Christmas countdown

I'm a bit late to post today, so I better come straight to the point. 

I've been invited to prepare a GD project over at Scrapping4 Fun for the current "winter/Christmas" challenge, and this is what I came up with:

The arrangement of 4 golden candles is self-explanatory: I decided to create an Advent wreath, albeit I've chosen a bit of an un-traditional layout. I beaded four strips of a white and gold zig zag using delica beads from my stash. I sewed the ends together in a manner that allows to change the tea candles for the simple reason that I didn't want all the effort go to waste after a single use. 

For the packaging, I was torn between a 2x2 rectangle or a box that would have the candles lined up in a row. As you see, I opted for a rectangular shape in the end - mostly as it would allow me to embellish the box with a stitched star. 

I created the box using scraps of white cardboard and tried to make it as fitting as possible in order to prevent the candles from drifting during transport. Once that was done, I used golden scraps to create a transition between the inside and the outside of the box: I placed stripes of golden paper around the box itself, while I wanted to decorate the lid with a layer of golden background paper.

Since the paper piece was the only one left and it was too small to go from side to side, I decided to improvise by cutting it into four smaller pieces. This way, it would still be visible from behind the star, while the empty space in the middle would be covered up by the golden star.

When everything is packed up, my Advent wreath can be easily transported or even sent by mail due to its small size and weight. Once the candles are taken out of the box, their ornaments can be seen as well. I've been lucky to realize that the pattern fits exactly around the candles without creating awkward gaps, which is a complete coincidence. In a very practical way, the candles can be arranged as pleased without the fear of setting an actual wreath on fire or needing to constantly swipe away the needles that fall off.  

Unlike my usual crafting projects which I create for fun mostly and hide in my stash until further use, this one has already found a new home at my aunt's place. It was a bit of an intentional project to create, since I'm staying with her for a couple of days and she'd usually refuse any payback for her hospitality. That being said, it's an easy one to bring a hand-made "Thank you" in exchange for a place to crash, especially since she's a crafty person herself with all kinds of decorations inside and outside of her house. 

challenges:  

- krafty chicks: all occasions

- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "thankful" 
- a bit more time to craft: ATG

- basteltraum: gifts/recipes
- C.R.A.F.T.: winter

- classicdesignchallenge: ATG DT 

- crafters castle: ATG
- crafty calendar: ATG
- crafty catz: ATG
- crafty gals corner: thank you/thankful
- crafty sentiments: ATG
- craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge: ATG as long as it's Christmas

- creative inspirations: wonderful winter/feeling festive
- creative moments: ATG

- intaas: winter

- love to craft: ATG 

- make my monday: cute Christmas

- moving along with the times: ATG but a card
- my time to craft: stitching real or faux
- path of positivity: be grateful
- pennys papertake: ATG

- 12 months of Christmas

- through the craftroom door: ATG
- unicorn challengeblog: Christmas/winter

- wortartwednesday: ATG
- worldwide open design team challenge: ATG