Tiny Packages Tied Up with String

With the holidays in full swing, I thought it would be fun to show you something a bit different for Christmas décor. Decorating comes naturally for me and perhaps because I love it so much, I decided to go big this time, as in different! Today I am bringing you an advent calendar that is done in pink, champagne and gold set on a smokey-blue gray background. Ah, what a rebel, right? Who says Christmas colors have to be red and green? Anyway, it’s an easy project to create because who really has time to do anything extra with all the shopping and wrapping that awaits? I am using my Match Box die from my latest collection, “Love, Set, Match” by Spellbinders and want to show you several different ways to work the box. (See links at end of post for purchasing dies).  Btw, the box was made to fit gift cards too! Don’t do Advent? No problem. There are lots of ideas here for wrapping a box for any occasion!

Constructing the Box

Die-cut two box lids and one base. Adhere the two lids together at the side so that they form a hollow box. Adhere the box at the 4 sides. Slide the bottom box into the lid. To see step-by-step photos, go here. You will need to cut a total of thirteen boxes in various patterns of paper and colored cardstock.

Variations to the Box

**To create a different look to some of your boxes, cut a window using the tag that is included with the Match Box before assembly. Adhere clear acetate to the inside as seen in the shaker box. Add some fun little goodies inside!

**Try wrapping the two lids around the bottom box by securing the tabs on the back of the box as seen here. It will have one side closing over the other.

**Another way to make the Match Box is to make it like a book. Assemble the box as instructed then add an additional lid (one side only) to one side of the box. When the lid is open, it can reveal a sentiment or photo.

**The Match Box comes with a tiny bow die. You can use it to embellish your box.

**Tiny tags allow for personalization or for identifying the number in the advent. They come with the box too!

**Gold twine and gold stars add festivity to the gifts. It doesn’t have to be complicated. 🙂

**And just a few sentiments here and there complete the look.

The paper pallet I used for this project is by Jen Hadfield and called, “Heart of Home”. Isn’t it pretty?

Arranging the Tree

Arrange your boxes onto a solid-colored foam-core board that has been adjusted to fit into your desired  frame. (Lucky me, I found this frame at a garage sale for $2.00!)  Once the boxes are where you want them,  secure them in place. Since the purpose of the advent is to have little goodies tucked inside each one, securing the boxes to the board with Velcro would be ideal. It also prevents little “elves” from trying to pull open the boxes until the day of the reveal, where the box can then be removed for retrieving the treat and then placed back onto the tree. I felt like my tree needed a little bling and glitz so I added stars, sequins and some rhinestones. I think that writing some cool words with a gold marker around the tree would tie it all together too!

Well that about “wraps” this up…Pun intended ☺. Whether you create an advent calendar or just a pretty wall hanging, I think the match box is a useful little die to have around.

Thanks for popping in!

XO,

Debi Adams

Supplies: Click on any of the highlighted links (it’s an affiliate link) if you wish to look at or purchase any of the Spellbinders items:

Platinum 6 Machine
Or Platinum Machine

Match Box-“Love, Set, Match” collection by Debi Adams for Spellbinders
Ho Ho Ho Die Set
Superstars Die Set

Other Supplies:

Patterned Cardstock of Your Choice
Plain Cardstock of Your Choice
Glittered Cardstock of Your Choice
Gold Twine
Thin Acrylic or Plastic
Sequins
Rhinestones
Foam Dots
Adhesive
Frame
Foam Core Board or Similar
Velcro