Shavua Tov! (Have a good week!) I was looking through my archives of past projects, and this one seemed so very appropriate for a Sunday. Why? Because the photo shows a havdalah candle, which we use on Saturday night to say good-bye to Shabbat and hello to the new week. As strange as this might sound to some of you, our week actually starts on Sunday! Yes, that's right, here in Israel Sunday is a weekday!
All year round I use matches to light Shabbat candles on Friday evening before sundown, but during the fall and winter matchboxes are used even more, so why not make this useful item look great too? And this project is so quick you can certainly make a whole bunch to give as small gifts, and to enjoy yourself. If you don't have small children who might be tempted to play with them, so fill a whole bowl with your beautiful matchboxes and enjoy them as a decorative item on your sideboard or mantle. I do have small children, so I won't be joining you in that idea, but I think I'll make some for Chanukah.....
You'll Need:
- matchboxes
- decorative paper, or napkins with beautiful patterns
- acrylic craft paint, creme or white
- modgepodge (decoupage medium) or a 50/50 mixture of white glue and water
How To, Using Paper Napkins For Imagery:
- Paint matchbox sleeves, being careful to stay clear or striking panel. You can opt to paint over one of the two striking panels, which I think is nicer. Make sure paint completely obscures any graphics on box. Paint a second coat if necessary.
- Set aside to dry. Work with sleeves only.
- Napkin imagery can be used as a whole piece or tiny images can be cut out from napkin. In either case, carefully separate the printed layer of the napkin from the other two non-printed (usually white) layers.
- Coat matchbook with a layer of modgepodge or glue solution, and carefully apply napkin, smoothing with your finger or a soft brush. Smooth out any wrinkles as much as possible, being careful not to tear the napkin. If the napkin tears, so just remove it and try again.
- Saturate the surface with modgpodge or glue solution by gently brushing on another coat. Set aside to dry.
- Once dry, apply one more coat of modgepodge or glue solution for extra protection.
- Trim any uneven edges with sharp scissors.
How To, Using Decorative Paper:
This requires much more precision than the above method, but if you're a wizard with a craft knife, it will be a much quicker project.
- Measure match box and cut a piece of paper to size. I would recommend wrapping the matchbox on 3 sides, one really doesn't need two striking panels. Also if you like you can cut the piece of paper slightly wider than the match box and trim off the excess after step 5.
- Apply a coat of modgepodge (decoupage medium) to the match box
- Carefully lay paper onto matchbox, starting at one end and smoothing out with fingers as you move around the box.
- Paint a coat of modgepodge over the paper, and set aside to dry.
- Paint another protective coat of modgepodge on the matchbox and set aside to dry.
- Trim any uneven edges if necessary.
I hope you'll enjoy this simple project, and do leave me a comment, it's always so encouraging to hear from you!
