Method:

1. Tags-punch 31 tags with EK Success "Whale of a Punch" tag from the Bows & Plaid paper (BACK) approximately 4.5x 2.5cm.
2. Cut a piece of vellum 9 x 12. You will need to create 6 rows (days of the week and the numbers of the week) and 7 columns (for the days of the weeks). Measure and lightly draw vertical lines on the vellum at: 4,8,12.5,17,21.5, and 26cm. If you are creating the advent calendar instead of using vellum you will need to use the BACK side of Holly & Plaid to draw on your lines.These will then need to be transferred with transfer paper to your 12 x 12 protective sleeve to create the pockets for the Santas. To see detailed instructions for advent calendar with photos click here.
3. Measure and lightly draw horizontal lines starting from the bottom and working up at: 4.5, 8.5, 12.5, 18.5, 21.5 and 23cm. This will create 35 squares that measure 1.5x1.5 inches. The top row is narrower for the days of the week and you still have a larger space at the top for the header. Alternatively you can also just trace your squares from an existing calendar that you have. To see photos of this click here.
4 . Cut small amounts of vellum tape and adhere the outer edges of the vellum to the Holly & Plaid (front). Do not put any on the top edge.
5. Starting in the middle vertical row stitch from the top to bottom **Leave the top row unstitched (this is where you will be putting the days of the week). Stitch all the rows and columns starting with the middle row and working your way out. (This way your vellum sews flat on the patterned paper and does not pucker or twist).
6. Once all the squares are sewn, flip the paper over and pull the treads to the back, tie them and cut off the excess threads.
7. To makes the opening for each pocket measure down 1cm from the stitched lines and gently cut openings in the vellum with an ex-acto knife. (You may need to re-trace your lines with the ex-acto knife to cut completely through the vellum, be careful not to cut through the paper).
**Be very careful, you may have to go over your lines a few times to cut completely through the vellum or plastic, you don't want to cut the paper that's behind the vellum.
8.Using a tag punch & the green BACK of Holly & Plaid create the mattes for the numbers of the month. On white paper or cardstock either write on the numbers, or use stickers or stamps to stamp on the image of the numbers and then adhere to green matte and red tag which you punched earlier. Place the tags in their pockets.
9.Creating day of the week: Using BACK of Bows and Plaid and the BACK of Bulbs & Plaid and white cardstock or paper use a pen or marker write the names of the days of the week on the white paper, matte them on the green & then red paper and and glue to the top of each column as shown.
10.Cut a piece of BACK of Bows & Plaid 2.75 x 11.75 and adhere to top of calendar. Cut an additional piece of green BACK of Holly & Palied 2.75 x 5.75. This is your matte for the stickers. Use the two stickers from the page of Bisous Christmas Morning and mount on left side of top of calendar as shown.
11. Create an additional matte for your FREEBEE header by tearing white cardstock or paper into a rectangle about 2.75 x 5.75. Attach red brads to each corner. Glue to calendar top right.
12. Print the calendar topper from Bisous FREEBEE, cut and glue the topper to the layout as shown.
13. If you have made the advent calendar you will need to place your little Santas in the pockets Slip the chocolate Santa's into the pockets (the protective sleeve will stretch to accommodate the thickness of the chocolates. (The calendar will be slightly buckled from all the chocolates).

** It is a good idea if you are creating the advent calendar to back your sheet of Holly & Plaid onto another piece of cardstock to give added strength to your finished calendar.**