"A" is for...

ADVENT CALENDAR

When I was little, I was always so excited by the cardboard and chocolate advent calendars that marked the beginning of December. A chocolate with breakfast? Should I save it until after school? The surprise of what shape was hiding under each flap continued to amuse me well into my teen years (though I was far too cool to admit it, I'm sure).

Since Maya is unable to indulge in chocolate, I have been wanting for a couple of years now to make an advent calendar that will (hopefully) become a family heirloom. Sadly, I always think of it around the last week of December. This is what we fashioned last year (not my own idea...I believe it came from Craftzine's fabulous website)

While the idea of chewing a piece of gum each and every day in December definitely appealed to the girls, I longed for something a bit more traditional.

Our local quilt shop has a birthday sale every year where you are offered a one time discount equivalent to half your age the week before & after your birthday. Let's just say that my discount is getting significant enough that I couldn't resist! Along with some great spring fabric for a quilt for myself, I picked up a panel for an advent calendar. With the flu nipping at our heels, we stayed in on Sunday and I managed to get all the little pockets sewn on in one go!!

This still leaves the sashing and quilting to do, but I'll get to that - hopefully before November 30th! Jordan is already planning the goodies we can put in there...