Thursday, 1 December 2011

vintage advent calendar

the countdown begins...i can remember the excitement at this time of year when my kids were little. their advent calendar usually involved a chocolate every morning, a great start to the day! & for one of them not sticking to the one a day, so by about day 8 the chocolates would have all mysteriously disappeared.


this year i discovered the old printers tray had exactly 25 sections and was meant to be an advent calendar. i bought some bulk packets of matchboxes at the supermarket, emptied the contents, then wrapped each one in different fabrics and ribbons i had and taped them at the back. each one can slide open & be filled with a surprise for each day. i would have liked some vintage style number stamps, but instead i just printed some and glued onto each box.  








what's your favourite christmas tradition?

see you later..

cheryl 
x


today i'm linked @
nautical cottage blog

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38 comments:

  1. Unknown30 November 2011 at 17:26

    This is so cool- what a great find!
    I love how you can open the boxes and not have to re-wrap them each tear!

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  2. Melissah from Coastal Style30 November 2011 at 17:43

    What a gorgeous idea - love it!
    x
    Melissah

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  3. Desire Empire30 November 2011 at 20:47

    Completely delightful! Your ideas are fantastic. Merry Christmas to you. James Valentine 702, held the form guide today and apparently it's OK to start wishing people that greeting from Dec 1. So I'm a day early, but loving the spirit inspired by your imagination.

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  4. beachcomber30 November 2011 at 22:22

    merry christmas to you too carolyn! love james valentine.

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  5. Junky Vagabond1 December 2011 at 01:34

    Lovely! I'm a sucker for wood cubbies/drawers/storage anything :) I really love that you didn't paint it and left it wood...some things shouldn't be painted...just sayin'
    -Jill

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  6. Grandma Barb's This and That1 December 2011 at 01:35

    That is a darling Advent Calendar! I love all the little wrapped presents. What a great idea.
    Barb

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  7. Passionate for White1 December 2011 at 02:39

    Great idea and each and every box is so sweet!

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  8. Leah - The Inside Story1 December 2011 at 07:33

    OMG, your advent calender is gorgeous! Love every single box. I always do an advent caldendar for my son, but this would make a beautiful one for me. LOL. Have a great day. Leahxx

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  9. indiansummer1 December 2011 at 09:54

    This is too adorable for words. Lovely, lovely job. :)

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  10. Anonymous1 December 2011 at 09:56

    That looks amazing, must have taken you ages to complete. x

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  11. beachcomber1 December 2011 at 10:00

    like a lot of things it took a lot longer than i thought & a bit fiddly. the wrapping is not perfect but i guess that adds to the homemade look.

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  12. Leslie1 December 2011 at 10:41

    I hopped over from Nastasha's blog ~ I love your advent calender. It is fantastic!

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  13. Pinecone1 December 2011 at 10:50

    This is such a great idea. I love all of the different beautiful beachy fabrics! xoxo Ashlyn

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  14. Sherry1 December 2011 at 14:02

    Wow, this is so neat...especially how you can open the boxes.

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  15. sealaura1 December 2011 at 14:53

    this is so cool! my sister would love this! how clever.

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  16. Candylei1 December 2011 at 15:06

    Yours is adorable. I did a quick one tonight. I see it's already Dec. 1st there so you've had your chocolate already!

    (I linked over from a link White Wednesday.)

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  17. Unknown1 December 2011 at 15:18

    Love it. Love it. Love it.
    Kylie

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  18. ~Lavender Dreamer~2 December 2011 at 07:43

    This really is unique and beautiful! We like seeing all the lights going up here in Florida...and driving around to look! ♥

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  19. Stines Hjem - Livet på landet2 December 2011 at 07:52

    WOW, love it!!!!!

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  20. Ruter & Hjerter2 December 2011 at 08:18

    Hey! U got a nice blog:)))

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  21. The Joyful Thrifter2 December 2011 at 09:25

    now is the cutest thing ever!!!

    Smiles,
    The Joyful Thrifter

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  22. Cottage and Broome2 December 2011 at 09:29

    So sweet, I love how you wrapped the gifts. Laura

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  23. a quiet life2 December 2011 at 12:29

    very cute, i love that you are always beachy, its so new to me i still adore seeing it all :)

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  24. Liz2 December 2011 at 12:32

    love this idea and the fact that it slides open so you can re-use it and fill it with new goodies!

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  25. Natasha in Oz2 December 2011 at 12:50

    That is so you! I love it too. It is just so sweet and full of meaning.

    I am hosting a 12 Days of Christmas series at my Christmas blog and I would love it if you could link up this Advent Inspiration!

    http://keepingthechristmasspiritalive365.blogspot.com/2011/12/12-days-of-christmas-traditionsadvent.html

    Best wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

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  26. Blessed Serendipity2 December 2011 at 13:39

    Love your advent calendar. Love the look of all those sweet little packages.

    Danielle

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  27. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique2 December 2011 at 17:08

    What a gorgeous advent.

    I'd love for you to share this project over at my Inspiration Party at Simply Christmas ~ http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2011/12/inspiration-friday.html

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  28. Amanda2 December 2011 at 17:22

    What a wonderful find and a clever usage! Love it! So fun!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

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  29. Creative Raisins2 December 2011 at 17:44

    This is fantastic, it is so stinkin adorable I wouldn't want to open any of the boxes.

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  30. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops}2 December 2011 at 18:02

    Great idea! Love it :)

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  31. Alison Agnew3 December 2011 at 00:27

    Such a cute idea
    for a new way
    to use an old printer's box

    love this!

    thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded.

    alison

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  32. A Cozy Cottage in the City3 December 2011 at 06:40

    Oh wow, LOVE this advent calendar! Thanks for sharing!!! :) Hopping on over from Stuff & Nonsense. Your blog is just lovely & am now following along.

    Hugs & Happy Holidays,
    Jessie

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  33. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage3 December 2011 at 14:23

    Loving it- what a charmer!! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday

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  34. Crafty Mischief3 December 2011 at 16:39

    This is gorgeous! I must search for a tray at the antique store! I found you through Stuff and Nonsense, thanks for sharing!

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  35. Thelma Louise4 December 2011 at 22:23

    This was greate..creative..))

    have a nice day..)

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  36. ANETTESHUS.COM5 December 2011 at 19:06

    Så beautiful and creative!!

    xx
    ANETTE

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  37. Special 'K'5 December 2011 at 19:16

    Wow! very special. Thanks for sharing. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

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  38. Yvonne6 December 2011 at 16:11

    verry nice!

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