Advent calendars are
always fun to create during this holiday season. Last year Katie
from California created this beautiful advent calendar using a cookie sheet. Our blog readers loved it. In fact, I still get emails about it. I thought it would be a great project to post since the holiday season is right around the corner. I hope you enjoy it again.
Supplies Needed
- White spray
primer and spray paint
- 25 magnets
(preferably silver and not black because black tends to leave scuff marks)
- Cookie sheet
(non-Teflon)
- Assorted
pieces (for daily magnet)
- Paper Trimmer
and scissors
- Wet adhesive
(i.e. Fabri-tac)
- Black pen,
white pen, pencil
- Paper Piercer
- Sanding block
- White paint
and small paintbrush
- Instant setter
- Wire cutter
Helpful Hints
Buying the
cookie sheet: You just need an inexpensive cookie
sheet. The dollar store has a great selection. You DON'T want a Teflon one
because the magnets wont stick.
Painting the
coolie sheet: You need to use spray primer and
paint. I used a primer called American Accents - Oil based primer (made by
Rust-Oleum) and then followed it up with American Accents Blossom White spray
paint in a smooth satin finish.
**Note: It is
important to spray the middle of the coolie sheet even though it will be
covered with paper. It only needs the primer and it doesn't have to be a
perfect coat. Your paper will stick to the metal better with the primer
coat.
Preparing the
cookie sheet: Sand the edges of the cookie sheet
lightly to give a distressed look. Brush off any paint dust from sanding.
Preparing the
background (2 sheets of paper):Use
a corner rounder to round the top two corners of one piece of paper and the
bottom two corners of the other piece of paper.
- Use a get glue
(i.e. Fabri-tac), glue down the vintage snowflake papers, being sure to
adhere as close to the edge of the cookie sheet as possible. Rub the paper
down so that the glue underneath disperses evenly.
- Glue down the paper making sure the paper is
centered (so the space above and below are even).
- Create a
calendar template. Leave a
little border all the way around instead of cutting it right to the black
line. You can download Katie's calendar template here.
- Center the
calendar paper in the middle of the red paper and adhere down. Glue two
strips of white ric-rac on the border of the red and green paper.
- Arrange letter
for the title. Distress edges for a vintage look.
Attach a wire
hanger: Use your Instant Setter to punch two holes evenly apart on
the outer edges of the cookie sheet. Thread a wire through, wrapping the ends
up and around, trim any excess with wire cutters.