create your own advent. a tutorial

Hi there!

about a month ago, I got an email from the lovely Claire @ Polkadotpretties 

asking me if I would please be a part of her 12 days of Christmas crafts. 

Twelve whole days of cool crafts from some awesome bloggers?

Um, yeah.....sign me up baby!

I had a couple thoughts on what sort of craft you would want from me...but I just kept coming back to a craft I made several years ago.  It has become such a part of our family tradition each December that I think you just might enjoy one for yourself too. AND, seeing that it has been time tested...I know it will be worth the time spent making it! ;)

SUPPLIES:

1)acrylic paints 

{I used: black, red, cream, green, and yellow}

2)a tube of liquid nails

3)card board boxes 24 boxes

{you can use all square, or mix it up like I did}

4)numbers: 1-24

{use either stickers, or a cricket cutter to cut them out}

5)wooden board cut to size and two holes drilled for hanging

6) decoupage

7) assorted scrap booking embellishments

8)rope for hanging

9)foam paint brushes

notes:

You can use what ever color combination that you like and that suits your home. I wanted a pop of color other that just red and green. I also wanted black because of where I planned to hang it in my home, and sort of liked the "chalkboard feel" of it.

Also, you can cut your board into a rectangle instead. Pick out some embellishments that make you happy. There really aren't any rules!!

DIRECTIONS:

1.Cut your board, or have your handsome hubby do it. We cut ours 24x24 inches. Any lightweight wood will do (we picked ours up from Lowes) While the tools are out, drill two holes big enough to thread your rope through. We drilled two holes. 

Each 1" down from the top and 6 inches in from each side.

2. Paint your board, (I did mine black)

you will probably need 2 coats. set aside.

3. Set out your little cardboard boxes. Separate the lids from the bottoms. I spread newspaper out on the kitchen table and set them all out on there. I got my little boxes at Michaels. 

But, I have seen them at other crafts stores too.

4. Paint your boxes. (do not paint the insides, and you do not need to paint the bottoms, although I painted a little of each of the bottom edges. I think this was a two coat process as well.

5. once you are satisfied with your boxes, and they are dry. Get your board and measure and mark where each box will be glued down. I did rows of 5 placing each box about 1.5" apart.

6. using your liquid nails, glue down your boxes.

let this dry over night. NOTE: I used a different glue originally and by the next couple of days the boxes fell. After using the liquid nails, they have not budged. for years.

7. in the meantime, you can decorate each lid, numbering each one 1-24. I used my cricket to cut out the numbers, but a set of number stickers would probably be easier.

8. Use your clear decoupage to coat and protect your lids. 

Let dry, and do one more coat of decoupage.

(I think this is the step that has helped our little advent hold up so well) If you want, you can decoupage your boxes on the board once they have dried and are stuck to the board as well. 

9. you might want to add something to that empty space on the bottom. I was happy to find a metal "believe" embellishment in the scrapbook section. Use what ever makes your heart happy.

10. At this point you are pretty much done! Once everything is dry, thread your rope through your holes and tie a sturdy knot. this loop will be what it hangs from.

11. Hang up your masterpiece!!

I usually buy a couple bags of candies to use to place in each box throughout the month.

WAAAAAAY better than the weird chocolates that come in disposable advent varieties.

I also buy a few bigger items like lip gloss, nail polish, activity books, socks, books, little toys....you get the idea.

On the days the items are too big, I usually hide them around the house and place a silly note in the box with a hint on where to find them. As the kids have gotten older the items and hints have evolved. I found out, it is best to wait till almost 

"advent time" each day to place inside the boxes instead of filling them all up at once, because the kids are nosey ;)

So, there you go.

My kids CAN NOT WAIT till the first day of December each and every year and LOVE this advent.

It is a fun pop for me to look at every day too, so it's sort of a bunch of happiness hanging there.

I hope maybe it will do the same for you.

If you make one, I would love to see the results!!

Wanna get in on some of this craftiness action?
Yesterday's post was by Angie @ a little inspiration
and tomorrow, the grand finale!?
By Claire herself right here.

Happy holiday crafting.