Tando Creative: Large Matchbox Kit

I love mixed media, 3D, projects. Any excuse to get inky and messy I'm in the thick of it. This is the second of the two Matchbox Kits I got from Tando, purchased before I became a Kit Ambassador for them but it was fun recording all the stages and now sharing the process with you all.

This is the finished result, yes starting at the end is a good way to start with this!

These kits come in laser cut chipboard, the 6 inserts are much thinner chipboard and are supplied as separate pieces. The individual parts just need to be gently eased out of the board. All the parts are precision cut to fit together.

The first thing to do once they are released is to paint them. Normally this would start with a Gesso base but starting with the inside of the inner tray Deco Art Acrylic paint in Carbon Black was applied The tray was then glued together. PVA glue applied where the edges meet everything slots together. When the glue was set the outside walls were painted with Green Gold, which might just be my favourite green paint, and then a top coat of Deco Art Media Interference in Green.

Next, the outer shell and the inserts were also painted with Carbon Black paint. This paint going directly onto the naked board have covered brilliantly.

The 6 inserts were also given a partial covering with Deco Art Media Crackle glaze. Each one received the glaze in different places and thicknesses.

The crackle glaze was left overnight to completely go off then using the best applicator around gold tone Treasury Gold was gently touched over the glazed areas. That applicator? my little finger.

Six pieces of white card stock were cut 5 1/2 inches x 2 1/2 inches to fit inside the 5 3/4 x 2 3/4 inch inserts. These pieces of card were then stamped with Chocolate Baroque floral images. Wild Honey Distress ink blended around the edge of the cards, the stamped images were coloured with Chameleon Pens. Then it was simply a matter of attaching the cards to the inserts.

Turning back to the outer shell, and loving the effect of the crackle glaze and Treasury Gold the same technique was used on the top. Over that is another piece of white card dusted, stamped and coloured in the same manner as the inserts.

For extra interest and embellishment butterflies seemed like a good idea. 2 painted black all over, now I wondered if interference green would look better if it was applied and then crackle glaze placed over that or if the crackle should go on first.

When they were both finished and dry the wings were lifted just a little for dimension and then they were attached to the shell top with PVA glue just along the butterfly body. Both look great but my preference is for the one with the interference below the crackle glaze, bottom right on the image.

Hang on wasn't there something about experimenting with some paints? Below is a picture of the backs of the inserts which have been painted and in some cases had a corresponding interference top coat added.