On Saturday night I invited a few friends over to make these darling advent calendars (thanks Courtney!). We had so much fun gabbing and eating and sharing scrapbook paper. And listening to Christmas tunes (hey, so I was ready a little early this year!).
For this project you will need:
24 paper machie boxes, 2x3 in. each
scrapbook paper
mod podge
cricut numbers, or vinyls, or stamps
magnets (strong ones!)
hot glue
ink pad
a magnetic board for display
Trace your lids onto your scrapbook paper and cut out. Trying to keep like patterns and shapes apart is tricky. So I also made sure my numbers were different looking from one box to the next. Some of them were cut from a piece of scrapbook paper that had numbers on it., some were cricuts in different fonts. Mod pdoge your covers onto the lids. Let dry. Ink your edges (with a stamp pad). I went with a copper color to tie in the color of the paper boxes, and add a little sparkle. You could also paint the sides of your boxes red, green or even black, and ink your edges in black or silver. The possibilities are endless! Let the ink dry while you coordinate all your numbers. Apply the numbers with (you guessed it) more mod podge. Let dry. Go over the edges with ink one more time.
This project can be pricey. I got the boxes in sets of 6 from this site: http://www.createforless.com/Craft+Pedlars+Paper+Mache+Box+Bitty+Assorted+Kraft+6pc/pid152491.aspx?SI=33900f50-63d1-4925-84a7-a203414da727. The paper is cheap, unless you want every box to be different. But even then you use so little to cover each box. The magnetic board can be one you already have, so you can get multiple uses out of it. That is what I did - this chalkboard is on my wall year round. You can make your own with wood and galvanized sheet metal from the hardware store. Probably the most economical way to go. Or buy unfinished frames and back with the galvanized sheet metal, or a board sprayed with magnetic spray paint... I even saw some magnetic metal boards at IKEA for only $12.99. They come in white and red. Not as rustic looking, but still cute I think, especially if you want a more mod look.
Note that the boxes are SMALL. That is so they fit on a manageable size board (mine is 22x22, I would think 16x20 would be the smallest you could go with the small sized boxes). If you get the next size up you will need a really large board to stick them on.
Since the boxes need to be small they will only fit items like individual pieces of candy, coins, or stickers. You could also roll up scriptures on tiny pieces of paper if you want to add a religious touch. One of my friends suggested a scavenger hunt. You could roll up little hints and place them in each of the boxes to lead the family to bigger items, or even just one big gift at the end of the month. I checked out the party bin at WalMart (by the pinatas) and found several small trinkets that would work - parachute jump figurines, glow in the dark stars, rings... Any dollar store would also have good stuff I am sure.
... Enjoy!!!
