Making My Own Advent Calendars
Dweeb that I am, I have, on three occasions over the years, taken the time to make my own advent calendars. It can take a while to make one, as I have to use scary things like “maths” to work out how to align images and where to cut the little Advent doors. Not to mention coming up with 24 weeny, and different Christmassy pictures.
I don’t remember when I made my first Advent calendar, but it was definitely pre-babies. There is a way I can date them all; each one has a “family” picture inside that represents where I was at that time. (Above is last year’s Christmas scene calendar)
My First Handmade Advent Calendar
This wintery design makes me laugh, it’s so bad. I’m still fond of that cute ice skater, and at least I can see I’ve improved.
Embarrassingly, inside has bad pictures, too. But you gotta start somewhere. See, pre-babies, it was just Husband and me. I don’t even know if we were married when I made this. Maybe it’s around 2006/2007?
The Second Handmade Advent Calendar
I made the second Advent calendar to represent the fact that we now had a baby. So it’s 2009. And I’ve tried harder with the drawing of the festive scene, too. I was very proud at the time. I’m not the best at drawing, but I have my own silly illustrative style. I went for a fairy tale inspired scene this time.
We’re looking a bit tired in this picture. I like my attempt at Mary on a donkey ha!
The Third Advent Calendar!
And then, because I had shown the addition to our family, I had to make a third Advent Calendar to show that Baby now had a brother. I quite like it in the above pic, before I finished it. Right at the end, I added the dark blue for sky, and I stopped liking it as much. I think I ran out of steam.
The Christmassy illustrations have definitely improved over time, but I am not often satisfied, so maybe next year I’ll make another one and include the cat.
One good thing about these Advent Calendars is that I can reuse them if I want to. The doors have been closed again, and after a year has passed, I’ve forgotten what’s behind the doors!
My Eldest had a go at his own festive picture too, but I didn’t want to slice into it, it’s too lovely as it is.
And, just before I go. This is a picture of my stall on Saturday! It was lovely to have a go. The PTA made lots of money for the school. The felt Christmas decorations I made were my most popular items. I sold all of them apart from four lonesome doves. I guess they just weren’t festive enough. I have lots of things leftover, but that isn’t a problem. I have plans for them…
HO HO HO.
what beautiful Advent calenders,how I wish I could draw 🙂
Thank you. I can’t draw properly either but I do it anyway because it’s fun!
Your table looks great, I’m not surprised the felt ornaments went so well, they were gorgeous! I love your calendars, the drawings are great. Josh bought some sweets and made himself a second advent calendar with sweets in!
Thank you. I know a few people who would like it if I made one with sweeties!