Americana Countdown

I have taken my advent addiction one step further.

In case you don’t know the history of this addiction, I’ll share a brief summary.

Last Oct. My sister-in-law, Laurie showed me a pic of a Halloween advent calendar.

It was so cute, we knew that we HAD to make one.  ONE, no we didn’t stop at that.

We decided that we would put ours in a frame.  That way we could switch it out and make a Christmas one.

It didn’t stop there.  Not only did I make me a Christmas one, I made one for each of my children.  Then, a Thanksgiving one, a Valentine one, a Spring one, and now this:

It is a piece of sheet metal covered with scrapbook papers.

These little babies take much longer than you would think.  But, they are oh so fun!

Really, the hardest part is numbering them.

I am constantly on the look out for numbers.  (stickers, rub-ons, stamps, etc.)

Here’s a few close-ups.  I have it set for the month of June right now.  I just put all of mine on from the start.

If you have children, they love putting one on; or taking one off each day.  You know, the way an advent really works.

The hunt for each item is true joy.  I save anything I think might work.  The ticket from #6 was on an ad I received in the mail for a sale at Thanksgiving point.  The anchor on #15 was on a candle I bought.  Normally it would have ended up in the trash.  #21 and 25 was a postcard from The Star Mill, advertising one of his sales.  It is one of my favorite places to shop for antiques.

Finding the right paper to go on the magnetic piece is another trip to the craft store.

Laurie found this Liberty paper in Bountiful.  So happy that she bought two and was willing to share.

The top paper I bought at Roberts Crafts.  I loved that it looked like old letters.  I imagined all the letters sent by service men and women to their loved ones.

A lot of times we use ribbons, lace, fibers, or trims to separate the papers.  This time we used tulle.

The calendar itself was purchased at Roberts.  It is white, but I tea dye it.  I put instant tea and hot water in a spray bottle.  Lay the calendar on a cookie sheet and spray it.  Spread it a little with my hand and then put it in the oven  @ 200.  I just watch it till it’s dry, or almost dry.  Everyone turns out different.  They are a bit blotchy, but it only makes them look vintage.  Afterwards I press them with a low temp iron to make them lie flat.

Hope you like, and if you decide to make one, enjoy.  But I must warn you, it can become ADDICTING.

Confessions of an addict!

I have not liked up with any craft parties before.  Thought it would be fun for a change.

c.r.a.f.t. for M.M.M.

The Girl Creative for Just Something I Whipped Up

Embellishing Life for craft catwalk

Ginger Snap Crafts fro Wow Me Wednesday

Elements-Interiors for the Summer Blog Party for DIY projects

http://www.lilluna.com/

http://thecsiproject.com/2011/06/23/its-time-to-link-up-for-the-red-white-or-blue-challenge/

I Savor the Weekend for Patriotic Link Party