DIY Christmas Advent Chain Idea & Free Printable!

My family loves the DIY Christmas advent chain... but how do you make it look fantastic? My struggle is that it always looks like some scraggly chain that doesn't fit in with my Christmas decor.

So this year, I used cardstock that matches my home for the chain (as opposed to any old left over cardstock), then made a cute little printable to put in a frame (you can get it too... when you scroll to the bottom)! 

It hangs on the door from a ribbon on a wreath hanger. Then the kids can reach the loops, and it doesn't look like I just taped it to the wall... although I did just tape it to my picture frame. :)

Make your advent chain (many of us already know this tradition, but for those who don't: cut paper strips, write down the number of days until Christmas - one number per paper strip - then staple them in loops in order, and tear off each loop as you pass each day).

Now you need a place to hang it!

Get your picture frame and decide what size of the printable you want on the wall. My frame was square, and much bigger than an 8x10 - but my printer doesn't print any bigger than 8.5 x 11. So I chose a small square.

But my large picture frame needed a matte...

... so I framed my lime green Christmas wrapping paper! Then I added a blue border of cardstock and used my printable for the centerpiece of the picture.

However you choose to doll it up, frame your printable.

Next, hang it up! If you have wall space, great. If not, do as I did - find an empty door and grab your wreath hanger. Use a sturdy ribbon to hang the frame from the wreath hanger.

And last, tape the advent chain to the picture frame. The kids love it. I love it. Actually, my husband thought it looked fantastic too. And I can reuse it again and again. Yay!

In the spirit of giving, here is your free printable!

• free Christmas printable (square version) 
• free Christmas printable (8.5 x 11 size)

 And if you ask my daughter how long until Christmas, she'll tell you. Thanks to the advent chain. :)

Merry Christmas!!!
 -Jannie

Cheap & Easy Card Making Idea - Turn Boring Foil Cards Into Fabulous Foil Cards

Want a beautiful, thrifty and easy card making idea? Here are a few simple techniques you can use to turn foil cards with a matte background into fabulous works of art. 

These cards are so easy to make and they don't take long either!

I found these simple beauties for $1 with 20 cards in it - a dollar! My sisters were throwing me a baby shower so couldn't pass them up. They even had the little feet!! Ah, but I digress. 

I had the perfect plan for them.

Step 1: I started by "grunging" the edges, giving them a modern, worn look. All you need is to scrape your card against your ink pad for this technique. 

For a swiped look, drag the edges of your card across the ink pad. For the spotted/denim/vintage type look, simply press your card into the ink pad without swiping it.

 I like to use 2 different colors to give it depth. Although a monochromatic color scheme can look fabulous too! 

(Tip: always start with your lightest colored ink)

 

Step 2: You can see that the words don't quite pop. So I grabbed my sponge, patted it in the ink, and pressed using a swirling motion just around the words. 

Step 3: Cool as that was, I wasn't done. I wanted to have more of a watercolor look to it. So I lightly sprayed the sponge (that still had ink in it by the way)...

 ...and made short swiping strokes across the center foil words. 

Continue to swipe across the rest of the card until the color runs out. Repeat as often as you like - but remember, not too much water or your card will warp!

 

And this is what you get - unique, artistic cards that only took a minute to make!

 And of course, I couldn't leave it alone! After making a few of one color, I had to make a few in another color! After all, there were 20 in the box.

If you try out this little card making idea, come back and tell us about it. We'd love to see what you did!

Remember to play with it. Have fun! That's part of the joy of making cards. :)

Enjoy!

Pillow Cases (tutorial)

Are you tired of your pillow cases? Or even more, do you need new ones because yours are tired and worn? Well here's a simple idea. Find a great fun cotton or cotton blend fabric.

Use your old pillow cases for a pattern. Be sure to add 5/8" seam allowances and 4" at the top for the hem. Sew side seams. Serge or zigzag. Fold under 1/2"at the top. Press. Next fold again and press 3 1/2" under for the finished hem. Stitch.

There you have it! A new fun pillow case!

I made these for a gift for a sweet niece for her bridal shower.

Congratulations "A" on your upcoming wedding!