Craft: Get ready for Christmas with this Advent Calendar idea

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*All artwork and tutorials © Jenny B Harris, AllSorts
From illustrator, designer and all around crafty lady, Jenny B Harris of Allsorts are these sweet and easy tutorials on how to make a "peppermint star," an advent calendar of pocket purses and even a little elf clog. 
These were first loaded on her website in 2007 and we have used her tutorials to make  tiny purses for dolls, shoes and stars to hang from the sky.. because that is where stars come from (according to my daughter.) We even made elf shoes for "real" elves that would visit us at night. 

We did find out that we didn't have elfin visitors but mice. My child was most disappointed to learn that in our world, at our house, mice do not wear clothes but eat shoes, felt and even the cupcakes we left on the counter. 

Keep in mind that these are not my designs or artwork so if you copy or reuse, please give credit where credit it due...  (*All artwork and tutorials © Jenny B Harris, AllSorts) 

*All artwork and tutorials © Jenny B Harris, AllSorts
These crafts are easily manufactured using wool felt and embroidery floss. You and your kids can make a few a night while watching TV or have a stitch party on some dreary rainy day.


Come December 1 you can hang them in a row and have your little ones open one pocket per day until December 25!  More directions here. 
*All artwork and tutorials © Jenny B Harris, AllSorts
Make 24 of these pocket purses, string them on a line and fill with a treat or tiny prize to get in the holiday spirit. 


*All artwork and tutorials © Jenny B Harris, AllSorts
*All artwork and tutorials © Jenny B Harris, AllSorts
The tiny elf clog makes a cute table placeholder or fill with treats and leave one at the foot of your child's bed to be filled with a small gift!

Diane Chase is the author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Wilmington, Keene/Keene Valley which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the second guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities.




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