Matchbox Advent Calendar {Mini Tutorial}

Thanks to Pinterest, I decided to make an Advent calendar for Brett and I.  There are so many great ideas out there, but I needed something quick, cheap and easy.  So I decided upon a matchbox advent!

To make this advent calendar I did the following:

1. Gather empty matchboxes (or buy 3 packs of 10 at the dollar store and empty out the boxes)
2. Make a template to use to cut out scrapbook paper (I just wrapped a small piece around a matchbox and made little cuts on the edge and then used my paper cutter to trim it down)
3. Select  scrapbook paper and cut out covers for matchboxes
4. Using spray adhesive, cover the matchboxes with the cut paper
5. Punch/cut out circles from scrapbook paper
6. Stamp 1-25 onto circles (you could also print out the numbers and then cut them out)
7. Adhere circles onto matchbox with spray adhesive
8. Hot glue magnets onto the back of the matchboxes
9. Fill matchboxes with activities, candy or tiny gifts/ornaments
10. Put matchboxes on fridge or other metal surface (I am using a cookie sheet from the dollar store-I may paint it red and attach something to hang it, but it will have to wait til after the move!)

Easy peasy! 

Since it's just Brett and I, I thought it would be a good idea to put activities for us to do together inside the matchboxes.  In this busy time of year it's easy to get caught up in the holiday preparations and over look spending time with our spouse so I wanted to avoid that (especially since it is our last Christmas just the two of us!).  Here are the activities we will be doing (but in a different order):

• Bake and decorate sugar cookies
• Watch A Christmas Carol
• Drive and look at Christmas lights
• Make peppermint bark
• Wrap presents together
• Read the story of Christ's birth (in Luke)
• Enjoy hot some homemade hot chocolate
• Watch Polar Express
• Decorate the Christmas tree
• Take spare change to the Salvation Army bell ringer
• Buy each other's stocking stuffers for under $10
• Watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
• Play a board game
• Have a candlelight dinner at home
• Send out Christmas cards
• Make a gingerbread house
• Attend Christmas Eve Service
• Plan & go on a free date
• Watch Elf
• Participate in an Angel Tree or Food Drive
• Listen to favorite Christmas music
• Take cookies to friends and/or family
• Make ornaments
• Take a family picture
• Go see a Christmas movie

Did you make an advent calendar this year?  I'd love to see it so let me know if you did!

Book Page Canvas {Tutorial}

Book Page Canvas {Tutorial}

Like many other bloggers, I love book page projects!  Here's on that I made using a Goodwill canvas and a tutorial to make your own!

Supplies:
Canvas, any size (mine was $3 from Goodwill)
Book pages ($.50 for a book from Goodwill)
Tape
Mod Podge
Paint brush
Scissors

Total Cost: $3 (give or take $1-2 depending on what you have on hand)


Time to Make: 30-60 minutes

Now the fun part...
 1. Gather your supplies.  This is the canvas and books that I used.  I have nothing against the National Cathedral, but it just isn't quite my style!

2. Next, tear out the book pages.  I used dictionary pages and some from the paperback on the stack above.  The smaller and lighter pages are from the paperback and have dates on them (from a diary).  I decided to use dates that were special to Brett and I (birthdays, anniversary) to make it  more personalized.  Arrange your book pages on the canvas however you would like.  There really is no right way!  Just make sure that the edges are covered.

3. The tricky part of this project is getting the book pages adhered to the canvas.  I knew that once I arranged them I didn't want to have to try and lift the pages to get under them to the canvas.  So I used double sided tape to tape the pages together to make one big piece of paper.  This way you can get to the whole canvas.

4.  Next, cover the canvas with mod podge.  I took the easy route and just poured it on and spread it out with a foam brush.

5.  While the mod podge is still wet, put the book pages on the canvas.  Make sure it is even with the edges before you put it down because once you do, you could rip the pages if you try to move it (yes, I figured this out the hard way!).  Press down lightly on the pages to make sure it's stuck on there good.

6.  Now start to put mod podge under all of the pages that are on top of other pages.  While you are doing this you will also put a layer over the pages on the top. 

 

7.  Make sure you put mod podge on the edges too.  When you get the edges covered fold the edges down like you would when wrapping a present.

When you are done with the edges, let it dry and trim any excess book pages off the back.  You are done!!  If you want you could add embellishments to the front...rosettes, glitter silhouettes, text, etc.  Get creative with it!  I haven't added anything yet in case I decide to use it in the nursery! 

If you make your own, let me know!!  I'd love to see!

Link parties I'm participating in:  (go check them out!)
The Home Stories of A to Z Tutorials and Tips
Craft-O-Maniac
Tatertots & Jello

Taggie Blankie {Tutorial}

As more and more of my friends have babies I am realizing that there are so many gifts that you can make!  On Day 28 of 31 Days of Handmade Gifts I shared some blanket tutorials and a preview of a taggie blankie I made for a baby gift. Here is the tutorial!

Taggie Blankie Tutorial

Time to Make: 30-60 minutes
Sewing Skill Level: Any (this would be a good first project!)
Cost: FREE!  (I had everything on hand, but it wouldn't cost more than $5 to make!)
Supplies:
13 in. x 13 in. fabric (quilter's cotton)
13 in. x 13 in. flannel or other soft fabric
Ribbon scraps (2.5-4 inches in length, various textures)
Sewing machine, thread and scissors

You could make this out of any fabric.  I have seen ones in the store made out of fleece, minky, etc.

1. Cut out fabric and ribbon scraps. You might want to iron your fabric (especially cotton) to ensure it's flat.

2. Fold ribbon pieces in half and pin to the right side of one of the fabric squares (it doesn't matter which one).  Make sure the raw edges of the ribbon and fabric line up.  Placement doesn't matter, just where ever you think looks good.  Just fight that OCD and place them different distances apart.  Yes it will be hard to do, but it doesn't matter!  Baby doesn't care. :)

3. Stitch ribbon pieces to right side of fabric (using 1/4 in seam allowance) removing pins as you go.  Back stitch with each ribbon piece to ensure they're on there good!

(Tip: To save some time/thread you don't have to clip the threads between sewing each ribbon, just move the needle to the next ribbon piece making sure the other threads are out of the way!)

4. Once you finish sewing the ribbons on, clip all the threads.  Also, make sure all the ribbons are sewn on good, you don't want a baby pulling any of them out!

5. Pin the other piece of fabric to the piece you just sewed the ribbons to (leaving the ribbons folded in and flat) right sides together.

6. Sew the fabric pieces together using a 1/4 in seam allowance, leaving about a 4 inch opening to turn, removing pins as you go.  To get this seam allowance I just used the edge of the foot.

(Tip: Start at one edge of your opening, not at the corner.  Then sew around and end at the other edge of your opening.  At the corners leave the needle in the fabric and just turn the fabric pieces).

7. Clip the corners and turn inside out.  Poke out corners (using your finger, knitting/crochet needle or something similar).

8. Iron your blankie, making sure to flatten the edges of the opening.  Almost done!!

9. Topstitch around the whole blankie, making sure that you close the opening.  And you're finished!  If you like the look of two lines of stitching, go for it.  (I just wanted to finish!)

 Let me know if you all have any questions or make one too!  I'd love to see!

Linking up with Christina's Adventures for $20 Below Thursdays, Creation Corner for a Handmade Christmas, Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up Party and The Home Stories of A to Z's Tutorials and Tips Party!