Advent Calendar, Take Two (and a give-away!)

Remember when I made an advent calendar about, oh, four weeks ago? Not even a week after making it, I saw another that I loved. Not just loved for nostalgic reasons, but loved because I really liked how it looked. But I just made one and so I can't make another. Or could I??? When Chuck's aunt said she'd like me to make her one just like the one I already did, I knew I could give her the already-made one and then I could do a second. And that's what I did. The dowel hasn't been cut, and I'm not sure I like the white ribbon, but I'm pleased with everything else.

For its use, I'd like to incorporate some holiday traditions into the standard decorating of the tree. You know, like what Jordan of "Oh Happy Day" does. So somehow I have to work in how the drum symbolizes seeing a performance at the Visitors' Center. Yes, stretching it will be allowed. Any suggestions on traditional activities you have at Christmas?





During the winter our house gets very cold. (This is due to us being cheap rather than the draftiness of an old house.) Because of this, layers are an integral part of our winter attire. I found some long-sleeved tees at Walmart and knew I couldn't leave them plain. And before you question my judgment about the designs, know that Rhett picked them out on his own. I showed him a LOT of different options and these are the six he chose (with only minimal intervention on my part). I mean, really, a bullhorn? Not my style. But apparently it's Rhett's. (And this morning when I showed them to Rhett, sure enough his favorite was the bullhorn. Although he said he'd wear the rain cloud one since it's raining.)

The Give-Away: The first person who is not my sister that requests the negatives from these freezer paper stencils will receive them in the mail pronto. (And sorry Jess, you'll probably have to be exempt from this contest as well. I only mail prizes within this hemisphere.)



On Black Friday the only shopping I did was at Joann's. They had flannel on sale for $1.29 a yard; I hadn't the strength to not buy some. Now what to do with it?!? I wish baby blankets weren't such popular gifts when babies are born because otherwise the decision would be easy. And how cute is the flannel (the four fabrics on the left)? And that corduroy (the two in the upper right)? They're dying to be made into skirts like the one my cousin made. But what to do with the Christmas fabric? I mean, I only have four weeks and next week I'm out of town (work trip). Tell me now! Ooooh, maybe I found it. These are cute, right?