Pages

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Sending Christmas Hugs - Advent Calendar Box

Happy Saturday everyone!
(Not a long post, just lots of pictures--you'll get through this in next to no time...tee hee.)

I finally finished the advent I've been working on for a couple of weeks now. I could only manage to find a bit of free time here and there to work on it. I meant to finish this way before the end of November and have it shipped off to my friend so that she will have it by December 1, but as is almost always the case with me, I am late..... again!!! Hope she won't mind getting this a wee bit late. Anyway, this is the finished product.


When it's on display, it will look like this.


I've filled the drawers with just little things from the stash in my craft room.

On top of the box, is of course an easel card which I've glued on--my favorite type of card because it's an easy way to prop up the card and put it on display.

This adorable Magnolia image is Tilda wants a Hug...and when you look at here, you really do want to give her a hug...LOL. You can get her from Diana's online store Magnolia-licious.



The layout of the card is from this wonderful sketch of Domi's that she has created for Simon Says Challenge.

I am also using this advent calendar box as my entry into the following challenges:

Stamp With Fun Challenge #87 - Advent.

Passion for Promarkers Week #79 - Old and New. The old item would be the DP's which are from last year's collection which I bought during a clearance sale. The new item is the new Tilda stamp from this year's new Christmas collection.

7 Kids College Fund Challenge #9 - Non-Traditional Christmas Colours.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge #141- The Blues.

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge 26 - Anything But a Card!
ABC DT Challenge Blog - Non-Traditional Holiday Colour Challenge.


Here are pictures of the four sides of the box.


The inside of the easel card is decorated this way. The blank area is where I am going to write a personal Christmas message to my friend.

Thanks so much for dropping by. I appreciate your visit very much. And thank you for the lovely comments, for sparing a moment to write them--I appreciate them even more around this time of year as I know people are very very busy. Enjoy your weekend!


Stamps: Tilda Wants a Hugs from the Merry Little Christmas Collection 2010, Studio G clear stamp (good for 1 free hug coupon), Just Rite A Merry Little Christmas Set.
DP's: SEI Winter Song Paper Pad, SEI Addision Paper Pad.

Tools: Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page set French Scroll, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Fourteen, Marianne Design Creatables LR0112 (flourishes), EK Success retro flower punches medium and small, McGill Holly punch.

Misc.: Wooden buttons from Lee Valley Tools, Mark Richards pearls, Recollections brads, Tim Holtz distress ink pad Frayed Burlap, Mark Richards Peel Off's silver numbers.






Edited to include the following link:
If you're interested in making one of these advent calendar box, this one is based on a tutorial that Kirsten (from Norway) has on her blog for a box with 4 drawers.
So instead of just making 4 drawers, you will have to make 6 times that (a total of 24 drawers). And instead of just a one level box, you build a 6-level condo instead...LOL.
The base of Kirsten's box measures 6-inch square. The base of my box is actually 5 1/2 inches square, so I had to adjust her measurements. If you are going to follow Kirsten's tutorial (I have used it to make my first advent calendar box last year) there was a slight adjustment to one of the scoring lines for the drawer casing that I had to make. I found that the drawers fit better this way.
This is from Kirsten's tutorial:
This panel is 7 5/8 x 3 2/16 inches.
Score at 1 - 3 2/8 - 4 5/16 - 6 5/8.
I scored mine instead at 1 - 3 5/16 - 4 5/16 - 6 5/8.

59 comments:

  1. This is amazingly gorgeous. Did you use a ready made box or make that as well, I really love this wowee!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! This is amazing! I'd love to know how you made this box...

    ReplyDelete
  3. As always Norma - STUNNING!!!! I promised myself last year I was going to make on for this Christmas - I can't believe I'm too late - LOL. Where has the time gone! But I'm sure your friend will LOVE receiving this anytime!!!
    xXx

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW,WOW,WOW. This too beautiful for words. I'd love to be YOUR friend.[lol] I would never put it away.
    Luv CHRISSYxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW!! Norma, this is just fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! This is outstanding. i really wish i had your ability to make something this nice.. thank you for leaving such a nice comment on my blog. With you being so busy i do appreciate the time and effort you took to do this. Hope you have a great xmas and a crafty new year.

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Norma, I am sure even late your friend will enjoy it.
    Beautifly decorated.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Norma!!
    You've done it again!!!
    Your Advent box is wonderful :o) Beautifully coloured and decorated. Such a lot of work, but what a wonderful gift for your friend.
    You can sure do all that math and figure things out!!!
    AWESOME!
    Hugs, Candy

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a lucky friend to receive this beauty....any time!!! Absolutely fantastic work Norma! This Tilda is just so special!!! Love your idea about putting craft items in the drawers too! Very special and beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's absolutely stunning!
    Hugs
    Cordine

    ReplyDelete
  11. WOW! Norma, you have created another masterpiece! Love the DPs you used, your coloring is fab, the embellies so perfect, the distressing is awesome. Your friend is blessed and will treasure this. Absolutely stunning! Hugs, Cami

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a wonderful work... its great!!!
    Lovely Colours, great Motives and a lot of details...wonderful work!!!

    Lovely Greets from Germany

    ReplyDelete
  13. hai Norma this box is amazing love the colours the image all so great !! realy a beauty !!

    hugs Cora

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ohhhh Norma, your creations are out of this world! I just looooove your advent calender. This is done with so much love. Your colouring is terrific and the papers and embellishments are wonderful! Lucky your friend who will get this amazing gift. For sure she will totally freak out. :-)
    I very much hope all is fine with you.

    BIG hugs and have a great day!
    Pati

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow!!! This is stunning. You are such a talented lady and obvuously a wonderful friend.

    Hugs
    Denise xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh my oh my Norma!! Every time I visit your blog I think, this is so cool, this must be the best you've ever made, and then you come up with something else and it's even more gorgeous than the last time I visited your blog. I looooooooooooooooove this advent box, your friend is so lucky!! HUgs, Frea

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is SPECTACULAR. Love the colours and images. I always wanted to make one of these,perhaps next year.
    Kathleen x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh my goodness, this is absolutely fabulous! Weel done.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love it Norma! Beautiful coloring!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Norma what can I say except amazing you have created such a labor of love here. I am sure your friend will cherish this for many years. Beautiful coloring love everything about this.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  21. Absolutely beautiful and love the blue/brown paper used and the easel card as a topper!
    Amy, Montreal.

    ReplyDelete
  22. OH ADORABLE Norma!!! You have colored the images so GORGEOUSLY!! I tried the advent box too i'm in the mids of one and i also used Kirsten tutorial.You know it's funny how i had to adjust the same measurement lol!! They just kept coming out uneven.I thought am i that bad in mad lol!!???? I just played around with it into i got it.Thanks for sharing and the inspiration is flowing thru your blog i tell you that much!!!!(((hugs)))RubyM:)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Norma this is just beautiful! Those colors are so perfect and everything is fantastic! Just gorgeous!
    Rene :D

    ReplyDelete
  24. And I think I am doing good just to finish a card! Your work is amazing Norma absolutely amazing and beautiful!!
    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  25. Incredible! Such a beautiful project and, oh my, so much work and attention to detail. It's just lovely.
    Sue S.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, this is totally amazing. I've seen quite a few advent boxes but this is by far the best that I've seen. Your friend is going to love it and you. How thoughtful. Now, how does one become your friend. lol Thanks for sharing. You've inspired me to want to give this a try.

    ReplyDelete
  27. wow lots of hard work into this one and it looks GREAT! Wonderful job.

    ReplyDelete
  28. WOW Norma...are you kidding me?!! This must have taken for-ever!!!! It's absolutely stunning, sweetie!! Just stunning! Pat Frank

    ReplyDelete
  29. У Вас потрясающие работы!!!Я в полном восторге!!!!!СУПЕР!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Another stunning creation Norma. How beautiful and love the vintage touch on this calendar. I did one many years ago but just never really have the time to do one. Now that you reminded me and if I start now, maybe by next Christmas, I will get one finish on time, lol!!
    Hugs,
    Cabio

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh my word, I'm speechless....this is beautiful!! Your work is always so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  32. WOW this is absolutely amazing !! gorgeous creation Norma and am sure that whoever is lucky enough to be on the receiving end of this will just be thrilled !!!

    thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge :-)
    luv
    Lols x x x

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is incedibly beautiful and creative. What a perfect gift, and such a gorgeous creation for a friend, she will be so pleased.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh my goodness, Norma!! This is just beautiful!! I love all of your work, I was paging down and wow, it's just lovely!! Am adding you to my favorites for sure!!!
    Teri

    ReplyDelete
  35. Norma, this is absolutely stunning! Every bit as wonderful as the one you did last year! Your choice of dp's and images if wonderful! Fabulous project.
    Blessings and hugs,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  36. over the top again Norma! Fabulous! wonderful...over the top...beautiful! I do like it a lot! I LOVE it! lol oh my g-kids would love opening all the boxes looking for trinkets! All the elements are so lovely together! just GORGEOUS Norma! TFS!
    Pam Going Postal

    ReplyDelete
  37. This is really stunning, Norma! Beautiful colors and papers! I love the easel card on top. Great layout and embellishing! This is over the top gorgeous as always my friend! hugs, Angela

    ReplyDelete
  38. Magnificent Norma!!!!
    EXTREME EXCELLENCE!!!
    Beautiful and love the easel top!!
    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  39. OUTSTANDING!!!STUNNING, GORGEOUS, What a mammoth job Norma. I love your colouring of this beautiful Tilda.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Goodness me - what a FABULOUS advent calendar. It is stunning!!!! Warmest wishes, Lesley

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow!!!! This is SO amazing! Fantastic coloring on the Tildas, pretty paper, and overall great idea! :)

    Thanks so much for sharing your work with us at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge!!!

    -Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  42. WOW Norma! I am stunned by the beauty of your advent calendar. I think your friend will love it late or not. Hugs, Maria

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh my goodness, could this be any cuter? I think not!! Your friend is so lucky to be receiving this. Love the color scheme and your coloring skills are fabulous. Thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog!
    xoxo, Christine

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi Norma, what a stunning creation. The image is adorable and your colouring is fab. Thanks for joining in with our special challenge and blog hop over at PFP. Hugs, Denise x
    Apologies for the late comment x

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wow Norma, I am speechless! This is absolutely gorgeous!!! Also, thank you for posting where you got the Hug coupon stam[ and the sentiment stamp, they are so cute!!!

    Hugs,

    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  46. This is utterly, mind blowing gorgeous Norma and now you've gone and made me want to make one, LOL! Mine will have to be for NEXT Xmas though as I have no time right now, lol! But thank you for the beautiful inspiration, just fabulously done in every detail!

    hugz,
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  47. Saw you as winner on Crafty Fox Cards, congrats on that, well deserved. Making boxes has been one of my past passions and seeing yours is making me itch to get to it again. What a fantastic project, sure your friend will love it and appreciate the loving care...and time...you put into it for her. Completely gorgeous. Hugs lin

    ReplyDelete
  48. What a charming and creative keepsake! Thank you for sharing! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  49. This is absolutely stunning! I can't believe all the gorgeous details. What a fabulous project.
    x

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wow this is beautiful! Thank you for the link to the tutorial too. Maybe I'll be organised enough to make one next year. Jaqui x

    ReplyDelete
  51. woooooooooooow!!!
    This is gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Beautiful job and I love your box!!! Thesae are super fun to make, I still need to do the 24 drawer one :) Ive done all the others.

    thank you for joining us at ABC Toys and Crafts!!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  53. Just came from a link from Christine's blog. This is absolutely stunning. Love the colours and images and what a great idea to make it as an advent calendar. Hope you had a good Christmas and New Year and Best Wishes for 2011. Donna

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and giving me a bit of your time to leave a comment. Very much appreciate it. Norma