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.

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Then Mod Podged over all the magnets.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

{ 30 comments… add one }
  • Annie November 27, 2009, 8:11 pm

    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!

  • Andy Porter November 27, 2009, 8:58 pm

    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!!

  • Funky Junk Interiors November 28, 2009, 12:40 am

    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

  • Traci Rochon November 28, 2009, 7:51 am

    Very cute Momma. You are too stikin creative. How do you have time? Your crazy.

  • Lee @ Thriftybeaver.com November 28, 2009, 11:17 am

    Darling!!

  • Kim@cheapchichome November 28, 2009, 5:33 pm

    I love this idea. I turned out so cute and you used to many interesting layers.
    @cheapchichome.blogspot.com

  • Michelle November 28, 2009, 7:16 pm

    Love this, going to link it to my blog.

  • Dori November 29, 2009, 2:49 am

    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!!

  • Beth Grasteit November 29, 2009, 1:16 pm

    This looks so great in person! You did a professional job Leanne. I also love seeing the tree all lit up.

  • Whitney November 29, 2009, 4:18 pm

    That is soooooo cute!

  • Kammy November 29, 2009, 5:47 pm

    Great idea and oh so cute !
    Kammy

  • ButterYum November 29, 2009, 9:52 pm

    What a fantastic project!

    🙂
    ButterYum

  • Roeshel @ The DIY Show Off November 29, 2009, 11:03 pm

    SUPER cute! I love it! What fun! Thanks for adding your creativity to the DIY Show Off Holiday Highlights!

    Have a great week!

  • Tracy Suzanne November 30, 2009, 12:00 am

    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 🙂

  • Happy Nester November 30, 2009, 5:37 am

    I love the way it turned out. Great job.

  • Jane F November 30, 2009, 7:21 am

    Super project. You have so many great ideas it’s wonderful to see.

  • Theresa November 30, 2009, 9:49 am

    Love this!! Very creative.

  • Katie November 30, 2009, 12:16 pm

    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.

  • Jenny November 30, 2009, 1:02 pm

    I love how this turned out! Great idea!

  • cindy November 30, 2009, 2:47 pm

    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 :o)

    Thanks for linking up!

  • Maureen November 30, 2009, 10:03 pm

    Awesome!

  • Lisa December 1, 2009, 9:36 am

    Oh!! This is one of the best advent calendars I’ve seen! So beautiful. You did a fabulous job.

  • Claudia@DipityRoad December 1, 2009, 10:16 am

    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 ♥ ♥

  • Mama Holli December 1, 2009, 1:35 pm

    I love the advent calendar!! So fun and so colorful! You will enjoy for years to come!
    Mama Holli

  • jenjen December 1, 2009, 10:15 pm

    That is seriously cute. Love it!

    XOOX
    Jen

  • Kimm at Reinvented December 2, 2009, 7:24 pm

    This is just an ADORABLE idea. So clever and fun for the kids.

  • Maryann December 3, 2009, 3:19 pm

    That turned out great! Looks like something you get at Pottery Barn ~ Go you!

  • Stephanie December 4, 2009, 7:43 pm

    I am going to feature this one!

  • Someday Crafts March 12, 2010, 9:49 am

    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

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