-recuperating from a blustery week of stormy weather and power outages!  Being without electricity for just a couple of days, makes me feel like I'm two weeks behind....Good thing I have a few Artistic Outpost projects ready in advance to share during times when I can't quite make it to the crafting table! 

I couldn't resist using our new Go Team stamp set to create my very first matchbox journal creation.  This is a bigger matchbox and measures about 2 1/2" x 4 1/4". 

When you pull the drawer open, there's a cute little journal you can use to jot down notes or those creative ideas that you just can't forget!  Let me show you a little bit of what I did to alter this matchbox...

I used a piece of mixed-media paper and created a master board using Distress Spray Stains and white gesso.  I spread the gesso through my Harlequin layering stencil to add some fun texture and design. 

I started by altering the surface of the matchbox with Walnut Stain Distress Stain.  Not pictured is all of the paint cap stamping and paint splatters that I added. 

Before layering the top of the matchbox with a finished piece of master board, I wrapped the box with decorative tissue tapes--Oh, you can see some of the paint splatters and paint cap circles there on the side of the matchbox! 

I stamped this little footballer and the words onto coffee stained mixed-media paper and fussy cut.  I stamped the loving cup onto manila stock, heat embossed with silver embossing powder and carefully fussy cut. 

I adhered all of the fussy cut pieces to a piece of the master board and secured to the top of the matchbox with matte Decou-Page.  The inside of the matchbox drawer got a little piece of the master board, too. 

This little playbook was so fun to make.  I used a couple of sheets of coffee stained copy paper to create the journal and I used black duct tape and my sewing machine to stitch and adhere all of the pages together. 

This journal measures about 2 1/8" x 4" and fits perfectly inside the matchbox drawer.  I used alphabet letter stamps that I have to make the "Play Book" title page--I stamped the words onto tissue paper then adhered to the cover with matte Decou-Page.

I randomly stamped and splattered the inside of the pages to add a bit of interest and give the journal a bit of a 'used feel' to it. 

Altering this matchbox was so fun and I can see making more of these to give away as gifts!  They would make perfect little stocking stuffers, too, and can be altered to fit any occasion, celebration and holiday--This definitely won't be the last time you see one of these from me! 

Thanks so much for joining me here at Artistic Outpost today!!  Since I won't be back until next Sunday, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm already looking forward to the Thanksgiving feast leftovers!! 


Designer: Shari Trumbull
Ain't That Artsy Fartsy