Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar Using Art Philosophy Cartridge

Cricut CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge Advent Calendar

 This cute Countdown to Christmas board was made using 4 pieces of 12 x 12 cardstock for the french fry boxes.  A couple of extra pieces were used for the enclosure cards, the letters and the circles.  It is a fairly inexpensive project but is really cute when finished.  Here is a video to show how to make it:

All the other information is listed below.  I used a paper bag from a shopping trip to cover the board pictured below.

Kraft brown paper was used to cover a cake board

If a smaller project is desired, smaller boxes can be cut.  That is one of the awesome things about the Cricut!  You can modify things to your own needs.  Here are the cut sizes that I used for this project:

Cut sizes using Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge:

French Fry Boxes: 4 ½”  Six fit on a page using the Autofill feature.

While mat was still loaded I cut out 6  2” scallops from the red cardstock and 6 2” scallops from one of the B & T papers.  These were cut in half, which gave me all the pieces necessary for adding the scalloped edge to each box/pocket.

If small enclosure cards are desired, then while the second piece of red cardstock is still loaded 3 - 2” cards can be cut from it after the boxes are done. 

The 2” cards that fit into these pockets are the rectangular ones.  For example, the gift, the trees1, the ornament, etc.  15 cards can be cut from one piece of 12 x 12 cardstock. I used Autofill for this as well.

The stocking was cut at 3 ½”

The letters (Christmas) were cut at 1 ¾”

Stamped the letters with an image from CTMH's Christmas Cheer while still on the mat

Stamping onto the components before assembling is easiest and will give the best results.  Using Holiday Red ink on Holiday Red cardstock is a nice effect.  The black scallop border image stamped on the cut scallop looks great layered on the french fry box.

It is easiest to stamp the circular images and then use a 1 1/4" punch to line them up perfectly.  However, the Cricut will cut circles to fit the image used on the Countdown numbers, if preferred.

Advent Calendar with Candy

 This Advent calendar is easy enough to make that each child in the family could have their own to enjoy.  The following list of activities can be modified for individual needs.  There are more than 24 items, so feel free to pick the ones that will make the holiday special in your home.

Advent Calendar with Enclosure Cards and Activities

Countdown to Christmas Activities:

Check out the weather at the North Pole

Play Christmas Tic Tac Toe or Checkers

Track Santa’s flight with NORAD (on Christmas Eve)

Prepare milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and the Reindeer tonight!

Listen to Christmas music while making a Christmas treat

Go to Zoo Lights and see Christmas lights
Take an evening stroll to look at holiday lights
Write a letter to Santa Claus
Visit Santa Claus at Daddy’s work
Go to Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Botanical Garden

Make an ornament
Help decorate the Christmas tree
Buy a new ornament for the Christmas tree
Cuddle by the fireplace or Christmas tree and listen to Christmas music or read holiday stories
Decorate the house
Put up Christmas lights
Make Christmas M & M Pretzels

Set up the Nativity creche
String popcorn and cranberries
Make gift tags
Make a handcrafted gift
Watch a holiday movie, and eat popcorn
Sing along with holiday music or the karaoke
Read a holiday book
Research holiday customs in a country where you have an interest

Buy and deliver Toys For Tots

Bake and decorate sugar cookies
Decorate a gingerbread house
Read the Christmas story
Share Christmas memories over hot cocoa with marshmallows
Make Peanut Butter Blossoms

Take cookies to the neighbors
Go caroling
Take a drive to find snow
Play in the snow
Make and address Christmas cards
Make a Christmas craft
Get a plain stocking and decorate it
Make a paper Christmas chain
Cut out paper snowflakes
Make edible ornaments for birds
Wear your new Christmas pajamas
Take a family photo
Visit someone who needs cheering up
Volunteer where there is a need in your community

Wrap presents
Go Christmas shopping for a shut-in
Shop for stocking stuffers
Donate food to a local food bank
Play a board game
Make a special meal 

York Peppermint Patties fit perfectly in the pockets

If you have other suggestions for activities, please let me know so that I can edit the list for other people to enjoy.
Thank you for stopping by today.
Beverly

Supplies:

Paper: CTMH Believe B & T, Holiday Red, Topiary Green, Daisy White

Ink: CTMH Holiday Red, Topiary, Black

Stamps: CTMH Countdown, Christmas Cheer, Holiday Magic (Oct. 2011 SOTM)

Misc.: CTMH Color Ready Cork Alphabet, Baker’s Twine, 14” x 14” cake board, candy (optional)

Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, 1 ¼” Punch, Claudine Hellmuth Multi-Medium Matte