Advent Calendar DIY

As promised on my Instagram account yesterday, I was going to share more details about my DIY Advent Calendar today. Here's the full view:

I started by punching 25 envelopes using my Envelope Punch Board and some retired Christmas paper (Trim the Tree Paper Stack). I chose my patterns from the stack and as I was creating my envelopes, I started to notice many had a green pattern on one side. The idea of creating a Christmas tree came to mind and at that point, decided to use only the green patterns.

The stitched-look circles are the new Stitched Shapes Thinlits and the numbers I cut from Red Glimmer Paper using the retired Little Numbers Thinlits.

You might be wondering how I got my envelopes so small - they measure approximately 1-1/2" square. The smallest envelope you can make according to the measurements on the punch board is 3" x 2" (gift card size). I thought surely there was a way to make them smaller. Thanks to Nina at WaffleFlower for teaching me I could make one with a 3"x3" piece of paper & scoring at 1-1/2". ;)

I wanted each envelope to contain a note/activity/kind gesture for the kids & family to do while counting down the days to Christmas. I attached tiny magnets from the dollar store and inserted my paper inside each envelope. I did trim my envelopes slightly so that I could stamp the date using the Project Life Date It stamp set.

Each card has a written note. Some list activities I already have planned, like the one above. Others are kind gestures or "pay it forward" type notes and others are things like making a Christmas craft, decorate the tree, read a Christmas story or our traditional outing - drive around to look at light displays.

The entire calendar was created on a 12"x12" piece of Real Red card stock. I stamped a few snowflakes in the same colour for a little interest using Flurry of Wishes. Once the calendar is finished, I can store it in my scrapbook album & even scrap some pages with the notes. Next year, I can take it out and do it all over again.

Until next time, stay crafty!
Steph

If you don't have a demonstrator and would like a copy of the current Stampin' Up! catalogue, please contact me. You can also shop in my online store 24/7 at www.hofkissed.stampinup.net