Altered Matchbox: Theme - Birds

This month's theme on the Flickr group

 Matchbox Monthly Swap 2011 

is 'Birds'.

I immediately knew I wanted to make one of those cute little

 bird's nests made from wire and beads.

I googled and found a great tutorial on a blog called

Vintage Susie & Wings.

Inside as well as the wire and bead nest, I adhered some glass

pebbles - which perhaps look a bit like some more eggs?

There's also a used postage stamp with a bird on

and a little bit of twine around the edge.

The outside of the box I textured to make look like a tree's bark.

This was created with several layers of ink, paint, glue, more

ink and paint and a final layer of crackle glaze.

There's also another used postage stamp with a bird on,

glued onto a piece of chipboard and again covered with

crackle glaze.

The gold bird at the bottom is cut from shrink plastic

 from the Tim Holtz 'Caged Bird' die.

Can you see his beady eye - lol!

I enjoyed making the little bird's nest so much

I made another for the drawer pull.

Swap partners will be announced on 10th March

so I'll soon know who my little birdy box

will be flying off to!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 4 (and my entire display)

I'm counting down to Christmas with the 25 matcboxes I received from this swap organised by Linda on her blog A Swap For All Seasons.

Matchbox number 4 pictured above was made by JoAnne from Vintage Dragonfly.  The focal point of the box is a beautiful fabric rosette topped off with a fabric poinsettia flower.

Inside, JoAnne has altered a tiny scrabble tile with a vintage Christmas image.

She provided a bale and ribbon so I can decide whether to make the tile into a piece of jewellery or a mini ornament - how thoughtful.  I haven't decided yet, but either way it'll be fabulous.

Many thanks JoAnne your matchbox and gift are both stunning!

A few posts ago I mentioned the goody bag Linda sent with the return matchboxes.  One of the contents was a pair of cute green felt mittens.  They were just crying out for some stitching and embellishment, so here's what I did with them (I know the stitching is a bit rough, but that's the way I intended it to be ...!!!)

I attached a little magnet to the back of the button so they can stick on to the baking tray (cookie sheet) I altered for my entire display.

Onto the bottom right hand corner of the tray I glued on some paper poisettia flowers I made a while back with a paper punch.

Here's the whole thing - all 25 matchboxes on the tray (which I altered with Christmas napkins and Stickles glitter).  I attached a small strip of magnet to the back of each of them so they can easily be removed and put back.

I think it looks fab! 

Can you spot your matchbox on there?

I wish I knew who received mine - so far I only know who received matchbox number one!

Linda does have links to all 70 participants on the sidebar of her blog so I may have to start searching on there!

Come back tomorrow to see what's inside matchbox number five!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 3

Here's the third matchbox I received in the 'Countdown to Christmas' swap hosted by Linda on her blog A Swap For All Seasons.

This beautiful box was created by Ruth Graham.  Unfortunately her blog 'throughmygardensgate' appears to have been discontinued so I can't provide a link to it or say thank you personally. 

Ruth decorated her box with scrapbook paper and edged it top and bottom with some little glass like chips looking like frost - I haven't captured it well in my photos. On the front of the box is lovely snowflake made with glass beads and pipe cleaners (what a great idea!). Inside is lined with red glitter paper.

The gift inside is a pair of silver earrings with beads and the peace sign - they are beautiful.

If you are by any chance reading this Ruth, many thanks for the beautiful matchbox and earrings, they will both be treasured x

Countdown to Christmas - Day 2

Here's the second of twenty five matchboxes I received as part of the 'Countdown to Christmas' matchbox swap hosted by Linda.  You can read about it on her blog A Swap for All Seasons.

This matchbox was made by Sophia from Blue Chair Diary.

Sophia covered the box with Christmas paper and added a cute little reindeer - I don't think it's Rudolph though as he hasn't got a red nose - lol.

The gift inside was a little cameo - perfect for a vintage project.

Many thanks Sophia!

Yesterday I forgot to put this photo on of the contents of a goody bag Linda enclosed with our return matchboxes.

If that doesn't get you in a Christmassy mood, I don't think anything will!  Thank you again Linda for all your hard work organising this huge swap and for the lovely goodies!