Kitschy Coca-Cola Advent Calendar

Today over on BlogHer I spotlighted a post from Life as a Thrifter about an advent calendar in a Cocoa-Cola crate. The idea was so stinkin' cute I decided to make my own version. My soda crate has taken many forms from magazine holder to craft paint storage, but I think perhaps this new holiday spin is my favorite.


SUPPLIES
24 Small Nails
Hammer
Tape
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Wrapping Paper
Tim Holtz Hinge Clips
Coca-Cola Crate
Cardboard or chipboard
Scissors
Small Gift Tags
Pen
24 Small Gifts
Tim Holtz Bingo Game Pieces


First of all I measured the size of the 24 squares in my crate. Well ok, this is me we are talking about. I didn't really measure anything I just eyeballed it. Once I had a template I cut out 24 pieces of chipboard and cardboard.


I'll take any excuse to craft with my stash of vintage wrapping paper. In years past I have made wreaths and lamp shades, I even have some framed. I selected 24 styles and cut them into squares slightly larger than my cardboard pieces. The next step was to wrap my squares like gifts. I used tape on the backside. You could also use Collage Pauge and decoupage the paper down.


Using Tacky Glue I adhered small polka dotted gift cards to the backsides to give them a finished look. I realize I have Liquid Fusion in the picture, but trust me I used Tacky Glue.


Oddly I have oodles of these small wooden bingo numbers that are vintage. Alas, I did not have 1-24 so luckily I picked up a new batch at the craft store. You could also use the foam sticker numbers. I used Tacky Glue to attach the chips and set aside to dry.


While my paint dried I took my crate outside and hammered in 24 small nails in the top center of each compartment.


Hung my crate with nails in my dining room up high so there could be no peeking once I filled the little cubbies with small toys, candy and treats.


After my bingo numbers were dry I hung each card by a small clip. Mine are from the scrapbooking aisle, but the office supply store has plenty of cute colorful options as well. You just want to make sure there is a small hole in them to hang from your nail.


Once each compartment is filled with treasure, bible verses, pieces of paper that say "hooray today we are going to make a gingerbread house" or what have you hang your cards in numerical order.


Each day (starting today on the 1st) you and your child remove the appropriate hanging card and see what present or adventure awaits. This fun activity not only helps build anticipation for Christmas (like you need help with that) it also helps to teach numbers and for the older child dates.


I need to make a trip to the Target dollar spot and load up with holes with loot!

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Ho Ho Ho Holiday Hula Hoop Wreath

My fireplace was just begging for a holiday makeover and who was I to say no. A ready made wreath large enough to not look dwarfed on my stone wall was either too expensive or just not my style, and that's when I remembered Tallulah's abandoned Hula Hoop and the fun began.


SUPPLIES
Vintage Wrapping Paper
Liquid Fusion Glue
Hula Hoop
Hot Glue Gun
Clothes Pins
Cardboard Box
Books
Aleene's Tacky Transparent Tape for Crafters
Scissors
Pen
Ribbon & Bows


THE GIFT OF CARDBOARD
I needed some faux gifts to wrap so the first thing I did was look around for small boxes. I didn't have any boxes so I cut out squares and rectangles from an old cardboard box I had lying around the house. I used some of Tallulah's small board books as a template.


I made sure that I had enough cardboard shapes to fit around my Hula Hoop. I might mention that my Hula Hoop is smaller than most. I bought it for Tallulah to play with this summer and I think she touched it once so I took it upon myself to upcycle it.


WREATH PREP
A Hula Hoop does not have a lot of surface to glue cardboard gifts to so I had to improvise. My sister came up with the brilliant idea of attaching strips of cardboard all the way around which worked out swimmingly. Mom cut the strips of cardboard and using Liquid Fusion Glue I attached them to the Hula Hoop. I not only glued the cardboard together I also glued the cardboard to the actual Hula Hoop.


WRAP IT UP
While the glue on my wreath dried I used the time to wrap my gifts. This project ended up being a perfect way to display my vintage wrapping paper collection. I show Collage Pauge in the supplies picture, but I ended up using Aleene's Tacky Transparent Tape for Crafters to wrap my gifts. I used a combination of Tacky Tape and Tacky Glue to adhere decorative ribbons to the packages.


DECK THE HULA HOOP
I placed all the presents on my Hula Hoop to get an idea about spacing. Actually, my mother did while I chased Tallulah. Once we were pleased with the way the gifts looked we attached the gifts to the wreath using an Aleene's Hot Glue Gun. After the gifts were attached to the wreath we flipped it over and really anchored things down by adding Liquid Fusion Glue.


All that was left to do was to add some ready made gift bows and hang my new wreath on the mantle. Lucky for me my sister loaned me a glitter encrusted deer head that I think really looks nice with the wreath and stockings.

Got any big wreath plans for the holidays? I'm always looking for more decorating ideas and would love to hear yours!


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Recycled Wrapping Paper and Cassette Tape Pom-Poms

Continuing with this week’s theme of wrapping paper I have a few fun and crafty ideas for you. Who knew that I Love to Create wrapping paper? Gather up your cassette tapes, tacky glue and newspaper next time you have a gift to wrap and follow these easy instructions.


My first gift wrap example was actually a happy accident when I made my lacey Hooptastical Earring Holder. When I dyed the lace using Tulip Fabric Spray Paint unbeknownst to me I was creating neon pink wrapping paper at the same time. I used the newspaper (I was especially excited about the picture of Debbie Harry), aqua bias tape and a pom pom I made to adorn the gift I brought to a mustache themed birthday party!


One of my favorite parts about the above gift was the Cassette Tape Pom Pom I whipped up instead of a bow. Making your own is as easy as a trip to the thrift store and the toilet.


SUPPLIES
Aleene’s Paper Glaze
Toilet Paper Roll
Cassette Tape
Scissors
Aleene’s Tacky Glue


TOILET ROLL WRAP
Remeber when you were in High School and would go wrapping? Well this is different, but toilet paper rolls are still involved. Cut the cassette tape and wrap around an empty tube of toilet paper several times.


CUT THE TAPE
After you have a nice thick wrap around the roll slide the bundle off the roll. Use another piece of cassette tape to cinch in the middle, tie in a knot. Using your scissors cut the loops on either end of your pom pom. Fray the edges out a bit.


LIONEL RICHIE WISHES YOU A JUMBO JUMBO BIRTHDAY
Cut out a picture from the cover of your cassette tape. I used Aleene's Paper Glaze to adhere my image to a hot pink disc. I then used Aleene's Tacky Glue to attach the charm to the center of my pom pom and also attach the entire thing to my wrapped gift. Can't Slow Down is the album that had "All Night Long" on it so all that is left to do is make a handmade card that says "Lionel Richie wishes you a jumbo jumbo birthday".

Since you know I love all music themed crafts, I have one more wrapping paper idea!


SUPPLIES
Vinyl Records
Clothespins
Pen
Scissors
Ruler
Aleene’s Tacky Glue


Rip apart the record jacket, or separate the front from the back. On the back of the front side draw four straight lines with your ruler. The lines should be 2 1/2 inches from the edges. These are going to be your fold lines. Cut four tabs from the corner fold lines. These will make the flaps that fold in and get glued down. Fold over all four lines. The cover should be folding in to look like a box. Start putting glue on the tabs and clothes-pinning them in place. Now wait over night! Repeat all 5 steps for the back part of the record jacket, except make the fold lines 2 5/8 inches in. See more how-to pictures here or pick up a copy of Pad: The Guide to Ultra Living.


Who wouldn't want to recieve a gift in this record box? Plus you can reuse it to store little toys, puzzle parts or paper clips!