Friday, July 23, 2010

Advent Calendar Tutorial

When I was little, we had an "advent calendar" every year to help countdown to Christmas. It was typically a holiday scene, with 24 hidden numbers. You could tear along the perforations of each number to reveal a piece of chocolate. I looked forward to it every morning in December!

I decided for my "Christmas in July" holiday project, to make my own and keep the tradition going!


I started with a plain mini-muffin pan (2 dozen holes = perfect ! ).

After measuring, I cut 24 dark green circles from Bazzil cardstock at 2 1/4" with my cricut. Then I choose 4 sheets of Basic Grey's Wassail patterned paper, cut six 2" circles out of each one, and inked both layers in black. Then, I cut 24 sets of numbers 1" high with the Cafe Rojo font using my Sure Cuts a Lot program.



I attached a small magnet to the back of each circle, flush at the top so to attach to the muffin pan and hide the hole.


This is what it looks like completed! I really like how it turned out. I may add a snowflake or other small die cut to the bottom of each hole, Hershey Kisses would fit great there. You could even scramble the numbers for more fun.


I hope you like it! I can't wait to hang it up this December and fill it with goodies :)

Photobucket

37 comments:

Vicki said...

Suzanne that is such a clever idea. I would have never thought to use the muffin paper as ready made holes. Great project. Something I can see my grandsons making or helping with.

April said...

Suzanne, this is such a great idea!!! Very creative my friend. ;)
- April

Regan said...

Suzy, what a fun project! This would be a great one to create with the kids! Love it!
Regan

Janice W. said...

So clever! Thanks for sharing!

Steph Ackerman said...

Very creative!!!

goatesgirl said...

This is genius...I have been wanting to do one of these, but the one I had seen looked like too much work and the supplies were hard to find and expensive...this lloks so much easier...thanks...I am now a follower

Dawn said...

That is such a smart idea! you can still use the muffin tin all year long, and reuse the numbers each year! So cool! I'll have to make one now for my two year old since the storebought kind aren't quite the quality they were when we were all younger.

jennsherburne said...

What a great idea, my kids would love that. They are 7 and 3. My youngest was born at Christmas, so that is really a busy time for us. Everyear we buy the calendars, so why not make our own.

Kristina said...

What a fantastic project Suzy...I totally love it.

xoxox,
~K

Theresa said...

what a great idea! love how it turned out.

Tracy said...

What a cute idea! You don't have to worry about your project getting all bent up before you can reuse it. :) Great project Suzy!

Deb Neerman said...

This is such a fabulous idea!! We always had Advent calendars as kids and what a great way to recreate one! Clever and fun!! Way to go!

wherethey'llgo said...

Cute idea Suzy! Hope you have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Love this project! Thanks for posting the measurements. I may have to try this, my Mom was saying she wanted a little advent calendar this year. Thanks again.

Maureen Reiss said...

Great calender!! I love this idea!! TFS. Thanks for a chance to win

♥Jan♥ said...

Gosh, I am echoing everyone else who thinks you are one very creative woman ! I can just see the kids really loving this...

Sandi said...

What an awesome project Suzanne....your creativity ROCKS!!

BoxerBrats said...

Cute idea. I love that mini cupcake pan!

Thanks for the chance to win. The blog hop has been super fun.

Laura

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

What a great idea! Love it! I'm a follower! thanks for the chance!

Gail said...

Your just too smart.What a great idea,so inventive.Christmas must be great fun at your house.

Hugs
Gail

Megan said...

OMG that's the cutest thing I've seen in a long time! I'm going to make one for the office! Following you now thanks to PCS!

~* steph :) *~ said...

super cute idea, suzy! love it! thanks for sharing and have a great weekend! *hugs* steph :)

Unknown said...

This is such a sweet and clever project. Way to go on the inspiration piece for the blog hop.

gocanucksgo said...

Fantastic idea! This hop makes me wish it were December lol. Keep up the fabulous work =)

ruth said...

I always wanted to make one of those....great job!

Unknown said...

This would look so cute hanging in the kitchen with a goodie in each day to inspire me to get my cookies baked in time for xmas!!! Great Project and thanks for sharing!!!

pamala said...

Great idea! I haven't seen muffin pans used for an advent calendar before, you have a built in hidey-spot for a treat this way! Super job, tfs!

Abby Beard said...

Awesome project Suz! I love it!! And how clever to use a muffin tin! Sweet candy too, wow you're quite generous!

Already a follower :)

Thanks scrappin sista!

Liz said...

That is awesome!! I love this idea!

Brigit said...

That is just too adorable and a wonderful idea!!

Mandy H said...

I love this idea as a unique alternative to the traditional advent calendar. I am totally using this for this Christmas! Thanks for sharing - I am also a follower now!

Catherine Schroeder said...

How cool! Such a great idea! Very clever! Thanks for such a wonderful idea!

Xushenka said...

I'm now a follower =)
Your project is so creative! I remember when I was little, I had a similar thing, except they were different chocolate dinosaur figures. Of course, not for Christmas.. But they were pretty fun =)

Me-Ma Kim said...

YOU ROCKED that Muffin Tin, Girlie!! I LOVE IT!! I am already a follower. Thanks SO MUCH for the chance to win those GOODIES! Have a GREAT Day, Me-Ma Kim

Scrapping Galaxy said...

Suzanne this is such an adorable idea!!

Just Me said...

Love this, I always wanted to make one of these. Super easy great idea!! Thanks for a chance to win.

Unknown said...

OMG! This is an AWESOME idea! Now I don't have to keep BUYING advent calendars every single year! It gets really expensive because we have six children!! You rock!!

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