Christmas Countdown
I know this is from Christmas, but I haven’t done a project with beadboard since, unless you count finishing the mudroom walls. This project could also be modified and made into a magnetic frame for pictures. I’m linking this to the Beadboard Categorically Crafting Show at Someday Crafts. Go there to checkout other beadboard projects.
This year I decided our family needed a new Advent Calendar. We have been building a new mudroom (post on that later) and had some extra supplies I thought would be great for this project. Supplies used:
Bead board
Trim
Sheet metal
Scrapbook paper
Liquid nails
First I started with the trim and had Hubby cut it into 4 equal sides for the frame. Then I painted it black, of course. Can you see the outline of all those letters on the tarp? That’s for another project.
The bead board was cut in a 23″ square and then stained and most of it wiped off. The stain stayed darker in the grooves of the bead board. Just the look I was going for.
Then I started working on the countdown part. First I Mod Podged the scrapbook paper onto the sheet metal, let it dry, them Mod Podged over the top. Big mistake! Don’t do that! It didn’t work! The next day it peeled right off and looked like I had laminated the scrapbook paper. Yes, I FREAKED out!
Guess what finally worked? A Glue Stick. I just smeared the glue all over the sheet metal and smoothed the scrapbook paper on. Make sure to go to all the edges with the glue stick. I also used the little roller to smooth it all out and make sure the glue went everywhere.
After it dried I started stamping the borders and numbers on the paper where I wanted the magnets to be. I had decided on a Christmas tree shape. The placement was kind of free form and guessing, but it worked.
Then it was time to make the magnets. I found the scrapbook paper I wanted and used a round punch to punch out the circles I wanted to use for the magnets.
I bought a magnetic sheet and cut out circles the same as the paper. The magnetic sheet is sticky on one side and magnetic on the other, so I just stuck the paper to the sticky side.
Then Mod Podged over all the magnets.
Now back to the frame. I assembled it all together with liquid nails. I placed everything where I wanted it and then started gluing. I glued the sheet metal to the bead board last. It needs to set for a few hours before you can move it and it’s not completely cured for a few days. Here it is, on the basement floor, completely assembled. I added black scalloped cut paper around the outside of the metal sheet, just for fun and contrast. This is how it will look by Christmas when all the magnets are on it.
So I thought it was cute, but there were no treats and my kids like treats. So I added another idea to it. I made 25 tags with 1-25 on them.
Then I got some small clear bags and candy. Attached the number tag to the bag of candy with ribbon and placed the correct magnet in the bag with the candy.
Then tied them on the tree. On the first day of December the kids can open the bag with the 1 on it and place the magnet on the 1 on the countdown tree, and so on till Christmas.
Here’s what it looks like before any of the magnets are on, with the tree next to it. I’m not sure where it’s permanant home is going to be yet.
The tree looks great with the bags tied on it and I love how the advent turned out. I think my kids are going to love it, especially the treats.
Now to get to the rest of the decorating, which will have to wait till tomorrow night. Hubby and I flew back from Kentucky today, took the family to the movies, baked pies and made salads for our Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow and now I’m tired and ready to relax a little.
I’m joining the fun at:
Creative Cats Friday at Poppies at Play
Holiday Linky Friday at The Inspired Room
Make It For Monday at Cottage Instincts
Trash to Treasure at Reinvented
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage
Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch
Holiday Highlights at The DIY Showoff
DIY Day at A Soft Place To Land
I Made It Without My Hubby at Shanty 2 Chic
Homemade for the Holidays at It’s a Blog Party
Test Filed under Crafts, Decorating, Holidays | Comments (33)
33 Responses to “Christmas Countdown”
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You are so creative! I’m thinking about making an advent calendar for our family and love seeing all these amazing ones other people are making. Great job!
Now that is what I call clever. I love how they can open up a bag and then find a place for the magnet on the tree. Really really cute!!
Ohhhh that is clever!! Today’s advent calendars are just getting more creative. The treat bags are the icing on the cake.
Thanks for linking up to SNS #7!
FJ Donna
Very cute Momma. You are too stikin creative. How do you have time? Your crazy.
Darling!!
I love this idea. I turned out so cute and you used to many interesting layers.
@cheapchichome.blogspot.com
Love this, going to link it to my blog.
[...] I am not going to sneak in an advent calendar this year, no time. I am going to do one after the holidays. I’ve decided that next year I’m going to do a Christmas “something” every month. I want to be reminded next year that December 25th is my favorite day of the year and I am going to celebrate it ALL YEAR. An advent calendar is a must have for that list, isn’t this one adorable? [...]
You did a great job. Because you used magnets – you can hang chocolate kisses from the magnets for the treat. I have four kids, and we just rotate who gets the candy everyday (that way they aren’t eating so much candy either!) Believe me, they remember well who’s turn it is first thing in the morning! You did a great job on this!!
Wonderful. I love it and hope you don’t mind if I copy it to use for my kids for next year.
This looks so great in person! You did a professional job Leanne. I also love seeing the tree all lit up.
That is soooooo cute!
Great idea and oh so cute !
Kammy
What a cute idea!
What a fantastic project!
ButterYum
SUPER cute! I love it! What fun! Thanks for adding your creativity to the DIY Show Off Holiday Highlights!
Have a great week!
Hey Leanne. What a cute and different idea. I love the idea of taking the candy from the tree and adding to the advent tree. Very smart and so cute. I also love the beadboard frame.
Hugs…Tracy
I love the way it turned out. Great job.
Super project. You have so many great ideas it’s wonderful to see.
Love this!! Very creative.
I love how it forms a tree shape, very cute and I didn’t realize how BIG it was until I saw it hanging up.
I love how this turned out! Great idea!
I just love this! I’m all about creative advent calendars…and putting those bags on the tree was a stroke of genius I tell ya
)
Thanks for linking up!
Awesome!
Oh!! This is one of the best advent calendars I’ve seen! So beautiful. You did a fabulous job.
Such a great tutorial!
I think this is my first time to your blog so i became a follower.
I will stop by for more.
If you get a chance I would love for you to stop by as well.
TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥
I love the advent calendar!! So fun and so colorful! You will enjoy for years to come!
Mama Holli
That is seriously cute. Love it!
XOOX
Jen
This is just an ADORABLE idea. So clever and fun for the kids.
That turned out great! Looks like something you get at Pottery Barn ~ Go you!
I am going to feature this one!
This is TOO CUTE! I need one of these too!
I didn’t see this one back then. THis is aWESOME!!! I love the beadboard in it and the tree shape countdown. Totally cute! Thanks for showing this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com