Happy Halloween with Bonus Pocket Cryptid Content

How long has it been since I shared a tutorial or download? For-flipping-ever, that's how long!

I wanted to make a little something for Halloween and came up with these little cryptid matchboxes.

I kinda love them. I hope you do too because I've got everything you'll need to make your own!

The worksheet! You'll need to download the full-size image, not the smaller preview. Print this on cardstock rather than regular printer paper for best results.

If you have a Cricut HERE is the project link which has both the print-and-cut image file and match-box cut and score file. (Note: You CAN fit four match-boxes on one 12" sheet. That project file can be found HERE.)

NOTE: If, for some reason the project files are refusing to link (shakes fist angrily), just search for "Nichola Battilana" on the Cricut Workspace, click on my profile, and you should find them. FOR WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT, CRICUT??!!!

Once you've got your file of choice sorted, pop over to the youtube tutorial for how to put all that stuff together to make your own little pocket cryptids.

 

That's it spooky friends. Now go make something creepy and make me proud!

Big Fat Christmas Greeting Matchbox

I think my forced break from crafting while I was on my trip kind of reinforced the notion that crafting helps to keep me sane. It quietens the world around me. Although I do feel like I'm playing catch up with laundry and dishes and cleaning... I've been thoroughly enjoying making things, and savouring the 'stillness' creating brings.

But enough deep thoughts! Can we talk about the Christmas Vintage 12×12 Paper Pad? It's from Stamperia and it is full of old Christmas charm. Here I've used some sweet chickadees and cut out a rustic winter scene. I've fussy cut loads of holly and berries too (fyi there's some great Christmas puddings and cakes in the collection too.)

In addition to the background sky, I've added some clear glitter to the edges of the buildings and on the tops of the hills. It think it catches the light just right.

The top corner has a nice grouping of chickadees and holly and baubles. 

On a side note, the chickadees are out in full force here! They peck at the feeders and make a huge mess on the ground below. It's all good though the snowbirds prefer to forage and clean up after them. The whole while we have blue jays who swoop in and squawk like maniacs. Seriously, you'd link such handsome fellows would have a beautiful strong whistle. Nope!

But back to beautiful things!

This scene is set in a nice fat  Big Chunky Matchbox with Window and topped with a wired bow.

Want to make your own? Here's the list of making!

Big Chunky Matchbox with Window
Christmas Vintage 12×12 Paper Pad
Christmas In The Village Tiny Houses (background)
Wired ribbon
Clear Glitter

*I am an absolute stinker and have no idea which holly paper was used on the exterior of the box but I CAN say that it can be found in the Christmas Paper section at AlphaStamps

Pretty Pink Christmas Things

A few years ago I would have laughed if you told me I'd be all about pink Christmas. This year I'm all about the pink Christmas.

I've used two paper collections: Pink Christmas 12x12 Paper Pad and Christmas Vintage 12x12 Paper Pad for the following projects and I'm loving the way they work together.

Add some faux snow and a Gold Dresden Christmas Tree swoon!

There was a quite a bit of fussy cutting involved in these projects, but the results are terribly sweet. Just look at this Peaked Roof Matchbox...

...and those little birds and inside. 

What a lovely holiday treat for someone nice.

It's totally worth mentioning that the Pink Christmas 12x12 Paper Pad has a super cute tag, envelope, ephemera elements that come together really, really swiftly. 

I did some gold embossing around the edge of the vintage Santa image and it looks so authentically old timey. And while old envelopes probably would have been plain white, the envelope element is the perfect compliment. Swoon!

The final two pieces (yes there's more!) are more of a kitchy rather than antique vintage. Still totally cute though.

Here I've used Jingle 6x6 Paper Pad and Tree Ornament Matchboxes. I'm thinking that i might pop these on top of presents instead of a standard bow. Afterall, what could be nicer than a gift topped with another wee surprise?!

I usually start Christmas crafting in September so this is a very late start for me, but I gotta admit, I'm really enjoying it this year. It's far less work and much more pleasure this time around. I hope you're enjoying holiday creating too.

NOW, if you want to make your own slew of pretty pink Christmas things, here's the supply list:

Tree Ornament Matchbox
1 Inch Clear Acrylic Snowflake Mix
Jingle 6x6 Paper Pad
Mini Candy Canes
2x3 Chunky Matchbox
1 Inch Clear Acrylic Snowflake Mix
Pink Christmas 12x12 Paper Pad
Gold Dresden Christmas Tree
Peaked Roof Matchbox
Santa Sleigh Silver Charm Set
Christmas Vintage 12x12 Paper Pad

And everything all in one place

Pretty Bird Matchboxes

Little boxes, fussy cutting, and pretty papers... swoon!

You can absolutely make your own matchboxes, but I totally cheated and bought a bunch from the dollar store. I covered them in papers from the glorousiously gorgeous Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe (seriously, I cannot get enough of those papers).

Inside are fussy cut flowers, birds and butterflies from Floral Shoppe and Seasons. 

(Disclaimer: a butterfly or flower might have snuck in from another collection. I was a flurry of paper and scissors and my memory is a total blur.)

I lined the inside of the boxes with vintage dictionary pages that have been given a wash of white acrylic paint.

Depth is created by using layers foam squares.

What is it about small things that make them precious? Holding these in your hand is like a little bit of magic.

Here's an even better look at these pretties.

Want to make your own? Here's what I used:

• matchboxes

• Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe

• Graphic 45 8" Seasons

• old papers (dictionary pages)

• acrylic wash

• glue

• foam squares

• self adhesive nail heads

Under the Sea Matchbox Shrine

Some people have sea water in their blood. They love the sea like I love the moon. While those waters may not run quite so deeply for me, I appreciate the beauty of the barnacled. For Alpha Stamps this month I've made a matchbox shrine full of texture and unwater colours.

The base of this piece is a Tiny Matchbox Theatre. I do love theatres (and an underwater one would be amazing!) but instead chose to make mine into a sort of underwater pocket shrine.

Now about that texture! I've glued pieces of a 6x6 Gears Texture Sheet to the surface of the box and splashed and sploshed paint and gesso and whatever else was on hand. I also layered some Seashell Sequin Mix which give a sort of wonderful fish scale texture. The sentiment on the front is from Voyage Beneath the Sea - Steampunk Splash Scrapbook Paper which I've simply tinted to match the colour of my box. A Brass Patina Seahorse Charm* and Conch Shell Charms* then a dash of crusty glitter (because why not) and the front is complete.

Inside I've used an image from the Mermaid Garden #3 Collage Sheet. He was a sort of surprise... I wasn't thinking of this sort of interior at all... but he fit so well and seemed quite at home in his sparkly cove of Coral Chipboard.

If you're up for making your own sea water shrine, here is the supply roundup:

Beneath the Sea Kit - June 2016
Tiny Matchbox Theatre
6x6 Gears Texture Sheet
Brass Patina Conch Shell Charms*
Brass Patina Seahorse Charm*
Coral Chipboard Set - 4 pieces
Mermaid Garden #3 Collage Sheet
Seashell Sequin Mix
Voyage Beneath the Sea - Steampunk Splash Scrapbook Paper

An Impatient Matchbox

A wee project to show off today. An altered match box, made while impatiently waiting for paint to dry.

There's a program on Netflix called Raiders of the Lost Art. It's all about missing or stolen art and touches on the history of the works too. One episode was about Faberge Eggs. I love that those eggs held a secret surprise inside and I especially like that the most elaborate surprises were held within the simplest exteriors.

The whole idea of a bright surprise inside of an unassuming box is delightful. This little matchbox sort of plays with that concept. A regular old matchbox, a distressed exterior, hiding a colourful story within. People are a lot like this too. Unassuming frumpy grumps hide the best fairy tales.

Supplies:

Standard matchbox
Prima Cigar Box Secrets scrapbook paper
Antique 3D Gold Crowns 
1 Inch Mini Tassel - Gold 
Narrow Gold Fleur Dresden Borders*
Glitter