T
he Christmas Season is something children all around the world look forward to. When they are young, their sense of time isn’t always well developed. Advent Calendars can help them count off the days until Christmas and build their anticipation. This Advent Calendar can be filled with candy, small toys, notes, or other small gifts that the children can enjoy each day until the big day.
2 Essential items you will need for this project can be found at www.creekbankcreations.com. You'll need the Skinny Dippin Mini Album and the Tiny Box Die.
Project Recipe
Measurements of Materials
Cover
6 ¼” x 8 ¼” Cherry Cobbler Cardstock (CS) (Cut 2)
6” x 8” Shining Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) (Cut 2)
1 ¾” x 8 ¼” Cherry Cobbler CS
1 ½” x 8” Red Festive Foils Specialty DSP
6” x 6 ½” Mossy Meadow CS
Tag
4” x 6” White CS
3 ¾” x 5 ¾” DSP
Inside
6 ¼” x 8 ¼” Mossy Meadow CS (Cut 2)
6” x 8” Shining Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) (Cut 2)
1 ¾” x 8 ¼” Mossy Meadow CS
1 ½” x 8” Red Festive Foils Specialty DSP
Boxes
6 sheets of Mossy Meadow CS Die Cut into 24 boxes
1 ½” x 1 ½” DSP (Cut 24)
1" piece of 1/4" ribbon (Cut 24)
Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, and White CS scraps to die cut roof, chimney, Santa, bag, and snow. Markers, ribbon, gems, and other embellishments as desired.
For all parts of this album, I highly recommend you use Glue and/or Tear & Tape. This is an item that I suspect you will want to use year after year. Snail and other adhesive runners are simply not as durable.
Making The Insides
• It is natural to want to start working on the cover first, but I recommend you start with the inside and work outward. This allows the cover to lay flat when you are attaching the boxes.
• Matt the DSP with the Mossy Meadow CS and attach to both of the inside covers and the binding.
• Set aside while you assemble the boxes.
Making The Boxes
• Each 8 ½” x 11” sheet of CS will make 4 boxes. The die is tight when you are cutting the paper, but it can be done.
• Once all 24 boxes are cut, you can begin assembly.
• I used Tear & Tape on the edges of the boxes that are being folded and attached.
• Place a strip of Tear & Tape on the top of the box, then place a ribbon loop to form a pull tab.
• Attach the 1 ½” x 1 ½” squares of DSP to the top of the boxes with glue.
• Set aside until you're ready for attaching to the inside of the album.
Attaching The Boxes
• This step may be different for each person. I was able to eye-ball the placement of the boxes; however, you may prefer to lightly draw lines to keep your boxes straight.
• I placed the boxes approximately ¼” from the edge of the DSP to the side of the box. I also wanted ¼” between each column and row.
• To attach the boxes, I used 3 rows of Tear & Tape to make it really sturdy. Glue is also a great option as it allows you time to wiggle the box in place if it is slightly off.
• The final step is to put the numbers on top of the boxes and embellish as desired.
o Embellishment Options – die cuts or stickers inside the boxes, gems, sentiments, etc.
Making The Cover
• Once the inside of the album is complete, you can begin working on the covers.
• Matt the DSP with the Cherry Cobbler CS and attach to the front, back and binding of the cover.
• Make and decorate the pocket in the next step then attach to the front of the album.
Creating and Decorating The Pocket
• Using the Snowflake 3D Embossing Folder, emboss a 6” x 6 ½” piece of Mossy Meadow CS.
• Using the Basic 3D Embossing Folder, emboss a scrap of Smoky Slate CS that is roughly 2” x 6”.
• Stamp and cut Santa and his gift bag on scrap white CS. Color as desired.
• Cut both pieces of the chimney out of the basic gray CS.
• Cut out 4-6 pieces of snow.
• Using the diagonal lines of the DSP (I chose a green line), determine where you want to align the pocket. Mark the embossed mossy meadow CS and use the paper trimmer to cut it.
• Determine the slope of the roof top you desire and cut the embossed Smoky Slate CS.
• Attach the chimney.
• Attach the fully colored Santa.
• Using dimensionals, attach the bag of goodies.
• Finally, use the strips of snow along the roof line, chimney top, base of the chimney, and at Santa’s feet.
• Turn over the pocket and place Tear and Tape along the left hand side and bottom. These are the only 2 places it will be attached to the cover of the album.
Making The Tag
• Using the Very Best Trio Punch, trim the corners off of the 6” x 4” piece of white CS and DSP.
• Attach the DSP to the front of the CS.
• Using the punch again, punch a hole in the top of the tag for the ribbon.
• Using ribbon of your choice (I used Real Red Ruffled Ribbon) attach it to the top of the tag.
• Stamp your sentiment and decorate as desired.
• The back side of the tag is a wonderful place to write a note to the recipient!
• Slip the tag into the front pocket.