Free Advent Calendar

T W E N T Y * F I V E : 2012 Calendar

2011-12-25T00:01:00.001Z

Need an excuse to craft between now and the
New Year party?

Merry Christmas!
click to open

T W E N T Y * F O U R : Money Origami

2011-12-24T00:01:00.001Z

Don't just put money in their
cards this year, make it the
embellishment! click to open

T W E N T Y * T H R E E : All Wrapped Up

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000Z

Give your 'chocolate bar' gifts
a crafty twist by turning them
into this Jacob's Ladder toy!
click to open

T W E N T Y * T W O : Recycled Bell

2011-12-22T00:01:00.002Z

With imagination, they can make
these bells from bits you'll find in
any kitchen. click to open

T W E N T Y * O N E : Statement Piece

2011-12-21T00:01:00.004Z

No need to worry about dropping
needles with this optical illusion
tree. click to open

W I N D O W * T W E N T Y : Festive Lego

2011-12-20T00:01:00.002Z

This amazing collection of free lego instructions will keep them amused for hours. click to open

W I N D O W * N I N E T E E N : Christmas Chic

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000Z

Do you wish you could keep the decorations
up all year round too? click to open

W I N D O W * E I G H T E E N : Robin Card

2011-12-18T00:07:00.000Z

This cheeky fella comes with his own cost-cutting envelopes. click to open

W I N D O W * S E V E N T E E N : Mini Trees

2011-12-17T00:01:00.008Z

Here's another great idea to keep them busy. click to open

W I N D O W * S I X T E E N : Scrapping Wreath

2011-12-16T00:31:00.000Z

Make this fun poinsettia wreath from papers & embellishments you already have lying around. click to open

W I N D O W * F I F T E E N : Melting Snowmen

2011-12-15T00:01:00.001Z

Use shop-bought biscuits for a quick kids craft, and keep them entertained during the loooooong wait. click to open

W I N D O W * F O U R T E E N : Pickle's Elf

2011-12-14T00:01:00.001Z

How adorable is this
little fella! click to open

W I N D O W * T H I R T E E N : Pasta Angel

2011-12-13T00:01:00.001Z

Expensive decorations may come and go, but these will be treasured for years. click to open

W I N D O W * T W E L V E : Crochet Baubles

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000Z

Crochet today - and a nice little project to use up all those scraps. click to open

W I N D O W * E L E V E N : Wall Art

2011-12-11T00:01:00.001Z

There's still time to make this unusual gift for those 'hard-to-buy-for' friends we've all got! click to open

W I N D O W * T E N : Reindeer Decorations

2011-12-10T00:01:00.002Z

This tutorial was written especially for us by the lovely Louise. click to open

Find birdyheartsbuttons on facebook

W I N D O W * N I N E : Glass Ornaments

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000Z

Recycling is what crafters do best! I bet you can't guess what these started life as though... click to open

W I N D O W * E I G H T : Reindeer Cupcakes

2011-12-08T00:01:00.002Z

Turn your favourite cupcake recipe into a festive treat! click to open

W I N D O W * S E V E N : Photo Baubles

2011-12-07T00:01:00.001Z

Use photos to create these clever tree ornaments in just fifteen minutes. click to open

W I N D O W * S I X : Snowflake Cushion

2011-12-06T00:01:00.003Z

Add festive cheer to your home furnishings with this quick and easy make. click to open

W I N D O W * F I V E : Kanzashi Tree

2011-12-05T00:01:00.006Z

This beautiful tree is made from just fabric scraps and cardboard. click to open

W I N D O W * F O U R : Gift Card Box

2011-12-04T00:01:00.002Z

Add a personal touch to your gift-card presents by making the box yourself. click to open

W I N D O W * T H R E E : Handmade With Love

2011-12-03T00:01:00.006Z

What little girl could resist such a huggable doll, especially when it's been handmade by you. click to open

W I N D O W * T W O : Pine Cones

2011-12-02T00:01:00.003Z

Have fun experimenting with different scrapbook papers to blend in with your Christmas colour scheme. click to open

W I N D O W * O N E : Scrappy House

2011-12-01T00:01:00.004Z

Make one of these house advent ornaments each day, from scraps you have lying around. click to open

T W E N T Y * F I V E : Coaster Calendar 2011

2010-12-26T16:09:00.002Z

The big day has finally arrived, so relax and add this to your "To Do" list for tomorrow. Merry Christmas! click to open

T W E N T Y * F O U R : Two-Minute Fudge

2010-12-26T16:02:00.002Z

Forgotten someone but no time left to shop? Then knock up some of this scrummy truffle fudge in just 2 minutes! click to open

T W E N T Y * T H R E E : Xmas Journal

2010-12-26T16:00:00.001Z

Don't let weeks of planning disappear in a blur. Record this special day and save the memories for years to come. click to open

T W E N T Y * T W O : Recycled Bows

2010-12-26T15:57:00.001Z

With everyone watching the pennies this christmas, these gift bows will go down a treat! click to open

T W E N T Y * O N E : Christmas Cones

2010-12-20T23:20:00.004Z

Mini light trees are just one possibility with the versatile pattern. click to open

W I N D O W * T W E N T Y : Paper Star

2010-12-20T23:16:00.001Z

Avoid school-holiday boredom with these paper Stars. Easier than you think, and very effective! click to open

W I N D O W * N I N E T E E N : Candy Mouse

2010-12-20T23:14:00.002Z

"...not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."Well, except maybe this one! click to open

W I N D O W * E I G H T E E N : Snowballs

2010-12-20T22:46:00.001Z

Have a ball making these very easy decorations. click to open

W I N D O W * S E V E N T E E N : Gift Card Holder

2010-12-17T17:40:00.002Z

Gift Cards are often a last-resort, so why not make this clever pull-up holder to show how much you do care. click to open

W I N D O W : S I X T E E N : Merino Angel

2010-12-17T17:29:00.004Z

Make lots of these enchanting angels to flutter all over yourreal tree. click to open

W I N D O W * F I F T E E N : Magic Gift Box

2010-12-17T17:27:00.001Z

This clever design is one I've seen many times, but could not find a tutorial for...until now. click to open

W I N D O W * F O U R T E E N : Paper Santas

2010-12-15T00:56:00.001Z

How will your paper Santa arrive? By train? Car? Hot air balloon? They're all here and more on this wonderful freebies page click to open

W I N D O W * T H I R T E E N : Gingerbread Cups

2010-12-15T00:50:00.003Z

How clever are these? Make them as gifts, or surprise guests with an after-dinner treat! click to open

W I N D O W * T W E L V E : Tatted Tree

2010-12-12T12:54:00.001Z

One of the wonderful things about the internet is, even the oldest crafts are never forgotten click to open

W I N D O W * E L E V E N : Pop-up Reindeer

2010-12-12T12:52:00.003Z

Never know what to put inside your handmade cards? How about a pop-up Reindeer! click to open

W I N D O W * T E N : Felt Baubles

2010-12-10T00:20:00.001Z

Looking for something bang up-to-date? Then why not re-visit this traditional design! click to open

W I N D O W * N I N E : Paper Wreath

2010-12-09T09:16:00.001Z

Another paper craft for you today. This wreath is a novel idea...literally! click to open

W I N D O W * E I G H T : Distressed Wreath

2010-12-08T00:05:00.001Z

Wreaths are not usually thought of as a papercraft project, but this freebie gives an old favourite a new lease of life click to open

W I N D O W * S E V E N : Eaten Gingerbread

2010-12-07T23:59:00.001Z

Add some humour to the tree this year with this half-eaten gingerbread man decoration. click to open

W I N D O W * S I X : Poinsetta Card

2010-12-06T09:49:00.001Z

If you're hand-delivering cards this year, then you can afford to make it extra special...like this one. click to open

W I N D O W * F I V E : Cross-stitch Santa

2010-12-05T10:03:00.001Z

This Santa would look great as a card, or even a tree decoration. click to open

W I N D O W * F O U R : Tree Skirt

2010-12-04T08:00:00.001Z

There's nothing worse than a bare bottom on a Christmas tree! click to open

W I N D O W * T H R E E : Gingerbread Pop-up

2010-12-03T00:06:00.001Z

It may look good enough to eat, but this is one creation the recipient will definately want to keep. click to open

W I N D O W * T W O : Chocolate Xmas Cake

2010-12-02T05:41:00.000Z

Keep everyone happy this Christmas with the best of both worlds. click to open

W I N D O W * O N E : Advent Board

2010-12-02T05:39:00.000Z

Instead of opening a window each day, why not let them make one that they can treasure for years to come. click to open

C A L E N D A R * 2 0 0 9

2010-11-13T17:03:00.000Z

in 2009 our Advent Calendar widget proved a huge success, with many hundred copies appearing all over the internet. And it's no wonder, as it seems the quality of the contributions gets better and better with every passing year.

Why not click a window and see for yourself!

C A L E N D A R * 2 0 0 8

2009-11-04T14:14:00.001Z

2008 was the first year our Advent Calendar became available to members outside the Craft Shop.

Thanks to the wonders of modern-day techie stuff, it can now be copied to almost any webspace, so you can enjoy your very own copy from the comfort of your own blog.

C A L E N D A R * 2 0 0 7

2009-11-04T13:57:00.003Z

In 2007 our Calendar was only available to members of the Craft Shop, but thanks to this blog you can all now enjoy these free projects and inspiration.

Sadly some links are no longer valid, but there's still plenty of inspiration here for all you craft junkies, so enjoy!

C A L E N D A R * 2 0 0 6

2009-11-04T13:57:00.001Z

The very first Advent Calendar I created was only available to members of the Craft Shop, an online craft group I opened back in 2002 to help promote craft sellers like myself.

What was originally intended as 'just a bit of fun' has become a tradition which, thanks to the wonders of modern-day techie stuff, can now be enjoyed by anyone with access to the internet.