Did you grow up creating a DIY advent calendar for Christmas? I did! It was such a fun family activity and something that I'll always remember. I used the new LDRS Creative Yuletide 12x12 Paper along with some die cutting to create a fun way to use activities to count down the days until Christmas.
This scrapbook page advent calendar was so easy to create - and behind each one of those windows is a surprise Holiday-themed activity for my family to do as we countdown to Christmas. I started by cutting the windows for the advent calendar. I used the scalloped rectangle and window panel die from the Pretty Patterns Slimline Dies, taped them together, and cut 12 pieces of white cardstock. Now it's time to add the countdown numbers to the front of each window. I used Alloy Hybrid Ink and stamped the block style letters from the Countdown to Christmas Numbers 4x8 Stamps in the center of each of the windows. To add a bit of elegance, I used Raven Hybrid Ink and stamped the script written out numbers over top of the block letters.
I trimmed down some Yuletide Patterned Paper and adhered the patterns behind each window. Then I trimmed down some more white cardstock into rectangles and hand-wrote some Holiday activities on them. I mixed up some crafty activities, staying in activities, as well as some community activities. I included traditional activities that I grew up with like decorating the tree, making an ornament, taking dinner to a neighbor, sending someone a handmade card, etc. I glued the written pieces to the patterned paper behind each of the windows in a random order. Even I won't know which window we'll be opening! I chose one of my favorite patterns from the Yuletide 12x12 Paper Pack and adhered the windows in three rows of four near the bottom of the paper.
I die cut the numbers 1 and 2 from the Kringle Numbers Jumbo Dies as well as the letters to form the sentiment "Days of Christmas" from the Kringle Alphas Jumbo Lower and the Kringle Alphas Jumbo Upper Dies from both white and gold cardstock. I adhered the gold cardstock pieces on top of the white, slightly offsetting them to create a shadow. I glued them to the top of my advent calendar and then finished the project by spattering the whole thing with gold shimmer watercolor. That's it! I hope you enjoyed this fun project!
Do you want to know why I love alpha dies? Because you can completely customize your sentiment! Cut whatever word you want from whatever color or pattern that you want! How fun! Watch my video on the LDRS Creative YouTube Channel to see how this bright and colorful card came together!
I used double sided adhesive to completely cover a piece of typing paper. You want to use a thin piece of scrap paper/cardstock so that the dies can easily cut through both layers of paper and the adhesive. I cut a rainbow of colored cardstocks to 1/8" in width and added them to the adhesive backed paper. Once I had my rainbow strips stuck down, I grabbed the letters to spell out the word "hello" from the Jordan Alphas Jumbo Upper Dies and cut them from my rainbow paper.
I cut a piece of black cardstock to 4 1/4" x 2 3/8" - just big enough for the sentiment with a bit of a border. I wanted to have an accompanying sentiment, so I stamped one from the Cosmos 4x6 Stamps with Raven Hybrid Ink and used the Cosmos Coordinating Dies to cut it out.
I cut a piece of white cardstock to 4" x 5 1/4" and stamped the Old Brick Wall 6x6 Stamp with Alloy Hybrid Ink. No card is complete without some spatters, so I used my black watercolor paint to add some texture to the background. I added it onto a black card base and added my sentiment piece with foam tape to finish the card. That's it!
