My Christmas Advent Calendar - part 1

First of all...

Let me start by saying that dial-up SUCKS!!!

Now, I realize that it is absurd to point out the

obvious, but really! It took me

TWO DAYS

to upload these pictures!

Shew!

So, I hope you enjoy!

Let me explain to you what the purpose of these blocks are

(in case you didn't know).

When I went to Cali to visit Kristen, one of the many

activities she had planned for us was to make these

really great advent calendars.

The tree (which I will photograph after I've attached the pockets)

is about 50" tall and about 30" wide.

Each pocket (this is what the blocks will be once attached)

is 3" x 4".

This will be really cool to put little presents and treats

for each day of Christmas for the kids this year!

I'm very excited!

The idea for these came from Pottery Barn for Kids.

Some of the pockets are my version of their pockets and

some I came up with all myself.

(Just so you know... I will label each one accordingly.)

Holly Leaves - my design

Reindeer - clip art design from computer mixed w/my design

Ice Skate - a combo of traced cookie cutter w/ added blade and Pottery Barn

Penquin - Pottery Barn

Mittens - Pottery Barn

Presents - my design

Star - my design

Night window - mixture of Pottery Barn and my design

Stocking - Kristen's husband, Craig, drew this!

Circles - Pottery Barn

Present - Pottery Barn (change in ribbon)

Christmas light - my design

Gingerbread Man - Kristen's husband, Craig, drew this one too!

Christmas Tree - mixture of Pottery Barn and my design

Present - Pottery Barn w/change of ribbon

Candle - my design

Wreath - my design (fortune fell on me when I found I owned this ribbon!)

Present - Pottery Barn w/change of ribbon

Candy Cane - my design

Snowman - Pottery Barn with change of scarf

Circles - Pottery Barn

Wreath - my design (very simple, I know, but still pretty)

Smoking Chimney - My Design!!! (I'm very proud of this one!)

Poinsettia (or however you spell that!) - my design

Baby Jesus - My design

For the 25th day, Pottery Barn had a picture of Santa,

but I decided that I would rather have Jesus, so I made this one!

Just in case you were wondering, the fleck on the back of each

block is glitter (those of you who really know me know that this is essential!)

And each block is backed with stiff felt while the rest uses mostly

regular felt.

This was very time consuming,

but VERY FUN to do!

Thank you Kristen for coming up with the great idea!