Advent Tree
Crafts 'n things Craft of the Day
Count the days 'til Christmas with this bright and cheery Advent Tree. Simply move a light bulb onto the tree for each day, then add the star at the top on Christmas day to reveal a fully decorated tree!
Materials
- Craft foam: brown, 1-1/2"x2"; blue, 11-1/2"x18", two; white, 11-1/2"x18"; green, 11-1/2" x 18"
- 24 pre-cut craft foam light bulb shapes
Tools
- Aleene's Adhesives: Spritz-On Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, FunCraft Foam Glue
- Markers: black medium-tip; silver metallic
Basic Supplies
scissors, pencil, ruler or yardstick
Directions
Note
Use photo as guide for creating this project.
Advent Tree
1. Print and cut out patterns. Follow directions on patterns.
2. For calendar, use one blue sheet, black marker, and ruler or yardstick to draw four 2-1/4" wide vertical lines. Measure and draw a 3-1/2" wide horizontal line from top edge; measure and draw four 3" wide horizontal lines from first line. Use marker to write in numbers, 1-25. Follow manufacturer's instructions for foam glue to adhere other blue sheet to top 1/2" of calendar. Use marker to draw a wiggly outline along the side edges of banner.
3. For top, middle, and bottom of banner snowdrifts, cut from width of white foam sheet and cut strips so one long edge is straight and other is a random wave. For top snowdrift, cut foam to measure 2" on left side and 4" on right side. For middle snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 1-3/4" and 2-1/2". For bottom snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 2-3/4" and 3-1/4". With Figure 1 on pattern as guide, use black marker for the following: write "Advent Tree" on top snowdrift and draw snowflakes to each side of words; write family's name on middle snowdrift; write "Christmas Countdown" on bottom snowdrift; outline edges of each snowdrift and around "Christmas Countdown" as shown.
4. To assemble the banner, adhere top snowdrift to top of banner so straight edges are aligned. Adhere middle snowdrift to center of banner at overlap, and bottom snowdrift to bottom of banner so straight edges are aligned.
5. To assemble the tree, center and adhere trunk to top of middle snowdrift. Center and adhere tree pieces to banner, overlapping edges slightly: tree bottom to top of trunk; tree middle to top of tree bottom; tree top to top of tree middle. Adhere tree snow layers to overlapped edges of tree, beginning with first tree snow layer and ending with fourth tree snow layer.
6. Use silver marker to draw bulb threading, to highlight bulbs, and to color in star as shown. Let dry. Follow manufacturer's instructions to apply tacky reposition glue to back of bulbs and star. Press bulbs onto calendar squares and place star on the 25th. Follow manufacturer's instructions to apply pump-spray reposition glue to back of entire advent calendar. When dry, banner may be placed where desired without the use of tools or hardware, and removed quickly and easily when the season is over.
Tip
If you are unable to locate pre-cut Christmas light bulb shapes, cut your own from craft foam
Homemade Christmas Ornaments
"Classy Chenille Stick Poinsettia"
Submitted by Rebecca K. of Pensacola, FL
I had these fun-looking chenille pipe sticks and wanted to make flowers with them. I started to fold them and arrange them, and just kept adding fun things to make them into an ornament. I used them for gift toppers this year, hung them on the tree and attached them to Christmas Cards that I handed out. There is no better feeling than making something special to give, and these can be made in any color you can get beads and chenille sticks in (many colors). I love that this ornament is fluffy and colorful. It really pops on a Christmas tree (and really covers those bare spots if you have a bald branch!)
Materials Needed:
8 Chenille Bumpy Pipe Cleaners
10 inches of ribbon (for a hanger)
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Thread in a color to match Bumpy Pipe Cleaners
Beads to put in the center
Clear thread and beading needle
Small piece of felt
Directions:
Step 1: Fold pipe cleaners after the first and third fluffy parts, pinch each end a bit. Do this with all the pipe cleaners.
Step 2:
Step 3: Repeat Step 2 with 4 more pipe cleaners.
Step 4: Place one circle of pipe cleaners on top of the other and use thread again to hold them in place. Tie firmly in back.
Step 5: Bead a needle with clear thread, and sew some beads in the middle of the flower.
Step 6: Flip the flower to the back, and glue on the hanger with the glue gun. Hot glue a small circle of felt to cover the backing and the ribbon.
Make it your own by using other colors, adding glitter or using a button in the center. The options are endless!
The Chenille Pipe Sticks can be found in any craft store or on the web. I've noticed they have various names by brand. Sometimes they are called Bumpy Chenille Pipe Cleaners.
Billie C.
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