Match Box Book For Back-To-School

You know when you see a really cute project and you just HAVE to make it RIGHT NOW?  That was me immediately following a visit to Mike Funke's Stampin' Style blog on Tuesday.  Check out his awesome little Back-To-School treat box in the shape of a mini book…

It's the sweetest little thing, and filled with chocolate, too!  Be sure to click to enlarge to see the silver embossing, reminiscent of the old classic book style.  He used the First Day stamp set from the Summer Mini (which ends August 31)!  What an awesome little project for a teacher gift!  Or, to give to your child on the first day of school!

I had to try my own, so I grabbed my Apple Blossoms Hostess set and got to work!

This was so much fun to make, and Mike has conveniently provided all the book cover measurements on his blog.  Mike's one of the few male
Stampin' Up! demonstrators I've encountered online (or anywhere), and I enjoy seeing the fresh, masculine perspective he brings to his stamping projects.  Here's a summary of his instructions: 

Project How-Tos

• The matchbox book cover consists of a 6 1/2” x 4“ piece of card stock with three sections of chipboard: two 2-1/4” x 3“ pieces and one 7/8” x 3“ piece.  Glue all chipboard pieces
  to the card stock leaving 1/2“ from all edges and 1/16” between
  pieces.
• Stamp all designs on
  the pieces while they are flat before you assemble them.  It's nearly
  impossible to stamp this project after it's assembled.
• The ribbon holds the
  cover down and the candy from sliding out.
• Lined the inside covers
  with card stock cut the same size as the chipboard.
  

My Project Details

Colors: Riding Hood Red, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, and Early Expresso inks and card stock, plus Early Expresso 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.  The Match Box is die-cut from Naturals Ivory card stock with the Match Box Die.  The shape on the title page is die-cut from the same die.  The spine, title page, and Hershey's Miniatures are covered with Play Date Designer Series Paper.

All stamped images are from the Apple Blossom set, and the words from the sentiment were individually cut out and arranged to fit on the cover. 

I used the edge of my Crumb Cake Classic Ink pad to create the illusion of pages on the sides of the book.

I highly recommend using Sticky Strip when adhering the card stock to the chipboard, as well as to attach the cover to the match box.

Finally, I used my Bone Folder to create a score line about 1/8" in from the spine on the front and back to mimic the front of a hard cover book.

Love this project, Mike!  It's got real Stampin' Style!

Bye for now!

Angie