Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Our Pottery Barn Knock-Off Advent Calendar

I wanted to make an advent calendar for the kids.  After looking online, my favorite was this Christmas tree Pottery Barn version~



Of course, the PB price wasn't in my range, so I thought I'd attempt my own version. 

I picked out a bunch of different colors of felt at the fabric store.


I also found some felt by the yard in glittery green, which was perfect!


After cutting out the tree and 25 little pockets in all different colors, I shamelessly copied many of the little pictures off the PB calendar.  A few of the pocket picture ideas I found online. 

I just used craft glue to adhere the little pictures to the pockets.  Easy Peasy!



 I used my sewing machine and stitched the star, trunk, and pockets right onto the tree.  It was pretty simple. 

I found some of this white decorating glue called "Snow Writer." 
 I used it to scatter a few snowflakes around the tree.


Just regular black glitter glue worked to write the numbers on the pockets and also the kid's names onto the tree trunk. 




This is how it turned out~

Again, I searched online and found some great ideas for each day's activity.  Some of the kids' favorites from last year I sorta cheated and used twice this year.  :)
  1. Hang candy canes on the tree.  (My kids are young, they will actually think this is fun!)
  2. Make snowflakes and hang from the ceiling and around the house.
  3. Candlelight dinner
  4. Gingerbread House Decorating Party with neighborhood friends
  5. Leave out wooden shoes
  6. Write and mail letters to Santa
  7. Enjoy hot chocolate with candy canes and whipped cream.
  8. Candlelight bubblebath (This was one of their FAVORITES!)
  9. Watch a Christmas movie and munch on popcorn
  10. Pizza picnic by the tree
  11. Game night
  12. Decorate Christmas cookies with Grandma and cousins
  13. Build a fort and read Christmas books inside
  14. Make a snowman
  15. Decorate homemade Christmas cards and mail to friends
  16. Candlelight bubblebath ~ again :)
  17. Make caramel corn and watch another Christmas movie (another repeat - this one can be used alot if needed!)
  18. Get Happy Meals and drive around to look at lights
  19. Sledding
  20. Hot chocolate with all the yummy toppings (another repeat)
  21. Open one present
  22. Sleep under the Christmas tree
  23. Make reindeer food (trail mix recipe) for the reindeer tomorrow night.
  24. Special Christmas dinner with extended family and open presents
  25. Cinnamon rolls (Rhodes, NOT homemade) for breakfast
Each day I'll just put one of the listed activities in that day's pocket.  That way I can switch things around if needed. 


Most of the activites are pretty simple to do.  I tried to stay away from lots of big spectacular things that, when added up, could be overwhelming to accomplish each day. Working in ideas that we would most likely do anyways makes it alot easier!  The kids really enjoy this!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)

31 comments:

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

How cute...love how all of the pockets are different!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings,
Linda

Ali Richardson said...

WOW!!! It is amazing! Great great job, I'm so jealous! I want one!! Happy holidays :)

Tire Swing Mom said...

So cute and clever! Looks like it took quite a while to make, too. I don't know that I would have the patience. Good for you. I know your children will enjoy it for years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ro said...

Beautifully done with so many great details. This will be enjoyed for many, many years.

Tiffany said...

This is amazing! I have been eying that exact advent calendar from PBkids. I wish I had the ability to create something so similar. AMAZING job! If you don't mind me asking, what was the total that you spent? (tiffanyaskeroth@gmail.com)

Brittany@twocrazycupcakes said...

Very Cute! Every year I want to make one!

Unknown said...

This is awesome! I cannot even imagine the amount of time you put into this.. but it was well worth it! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2010/11/pink-hippo-party-5.html

Alden said...

wow thats awesome!!! I love it! And the ideas are great too!

Amanda said...

great knock off! :)

thatgirlblogs said...

really love this -- can't sew, but since it's felt I'm thinking fabric glue will work to adhere pockets. wish me luck...

Sew Hungryhippie said...

The kids and I just made a felt Xmas tree today--I'll post pics on my blog tomorrow, but yours is stunning! We did a felt tree due to lack of space here in our house in England, but this advent idea is awsome! This is so gorgeous--I can tellyou put alot of effort in this. GREAT JOB
Following you for future wonderfullness...:o)
natalie

Dayna said...

Looks time consuming, but you sure did a great job! I love all of your ideas too.

Elizabeth said...

That is absolutely adorable! You did such a great job! Would love for you to visit me and link up to Made with Love Monday at Sew Chatty! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com

Jen@BigBrownChair said...

I love this! I want to make it too! I love your daily holiday ideas. I will be borrowing those! Thank you for sharing! You are very clever.

Megan said...

so cute!!! I had thought about TRYING to do one of these, but was scared of how it would turn out! :) I have to say, I think yours is WAY cuter than the pottery barn one! You did an amazing job!

Jennifer Leigh said...

It's pretty awesome! I know several kids that would absolutely love it! :)

Amanda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amanda said...

I featured you today over at Today's Top 20! You did an awesome job!!!

Amanda

Sassy Sites! said...

I love it!! Thanks so much for linking up with Sassy Sites for our Christmas Party! Be sure to check back often and I hope you link up with us again! xoxo!!

Sara @ Mom Endeavors said...

LOVE this!!!! I just made a muffin tin advent calendar yesterday:
http://www.momendeavors.com/2010/11/muffin-tin-advent-calendar.html
But, I like this SOOO much better!!! Too bad I didn't see it earlier! Bookmarking it for another year for sure though!!!

Gretta said...

Love all your "pocket filler" ideas ~ Very family oriented and fun!

Birgit Kerr said...

Ohh this is an awesome advent calendar! Looks so great, but I also really like that you're using activities!! Adorable!

Megan said...

Just wanted to let you know I featured you today on CrazyDomestic.com. Feel free to grab our "I was featured" button!

Sherry said...

That is so adorable!!! I must put this on my to-do list for next year!

AllieMakes! said...

I love advent calendars! You did a FABULOUS job on this! LOTS of details!
You should come link this up to my weekly Thursday Making It With Allie Link Party! I think it would make a Fabulous addition!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

How cute! you did a really nice job.
thanks for linking up and linking back!
gail

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

What a great work of art--and so much fun! Thanks for linking up to Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 Party.

Michelle Vandepol said...

very impressive! love it :)

Shaunna said...

Love it!!! This is so crafty and very well done! Thanks for linking to the Christmas SFS! -shaunna :)

randomly crafty said...

I have been stalking this post for a while now & have decided to try this. Would you mind sharing a couple measurements? Like how tall & wide the tree is and the size of your pockets?? PLEASE & THANK YOU!! You have a great blog & I love your creations!!

Thanks again!
Samantha
randomlycrafty@live.com

mamabearuk said...

I'm about to shamelessly copy this. Well done, very excited!

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