Bella Blvd Studio Blog: Santa Squad Advent Calendar

Hi there Bella Blvd Fans! While we aren't quite into the actual Christmas season yet, us crafters are in prep mode! I'm always doing lots of little crafty projects in November to get ready to use in December! Christine joining you today with an Advent Calendar that showcases the Santa Squad collection!

I've always wanted to have an Advent Calendar that we could use from year to year and this year, I decided it was time to make one! I used a variety of products from the Santa Squad collection including the 6 X 6 paper pad, lots of ephemera, Stickers, and epoxy pieces. I also used a pre-made base from a big box store to make the whole process go a little more quickly!

As I debated what papers to use for each box, I settled on going with a monochromatic look. By doing that I was able to go a little crazier with my embellishing because my backgrounds weren't quite as busy!

The black Florence Alphabet provided the perfect amount of contrast with the rest of the decorations. I love how adorably the pieces all work together, could that reindeer be any cuter?

I decided that our family will use this as an Advent Activity Calendar. So each day the kids will open up the drawer to a new activity that we will do that day. Here's the list of what I am going to include:

Try Fruitcake
Buy a gift for a sibling
Make and mail 3 Christmas Cards
Bake Christmas Cookies
Find an ornament to make and do the craft
Go shopping for a family at the local domestic violence center
Learn the history behind your favorite Christmas Carol
Checkout Christmas Books at the library and read them
Make hot cocoa
Visit an elderly friend
Learn the story of the candy cane
Make a tray of Christmas treats to take to neighbors
Read the Christmas Story in the Bible
Watch Elf
Try Eggnog
Go look at Christmas Lights
Make Gingerbread men
Write Letters to Santa
Decorate your bedroom door for Christmas
Make Paper Snowflakes
Watch Charlie Brown Christmas
Go on a Christmas Scavenger Hunt
String Popcorn Garland
Taste Test Peppermint Ice Creams
Listen to Christmas Music all day long

While I am not necessarily going to do them in that order, I wanted to compile a list so I could just print them off and be ready!

My process videos usually talk you through how I made the project but today's is a longer video. I didn't want to ramble while I make each drawer - but I did want you to see how it came together - so there's some talking and some music also!