Hi Everyone! Today Heather from Pretty Petals is hosting a blog party, called "A Pretty Little Christmas". I thought I would join in the fun!
To see a complete list of all the blogs participating, see Heather's blog HERE! :0)
Heather asked everyone to show how we are going to have a Pretty Little Christmas, by sharing decorations, specially wrapped gifts, handmade items or anything that we feel will make out Christmas extra special.
I thought I would show my most recent project, as in this past weekend recent. I have been playing around with the idea of making my own advent calendar for a while. If you aren't familiar with the tradition of the Advent calendar, you can read more about it HERE.
I wanted to buy one of those chipboard kits with drawers at the scrapbook store, but I waited too long. So I saw these little wooden advent cubbies at Target, on sale for around $18 bucks.
Soooo not my colors:
I was so excited to make this one my own! I painted it with craft paint... if you happen to try this project, you'll need about 3 to 4 coats of acrylic paint, then finish with a nice sealer to prevent scratches. Be patient! This process took me about 5 hours, just to paint it! :0)
After the paint was all dry, I used my scrapbooking papers, little trinkets and embellishments, trims, buttons and stickers to add the days to each box.
For my numbers, I used glittered stickers and cut up 2 vintage Bingo game cards. I glued the numbers to different patterns of paper and used foam sticky dots to create dimension.
Lastly, I glittered the base and the roof and added a curly feather smoke stack to the chimney! Love how this came out!
My kids LOVE opening each little door each day to find a sweet surprise as we count down the days until Christmas.
I'm so glad I finally did this project! This will definitely add to our PRETTY LITTLE CHRISTMAS traditions for years to come!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
xxoo/Analise
I just wanted to let you know that I love this so much I'm featuring it tomorrow in my advent calendar round up http://raegunwear.blogspot.com
Posted by: marissa | December 01, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Love this!! Linked to your blog in my Christmas in July post: http://thecreativesideofsteph.blogspot.com/2009/07/christmas-in-july.html
:-)
Posted by: Stephanie | July 14, 2009 at 03:32 PM
And to think, I saw this EXACT ONE on sale, (but not that cheap) and it was all scratched up, and NOT my colors either, and I never ONCE thought to make it my own (Banging head. repeatedly.)
Posted by: Meagan | June 23, 2009 at 01:33 AM
EEK I LOVE this sweets! I just now saw it on flickr...but had to comment here on your blog! How fun and thanks for sharing!! xo Molly
Posted by: Molly of Fleur de Bee | January 31, 2009 at 01:46 AM
Your Advent turned out sooo cute...I just love it!
Posted by: Andrea | January 02, 2009 at 05:42 PM
What a truly amazing transformation. I love this project. It's so darn cute!
Posted by: Nicole | December 21, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Hi Analise,
I SO love this. It's funny that you'd post this. I have been searching high and low for a pretty Advent calendar with no luck. This is perfect!!! You should, ah, you know, make one for sale... for me to purchase! Ha, ha! So pretty! Thanks for posting. MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Posted by: Lindsay | December 19, 2008 at 11:02 PM
hi analise, i just found your blog and am totally awed. it is so cute and your advent project post is AWESOME! i love repurposing finds and "shabbifying" them! i will add your blog to my list for sure so i can keep up with you and your creativity!!! xo
Posted by: Elyse | December 19, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Analise,
That is seriously so magical and pretty. So inspiring!
I miss crafting. I've been so busy. I can't wait to start crafting for Valentines day!!
I miss you, Girl!
~Sadie
Posted by: Sadie Lou | December 19, 2008 at 03:28 PM
I LOVE it!!!!!!
Posted by: mere | December 18, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Just LOVING the Advent Calender, Sweets! So YOU!!!!
Posted by: Cheryl Dack | December 18, 2008 at 03:49 PM
That is absolutely adorable! I wish I had the patience to do things like that. My problem is, I have an idea in my head and it never quite turns out like I wanted.
Posted by: Jenny | December 18, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Shoot! that is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. I bet the kids adore it. Thanks for sharing. Come for a visit.
karen
Posted by: karen | December 17, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Analise! This is so pretty! I've been wanting to make an advent calendar for about 3 months now and it still hasn't gotten done! (not suprising!!) What a great idea to alter the store bought one! Maybe I can find one on clearance after Christmas and set a goal for next year......
love you.....shel xox
Posted by: shelly | December 17, 2008 at 02:53 PM
I just found your blog. How pretty! I can't wait to read all of it!
Posted by: Teresa Outhier | December 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I just love it. JUst so girly, and sweet. I admire your creativity. Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen's Bazaar | December 17, 2008 at 07:03 AM
This is amazing, wonderful! The prettiest, cheeriest advent calendar I have ever seen.
Congratulations on your creativity!! Wow.
Thank you!
Posted by: Andyann | December 17, 2008 at 12:59 AM
This is one of the prettiest advent calendars I have ever seen... your children must love it to pieces, and love the fact they have such a clever mum.
Gonna read your blog too....
Posted by: Dawn Gold | December 16, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Fantastic! I love how you took something so ordinary and made it your own - very creative! Merry Christmas!
-Karoline
Posted by: Karoline | December 16, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Wow, this is so cute! Amazing that you got to this from that house!! Just found your blog and love it!!
Posted by: Sara | December 16, 2008 at 07:50 PM
That is super cool! I have something like that in my garage, just waiting to be altered like yours! I had it for about 5 years now. I think its time to get it out and make something with it! Just beautiful! YOu did a great job! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Tricia Samsal | December 16, 2008 at 06:07 PM
That is the cutest and best advent calender.
Posted by: Wendy | December 16, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Analise,
Beautiful job! I love taking something and making it my own with a little (okay, alot) of paint and crafty goodness.
Have a great Holiday season,
Kris
Posted by: Kris | December 16, 2008 at 10:50 AM
hey sweets,
these are darling!! i love advent calenders.
just gorgeous!
happy holidays!!
oxoxox,
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | December 16, 2008 at 08:35 AM
That is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kari | December 16, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Oh wow! It is quite stunning. You truly went and made it your own. I'm inspired!
Karla
Posted by: Karla | December 16, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Love it!! We are doing a german chocolate one this year, but I am heading to Target today....have to see if any are left!!!!!
Posted by: Jenny | December 16, 2008 at 05:44 AM
That is hands down the most beautiful advent calendar I have ever seen - it's gorgeous! What a transformation!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | December 16, 2008 at 05:39 AM
Oh my gosh, that turned out so amazing!!!! What a difference from those primary colors!! It's absolutely gorgeous!!! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful and happy Christmas!!! :)
xo
Dara
Posted by: Dara | December 16, 2008 at 05:25 AM
Hi Analise,
so nice to meet you at the party!
Your advent calendar turned out wonderful, a real master piece!
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Warmest wishes from Germany sends you
Carola xox
Posted by: Boxwood Cottage | December 16, 2008 at 01:05 AM
This has turned out so great, well done! I only wish we could see what lovelies are inside! (My mother would say about my remark: It's never enough huh?). Wishing you merry and bright days!
Posted by: LiLi M. | December 16, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Well that is just perfect!! I adore your advent cottage but it would be nicer with little trinket surprises for grown ups too don't you think?? Just looking at each of those drawers is special aaahhh so pretty. Thanks for sharing, now i need to find one of my own and I mean my own, my children already have theirs.
Have a happy day, kiss noises Linda Lilly Cottage.
Posted by: Linda Lilly Cottage | December 15, 2008 at 11:35 PM
That is soooo cute. I have an advent from Starbuck's that I have been wanting to decorate and you may have provided just the inspiration I needed!! Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Heather | December 15, 2008 at 10:46 PM
That is so cute! I love how you used the bingo card numbers! I think I need to make one too! Merry Christmas Ms Sugar Sugar!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | December 15, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Hello,
what a fun project and so pretty in pink! Merry Christmas Pinkie
Posted by: Pinkie D | December 15, 2008 at 09:47 PM
I truly love this project! You did a fantastic job.
Merry Christmas!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur | December 15, 2008 at 09:33 PM
so sugar*sugar sweet! I adore it, thanks for sharing.
xoxo, Tiffany
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Just so pretty... I would have loved to have something like this when I was a kid--hey what am I saying--I'm still a kid!! I want to see what kind of neat things you came up with to put inside. I am starting to run out of ideas for our advent calendar. I was lazy this year and resorted to just putting candy in for each day. My little boy seems content. But, I would rather be more creative. Oh well, there's always next year!!! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Tricia | December 15, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Your version of the Advent House is so much better than the original! Great redo! Have yourself a pretty little Christmas!
Posted by: Miss Sandy | December 15, 2008 at 08:22 PM
So very sweet!! How fun!!
:)
Merry Christmas!!
~Becca~
Posted by: Becca | December 15, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Omg how beautiful!
Have a wonderful Holiday :)
Posted by: MonicaA | December 15, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Your advent home is just adorable. You are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing such lovely images.
I will have a giveaway on my Friday post.
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | December 15, 2008 at 06:46 PM
This is such a transformation! I bought one over the summer very similar but never got around to it! I hope I start earlier next year! Yours is just adorable!
Posted by: Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss | December 15, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Analise, this is GORGEOUS!!! I love how you used the store bought one and just made it into one that fits you! I am so glad you came to the party.... hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! xoxo Heather
Posted by: Heather~ Pretty Petals | December 15, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Love what you did to this Advent Calendar. It's soooo much nicer than it was before. Great Job!!
Posted by: LindaSonia | December 15, 2008 at 05:27 PM
This is just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing :)
Happy Holidays,
LuLu~*
Posted by: LuLu Kellogg | December 15, 2008 at 04:33 PM
This is so pretty!
Posted by: Sarah Elder | December 15, 2008 at 04:29 PM