My Advent of Advent

Okay so, as promised, I have the newly revised and updated Advent Calendar to share with you! What do I get the most emails and requests for every year?  What do people google to find and bookmark all through out the year? This little number...

The Original Cookie Sheet Style Advent Calendar

I have made them every year for the past 4 years and every year I say "that's it!" and "no more"! I even was supposed to send this to someone really really really big who makes "good things"....and I chickened out. Now don't give me any grief on that, please. I have my reasons. But I thought that it'd be more fun to share it here. Less pressure. So without further blabbing about it I have a fresh tutorial for you. Let's get on with it, shall we?

Teresa's Advent Calendar (accept no substitutes)

Supplies to Gather:
1 cookie sheet not Teflon coated. (The Dollar Store is a great place to find one)
Acrylic Paint and brush
Drill
A couple coordinating patterned papers
Chipboard
At least 25 magnets
Lots of numbers...such as rub ons or stickers
Trinkets o plenty: buttons, stars, mini cookie cutters, metal shapes, mini watch tin holders, ribbon, etc.
Glue stick
Ruler
Sharpie marker
Glitter (but of course)
Clear sealer (such as Krylon)
Ribbon or chain for hanging

Instructions:

1.  Drill 2 holes in top left and right of cookie sheet. You can try this yourself or have your husband do this. Holes need to be large enough to string ribbon through.

2.  Tear or cut papers and arrange as desired to cover back side of cookie sheet.  My calendar shows paper and top and bottom. Glue stick back of paper-cover completely) and adhere to sheet.

3.  Paint sides and rim of cookie sheet and parts of the paper. Sample shows 3 colors of paint: creme, aqua and olive green.

4.  When paint dry, use a Sharpie marker to create a grid with 7 slots across and 4 rows. Measure the width of your calendar and divide that # by 7 to know how wide each rectangle will need to be. Do the same for the length of the grid. Note that the grid does not completely cover the sheet, the tops and bottoms are left blank for embellishing.

5. Use rub ons and add title: DECEMBER to top of grid. Another option is to cut a swag banner shape, paint it and add December rub ons to the banner when paint is dry. Glitter was added to the edges. If you add magnets to this banner, you can remove it and add other months later if you like! A monthly calendar, a birthday countdown, vacation countdown, or other holidays would be fun!

6.  Add a smallish embellishment to lower right hand corner of calendar. Sample shows a vintage Santa gift card. If you give this piece a magnetic backing, you can change these out like the month banner to keep the cookie sheet reusable.

7.  Add any other words to accent the calendar. Sample shows BE MERRY (rub ons). Keep in mind that for the beginning of the countdown, the calendar will be less full of numbers, and so adding a word here and there will help fill in the grid until more numbers are added to it when the month progresses.

8.  Seal the entire cookie sheet with a Krylon Spray Clear Sealer or something similar.

9.  Now the fun and detail begins! Create those numbers. Use all the same numbers, or go a step beyond for more fun...and make them different and unique as shown above. Be sure the numbers you add aren't too heavy and that there is room to add magnets to the back. I found magnets in different strengths at the local craft store. Magnets with an adhesive backing work great and are easy to cut.

10.  String ribbon through those top holes to hang.

11.  Store the numbers behind the cookie sheet and bring out a new one each day.

A couple more photos for you:

Here's a close up of the banner with month. I made it removable by adding magnets to the back. Later, other months can be put there.

The finished calendar. I love it! So do my little ones. They love to add the numbers each day. Ya know, this would be so much fun to create as a group. Everyone providing a couple of the numbers and swapping them with each other (love that idea but I thought of it too late). Can't wait to hang it in the kitchen and let the Christmas countdown begin!

Oh, if you make one, send a copy to me, I'd love to see it!

I will be showing more details and techniques creating the actual little numbers and many other ideas and inspirations on the upcoming 12 Days of Comfort and Joy soon! Stay tuned to the exciting details on is Holiday Exclusive Project Guide. You aren't going to want to miss this!