Anyone making an advent calendar?

[LaTrucha]

Every year I think about it and never do it. I've just been looking through pinterest and I'm not wowed by anything, although some are nice.

Does anyone else fancy doing one? Or is anyone doing them and care to share what they're up to?

Cute pattern pale, I've not seen that before. I like the pockets in different colours. Perhaps that's what I should do, produce a pattern! (I think my methods are way too haphazard idiosyncratic for anyone else to follow)

Your advent calendars are lovely! I like the snowflake material you have used on one of your calendars, it's more interesting than the plain white background, will see if I can find something similar.

I am a bit stumped about numbers too. I can't see iron on ones lasting or looking good and I can't see my sewing ooking much good either. I suppose it must be tricky embroidering if the pockets are all in one piece.

I made this one twice last year (have twin daughters) www.creative-stitching.co.uk/christmas-tree-advent-calendar-panel-p-519.html I backed it with Christmas fabric and put a heavy interlining inside. there's lots of room in the pockets for treats.
when they're grown up and left home they'll be able to take them with them.

I made one of the advent panel ones too!

I made a channel in the top and bottom lining for dowel rods - keeps it nice and square when hanging...

Thanks. They are a good way around the number problem. I have just taken my sewing machine in to be serviced after years if disuse, so it looks like I mean business!

I've finished my first one, just 3 more to go. Pics on my blog here As you can see I managed to avoid the number issue!

One for each? Very nice idea. I'm thinking of blanket stitch for the numbers. It's cutting them out that will be tricky.

I'd really like to make one this year, what I was thinking was doing fridge magnets.

I am not quite sure how to do that (i'm not very crafty), what boxes to use etc but I found one on Pinterest using match boxes, which sounds like a really good idea. I just need to find the material now. not sure where to source it from but hopefully magnet strips are easy enough to find

Cold comfort, that is lovely.

If you want to cheat and make a felt one, I have cut out a large tree or gingerbread shape from felt and then cut out the pockets and rather than sew them on, to save time I have glued them on.

I have made ones using empty matchboxes. Just glue wallpaper, brown paper, christmas gift wrap, fabric, craft paper or any kind of paper you like, on to the box. So easy and simple to do and you can add embellishments by glueing them on.

See here

onescrappydoctor.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/advent-calendar.html

You can attach the boxes to card or do what I do and put them loose in a bowl for the children to select one each day.

If you use plain or brown paper you can tart them up by slicing a potato in half, cutting out a holly leaf shape and make a a stamp which you can dip in paint or you can buy all sorts of Christmas themed rubber stamps.

A brown paint thumb print and drawn on antlers, googly eyes stuck on and a small felt nose is also a cute embellishment.

papercraftinspirations.themakingspot.com/blog/christmas-countdown-take-a-peek-inside-our-magical-matchbox-advent-calendar

How cool is this?

dixiediy.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/dixie-diy-chirstmas-mini-muffin-tin.html

This is a great idea for these calendars.

craftyteacherlady.blogspot.com/2011/11/magnetic-matchbox-advent-calendar.html

I've finished my fridge magnet matchbox calendar and for a first attempt, it looks pretty good. It only took a couple of hours to make with DD who's only 2. I like that she could do pretty much everything with little guidance (short of cutting the paper). It has great potential for future years. I can see her making her own, do different colour themes, etc...

DHs ex made him a lovely one. All in cross stitch with 24 covered match boxes filled with treats. There's a cross stitched panel backed with thin mdf. Each matchbox is covered wirh fabric which has an embroidered number and is fixed to the backing panel.

I have to admit that it's gorgeous. However I think I could do the same thing using Christmas fabric and felt numbers. I'm sure the dds would love in each!

Why do I give myself more projects??

I've bought a kit from Lakeland to make an advent calendar for my DD this year. I haven't started it yet, but hope it goes to plan!

I have been crocheting little xmas stockings to string up and stuff full of treats.24 of them is proving a struggle though!

There's a good and simple idea for advent calendars here as well if anyone is still looking to make one before the Christmas season.
blog.toucanbox.com/