Christmas Matchbox Advent Calendar

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Today's theme is Calendars so I made an Advent Calendar.

This is how it started...

I cut out all of my matchboxes from a gypsy file made with Gypsy Wanderings. ( I got the file from a fantastic lady off the Cricut message board "cricaholic" ) But you could use any kind of matchbox, I know that Stampin Up has a die by Sizzix and Tags, Bags, Boxes and More has one too. You could even you regular ones and paint them or cover with paper. You will need 24 of them.

Next I stack 3 of the matchboxes and glue together. Then I inked all the edges, because you won't see most of the box when it's done. Do this with all 24 boxes.

Then I cut a piece of card stock to fit one side of the stacked boxes. I don't remember the size but it will be different depending what size your matchboxes are anyways. I choose to use a different pattern for each box stack. I inked the paper edges with red or green distress ink.

Once all paper is glued to the side of each stack(I used red tacky tape), you set the boxes up like shown above and glue together. I just glued the top layer to the bottom layer as it's very difficult to glue the boxes on the same layer together. Once the bases are added they stay together just fine.

I used Art Philosophy to cut out 2 bases in chipboard(cereal boxes) and 4 bases in the card stock, just remember to either flip the image you are cutting or flip the paper for to of the card stock bases otherwise they will no match up perfectly on one side of the base. (hope that makes sense)

I cut out red and green rectangles to fit the front of the matchboxes and inked all the edges. I then stamped and embossed the numbers on each rectangle with Pink By Design So Big set. I used white brads for the handle which I put all the way through the front of the drawer. So I glued on the rectangle and then inserted the brads. Next I put some green ribbon up the center of each side.

Here I put the bases on. I used hot glue, but I would recommend a different kind of glue since hot glue dries so fast and it's hard to adjust once it's down.

Last I made a bow for the top. 

Here are few more pictures of the finished project.

Recipe-

Cricut Cartridges- Gypsy Wanderings, Art Philosophy

Stamps- Pink By Design (So Big)

Paper- DCWV (The Merry Christmas Stack)base+bow(Mrs. Claus's Kitchen Stack) Core'dinations (white)

Others- Red and Green Pigment ink, Tim Holtz winter distress ink set, clear embossing powder, white brads, red tacky tape, green ribbon, and hot glue

I filled it with different chocolates and gave it to my Grandma for her birthday.  

Sorry for such a long post.  Feel free to email me with any questions about my project.

Hope you enjoy!