Advent Calendar Pad

I saw this really cool idea at Michaels the other day. An Advent Calendar pad by Recollections.  It was $5!  No thanks. I figured I was crafty enough to make one myself.  I mean, I have the Club Teacher subscription from Lettering Delights.  I have pretty much everything their website stocks so I should be able to whip one of these up super quick!

First I decided what graphics I was going to use.  This would be a Print n’ Cut project that will work up pretty quick.  I really liked the frame and banner from the Little Ho-Ho-Ho-ligan Accent set. I made a 3.735″ x 3.125″ mat for the graphics in Silhouette Studio Designer Edition.

For the countdown numbers and words, I choose the Owlphabet alphabet.  I think it had just the kitschy look I was going for. I was able to fit four of these blocks to a page. If you do not have a machine that do the PnC, these would be easy to hand cut as well since they are just rectangles.

I wanted this to sit on a desk and needed to make an easel back. I made one out of chipboard. It’s not fancy but I am not giving this away either. I have a cut file for one but I couldn’t find it while making this so a “not so pretty” one will have to do. If any one picks it up to look at the back, fair warning – you’re getting a smacked hand!

Here it is in all it’s glory! Can I brag and say I really, really love it? It’s such a cool idea. Now add to that I know how to make and have a lifetime supply of padding compound, it’s even better. I am in the process of making a free printable blog planner with it I found at Infarrantly Creative and a friend improved upon with colorful chevrons. I am thinking I can find all sorts of use for it. This is going to be a real crafty Christmas!

Supplies:
Little Ho-Ho-Ho-ligan Accent graphics set by Lettering Delights
Owlphabet alphabet set by Lettering Delights
Matte photo paper by Staples
Homemade padding compound
Silhouette Cameo