advent Calender ideas

I really haven't done any Christmas advent calenders of my own. I have never really thought about it. I decided to look up some cute ideas for them and post them here for you to take a look at.

This one I actually did today and it only took me about 2 hours to put together. I found it HERE and just made some small adjustments.

This is how mine turned out...

I was able to fit 3 Hershey kisses in the tin space. Since I have 3 kids it worked out great!

I found this strip magnet at the lumber store here. I just cut it to the length that I needed, rounded the corners and then cut in half. It is self adhering and sticks really well.

(NOTE: hot glue doesn't like to stick to this muffin pan. I used wood glue (I didn't have super glue on hand or that would have been my first attempt) for the ribbon to hang it on the wall and so far so good.)

Some other really fun ideas that I found for the advent calenders are....

Click HERE for directions for a stencil advent calender.

This one is really cute... If you know someone to make it for you or you can buy it somewhere. (: I found it HERE.

All of these I found HERE on this site.

These were all collected HERE on this site.

I really hope this helps you in finding the perfect advent calender for your family or home.

Season block ideas

The 6 sided cube/box set is interchangeable for all seasons or occasions. I love this idea! It's the one decoration that I can leave out all year long and it's just so darn cute!

If you need to see the images bigger just click on them.

1. pre pick and cut all paper and paint that you will be needing for this project.

2. lightly sand blocks and box.

3. paint blocks and box.

4. if you are wanting to antique the project, do it now.

5. mod podge paper on an angle or to the square. Either way is cute. I chose to do some at an angle and some to the square to see the differences.

-for mod podge instructions, use the directions for the picture frames below this post.

6. mod podge or lacquer(finishing spray) your box. Lacquer is faster, but either way works about the same.

NOTE: use either stamps, cricket letters or sissix letters. If you don't have any of them, try printing the letters out on paper and then use an exacto knife or scissors to cut them out.

ENJOY!
(here is all 6 sides that I did)

This project is also fun. This is a two sided staggered season block set. You can also do the Spring and Summer or your own words.
(for instructions, fallow steps above.)

Tick-tack-toe

This project was just for fun's sake... I had this idea a few months ago and today put it to work. This is a quick and inexpensive craft.

Things you'll need:

flat/rounded gem marbles
Art tape, marker or paper strips will work too

ruler

mod podge

sponge brush

paper of your choice

wood block, magnet board or I used a piece of laminate flooring cut into a 6-1/2"X6-1/2" square

opt.magnets (if you do the magnet board)
1. cut all paper you need to the size you need it at.
2. mod podge the base (if you use the laminate and its already sticky on the one side, its best to still use mod podge)

3. Place paper on base and smooth out.

4. with the ruler, mark where you want the strips to go
5. place strips- using mod podge if it is paper

5. cut off excess.

6. mod podge over entire project. (if you use the laminate with the sticky side, it may bubble. If it does, not a problem, just press on the bubble once the mod podge is dry and it will stick back done!)

Marble pieces...
1. mod podge directly on marbles flat side.
2. place paper patterned side up.
3. hold/press the patterned paper against flat surface of marble.
4. once dry, apply top coat of mod podge over paper.

*Note, the marble pieces also make really cute fridge magnets. Just add magnets to the back of them using a hot glue gun. (:

Wood frames

Wood picture frames...

1. pick out the paper you want to use.

2. cut paper to the sizes you need it to be. I use an exacto knife or scissors.

3. paint your frame the color you want it.

4. I like the antiqued took on things, so this one I buffed up the edges using a sanding block.

5. smear mod podge over the surface of the frame using a sponge brush. Used a good amount.

6. place the paper where you want it and then rub flat with fingers. I use a hard flat object to get bubbles out and to really get it flat and smooth.
7. Let it dry about 10-15 minutes.

8. If you want to chalk the edges, I use a foam ink sponge and blot it on my ink pad and then rub it on the edge of what I want a little color.
9.Mod podge entire surface again and place second color where you want it and repeat step 6.

10. Let dry another 10-15 minutes.

11. lightly mod podge over whole thing and then let dry.

Your all done!

Here are a few other frames I have done...

All these un finished wood picture frames can be purchased at JoAnn's, Roberts, Michaels and other craft stores anywhere from $1-$20.