Wednesday, September 1, 2010

1st Collector's Alley

It's finally time...

It is my 1st Showing of Christmas Collector's Alley.
What to show???  I'm a collector's collector.  I will NOT run out of collections to show ya'll over the next 3 months.  Join me in showing a collection in Sept, Oct, Nov and once a week in December. 

Since I've been working on a Christmas Countdown swap I'm gonna have to show everyone my advent collection this month.  It sure is a fun way to help the kids with their excitement about Christmas approaching.

Here is what I need to get ready to ship for the Christmas Countdown Swap with Linda at
I started with 3 sets of 10 matchboxes from Dollar Tree (kitchen utencil area).
I'm a scrapbooker and cardmaker and that is the supplies I pulled from.


This shot shows all of them complete.  I finally put the numbers on them.
Do you want to look closer??
#13 has a glittery snowman ornament inside
I found a set of 12 at Michael's for $3.
I also used a scrap of wrapping paper and felt ribbon inside.

#15 is so festive with red, white and green.
Girls, I tried so hard to use up my mini pom-poms and still have a ton. lol

#23 is this the cutest thing ever?  I put the number on the wings.


#10 with foil accents and poinsettia flower.
I pulled the flower off of a candle ring that was never gonna be used again.
has a gorgeous set of earrings that my Mom made.
I need to make inserts for the boxes with jewelry.

#3 is so sweet!!  It has a Christmas bell brooche.
Advent
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in his First Advent. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.

Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing.

I'll be receiving an entire set of matchbox countdown boxes like the 1's I've made above.  Nate and I are gonna put them on a small tree and use them to count the days until Christmas a.m. this season.

And...

I have a quilt from Pottery Barn Kids that I bought years ago for my boys.  I am sure this was a splurge but it was still gotten 50% off.


Isn't it sweet?? 
It is a lap size quilt and I have hung it up on the wall near our tree in past years.  I gotta find a spot for it this year and start putting stuff in a drawer to fill the pockets..like candy, money, notes of a family idea to do that evening together to celebrate the season, gift cards for the boys to use up in Dec.($5 McD, Subway)

And..
I have a countdown Christmas tree set of boxes.  I got it 2 years ago right after Christmas when it went 50% off at Starbucks.  The picture could be changed with Scrapbook papers, it is a Winter Wonderland scene once you've eaten all the evidence and flipped the boxes around.  Whatever fits in each drawer will do to countdown the days of December.  It will be fun to get some gourmet chocolates this year and we can all 4 take turns opening a box as we countdown to Christmas.  It will probably sit on my kitchen counter top.




We'll start out with the numbers showing and flip it around to the picture as we go along.
I have seen some clever crafters create their own with boxes glued together.  This 1 is nice quality.  If I don't misplace it, we'll have it for years to come.

I have bought the boys chocolate advents since they were in pre-school.  There are companies in Europe and Canada that produce this product.  This is what mine usually look like.  I get them at Garden Ridge Pottery (seasonal foods), the Dollar Tree, Walgreens, Eckerd's or World Market.
I would let them pick out their box and I'd sharpie marker their name and then we'd start looking for the numbers to countdown to Christmas morning.  How fun to get a little chocolate treat each day in December.  The fun part is to open the "door" with the right # and see what shape it is each day.
I won't have any of these this year because there is already enough to play with.

When I was in high school there was a set of Jewish twin sisters and they really did Advent season up.  I was in aww each day as they came in with a new item that they got during the season.  1 day watches, another day pairs of boots, jewelry item.  Wow!!  I think the teacher had them explain the opening of gifts all thru December and that was the 1st I'd ever heard of it.

What do you have to show us this month? 
It is your turn now.


Candy Cane Kisses and White Snow Wishes! DeniseMarie

Joining in at:

sue loves cherries for Rednesday

Show us What UR workin' with Wednesday

Whatever Goes Wednesday

Show n Tell at Blue Cricket Designs

Strut your stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple

Show n Tell Friday







8 comments:

  1. I have always loved advent calendars! Did you say that you got the matchboxes at the dollar store? I really want to make some of them!

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  2. Hi Denise Marie, what a fun linky. Can't wait to get home and find something to post.

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  3. Hi, Denise!!
    Is the link going to be up all week?? I will post and join in on Sunday!!
    Love you matchboxes!! And everything else you have shared with us!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  4. Denise,
    I added the post you commented on to this party but maybe next week, I will add another one. I am going to advertise this party on PINK SATURDAY to get you some attention!!

    Debbie

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  5. Debbie, it has been a fight just to get the meme up and going for me. I realize I should have joined in to many parties but I'm just trying to get fever to recede. Also, I can't get my posts to link in with Rednesday and some of my other favorites...they won't take my picture and finish the tag??

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  6. OHHH! I have a few little Christmas Collections, but no pictures...I 'll definitely come party in December. This is such a neat idea!
    smiles!

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  7. Such a lovely find!!! I'm happy to be your newest follower of your delightful blog and would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! I'd also like to invite you to link your wonderful creations up at my Fabulous Friday Finds party, each Friday! Hope to see you there!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

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  8. Your little Christmas matchbood decorations are so adorable. My favorite, hands down, is your #3, with the pink heart. That one looks so retro 1950's...my favorite decade. I can't wait to get some matchboxes from the Dollar Tree and start creating. In the last couple of days, I have seen so many gals here in blogland creating them. Love all your advent calanders, my children always get the imported Chocolate paper ones too. I really like them too, and the chocolate tastes surprisingly good! I have just started a new Christmas/Holiday blog. Maybe you would like to take a peek. http://yuletideseasonings.blogspot.com/
    Have a wonderful day!
    Maureen

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Thank you for being here and for your inspirational note.

Be Blessed, xox DeniseMarie