Simple Stories ~ Boho Christmas

Hi all, it’s Anna back with you today! 

With the countdown to Christmas officially on, I’ve created a homemade advent calendar! 

For my Christmas posts this year, I’m working with Simple Stories Boho Christmas, which you can find in the shop here. 

I brought a paper advent calendar base from Hobbycraft.

I started by adding a piece of cardstock to each of the pockets, using various patterned papers from the collection as well as cardstock from the matchmaker pack. 

I then decorated each of the pockets with some embellishments, which included the cardstock stickers from the collection and some 2x2 elements.

I used the number die cuts to add to each pocket, showing which day of the month each pocket is for. 

To decorate the top part of the calendar, I cut some cardstock to size and added the ‘good cheer’ sticker, along with some punched starts and some Nuvo drops around the edge.

I added some mini chocolates to each pocket, ready to enjoy each day of December!

What kind of things do you make for Christmas? 

Thanks so much for looking! 

See you next time. 

Anna

x

@acraftylifewithanna

Pinkfresh Studio ~ Holiday Magic

Hey!

 It’s Anna back with you today and I’m so excited to kick off the Christmas spirit on the blog with the latest collection I’m working with…

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be working with the bright and bold ‘Holiday Magic’ collection from Pinkfresh Studio. 

Just in time for the start of December, I have made an advent calendar for my first project… 

To create this calendar I used a diy fillable calendar box from hobbycraft. 

I then set about altering it using my Pinkfresh goodies. 

I began by measuring the squares and creating a template. I used the template to cut out a covering for every door using a variety of patterned papers from the collection.

I used Santa’s workshop, Greatest Gift, Holly Jolly and Warm Wishes.  I also used some coordinating cardstock to do this. 

I used various pieces from the ephemera pack to embellish each door, but you could also use the puffy stickers and die cuts to do this too. I adhered some of the ephemera using 3D foam pads to add some extra dimension. 

I embellished each door further by adding lots of Nuvo drops and enamel dots. I also added wooden numbers to each door. 

I filled each door with a little treat and I’m all ready for the countdown to Christmas with my very own diy advent calendar! 

I’ll be back soon with a layout using this collection! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon! 

Anna 

X

Cocoa Vanillia Studio ~ Merry & Bright #1

Hello and Happy December to you! It's Anna back with you today kicking off a month of festive scrappy cheer for you to enjoy. There is so much to look forward to this month to get you into the festive spirit and inspire your Christmas crafting.

This month I'm working with Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Merry & Bright collection - take a look at it in the shop here. For my first project I have made a DIY advent calendar.

With the help of this beautiful collection, I solved a last minute dilemma of not being able to find many advent calendars - the Thomas the Tank ones didn't quite make it to the trolley... instead I grabbed some mini Cadbury treats and set about coming up with my own version.

I used a hanging wooden tree to make the advent calendar, which 'd love to say I made myself, however I brought this one from B&M. It comes painted white and glittery, along with some LED lights.

I used small envelopes for my treats to go in and decorated each one. I cut out the numbers from the 'Countdown' patterned paper and adhered them to each envelope along with some coordinating cardstock with some of the numbers and patterned papers - 'Jingle all the Way' and 'Oh Christmas Tree' with other numbers.

On some of the envelopes I used a stencil along with some Glimmer Paste to create a starry pattern.

I used some of the 'Accessory Stickers' to add embellishment, as well as Nuvo drops, enamel dots and some hand drawn stitching.

I finished by punching holes in the tops of the envelopes, adding the chocolate treats and tying them to the tree branches with twine. And there we have it, a DIY advent calendar to enjoy for the next few weeks. I hope to save the envelopes and recreate a similar calendar in years to come.

Thank you so much for reading, take care and I'll be back soon with a scrapbook layout using this collection.

x Anna x