Saturday, February 6, 2010

Matchbook Valentine - Quick and Easy!

This is not my original idea. It's been around for as long as I can remember. As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I've been making them for many, many years as quick make-and-takes at workshops.  They originated as a project that was done with blank door hangers that Stampin' Up! used to sell, which meant they were already cut and had a hole in them for the doorknob, making a perfect window.  When they were no longer for sale, I quit making these little cuties. Last week I came across an old sample of one, and I thought "That would be so easy to make with Cricut!"  Off I went to design one!


I love this project because it's easy to whip up enough for a child's classmates, but you can also make them for just a few special people and really dress them up.  If you have Design Studio, it's super easy to replace the heart with another shape to make them suitable for just about any occasion!

1. Score fold lines where indicated by the small tick marks.  Fold and burnish.   2. Fill a small cellophane bag with goodies.  Do NOT overfill. Bag should lie relatively flat and have plenty of room to fold over to close.  You can also use the small pre-filled bags of candy that are availabe this time of year with the kids' Valentine's cards or with the Valentine's candy.  I found Sweet Tarts, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids and Skittles in the perfect size.   3. Insert one end of the candy bag or the folded-over end of your cello bag into the fold of the scalloped end and staple about 1/4" from the bottom edge. (see photo of opened matchbook.)   4. All that's left to do now is add a little ribbon to the bottom to cover the staples and close the matchbook!  You can decorate further if desired.  And don't forget to save all those heart cutouts - give them to the kids to make their own Valentines!

You only need one cartridge - George!


P.S. - Don't forget to take my poll in the post below, and sign up to win the BLOG CANDY in the post below that one! Enter just once, PLEASE!

Cricut Kisses and Crafty Wishes!




40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Your blog post will be advertised on the CraftCrave Blog Cutting Freebie search engine today (look for timestamp: [06 Feb 03:00pm GMT]).

Cynful Creationz said...

I love this and as I said on the MB this will be perfect for my srudents. I will post a pick of my finished work.

jan farnworth said...

thanks for the file i was just thinking i wanted to do something cute for my sons kindergarten class. This will be a lot faster then making individual valentines for 24 kids. I can pair them with the store bought ones.

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

Cindy this is a GREAT idea for those with little one in school. But I was thinking it would be great just to give out to co-workers, sunday school friends, or an group you belong to! Thanks for the nifty file...

Audrey Frelx said...

Cindy, they've been around for a while, but yours is still so cute!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this Freebie. I want to let you know that I posted a link to your blog in Creative Busy Hands Cricut Freebies Search List, under the Valentines post on Feb. 06, 2010. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the file. That is really cute I think I will make them for my next CTMH club. Thanks again.
Cheryl

Anonymous said...

This is really cute - but as I don't have Design Studio - is there any way you could do this as an SVG or a file for SCAL?

Maria

Lucy said...

What a neat project, thank you for sharing I can't wait to use it.

Anonymous said...

Your designs are always so amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

/Yvette H

Anonymous said...

This is so cute and easy. Used to do them years ago also. Now it's even easier. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Valentines Day to you.


bobbi

Lee Ellen said...

Thanks so much for these files. I'm new to CDS and am trying to learn as much as possible. Thanks for your hard work. I would love to take the poll, but can't find it.

Lee Ellen

wigellen@aol.com

farmhouse-story said...

so sweet, cindy! thanks so much!

jandokan said...

Thank you for sharing this file...
it's really cute!

Hugs Anja

TammyB said...

Cute idea - who cares how old the idea is? TFS :)

Brenda said...

These are sooooo adorable! I'm going to try my hand at making some!! TFS!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Another great project to give a try!! Thanks Cindy for sharing your hard work again and inspiring us with your fun ideas!!
teachdanz

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your creative talents. Love this quick easy cute but looks great.

Tigger70 said...

Thank you for sharing. Those are so cute and easy!!!!!

MsJay said...

I love this project. Thanx for sharing.

Giselle said...

love you work, very cute!

Anonymous said...

Cindy, those are adorable! Sometimes an old standby is a lifesaver and they would be so cute for any occasion. Thanks for the cut file, so much!

One question though, why do you offer them in a .zip format? Just curious.

Susan W.
Gingerwood@gingerstamp.com

Cindy McVey said...

Susan, I put them in .zip so I can include my copyright information. :)

Unknown said...

Cute. Great idea. Happy Valentines Day!

Anonymous said...

As ususal, you out did yourself and thank you!

Mercy!!!

Laurie said...

Very cute idea. Thanks

mshady said...

Love this idea. Will have to try it for my daughter's friends. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas and cut files.

MShady
graphite_1@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

What perfect gift idea!! I love the colors you used!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy,
I am new to this. Have the babybug and just recently got my gypsy.Am doing lots of experimenting.
I don't know how to get the instructions for your projects.When I download them they will not open.How do I do it?

gaterlady said...

This project is perfect for for giving a little something to people just to say happy “whatever”. I am just amazed at the things that r posted for people like me (non-imagination) to copy and use. Thank you so much for sharing.

QueenBW said...

These are tooooooooo adorable!!!!!

AnnieS said...

Happy birthday! I just became a follower. Nice blog! I am looking forward to your photoshop tutorials. Thanks for a chance to win blog candy.ureglos

scootingranny said...

Thank you so much Cindy for another great gift.

Anonymous said...

This is the cutest project. Can't wait to make some. Thanks so much for sharing.

Lynda
pepclyn@aol.com

craftybird-cindy said...

What a great little project! And so versatile. Thanks for making your project available to us all.

Craftybird-Cindy

Anonymous said...

Hi Cindy:

I just stumbled across your blog last night, and really love it! I downloaded the Matchbox card and plan on cutting some out after I get the candy to put in them. They are really cute. I am really snowed in here in Baltimore, so I'll have plenty of time to craft! We've had 50 inches of snow in 5 days, and 80 inches so far this winter. I so appreciate your kindness in sharing your .cut files and tutorials.

Linda
RavensFan

~Suzy~ said...

This and all your files are fantastic. I am new to the gypsy and thanks so much for sharing. I am ready to try digi-scrapping too so tutorials are great!Thank You!!!

Anonymous said...

Cindy:

I did make some of these matchbox cards tonight and posted the results in the card forum of the cricut message board. If you have time, check it out. Sorry the picture is not great. They are much better looking in person! I love how they turned out. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

RavensFan

Cindy said...

Thanks again-you do wonderful work! Too late for Valentines but party favors will be needed soon

A Cup of Cold Water said...

I just found your blog. I have made these before but lost my directions. I will try to make one and send a picture. Thanks for the directions
Susan

About Me

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Midlothian, Virginia, United States
Lifetime crafter, beginning with sewing clothes for my troll dolls when I was 5. Stampin' Up! demonstrator since 2000. Wife of almost 30 years to my high school sweetheart and planning on 30 more! Mom to 2 great kids and one awesome new son-in-law. "Mom" to 3 furkids, Pomeranians Roxy and Lulu, and a Calico cat, Sugar aka "Miss Fattypants." Addicted to all things Disney!
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