Thursday, February 16, 2012

Make Yourself a Matchbox Pocket Circus!

Make yourself a matchbox pocket circus - or make one for somebody who needs a smile!

Supply list is easy! A matchbox, Graphic 45 "Le Cirque" cardstock pad, some German scrap (available here at Altered Pages), glue or Xyron (I use Xyron, but the choice is yours), gold glitter, scrap of chipboard. That's it!

Click on photos to get a larger image if you need to get a closer look!



1. Take your chipboard scrap (I used a piece of cereal box), and cut 1/2" taller than your matchbox and 1" wider than your matchbox.

2. Draw an outline of where your matchbox will sit on the cardstock and apply a thin layer of glue to that area (I use Martha Stewart glitter glue).

3. Sprinkle generously with gold glitter (I use Martha Stewart ultra fine Florentine.

4. Cut a piece of the Le Cirque cardstock large enough to wrap around the matchbox sliding cover. It will help to get a good tight fit if you use a bone folder to crease the corners.

5. Glue or Xyron the cardstock to matchbox cover. Glue matchbox cover to the glitter-covered cardstock.

6. Add German scrap to front of matchbox cover and the edges of the cardstock backing.

7. Using the border strips page in the Le Cirque cardstock pad, make a paper fan and edge the top with the gold glitter. Glue to top of match box. I added a feather, but it's not necessary.

8. Using the Le Cirque scroll image, glue to bottom of paper fan. Cut a circle from your favorite image in the Le Cirque pad, back it with a 1/2" larger circle cut from another pattern and apply with pop dots (or just glue to matchbox cover). If desired, use Stickles to circle the image.

9. Cut paper to fit inside of matchbox bottom. Using a bone folder to crease corners will give you a tighter fit!

10. Use two different borders and apply to bottom and lower edge of back of matchbox.

11. Cut various images from circus scene sheets (I like using different scale images for a funkier look).

12. Cut small pieces of toothpicks or very small dowels and apply to back of images. These will give the images a good "resting" spot to glue into matchbox. Also, you can glue to back "wall" of matchbox to add depth to your circus scene!

There you have it! Your own little pocket circus! Have fun!

Check out all the great supplies available for your altered art projects at Altered Pages!


♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan ♥ 

20 comments:

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I love this Tristan... it is fun to create and fun to receive. You truly are a prince charming ! Blessings, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Monica said...

le Cirque is no longer available except off Etsy or eBay where is is not the real thing.

love your blog and work.

Tristan Robin said...

Monica - I just bought it!

peggy gatto said...

Totally you!!!
Fabulous, precise, and fun!!!
I think I might try 1!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Tristan My Friend...
Oh thank you, thank you for sharing. What a wonderful treasure this is. I am going to copy and print this project. I have to try and make my own little pocket circus. I love it.

Hope you are well my friend. Have a glorious day. Country hugs, Sherry

Maggi said...

Great step by step, this is SO cool!

Terri said...

Hello Tristan,
Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving a kind comment.
Your circus is marvelous! Wow! What a fun project. Thank you for sharing with us how to create one for ourselves.
Hugs,
Terri

Rena Sawatski said...

Great tutorial and project. I really like the little clown inside the box. Perfect touch!

Karena said...

Tristan such a lovely, mini treasure!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Pam @ Frippery said...

May I say ...pretty pretty pretty pretty...love love love. This is an awesome little artwork that can be created with lots of the goodies I have on hand. Hmmmm, I think a whole circus train might be created. Thanks Tristan for sharing so generously.

A Magical Whimsy said...

You are sooo cool! Tristan!
Your blog makes me smile!
I love your match box circus tutorial...fantastic!

Cheers!
Teresa in California

Tolegranny said...

Love it Tristan. Great tutorial.

Unknown said...

I love matchbox shrines! And your tutorial is wonderful.

Unfortunately, the circus terrifies the pop-tarts outta me.

:D

ALTERED ARTIFACTS said...

Fabulously wonderful! An absolute incredible tiny piece of nostalgic circus art!... and marvelous instructions to go with it too!

Lyneen said...

I love working with matchboxes... never thought of making a little circus! Great tutorial. I will have to try one!.

Mercedes said...

Hello Tristan! I came across your blog by searching the phrase "Make something beautiful." I am absolutely charmed. What a delightful blog!

Chrisy said...

You're so clever...don't think mine would look so good....probably don't need it tho as I have a circus in my head constantly! It's a continuous battle keeping those performers and animals in line!

mo.stoneskin said...

Unbelievable.

*bookmarks page to make matchbox circus with daughter this weekend*

You know you're a genius, right?

Ingrid Mida said...

Enchanting!!!

Mr Paul said...

Hi Tristan, I'm fairly newish here, having a great time reading your blog.

The circus is fabulous, would make a very cute gift.

Paul