Christmas countdown

My Advent calendar is finally ready for its countdown to Christmas Day.  A few weeks ago I introduced the idea of this project and some of my inspiration in this blog post.  My intention was to finish this project before December arrived, yet I've learned that projects take the back seat when you have a newborn.  But, it's done, and I love it.  It's actually more of a simple countdown as opposed to an Advent calendar, but that's okay.  Perhaps it will evolve as I use it year after year.  You never know.

Anyways, here is where my inspirational Advent calendars took me...

Here's what it cost me to make this countdown calendar:

cardstock: free (already had)
22x28 artist canvas: $6.99
1 yard of burlap: $3.99
24 buttons: $2.68
ribbon: $2.00
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total: $15.66 - Not too bad!

I'm really happy with the way this project turned out.  The contrast between the raw texture of the burlap and the satin finish of the ribbon totally makes it for me.  I'm a sucker for contrast such as this. 

So what do you think?  Are you feeling inspired?  There's so much inspiration out there, especially at this time of year - get creative!