Monday, July 23, 2012

BBTB2 Challenge - Christmas in July

Here we are with our Christmas in July BBTB2 Challenge.  We are being hosted by the Fab Jayne, please take a look at her site and all the wonderful designers.  Then pull out that Christmas paper and embellies and play, please remember to follow our challenge rules posted at the top of the BBTB2 site.

I adore Advent Calendars and as I was playing with boxes in June, the idea for a boxed Advent Calendar popped into my head.  This is a heavy pic post, so I hope you stick with me, cause I am lovin this project.  Because the inside has so much going on, I wanted to keep the outside of the box strikingly simple to retain an element of surprise.  The box itself was created using a Bazzill textured card stock and was done using my Score It Board,  the star on the box was created using Cricut cart "Joys of the Season", it was then colored with Copic Markers.  I used a standard elastic gold band to give just a little hint of festive.  Over all size of the box is 5 1/2" X 4 1/2".

So when you open the box there is an accordian fold with tabs that attach it to the top and bottom and then that is covered with patterned paper.  So you have 3 faces, the top of the box has an envelope permanently attached with a bird cage and little golden bird peeking out.  I love the impression of the little bird in the cage and then setting one free each day. Inside the envelope there is a glassine envelope with 24 more golden birds.  The bird cage and birds are Memory Box dies,  I applied gold/bronz colored duck tape to card stock to cut out the birds, I planned on embossing the birds but then did not like how it looked.  Merry Christmas was cut with Cricut cart "Calligraphy Collection" and the background paper is from Basicgrey "Dasher".

This pic shows the glassine envelope out of its holder envelope with the little birds out of the envelope.

And here is the calendar reveled.  I stayed with the BasicGrey background paper.  Each day is a QK seed pocket, I hand wrote the numbers with India Black ink and a calligraphy pen.  The berry flouish is from "Silhouette" as are the little Christmas light bulbs.  A bird is placed in each pocket representing the day, when the pockets are all filled it is Christmas Eve.  Coloring was done with Copic markers.


This is a picture of the Advent Calendar Box open from the side.

So that about does it, hope all of you have a wonderful, creative week, I can hardly wait to see all those glorious ideas and projects.  Hugs

14 comments:

Carole Beath said...

Oh my...this is wonderful. I forgot about making this style and as soon as my room is finished, I have it on my list. Love your calendar, girl.
Carole

Jeri said...

I knew there was more to this than met the eye. Wowzer! I've got to try this. I love making Christmas countdowns for my grandkids. This will be great because it will be easy to mail, not too bulky or heavy.

DIANA L. said...

What a great Advent calendar I love the little gold birds. It is just beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration.

DIANA L.
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

ps. you could enter this in my DL.ART Thankful Thursday challenge

Brenda said...

Wow Sandi, this advent box is amazing! How clever of you to make this style of advent. I love all the details in this and love the idea of the golden birds filling each envie. So cool and perfect! Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love this advent calendar. I've never seen one in a box. How special this one is.

Jayne said...

OMG Sandi!!Wow ,this is truly amazing!I love the simplicity of the outside and the wonderful surprise of the inside.I love the idea of setting a bird free each day.Fantastic advent calendar.
Jayne x

Sandy from Ukiah said...

Oh Sandi, how delightful is this... You are so very creative.. I love it. Hugs

Bella and Aidees Mom said...

WOW! That is pretty neat..Love the simple outside and the surprises and eye candy inside..Krista

Glenda said...

Wow! Such an amazing Advent box! As always, your details are so beautiful!
Glenda

Penny'sfromHeavenreborn Nursery said...

this is soooo cool,lve the adent calender, its perfect for the Chrismas Holiday....

Penny

Suzanne cricutcraftingrammyblogspot.com said...

Wow Wow Wow Here I though your project was a card until I opened up your post. What an awesome amazing Advent box. It is wonderful and so creative.

shelly said...

wowser sandi! i too thought this was a card which on its own was pretty but was also pleasantly surprised to see this magnificent advent box. you rock big time! :)

DonnaMundinger said...

Oh WOW! Your creativity astounds me. what a super idea. Love it, Chickie! xxD

~JulieH~ said...

Oh my Sandi what an abso;utely exquiste project! you are sooo creative I love this so much!
Hugs
Juliexx