SEI + An Advent Calendar

    Hey there everyone! Well, my blog is getting a little workout today. Today I am being featured twice at the SEI Lifestyle blog. I'm excited to share this second project with you so that if you'd like to make your own Advent calendar for December, you can get started TODAY! I totally fell in love with the Holiday Cheer line; the colors, prints, shiny and festive feel of it....EVERYTHING! This Advent calendar is a great way to use a lot of patterns in a distinct way.

The advent calendar is made by die cutting adorable envelopes in different shapes and sizes. Even better is a cork board! To hang the envelopes, glue a mini clothespin to a flat tack pin, and then clip the envelopes to the clothespins!

 Now, hold on....there are a lot of pictures to showcase a lot of little details.

Snazz up a simple die cut with pearls like the Christmas tree for the first day.

 I love love love the red and white striped paper with pipe cleaner candy canes for the fourth day.

 Sometimes trimming an element in half like the snowman for the twelfth creates a dynamic focal point.

 Adding ribbon trim to the snow cap makes it feel a little more cozy.

Decorating a Bright Trimming die cut with ornaments of a different scale ma 

 The North Pole perforated sheets have the CUTEST prints! I used them on almost EVERY envelope

 Since there is a lot going on here, repeat design techniques that you like such as border punching panel edges, notching strips of patterned paper and using the same ribbon in different colors to create unity

Place elements and embellishments asymmetrically! It creates a strong focal point. 

Add baker's twine to string some ornaments and a fun beaded trim to a  Bright Trimming die cut tree.

Hope that you're inspired to create your own fun advent calendar!

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