Countdown to Christmas

Ok, so it has been awhile since I have posted. Did you think I disappeared off the face of the earth? On Sun 1 Nov, I became completely focused on only one thing..... my calendar class that just happened this past Saturday. I had to get all the pages planned and prepped along with everything else that was happening in this household. It was a very busy week and this week is just the same. I have the Trenton Children's Centre Craft Sale this coming Saturday, 14 Nov. It will be taking place at the Elk's Lodge on Telephone Rd here in Trenton from 10am till 4pm. Come check out my booth and support the Trenton Children's Centre. There will also be a hot lunch available for purchase along with a bake sale and many other vendors. I have making chili and baking on my list of things to do this week as well :) Come see me to browse my sale merchandise along with doing a little make and take. Looking forward to seeing you.

Ok, so onto today's post.... My Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar

I had contemplated running this as a course, but was afraid it would be too expensive of a class. There are a variety of materials you can build your calendar on to keep the costs lower, but let me tell you how I did mine.

Supplies Required:

1/2" Thick Plywood - 16" x 24"

1 3/8" Wide Wood Trim

White Paint

114831 Small Christmas Countdown Decor Element ($26.95)

3 pieces of balsa wood (3" x 24") cut down to 25 pieces at 2 1/2" x 3"

Adhesive Velcro Dots (2 per box - 50 used total)

Jewelery Boxes (I have quite a few available for purchase at $0.30 a box)

Designer Series Paper (1 1/4" x 3 3/4" piece for lid wrap and 1 3/8" x 2 3/8" for bottom of inside of box)

Grosgrain Ribbon

Crop-o-dile

Tea Cup Hook

Picture Hangers

Adhesive

Glue Dots

Steps to Complete:

1. Glue moulding to plywood board. Once dry, paint the entire frame white. Paint the Balsa Wood Strips white.

2. Mount Decor Element in centre of board once the paint has dried. Specific Instructions for this step come with the product.

3. Attach Boxes with 2 Velcro Dots. Place them on the box first and then place the box in position on the board and the other portion of velcro will remain in place.

4. Attach Tea Cup Hook so numbers on wood strips will not sit too low

5. Decorate top of boxes with DSP and Ribbon. Decorate inside as well with co-ordinating DSP, so once the day has been opened you can leave the box open for display.

6. Cut the Balsa Wood Strips down to 2 1/2" x 3". A small hand saw is all we used. Apply the numbers from the countdown directly to the wood pieces. Use Crop-a-dile to punch holes in top of each numbered piece.

7. Now you just need to fill each box. I really like the size of boxes that I got because I am able to put in a couple treats for the kids and then they take turns opening the boxes every day, but they both always get something.

You could pretty much put anything you like in these little boxes - money, candy, chocolates, mini gift certificates, special things to do today notices and whatever else your imagination can come up with.

If you are interested in making one of these for your family's Countdown to Christmas, don't hesitate to contact me for more information, to order the decor element and to purchase some sweet little boxes. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

I will be back tomorrow with another post from my calendar class. Have a great Tuesday!!