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!

Comments

[Jill]

Well... you just keep making it better! Love this one. I can see why you kept it... "good things"????? Holy Advent calendars, Batman!!!!
Good for you!

[Christine]

I really will make one this year! I keep meaning to make one but this year I really really mean it as I love them!

[Carolr]

Loving this. Maybe it's the fresh new color. Appreciate the honor too! You know we cherish your talents above all!!

[Amy]

Love this little calendar and so easy too. Hope to get one made.

Thanks for the inspiration,
amy

[michelle b.]

Teresa, I have loved your Advent Calendar since I first saw it last year. My neighborhood holds an annual cookie swap at Christmas that is NOT about the cookie (we've had people give boxed cookies), but it's ALL about the presentation. Everyone gets very creative on how to display their cookies and this year I am doing your cookie sheet calendar. So, to try out the idea I had 3 friends come for a visit (I recently moved out of state and will return to the old neighborhood for the cookie swap). I surprised them with prepared cookie sheets, tons of numbers, trinkets, magnets and glue and we spent an entire day catching up and decorating our trays. They went home ecstatic that they had their very own calendar and now would not have to try and win one of mine. They wanted to know where the idea came from and I had your sight on the laptop to show them.
Thank you! as I do believe I might just be the Cookie Queen this year. (P.S. a friend who teaches CCD had her students do your calendar, but using pictures of things/people found in the Nativity scene. Beautiful!

[psmullican]

Adorable! can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing-I'll be looking forward to your technique tips. Happy Holidays!

[Account Deleted]

absolutely lovely! i am going to start one. you have inspired me! oh...love your new blog banner {except...i don't think what you have to say is "mostly nothing"}...love ya miss teresa! blessings!!

[charlotte]

This is too sweet....so Teresa-wonderful! Thanks for showing us this and sharing the how-to. xoC

[jerusalem]

amazing! wish I had thought of that!!

[Robyn]

This is the cutest one yet!
Thanks for sharing, you are too darn nice-
And you so should make another and send it off.
WOW-
Robyn

[Lori]

FUN!

[Laurie]

Wow, Teresa, what a fantastic advent calendar. Absolutely love it!
Laurie

[Amy H.]

Thanks for sharing your great tutorial. I am adding it to my ever growing - to create list.

[Carrie]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this with us. It is just darling and I feel so inspired. Appreciate all your wonderful talent.

[Kim Caldwell]

I love this Miss T! It is one of my most favorites -- I love how you used the back of the sheet instead of the front. I have been in a creative slump but I am feeling I MUST give this a try this weekend for sure. . .

Hugs, Kim

[Lori]

I'd be up for a number swap!!!

[Johanna Mahnke]

This is the #1 project on my Christmas project list after I finish up my Silver Bella projects. I'm almost there!! But this gorgeous pretty makes me want to set everything aside and get down to business! So lovely!! Thank you for the directions and the inspiration. ~Johanna

[Cindy]

I finally made mine last year. Now I want to re do it, but maybe just a few of the numbers. I'm loving your clock face and the little house.

[clarice]

This is soo col Teresa. Thank you. By the way love your banner. Clarice

[jessi nagy]

this one turned out so sweet! love the yummy colors.
jessi