I came up with this idea after browsing holiday ideas on Pintrest. I found a Christmas advent calendar that was made from scrapbook paper, and had activities instead of candy and presents-- and I thought, Wouldn't it be awesome if someone made a Halloween version of this?
Well folks, I am that someone.
Here's what you'll need:
- 3 pieces of poster board (in the color of your choice)
- Various sheets of Scrapbooking paper (enough to make 30
pockets and decorate them)
- 8 sheets of 8.5 x 11" cardstock
- 2 rolls of 3/8" Halloween Ribbion
- 1 roll of 2 1/2" Halloween Ribbon
- Scrapbooker's Glue
- Hot glue gun with glue sticks
- Glow-in-the-dark thread
- A sewing machine
- Scissors
- A ruler
- Sharpies in your favorite Halloween colors
The first year I made this, I made my calendar on some poster board. To get yours to look like mine, you will need
to square up the poster board to be 22" x 22". I used a rotary
cutter and my 28" quilting ruler to do this. You will need 2 pieces
that are 22" x 22" and one that is 22" x 14 2/3".
Once the poster board is
squared up, you'll want to cut out your pockets and glue them to the poster
board. You need 30 pockets. (1 for each day leading up to
Halloween) Your pockets need to be 5" x 6" so the cards can fit
inside.
Now that your pockets
are cut out, you'll want to glue them on the poster board. On the large
pieces of poster board, I did 3 rows of 4. And on the small poster board, I did
2 rows of 4.
** Make sure to leave 2
spaces on one of your large boards blank. That will ensure that your
pockets will be even once the whole thing is put together.
It's now time to
decorate your calendar. Each pocket needs a number: 1-30 to represent the
days leading up to Halloween. The large poster board with 12 pockets
should be one through 12. The small poster board should be 13 through
20. And the last poster board should be 21 through 30.
** You can also decorate
your pockets with Halloween stickers, etc. Make them as scary and
creative as you want.
When you have everything
decorated, you'll want to grab your sewing machine and load it
When you have everything
decorated, you'll want to grab your sewing machine and load it with the glow in
the dark thread. Stitch around the edge of each pocket with a dull
needle.
** Make sure to only use
that needle for paper projects, once it's been used on this project so you
don't jam your machine.
Now that your pockets
have been attached, you'll want to put your calendar together... this year I decided to cut it up and string the days together using yarn.
I made two rows of 15, and hung them on a central wall in the house.
Here's what we put on
our cards:
- Make the house spooky
- Go apple picking
- Make candied apples
- Make apple cider
- Go for a hay ride
- Have a Halloween-themed dinner or party
- Make a new Halloween decoration
- Make Halloween cookies
- Read a scary story
- Have a "Scream" movie marathon
- Make pumpkin Pop-Tarts
- Buy a new Halloween movie and watch it
- Visit a Haunted House
- Make a Halloween craft
- Build a Scarcrow or hang cobwebs and spiders
- Go out of a spooky treat
- Make or buy a Halloween CD and listen to it
- Read or Go to a reading of "The Raven"
- Make a Halloween wreath for the door
- Take a spooky tour of a graveyard or of the city you live in
- Color a Halloween picture
- Go pumpkin-patching
- Play a round of Pumpkin Bowling
- Make Halloween costumes
- Make pumpkin fudge or Halloween candy
- Have a scary movie marathon
- Visit a Corn Maze
- Carve pumpkins
- Buy some festive ales and have a beer tasting
- Take a Halloween picture
Once your done, hang it
on the wall. Or store it away until Halloween!
Did you find this
pattern helpful? If not, what are some improvements that could be made?
Please leave comments, and any questions you might have in the comments
section, and I'll be happy to get back to you.
THAT IS SO CUTE! You could make and sell those calendars, it looks great! And it looks like a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteI think I want to do this for Christmas this year- the idea of a new activity for each day leading up to Christmas. What a great way to make new traditions and memories!
Thanks Sharayah! I've never thought of making any of the crafts I do and selling them, mostly because I like having one-of-a-kind things :)
DeleteI think it's so fun to have an activity to look forward to every day, and I can't wait to continue the traditions every year!
I saw a Christmas one done similarly. I posted the link below:
http://kimberlypetersen.typepad.com/photos/things_i_made/advent.html