11 Advent Calendars that can be Made Up in A Night

Ok, I am a bit late to the party so I need a quick, easy advent calendar that I can make up in an evening. The girls are still really young so we need something simple, not too flashy, or they will just want to do it all in one day.

On my quest to start our own family traditions and find some ideas for simple advent calendars, I put together a quick list with some of the ones I found.

Now, keep in mind that a few of these could look pretty involved BUT if you tweak them a little, and put your own spin on them you could get fun and simple all in one. That is the best part of doing a project yourself, making it your own!

Kraft Paper

Sewn Treat Bags by PeppermintPlum

Another Kraft Paper calendar by CanadianLiving

How many toilet paper rolls do you have on hand?

{You could also use cardstock to roll up and make some tubes}

by TheCountryChicCottage

by Maikonagao

Pick and Choose by MessForLess

Printables

I love the simplicity with the presentation of this one by MaileBelles

You could make it even easier by placing hand written cards in the envelopes

Picklebums

AddAPinch

Christmas Story Printable by RedBird-Blue

Wall Chart by ThePaintedHive

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I haven't ever seen anyone else use acetone to transfer an image before but I can tell you it really does work
Here is the process.
Here is my project.
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Vintage Advent Calendar by EllaClaireInspired

This one would be really cute even without the embellishments

I hope you found something to inspire you. Remember, it doesn't have to be elaborate to be fun. Just make it your own!

Fabric Scrap Twine

Who needs something to do with some of their fabric scraps?

Try making some fabric twine with it!!

There is a project I wanted to do for the girls room.

: : : : : : : : : MATERIALS/SUPPLIES : : : : : : : : :
Scrap Fabric

: : : : : : : : : TOOLS : : : : : : : : :
Cutting Mat

Ruler

Rotary Cutter

: : : : : : : : : INSTRUCTIONS : : : : : : : : :
I am sure there doesn't really need to be instructions here but I'll list a simple step by step so I can share a tip or two.

Cut your fabric scraps into 1" {inch} strips.

TIP: If the fabric I was using was super thin I cut wider strips. If the fabric was thick I cut thinner strips.

Take two strips, line the ends up and connect by tying the ends in a knot. 

TIP: When twisting the twine together it is easier if you can anchor the end of the fabric straps. This way it will hold steady as you twist the fabric strips. I used a clip and my pant leg when first starting until it was long enough to start wrapping around the spool.

Take each strip and twist in the same direction {I twist right} then take the strips and twist them, one over the other, in the other direction {left}.

TIP: I found it easier if I 'twisted' shorter sections together instead of trying to do longer sections.

When one of the fabric scraps reaches the end, simply overlap with the next piece of fabric, twist to hold together then continue winding the twine.

TIP: It works best if the fabric scraps are different lengths so they do not end and need to have new pieces added at the same time.

I did two sets of twine for different projects I have in mind. This was a really easy project and the end product is great. This fabric scrap twine can be used in so many ways like packaging gifts and using for art/craft projects.

This is a great activity to do after a long day, the kids are finally in bed and you just need a little something to do while you sit and binge watch your favorite series on Netflix. Seriously, it will take some time so be prepared.

23 Variations on Traditional Thanksgiving Dishes

Some of my favorite things for Thanksgiving dinner are the stuffing/dressing, cornbread, party potatoes, eggs, bread rolls and dessert. So I thought I would put together a list of variations on these great family tradition dishes. These all look so yummy, maybe you can find a new one to add to your Thanksgiving meal.

Dressing/Stuffing

 From SixSisterStuff this stuffing looks fantastic

 Find this Bountiful Harvest Sausage & Cranberry Dressing at ItsYummi

 A fun take for this traditional dish from ASpicyPerspective

ThePioneerWoman has a great traditional dressing

Cornbread and Pudding

 Corn Casserole from Seededatthetable

Grandmothers Buttermilk Cornbread on AllRecipes

 This Corn Pudding from CupcakesandKaleChips looks wonderful.

Oh my goodness....all of these Potatoes look Amazing!!

 IowaGirlEats has wonderful looking Crunchy Party Potatoes Deluxe

 A Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole from TableForTwoBlog

Mashed Potatoes and bacon from LilLuna.....Yum!

 Steph at TheCulinaryLife shares a Garlic Mashed Potato Recipe

Wonderfully buttery Mashed Potatoes from AFamilyFeast

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel from CiaoChowBambina

Deviled Eggs

 A yummy traditional Deviled Egg from Recipe-Diaries

RealHouseMoms has a great take on Deviled Eggs

Rolls and Butter

 Garlic, Herb and Cheese Bread Rolls from HandleTheHeat

These Honey Butter Pumpkin Dinner Rolls are from AverieCooks 

TheFoodCharlatan shares a wonderful Cinnamon Honey Butter

Dessert

Apple Pie from SweetLittleBlueBird

This Pumpkin Layered Dessert from FoodFunFamily

Pumpkin Twists from Deliciously Sprinkled

From the CanadianFamily a Pumpkin Praline Trifle

This Apple Snickers Trifle from DessertedPlanet

Do you have a favorite family dish that is a must have? This year maybe try to add something new, I would love to take a bit of every one of these dishes.

It looks like we will be staying home this year, my Aunt called and mentioned that some of the kids have been sick {terrible sick, I feel bad for them}, so we are hoping to find some time during winter break to go up and see them. This list is going to come in handy. Now I can choose a few and go pick up the ingredients we need and still pull off a good meal.

Fan Pumpkin Garland

Here is a simple and cute garland that can be made in 30 minutes.

My daughters thought they looked great hanging across our walkway arch and I am excited to share them with you.

This is one craft that you can do with the kids, it will probably be easiest if you do the prep work first, then have the kiddos join you.

MATERIALS/SUPPLIES
Construction Paper {cardstock or patterned paper}
Pipe Cleaners {orange and green}

NOTE: I did green paper and pipe cleaners so I could try them both out and see which one I liked better for the stem.

TOOLS
Wire snips
Tiny hole punch {I used a Provo Craft Silent Setter that has 3 sizes of punches}
Paper cutter

INSTRUCTIONS
Cut the paper into strips. I did 6"x1/2" and 8"x3/4".

Roll the green paper around a pen or pencil. Find a way to secure it. This will add a spiral to the stem.

Cut the pipe cleaners. I cut a few different lengths so I could test them out and see which one I liked.

Punch a hole at either end of the orange strips and one end of the green srips.

TIP: To do larger pumpkins I would suggest using a thicker paper, like cardstock. The paper strips started to get saggy the longer the pumpkin was hanging on the garland.

TIP: If you have little kids who want to help, I would suggest getting all the prep and cutting done first, then have them join you. wink, wink.

Grab eight {8} small orange strips or 12 larger orange strips, line up the ends and feed either end of the pipe cleaner through the holes on either ends of the paper strips.

Put a little roll and fold in the bottom of the pipe cleaner {it will keep the paper strips from coming off}. Add the green spiral piece of paper of paper to the top then roll and fold the top of the pipe cleaner.

Now fan out the paper strips to create a full circle.

To hang them on the twine garland take the top of pipe cleaner that has been folded over and hook it onto the twine.

TaDa!!!! Done and Done.

Hang them as garland or us them on a shelf as a display.

Share your fan pumpkin with me on Instagram. Be sure to tag me in your post and add #FanPumpkin

I tried doing a pumpkin with double the amount of strips and I did not like it as much for this project. You can use the picture above to see what they looked like.