my finished handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

I finished this up last weekend after Thanksgiving, just in time! I may have an addiction to felt needlepoint. New favorite craft for sure. I call this an “heirloom” advent calendar because the materials are high quality and labored over by me with love so I am definitely forcing it on one of my kids when they grow up. :)

I want to give another shout out to my mother-in-law for getting this for me way back in the spring or summer (an early Christmas gift!) so that I actually had time to make it for this year. I love it so much. If you want one, you can find them here. It requires basic needlepoint, embroidery, and sewing skills. Advanced beginner, I’d say.

handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

I wanted to show you the finished project with all the ornaments hung up, but they are actually stored in these cute little pockets like so.

handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

Those numbers were embroidered using a chain stitch, which I had never done before but I love it.

handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

If you are wondering how the ornaments are hung on the tree (I was) it’s with a stick pin. Then when they are being stored, you just tuck the pin inside (see right, below). I like this method because you can hang them anywhere and there is no ugly velcro to be seen.

handmade felt heirloom advent calendar

I have been letting Meredith hang the ornaments (with supervision) and we try to do it in the morning if there is time. I call it the countdown to Christmas.

We also have a really cool advent book called The Story of Christmas. It has a bunch of little mini books that you read each day, but they are also ornaments so you can hang them on a tree (or somewhere else – we’ve been hanging them on a garland). Each little booklet tells part of the story of Christmas. We have been doing this one in the morning if there is time, or evening at dinner.

Finally, I have this advent calendar which was the first thing I ever sewed. My mom is using it for Meredith and she has tucked a small gift into each pocket.

Obviously I love advent calendars. How about you? Do you have one?

Comments

14 responses to “my finished handmade felt heirloom advent calendar”

  1. Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout Avatar

    I love this! Maybe I’ll ask for a kit for my birthday in March, and I’ll have it done in time for next Christmas? (BIG maybe)

  2. Nora Avatar

    This is adorable! Love how it turned out; I am sure one of your kids will want it when they grow up. Those things are so special, especially since you made it =) I can’t sew to save my life… no really, I can’t even sew a button or fix a hem. It’s really embarrassing and pathetic, when I think about it.

    We used to do advent calendars in my family, but haven’t done one the last two years. I’m calling it our holiday transitional period… maybe next year will be more “normal.”

  3. alisa beth Avatar
    alisa beth

    Whoa! This is absolutely awesome. I don’t think you’ll need to force it on one of your kids — I bet they will fight over who gets it! You better make another one! It is truly beautiful.

  4. Chrystina Avatar

    Oh my goodness, I love this. It’s so pretty and the color choices are great!

  5. lisacng @ expandng.com Avatar

    You did a great job! Very cute! LOL on forcing this (passing this) on your kids when they’re older. I’ve never made the plans to make an advent calendar but am doing a countdown with beer for my husband. He enjoys that :)

  6. Sarah Avatar

    We had an advent color my mom (or maybe my grandmother) cross stitched. My mom would write each day’s treat on a piece of paper, roll it up, and tie it to the ring for each day with yarn. The treats were things like read a Christmas book before bed, go get our Christmas tree, watch a Christmas special on TV, etc. One of my goals for 2015 is to make an advent calendar so we have on next year!

  7. Cait Avatar

    That is beautiful! We have an old fabric advent countdown calendar, but my brother and I also get chocolate ones from the store every year.

  8. Holly Avatar

    We do the chocolate Advent calendars because we’re crazy (as if our kids need more chocolate!) – every time I see one of your sewing projects I wish I could sew, or cross stitch, or do needlepoint – or something! Maybe I’ll make learning one of those skills a goal for 2015 :)

  9. shelly Avatar

    Awesome job! It looks great! I love the color scheme and sequins in this kit! That will be really fun to pull out each year!

  10. San Avatar

    This is so cute, Kathleen! You did a great job! ;)

  11. rachieannie Avatar

    Drew got an Advent calender from his Sunday school teacher – one of the classic ones with chocolates. But, Will didn’t get one. So, we conveniently have not been doing it, because 1 piece of chocolate and 2 toddlers? Not so much.

    I did get Ann Voskamp’s Unwrapping The Greatest Gift, but I think it’s a bit old for my kids. But it’s good for Luke and I!

    Anyways, I love your calendar! You did such a great job. And inspired me to add it to my wishlist!

  12. Melissa Avatar

    Beautiful! You did a great job and I love it. Now I want to make one!

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