Advent Calendar 2013

Hello there!

Good of you to pop in for a visit! Today I am sharing this years Advent Calendar I made up and taught a few weeks ago. 

This is what really got me going with using my lovely Silhouette, which is now a year old (*blush*) and I am so thrilled that I have made a start. I have signed up for an online class, but need to schedule a day or two to just concentrate on it, without interruptions (?) so I can focus and absorb! However, I was able to download the files I wanted to use, re size/duplicate images etc. with using the computer skills I already have and everything worked out just fine! What a fantastic tool this machine is and I need to remind myself of it's many uses and applications as I work on my classes.

Right, onto this calendar. I used the Graphics 45 Christmas Emporium papers from last year exclusively on this calendar. Because there are so many small images in this set, it worked out beautifully!

The front, closed.

6th December

I had to break up the numbers into two sections, because, with the layers of card on each number, the bulk built up and made the number collection protrude and it looked out of proportion. So splitting them up reduced the bulk somewhat. The middle section has numbers 1 to 12 and the cover, which you see above and the numbers on the left are from 13 to 25 with a cover as you see above and with the number showing, as below.

25th December!

Below is a back view of the calendar. I really did not want to have a boring back view, so carried on adding cut outs from the papers to the backs of each page.

Back view

I cut the "Countdown to Christmas" and the number flags/tags with the Silhouette, used lovely background papers from Nitwit Collection, good old Kraft card for the calendar base and flag/tags and then red, green and gold card stock for the rest of the project. 

Of course Christmas for me has to have Poinsettia flowers (my version of a hot Christmas' Snowflakes...lol) so out came my Nellie Snellen punch and emboss sets, with the holly one as well and gold Flowersoft for the centers. The border of the red card is made with a EK Success punch - sorry don't have the name (wish they would put the names on each punch as I forget to!). Lots of Distress Ink in Vintage Stain and some careful measuring and punching finished it all off with a binding wire at the top.

It was a lot of work, but so worth it. I know my ladies absolutely loved the finished calendar and I ignored the grumbling during the repetitive work it took to get it done...lol!

Well, I'm now very happy that I have another item that will go into my Christmas Collection this festive season. There is another one in the pipeline, but you will have to wait for that one!

I love everything 'Christmas' and have always tried to make something special for my collection, in the hope that when I am no longer with my family, they will have some part of 'me' with them every year at my favorite time. My wish is that my children and grandchildren, one day, will look at all these projects, made with so much love, and somehow 'feel' that I am part of their Christmas every year!

Wishing you all a lovely, happy, crafty week, with lots of love and laughter to help you through!

Warm Hugz

Moz