One of my most favorite memories of Christmas was when my mom got out the Advent Calendar on the first of December. She always got the one with the mouth watering, 10 -year old chocolate hiding behind the windows of the calendar. I didn't care what the chocolate tasted like. Opening up that window was magical to me- Christmas was one day closer. I did have to take turns with my brother and sister, so my turn only came around 8.33 times every December. Which leads me to our new, improved version of the Christmas Advent Calendar:
Our Advent Calendar (which we call the Christmas Countdown Kit) strings together 25 little bags that can be used to hold treats, little games or fun messages for your children. You can string it in a doorway, down a staircase, or across a fireplace mantel. My favorite idea is to fill the bags with goodies and place it on my son's breakfast plate each day of December. I know, I know (my sister is now rolling her eyes), this idea won't work for my son before he is two. First of all, he would just throw the bags and secondly, he refuses to eat breakfast. But----- I will use it someday. After all, when I was little we opened our little chocolate filled windows at the breakfast table. It was inspiration to get me out of bed (which was and continues to be extremely hard). Here are other views of the project:
You can view and purchase the kit here.
On another note- the nice editors at Quiltmaker Magazine were kind enough to send us an image of our block (see our last post for more information).
Stop by tomorrow- Day 8 of our Twelve Days of Christmas!
-posted by Lisa
oh this is too cute! I have been wanting to do an advent calendar but haven't seen one that was just perfect - I think now I have :D
Posted by: Renee' | Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 04:37 PM
loving your ideas! question...will you be adding more of the "make life bloom" labels to the shop soon? and what is the size of the advent calendar bags? thanks for the ideas!
Posted by: Kristina | Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Love the block. Can't wait to be the magazine.
Posted by: Cindi | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 09:02 PM
CHEERS TO ALL OF YOU ON THIS ONE!!! this by far is my favorite one so far and that's hard when it's coming from sweetwater. i was working on something similar the other day but with burlap bags instead. i'm going to start a new tradition with my husband this year, shhh, he doesn't know. we are both unemployed and it's been hard so if i can give him something from the 'heart' that actually reminds us to be lucky to have each other so be it. thanks for all the recent inspiration! hugs!
Posted by: Rachel Carlson | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Love your block....can't wait to get the book so I can get your pattern. Am working on a patriotic quilt for my grandson and this block will definitely be in it!
Posted by: Judy S. | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Great idea. I wonder if I could get my 17 year old to participate?
Posted by: SewLindaAnn | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Great block. Congratulations!
Posted by: Cindi | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Your Advent Calendar is wonderful and I look forward to making a new one every year for one of my grand children. (Not a new one for each of the - LOL!!) Thank you. Karen
Posted by: quiltnkam | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I can see why this Advent Calendar is your favorite and I love the block!!
P.S. I just received my fat quarter bundle of Au Then Tic. It is even more awesome in person than on the photos!!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 01:41 PM
What a fantastic idea. These are so adorable.
Posted by: Karina | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Great project!
Posted by: kersten | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Absolutely darling...yet another must have for my collection. :)
Posted by: Hilary Kanwischer | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Sad, so sad...the kits are sold out...any chance you have just the labels to sell? Kristy in Ohio PS....love your blog!!!!
Posted by: Kristy | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I am so LOVING this! I am going to start picking up fun things for both of my kids to stuff these with. I am a little new at the sewing thing but have fallen head over heels in love with it. Thank you for sharing your talent...blog, fabric line, craft ideas...this is my second order in a week.
Posted by: jeni | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:10 PM
I like this project a lot. The labels are darling.
Posted by: Cathy McMann | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Yeah - got the kit off etsy. This is my favorite also, I collect advent calendars -with only one child, he gets frustrated having to open them all - you would think he would love it.
Posted by: Danielle | Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:18 AM