Pocket Advent Calendar
Over the past few weeks I've been thinking about what kind of advent calendar I should do for Buddy this year. I wanted to do something different from the snowman origami ones I've done over the last couple of years. So I created these pocket ones which were really fun and so fast to make that I think I'm going to make a bunch more for friends and family.
I came up with the two different versions pictured above. I made the red one in a "book" style. Here's the inside, can you guess what it is?
I bought two Dentyne Ice gum packages that come with 12 pieces of gum a piece. First I removed the foil blister packs from the cardboard sleeve and traced the sleeve onto cardstock after carefully taking it apart along the seam. I cut out two sleeves (for the book style one) and glued the two sleeves onto another piece of cardstock and used a tiny circle of sticky back velcro on the inside as a closure. For the countdown numbers I just used red and green Sharpie pens to add the numbers onto the foil side of the blister packs.
For the green polka dot one, I made one sleeve, but doubled the width of the spine to hold two blister packs. I tested the tightness of the sleeve before gluing the seam to make sure it was tight enough that the blister packs wouldn't fall out.
There were many different brands of gum to choose from at the store that come with 12 pieces in foil blister packs and they all seem to use the same size sleeve and blister packs. I like the Dentyne Ice ones because of the little peek-a-boo cut out on the sleeve that was perfect for adding a snowman face with Sharpie pens. The snowman is piece number 23 so that it's one of the last ones eaten. And now I'm thinking I should add buttons to the piece below for a body or maybe even draw some branch arms too?
I'm not a scrapbooker or stamper so I didn't have too many supplies on hand and just printed my wording on the computer, but you could use stamps, stickers or even Christmas tags to decorate them instead. And you could also print the countdown numbers onto stickers instead of using Sharpies.
Like I said, I'm not a scrapbooker and I'm sure there's a lot of ways your could really jazz these up, but I'm still very happy with how they came out. Now I just need to start working on Christmas gifts...
that is so creative!
Posted by: kat | November 18, 2008 at 01:06 AM
I especially like the snowman face on the pack. It simply made me smile. Great to see you post again! :)
Posted by: Tracy | November 18, 2008 at 02:22 AM
What a great idea! I think it looks wonderful.
Posted by: Yvonne | November 18, 2008 at 02:39 AM
this is soooooo cool!!! :D
Posted by: sara | November 18, 2008 at 02:52 AM
Oh my goodness those are cute! What a marvelous idea! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Stacy | November 18, 2008 at 03:44 AM
so incredibly original! i can't wait to make some of these as little gifts for family this week (i always give them a little something at thanksgiving to jumpstart their christmas spirit :D ) thank you so much for sharing your wonderful ideas!
Posted by: francie | November 18, 2008 at 03:59 AM
What an original idea! And it's really cute too - especially with the snowman face.
Posted by: planetjune | November 18, 2008 at 03:59 AM
These are great. I can't wait to make them for the girls at work :)
Posted by: Donna | November 18, 2008 at 04:05 AM
Wow! How cute and very creative!
Posted by: Wendy | November 18, 2008 at 04:43 AM
I *love* this project!! Way cool!!
Posted by: Ames | November 18, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Perfect!!!!! I'm making these! My kids love gum but don't ever get it. They'll think I'm the best mom ever~ :)
Posted by: Norma | November 18, 2008 at 05:39 AM
That is so great, I might have to go lie down for a moment. So cute, and I love the idea of being able to carry your advent around with you. Bravo!!
Posted by: Sister Diane | November 18, 2008 at 06:14 AM
you are so clever! you should write a book with all of your xmas craft ideas! everything you've done is awesome!
Posted by: Ana Lilia V. | November 18, 2008 at 06:28 AM
what a simple great idea! thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Amy | November 18, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Fantastic! They look so good.
Posted by: Tatania | November 18, 2008 at 11:50 AM
omg! BRILLIANT!!!
I am SOOOOO doing this!
what an awesome idea!
!LOVE IT!
Posted by: Stephanie | November 18, 2008 at 12:04 PM
That is way too cute! Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Regina | November 18, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Oh that is hilarious.
Posted by: justJENN | November 18, 2008 at 03:14 PM
What a cute idea!
Posted by: barb | November 18, 2008 at 03:30 PM
wow wow wow, how do you come up with such great ideas? you are one special cookie. thanks for sharing... xxrosey
Posted by: i cant sew | November 18, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Right now I am thinking you are an incredible genius!!! You're going to make my son's winter!!!
Posted by: Robyn | November 18, 2008 at 07:52 PM
I know I'm just repeating what everyone else is saying but I'll add to the chorus anyway: This is genius.
Posted by: *karen | November 18, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Fabulous idea!
Posted by: Jennie | November 18, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Not surprised a'tall that you got swamped with hits! This is adorable. I'll be picking up some gum while running errands this afternoon.
Posted by: Knittlebittle | December 04, 2008 at 11:22 AM
these are wonderful!! what a great idea.
Posted by: nicole | December 06, 2008 at 07:48 PM