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Sunday 11 September 2016

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Hello everyone and thank you for dropping by. Sorry my post title is a bit of an oxymoron, as what I am sharing today is an advent calendar I made for by grand children.
While I was over in Australia my daughter in law requested one of these, and though I had planned to do it while over in there, I did not have the right crafting tools with me, so in the end I made it here and now will have to send it over, which is why I thought I better make it in very good time....

As you can probably guess, this is one of these Kaisercraft beyond the page calendars kits and I had great fun putting it together.
I used papers from the Graphics 45 12 days of Christmas collection. My challenge was to make something that was Christmassy yet not wintry, for of course in Australia it is summer.....
Both my grandchildren love the song of the 12 days of Christmas, so it seemed perfect.

Below some close ups:
The two little gnomes are supposed to be Santa's helpers, they are made with pipecleaners and bits of felt. The tree was cut with a Tim Holtz die, the two little sacks were made from calico, dyed with Distress spray stains, and the baskets I still had from the days I used to make dollshouse dolls many moons ago.
The roof bit was decorated with some Calico Craftparts that I still had in my stash from the days I was on their design team, all the other bits and pieces are part of the paper collection.

I had great fun decorating all the little drawers with bits and pieces from the papers
Another piece from Calico Craftparts, - it's hard to see from the main picture as it is hiding behind the little banner. I left all of the Craftparts completely unaltered as I like how the dark wood contrasts with the colourful papers.
Well, that's it pretty much. This was quite a bit of work, but I had great fun with it, even though I had to give up on my 10 day tag challenge, but hey ho, so be it.

Just a little word of warning, this kit came without any instructions what so ever and is actually quite tricky to put together. I could also not find any instructions anywhere online. Kaiser have a very brief video of a similar one, but as it is not the same, it was not much use, and without the help of my dear hubby, who is very clever with constructions like this I would have been totally lost!

Anyway, that's it from me for today, - have a good week and see you next time...
Thanks for your visit like always!
xxx

27 comments:

  1. A beautiful project Asrid, where would we be without our OH's to step in and help with problem constructions. Gorgeous little elves and decoration to the Advent House. Your grand children will love this.
    Yvonne xx

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  2. Oh my goodness Astrid this is absolutely beautiful and your grandchildren are going to love it and the graphic 45 papers lend themselves to the project so well.

    I made a kaisercraft fairy Castle a while back and that didn't have instructions either so you do have to put your thinking cap on when working with them.

    B x

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  3. It's good that you got an early start on Christmas. It will be here before you know it. Wonderful project.

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  4. This is so gorgeous Astrid .. your grandies are going to love this!! The G45 papers are absolutely perfect for this project. Must have been quite fiddly decorating those tiny drawers but the result is amazing!! Absolutely gorgeous piece!! Hope you have a great week!! hugs xx

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  5. What a charming version, Astrid!! I love Advent calendars, and would absolutely have loved this as a child! I love your colors, given the seasonal differences despite the holiday - your grandchildren will adore this I am sure! xxx Lynn

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  6. Oh Astrid your girlies are gonna love and adore this fantastic advent box. You have created a gorgeous piece of Christmas home decor that will now become a treasured keepsake year after year and bring special memories to the whole family. A tricky and time consuming project but so worth the time and attention you have given it xxx

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  7. A gorgeous project with the G45 papers - such a special way to tap into the Joy of anticipating Christmas. I made one of these about five years ago with our Grandson; he and his little brothers use is every year. What a shame it didn't have the instructions. Love the little gnomes, the sacks and the baskets. :D

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  8. The endresult certainly turned out very perfect I must say, so even without instructions you did an awesome job with the help of your hubby. The kids are going to love it for many years to come, that´s for sure, and you can feel very proud of it, it looks totally amazing and you did such a fabulous job here once again Astrid.

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  9. You are amazing Astrid. This is just beautiful - wonderful - and fun. What a great "heirloom" for your family to use each year. Xj.

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  10. Absolutely beautiful Astrid. The children will love it too. Hugs Rita xxxx

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  11. Oh Astrid, they will love it, what a wonderful advent calendar , The papers are ofcourse perfect, with the warm colors of winter and Christmas, and the details are so sweet. The little helpers, and their sacks and the tree , ofcourse there have to be a tree :-) I love your banner, too -and so sweet with the different drawers. I can see it has been a very big work, but I`m sure it was so fun, to do for your grand children. Hugs, Dorthe

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  12. A wonderful Christmas project Astrid, your grandchildren will love this.
    You've added so many little details and those little elves and their baskets are a fabulous addition.
    Avril xx

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  13. A wonderful idea with stunning decoration on the little boxes

    Love Chrissie xx

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  14. That's brilliant Astrid ! They'll love it... especially if you fill it with sweeties !
    Corrie x

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  15. What a lovely idea and something that will be treasured and bought out year after year. Fantastic detail. Tracy x

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  16. Wow Astrid! What a fabulous Christmas project obviously made with a whole lot of love! Your grandchildren are going to LOVE it! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  17. Astrid I kept reading about your visit with my scrappy friends in NSW so I had to drop by. This is amazing! I hope you enjoyed your Aussie trip.

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  18. Astrid I kept reading about your visit with my scrappy friends in NSW so I had to drop by. This is amazing! I hope you enjoyed your Aussie trip.

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  19. It's just lovely, Astrid - I know your grandchildren will adore it, and it will become a treasured part of their Christmas preparations each year. I too love the unadorned Craft Parts amidst the traditional reds and greens, and your little elves are simply adorable!
    Alison x

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  20. Oh this is right up my alley Astrid!! A perfect delight from ground to rooftop with fabulous little details. This will be treasured when taken out each year. Nicola x

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  21. Loving this Astrid and I am sure I wont be the only one. Happy crafting, Angela x

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  22. Wow Astrid! This is an heirloom piece if ever there was one! This will keep your grandchildren amused just looking at it ! Absolutely beautiful! Chrisx

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  23. Wonderful project, your grandkids will love it! Hugs, Valerie

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  24. How fun and special! I can only imagine the surprised faces when they open the boxes!

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  25. You did brilliantly with this and I am absolutely positive it will become something of a tradition that your family display and use it every year. Beautifully decorated and constructed xx

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  26. This is so lovely! Astrid and so wonderfully altered. Love Santas two little helpers keeping the corner warm - so sweet and those calico sacks. You are clever . I'm sure this will be treasured for many years and such a lovely way for your grandchildren to have part of you with them at Christmas .
    hugs x

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