Valentine Matchbox Swap

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I was so lucky to be randomly placed with Linda McMillin for a Valentine Matchbox Swap!  Linda and I "knew" each other from the exchange of pages in a gluebook swap a while back, and she had so generously gifted me some of her own family's war ration books when I admired them!  I really wanted to create something special for her this time around.
For this swap, we had to decorate a TINY matchbox and fill it with 3 TINY ATC's (Artist Trading Cards.)  So, for this swap then, the size was the challenge!  Here's the box I decorated for Linda.  I used vintage crochet trim, and vintage millinery flowers onto which I glued rhinestones that had fallen out of vintage jewel pieces!
I used heart-shaped brads as little "drawer pulls" for the box; the inside is decorated with vintage red  striped wallpaper.
The ATCs fit so snugly into the box that I used a piece of organza ribbon to assist in pulling them out!
The mini ATCs themselves were: (left) a collaged piece that I made with vintage paper, paint, stamps, rub ons -- and one of those vintage ration stamps that Linda gifted me; (middle) a vintage playing card with a sweet cottage motif; and (right) a bird-themed card with a Dennison die cut sticker bird wearing a hand drawn crown, all on a background of vintage wallpaper.
I sent along a special gift that I created for Linda: a mason jar filled with ephemera.  I love the photo of the two girls I used as a centerpiece; it sits on a bed of fiber, red and white cotton lace, half of a doily heart...
and, on the other side of the jar (behind the photo), a rose motif cut from a vintage greeting, red buttons on a card, and a sweet paper, embellished doll shoe (hard to see in the photo -- sorry!) I made from a kit by Lynn!
I painted, decorated and glittered the lid of the jar, too.  I love making these!
Here's Linda's swap.  Her box, above, is lushly decorated and it is completely my style!
She decorated the box's edges with Dresden foils, and even put tiny bead feet on the bottom of the box!
I love how she decorated the bottom of the inside of the box, too!
And look at how gorgeous the ATCs Linda made are!
She did a beautiful job on them, and I'm so impressed with how they coordinate with each other and have a similar theme; I wish I had done that on hers!  I love them all, but my favorite ATC is the one on the far right because I'm a writer and I love, love, love the fountain pen motif!
Even the backs are beautiful!
Then...Linda sent along a wonderful assortment of vintage things she knew I would love!  That was so unexpected!  Look at all these goodies!
Ephemera...
A little muslin bag full of charm-y things, and a tiny handmade book!
Plus, some crochet lace and embellishments in a pretty Paris bag.  Yes, I know -- I was spoiled.  Thank you so much Linda!  If you want to see the rest of the matchbox swaps, you can check out (and maybe even join!) the Vintage Dragonfly Altered Matchbox Swap page on Flickr.

More Valentine goodness to come in the next few days!

Comments

Kathy said…
How fun! I love decorating the tiny matchboxes and these are beautiful.
February 9, 2012 at 1:02 PM
andrea creates said…
oh wow-these are all so pretty!
February 9, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Linda said…
thank you Laurie for giving me space and nice comments. the little muslin bag, faux tintypes and the little book is from Rhonda at A Little Bit French. i just love the little charms.
your Valentine's ornaments are gorgeous, each one so different. Happy Valentine's Day. Thank you for the special matchbox and ATCs, i can't stop looking at them.
February 9, 2012 at 5:31 PM
Unknown said…
I adore the little matchbox you made. And the tiny ATC cards are so sweet, especially the little crown wearing bird one!

And, I bet you just squealed when you opened the package from your swap partner! Such lovely things...
February 9, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Something Special said…
I sure had fun with this tiny matchbox swap too. Linda did indeed spoil you!
February 10, 2012 at 7:49 AM
Lydia said…
I love your swaps , Laurie! Your little box and ATC's are fabulous. I like working small like this.

all the best,

Lydia :)
February 19, 2012 at 12:31 PM
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