Welcome to our second Cross Canada Blog Hop in November. This time, you will find that each CTMH consultant has created something to help us countdown to Christmas, using different materials and our creative inspiration!  The possibilities are endless, with help from some great Close to my Heart products.

If you have just hopped onto my blog from the marvelous Michelle's blog "My Creations with Michelle", you are in the right place.  You can continue from here, as this is a circular hop.  OR, if you want to follow us from coast to coast across Canada, then please start at the beginning with Darla in Nova Scotia.

My countdown calendar, using the CTMH Display Tray, was inspired by "Twas the Night Before Christmas".  My kids and I watch the animated movie (with the Mr. Trundle, the mice and the singing clock) and read the story every Christmas Eve.  It's a well-loved tradition for us.  So that made it the perfect inspiration for this calendar.



I was also inspired by the many different shapes on the new CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge.  And then I just let my imagination run.

Here are some shots of the individual squares:

Reindeer made using Carousel horse and "modifying" him.  Finished with glitter gel and a black bitty sparkle.

Personalized with a photo of my boys, and a wonderful quote from our favourite Christmas poem (from the Christmas Delights stamp set).

I put velcro dots on the back of the photo so I can switch it out each year.

He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

Waiting for the clock to strike midnight.  Waiting for Santa to come.

It wouldn't be Christmas without a beautiful tree.

Letter to Santa, created using a frame shape from the Cricut, rolling the edges and embellishing with stamps (Christmas Delights) and a Cricut turkey feather quill.

Presents under the tree.

The centerpiece of the display tray:  our new Chalkboard paper to help us countdown the days until Christmas.  And the stockings with Liquid Applique add the finishing touch!

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

All products used were Close to my Heart, including the Display Tray, Pear & Partridge paper and the Artiste and Art Philosophy Cricut cartridges.



Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is the other amazing Michelle of "Twirl in Time".

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own Advent Calendar using some of the designs and products seen along the way. Join us again on December 15th when we showcase a 3D Christmas themed project from the New Artiste Cartridge.