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:
Oh, wowza, Tomi, that is BRILLIANT! What a fun idea, and I'm sure the kids are loving this ;D
WOW! fabulous idea using the muffin pan! thank you for sharing your advent.
What a great idea! Now to find the time to do this. :)
thanks so much for sharing
Oh my gosh that is stinkin' adorable! The cute cuts, and all the fun patterns :)
Oh my what a fabulous idea, a muffin tin, you decorated it splendidly!!
Love, Love, Love it! So cute! No wonder your kids were excited. Great idea to use the muffin tin!
TFS,
Cindy :)
This project is amazing....I love it, such great details in every way. TFS! Stay warm and hope your furnace gets fixed very soon!
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!
Awww was a super cute idea! Beautiful job hun!!
Hugs,
Cheryl
great project.
This is fantastic! I love all the details!
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
I love this project you did a great job. It's really fun.. Thanks for the inspiration..
Brooke D.
Cricut MB member
Very very nice idea. I love it. :)
Great Idea --would be nice for a party too.-millierose651@aol.com
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
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!!
LOVE it!!!!
It is so colorful and cheerful... makes me happy!!!!
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.
Love that project. TFS
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
Great idea! I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Your project is very nice. Thank you for sharing and providing inspiration.
So fun and cute!
great job
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
Tomi I LOVE THIS! I think I will do this for Halloween next year since I have a countdown already for Christmas. GORGEOUS!
So cute.
just awesome!! and it turned out beautiful!! following from the blog hop!
my grandson would love this! looks like something i could do.
I love this idea. My daughter will love this. Super cute. I have to try this :)
TFS.
That is just so cute and creative! I see this being a next year's gift project!
This is soooo amazing. I absolutely love it! I think I will have to borrow your idea!
Hope you get your furnance fixed soon. Great job on the muffin pan. tfs
What a cute idea for an advent calendar!! Thank you for sharing!
this is great! And i think I even have a muffin tin around here to use!
What a great idea! And you did such a beautiful job on it. The paper choice and everything!
spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com
What a neat idea.
vndlewis @ rocketmail.com
Very cute idea!
What a clever idea. TFS.
best project i've seen in a while (besides the other hop projects hehe!) i am def going to "lift" this for my nephew!
What a fabulous idea! Your advent tin is fantastic! Love it!
What a creative idea! It's adorable!
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
This is so cute. I love your idea to use the muffin tin. Thank you for sharing.
What a great project. May I have the gypsy file? Thanks for sharing and having a great tutorial.
Mandy
mjbaker at earthlink dot net
Love your projects and how you have them in slideshow form. Thanks so much!
so cute! what a great project for the kids - can't wait to try my own
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. ♥
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.
Tomi Ann, this is soooo cute :D
Love the idea of using a muffin tin for a advent kalender!!
Great idea,
Hugs Anja
Love it! Thanks You!
love it. i like advent calendars. my mom made a new one every year when i was little
very cute and bright colors make it BLING!
great idea and goo designing darrell listerville @ centramedia.net
really nice. I like it
I can't wait to make one similiar (but not as cute) for my friend.... and one for next Halloween.
OMG! VEry cute idea! May need to scraplift! Thanks !:)
lv2scrap02...
Great Blog. Love your designs. Beautiful work.
Love the Advent Calendar
lv2dance92@optonline.net
this is such a FUN idea--love it!
Oooh! I like this advent calendar best! I have to do one now!
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!
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.
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!
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
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