Nativity Advent Calendar

If this advent calendar looks like it's straight out of the 70's, that's because it is. I grew up with an identical version, and had to take turns with my five siblings moving Mary and Joseph along. A few years ago I was thinking about maybe stealing it from my mom. Then I realized I could make my own! My mom even still had the pattern pieces.

I love advent thingys - they add so much to the excitement of the season. But this one is even better because it not only counts down the days until Christmas, but it also keeps the focus in your home (for five minutes at least!) on the Savior.

Every day Mary and Joseph take one step closer to Bethlehem.

One thing to remember (that isn't clear in the instructions) is when you hot glue the rocks, trees, and ponds, make sure you leave an unglued-middle so that the alligator clip can clip onto the objects.

As we would move Mary and Joseph to the next spot, my mom would read a paragraph from a typed (on a typewriter!) script, depicting the events surrounding Christ's birth. It is written in simple language for small children to understand (I scanned the script and it's included in the link below).

Then on Christmas Eve, you get to take the door off the barn...

It's held up with a dowel and yarn or ribbon.

This is seriously one of my favorite Christmas time memories.

To download the pattern, instructions, and story script, click here.

Birdie Sling

 For Sewing Saturday, I thought it would be fun to show a bag I just finished for a friend. She will be using it as a diaper bag in a couple weeks, but I have one myself and I use it to pack all my church stuff (much cuter than a canvas tote). See:

I love it. 

It's huge, but it's so cute that it can pass as a large purse.

The inside has three great pockets, but you could customize it to have as many as you want. 

It's fully lined and everything is either interfaced or backed with fusible fleece, so it's pretty hefty (washable too).

 I'm a quilter at heart, so I love love love Amy Butler. She has some great free patterns on her website you might want to check out. I bought her Birdie Sling bag pattern here a few months ago, and I've been really happy with it. I'm not great with following patterns, but this one was relatively simple if you know sewing basics.

If you do decide to make any tote, I would stick with darker colors because they don't get dirty as easily. I also like doing something pretty busy on the inside for the lining, it seems to hide cracker crumbs better :)

Hopefully that gives you guys some fun ideas. 

Happy sewing!