ARTIST
This past Christmas, I was packaging my sisters gifts when the idea came to me. I was giving them a cute little cabin that “smoked” out the chimney with scents of winter. Sure, no batteries were required, but matches would be! And wouldn’t it be fun to personalize the matchboxes with DIY covers and bundle them with their gifts?
Last year I purchased a scanner for the studio. I use it for professional scanning of artwork and I realized I could scan so much more. I grabbed one of our families beloved dishes and scanned the chintz pattern. (I adore a pretty chintz! I think growing up with these dishes is why.)
I then opened the scanned image in PhotoShop and cropped out bits and pieces, then used that to create a repeat pattern design. I then printed this pattern on standard sheets of 8.5×11 paper, one page for each matchbox.
I purchased large matchboxes at the grocery store and I used a thin double stick tape I had on hand from a drafting store. I measured the width and length I would need to cover the box, leaving one striking strip visible on the matchbox, and cut to fit.
Note: You can find plain white matchboxes online like these from amazon (affiliate link). And you can find other “how to” or DIY instructions for matchbox covers, some even have templates. But I tend to figure it on my own as I did here.
I tied a holiday color ribbon around the box to add a finishing touch and, as they say, “Wah-lah!” I did also pick this dish pattern because it has traditional Christmas colors in it as well.
If you’d like to see the adorable smoking cabin you can find it here on the Camp Wandawega website. I love their gift shop! It is such a fun eclectic mix of nostalgia and vintage and their photos are beautiful! I’d love to visit there some day.
Hope this little tutorial was helpful! Let me know if you have any additional tips or have created your own in the comments below.
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"While the Governor's Mansion serves as the People's House, it also becomes home to Alabama's first families. The 'Alabama Nest' features various state symbols, together symbolizing home in the private dining room. Thank you Amy for your generosity, creativity and service to Alabama!"
"Being a nature lover and gardener, I was immediately drawn to Amy's paintings. The first painting I purchased was a nest containing four eggs with a butterfly perched on the side of the next. I have since purchased several more, but that one is my favorite. To me, her paintings evoke a sense of serenity—something we could all use more of in our busy lives."
"In Amy's work, I see a sense of wonder that has been gifted to her. She paints in a way that helps and enables me to see intricate details of creation as I've never seen them before. I honestly think that her paintings have caused me to take more time to stop and look deeply into bits of nature that surround me daily. Her art has enriched my own sense of wonder."
"People seek peace - you produce it."
"Amy Crews paints the way the South feels."
"One of our favorite artists in all of Alabama is Amy. We love her realistic representations and dramatic use of shadowing. But more than that we just love Amy. She's always so warm and welcoming when we see her at local shows. Come out to her next show and purchase an original Amy Crews. You will not regret."
"It is sooooooo real. It appeals to my southern side. Details, depth, subject matter colors"
"Every piece shows your awe and respect for creation."
"A deep gaze into the wonder of simple moments. An attention to detail that says - every petal on a flower and every speckle on an egg - it all matters."
amy@amycrewsgallery.com
©2022 Amy Crews Artist
I love this idea! So creative to using your family china image for the wrap! You have inspired me!
The possibilities are endless! I’m so glad you found inspiration. If you do some I would love to see!