Matchbox fun!

Hi!  I spent some of my weekend creating some things using Stampin' Up!'s exclusive Matchbox Bigz XL die.  When this die first came out, I knew I had to have it!  I'm considering using this for my wedding favors.. they're that easy to cut and put together!  The die cuts out the base and the cover, as well as three tags that coordinate with stamp sets.  Because of how SU! designed the die, you don't even need adhesive to put together the base, and you only need a small amount to put together the cover.  On to the projects!  (I put all supplies at the end of the post.)  By the way, there are lots of pictures, just to warn you!  :)

This first one is a Christmas-themed matchbox.  I used the Sweet Swirls wheel with some VersaMark on the cover, then heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  I also embossed the ornaments from the Tree Trimmings stamp set with white embossing powder.  The Embossing Buddy helps you get a nice, clean image when using embossing powder!  To tie a pretty and perfectly horizontal bow, I simply wrapped the ribbon around the box, sticking it down with SNAIL, and tied the bow separately, adhering it with a mini glue dot.

This next one uses the same basic look as the Christmas matchbox, but I turned it sideways and made it into a Valentine's matchbox.  It's sooo pretty, and I love the elegant look of that Sweet Swirls wheel.  I heat embossed the heart again with white embossing powder, adding a rhinestone brad to it before adhering it to the box with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The tag down at the bottom was made using part of the Curly Label Punch (which, by the way, coordinates with the SU! exclusive Curly Label Movers & Shapers Bigz XL die).

This last matchbox is more of a "just because" goodie.  I love the way all of the details came out.. I was going for a more "artsy" look.  The Always in Bloom wheel works perfectly with the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and the rest of the look, and coordinates with the Always stamp set.  The tag on this one was made using the Word Window punch, snipping off other rounded end.  Chocolate Chip 3/8" taffeta ribbon was tied around the cover only.

I have one more project to share!  Are you ready to see it?  I was blown away by the creativity in this.. and no, I didn't come up with it!  I'm not sure where the idea originated, but it is so awesome...

How cute is that??  The "dresser" is made by adhering three matchboxes (with the covers) together.  You will see in one of the following pictures that I also cut and scored a piece of Basic Black cardstock to fit over the back of the dresser, giving it a more finished look.  I tied some Rose Red 1" Double-Stitched grosgrain ribbon around and tied it in a bow on top.  The drawer pulls were made using a 1-1/2" piece of Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and some Very Vanilla brads.  The piece of Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper that wraps around the dresser is approximately 2-3/4" by 9-1/2", I believe.

Here are some more pictures...

Left side view:

Top view with the drawers open:

And finally, a view of the right side:

I used one of the tags cut out from the die, and layered the coordinating images from the Great Friend stamp set on Very Vanilla.  It is tied to the ribbon using Linen Thread.

Here is the die, shown from the Idea Book & Catalog.  It's regular $42.95, on sale for $36.51:

Remember, this die is part of Stampin' Up!'s 12 Days of Holiday Sales, which runs through December 22nd.  If you would like delivery before Christmas, please remember to order today or tomorrow!  Don't forget also about SU!'s Holiday Gift Giving Guide promotion - for every $50 you spend on products in the guide, you get a free Décor Elements (up to $16.95)!  See my sidebar for the catalog links, as well as the Holiday Gift Giving Guide.  And as another note - the Holiday Mini 2009 catalog will be over after January 4th, 2010, so be sure to get everything you want from it before it's gone!

Supplies for all projects:

Merry Matchbox:  Berry Christmas and Tree Trimmings stamp sets; Sweet Swirls wheel; VersaMark ink; Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad; Chocolate Chip and Old Olive cardstock; Whisper White and Real Red textured cardstock; white embossing powder; Chocolate Chip 3/8" taffeta ribbon; 1" Circle punch; Matchbox Bigz XL die

Valentine's Matchbox:  A Happy Heart stamp set; Sweet Swirls wheel; VersaMark ink; Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad; Real Red and Whisper White textured cardstock; Pretty in Pink cardstock; Curly Label punch; Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker; white embossing powder; Pretty in Pink 3/8" taffeta ribbon; Clear Rhinestone Brad; Matchbox Bigz XL die

Just for You Matchbox:  Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set; Always in Bloom wheel; Chocolate Chip wheel ink cartridge; Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad; Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip and Crushed Curry textured cardstock; Whisper White cardstock; Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper; Chocolate Chip 3/8" taffeta ribbon; Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker; Signo White Gel Pen; Full Heart punch; Word Window punch; Little Leaves Sizzlits die; Matchbox Bigz XL die

Matchbox Dresser:  Great Friend stamp set; Not Quite Navy and Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pads; Basic Black textured cardstock; Kraft, Basic Black and Very Vanilla cardstock; Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper; Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon; Very Vanilla brads (from Hodgepodge Hardware); Linen Thread; Rose Red 1" Double-Stitched grosgrain ribbon; Matchbox Bigz XL die