Advent Calendar and Family Gingerbread Project

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Advent Calendar and Family Gingerbread Project.

We only have one Granddaughter. Since she was two, we have MADE AND FILLED A pocket Advent Calendar. I have filled it with craft supplies, ornament projects, stories, family history, candy and well, just about anything fun or entertaining having to do with the holidays.

Now that she is 12 going on 40...it's become a bit harder. Upgrading craft supplies to fine art supplies...and girly things, less on the projects...Except DAY 1 ...

WHICH WAS A Four GINGERBREAD HOUSES KIT...SO CUTE.

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They all came to pick up the calendar from our house---this is the photo they took when they got home. I think this will be a shoe closet next year...as she will be 13.

But, today, DAY 1 was the gingerbread house kit which I thought would be a great family to do together on Thanksgiving weekend.

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All the makings for 4 tiny houses, icings and decorations. Only problem in making a family event was there was only one bag of white frosting. I pulled out the few cookie icings I had and some extra doo-hickeys (cake decorations). 

Since three of us were going to work it was a bit of passing everything around.

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Grinding off the rough edges of the nicely thick pieces. Only one roof piece was broken in the box...thank goodness,

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Works in progress...the plates keep the mess contained and easy to turn around. 

The houses are very fragile until they are dry. 

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Besides all the small candies and gumdrops, small cute signs were included to name your houses. 

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The Grand is very meticulous and talented...and she had hers together before anyone else.

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Of course there was monumental picture taking. We really used mostly the cute candies from the kit.

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The houses were all a bit different, this one had an add-on addition and an interesting roof.

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My D-in-Love ....look at that work on her roof...Golly...they are both PROS.

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Mine was a bit of a fright. I tackled the broken roof...which just would not stay together...so the icing ended up very thick, and then another layer again to mask the mess.

But, it finally held together. Thank goodness for the sign, it covered up even more sins...LOL.

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The Grand's was sliding a bit, so this we tilted it, so would dry straighter, and it worked.

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Grandgirl is now taller than Mom...and declared herself the winner...LOL. She finished two...while I was still trying to glue the roof together.

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The Four Gingerbread House kit was a hit...and lots of fun for $9.99.

PERFECT WAY  TO START THE ADVENT SEASON.

***HOW DID YOU START 

Dec. 1st?***

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 Sandi Magle

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(Archive Post 2018)

Sometimes the least laid plans become the Best! We had a wonderful family Thanksgiving here, but plans for no major company during the Christmas season...kinda a put a damper on our holiday decorating. AND the insane Chicago weather screwed with any plans outside---much like the rest of the country---you just don't know from one day to the next.

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We had to put the tree up....especially with all the work we both did on the antique tree stand. Two years ago---we gave up our space grabbing huge Christmas tree, when i got the stand. I found a thrift store tree for $15.00 I think it was. Downside, it can only hold half of our ornaments. Upside---It only holds half of our ornaments----lol. Six totes instead of 14 or so Yay! on our backs. 

After 50 years of marriage and inheriting so many ornaments---we really do need to 'down-size'. 

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The tree stand is home to some old toys---and stuffed animals. The only new ornament this yearis the wooden deer clock. Lots of toys are included on the tree----Santa magic, I guess!. 

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The tree takes about 1/3 the space of the old one---actually better for our small house. 

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Lots of wildlife, fish, snowmen and color---we fill the tree from the trunk out! The porcelain loon, is one of 12 birds from Marshall Fields, the last year they were open. Such memories riding the escalator---it's just not the same now as a Macy's, sigh. 

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These antique looking horses were from the 1990's. The cute pig at 12o-clock was by an artisan who worked with vintage and her creativity who has retired.

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The six boxes we brought out---held a lot of red and white. 

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Again, lots of red and white.

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Having done art shows for almost 40 years, I have many ornaments hand-created---this little raccoon is a favorite by an artist in Illinois.

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Next to the tree is my mom's maple rocker with a big throw on it...perfect for Santa to rest...some toys, a favorited snowflake pillow, a hand made gift from my friend Dot. 

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Trees are magical---and we have it on when we are home. 

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A stoking and hat---on the yarn winder---we are a bit silly here.

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The antique Yarn winder stages a few Christmas things. I put bags around my big plants----and a nutcracker stands watch in front of our spinning wheel.

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Dusk began falling when we finished....the magic of the lights took over the room.

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On the TV wall..we have a string of lights---and a few Christmas items out. I try to work around our regular items. 

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The Grand's Owl...has taken up residence...some potpourri with pinecones collected on a Fall walk fills and old saucer from the early 1900's. 

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A hand-pieced angel adorns a candlestick. The statue was a gift from my husband, many years ago. 

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The lights snake over the Victorian China cabinet. I shoved some snow into the ivy arrangement that is always there. Our Royal Copenhagen Polar Bears share space with Father Christmas-

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Snowmen landed here along with a vintage linen, old tin box, and a mechanized, singing puppy sock which the Grandgirl loves. The adorable vintage looking printable came from https://lorabloomquist.com

The puppy sings "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" and flaps his ears.

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His ears wave in time with the music and lights up.

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Another artisan set of snowmen---and a little box red station wagon. 

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A battery candle made to look like a snowman. A felted snowman from a craft show.

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On the buffet, Dancing singing Mickey and Minnie---Happy 90th Birthday, Mickey!.

I kept this very simple this year---lights under the snow and spotlights make it very magical at night. 

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My vintage plate cookie tray holds molds and candy molds, until we have company and fill it with cookies.

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An Old Currier and Ives tin...is the center focal---with snow balls and sisal trees.

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I'll try and do a video with these two---they are so darn cute!

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We bought the carousel and ferris wheel in place of putting out the entire village---a two day---torture session. Next year the Grandgirl will sleep over and help Gramma put up the village, a much better idea.

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so.... HAVE yourself a Merry Little Christmas---

we will have a laid back one here, for sure!

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