DIY Matchbox Greetings

Hello! It's Mareth, your Lovely Cupboard crafty contributor, here to share a quick and easy idea for brightening someone's day! These matchbox greetings require very few supplies, come together in no time and offer a fun alternative to a standard greeting card.

To make your own greeting box you'll need:

• Cardboard matchbox (available at most grocery stores or online) 
• Scrap paper
• Glue
• Buttons or other doo dads (optional) 

Start by measuring the width of your matchbox and cutting a strip of scrap paper to size. The standard size is just a smidge wider than 2". 

Wrap the paper strip around the outside of the matchbox and gently score each fold around the corners.  Once you have all 4 corners scored, go back and give them a nice crease to sharpen everything up.

Glue your folded paper strip around the outside of your matchbox. I like to use rubber cement because it's forgiving if I need to make adjustments. 

Now you can add your greeting and other decorations. I chose to stamp my messages but if you don't have alphabet stamps, a handwritten message would be just as special! 

The next step is to decorate the drawer of your matchbox with the second part of your greeting. 

To quickly and cleanly cover the outside of the drawer, try wrapping it in washi tape. This will give it a finished look but it's entirely optional. I think it looks just as nice to leave the outside of the drawer it's natural cardboard color. 

Cover the inside edges of the drawer with a strip of paper just over 1/4". Stamp or write the rest of your greeting on a piece of scrap paper approximately 2" x 1 1/4", if using a standard matchbox. Add any embellishments you'd like and glue the scrap to the bottom. 

Insert the drawer into the box top and your greeting is ready for delivery! Try dropping one off at a co-workers desk, sneaking one into your sweetie's sack lunch or attaching one to a gift bag. However you decide to deliver them, they are sure to bring a smile to the recipient!

Come visit me at Lime Riot if you have any questions about this project or need any other crafty advice!