Well, I just put up the last ornament on my Christmas Tree Advent Calendar.
Guess that means today is Christmas Eve. One last day to get ready…
and prepare for Santa’s overnight visit.
My advent calendar was made by my Grandmother on my Mom’s side… Kitty.
Okay, Catherine, but all of her old lady friends called her Kitty… and therefore so did I. Because it was cute.
Anyway, she made several of these calendars, one for each of her children, and eventually one for each of us grandchildren. We grew up thinking that they were an original design of her own. That she was extra crafty and made these wonderful heirloom calendars all on her own.
It wasn’t until just a few years ago during one of my Holiday Home Shows that someone showed up and said ‘Hey, we have the exact same calendar.’ Skreech… back it up… what??? It was that day that we found out our dearly departed Kitty had been using felt craft kits. Same goes for a collection of handmade felt ornaments… toy soldier, angel, rocking horse…
kit… kit… kit.
I still love the calendar & ornaments and think of her fondly every year I bring them out.
But now with a slight chuckle thinking of her holiday “shenanigans.”
I came across this picture (and your blog) while searching high & low for this calendar, or the kit to recreate one. I too grew up with it (and the ornaments!) – all made by my grandmother. I remember strategically stuffing the pockets so I’d be the one to hang certain things rather than my sister 😂 Don’t mess with my blue dove!
Sadly, I lost mine in the (random roommate/moving yearly) shuffle of my early 20’s and I’ve mourned it ever since. I’ve found 2 on eBay, listed for about $300! The joy & memories it brings me is priceless, but $300? It’s a logical dilemma, lol.
Hold tight to your treasure – it’s absolutely beautiful. Perhaps Grandma Kitty was ‘extra’ crafty after all – not all I’ve come across were so beautifully executed, and yours is the only one I’ve seen with the fancy fringe at the bottom! Thanks for sharing it and your story – brought me some joy this morning:)