Monday, April 4, 2011

DIY: Matchbook Shadowbox

It's been over a year since I moved back from New York and I've been trying to figure out what
 to do with the 100+ matches I collected from restaurants during my four years there.

Flipping through the sneak peak of Kate Spade's 'Things We Love' book I saw this (that I'm guessing is by the talented Caitlin McGauley), and the wheels started turning about making a matchbook collage. 



So I bought a 16 x 20" shadowbox frame by from the local craft store and set out on my collage. 
After several too many hours of sorting, arranging and rearranging again to
 create the perfect mixture of colors and shapes I ended up with this. 

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I then glued them all down to the back of the shadow box frame so they'd
stay in place for years to come and ta-da!




The matches are not quite "vintage" yet but I love the mix of all the colors, fonts and images!
And now I'll always be reminded of some my favorite memories in New York.

Here are a few of my NYC restaurant faves...

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TAO

Extra Virgin (favorite neighborhood italian)

La Esquina (best Mexican)

P.J. Clarke's  (best burgers)

Stanton Social (tapas..great for big groups)

(favorite wine bar) Inoteca

 Blue Water Grill 

(amazing guac & margs) Rosa Mexicano

  (great brunch and people watching)  Pastis










Ok now I'm hungry and ready for a trip back!

13 comments:

  1. What a great idea - love it! I'm going to do the same thing!

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  2. Ohhhh I've been collecting matches from restaurants for years and never did anything with them. What a fabulous idea! Thanks!!! Newest Follower!!

    best, Tamra

    tamrasanford.blogspot.com

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  3. WOW! What a great idea and HUGE collection, I'm jealous:)

    I have all mine (like all 10) in a huge apothecary from Pottery Barn. They are tossed in there with about 300 wine corks!

    Have a great day:)

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  4. What a great idea! Looks like you live or like to eat in NYC...I see some of my favorites! Extra Virgin is delish! xx

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  5. How cool! Makes me want to go to New York and visit some of these places. What a great way to preserve those memories.

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  6. Super cute idea. We've been to a lot of the same restaurants in NYC - Pastis and Otto being some of my favorites!

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  7. Thanks for all the comments everyone!

    Meredith- Can't wait to see yours! i'm sure you have a big collection by now as well!

    Tamra- Welcome! Glad I could give you some inspiration for your own collection!

    Daphne- I love wine corks too! My sister did a great project with all her wine corks that I need to share soon!

    Let the Tide...- I lived in NY for 4 years after college. Do you/have you lived there too?

    Lyndee- Makes me want to go back too! So many yummy places. One of the things I miss the most!

    April - Oh I miss Otto! It was just around the corner from my old office and we went there quite a lot!

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  8. Ok this is the best idea ever!! I might have to start collecting from restaurants in LA to make my own! :) Thanks for sharing!

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  9. My grandma collects matchbooks! I'm going to do this for her! :)

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  10. sweethomeamy, I'd love to see an LA version. Please share if you make one.

    kristina,that would be such a nice gift for your grandma! love it!

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  11. oh i love this idea! so creative! i might have to start collecting matchboxes now so i can make one, haha!

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  12. What a lovely memento to remember your time in New York. Looks really cool.

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  13. Love this! I've been meaning to do this for YEARS and I think you've inspired me to actually do it. Thanks!!

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