Christmas Crafts Part I

One of the reasons I was so busy over the Christmas Break was because I was feverishly working on two crafts, hoping I could finish them before Christmas, and before we left to visit Kelly's family for five days.

Well, give this girl a deadline and that's all I need to get a project finished!

My first project has been a work in progress for MONTHS. I started working on it back in July--I kid you not. AfterBuzzings of a Queen Bee posted about this advent calendar, I knew I had to make one for myself!!

During the dog days of summer when Hobby Lobby put their scrapbook paper on sale for 50% off I made a mad dash to snatch up some holiday themed paper. I also bought the frame at Hobby Lobby on the "ding" aisle for $6.50! I waited for the little paper boxes to go on sale, too, and then I was in business. However, it took me almost 6 months to find a piece of sheet metal to fit my 12x24 frame. I've learned when bloggers post about a project they've done, and they get to the part where they're husbands have to help them, that the project took a lot longer than what it seems. (This is especially true for my second Christmas Craft.)

So, I waited until the absolute LAST MINUTE to finally find a piece of sheet metal--and in all actuality, I have to thank Smith Snapshots for picking it up for me. She graciously offered to grab it while she was out running errands one afternoon. She also loaned me her chalkboard spray paint so I wouldn't have to buy a whole can of my own. She's a great crafting partner (see second Christmas Craft for more of her generosity!).

Well, I'm not going to post step-by-step instructions on how you can make this calendar for yourself, because Buzzings has already posted a fantastic tutorial, but I will show you my final product.

Are you ready?

You sure?

I still need to add numbers for the dates, but other than that, it's finished.

OK, here it is!