2012 Christmas Advent

I really did mean to post this at laset 16 days ago.  Before the counting down to Christmas officially began.

But better late than never right?

I once had a plan to make a new advent every year.  Reality check.  That is so not going to happen.  But this year I did whip up a little paper crafting advent and I love it!

Starting with 2, 12x12 thick cardstock papers as my backdrops.  And coordinating accent papers to go with it.

 I cut out the accent papers for the pockets, and distressed the edges with ink.

Then played around laying them out until I liked what I had.

Then I lazily glued (ok, I didn't even glue! I photo stickied them!) the pocket edges down(If you want it to last better, sewing them down is a much better idea).

Then I added dates and trinkets and embellishments to make it pretty.

I made the advent slips out of those pre-made tags from the craft store.  Again inked the edges, then added twine.

And Ta da! This is how it turned out!
 I would give you a list of my advent ideas.  But they in all honesty are lame.  I am 8 months pregnant and just can't do what I normally would.

So mostly they are; have a treat, drink hot cocoa, watch a Christmas movie, freebie nights etc. 

:)

I had the perfect place on my mantle and hung the advents from twine with cute little wood clothespins!

I hope everyone is having a beautiful holiday season!

Christmas Ornaments- crafty style

I finally got one of the projects on my to do list done this week! YAY!

I have made these several times.  Cheap, pretty quick, super stylish, and make awesome gifts!

(For my friends who have not received yet, this is basically letting you see your gift before you get it. ha haa)

All you need is paper in the colors you want, clear ornaments, ribbons to match, a pencil, and a cutting board.

Begin by cutting all you paper into strips, I usually go 6in long and bout 1/2 inch wide.

Then you just roll the strips up onto the pencil and push them into the ornaments.  in no particular order :)

Put the caps back on, tie the ribbons and walla!

A few other color styles...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Favorite holiday. Hands down.

Here is some of the excitement so far.

James' work has an awesome party every year.  We get to get all dressed up and head out, childless, go to a rented out place, amazing catering and dancing all night.

Christopher, our elf has made his appearance. Would you believe he forgot to move the very first night!? Doh!

Random kid cuteness :)

And a project!!!!  Growing up my mom had these 2 Christmas mice. We would always play hide and seek with them. So I attempted making some for our home!

While listening to Christmas Pandora style and cutting the mice out...

The inevitable happened.  Which always happens when I attempt a sewing project!

 

But I pushed on....

And they turned out pretty cute! (after the 4th one...)

And here is a taste of what Christmas looks like here... I still need to get pics of a lot more things, and finish up some other crafts too!

My new favorite addition this year is my Angel Tree. It is very special to me.  After I had my very first miscarriage, at Christmas time, I have bought an angel ornament for all of our miscarriages.  7 in total now.  I've always had them hanging from Garland or the Christmas tree.  But this year I wanted to do something a little different.  So I went out and found a dead tree and took some limbs, gave them a light spray painting in antique white, then glittered the tips and branches with a beautiful white/pearly glitter.  And there my angels hang.

(better pictures coming soon, I wanted it to be dark in the room for it)

I have so many plans I hope I get them all done this year.  Aside form crafts, I really want the kids to learn and understand what Christmas is all about.  I was pretty impressed already when Cherish read me Santa list.  Then came back later and told me she only wanted one thing.  I also found her crying in the kitchen when I thought all the kids were in bed.  She had been listening to me sing Christmas songs at the piano.  She said it was so beautiful it made her cry.  I love seeing my kids be touched by the spirit of Christmas.

My First Handmade Christmas Advent

I'm not going to lie, this was a MUCH bigger project than I had anticipated. I started it yesterday, umm, and tomorrow is Day 1. Oh dear. Yes, I should have started like a week ago. At least. Live and learn though, right? :)

Despite the fact that my perfectly cleaned and decorated home is now trashed by my 3 tornadoes, the outcome was completely worth it!

Keep in mind as you read along, that I do not in any way consider myself a sewing person. When I was 12 I sewed my finger. Really. The needle broke in half inside my finger, the ends pointing out both sides. Since that traumatizing day I can count how many times I've touched a sewing machine on one hand.

It all started with these 2 slabs of fabric I have been hanging onto now for 2 years. I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday and the only one I decorate for. I love angels and snowmen. And every year I find more, antiqued-oldish looking ones to add to my collection. But I wanted more. Something the kids can actually touch :)

So my new tradition- a new advent calendar to add to the collection list every year.
So I scoured the internet for ideas. I found one's I loved, one's I hated.. and in the end I came up with my own idea. I wanted crafty, homey, imperfect, and a touch of whimsy.

So I started by cutting the fabric into 7.5x10 inches.
Also cutting lining into 7.5x 9ish :) I wanted it to be layered looking at the opening.


Lillie was so enthralled with my work ethic she fell asleep. On the cutting board. While I was cutting.


Then I sewed the lining to the fabric. I made the place for my twine o go through first, then sewed down the sides.


Turned the bags right side out and put the twine through..

Next the fun part, I took all my picks for decorations and created several different little "twigs" to adorn the bags.


I love love LOVE my antiquey snowmen



And of course everything needs a touch of feather and gliter


I made several variations of the twiggs.


Glued the twiggys to the center of the front of the bags with hotglue. Making sure to avoid gluing where the twine comes through.


Then I pulled the the twine up at the back of the pouches, and put a medium sized Clothespin on it. For hanging :)


Tied a bow on the front. and hung a tiny clothespin and ornament.


The final pouch. I left the edges raw on purpose, I want them to fray overtime.


And my pouches were complete. Now they adorn my white later laced chaotically with lights and twine.


And tomorrow when I actually finish these- I will add rolled up papers with the numbers and activities on each day.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!