Flea Market Matchbox Swap

I'm participating in the Speckled Egg's Petite Inspiration Box - Flea Market Edition swap. Here are the boxes I made for my swap partners:

I covered each box with vintage sewing pattern instructions, then added vintage lace trims, a canvas tag, and crochet flower.

The real treasure is inside the box! I filled it with flea market finds - vintage chenille fabric, a crochet doily, more trim, old buttons, beads, and jewelry bits.

And since I couldn't stop at just two boxes, I made a couple more before I decided what I would make for the swap. This box is covered in old dictionary paper. I used the packing tape transfer technique to add an image of a woman and two boys. Old lace trim and some natural elements finish it off.

This last box is covered in an old magazine advertisement. I used old trim of pink flowers for the edging and tied on a little bouquet of flowers. Very simple, but trés chic!



Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

Today is the last day of the Countdown to Christmas. Here is the matchbox I made:

I used a vintage Christmas stamp for the box of this very special day.

This is the box I received from the super talented Wendy Aspinall:

I have LOVED seeing Wendy's beautiful faerie boxes on other blogs, and I'm so happy to open one myself today! And it doesn't end there. Take a look at the charm she made!!!

I had so much fun participating in this swap. I can't wait to see what Linda has in store for us next.

I'm taking some time to visit with family this week. I hope you enjoy the rest of this holiday season. 2011 is just around the corner!

Happy Christmas Eve!

December 24 is such a magical day. All the busyness of preparing for the holiday is over and we can relax and spend time with family. We still have the aniticipation of Christmas, without the sadness that the holiday is over.

I still have two more sets of matchboxes to share. Here is the box I made for Day 24:

And the oh so fabulous box I received from Heidi Wallace. Absolutely one of my top three favorite boxes.

Heidi not only turned her matchbox into a little house, but it's a lovely little sparkly, colorful, perfect house!

And the altered vintage photo she enclosed? The cherry on top!

Tomorrow, I will share the last matchboxes.

My husband and I exchanged our gifts last night, so I can share the card I made for him. I wanted something that didn't look like any of the other Christmas cards I made this year, so he would know it was special just for him.

I pulled some "vintage" Cosmo Cricket paper from my stash and just started layering pieces. I get a lot of Christmas inspiration from song lyrics and this was no exception. I made the title using my Dymo label maker.

Luckily, I already had the red velvet heart stitched up, so this came together pretty quickly. I tied a piece of vintage lace around the heart and adhered it to the card on top of another piece of old lace. The chipboard tag is part of the same Cosmo Cricket kit.

December 23

Day 23 of the Countdown to Christmas! We're only two days away!!!

Here is the box I made:

And the cute box I received from Denise:

That little airplane is so adorable!

December 22

Day 22 of the Countdown to Christmas! Here is the box I made:

And the box I received from Liz Droege:



Of course, I made more Christmas cards! I had to have something special for the kids. Here is the card design for the big kids:

I used Basic Grey paper for the "sky" and used up other scraps in my Cricut for the die cuts. I used my new "Give a Hoot" cartridge for the trees and deer. (That makes twice this year that I've used my Cricut.) I sprayed white cardstock with Pearl Glimmer Mist and then added Stickles and Martha Stewart flocking to the snow.

Here are the cards for the little kids:

I used parts of an old Christmas paper pad I had in my stash. The images are cute, and perfect for toddlers.

December 21

Day 21 of the Countdown to Christmas! Here is the box I made with a bling-afied vintage Christmas seal:

And the sparkly box I received from Amy Harrett:

Back on this post, I shared the Christmas song ATCs I made for a swap. I have received all the gorgeous ATCs, so here they are.

This one is from Diana. Her song choice was "Silver Bells." Can't you just hear "city sidewalks, busy sidewalks..." as you look at that beautiful vintage image? Love it!

This next one is from Julie. Her Christmas tree is so festive and fun! What a great color combination.

Debbie made this one for "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town." So cute and festive!

Kristin selected "Noel" for her song choice. The angels are so beautiful, and so is all that lovely lace!

And Toni made this ATC. She chose the same song I did ("There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays")! You can't tell in this photo, but the entire ATC is sparkly and shimmery. She painted such a lovely background for that adorable house for the holidays.

Thanks ladies! I love them all!

December 20

Day 20 of the Countdown to Christmas! Here is the box I made:

And the lovely box that traveled all the way from England from Jan Smith:

I'm working on a Christmas paperbag album. It's still a work in progress, but I'll share a few pages.

I used paper from Graphic 45, Making Memories, and Karen Foster that matched a subdued, vintage, and homespun style for the book. I added vintage fabrics and trims to give it an aged feel.

On this page, I stitched part of an old embroidered handkerchief for the background.

More trim stitched on to create a little pocket.

I need to finish the book and fill the pockets, but that might not happen until next Christmas.

December 19

Day 19 of the Countdown to Christmas! Here is the box I made:

And the box I received from Michele Askeroth:

I love the gold and vintage style!

December 18

Day 18 of the Countdown to Christmas! Just one week to go!

Here is the box I made:

And the box I received from Tracy Coombs:

More Christmas bling!

We had wonderful warm weather here the other night, so we took advantage of it and went for a stroll down Main Street in downtown Grapevine, TX. The stores were all aglow with their beautiful lights and decorations. They have a new animated light display at the gazebo with a HUGE Christmas tree and lots of lights dancing to the music.

This shop is completely lit up! The theme at the Gaylord Texan this year is Charlie Brown Christmas, so this shop continued the theme.

Each business has a beautifully decorated tree in front. Here are a few of my favorites, looking so festive.

Another shop coated in lights! This is the Christmas store, so it's always looking festive.

On the way home, we drove around looking at Christmas lights. I love this time of year!

December 17

Day 17 of the Countdown to Christmas! Here is the box I made:

And the box and gift I received from Lyneen Jesse:



I love the Victorian images!

I participated in a Christmas twinchies swap. Here are the twinchies I made:

I started with a 2" felt square and then stitched on an image that I printed on cotton. I added glitter here and there to give the girls a little holiday sparkle. I'll share the twinchies I received as soon as they all arrive.

December 16

Day 16 of the Countdown to Christmas! Here is the box I made:

I love this girly color combination for Christmas. I made a matching gift inside:

I received this clever creation from Michelle Rondeau. She turned her matchbox into a little Christmas book!

Here's a peek at the sweet little charm she tucked inside!



I made another Ann-Denise inspired paper ornament. She taught a similar class a couple weeks ago, but I wasn't able to attend, so I reinterpreted her project. It was difficult to photograph because I don't have a good place to take hanging photos.

After assembling the sheet music cones, I added the vintage ballerina image and started layering on the embellishments - dyed and crinkled seam binding, vintage pearls, mercury glass beads, buttons, and tinsel. I even dangled a little bell from the bottom.



I added a vintage lace hanger so she can adorn our Christmas tree.