Monday, December 10, 2018

Advent Calender



When the girlies were little, we used a tiny Christmas tree with tiny ornaments as an Advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas. Because of the Advent calendar I bought for myself, I thought I'd like to do something special for The Eldest.

These are her first holidays away from home, on her own. Most likely more traumatic for me than her as she's my first fledgling to leave the nest. While browsing the free projects at Canvas Workspace for the Scan n Cut machine, I found an Advent calendar. Since I'm still learning the ins and outs of the machine, it seemed like a good way to learn and make something at the same time.

All that was needed was Christmasy paper, glue, tape, ribbon, wire and time, all of which I had on hand. Canvas Workspace had all the cut files available to download, written instructions, and video instructions.

The boxes, like a matchbox, are a little larger than a business card (2 in. x 3 in.) and I was able to fit two on a 12 in. x 12 in. sheet of scrapbook paper. Three box tops fit on one sheet. The machine cut and even scored fold lines. Amazing!

The boxes stack in sections to form the Christmas tree. I glued each section of boxes together for more stability than just wrapping ribbon around them as per their directions. I debated about gluing all the sections together. The tree measures approx. 19 inches in height. I thought it might be easier to find a smaller box if I mailed the tree with the diagram to stack the sections.

I thought the drawers were a little difficult to open so I glued a ribbon loop on the bottom as a pull tab. I also had a hard time gluing the front of the star to the back. I gave up and secured the ends with Washi tape on the star arms and regular tape to hold the ends of the Washi tape together.

I'm pleased with how it turned out, and even more pleased that the US Postal Service came through with getting the package to the Eldest on 1. December instead of 3. December the estimated date on the sales receipt. The Eldest got a kick out of the Advent tree.

14 comments:

  1. I think this is an adorable advent calendar CJ. I bet the eldest loved getting this in the mail.I miss doing these since my daughter isn't home any longer. Maybe next year I need to do one for myself. Happy new week. Hugs-Erika

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    1. I think she enjoyed getting the package and is enjoying the little surprises. By all means you need one for yourself.

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  2. Now that's a wonderful Advent Calendar, and I sure your Eldest is thrilled to bits with it. Well done! Have a great week, Valerie

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    1. She seemed amused with a couple of the surprises.

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  3. What a fabulous way to learn your cutting machine, while making this awesome TREE inspired advent calendar.

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    1. With all the free projects on Canvas Workspace, it was fun to have a way to learn the machine and something to show for the time spent

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  4. What a touching gift :) It's always fun to continue the traditions into the next generation.

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  5. WOW That's really impressive! I bet the Eldest was thrilled!

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  6. stopping bye with a hi de hoe
    copy N paste said letz give it a go
    wanna say HI & leeve a good werd
    de food gurlz werkz a big bass terd
    we hope this findz ewe doin swell
    santaz comin ring de Christmas bell
    sorree we haz ta uze copee N paste
    we gotta sneekz a round with out haste
    happee week if we due knot get bak
    N joy two day N eatz a snak ♥♥☺☺☺

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    1. Thanks, Tabbies. Head butts all around and say hi to the FSG. =^..^=

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  7. This is brilliant! I love it CJ! You are so creative! I bet your Eldest loves it!

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