The idea of little matchboxes decorated as little gifts with a “gift” quote inside appealed to me. Here are the results. The quote I used
“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” Ruth Ann Schabacker
I had a pile of greeting cards that I was not going to use so rather than throw into the recycle bin I thought I would decorate some matchboxes with them. After gluing the base card on the matchbox, I used tiny adhesive foam squares to elevate card segments and then embellished them with beads. I am really loving this project I loose my self in these little boxes – good for the soul!
I have used the following quotes inside these matchboxes:
"Be happy in the moment - that's enough. Each moment is all we need - not more." Mother Teresa
"Don't fill your time with worry - fix what you can and let the rest take care of itself." Anon
"Always remember that the future comes one day at a time." Dean Acheson
"When anger rises, think of the consequences." Confucius
Here is another fused glass matchbox. I love how such sharp glass can be transformed into something so smooth and calm.
The quote inside this one:
"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. " Ralph Waldo Emerson
My local material shop has this wonderful tub of buttons, which you can buy, by the scoop. I must have spent half an hour sorting out the buttons so I could have a scoop full of tiny colourful ones. I wrapped the matchboxes in paper and glued a whole pile of buttons on top.
The quote inside each one:
"A person who angers you conquers you." Elizabeth Kenny
I have used the following peace quotes in these matchboxes:
“A smile is the beginning of peace.” Mother Teresa
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” Buddha
“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.” Dalai Lama
“Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time.” Lyndon B. Johnson
Ages ago I played with mixing different media – some friends showed me how. We glued a whole lot of things together, such as paper, string, wire, cardboard, then painted them with acrylic metallic colours and then rubbed in a metal finish.
I painted the matchboxes in acrylic metallic paint and then added the mixed media embellishments
Bronze matchbox quote inside
Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. Benjamin Spock
Silver matchbox quote inside
Live every act fully, as if it were your last. Buddha
Gold matchbox quote inside
You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing. Arthur Ashe
These are also all heading off to Europe
My 8-year-old son is fantastic at making paper aeroplanes so I asked would he create a tiny little one out of origami paper for one of the matchboxes. I love how it turned out.
The quote inside
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are Theodore Roosevelt
This one will be heading off to Europe
I love fusing glass, the unpredictable nature of it – and for me never quite knowing how it is going to turn out. I do not have a thermometer in my jewellery kiln so my pieces end up rather organic.
I had some pieces that I had done previously that I thought would suit my matchboxes.
The quote inside
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
Vincent van Gogh
This one will be heading off to Europe
I am on a roll. That is one thing about me - get me motivated and energised doing something and there is no stopping me. It has been so long since I have taken the time to be creative I am just loving this project.
My partner is going to Europe tomorrow and I thought it would be really cool for him to take some matchboxes and drop them off in places where he travels.
I am very excited, as I have made my first matchbox. I painted the box in a sky scene, used tigers tail and crimps to make a clothes line and then pegged a little red love heart.
The quote inside
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James
Tomorrow I am going to put it in a place for someone to discover and enjoy.
Sitting in a doctor surgery flicking through the Readers Digest I was inspired by a project undertaken by Sonya Gee called the Matchbox Project.
“Each week, a decorated matchbox with a tiny present hidden inside is left by a girl (and sometimes willing friends) somewhere in her travels. It's a random act of semi-artistic kindness aimed at disrupting someone's day in a tiny but positive way. That's if they dare to pick it up...”
I just loved the concept, such a wonderful idea. I understand that in February this year Sonya decided to say goodbye and finish making matchboxes. So I guess I have decided continue on and start my own matchbox moments. I am going to make hand decorated matchboxes and place a quote of inspiration inside them. I am then going to leave them in random places for people to discover and enjoy. My aim is to bring a moment of joy into someone’s life. My intention for this blog is to share my creative journey.
One of my favourite quotes is from Scott Adams Dilbert Creator
“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
I would love you to join me on this journey.
