Matchbox Advent Calendar Tutorial

Hi there!  Amy Kingsford here, with a fun idea for using this week's digital release in your holiday crafting.

I created this matchbox advent calendar for my family last year, using Jenni's 2012 Christmas line. And so many great holiday memories were made using it over our holiday season.

Unfortunately a few of the boxes met their demise at the hands of my two year old--so you can imagine my excitement when I saw that this collection was making its way to the digital shoppe.  Now the fix will be "easy-peasy" AND I have the opportunity to share my project and the steps for making it, for the first time with all of you!

What you'll need:

• (24) Mini Match Boxes
• Advent Star Accessory Sheet (included in Vintage Christmas 2 Digital Kit)
• Patterned Paper (Digital or Paper)
• Chipboard Quilt Stars
• Bingo Pieces (Numbers 1-24)
• Glitter 
• Adhesive

Step 1 - Remove all of the matches from your matchboxes and put them away in a safe place.

Step 2 - Print out 3-6 (depending on the variety you want in your advent calendar) of your favorite pattern papers from the Vintage Christmas 2 collection as well as the Advent Star sheet onto white cardstock.

Note: If printing on 8.5 x 11 you'll want to split your Advent Star Sheet into two like so:

Step 3 - Cut your patterned paper into strips that will wrap around the outer shell of your matchbox. My match boxes are 2" wide and required a length of 4" to wrap around the outside of the shell.  

Note: Depending on how many patterns you chose to work with you'll need the following number of strips: 

• 3 patterns - 4 strips ea.
• 4 patterns - 3 strips ea.
• 6 patterns - 2 strips ea.

Step 4 - You will also cut your entire Advent Star Sheet into corresponding pieces as well, but do your best to make your cuts in the gutters between each row of circles and make sure that they are oriented with the two numbers sitting side by, like so:

Step 5 - At this point you'll need to choose whether to use the odd or even numbers from your Star Advent Sheet and then locate the rest of the numbers needed to count up to 24 from your bingo pieces. 

Step 6 - Wrap your patterned strips and advent stars around your boxes.  Do your best to have the wrap positioned so that the numbers on the advent stars are somewhat centered--deepen creases if needed before adhering.

Step 7 - Cover your chipboard starbursts with glitter and allow time to dry before adhereing them to the top of your patterned boxes.

Step 8 - Using a glue gun or tacky adhesive, attach the numbered bingo pieces to the centers of your stars.

Step 9 - Now your boxes are ready to fill with small treats, prompts for daily holiday activities or whatever else you can fit into these cute little boxes.

I adhered magnets to the backs of my boxes so I could arrange them on my fridge and keep them away from the greedy little fingers and prying eyes of my boys.  We include a small treat and a fun little holiday activity in each day's box.

I can't wait to see how you use yours!

Remember, Vintage Christmas 2 is on sale for 25% off in Jenni's digital shoppe over at JessicaSprague.com through Sunday, so why not grab it now and get a jump start on your holiday crafting!?  

Have a great weekend!