Christmas DIY: Activity Advent Calendar

This time of the year is definitely my favorite... and the year long wait it takes to get here is so worth it! Starting in November I plan and gather ideas for December. From daily bible verses and 25-Books-in-December [stay tuned!], to a handmade Activity Advent Calendar like this one.

I chose daily "Activities" rather than a candy or gift calendar. It's much more suited for our fun and active family. Brainstorm ideas that your family likes to do during the season. But don't ever set anything in stone, so it's easy to make changes to scheduling when need be. See how I incorporated my ideas into my Filofax 2013 Holiday Planner. This is the second year doing our Activity Advent Calendar, and it's so much fun! I included a lot of stuff from last year.. and added some new things too!

>> MAKE YOUR CALENDAR <<

I cannot give you a step-by-step of this project, since I made it last year before I started blogging. I do have a few photos that I captured on IG which I'll share with you. They aren't the best quality but they give you a good idea of how this project came together. I'm also including lots of updated images from this year's calendar.

GATHER SUPPLIES

This calendar was made using scraps and leftover bits and pieces from my 2012 Studio Calico December Daily Kit. Along with pretty holiday paper, I also used designs from my year-round collections. I repurposed two sheets of thick 12" x 12" chipboard, pieces of packaging that I saved from paper stacks I bought at Tuesday Morning. They're extremely sturdy and make the perfect "backing" for my calendar. I spritzed them with some of my pink glimmer mist to give it a subtle pop of color.

Using a homemade template with some pretty patterned paper, I created pockets that will hold tags and cards with our daily activities and scriptures. For each pocket, I added a pink number printable [download the set here] which I cut up and modified for this project.

PUT IT TOGETHER

I used some wide pink ribbon to connect the two boards together, punched holes at the top and bottom to attach a ribbon for hanging and a 6" x 4" pocket for Day 25. Each 12" x 12" board holds twelve 3" x 4" pockets perfectly.

HANG IT!

It looks beautiful hanging on the wall with a set of handmade t-shirt pompoms and a big pink bow using the same ribbon from the project.

FILL IT UP

I wrote 25 different activities onto a set of Outnumbered Journaling Cards. They're the perfect size for my pockets. Here is a list of some of the things we're doing this year:

...Read a book, write a letter to grandma, dance to Christmas music, take a photo with Santa, play a game, go on a nature walk, photograph the outdoors, drink hot cocoa together, create something: arts & crafts, buy a present for a loved one, watch holiday movies, build a gingerbread house, do something with Daddy [his choice], make pretty things, write to Santa, bake cookies with Mommy, look at Christmas lights, do something nice [a random act of kindness]....

I attached easy-access washi tape tabs and gold twine to the tags so my little one doesn't have trouble pulling them out. I figure this way, the pockets will last longer so we can enjoy our calendar for many years to come...

Any other ideas? Choose your family's traditions. Things you love to do during this special time of the year. Be creative and have fun with it!

We also read a bible verse together each day in December. I found a list here. When I came across these journaling spots, I knew they would be perfect for this part of the project. The "Story From December" being a bible verse is very fitting. It's nice to remember the true meaning for the season.

ENJOY!

That's all for today! I hope you enjoyed my crafty Christmas post and leave here feeling inspired to create something beautiful this holiday season! I have other fun projects to share with you this month like a customized Christmas Card Holder, and another daily tradition we call 25-Books-in-December. I'm also documenting the month with a December Daily album, so check back often to read about our holiday adventures!

You can find more free DD inspired printables and ideas on my "December Daily" pinboard on Pinterest. I have lots of freebies and inspiration on my "SMASH & PL" and "Printables/Templates" boards too! See how I stay organized through the "Holidaze" with my Filofax planners.

Stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Do we share this Christmas tradition? What's your favorite thing about advent calendars? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Printables: December

Happy Holidays! It's about that time again.... for my monthly printables post! Last month was just a bit crazy and I didn't get the chance to write my November post, so I decided to combine it with December. In case you missed October's batch, you can find it here.

I first discovered free printables a year and a half ago when I was looking for fun stuff to add to my SMASH* book spreads. Over time I've incorporated them into all of my books because they are incredibly versatile! You will also see them in my Project Life album, handmade Daybooks, and even my Filofax planners.

Early 2013, I decided to share the knowledge I've learned from my printables adventures. So if you've never tried at-home printing or it's something you're curious about, I strongly urge you to read this post. You'll find lots of helpful hints and tips to get you started, including ways to save time and money doing it...

Every month I scour the internet for new free printables to add to my collection. November I was in search of Autumn and Thanksgiving themed journal and filler cards. This month I was looking for Christmas themed items for my December Daily album. Since I only do my printing once a month to save money, I also try to look for things that can be used in all of my books!

Now onto the good stuff....

THANKFUL

Top Left ----> Thanksgiving Cards & Elements from Simple as That

Top Right ----> Blessings Cards & Elements by Kristine Davidson

Bottom Left ----> Fall Colors & Autumn Journal Cards from Wee Share

Bottom Right ----> Thanksgiving Library Cards from Little Birdie Secrets

My printer was running low on colored ink when I printed out this batch of Autumn cards, so the colors on them are more pink than orange and brown as they should be. [I actually don't mind it one bit because pink is my favorite my color!] The elements from Simple as That got printed on Kraft cardstock for a totally different look. There are also a lot more Fall files from Wee Share that I didn't download and print. So be sure to browse the blog for more fun stuff!

HELLO DECEMBER

2013 December Daily Calendar from Stitch in Time

Christmas Subway Art by Eighteen25

Both the 6" x 8" Dec. calendar and subway art print are going into my December Daily album. They'll fit right into the full page pockets. The subway art print comes in a variety of colors, so choose one that will fit with your theme. You can also print it full size and add it to a frame for wall decor!

MERRY CARDS

Holiday Recipe Card from Reasons To Skip The Housework

Merry & Bright Cards by 36th Avenue

The reason I printed these is because I'm adding a recipe card to my December Daily album. Of course, you can also use it for Christmas recipes and stick it right into your recipe box. The Merry & Bright cards come in a set of 4, as well as an 8" x 10" print that you can frame. I'm using these cards as holiday decoration in my Filofax, and I also cut one down to 3" x 4" size for a filler card in my December Daily. You can even use them with your other holiday supplies to make pretty handmade Christmas cards!

JOURNAL CARDS

Top Left ----> Christmas Twist by Miss Tiina

Top Right ----> A Very Vintage Christmas from DDE

Bottom Left ----> Merry & Bright by Traci Bautista

Bottom Center ----> To-Go Cup from Scrapbook Printables

Bottom Right ----> It's Christmas & The North Pole by Suzy Q Scraps

I'm always on the lookout for fun journal cards to add to my collection, and these are perfect to use in this year's December Daily album! My favorite from this batch are the Christmas Twist cards by Miss Tiina. She's one of my favorite designers of free printables! Be sure to browse Scrapbook Printables blog too, because this month there are lots more goodies to print and download! I think this year the To-Go Cup cards have a new design...

FILLER CARDS

Holiday Cards by Becky Higgins

The Newborn King by My Fabuless Life

December Calendar Card by My Renvironment

Merry Everything by Secrets of a Modern Mama

Scrooge Quote from A Pop of Pretty

Grinch Quote via Pinterest

YUM by Trisha Grace

I love typography and like to use them as filler cards! They're perfect for filling up those extra pockets in Project Life or December Daily. A few of these, like the cards by Becky Higgins, the Dec. calendar card, and the YUM card were made for Project Life, and sized 3" x 4". The others were originally larger art prints that I resized to fit in the pockets of my December Daily album. 

With the Becky Higgins cards, I'm only showing the ones I printed to use in my album, but there are more designs that come in the set. The December calendar card comes in 4 colors, so choose one that works with your theme. And the Merry Everything card also has more designs, pick your favorite!

ELEMENTS

FA LA LA LA Set by My Digital Art Studio [on Facebook]

Merry Christmas Set by Heidi Swapp

Red Labels by iHanna

December Daily Numbers by Odrai

Every month when I search for free printables I try to include a batch of cool elements. Since I print once a month, I need my stuff to go the extra mile. These are definitely the most versatile pieces! I love using elements like this in my Filofax, and as embellishments on the cards and pages of my Project Life album and SMASH* books. I was extremely happy to find a set of numbers to use in my December Daily album, but my favorite are the fun tags by Heidi Swapp! Aren't they lovely?

[See how I use this fun stuff in my December Daily albums.]

I hope you enjoyed this month's printables post and found some new goodies along the way :) Be sure to check back next month for January's finds! If you're looking for more free printables, browse my "SMASH* & PL" and "Printables/Templates" pinboards on Pinterest. I also have lots more awesome stuff for December that I've printed since planning this post, so check out my "December Daily" pinboard to find them! There are even more free planner printables on my "Filofax Addict" pinboard! Have fun "pinning" away!

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Do you like printables? How do you use them? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!

2012 December Daily: Week 4

Happy Wednesday! Hope you're enjoying the start of a wonderful holiday season :) Today I'm sharing the last week from my 2012 December Daily album. In case you missed it, here is Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3. Now onto Days 19 -25...

DAY 19

2012 DD: Day 19 | Journal Card

2012 DD: Day 19 | Gingerbread House [Chipboard Page]

DAY 20

2012 DD: Day 20 | First Snow [Chipboard Page]

2012 DD: Day 20 | Journal Card

DAY 21

2012 DD: Day 21 | Journal Card

2012 DD: Day 21 | Add-On Page -- Handmade String-Tie Envelope

Here I created a handmade string-tie envelope from Kraft cardstock to hold pieces of ephemera our family collected this holiday season.

2012 DD: Day 21 | Pretty Presents

DAY 22

2012 DD: Day 22 | Cookies

2012 DD: Day 22 | Journal Card [with Photo]

DAY 23

2012 DD: Day 23 | Journal Card [with Photo]

2012 DD: Day 23 | Special Delivery [Chipboard Page]

DAY 24

2012 DD: Day 24 | Christmas Eve [Chipboard Page]

2012 DD: Day 24 | Journal Card

DAY 25

2012 DD: Day 25 | Journal Card

2012 DD: Day 25 | Gifts

2012 December Daily | My Completed Album

That's all I have for you today! I hope you enjoyed my 2012 December Daily album :) Make sure you check back next week because I'll be sharing Week 1 from my 2013 DD album! In the meantime, you can see how the cover of this year's album came together here. If you're looking for the fun free printables I used in today's post or more DD inspiration, browse my "December Daily" pinboard on Pinterest. 

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

How are you documenting this holiday season? Doing a December Daily album, like me? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!

Project Life: Week 48

Hello! It's Project Life Tuesday, which means I'll be sharing my most recent completed layout with you today :) I'm extremely happy that I'm up-to-date in my 2013 album... and this will be my last week working in it! Since I'm doing a PL-style December Daily this year, I decided not to make it difficult for myself by doing separate Project Life layouts too. At the end of the year, I may end up doing a spread with some of my favorite photos from December, along with pics that didn't make it into my December Daily. It'll be a great way to close out my 2013 album...

WEEK 48

Life Documented

November 24 - November 30

Week 48: Single Page Layout

Apart from a special visit from my kid sister and Thanksgiving, it was a pretty mellow week. Over the course of a few days, I managed to capture some great photos to fill up this single page layout. An orange and blue theme was used this week in honor of the Autumn season. I had fun with pretty patterned paper and kept the embellishments nice and simple.

Here I'm using the same Hobby Lobby pocket page that I did for Week 47. I filled it with handmade cards, some free printables, and a mix of instagram photos. For the title card, I used a 6x4 Autumn themed printable journal card and added some Kraft colored alphabet stickers by Firefly.

Week 48: "A Visit from Aunty"

I made this card using paper from Amy Tangerine's Ready Set Go line. It holds a couple of instapics, a strip of orange paper tape to which I wrote the title, and some AC Remarks alphabet stickers. I used Amy T's rotary phrase stamp to mark the date.

Week 48: 3x4 Pockets | Set 1

For the first set of 3x4 pockets, I have a weather snippet that I captured using my Samsung Galaxy S3 and an Android app called Fling Weather. Next is a calendar card from my collection of printables. The set of cards printed out pretty small, so I cut a piece of  paper from my scraps and mounted the calendar card to it. I used an Ali Edwards circle stamp to mark the days.

Week 48: 3x4 Pockets | Set 2

This next set of 3x4 cards consists of a handmade card using more paper from my scraps. I added a wallet-size instagram photo, a Cosmo Cricket label sticker, and a Dymo label. Following that card is a Thanksgiving themed printable from my stash.

Week 48: "Aunty & Me"

Here is another handmade card using paper from Amy Tangerine's Ready Set Go line. I added a 4x4 instagram photo, Studio 112 alphabet stickers, a heart cut on my Cameo, and the date using a roller stamp.

Week 48: "Thanksgiving"

This is another handmade card using more paper from Amy T's Ready Set Go collection. It holds a 4x4 instapic, a Thanksgiving banner from my stash of printables, K&Company alphabet stickers, and a date stamp from We R Memory Keepers.

That's all I have for you today! If you would like to see my complete 2013 Project Life album, you can find it here. I'll be linking up with The Mom Creative, so stop by for more PL inspiration! If you're looking for the fun, free printables I used in this week's layout, browse my "SMASH* & PL" or "Printables/Templates" pinboards on Pinterest. You'll find hundreds of links to more freebies, DIY's, tips, ideas, and inspiration for everything Project Life!

Be sure to check back this time next week, because for the rest of the year I'll be sharing my completed weekly layouts from my 2013 December Daily album! See you then!

Stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you documenting 2013 with Project Life? Doing both PL and December Daily to the end the year? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!

Filofax: Week 48

Happy Monday! It's time for my end of the week Filofax post! As you can see, I use both an A5 and Personal planner to stay organized. Feel free to take a peek inside my A5 Original & Personal Domino. And in case you missed last week's post, you can find it here.

Filofax: Week 48 in My A5 Original & Personal Domino

For now, I'll just give you a quick rundown of what I use my A5 and Personal Filofax for. Both follow the same color-coding system. My [Personal] Domino holds all of my personal notes, family details, appointments/events, paydays & bills, contacts, as well as notes specific to my A5. For my blog and Project Life planning, crafts, online order tracking, and Household stuff [such as chore lists, menu planning, and important financial details], I use my A5. Since my personal FF is my everyday planner, I duplicate some entries from my A5 into it because I like knowing exactly what I have going on in that part of my life.

Filofax: Week 48 in My Personal Domino

This last week of November in my everyday planner was pretty busy towards the end. Apart from my usual daily routines and important to-dos, there was also extra planning for Thanksgiving dinner, along with getting ready for December! For decorations, I used a lovely set of Martha Stewart washi tape perfect for Autumn. I also used a Martha Stewart dewdrop for a reminder [which I move from week to week], and an up&up (Target) magnetic clip to hold my pages together. A Paper Addict dashboard sits right between my week to hold important sticky notes.

The WO2P inserts I'm using were created by my friend Cathy V. of Paper Addict. You can download them here. I've been using them since July and really enjoy how spacious they are, especially on those busy weekends!

Filofax: Week 48 in My A5 Original

It was insanely busy in my A5 trying to get everything ready for December! Incredibly busy that I didn't even get the chance to get to everything on my agenda. So I used a few transparent sticky flags to mark some changes in my schedule. Thankfully things have slowed down a bit this week, so I'll be able to take care of those now. 

The WO1P inserts I'm using is No. 2105-2013 by Paige Paigen. It took me a while to get used to having my week on a single page. The biggest problem I thought I would have with them is not enough space. But as you can see, even on my busiest weeks that doesn't appear to be a problem. I have more than enough room for all of the details. 

As for decorations, I used the same Martha Stewart washi tape set that I used in my Personal planner. Another Paper Addict dashboard [which I customized] sits right between my weeks. I also use an up&up magnetic clip in this planner to hold my pages together.

Filofax: Last Month's November Calendars

Filofax: A Sneak Peek at My December Calendars

Filofax: A Sneak Peek at My Current Week

That's all I have for you today! You can view all of my previous layouts here. If you haven't already, check out my A5 Original & Personal Domino. If you're looking for more planner inspiration, browse my "Filofax Addict" pinboard on Pinterest.

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you obsessed with using planners to organize your life? Are you a fellow Filofax addict? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!