Whew. This is one of those projects where I totally bit off more than I could chew. Hence why I'm blogging about an Advent Calendar on December 8th BUT it is done & I am pretty proud of it.
I had to wake Samster up from her nap (don't even get me started on the naptime purgatory we're currently stuck in...she naps & she's up all night, she doesn't nap & she's a bear all evening & begging me to go 'night-night') but at least her wake up grumpiness was immediately cured when she saw the calendar up on the wall with stickers, lollipops, trinkets & smarties hanging out of the pockets. Add that to the fact that I let her sleep in her Sleeping Beauty princess dress & you've got Samster's BEST. DAY. EVER.
I really love the way the pockets turned out but I have to say I'm a bit disappointed in the overall construction of the house. After December 1st went by I started rushing & that equals sloppy. But what can you do, everyday that went by I began to curse this calendar more than love it. It was time to wrap it up so I spent the last two nights staying up until midnight but at least it's done. Whew.
I wasn't sure if there was still interest in the templates since I doubt anyone's going to still be sewing an advent calendar but if you do want the templates for the pocket designs than just leave a comment letting me know. I suppose they'd make good holiday applique designs, no?I'm going a little light on the Christmas decorations this year but the calendar really did pull everything together...
Best idea I've had lately? Putting Sam's little Ikea play table in the kitchen. She eats all of her little snacks there, colors, plays & it's right in the middle of where I'm usually at...the kitchen. We dragged it out when we had a friend over for dinner & it's stayed in the kitchen ever since. BTW, playtables & chairs are really overpriced in my opinion but the 'Critter' set from Ikea is only $24 for the table & $12 a chair. Woot! Woot!OH! And other exciting news, I actually managed to create a tutorial this week too! It's a great J Crew knockoff that I did for a guest blogging post I'm doing for www.howdoesshe.com this Friday, can't wait to share it with you guys. You'll be so proud, it's like I'm almost back on the blog wagon! (fingers crossed!!!)
I love the advent calendar and would love the template, too! I'll get a head start on next year. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing! I've dreamed of making one for years, but never quite gotten around to it. Would love you to share the templates!!
ReplyDeleteI love your Advent calendar! I'd love it if you would share the templates at some point. I like the Advent calendar that I made this year, but I'd love to make one with felt ornaments as well.
ReplyDeleteNatasha- I am a faithful follower of your blog, but I have to say you really did outdo yourself on this one. You are AMAZING! With a newborn and a little one- you should be mucho proud! Get some sleep!
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in the templates too, I didn't get my advent done this year because of crazy workload classes and life in general. Another question, your glitter candles, did you buy them that way or was that one of the 30 for $30 projects you did?
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! I'm planning on making a new advent calendar for next year. Maybe if I start right now I will be able to make one with as much detail as yours! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love the templates! actually I was going to help my 8yo daughter do this based on your previous post, but then time just flew by!!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great! I love Ikea!
ReplyDeleteThe advent calendar is awesome! I totally want to scrap mine and make a new one next year, but then I remember how many hours I poured into it and think "eh, I'm sure my kids will like it just fine!" Great job! Excited to see what you've got in store.
ReplyDeleteGASP! This is BEAUTIFUL! I would love the templates!!! We are bunking with my mother-in-law this year (my husband is double majoring and she is helping with the boys) so we don't have room this Christmas, but I would LOVE to make one for next year (and knowing me, I may have to get started last Saturday to finish in time. :D ) my contact is : s84whitley@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha,
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if you could post & share your templates with us. Your calendar looks great!
Cheers.
This is the cutest advent calendar. I would love the templates for future use!
ReplyDeleteI would love the templates too!! Thank you! Emily (EmilyLGeyer@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteYou're being too hard on yourself! I think the calendar turned out great!!
ReplyDeleteOh it looks beautiful!! I have not made one yet & still wonder if I start one now...will it be done by Christmas? :) My oldest is 2...I don't think he would mind if we started WAY late! :)
ReplyDeleteNatasha, that is seriously cute. I'm very impressed
ReplyDeleteI think you are too hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteThe calendar looks amazing!!!
I promise to myself that next year I have to do an advent calendar too! With pockets big enough to put the nativity secene figures. Taht way we will build our nativity scene one figure a day!
It turned out SO AWESOME!!! Great job. I want one now!
ReplyDeleteaww i love how sam is just staring up at it from the chair. adorable.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! I'm joining the club- I would love the templates as well.
ReplyDeleteapplause all around! Go you! I would definitely have thrown it away in a hissy fit long before finishing it. Heck, I almost gave up on the cheap chocolate cardboard ones from the store because I procrastinated and then forgot and then couldn't find one anywhere. (grandma to the rescue on that one)
ReplyDeleteLooking forwards to your tutorial!
I would love the template...and it will give me 12 months to make it! just in time for next christmas :)
ReplyDeleteI would love a template too! Then I can start on it for next year and maybe be done in time!!
ReplyDeleteI would love the template! For next year -- I really wanted to do the sew along with Jill but my to do list this year was already too long. So next year (and I say this every year...) I'm going to start gifts early -- like January for a stress free December.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
I want the templates!! Maybe if I start it now, it will be done FOR SURE before December of next year?!?!
ReplyDeleteI love your site. Your calendar looks amazing. I would love the templates!
ReplyDeleteJust saw your calendar blog hopping and all I can say is WOW!!! That is fantastic :)
ReplyDeletei love the Advent calendar! Please post templates and tutorials! Maybe if I get started this year, it'll be ready in time for the next Christmas!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I would love the templates! okcfamilyofthree at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I'd love the templates! Thanks for sharing, great work!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful! Love it. Won't it be awesome to just unpack and hang it up next year without all the late night sewing? :)
ReplyDeleteI would love the templates, headstart to next year and maybe a couple of gifts!
ReplyDeleteI would love the templates! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI would love the template as well. I think it would be great to do for next year (and then I can take my time!) maggiescloset09@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful! I can't wait to get started on my very own for my family (obviously for next year)! I'd love to have a copy of the templates for the pocket designs. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow, I just came across this and think it is amazing! Is it too late to ask for the templates? I think if I start soon, I may just have time to finish it by December (and that's building in procrastination time!) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteeringarvinberry@gmail.com