Friday, December 3, 2010

Christmas Advent -- ScrapbookPal.com Christmas Blog Hop!



Welcome to old and new friends -- it's time for the ScrapbookPal.com Design Team Blog Hop!  We wanted to spread some Christmas cheer with a bunch of very fun projects AND give you a chance to win your choice of Cricut cartridges!  Full details below my project -- on to the good stuff!


If you've been here before, you may remember my Halloween countdown calendar project.  I got several requests for a tutorial, so I thought it would make a perfect project for our Christmas blog hop!  Once you see how easy this is, you'll definitely want to make one for your own kids.  (Or just for yourself... I'm not judging...)


Step 1:  Get a muffin tin.  I chose a 12-muffin version, but I've also seen super cute ones done with the 24-mini-muffin tins.  I'm just too lazy to do that one...  The only thing to keep in mind is that, if you want to punch holes for hanging ribbon, you need to get a tin without a big lip on it, as shown here.


Step 2: Punch holes at the top of the tin and set eyelets.  I did mine with a Cropodile, but you could probably also use a drill.  Seriously, though, if you don't have a Cropodile, it's worth the investment.  If you don't want to put holes in your tin, you could always display it on an easel.


Step 3:  Choose a few sheets of paper.  I always use a coordinating set that is double-sided, which takes care of a lot of the work.  Cut 12 squares at 3 1/4" each.  Use a corner-rounder on the corners.  Alternately, you could cut rounded squares with your Cricut.


Step 4:  Lay out your squares on your muffin tin to make sure you like the order and placement of the various patterns.  If you're like me, though, you'll still end up switching them around a little (as you'll see if you compare this pic with the finished product).


Step 5:  Decorate each square with die cuts, trim, and bits and bobs from your stash.  I know we're all suckers for Christmas embellishments, and this is a great project to use them.  I love the fun, whimsical artwork from the Christmas Cheer cartridge, and I always think it's fun to add little touches to tie it into the patterned paper (like the black pen outline on the die cuts).  And of course you have to add some glitter when it's Christmas!  Also, I used my Gypsy to plan everything out before I cut, which made things a LOT easier.*


Voila!  A fun 12-days-of-Christmas advent calendar!  I fill each tin with little goodies from the dollar store, like pencils, stickers, socks, and a few treats.  If the item is too big for the space, I leave a note inside telling what it is.  My kids LOVED the one for Halloween, and when they saw me making this one they were practically beside themselves.  What can I say?  I have them well-trained. :)

Oops, I forgot Step 6 -- Adhere little magnets on the backs of the corners of each square so they'll stick to the muffin tin.  After the holiday is over, you can just put all 12 into a little envelope and keep them safe til next year. :)



Materials:  Die cuts -- Cricut Mini-Monograms (scallop circles), Winter Woodland (numbers), and Christmas Cheer (everything else) cartridges; Patterned paper -- SEI; Felt shapes and ricrac -- Fancy Pants; Letter stickers and jewels -- Queen & Co.; Baker's twine -- Martha Stewart; Metal tag -- DCWV; Glitter glue -- Stickles; Distressing ink -- Clearsnap Cat's Eye chalk ink


Okay, so now I'll tell you how to win a cartridge...

Here's how to play:
Start at the ScrapbookPal.com blog, become a follower.  Visit each of the design team blogs below and leave a comment on their blog in their post regarding the blog hop.  When you've done this on all the blogs, go to the ScrapbookPal.com blog, leave a comment stating that you have completed the hop.  You can also become a follower of each of the designer's blogs but it is not a requirement to win.  

ScrapbookPal Blog (http://www.scrapbookpal.blogspot.com/)
Jamie Cripps (http://jamielanedesigns.blogspot.com/)
Rowena Valentine (http://www.creativegenealogyscrapbooking.com/)
Crystal Butler (http://crystalscraftycreations.blogspot.com/)
Amy Crockett (http://www.scrappingmommy.com/)
Tammy White (http://theeventqueen.blogspot.com/)
Leah Cornelius(http://paperblossoms.blogspot.com/)
You are here!  ----->Tomi Ann Hill (http://tomiannie.blogspot.com/)
Cheryl Walker (http://sweeetdesignsbycheryl.blogspot.com/)
ScrapbookPal Blog (http://www.scrapbookpal.blogspot.com/)

Happy hopping and Merry Christmas!

*P.S.  If you'd like the Gypsy file that has everything I did for this whole project, please let me know.  I'm not at home right now because our furnace died and it's super cold so we took refuge at my parents' house, but I'd be happy to post a link when we get home!

65 comments:

Cassie said...

Oh, wowza, Tomi, that is BRILLIANT! What a fun idea, and I'm sure the kids are loving this ;D

Carol W. said...

WOW! fabulous idea using the muffin pan! thank you for sharing your advent.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! Now to find the time to do this. :)

thanks so much for sharing

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh that is stinkin' adorable! The cute cuts, and all the fun patterns :)

Unknown said...

Oh my what a fabulous idea, a muffin tin, you decorated it splendidly!!

Pink Lady's Paradise said...

Love, Love, Love it! So cute! No wonder your kids were excited. Great idea to use the muffin tin!
TFS,
Cindy :)

jennyplace2 said...

This project is amazing....I love it, such great details in every way. TFS! Stay warm and hope your furnace gets fixed very soon!

~K8 said...

I would LOVE to see the gypsy file! I bought a muffin tin for this particular purpose, but haven't done it yet! I also plan on using my Xyron to magnetize the "doors"! Great ideas!

Thank you for doing the Blog Hop as well!

Cheryl Walker said...

Awww was a super cute idea! Beautiful job hun!!
Hugs,
Cheryl

jan farnworth said...

great project.

Jamie Lane Designs said...

This is fantastic! I love all the details!

Anonymous said...

This is FABULOUS!!! Such a cute idea!!! I will have to try this onetime. You did such a Wonderful job on it!!! TFS! -Sam :-)

SamanthaJDesigns.blgospot.com

Unknown said...

I love this project you did a great job. It's really fun.. Thanks for the inspiration..

Brooke D.
Cricut MB member

Beth said...

Very very nice idea. I love it. :)

pattyk said...

Great Idea --would be nice for a party too.-millierose651@aol.com

Christi said...

very cute, it is a goal of mine to have an advent calendar made before next Christmas
my kids are getting older so it is time to add something different
Christi

Besthobbyeva said...

What a super, super clever idea. I love this. I am going to save this one! I love the inked edges and all the embellishments. Great!!

I love scrapbookpal. One of my favorite sites!!

Tere Azua said...

LOVE it!!!!
It is so colorful and cheerful... makes me happy!!!!

Jaime G said...

What a wonderful advent that can be used year after year! I can't wait to try making on of these for I have tons of Christmas embellishments.

Tammy said...

Love that project. TFS

ladybugstamper said...

This is a wonderful idea, I love how it's something that can be reused and household products make cute gift ideas too. Thanks. This one I will have to "case" too. Thank You

mandita208 said...

Great idea! I love it! Thanks for sharing!

Kendra-Sue and Jamie said...

Your project is very nice. Thank you for sharing and providing inspiration.

Jamie said...

So fun and cute!

pat said...

great job

jenni said...

So this is the first time I have visited your blog and I have to say you are VERY talented! I am so impressed. I liked every project I that I saw. It is so fun to find a blog that has the same style as myself. Thanks SO much!
jpshirley@ymail.com

Crystal said...

Tomi I LOVE THIS! I think I will do this for Halloween next year since I have a countdown already for Christmas. GORGEOUS!

Anonymous said...

So cute.

Missy said...

just awesome!! and it turned out beautiful!! following from the blog hop!

Teresa said...

my grandson would love this! looks like something i could do.

ryoon said...

I love this idea. My daughter will love this. Super cute. I have to try this :)

TFS.

Josie0602 said...

That is just so cute and creative! I see this being a next year's gift project!

MissPfleiderer said...

This is soooo amazing. I absolutely love it! I think I will have to borrow your idea!

Carolyn said...

Hope you get your furnance fixed soon. Great job on the muffin pan. tfs

Paula said...

What a cute idea for an advent calendar!! Thank you for sharing!

Mary Jean said...

this is great! And i think I even have a muffin tin around here to use!

stefeni said...

What a great idea! And you did such a beautiful job on it. The paper choice and everything!

spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

What a neat idea.

vndlewis @ rocketmail.com

Maria said...

Very cute idea!

littlen said...

What a clever idea. TFS.

djp said...

best project i've seen in a while (besides the other hop projects hehe!) i am def going to "lift" this for my nephew!

Lillian Child said...

What a fabulous idea! Your advent tin is fantastic! Love it!

Karen S. said...

What a creative idea! It's adorable!

Heart2hand said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this advent calendar. GREAT work! I think it's such an inspiration to follow the blog hops...you all do wonderful projects and from different carts.

THANK YOU

hugs
rhonda

Meagan Nielson said...

This is so cute. I love your idea to use the muffin tin. Thank you for sharing.

scrapBugz said...

What a great project. May I have the gypsy file? Thanks for sharing and having a great tutorial.

Mandy
mjbaker at earthlink dot net

Elizabeth said...

Love your projects and how you have them in slideshow form. Thanks so much!

Karen Hunter said...

so cute! what a great project for the kids - can't wait to try my own

Amy C said...

I am in love with this project Tomi!! You always have the best creative ideas.

Hugs,
Amy

Oh, and thanks for the birthday wishes on fb. ♥

Jen said...

Darling Advent Calendar Tomi. A friend created one similar to this years ago for my son, but with 25 numbered 'tiles.' He loves do the daily countdown.
Thank you for sharing.

jandokan said...

Tomi Ann, this is soooo cute :D
Love the idea of using a muffin tin for a advent kalender!!
Great idea,
Hugs Anja

Unknown said...

Love it! Thanks You!

Cowchipper said...

love it. i like advent calendars. my mom made a new one every year when i was little

Anonymous said...

very cute and bright colors make it BLING!

Unknown said...

great idea and goo designing darrell listerville @ centramedia.net

A-NON-E-MOUSE said...

really nice. I like it

We're So Rad said...

I can't wait to make one similiar (but not as cute) for my friend.... and one for next Halloween.

Jen Young said...

OMG! VEry cute idea! May need to scraplift! Thanks !:)

Anonymous said...

lv2scrap02...

Great Blog. Love your designs. Beautiful work.

Love the Advent Calendar

lv2dance92@optonline.net

Diana Waite said...

this is such a FUN idea--love it!

Michele said...

Oooh! I like this advent calendar best! I have to do one now!

Minta's Creations said...

I Love this project!
I'm your newest follower..Would love it if you could check out my blog.
Minta

mintab@gmail.com
http://mintascreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the chance to win!

pebblesjns said...

I have always heard about advent calendars on muffin pans but never seen the completed project. Thank you so much for the instructions, I may have to try one of these.

Lisa said...

I love this soooo much! I think I will make one up after christmas so we can use it next year! Thanks for the tutorial as well!

Unknown said...

This is a gorgeous project using Kraft cardstock. Please consider entering it at the Kraft Holiday Challenge for a chance to win prizes! http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2010/11/kraft-journal-holiday-challenge.html