Thursday 26 November 2015

Christmas Sweater Inspired Advent Calendar - Festive Project for Emerald Creek Design Team

It's the end of November and my thoughts are turning to all things Christmas.
Cards & gift tags to make, gifts to wrap, meals to plan and all that decorating!
What better way to get into the holiday spirit than to make & decorate a 25 Day Advent Calendar.
Each box is like a tiny piece of art and I love how this one turned out.

I was initially inspired by this package of paper from Carta Bella called Warm & Cozy. Isn't is dreamy! Then I decided to combine it with an 8x8 pad of Yuletide from Tim Holtz.
These advent calendars are handmade - my dad builds the wood box out of MDF and then I make the smaller boxes from chipboard. I have bought the advent calendars available on the market in the past but these are so much more sturdy.
I painted the outside of the box with a mix of bright red and burnt sienna acrylic paint - at about a 2:1 ratio. I didn't mix the paints completely as I wanted the brown of the burnt sienna to be visible as streaks throughout the red.
Each smaller box was painted with Peeled Paint Distress Paint on the outside and a wash of burnt sienna on the inside.
I then used the Holiday Knit Layering Stencil from Tim Holtz and Fired Brick Distress Ink to apply the design on all sides of the MDF box.
I then glued squares of the paper on the front of each box as well as lined the back and bottom sides of the boxes on the inside.
Once I found enough handles & drawers pulls and other bits & bobs it was time to start decorating.

I used the Alphabet thinlit die from Tim Holtz/Sizzix and a sheet of gold adhesive backed deco sheets from Tim Holtz Idea-ology. 
 I traced around the numbers with my hickory smoke distress marker just to add a bit of shadow.



I was so excited to finally use my snowflake charms from Emerald Creek Supplies. These metal alloy charms are gorgeous! I used alcohol inks in various shades of brown to give them a vintagy look.
I also used a Buckle Charm for a drawer pull. It was the perfect size and looked great after I used alcohol inks to add some colour.
I know I have said it before but I am in love with the Exclusive Line of embossing powders from Emerald Creek Crafts. This time I used the Soft Fallen Snow. I first used it on the words Let It Snow. I just love the texture and the tiny flecks of sparkle is perfect.
 I also used the Soft Fallen Snow on the Stacked Snowflakes - I first covered them with Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint and while it was still wet I sprinkled the embossing over it. I just love the look of it after the paint dried ans cracked. I finish it off I gently inked the edges of the snowflake with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
I also used this embossing powder on a couple of scrap pieces of torn white cardstock.  This made a nice little 'snowdrift' for my Crazy Bird.

Here is my finished 25 day Advent Calendar - already to go for December 1st.


 For more Festive inspiration check out the projects from the rest of the Emerald Creek Design Team

Karon - Karon's Krafty Korner
Diana - missusgmoments
Cathy - Amethyst Dragonfly's Alcove 
Katelyn - A Creative Journey

Now that you are feeling festive head on over to the Emerald Creek Dares blog for the new Festive challenge. Share your Festive projects with us for a chance to win a $25 credit to the online store.

http://www.emeraldcreek.ca/


Thank you so much for dropping by my blog today!
I appreciate you taking the time and leaving a comment.

19 comments:

  1. This is crazy cool. If you feel like selling the advents in the store let me know because I know I want one now!

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    1. I am designing a new one in the spring but I have one of this style left. It's yours if you want it. ;)

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  2. OMG Julia - this is truly amazing!!! Love all the elements! Fabulous!

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  3. Amazing calendar! Each box is so perfectly put together and your wee bird is too funny!

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    1. Thanks Sandy! Where have you been? It's been ages since we hung out!

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  5. OMG I'm in love with your advent calendar! I love all the different pieces you used and the mix of the different paper lines is fantastic!
    -Katelyn

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    1. Thanks so much Katelyn! I love making these~they are so much fun!

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  6. My good golly, Julia! And wow, too! This is like 26 projects in one! So many little details to delight the eyes! I love all your clever ides for drawer pulls and that Let It Snow sentiment just tugs at my heart! Bravo 26 times over! Hugs!

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    1. I never thought about it like that but I guess you're right! I like to think of each box as a 2 5/8" x 2 5/8" mini canvas. Thanks so much for your lovely comments!

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  7. I love this so much!!! I want to make some for craft fairs next year!! So awesome Julia!!

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    1. Thanks, Cathy! They are quite addictive.

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  8. i love advent calendars and yours is perfectly put together!!! i especially love that it was created/made/designed by both you and your dad. that makes it even more special... love all the tiny details that you have shared with us!!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind comments, Diana!

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  9. Oh my gosh Julia, that is fantastic! What a wonderful idea for an advent calendar and the way you have painstakingly decorated each and every box with different papers and embellishments is quite amazing, what a wonderful keepsake for your family to enjoy year after year. Thanks so much for sharing it, Deb xo

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  10. What a delightful advent countdown... great use of the papers, and I just love the detailing - especially the crazy bird stuck in the snowdrift!
    Alison x

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  11. Wow!! This is absolutely beautiful.....so much eye candy in those details! What a great project for this and future years - very special! xx Lynn

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I really appreciate it!