Advent Countdown~an "interactive" approach...In My Creative Opinion~25 Days of Christmas Tags, Poppystamps Challenge #15~Tempting Tags, Addicted To CAS #78~Joy, CAS-ual Fridays CAS Challenge #146~Snowflakes, Dragonfly Journey #34~Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?, Little Tangles Challenge #63~Create a Tag

Hello,

A chat-and photo heavy post to show you why I'm so behind in my Christmas card-making.  For the past three years, I've made  Advent Countdowns (or ups, as the case may be) for my niece and nephew. This year was no different...and, as I was last year, I was TOTALLY inspired by a variety of tags from Tracey's spectacular 25 Days of Christmas Tags series.

Of course, I was running late in getting the entire project completed before our recent trip to visit my family in late November, but I figured, as long as I had a few days' worth done, I could mail the rest (I'm still working on days 17-25! Ack!).

I began with the first three tags...and after making the third one (they're little but time-consuming, as many of you know), I thought, "Wait a second here...why am I doing all the work? Ms. T and Mr. C know how to glue things on and *taps head with finger* they might have more fun if they played a role in the "calendar" creation."  Thus, a strategy was born, My goal was to streamline the process....hahahahahahahha! NOT! Indeed, I easily doubled the whole production, but it's worth every minute invested.

Here's the scoop: Tags #1-3 are singles, made exclusively by yours truly. Tags #4-16 - where the 'brain wave' begins -  include two tags for each date, a couple of images and the whole kit and kaboodle tucked into little bags - aka "kits" - for the kids to make.  Tag 4, for example, has a white tree and an accompanying bag of sequins for them to decorate the tree as they see fit; Tag 5 has four jingle bells for them to arrange, and so on...

What you see in the photos are my 'placed, but not adhered' Aunty C versions of what the tags might look like. What they "will" look like...who knows? A five year old and a three year old are in charge of that!!  Yes, some of the die cuts and embellishments might be challenging for them to work with but  hey...mommy and daddy are part of the process, too, right? Right!

Anyway...here's part of my Advent project for two of the loves of my life...

All the tags are from the Stitched Mainstreet collection from Poppy Stamps, and images...well, you'll see the assortment. The tags were inspired by either Tracey or her guest designers; links are included...

Inspired by Day 5, Joanna's tag

Inspired by Day 10, Lawn Fawn showcases

Inspired by Day 10, Lynette

Here's where the 'interactive' aspect of the project begins....the little 'kits'...Remember: the only things adhered are the date tags...the rest are up to the creativity of Ms. T and Mr. C.

Inspired by Day 5, Tracey

Tag with its accompanying bag of sequins 

Inspired by Day 6, Vicki

I missed taking a photo of the second tag...it looks like this one. 

Inspired by Day 6, Tracy

Because I wasn't sure they'd know the die cuts were ornaments, I stamped one on each tag; forgot to take a photo of the blue one! Again, the kiddos are providing the 'finishing' touches.

Inspired by Day 3, Tracey

Do you wanna build a snowman?  

Inspired by Day 12, Irena and Tracey

A little forest for a couple of shimmery red foil cardstock deer. 

Inspired by Day 10, Christiana

They each get a toque-and-scarf sporting, knitting sheep...

 Inspired by Day 17, Tracey

Some solid stars and star outlines to create their own stars of wonder...

 Inspired by Day 10, Tracey  

Two penguins, two glittery snowflakes and one joy...

Inspired by Day 8, Jeri

Of course Ms. T and Mr. C are 99% nice and perhaps 1% naughty...and totally adorable!

Inspired by Day 6, Marybeth

Gingerbread house to decorate...it's hard to see the stars in the background...they're a deep red

Inspired by Day 13, Tracey

Wreath decorating...

Inspired Day 24, Tracey, Ardyth,

Presents for under the tree and an angel for the top...

Inspired by Day 1, Jean

LOVE this moose (don't look too closely at my colouring...practicing, still!)

I added a moose and tree for them to colour...

Days 17-25...ongoing! I'll post once I'm done.  Note to self: plan smarter - and earlier - next time!!

I'm also sharing at:

Poppystamps Challenge #15~Tempting Tags

 Addicted To CAS #78~Joy (Tag #11)

CAS-ual Fridays CAS Challenge #146~Snowflakes (Tag #1)

Dragonfly Journey #34~Do You Wanna Build a Snowman? (Tag #7)

Little Tangles Challenge #63~Create a Tag

THANK  YOU so much for your patience in strolling through my 'attempt to be creative' Advent project for my niece and nephew. Hope they like it! I'm looking forward to seeing what their version of the tags will look like...