matchbox 24 - Christmas Eve

My Christmas Eve Matchbox comes from Ruth.  Ruth's blog is not operational at this time.  I'm sorry I can't think her personally.  But I do thank her for the lovely earrings and the beautifully decorated box.  Only one more day and my Countdown to Christmas display will be complete.  I hope to have a pic for you tomorrow.

Happy Christmas Eve.  I'm off to prepare  a Christmas Eve luncheon with tamales and margaritas.  Our former neighbors and my son's family will be here at noon.   

Matchbox Day 22

Today's matchbox comes from our hostess Linda Smith.  What a lovely box with the vintage Santa image and tiny reindeer.  The gold trim both inside and out give the box a holiday sparkle.  Another vintage image inside and a compass tucked in the box.  Thank you Linda.

Matchbox 19

Match box # 19 comes from Peace.  The Silent Night theme is so beautiful with Mary and Baby.  Tucked inside the box was a lovely button charm.  Thank you Peace for this lovely matchbox.  We are starting the last week of the swap as we approach the birthday of our Savior.

Matchbox 18

Today I received this "Formal Matchbox" from Shawnee.  Inside the box was tucked a lovely delicate charm on a silver ribbon.  Isn't this the cutest Tux!   Thank you Shawnee.

Matchbox 17

This "be jolly" matchbox comes from Linda at lambworld.  The tiny vintage image on the front of the box is beautifully embellished with glitter, a red ribbon, and scallop background.  Inside is this cute little charm.  Can you see the black snap at the top of the charm.  Very creative.  Can't believe tht we are now at Day 17.  Just one week until Christmas Eve. 

Matchbox 16

Today's matchbox comes from Erica in Texas.  Check out her blog for more details.

The image on the front of the box is so adorable.  Cute little girl with hat and present.  A jingle bell attached to the pink ribbon.  Inside is a minature ornament that was made by Erica.  Thank you Erica for making my Day 16 so wonderful.  I'll be sad to see this one end.

Matchbox 15 and a Red Quiltie

Can there only be 10 days til Christmas?  My # 15 Matchbox is from Kathy in Tennessee.  The outside of the box is elegantly decorated with tiny snowflake, Christmas sparkle, and a lovely deep red ribbon.  There is even a silver Christmas stocking on the back of the box.  Inside were tucked a great bottle cap magnet featuring a vintage Santa image, a tiny red candy, and a wonderful cloth ornament.  Thank you Kathy for the lovely box and little gifts.

As most of you know I participate in the Alphabet Quiltie Swap over on Fabric in Altered Arts 2 group.  This month the letter is "R".  Our hostess Penny selected the theme "red".  This is my Red Quiltie for December.  I decided to make a package and decorate the package with red plaid ribbon and two of my crochet flowers.  I purchased a book on making crochet flowers and experimented with some while sitting on our balcony cruising to Cabo.  It has been quite sometime since a I did much crochet work and I'm still experimenting with needle size and tension. 

Matchbox # 13

My day 13 matchbox came all the way from the UK.  I hope you can see the small snowman charm that Hope included in the box.  Love the embellishments on the outside of the box (tiny snowman and beautiful gold star).  Inside is decorated with lovely Christmas paper and a sparkling star.  The snowman charm appears to be a shrink art piece.  Love it all.  Thanks Hope. 

Matchbox Day # 12

Happy Day # 12.  This lovely box is from Grace in Washington.  It included a lovely beaded ornament and Happy New Year tape.  I love the Christmas stamp and plaid paper decorating the box.  Thank you Grace for the lovely box and ornament.  Tomorrow will be "hump day" for our boxes with # 13 in the middle.  What a wonderful time I'm having opening each box. 

Matchbox Day # 11

Here is my day # 11 matchbox.  This lovely box is from Amy.  Love all the sparkle and the candy cane ornament is so cute.  Thanks Amy for this wonderful matchbox.   This swap has been soooo much fun.  I have my previous 10 displayed on a tray in the living room.

Matchbox # 3

And now for box # 3.  Isn't this a beautiful box from the North Pole.  Inside is this cute little star with green hanger.  Box designer is Amanda.  Thank you Amanda.  Check out other boxes by clicking on the link to the left.   Twenty two more boxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matchbox # 2

Here is matchbox # 2.  Lovely paper with glitter and red ribbon and button.  Inside is this cute snowman lining and these wonderful earrings for the holidays.  Box by Valery.  Thank you Valery.  Fun! Fun! Fun!  To see a list of participants and more boxes, click on the link to the left.

December 1st - Matchbox # 1

This is so exciting! Opening a box each day until Christmas.  Such fun.  Isn't this a beautiful box and inside is this cute little snowman.  Box designed by Freda.  Thank you Freda for my beautiful # 1 matchbox.

Our Blue and White Christmas

My Blue and White themed Christmas is taking shape.  I'm loving it.  The little trees, the wall arrangement, and the white tree.  All perfect together.  I added the remaining vintage fabric around the base of the tree.  Tonight I will wrap presents in blue, white and silver paper. 

Here are the three frames that I purchased at the thrift store.  I removed the glass, painted the frame and mat with silver paint, used my blue and white fabric as a background, and added beaded snowflakes.  I had fun searching all the store for beaded snowflakes.  You can see more below. 

I purchased this little "peg board" at the thrift store and painted it with silver paint.  It is the perfect place to display some of the beaded snowflakes I found.

The glitter bird and snowflakes are from Walmart.  Vintage blue ornament is from thrift store and other vintage ornaments were given to me by my sister. 

Now I will be adding other Christmas decorations throughout the room.  My DH just finished hanging the Christmas lights.  We bought new ones last year on clearance.  They are the star icicle lights and look wonderful.  Tomorrow is December 1st and I will begin opening my Matchboxes (See link to the left)

My Countdown to Christmas is Complete

My Countdown to Christmas Match Box Swap is complete.  I started working on the little boxes quite awhile ago but just completed them today.  The top shows the outside of the boxes with embellishments.  The bottom shows the little surprises I have included in each box.  They aren't necessarily in the same order that they will go into the covers.  I have not tried to match the surprise to the outside cover.  They will be assembled randomly.  Items include game pieces, buttons, vintage jewelry, erasers, brads, and small Christmas decorations.

In December, I will post each box and it's contents along with the box I receive and it's contents.  What a fun swap this will be and it will last for 25 days.  My boxes will be packed and mailed next week.

Countdown to Christmas Match Box Swap

I recently signed up for the Countdown to Christmas Match Box Swap.  I purchased my match boxes at the Dollar Store this week.  Today made my first box.  I wanted to try out my ideas and see if they would work.  I painted the inside sliding section with green paint and added a ribbon hanger and a drawer pull made from a gold brad and pony bead.  I covered the outer box with Christmas sheet music, added Stickles glitter, gold trim, and a Christmas embellishment.  I distressed the edges with Ranger Distress ink.  I'm quite pleased with the prototype and think I'll use this basic idea for my other boxes.

We are to put a little something special in each box.  I working on collecting my special items to include.  What a fun way to celebrate the holidays.  We will receive 25 match boxes from 25 different people.