Advent Stockings

I've been looking for the right Advent Calendar for our family for several years...the wood ones with boxes were adorable and colorful, but the small compartments were too limiting.  There are many wonderfully creative projects out there (like using small metal buckets, chinese take-out cartons, decorated paper bags, etc.), but none of them clicked for me.  Then I saw this idea in the Ballard's catalog and thought, "A-ha!  I can do this!!!"  (And my version costs a lot less than the $99.00 price tag on theirs.  Fleece on clearance, thread, glue, paper, clothespins and twine.)  

Wanting a non-traditional color scheme, 

I used blue, brown, green and pink fleece (that I had on hand) 

and added the cream fleece for a 5th color.

Michaels had a mini stocking with curled toes that I used as a template,

simply tracing around it onto the fleece and cutting out 5 of each color.

 The fleece was so fluffy that it kept snagging on my sewing machine.

After numerous extremely frustrating attempts, 

I abandoned the machine and decided to hand stitch them.

The blanket stitch and whip stitch were attractive options but too time-consuming.

In the end, I decided that a simple straight one worked best 

for the playful look of the stockings.

 Next, I cut out 2 inch strips of the fleece for the stocking cuffs.

Some were left straight with a rolled cuff, 

while others were given a rounded edge.

The cuffs were wrapped around the top of each stocking and hot glued in place.

My intention is to add permanent felt numbers to the stockings (when I find the right ones),

but for now I made paper numbers printed onto a background I created myself.

Instead of hanging the stockings on fabric like the inspirational Ballard piece,

I am going to make a garland out of twine, clipping the stockings on with clothespin.

That gives me more flexibility on where I can display this advent calendar.

The size of the stockings also allows for more variety with the items I place in them.

Scrolls with Scripture printed on them.

Treats mixed in with messages of love for each child.

Fun activities to do as a family and with others.

Even pieces of the Little People nativity spread out across the days,

so that by Christmas Eve the scene is complete.

 My hope is that this becomes a family heirloom and tradition 

that helps create years of wonderful memories!


I'm participating in these Blog Parties - go check them out!!!

Get Your Craft on at Today's Creative Blog