This year, I made several Advent calendars. It all started with this:
I wanted to make something nice for a chili supper/auction a friend was organizing, and since it was in late November, thought an Advent calendar would be a fine idea.
I already had most everything I needed, having just purchased some wool felt in beautiful colors from BenzieBazaar on Etsy.
I used this pattern from Skip To My Lou for inspiration, and put a Bible verse, a chocolate and a suggestion for something fun to do that day in each little felt envelope:
Then I cut out circles of brown cardstock and little larger circles of scrapbook paper, punched them and tied each envelope closed.
I needed something to display the calendar on, and just happened to have an old window frame upstairs that I was trying to decide what to do with -- it worked perfectly.
That evening, after the auction was over, I got a note from a friend who asked if I would make her one. Of course.
This one was a little different -- I glued wooden discs to buttons and sewed them on, then tied twine to the flaps and wound it around the buttons to keep the envelopes closed.
THEN, I decided to make two more calendars for the boys. I had many different Christmas prints, so decided to sew up 48 little bags. Here's how I did it:
First, I measured out strips of material, 18" long by 6" wide. (I did take a picture measuring and cutting, but my cutting board looks so awful -- paint, sticky stuff, etc. -- I just can't post it here. But I'm sure you get the idea.)
Next, turn down the narrow edges twice to form a hem, press and sew. (I didn't measure -- I know you are shocked.)
Sew up the sides. (See, I told you this was easy.)
Then, pinch the corners together and sew across. Again, I didn't measure. Just choose a width and sew all your corners the same. Remember, the wider you make that pinch, the wider the bottom of your bag will be.
It should look like Batman:
When you are doing a bunch of something -- little bags, quilt pieces, etc -- it works nicely to chain them together as you sew, one right after the other, then clip them apart.
Flip inside out, and viola! A little bag!
Then I made some little clips with mini clothespins and wooden discs that I fancied up a bit:
And a bit more on the second go-round:
Fill them with treats (which I got at the Dollar Store -- pencils, Little Debbies, granola bars, candies, straws, etc.)
and hang them up
or put them in a basket
(A few of the treats were a little too big for the bags. I need to remember that for next year!)
I started a pinterest board of Advent calendars, and am already thinking ahead to next year -- I think recycled, painted vegetable cans just might be my next project.
Peace.
How fun! I love this idea, and the fabrics you chose -- the whole thing. I, too, have an old Tomie dePaola calendar -- love him. And you know I love Germany :)
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