advent: part one

I know I'm one day late to the party, but I finally finished my little advent calendar last night, just in the nick of time. Nothing like a deadline to get me moving.

When I was little, we had a similar advent calendar. Made of felt, with snaps.. I think. I've combed through the attic at my parent's house on several occasions looking for it, but no luck. So I had to improvise and make my own. 

I love felt, especially the good stuff. I hope this calendar will be used for quite some time, pulled out year after year, so I didn't mind taking the time to stitch it by hand. (It also gave me a good excuse to watch a little TV and still feel productive.) Bee and C have been watching me make it, and are thrilled it is finally December at last! 

The pockets were stitched using the number template I made for the Purl Bee (and Page's advent calendar is so bright and lovely). The buttons on the tree are a mixed bunch, all from a big bag of antique buttons I splurged on at Quilt Market. Here are the ornaments for week 1, more to come!

Comments

[Lecia]

Yes: my calendar is embroidered. Truly beautiful up close.

I enjoy your book posts and hope you'll share your family's favorite holiday books! I've posted mine today.

Thanks for the beauty you add to the world! Your blog is an inspiration.

[Chloe]

These are so cute! My mom says she'll have to make some!

[alyshabean]

so happy to finally see the finished product. It looks great Brooke, it really does.

[Cheryl]

This is so great. It's just so simple and happy. I hope you guys have fun with it. Felt is my favorite material too. Maybe next year when my daughter is three I'll create a first Advent Calendar for her. I never had one growing up but it is a very sweet notion.

[kim]

I simply adore this! what child wouldn't hop out of bed and soar to this oh so very colorful and fun calendar. me included! it reminds me I need to give ours a little tlc asap!
thanks for sharing

[roxy]

I love your blog! I just came upon it today! AND I had no idea you did the book design for Lena's Corwin's printing book. I interned for her last summer and fell in love with her and her lil fella gus! :[) Will be coming back here! xo

[Blogful]

Can you take pictures as you make these amazing things and post a tutorial? Very inspiring.

[sara]

brooke...love, love, loooove this! I passed it along to my mom with the hope she will want to do this for me! (I have no sewing skills whatsoever). You're so creative! -sara

[Brittany (McKinley) Fox]

Hi Brooke! It's Brittany McKinley. I cannot get over how much I love every thing that you design. I'm so very jealous. It was really funny because I came across your blog via DesignMom and I was talking to Joy about it because I thought you just designed the blog, not that it was YOUR blog. She set me straight, and I love checking in. And seriously, that advent calendar? Wow.

[molly]

This is truly beautiful. What a creative life you lead. Your lucky children...

[julie]

You've created an heirloom that will add meaning and sweetness to this and all of your family's Advent seasons to come.

[Cammie]

I love your calendar so much that I am trying to use it as a patter for my own. Is there anyway that you would share your measurements? Just the white background and the tree hight and width would help me put it all together.
I love the clean lines and the simplicity of the ornaments, beautiful.

[Arlyna]

Wow! I think I might just do this one for our own advent calendar + christmas tree... I've been trying to find a calendar that would be easy to do and quick and I think this is the answer! Thanks for sharing and yours look really lovely!

[Kyoko Mumm]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!! Do you have pattern. I will make for Amou(10years), Kaito(5years), and Sakura(1) for this X'mas!!!!! Please send me patter. Thank you! Kyoko Mumm

[Eli]

So beautiful!

[Elonda]

Wow, that is gorgeous. I am going to try one of these for next year, still too many other crafts to get done for this year but it is truly one of a kind!!

[Karina]

So cute! I LOVE the little "ornaments"! Great detail.

[Meg]

Hi! Love the calendar! Trying to make a blue print so that I can make one for my family! What are the deminsions of the white felt and the length of the tree? Love it! Thanks!

[Brooke]

Hi Meg,
The whole thing is like 20" wide and 35" high. So the tree length is probably about 10"? When I take it out this year I will take better measurements (it's packed away with the Christmas decorations now!).

[Cindy]

I love the advent calendar, but was wondering what the dimensions were and if you have any patterns for making the ornaments. Thanks!