Advent Calendar

I have been trying to come up with an advent calendar and this is what I ended up with! I am pretty excited about it! First I measured the back of the picture frame and cut a background fabric the same size. Next I cut images from my nativity fabric to create my own "story of Christmas" picture. I appliqued them onto the background and zig-zag stitched them into place. I then glued that to some cardboard to make is secure. Next I used a staple gun to staple it to the back of the frame.

I glued some Christmas paper to some cardboard, measured it to fit the front of the frame and cut it into 25 puzzle pieces. I then used sticky stuff to attach the puzzle to the Christmas story.

Each day we take off one piece of the puzzle. Each puzzle piece has the name of a Christmas song on it and we sing that song as well.

So far it is super fun and Skeeter gets really excited to take a piece of the puzzle off each day!

Tomato Cage Christmas Card Display

Super EASY holiday craft. I saw this idea in a magazine and stored it away in my brain until I had time to do it. I don't remember exactly how it looked in the mag. but I added some of my own personal touch and wa-lah! Very fun.

Materials needed:
Tomato cage
green fabric
yellow felt
rubber band
Christmas lights (optional)


Steps:
1. clean tomato cage and turn it upside down
2. Use rubber band to pull 3 prongs together
3. string tomato cage with lights (this was not in the original that I saw, but I thought it was a really fun addition!)
4. Measure distance from top of prong to first circular rung. (Mine was 13")
5. Cut a half circle out of green fabric. Use a focal point and draw the circle at 14" (I wish I could show you this but oh well...)
6. Pull material together in order to form a cone and pin at appropriate point
7. Sew together and now you should have a cone. Place on top of tomato cage
8. Cut a star out of felt and stick onto cone
9. Use paper clips, office clips, or clothes pins to attach Christmas cards that you receive.

I am SO excited about this craft. I can't wait to start getting some Christmas cards to fill it up!