Before you know it...

Remember this? Its the Advent Calendar I made last year, consisting of numbered felt "pockets" each holding a square of Ghirardelli peppermint bark chocolate and a paper dangle. Each day you would eat the chocolate and hang the dangle from the button, so you could see how close you were getting to the big day!

After a flurry of requests for a pattern, I am happy to oblige. This required pulling out the first of the boxes of Christmas decorations a bit early, but since I'm already in that frame of mind, so be it. Anyhoo, here ya go...

And a quickie tutorial...

The numbers were freehand sketched first with a disappearing pen. I strung mine on a long strip of red homespun with shorter lengths tied between each pocket. It wasn't even necessary to sew them on, I just loaded them up, closed the flap around the homespun and looped the thread around the button and voila!

The file to print out the dangles is here. Pattern for the felt peppermint star is here.

Have fun kiddies!

Cheers,

Jenny

ps - I almost forgot, my mother-in-law fell Sunday morning and broke her wrist in two places. Her surgery was today, and I'd appreciate any good thoughts you could send her way!

Comments

[Victoria]

What a lovely blog and what a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing!
Best wishes to your mother-in-law for a quick recovery!

[stacy]

Absolutely adorable! I love this project, thanks for sharing!

[carolyn]

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. This is early enough that I might actually get it done in time!
And lots of positive thoughts for your mother-in-law.

[Lina]

Perfect, perfect, perfect! I was looking for somethign adventy that I could put together quickly this year - this totally fits the bill! Thank you!

[hensteeth]

Thank you for sharing Christmas happiness.

[Nancy Cook]

cute advent calendar
oh, and peppermint bark chocolate every day- that would be no problem for me
hopefully i get around to it
best wishes for your mother in law

[M]

How gorgeous..........just love this advent......thanks millions for the instructions....really appreciate it. Prayers and healing thoughts for your Mother in Law

[Doodlebug Gail]

Thanks for the tutorial .... I had bookmarked your original page last year and have good intentions of making them this year. Love your blog - everything is amazing!

[Belém]

Thanks for sharing this amazing project.

[Elizabeth Mackey]

I have been looking for a cute advent idea,and you have solved my problem!! I can't wait to make them. I'm new to your blog. I love red and white together,so much that I have a lot of stuff in my kitchen that is in that color combo. My very favorite red thing in my kitchen is my kitchen aid mixer,that is a deep crimson red. Anyway, I love your blog and look forward in reading more of it.

[tammyCA]

What a cute idea for an advent - thanks for the tutorial/pattern. Hope your MIL recovers quickly!

[Di]

What a beautiful idea! Thanks for sharing the pattern wth us! I love the colours that you chose!

[Lucinda]

I love this project. I wish I had the time to make it!
I'm so sorry to hear about Mina's fall. I hope she is feeling better.

[Janet]

Awesome blog. Thanks a million for sharing this advent calender, incredibly generous of you! I love it and will be racing out tomorrow to get some felt.

[missy j]

I'm SOOO glad to see you posting! I think you have the most beautiful photos and your ideas are wonderful! I was looking for your Christmas photos the other day and couldn't find them...Maybe you could post your beautiful tree or the link to your MOST incredible Holiday decorations!
I know it takes SO much time to post so thanks again!

[cindy]

It's on my to do list! Thanks for sharing. Great project!!

[Bobbie Duran]

Poor thing but I’m glad to hear that your mother-in-law is doing okay. I’m sending my best to her for a speeding recovery.

Covina, CA

P.S. you are sweet to share your pattern with us. Best to you.

[crafty carolinagirl]

Thank you so much for the tutorial! I have been wracking my brain trying to think of what to put on my mantel for Christmas. You have solved my problem!

Happy thoughts for your mother-in-law!

[lucykatecrafts]

what an ingenious idea for an advent calendar!, hope your mother-in-law is ok, x.

[iSew]

Sending some good thoughts to your MIL, hope she has a speedy recover.
Your advent garland is adorable, I might just have to make one for myself, thanks for sharing!

[Carrie]

Cute Advent calendar-I posted one I made on my blog yesterday!

[Denise Adams]

Thank You so much Jenny! I'm super excited to make this. Can't wait! I hope your mother-in-law feels better. Best of Luck to her!
Thanks Again!! --Denise

[Anina]

Thanks for the tutorial! I've been looking for an idea for a more "grown up" advent calendar.
Sending well wishes to your MIL!

[Aina]

WOW!! They look absolutely fantastic!! Love the colour combination..And many thanks for your tutorial and pattern!
Kisses, Aina

[TGB]

Beautiful...I'm forwarding your blog to my mom...she's going to love it.

My Blog
http://christmasclipart.blogspot.com

[Jill A.]

Oh!!! I am SO excited to make this. One question --- where do you get that cute red & white twine??

[Lauren]

awesome advent calender!

and lots of good thoughts for your Mother in law!

[Amy Curran]

I love this. In fact, I think it was this from last year that caused me to frequent your blog. thanks for sharing.

[Celeste]

Thankyou thankyou thankyou! I remember last year thinking what a lovely advent calendar this was but a lot has happened in a year. I've been trying to think of a simple advent calendar tradition to start so thankyou for posting this again. Especially for posting it with plenty of time for me to make it :)

Best wishes for your Mother-in-Law, I hope she has a speedy recovery.

[Mª Engracia]

It is funy!!!!! Thanks!!

[Cheryl]

First off, hope your mother-in-law is doing better. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial and all the eye candy you provide. Your pictures are always so beautiful.
I can't wait to make my own garland :-)!

[Catherine L Owen]

super cute idea - molly chicken was right ... cat xxx

[Terri]

LOVE this idea! Thanks!
Terri

[Victoria]

I love your blog and thanks for the advent pattern. I'm going to give it a go!

[IamSusie]

I'm stitching mine up right now. I hope to put little advent remembrances and prayers in the pockets for the kids, but I might not be that organized. we'll probably do the candy...

[Zee]

Adorable!!

[Patty]

Thank you so much for sharing the pattern! And, I hope your mother-in-law is doing ok after her surgery!

[Jenni]

Oh I am positively SWOONING over the picture of your bedroom in the link! And the garland is absolutely perfect, and so doable, even for the creatively-challenged, such as myself!

Many wishes for a speedy recovery to your mum-in-law.

[M&Co]

what a great idea! Its so lovely I'm gonna make one for my husband this year :-) Best wishes to your mother-in-law. I hope the surgery was successful and that she will recover quickly !

[Joanna]

HI! I hope you don't mind but I put a link for this post and for your main blog site up over at Sew Mama Sew. They're doing Handmade Holidays for the month of November. Today's project is Christmas ornaments. I thought this wonderful Advent calendar fit in just perfectly! Thanks so much for sharing your great ideas. Your blog is always so much fun to read and the design is AWESOME!
And best wishes out to your mother-in-law...Joanna

[Mel_Boyd]

Thanks so much! I do remember it from last year b/c I was in AHH over your bedroom!

*Happy thoughts for your MIL*

[Annie]

Thank you! for the advent idea. You are generous to share your wonderful ideas. My grands are all teenagers, but they all appreciate homemade love. I have made each of them an ornament every year of their lives, but never an advent calender. It'a about time! M&Co's idea to make one for her husband is just too cute. Mine is getting one, too. Maybe my dad, my brother.....I love this!!! Wishing your Mother-in-law a speedy and complete recovery.

[Shari P]

Oh thats so cute.

I will have to make one I was trying to come up w/ some sort of advent idea that will be portable ( we live in San diego but drive up to Seattle for Christmas every year around 12-15 or so )

are the pockets big enough to fit a couple small xmas candies into? just wondering so I don't have kids fighting over who's turn it will be LOL.

[Silvia]

Oh, so lovely!
Thanks!
Kissies :D

[Irene]

This must be the happiest blog I've seen on the web. Joie de Vivre at its best. You certainly take care of your inner child. Congratulations. I love it.

[Alex]

Thanks so much for the pattern. Followed a link from Lynn Roberts blog and so glad I did. This is just gorgeous and I am off out tomorrow to buy some white felt.

Thanks again,
Alex

[Jill]

I just discovered your blog and all I can say is "WOW! I love it!!!" I've already started on the advent garland and can't wait to hang it for my 3 1/2 year old. She is going to LOVE it! I have a question though. It's been a long time since I've done an advent calendar so where do you start opening the envelops at 1 or 25? I didn't know if you count forward or backward. What do you think?
I hope your mother-in-law is feeling better soon. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Jill

[Jade]

Wonderful idea! You got me all motivated to make my own advent calendar. I linked to you from my page.

[teresa]

thankyou for the idea and the scheme! It's really nice!
teresa from Italy

[Hazel]

What an adorable advent calender. My home made one is looking a little tired as I made it when my daughter's were very young, they are now 14 and 16! This is the perfect new one I think :)

Hazel

[Jean Ferguson]

What a simply delightful and, yes, simple gift to create for a woman friend's November 30th B-day -- thanks to your generous sharing of this pattern, the great idea and Fed Ex, she'll have her Advent pockets garland for December 1 . . .

Hope all is well for you and your family

[Becky]

I just came upon your blog and I LOVE it! The advent calendar is soooo cute! I will definetly be checking back for more ideas!
Best wishes to your mother in law!

[Manon]

lovely ideas!! I'll def. be checking in more often.
Good luck with your mother in law!

[PJ]

i just wanted you to see what you have wrought. thanks so much, it was a gas, from beginning to end.

http://pics.livejournal.com/purejuice/gallery/0004wzcf

[PJ]

i'm also exploring how to make this one, which is very, very cute.

http://www.garnethill.com/jump.jsp?itemID=14487&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C5%2C9653%2C9654&iProductID=14487

[Samantha]

Where do you buy the red homespun fabric? I have looked everywhere including Hancock fabrics and JoAnn's. If you could help me out that would be great. I have all of the pockets made and ready and anxious to be hung by the chimney with care!

[Lis]

Loved your advent calender so much that I had a go at one myself,you can see it here on my blog..

http://lifeinsegments.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for the inspiration :)

[Margaret]

What a lovely idea! I hope youa mther-in-law is on the road to recovery and that she will be well enough to enjoy Christmas

[Margaret]

What a lovely idea! I hope youa mther-in-law is on the road to recovery and that she will be well enough to enjoy Christmas

[Sonja-Maria]

Wonderful idea! Thanks so much for the pattern.

[Maureen]

I stumbled across this blog and will definitely bookmark it. This is all fabulous and well worth coming often to visit. I will have to try out some of your ideas.

I love the airy look of your bedroom and it is beautiful.

I hope your Christmas is wonderful.

[Katie W]

Have just made my version of this using alternating red and white pockets. If you want to see a photo there is one up on my blog.
Thanks for sharing the idea.

[Jane Doe]

Hi
I hope your Mom In Law is doing well.
I just want to say, everytime I come into your blog, I LOVE IT!! I find it such an inspiration. THANK YOU

Jane Doe
eyesofyellow@yahoo.com
London, Ontario, Canada

[Meredith]

Oh my goodness, I can't wait to make this for next year, it is adorable and so cheerful!! Your site is a feast for the eyes, I can't wait to checki it all out!Blessings!

[Cindy Royer]

Love all of it. Thanks so much for sharing your time for these fun activities. madi and i are going to try to play a little

[Jeanette]

Thank you so much for this ..I hope you have a blessed season..

[Storm]

Thanks for sharing the instructions and pattern.

Prayers being said for the surgery.

[Anna]

I am a frequent reader of your blog!! Love it!!
http://angel.ya76oo.com