You might remember a matchbox swap that I was working on a few posts back...the idea was to make using any craft/art method something small enough to fit in a matchbox. Originally I had started on a tiny doll that I was going to paint...I decided midway,that she needed legs which meant that she no longer fitted into the matchbox! So that little doll has been saved for some other purpose.
Luckily I had another idea brewing ( actually I think I added the legs on purpose so that I could start my new idea!)
While putting together some paper packs, I found a lovely poem by T.S Eliot called "New Hampshire". Inspired by this, I made a small illustrated accordion book and tiny embroidered tree. And they fit! ( the tree only just but it does fit!) I am really satisfied with the result - it is exactly as I imagined it to be.
The matchbox was covered using a page of text from an old Yates Garden guide titled "beginning a garden".
Children's voices in the orchard
Between the blossom- and the fruit time:
Golden head,crimson head,
Between the green tip and the root.
Black wing,brown wing, hover over;
Twenty years and the spring is over;
To-day grieves,tomorrow grieves,
Cover me over, light in leaves;
Golden head,black wing,
Cling,swing,
Spring,sing,
Swing up to the apple tree.
I want to start another poem in a box right away......
Oh Marianne, that is so sweet!! What a great idea!!!!!
Posted by: julie | Wednesday, 27 September 2006 at 08:25 PM
I love it! Great idea.
Posted by: nichola | Wednesday, 27 September 2006 at 08:28 PM
This is fabulous. I think I'll try this myself as little poems in a matchbox would make wonderful Christmas stocking gifts. Oh, I really love this idea!
Posted by: June | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 12:13 AM
fantastic! i have been thinking about little matchbox treasures for a while now... yours is simply wonderful.
Posted by: stephanie s | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 03:05 AM
This. is. beautiful.
Posted by: elke | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 03:56 AM
Lovely idea!
Posted by: beverly | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 04:10 AM
Wow, what a great idea.
Posted by: Ruth | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 04:49 AM
beautiful idea Marianne, and I love the poem too.
Posted by: melissa | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 06:47 AM
My girls would love to do a project like that. Might be a good holiday activity.
Looking forward to seeing your gear at Morphe I'm heading over for opening night, very excited!!
Posted by: kirsty Campion | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 09:00 AM
What a brilliant idea! And so beautifully executed. Love the poem too :-)
Posted by: Jhoanna | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 09:50 AM
that is lovely, I love artist's books. The illustrations are very sweet.
Posted by: Tiel S-K | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 08:34 PM
Beautiful poem, beautiful box, beautifully put together. I agree with the Christmas stocking idea. A definite "appleseed" product!
Posted by: Jo | Thursday, 28 September 2006 at 09:08 PM
That is lovely, I'm doing this swap too but what I sent is not as nearly as creative. Well done!
Posted by: Jane | Friday, 29 September 2006 at 09:45 AM
amazing! i used to do something like this with the kids in my class.
i love your new image on your sidebar. i need to do some reworking of my blog page some day soon....
Posted by: christina | Friday, 29 September 2006 at 04:42 PM
wowzers...
now this i love...
even the concept,
a poem in a box...
great job!
i love it!
:)
Posted by: gkgirl | Saturday, 30 September 2006 at 03:18 AM
Your work is so inspiring. Thanks!
Posted by: Cristina | Sunday, 08 October 2006 at 05:08 PM
Marianne - have you seen my project?
www.matchbox.org.uk
bet they take agaes to make hey.
James Davies
Posted by: james davies | Friday, 01 December 2006 at 12:42 AM
This is beautiful, have you made anymore at all?
Posted by: Deb | Wednesday, 03 November 2010 at 07:33 PM