Last Minute DIY Advent Calendar Tree

This is last minute, but this project is easy enough to do in just one day!

I found this Stocking Tree Advent Calendar at Pottery Barn. I loved the look of it, but I did not like the $199 price tag. I knew I could make my own version for much cheaper. 

  

Here is the version that I made. I made this for under $20. Depending upon what you use, you could possibly make it cheaper!

Here are the steps to take to make one.

Needed materials:

• 1” x 2” at 8’
• 1” x 3” at 4’
• Saw
• Kreg Jig
• 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
• Sander or sandpaper
• Wood Glue 
• Paint
• 6” Wood star or 1/4” Plywood 6” x 6”
• 25 small hooks or clips
• 25 small bags or stockings
• Fabric Marker
• D-hooks to hang the tree
• Jig or Scroll Saw (if making your own star)

Step 1: Cut Your Boards.

Needed cuts:

2 - 1” x 2” at 2 ½” one end cut at 45 degree angle.

2 - 1” x 2” at 5 ½” one end cut at 45 degree angle.

2 - 1” x 2” at 8 ½” one end cut at 45 degree angle.

2 - 1” x 2” at 11 ½” one end cut at 45 degree angle.

2 - 1” x 2” at 13 ¾” one end cut at 45 degree angle.

1 – 1” x 3” at 38 ½”

I found a 3 pack of these 6” wood stars on clearance for $2. But if you are making your own star, draw a star on your plywood and cut it out using a jig saw or scroll saw.

Step 2. Using a Kreg jig set at the 3/4" setting, drill pocket holes in the non-mitered end of the 1” x 2” pieces.

Step 3. Using the pocket hole screws and glue, attach the 1” x 2” pieces to the 1” x 3”. The longest pieces flush to the bottom of the 1" x 3" and gradually moving up to the smaller pieces. I attached all one side and then all the other. I left a 5 ½” space between each.

Step 4: Sand all surfaces.

Step 5: Paint the tree and star. 

I decided to also write the last name of the family that I was making this for on the star.

Step 6: Using the wood glue, glue the star to the top and attach the clips. If you are using hooks, you probably will need to screw in those.

I decided to use the small craft clothespins. I put some washi tape on the clothespins to make them look a little cuter.

Step 7: Attach hooks to the back so you can hang it. I used D hooks. I had originally planned on using only one D hook. These particular hooks can hold up to 20 pounds. That really should be sufficient, but just in case the gifts in the bags happen to be heavy, I decided to use two of the D hooks.

Step 8: Hang your bags or stockings. I found these little bags. I took a fabric marker and wrote the numbers on each bag.

Step 9: Hang your Advent Calendar on the wall and enjoy your holiday countdown!

Crochet Valentine’s Day Treat Bags

I volunteer as a Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor at the local elementary school once a week. I wanted to put together a little something for the kids for Valentine's day. 

These little bags are quick and easy to make and they use only a small amount of yarn. I am filling mine with candy, but these would also be great for small toys, stickers, erasers, etc.

Size:

The finished bag is 3 ½” wide and is 4 ½” high. You can easily adjust the size of your bag by changing the hook size, using a different weight of yarn, or increasing the length of the foundation chain.

Needed Materials:

Crochet Hook Size H

Worsted Weight Yarn Main Color – 20 g (bag)

Worsted Weight Yarn Coordinating Color – 5 g (drawstrings and heart)

Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 

4 1/2 sc = 1”

The gauge is not really important for this. I crochet tightly, but this gauge made a 3 ½” x 4 ½” bag.

Bag:

Using the Main Color, Ch 16

2 sc in 2^nd ch from the hook, sc in 13 ch, 2 sc in the last ch. Do not turn. Working on the opposite side of the foundation ch, sc in next 13 ch, join. (30 st) You may want to place a marker on the last sc to help you remember where the round begins.

Row 1: Sc in each sc around. Continue to sc until the bag measures 4” tall or about ½” less than your desired end height.

Drawstring Row: Sl st to join, ch 1, (sc in next sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc) around, join. (10 - ch 2 spaces)

Final Row: Ch 1, (sc in each sc, 2 sc in each ch 2 space) around, join, fasten off.

Drawstring (Make 2):

Using the Coordinating Color, make a chain until it is about 16” long. Fasten off.

Heart:

Using the Coordinating Color, Ch 3

Row 1: (2 dc, 1 hdc) in the 3^rd ch from the hook. Turn. (4 st)

Row 2: Ch 3. 1 dc in each of the (2 dc, 1 hdc), 2 dc into the top of the ch 3. Turn. (6 st)

Row 3: Ch 2. 1 dc in 1^st st, 2dc in next st, sl st in next st, 2 dc in next st, (1dc, 1hdc) in next st, sl st into the top of the ch 3 of row 2.

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Finishing:

Starting at one side of the bag, weave a drawstring through the ch 2 spaces. Starting at the other side of the bag, weave the other drawstring through the ch 2 spaces. Knot the ends of the drawstrings.

Sew the heart onto the bag using the long tail.

Weave in all ends.

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Sc = Single Crochet
Sc2tog = Single Crochet Two Together
To make it easier to print, you can download a pdf of the pattern.

Have a happy Valentine's Day! 

DIY Land of Nod Inspired Tabletop Puppet Theater

Ana White is currently hosting a #GetBuilding2015 challenge. This month's theme is #ScrapWorkLove which requires the use of scrap wood to create a project. My niece's 4 year birthday was coming up, so I decided I would make something for her. I looked through my wood scraps and tried to come up with a project. A few years ago, I had made this puppet stage for another niece and she loved it.

I didn't have enough scrap materials to make something that large, plus this was going to be for a 4 year old, so I decided to make something smaller. I saw Land of Nod's Tabletop Theater. I knew this would be perfect! My measurements are not exactly the same as the Land of Nod version because I was using scrap wood, but it worked out great! You can easily adjust this to make due with the scraps you have on hand.

If you do not have scraps, here are the needed materials:
1 - 1" x 6" x 3'
1 - 1" x 4" x 10' (You can get an 8' board, but you will need to change the 21" cuts to 20 1/2" cuts)
1 - 1" x 3" x 4'
1 - 3/8" x 3' dowel or a tension rod
Saw (I used a miter saw and a jig saw, but you could even use a hand saw)
Kreg Jig or countersink drill bit
1 1/4" pocket hole screws or wood screws
Spade drill bit (if you are using a dowel)
paint or stain
small amount of fabric
needle and thread or sewing machine
Coat hooks (optional)

Here are the steps I took to make the puppet stage.

Step 1: Cut your boards. I used a miter saw for most of the cuts. but any saw will do.
1 - 1" x 6" cut at 18" (bottom sign)
2 - 1" x 4" cut at 21" (sides)
1 - 1" x 4" cut at 18" (top sign)
2 - 1" x 4" cut at 18" (stage and top sign base)
2 - 1"x 3" cut at 6 1/2" (bases)
1 - 3/8" dowel cut at 20 1/2" or a tension rod

Step 2: Using a Kreg jig set a the 3/4" setting, drill pocket holes in each end of the inside of the stage, and top sign base. 

Step 3: Using a Kreg jig set a the 3/4" setting, drill pocket holes in each end and the top of the inside of the top sign and the bottom sign.

Step 4: Using the pocket hole screws, attach the bottom sign to the sides. If you don't want to use pocket holes, you can use countersunk screws.

Step 5: Follow this process for both sides.

Step 6: Using the pocket hole screws, attach the stage to the sides and bottom sign.

Step 7: Follow the same process for the top sign and top sign base.

Step 8: Draw the curve for the front edge of the bases. An easy way to do this is to trace around a paint can or something similar.

Step 9: Use a jig saw to cut around the curve. If you don't have a jig saw, you can just leave these as blocks on the sides instead of being curved.

Step 10: Attach the bases to the sides using countersunk screws from the inside of the sides.

Step 11: Using a spade bit, drill holes into the sides where you want to place the dowel.

Step 12: Drill a small hole in each end of the dowel (This step is optional.)

Step 13: Make your curtains. I am not an expert at sewing, but these were pretty simple. Just cut your curtains to size. Fold over about 1/4" and sew around the edges. Fold over the top edge. Be sure to make this long enough to fit the dowel or tension rod. Sew that top part down.

Step 14: Slide your dowel into the hole in the side. Slide the curtains on, and put the dowel through the other side.

Step 15: I wanted to ensure that the dowel would not slide back and forth, so I put some small screws into the ends of the dowel. This also will allow the curtains to be removed and washed or changed.

Step 16: I also placed a couple coat hooks on the sides so hold the curtains back. This is not necessary. You could also use a ribbon or a piece of the fabric to tie the curtain back.

Step 17: Fill any holes with putty, sand all surfaces, and paint or stain. I normally paint everything at the end, but because I was using more than one color, I decided to paint as I went.

Step 18: Have fun! My niece loved her new puppet stage. 

It was a Frozen party, so the puppet show starred Elsa and Olaf. She had a great time!

This was a quick build and did not cost a thing to make! You can make easily make one for a fraction of what it costs to buy. This would also make a great classroom gift!