The countdown to crazy begins! If, like me, you’re useless with dates, let me be the first to tell you that today is December 1. Which means advent calendar time! It might also mean Christmas-tree-putting-up-time, but that isn’t until December 6 in my house (St Nick’s Birthday – we go by the German tradition).
Last year we used a Santa head advent calendar with lots of mini santa pockets in his beard and stuck a freddo frog or snake or jelly bean in each pocket for Zak to find and scoff down, but this year I wanted to make something. And I wanted it to be less about lollies and more about fun, so I thought little numbered boxes containing tiny little tree ornaments for them to find and then hang on the tree would be cool. And even cooler if stuck on the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree! I was going to tie ribbon around square white boxes and number them with stickers, but then I hit Spotlight on Saturday and found rub-ons and stripey paper tack thingies and star buttons and came back armed with supplies to get a little extra creative…
Toolkit
Paper mache matchboxes (come in pack of four), black rub-ons, red cord, red and white striped push pins, buttons, all Spotlight.
Red glitter rub ons and tiny Christmas ornaments, Kmart. I’m still surprised I found this – the perfect size!
White pen, kikk.K
I also used: scrapbooking ribbons and paper, a small circle punch and a few other buttons I had lying around.
I just started with a few pieces and then had made six or so and
realised they were all different. Then I just challenged myself to try
and make all 24 different! I ran out of Ss, hence the St Nick Day, but
other than that, am pleased with how it turned out! The trickiest part
was getting the layout right – I had to get the styles spaced so it
wasn’t too samey in one area, but I also needed spaces inbetween so
the ”drawer” could slide out for the kids to take out the ornaments. I
worked out the layout on the floor, then transferred it to the wall,
sticking them on with 3M tape. Then I topped it off with a red star
ornament.
I’m looking forward to starting the countdown tonight! Zak has been bugging me about seeing the “surprise” in the boxes since it magically appeared on the wall Sunday morning! What about you – do you use advent calendars or have any Christmassy traditions?
Alison
Next year for me!
When I saw you say that you wanted to lick the Pavlova through your screen on Decor8, I knew I had to see your little place here!
Jen Ramos
‘Cards & Prints You’ll Love…’
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
Love love love your work.
Di xx