christmas {tutorial series}: simple advent calendar

One of my favorite things at Christmas time is counting down the days, and what child doesn't love that? So for our first project I created an advent calendar, hope you {and your kiddos} enjoy it!

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For this project you'll need:

6 pieces of 8 1/2 by 11 sheets of *heavy* scrapbook paper
{grab 7 if you want 25 days or want some extra to practice}

Elmer's glue & glitter {or you can use pens or markers}

Pencil

24 clothes pins

Pretty ribbon

1 Pack of little paper sacks {I used 'Celebrate It' 25 pack from Michaels}

Paper cutter

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First let me say I would have used printed paper to transfer the numbers but my printer was out of commission and the Library was closed... so instead I just free handed it {which ended up not being to bad and maybe quicker}- but if you would like to use the printed numbers I have an extra tutorial on how to transfer them to your pretty paper.

Cut each sheet of paper into 4's

Get out the paper sacks and glue them to the *backs* of the cards

Next free hand or transfer your numbers to the front of the cards

I used this array of fonts but you can use whatever

To transfer from the printed font, flip the printed paper with font over and scribble with pencil {again, my printer wasn't working so this is an example using an A I had written written

Flip over and copy again with scrapbook paper underneath

When you're done tracing here is your finished transfer

copy with glue

And glitter if you so please

Let dry and clip up on the ribbon with clothes pins- you can fill the back with candy or presents or little trinkets.

Enjoy!

more christmas inspiration: {pretty presents}

So before I kick off back {to} domestics' Christmas {tutorial series} I thought I'd give some more Christmas inspiration. So following is some inspiration on Christmas packages because who doesn't love pretty presents?

stamps for each person on white paper- super cute!

get creative with ribbon {or in this case paper}

twine and string are always pretty

she used doilies to make these gift card envelopes- beautiful!

Here are some tips I've found useful when choosing wrapping:

*think 'out of the box' with wrapping- you can use fabric, pretty boutique paper, {check out Paper Source, one of my favorite scrapbook stores} sheet music, whatever!

*twine or string make a lovely substitute for ribbon

*big print always is pretty

*skip on the stick bows and plastic ribbon- instead make your own with pretty paper

*pick a color palate for your tree and follow it through with the gifts

*{if you're really getting into coordinating} I've found a dot {or stripe}, a pattern, a solid, {and sometimes another small pattern} look great together!

*avoid store bought gift tags, instead get creative, for example use big letters: A for Anah

*if you're not a fan of gift tags color code your packages for each person

*embellish your packages with fabric flowers, cranberries, evergreen, pinecones etc.

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Happy wrapping!!

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Christmas {tutorial series} begins Monday!

{announcement}

Inspired to decorate for Christmas from last post? I have Good news!

My Christmas {tutorial series} will start next week! The way it will work is I will post one {to two!} tutorials per week until Christmas! So get out your scissors and glue gun and join me.

Also, I am open to suggestions as I haven't decided on all of the tutorials yet, so let me know your thoughts!

{Starts Monday November 15th}

let's talk christmas.

Ok Christmas. My, {and everyone's} favorite holiday- right? Who can resist the warm lights of a Christmas tree on a cold winter night with hot chocolate, presents, the smell of cinnamon, candles, family, friends. Ahh love it. Just love it! And the fact that we're celebrating Christ's birth, too amazing {isn't He a wonderful savior}? In fact I love Christmas so much I'm about to decorate this week. Really. I know. {Well once the weather cools down a bit}.

So since I'm so ready to decorate I thought maybe, just maybe you are too! Here are some of my favorite ways to decorate for the holidays on a *budget*

{cranberries}

Fresh or pretend {as Zuriah would say}. I love them at the base of candles, strung on the tree, in wreaths, just everywhere.

I generally will buy bags of cranberries after Thanksgiving {sale!} and freeze them- and will adorn my candles with them! Usually they last awhile but you may need to change them out once before Christmas.

I have yet to make a cranberry wreath but I would definitely use "pretend" cranberries for that, so it will last and keep for more than one year.

Is that a kissing ball? Love it!

You may or may not have need of place cards but how beautiful is this?

{jingle bells}

dashing through the snow... ahh I've always wanted to ride on a one horse open sleigh. Anyone with me? Jingle bells make me think of Christmas, so I put them everywhere of course!

beautiful!

simple yet so classy

and every time the door opens you hear Christmas!

And just a note on buying jingle bells- they are pretty inexpensive- especially if you find them on sale. I got some just a week ago at Hobby Lobby for 50% off {gotta love Hobby Lobby}. So look for the sales and stock up! Different sizes could look stunning together.

{pine cones}

come on these things are free! And look how amazing they can look!

perfect- covered in fake snow spray. I wonder if they are sitting in silver vases? Lovely.

too pretty.

Ok this post was too much fun. Feeling inspired?

i'm kind of against patterns

That is I'm really bad at following directions. In fact when Ben and I are lost he's the one who wants to stop for directions. I'm the one wanting to just figure it out myself. We usually end up lost or in an argument, and that's the downside of it all, but this can be good when it comes to crafting. I can say honestly,

I have never used a pattern.

Ever.

Yes it's true. I sew and sew and sew, but never in my life have I used one. It just falls down to following directions, and well I get too impatient. So instead I just figure it out,

like this bag

or this dress

or this reversible toddler skirt

this baby blanket

and this apron.

With all that said I'm not opposed to giving directions, so look for some tutorials in the future on

{sewing for beginners}

{sewing for baby}

and possibly some more... any suggestions?