Happy Cyber Monday, Everyone! If you are like me you took a few days off for the Thanksgiving Holiday. So, now with Thanksgiving behind me, and 26 days left until Christmas, I can concentrate on the next big day! Guess what I’m making? An Advent Calendar!
I love the Pottery Barn version of the Advent Calendar, but at nearly a $200 price tag, it’s a bit much. So, I dug through our stash of wood outside and found some scraps. Since my husband frowns upon me using his power tools, I’m resorting to the old fashioned hand saw. I looked up the dimensions of the Pottery Barn Advent Calendar and I’m using those as my guide. But since my wood is wider, I’ll adjust accordingly. Plus, instead of hooks I’m using clothespins. This way I can clip ornaments, notes or goodies making it more versatile. Here are my supplies:
I am challenging myself to make this entire project without spending a penny. Trust me, that is a challenge since I love to shop! So, far, the wood is free as are the clothespins. (I don’t know why I have them since I don’t hang our laundry outside. I must have bought them as a craft project when the boys were little.)
First I cut the wood for the tree. For the trunk of the tree I cut the longest piece which was 40″. Using the hand saw I cut the first piece. Which took forever! So, I marked the rest of the pieces and cut them in the garage with the jig saw. MUCH easier and faster! Each of the limbs were cut to size. I have 5 limbs all together. Then I glued each limb to the trunk using E6000 glue and clamping them while they dry.
As the tree is drying I made the star, also using clothespins. I disassembled 8 clothespins by removing the metal clip. I glued two pieces back to back using E6000 glue and clamped them to dry.
You can see how the pieces fit back to back with the pointed ends tougher. Once dry I used hot glue to glue them together:
Then I added the other four to form a snowflake/star. I will paint the star and add a button in the center for extra stability and sparkle.
Here is how it looks so far. Check back later when I attach the clothespins, add some paint and finish up the Advent Calendar. We’ll be surprised together! Thanks for stopping by!
