Tutorial #6: Matchbox Advent Calendar

My sister asked for a tutorial for my matchbox advent calendar that was published in the Somerset Holidays magazine.  I made this last year and didn't take step-by-step photos but I can tell you how to make it.  I wanted to do this to make our calendar, and my crafts more personal.  One of my goals this year was to use more family photos in my crafts.

Materials:

25 small matchboxes - I used 1 1/2" x 2" x 1/2" Diamond brand matchboxes

craft paint - I used Delta Ceramcoat avocado & red iron oxide

family photos or other vintage photos or Christmas illustrations

LOTS of scraps of paper, tiny trims, & bingo numbers

glue, scissors, ink, hole punch, stamps

Paint half the boxes red & half green.  They'll need at least 2 coats.  Let dry in between coats.  Paint inside & out.  Find bingo numbers to coincide with the days of Advent.  I didn't have bingo numbers for some of the days so I cut the squares out of the old bingo cards, too.  Lay out boxes, alternating between red & green.  For now, just lay the numbers on the boxes.  Don't glue them down yet.
Cut rectangles of scrapbook papers, vintage wrapping papers, or music to fit inside the boxes.  Choose your images.  DIgitally edit if needed (crop, or change to black and white or sepia tones).  Size photos to fit the boxes and print.

Collect all your paper scraps and trims.  Tear some of the papers and use the patterned scissors for others.  Play with these and the images until you're happy with how they look.  Stamp swirls on some of the papers and photos.  Ink some of the edges.  Glue everything down.
Punch a small hole in the top of each.  Thread a ribbon, string, chenille stem, or ornament hook through each.  Print Scripture verses, cut, roll up, and put one inside each box.  We displayed ours on an evergreen garland on our staircase.  Beginning December 1 (or NOW) open one box each day and read the Scripture verse inside.  

Sorry I don't have more pictures.  It's already dark and our staircase has really bad lighting. The ones in the magazine were so good & clear I saw details I didn't notice before even though I made them!   I've seen several places online that have daily Advent Scripture readings but if you'd like a copy of mine let me know your email address and I'll send you the one we used.