The LAST Countdown, I Hope!

Ok, I think I am finally DONE making countdown calendars--and you can bet when December gets here and Christmas is upon us, I will still say "Where did the month go?" !!!  The calendar below, I think is one of my favorite.  I found one like it on a blog, or scrapbook site somewhere (sorry, I have forgotten where, so I can't give credit where it is due)--could have been a pinterest thing too.  At any rate, the base is a 24 slot mini muffin tin.  I made 24 paper squares--a 2-3/8" square of Cardstock with a 2-1/2" piece of pretty paper on top of it.  Then I added a number from 1-24 on each square and a

3-D embellishment of some type to each one.  I added 2 slim strips of magnet tape to the top and bottom of each square on the back and then randomly put the squares over each hole.  (For this one I mixed the numbers up, so they are not in a standard row.  I added a bow and ribbon-------

and  then you put a tiny treat in each tin under the squares.  This would be good for single small pieces of candy, those little party rings, etc. 

 

The next calendar, I am just finishing up, is made of 25 little bitsy sacks.  The one I used as my inspiration used preprinted little sacks that had white dots and chevorons printed on them.  But I decided to be different and do my own thing.  So I ran them all through my little embosser purse, using some of my Christmas themed embossing folders--christmas trees, snow flakes, little socks, holly leaves and some swirls.  After embosssing, I went over the tops of the embosssing with a white ink pad to bring out the embossing.  ----

Since I wanted to keep everything in neutral and whites, I went through all my embellishments and dug out all the white Christmas stuff I could find. 

 

The only thing of "color" is the red in the numbers and the red twine the sacks  are hanging on.  I also cut out many of the embellishments with punches and my sizzix dies. 

I stamped some Christmas sentiments on little wooden banners (see #7 above) and added those to a few of the little sacks. 

I then "hung" them on the red/white twine with little clothespins--actually, I stapled them on first for added security. 

The next (and last)  thing I will do is intertwine the twine onto an evergreen garland.  This really looks cute on a fireplace mantel or down a staircase rail.

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It really didn't take that long to complete, but I did add a lot of stickles to the embossed designs for a little added enchantment and sparkle, because you know me, I can't finish anything without some sort of shine or sparkle or glitter! 

So now we are ready for a countdown Holiday weekend the first weekend in Nov. at Memory Bound---Oh, did I mention, I made the sign below  for the open house!

 

and in my spare time one day at work, I covered this cute little star box to display, also.  We sell these in various sizes and shapes and they are so much fun to play with and decorate.  

So as I countdown for the last time (until December is really here)  Here's hoping I have given you some ideas for an ever so popular countdown calendar to make for your holidays.  and remember they aren't just for Christmas--we are now seeing them for all kinds of occasions--birthdays, weddings,  other holidays--so many possibilities!  Have a great week and happy Scrapbooking!