Monday, March 4, 2013

I Made It Monday

So crafty hasn't really been on radar lately. I've been...lazy. Yup. Just plain lazy. That isn't an excuse or maybe it is. Maybe the current financial issues that I've been going through have finally broken my creative side. Maybe I've been just a bit too obsessed with Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess (it's an old game, but new to me!). Maybe it's because the cold snap that settled on us over the last few weeks has done a number on my hands (what does that mean anyway? "Done a number?" Tap danced? Belted out a song?) and now they are cracked and crusty with dry skin that no amount of moisturizing can fix.

Whatever the reasons, I proudly present a Christmas project that I made for the girls. I didn't take photos of the process which is unlike me but I didn't want the girls to accidentally find them on the camera or on the computer since it was a surprise. We've always used store bought Advent calendars in the past so when I saw this for sale at Hobby Lobby, I knew I had to give it a try.


Remember all that glue I spilled over my dining room table because I was mod podging? Well I was working on this along with some other projects. Actually, this is the second Advent calendar I made.  The first one I nearly completed but with the Florida humidity it was still a bit tacky when Scott put some other things on top of it as he rearranged stuff in our closet. The resulting gluey mess was not pretty but I was actually okay with the wanton destruction as it allowed me to learn from the first one and make the second one better.

I filled it with some chocolates and charms for a holiday themed charm bracelet that we assembled as the month went on. The girls had fun rushing for it every morning; of course, they said I needed to make another one so that they can each have their own for "later on."

20 comments:

  1. AT first when I saw the photo I didn't realize this was an advent calendar. Not putting the perspective of the floor pattern into play I thought this was the size of a dresser and thought to myself, "Wow, I could use a piece of furniture like that!". It's a cool job you've done, but I like the furniture idea better. Anything to get me better organized.

    Lee
    Writers Workshop
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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    1. Yikes! I didn't even think about the size perspective when I cropped this to eliminate the messy counter beside it! It's actually sitting up on the counter between the kitchen and dining room.

      But you're totally right! I would live a piece of furniture that big! So much organization!

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  2. My kids LOVE advent calendars like that. They use them to get even more excited for Christmas.

    I get the super dry skin on the backs of my hands every winter. You're right, no ordinary lotion can make a difference. I'll tell you what does: Bag Balm. It's designed for cow udders, but it works wonders on human skin. It comes in a little square tin, and it's not really expensive. It's like Vaseline, but even greasier! I like to smear it on liberally, then wear nitrile gloves for a few hours, to keep it from wiping off (or greasing up everything I touch). I guarantee this will help your skin!

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    1. Thanks for the tip! I'll have to find some - I'm assuming they sell it at a regular store and not a feed store or anything like that, right? Because right now the local feed store has a huge sign up advertising the availability of spring chicks and ducklings...I would never be able to go in and not buy ducklings.

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  3. And once you're done using it as an advent calendar, you can convert it to store things like nails, tacks, twine, etc.
    You're right about "do a number" the origin is from dancing. As in the weather danced all over your hands. Not only did the weather injure your hands, but made a show about it.

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    1. Nails and Tacks? In my beautiful creation? Bite your tongue! The only thing that will get stored in there is chocolate...Although maybe I could make another one for the garage...Ooo!! I could use manly scrapbook paper with tools and cars on it!

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  4. You can store anything in there!! Like Barbie parts and whatnot... So... They don't attack you in the middle of the night.

    Or is that just me?

    Hugs!

    Valerie

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    1. Funny story: once when I was little I got super sick with a crazy high fever and went all hallucinatey on my mom and freaked out because I was convinced that my stuffed animals were coming to get me because I didn't take care of them properly.

      But having something like that for storage would help with the Lego problem my youngest seems to have. :)

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  5. Very cute! I'm impressed, I'd never be able to make something like this.

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    1. I never thought I could either but it wasn't that hard. The hardest part was making sure all my measurements were accurate before I started slathering glue all over everything!

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  6. That is so cool. I don't have a crafty or artistic bone in my body and don't even know where to begin on things like that.

    Heather, I know you have been on my site many times, but I just found you in the A to Z Challenge list. This will be my first time participating. I'm a little intimidated, but ready to tackle it.

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    1. A to Z is a blast! Stressful, sure, but only a little bit. I'm hoping to have all my posts done by the end of the month so that I can concentrate on commenting on other blogs.

      Thanks for stopping by and the praise of my craftiness!

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  7. Hi Heather came by from Tales of the Reborn Crafter, thanks for stopping by yesterday. I just became a new follower to you so I can see what you come up with for the A- Z challenge. Not sure if I am going with a theme may just wing it. YIKES we will see how it goes.

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    1. I had only a loosely related theme last year: Favorite Memories. This year I'm going for something a bit more cohesive. But in all honesty, you don't need a theme at all. Winging it works too!

      Thanks for coming by and sticking around!

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  8. Its me Mary Ann from Tales of the Reborn Crafter again I see you got the Liebster Award. I was nominated but I am not able to fine 11 blogs with under 200. Is there a way I can do that?

    millyartdesigns@gmail.com

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    1. If you don't follow that many people with under 200 followers then I would just award it to the ones that you do have. If that means only 3 or 4 then so be it. The awards don't seem to me to be a strict "Do it this way or else!" kind of thing, so just go ahead and give to the ones you want. I think the only "real" restriction is that you can't give it back to the person who gave it to you or to someone who already has it...but as the that, I've seen people get it multiple times. I think I might have gotten it more than once as well.

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  9. I think Blogger ate my previous comment. Which was that your advent calendar is freakin sweet and now I want one. Except I would fill mine with chocolate and alcohol.

    Mmmm. Chocolate and alcohol.

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    1. Oh! What about chocolates filled with alcohol. Rum balls! Oh yum!

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  10. What a beautiful Advent calendar! All my arts and craft projects seem to have fallen on the wayside lately. I really need to get back into the saddle again because it really reduces my stress.

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    1. I'm like you, I'm crafty but I tend to get bored with projects easily. That's why I know how to do so many of them. I'm not good at all of them, but I know the basics. Crafting is certainly calming!

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