Sunday

Advent Calendar & Old Sign Stencil Giveaway


WINNER WINNER AND WINNER.....
The generous sponsor of the giveaway, Old Sign Stencils, decided to pick three names, to receive a stencil of their choice. This giveaway is now over. 

Winners are: Sandy at Primitive Skate, Marie at Interior Frugalista, and Linda at Itsy Bitsy Pieces. You'll be contacted shortly to claim your wins!

Many thanks to everyone who entered and visited these wonderful projects!




Have you ever tried your hand at stenciling?  Well don't think you can't do it, you can, and you can make some fun stuff by mixing the stencils up.


And what better way to give you the confidence to try, than to band together with other bloggers who have been around the stencil block a time or two, and who will inspire you with the possibilities.

AND at the end you have a chance to win an Old Sign Stencil of your choice!

*This post contains affiliate links. Full Disclosure {HERE}*


Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

But first, the projects.....I'll be checking out the links along with you to see exactly what these creative minds have stenciled up using the 2019 Christmas designs from Old Sign Stencils.

As for me, I made an advent calendar for a certain 3 year old boy and his 1 year old sister.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

Last Christmas I created some very time intensive one-use countdown to Christmas displays that hung from thick branches decorated with greens.  The gifts, notes and letters inside each wrapped package were created specially for the recipients, so each countdown was slightly different from the others.


I made three of the above style, and while I loved how they turned out I knew I wouldn't be able to do that every year.  That was 75 wrapped little gifts, notes and things my brain had to come up with.

My goal this time was twofold; first to work alongside a certain 9 year old to help her craft a calendar with her own hands that she can use every year, and second, to make a gift for my oldest daughter to have year after year that she could tuck her own notes or candy into, and change it up as her kids grow.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

My mission was accomplished on both counts.

Next year I will make another for daughter #2, and perhaps eventually all six of my kids will have one to remember dear old mom each holiday.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

The idea started when I saw a hand crafted paper calendar featured at Funky Junk's Friday party made by Pillar Box Blue, which inspired me to try the craft with
the 9 year old Princess, and from there I decided to also make and gift the one I'm showing you here.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

There will be another post showcasing the one made by the Princess, it's different from mine, but it's awesome, she is a fast study, very creative, and sharp as a tack.  Plus she's as sweet as they come and I adore her.

She also sews better than me.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

So anyhow, the basic idea was simple, borrow the sewing machine of daughter #2, cut out paper templates to trace, stitch the different papers together, stencil, hang and stuff them.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

Each step sort of evolved as I went, I guess that's called winging it.  I don't sew, the world knows this, and my wise cracking husband said if I could figure out threading the machine I could make him a dress.

He should be very careful delivering a challenge to me.

If I don't get his dress done by December 25th, I guaran-dam-tee he'll have one for Easter!

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

So I stitched, and stitched some more.... sewing on the paper was very easy and I didn't have to be as particular as I would on fabric, and if you look close at my lines you'll agree.

Parts of each design were left open to tuck the whatever's in.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

This thick craft paper was left at my house by my daughters friend who came and crafted with us one day.  It was perfect to use along with red and white gift bags from the dollar store.

This was a very thrifty craft.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

After double stitching, I reinforced each corner with a dot of glue on the ends, then packing tape where the hole punch went, and finally with these mini little paper whatchamacallits.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

Since the designs are just made out of paper I wanted to make them as tough as I could, but gift bags are decent in the strength department.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

When the designs were laid out I just started stenciling, calling into use not only this years Old Sign Stencils, but that of Buffalo Check, Ticking Stripe, and the String of Lights also made an appearance.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

The stencils were not lined up perfectly intentionally to give the appearance of what would happen if you cut fabric that had random images on it.  And because that's the look I wanted with the lettering running off the sides.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

The day I was ready to put it together I looked around to see what I had that it could be hung on.  Originally I considered an empty frame but I saw this unused oak table leaf first.  It was the perfect size, and a scrap piece of wood was painted for the top using another Old Sign Stencil with the Buffalo Check design inside.

If you need better tutorials I'm not the wizard to see for those.

It's sort of hard to take a photo of yourself stenciling, that's a three handed job and I'm a two handed woman and both of them are left.  The best stenciling tutorials to follow are right from the Old Sign Stencil website.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

A favorite DIY of mine are these little fake porcelain tags.  They deserve a post all of their own, and are an easy project any time of year.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

I had to purchase the twine which came in a set of red and black spools, as well as the blank silver tags that you can get {HERE}.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

I have used the process to make a couple signs as well, which I will include in a future post, and in person they really do give the illusion of porcelain without the hefty price.

The calendar had to be complete by December 1st so the countdown at Daughter #1's house could begin.


I tucked some candy inside some of the shapes, but she is responsible for adding her own notes and things to do with her family during the countdown to Christmas.  

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

When she told me last year that she saved all the notes and stories I had written for the brown wrap calendar, I knew she was going to need a place to keep all the ones she writes herself.  I gave her a little box shaped like a book to store the ones she saved of mine, plus the ones she writes over the years so she can look back on them.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

My favorites are the ones that use the little reindeer, or parts of him. OH, and I stenciled both sides, because while I was winging it I wasn't sure how this was going to come together and if both sides might show.

Fusion Mineral Paint was used on any painted part.  Coal black, Fort York Red, and Picket Fence White. 

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

Each little hanging day is different in some way, no two are exactly alike.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

The stencils are so easy to use, the designs are perfect for a little bit of nostalgia and to mix and match, and I hope I have created a handmade heirloom.

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar with Old Sign Stencils Bliss-Ranch.com

One thing is for sure.... it was made with love.


The rules to enter the giveaway are the very last thing, so don't forget to enter and follow all the instructions.

And now hop on over to the other blogs with me, I know we are going to see something wonderful at each one..............

 


Giveway instructions:
https://www.funkyjunksoldsignstencils.com/?aff=9

Visit the store THROUGH THIS LINK HERE or CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE , then come back and in comments, tell me which stencil you'd like to win!

Giveaway ends Sunday, Dec 15, 2019, midnight Pacific. One winner will be drawn from all blogs comments and posted on this blog post Monday, December 16 and will be notified by email, which must be present to qualify.

"Winner will be required to create a store account so Old Sign Stencils has the ability to gather your shipping info. Offer void where prohibited."

Follow on Bloglovin

19 comments :

  1. This is just awesome Bliss and I love that you have one of your elves helping you! It is similar to mine you are right but I love the rustic vibe yours has. Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love these so much--simply adorable and perfect for kiddos!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My how clever you are, and a seamstress too! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my goodness... this isn't just an advent... this is a family heirloom! All those little parts are positively precious! I just love how you stenciled each one! Seriously... I have to go stare at it all again.

    And then there's the book. You my friend, have come up with a forever keeper with this one! The kiddos must be thrilled...

    And with those mad sewing skills, I'm SO looking forward to seeing the tutorial of your hubby's Easter dress! I think it needs a pom pom tail...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the randomness of your stencil placement, Bliss! So much more fun than lining everything up perfectly. Think you definitely created a family treasure here. Love the pic of your granddaughter sewing with her little sewing machine; super sweet. What a fun project for you and her to work on together. My grandma used to teach me some new creative project every time I went to her house; my creative spirit definitely came from her!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I adore your writing style. This creation, the stitching (I want to see you make that dress!), the stencils... what great memories of making this and more going forward.
    I adore Donna's stencils and have several. :) My new favorite would be the Christmas Crates. :) SO many possibilities.
    All the best to you, your family and Donna & family!!
    xo Christina in SW FL

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is so wonderful, Bliss! It really will be a special family piece. Fun giveaway...I would choose the Christmas Crates stencil!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love all your advent ideas. I also love the Buffalo Plaid stencil from Old Sign Stencils.

    ReplyDelete
  9. so cute! simple sewing - i love that! my choice of stenci, should i win, l is Vintage Wagon!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love the Potting Shed Stencil since I do have a potting shed and I grow lots of plants.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fun and creative idea!! I like it because it is so very different than the store bought ones, and can be used over and over. Love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is outstanding and a work of art. I love her stencils and have a couple. I keep going back and forth to see it again and again.

    👏👏👏👏

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, this is cute...but my real reason for loving this is that it will become a memory for a certain beautiful little girl. Great job, Gramma!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so cute and pretty, you amaze me with your creativity, I'm rethinking my friend! Thanks for the interesting post and amazing pics.

    ReplyDelete
  15. So lovely! I would like the buffalo check stencil.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great idea, totally adding it to my todo list!
    I would love to have Antique and collectible, tx!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great opportunity to win! I would be thrilled with any of your great stencils.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow! This is so creative! I Love it!
    I'm thinking the Christmas crate stencil is my new favorite.

    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sewing gives every project that special touch and shows the love put into making it!
    My favorite stencil is "Welcome to my Garden"!
    Happy Holidays to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete

I read every.single.comment. If comments are turned off on a post it's due to spam, so drop me an email instead BlissRanchBoss@hotmail.com.

BB
Disclosure Policy for Bliss Ranch:
From time to time there might be a written review of services or products on this blog for which Bliss Ranch may or may not have received that service or product for free. Receiving a product or service for free or at a discount will never dictate what is written on this blog or guarantee a favorable review. All opinions here belong to Bliss Ranch and Bliss Ranch alone. Bliss Ranch is not monetarily compensated to write anything on this blog... period! For the complete privacy policy please see the tab at the top of the blog.