Matchbox Advent Calendar and Instructions

I've made another matchbox Advent Calendar, and have been asked in the past for instructions on how to make them - so here is a brief explanation with stage by stage photos which I hope will be of help!  

I will leave this post at the top for a bit so please scroll down past this for other posts.

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First take 24 matchboxes.  Empty out the matches and separate the drawers from the boxes.

Next choose the colour you want to use, and paint the drawers.  I used acrylic paints.   You only need to paint one end as the other end won't be seen, but do go round the corners and edges etc. as bits are visible when it is assembled.

Now paint the sides of the main part of the matchboxes as the edges of these will be seen when it is finished.

You will need 24 brads for drawer handles.  Carefully make a hole in the centre of the front end of the drawers - it is very easy to push too hard and bend the box.  

For the top and base, you will need 2 pieces of 4" x 4" thick card, or chipboard or similar.  Cover these with your chosen papers, making the edges neat underneath.  I also cover the underneath of the base to hide the folded edges.

Now you can start assembling.  Stick 3 boxes together 8 times, so you end up with 8 stacks of 3.  I use an ATG gun to stick mine, you can use double sided tape too.  It needs to be quite strong to hold everything together, so I don't recommend using something like a glue stick.

Cover one side of each stack with your chosen papers.  I leave a small margin round the edge so the paint shows making a border.

Now this is where it can get tricky!  Stick together 4 stacks, making sure the decorated sides are on the outside and the drawer openings are the painted ends.  If you haven't got this bit quite right you can paint the edges now.

Attach this first assembled piece to the base, and put the drawers in.  You should end up with alternating pieces of patterned paper.  Alternatively you can just use one pattern of paper if you think you might get confused!

Now do the same again, and stick the second completed stack to the first one, making sure all drawers and sides are in the right positions.   Finally add the lid to the top.  This is where again you can touch up bits with paint where the colour of your matchbox might be showing through.

Now all you have to do is decorate your calendar with your chosen embellishments, and add numbers to the drawers.

Here are 2 more I have made in previous years.  I hope these instructions are clear enough to help!