Counting Down to Santa

As we near the holidays I thought I would create one of these perpetual calenders and count down to Christmas!  How could I not when I say Candy over at Creativity is Contagious!  I just LOVED her calendar and set out to create one.  The one I made at Halloween (click HERE) was pretty popular not only on my blog but in my home.  Once I saw Candy's I knew I needed to make one.   Check out Candy's instructions HERE.  She has a GREAT tutorial on how to make one.  Although my blocks are bigger so I had to make my own measurements.  But the numbering of the blocks hurts my brain...and she has them written out for you!  LOVE Candy's creativity...it's contagious!

 

My blocks are 2" so I had to work around those.  I measured mine at 2 1/4"x 5" (x3) to hold the blocks.  And the sides are cut at 2 1/4" x 2.  The numbers are Block Talk Alphabet cut with grunge paper.  So it sets the blocks a little crooked.  Stamp numbers if you want them straight.  There's even a Christmas Word Band tucked under there "have a holly jolly christmas"

 

 

I inked the TH Bottle Brush tree with peeled paint re-inker.  Then I hot glued some Christmas lights I grabbed at Walmart.  I love this glittery vintage Santa! Both the Santa and foil presents are $1 Store finds.

 

I just can't stop using the Santa stamp from Old Fashioned Christmas and my new Ornate Frame die.  They just go with EVERYTHING!  I stamped on water colour paper, inked with markers and then blended with my water brush.  Santa's white furry bits are glittered with Rock Candy Distress Glitter.

 

 

Candy used the flourish die for the sides on her calendar.  It was one of my first dies and I rarely use it.  But I love having it on hand when I need a flourish!  I painted and distress glittered in peeled paint.  Then at the back I attached the battery pack for my Christmas tree lights using Velcro!

 

I finished off with some garland from the new holly, beaded and snowflake stripe die, the mini toy soldier and the mini wreath.

 

 

Wrapping the chipboard cuts with my scrap Merriment paper pack is a great way to use up the odds and ends.  Adding the pediment topper, tinsel and a ton of distress glitter make this red and green counting down to Santa calendar festive and fun!

  I love being inspired by my fellow crafters and Candy really inspired me this week!    You can check out Simon Says Challenge Blogs, Monday and Wednesday to upload your Christmas or Tim Holtz/Ranger inspired projects.  Like me:)