Small Matchbox Template

For the past week now I've been on the hunt to find small matchboxes and I do mean hunt. You would think this would be an easy item to find, right? wrong. No store I visited carried small matchboxes. I began to wonder what a girl had to do to get some tiny matchboxes? Eat out at a bunch of fancy restaurants?! I could see the conversation now, "hey honey, can we go out to Boulevard every night for the next couple weeks? I need some small matchboxes". As much as my husband puts up with my crazy crafting ideas, this one wasn't going to work. So I was left with one option, make my own matchboxes.

Click on template twice to enlarge. Right click, copy, save and print on heavy card stock. Cut out templates. The template above will yield three matchboxes.

1. Solid lines designate where to fold. Dotted lines designate where to cut. I recommend using a scoring tool if possible. And in case you didn't know, some paper slicers for scrapbooking also have scoring blades. You can not imagine the joy I experienced when I first discovered this, seriously.

2. Tuck in flaps on each side and glue. Fold top flap over side flaps and glue. Repeat on opposite side of box.

3. This is what the first part of your box should look like when finished.

1. Fold on solid lines.

2. Glue in place. I recommend folding the box so the lines do not show on the outside.

Now just place the two pieces together and you've got a matchbox!

You might be wondering what the boxes are for. If all goes well, I'll be posting a tutorial later this week to answer that.

Koi Fish Jelly Roll Cake

Why didn't I see these a few weeks ago for Boy's Day?! They would have been the perfect thing to make for the holiday. Oh well, at least I'll be prepared for next year.

Want to make some of your own cute koi fish jelly roll cakes? Stop by Junko's site for the decorating how-to (recipe not included). The site is in Japanese so here's the translated version if you need it. Besides this koi fish cake, you'll find instructions for other jelly roll cakes. Happy Baking!

Update: Jelly Roll Recipe
I just noticed the translated version isn't showing all the pictures. Not sure why that's happening. Click on the untranslated version "Junko's site" for the step by step pictures.

Craft: Easy Paper Bows

If you've been following this site, you're probably guessing I got this idea from an earlier post about origami bows. However, this paper bow actually came about when I was making some paper pinwheels. It all started like this; I was debating whether to do a post on mini yo-yos or mini guitars. Trying to decide, I started staring at my bulletin board wishing there was a pinwheel on it to spin. This then lead to the making of some pinwheels which started turning in containers which then morphed into bows. So there you have it, if you ever wondered how my brain works now you know. Some may call this a short attention span but I like to kindly refer to it as the "creative process".

Supplies:
Square piece of card stock
One brad
Hole punch
Scissors

With right side of paper facing down cut paper where you see dotted lines. Cut off bottom section (refer to right picture).

Bend top flap down revealing right side of paper. Punch holes as marked by the five black dots. Fold bottom left corner up and add a brad. Click on images for a larger view.

Attach top left corner to the brad. Attach bottom right flap to the brad.


Attach top right flap to brad. Place brad through the center hole. Close brad in the back. Cut out bottom of bow (refer to dots). Done!

Once your bows are made you can adjust the shape by trimming the bows if you wish.

These cute little bows would make the perfect bunting for a party. Make them small for tiny embellishments or large to decorate with. There are lots of possibilities.

Bay Area Maker Faire

Glow Forest Cathedral created by O Yeah Toys

Last Saturday my family and I attended the Bay Area Maker Faire. The Maker Faire is a fair dedicated to DIY bringing creativity, technology and crafts all together in one place. There are shows, interactive exhibits, handmade booths, demos and so much more. It really is for all ages. One year just my mom and I went and we had a blast. This year I took my family and the kids were entertained the entire time. In fact, we didn't even get to do everything we wanted because there's just THAT much to experience.

If there's a Maker Faire in your area, I highly recommend checking it out. There's really nothing else like it. Below are some pictures of the highlights of our outing.

ArcAttack - show where Telsa Coils produce music and electrical arcs similar to lighting bolts. This is something that's better seen than explained. Check out one of the videos on the ArcAttack site to see it for yourself.

R2-D2, need I say more

Tap Tap Animation created by Purin Phanichphant

Eepybird performed their famous show of Coke and Mentos geysers. The kids loved it! It's a must see.

At the Maker Faire you'll find unique vehicles roaming the fair such as this vehicle above along with a robot giraffe, cupcake cars and much more.

Colossus is a 70 foot structure with three 10,000 pound rocks which fair goers could pull in circles. This was a big hit with kids and adults. My daughter was going to try it but had second thoughts when she got closer.

My sons personal favorite, LEGOS!

Being covered in a giant bubble was my daughters favorite activity.

I'm really glad I brought the kids this year. While I was walking around, I kept thinking, "I wish someone brought me here as a child". I always had grand ideas of making things besides crafts and I think this fair would have opened up more possibilities for me. I remember once when my friend's family got a computer (family computers were a new concept then). I wanted one too and went home and tried to make my own out of a play kitchen. As you can imagine, fake food doesn't cut it for computer parts. So, I can only hope the Maker Faire taught my children that they can create whatever they put their minds to. Ideas can be more than pretend.

Free Printable Matriuska Box

Jinjerup is offering up this cute Matriuska box to download for free until August. Wouldn't it be cute for a baby shower? I almost wish I was throwing a party just so I could use these for the favors.

*Update - the boxes are no longer available. There was a little confusion on the expiration date. However, Lynn has another freebie available, Happy Recycling Labels.

On a side note, sorry its been a little light on the craft projects around here. I hope you'll except these printables I've been sharing as a substitute. The past couple of weeks have been hectic with doctor and dentist appointments, baseball games, a sick child and a husband out of town. Thankfully my husband is back now and things should return to normal next week, I hope (fingers crossed).

Have a great weekend everyone!