As promised, here's a photo collage of the last 12 days of our fun Advent project--this has been super fun, and I'm personally excited about many other creative ways this awesome idea can spin off into--special thanks once again to Greta, for sharing her wonderful boxes with us!
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night! 
On behalf of the entire A Muse crew, I'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
I would also like to thank YOU, our readers, for following along with our 24 days of advent boxes. We sure had a lot of fun making these boxes and hope that you enjoyed counting down the days with us!
As I mentioned, I needed a slightly larger box to accomodate my gift - a $50 A Muse Gift Certificate.
Who is this lovely gift for, you ask? Well, it is for one of our L*U*C*K*Y blog readers and it could be YOU! To enter, simply post a comment here sharing the name of your favorite A Muse Holiday stamp. We will choose a winner on December 30th, 2008. Good luck!
Wishing you all the joys of the season!
Day 24, Linda
This is the last of our Advent boxes. You will notice there are no numbers on my box... because everyone knows Santa comes on the 24th, right?! My girls were the ones that informed me that numbers are not required.
This box is 2.5" square, which can easily be made from a sheet of 8.5" x 11" cardstock. You will need to score the strips of cardstock and 2.5", 5", 7.5" and 10". This will leave you with a 1" strip to adhere the box together. I needed a slightly larger box to fit my gift inside. <grin>
Stay tuned to see WHAT is inside my advent box *and* the other 11 boxes.
Day 23, by Melinda
I wonder if you've guessed Melinda's clever trick on her box! Look carefully . . .
If you guessed that she made candy cane stripes by adhering narrow white strips of card stock over red solid, DING DING DING!!! Mel, I actually said, "Wicked smaaaht!" when I realized what you'd done!
Hat's off, girl!
Day 22, by Adelina
Adelina's box features a lovely chocolate and cabana blue combination, and she edged the scallop square with Diamond Stickles, which is iridescent, but, with a wonderful pale gold sparkle, too, that shows, depending on how the light is angled onto it--so pretty!
Now, I must say, Adelina did something very unusual inside her box that is absolutely charming (made me blurt out "SHUT UP!!!") and I'm looking forward to sharing that with you when we reveal the contents of the second half of the 24 boxes!
[Stamps: "Think Snow", Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Chocolate; Aqua Mist Sheer, Cabana Blue Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon]
Day 21, by Julie
YAY! Today is *my* box sharing day! Yippeeeeee!!! I Simple Stick embossed Simple Snowflake in a pretty cyan colored ink, so I could coat it with clear prisma glitter! Simple Snowflake is my favorite--it's just so iconic! It fit perfect on some metal edge tags I'd picked up at the office supply store a while back. I also Simple Stick embossed the numbers, only with red pigment ink and used some yummy Martha Stewart glitter, which I also love . . .
After I mounted the tag and trimmed out numbers, I decided a little bit of red glitter glue would look good in the center of the snowflake.
You will never guess what's inside . . . *deep chortling* On the 24th, I'll reveal what's inside the last 12 boxes with a fun photo collage, just like I did the first 12. OH MYLAAANTA!!! Only 4 more sleeps 'til Christmas! 
{Stamps: Simple Snowflake, Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Red Paper; Simple Stick Embossing Powder; Swiss Red Sheer Ribbon]
Day 20 by Tracy
I loved Tracy's unique twist on the numbers featured on her box--she stamped those in a lighter green, and then "shadowed" them with a dark green marker, which gives them the coolest 3D effect! And, the pretty punched flower is embellished with a red Twinkle Sticker, making this box such a festive thing, don't you agree?
[Stamps: Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Red, Madeira Green; Palm Sheer Ribbon; Red Dot Twinkle Stickers]
Day 19, by Joyce
I thought Joyce's idea to use Party Chick on her box was fun--can you see how she cut and 3D mounted her? Love the dimension!
I don't know if you can see it that well in the pic, but Joyce actually wrapped a band of card stock around the whole box, pleating it once at the top, and punching a hole to lace a ribbon hanger through it! You could hang it on the tree as an ornament! Snazzy idea, eh?!
[Stamps: Party Chick, Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Red & Grass, Vintage Red; Simple Stick Embossing Powder; Pearl Sheer Ribbon]
Day 18, by Melissa
Melissa did her box in her signature clean and simple style, 3D mounting one circle atop another! She, too, could not resist adding some glitter. It made me chuckle, because we Muses all *adore* glitter so much--we just can't seem to help ourselves and put it on EVERYTHING!
But, a girl can never have to much bling, right?! 
[Stamps: Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Grass]
Day 17, by Jen D.
Jen glitterfied the #17 using the Simple Stick and chose to embellish Santa's Suit with White Liquid Appliqué! This is a super simple and fun way to add "fluff" to your images! It comes in a squeeze tube, and you just apply it where you want it--if you heat it (with a heat tool) immediately, it produces an irregular fluffy effect, and if you let it dry overnight, it will create a smooth whip cream effect when you heat it. Great for creating cupcake frosting, snow, and even fur effects on critters!
[Stamps: Santa's Coat, Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Red & Grass; Swiss Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; Simple Stick Embossing Powder; Other: White Liquid Appliqué]
Day 16, by Michelle W.
Michelle created a fabulous shaker box using scallop square punches--that pretty, iridescent and sparkly snow inside is Buffalo Snow FLakes--great stuff! I love that Michelle perched Tiny Bird right atop the #16, and colored him a holiday red for this design!
[Stamps: Tiny Bird, Birthday Builder; Paper: Kitchen Red; Swiss Red Sheer Ribbon]
Day 15, by Novell
Awwwwe! Look at Mouse! He's ready to rock around the Christmas Tree with his li'l Santa hat! LOVE the die cut snowflake--so dazzling with all that purdeee glittaaaah! I like how Novell used die cut numbers in red to create a high contrast effect--*so* CUTE!
[Stamps: Mouse, Tiny Gift; Paper Kitchen Green, Vintage Red]
Day 14, by Elena
OK. Too gosh golly darn smaaaaht! Elena stamped the Dove on her box (prior to assembly, while it was flat, of course), and then AGAIN, on white card stock, carefully trimming just the bird out, and then mounting it right over the top--this is such an excellent trick for making an image opaque white over patterned paper. *snap*
[Stamps: Soaring Dove, Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Madeira Green, Vintage Green; Swiss Red Sheer Ribbon; Red Twinkle Stickers]
Day 13, by Beth
Isn't this just charming? Beth's box features Annabelle, who is wondering just what could be inside that Christmas package! I absolutely LOVE how Beth fashioned an ornament to embellish the design, by using a punched out circle and some die cut numbers--so ingenious!
[Stamps: Annabelle; Paper: Vintage Green; Swiss Red Sheer Ribbon; Red Twinkle Stickers]
So, we're half way to Christmas, eh?! We thought this would be a GREAT time to reveal what's inside each of the Advent boxes the Muses contributed thus far! Click on each pic below and you'll be whisked away to their blogs to see the hidden treasures!
Are ya' gettin' the Christmas giddies yet? 
Day 12, by Heather
Heather chose Kitchen Red paper for her box--I know it was hard to let go of the orange, my friend, but I am proud of you! *chuckle*
Heather not only embossed and glittered the #12, but, she also carefully trimmed them out before layering them onto the scallop white circle. Doesn't Tiny Holly accent the project just perfectly? The MicroDot Red Twinkle Stickers make perfect berries!
[Stamps: Tiny Holly, Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Red; Lime Sheer Ribbon; Simple Stick Embossing Powder; Red Twinkle Stickers]
Day 11, by Tisha
Don't ya' just love Fawn's wide-eyed expression? Tisha added some bling to adorn his neck and nose and take a look at the end of the ribbons--JINGLE BELLS!!! I thought punching out the #11 in a star shape was a super cute idea, too!
[Stamps: Fawn, Cupcake Builder Set; Paper: Vintage red & Green; Swiss Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; Red Twinkle Stickers]
Day 10, by Jenn S.
Polar Bear is all bundled up with his red scarf on this fun tag embellishment Jenn made for her box! The numbers from the Cupcake Builder set are perfect for this design, and I absolutely love that she angled the tag to overhang the edges of the box!
[Stamps: Polar Bear, Cupcake Builder Set; Paper: Madeira Green; Stitched Red Grosgrain Ribbon]
Day 9, by Lyndsay
Lyndsay's box features a glittery #9, but, also a row of red Twinkle Stickers across the top. It struck me that I have a tendency to always use these fun stickers just to embellish images, but, her approach reminds me to stretch beyond those tendencies or habits, and try something new! Little details like this can make quite an impact!
[Stamps: Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Vintage Red & Green Papers; Sheer Swiss Red Ribbon; Simple Stick Embossing Powder; Red Twinkle Stickers]
Day 8, by Lexi
Lexi chose to make her box from white card stock, and punch squares from patterned paper to embellish it! She embossed the #8 using red pigment ink and Simple Stick Embossing Powder and then applied clear iridescent glitter for a muted, but dazzling effect. Simple Stick is a sticky embossing powder, great for glitter, flock, and foil. It has the finest grind of any I've ever tried, and I just love the results you can achieve with it!
[Stamps: Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Red and Grass; Swiss Red and Palm Sheer Ribbons; Simple Stick Embossing Powder)
Day 7, by Erika
Li'l CindyLoo has apparently struck "candy" on Day 7--a lucky day indeed! I love the little "got candy" flag Erika tucked behind her--so clever! CindyLoo looks so snuggly cute and reminds me of my daughter Hayley when she was about 3 years old, running through the house in her footed PJ's . . . sweet, sweet memories for me!
[Stamps: CindyLoo, Got Candy, Stitched Numbers Set; Paper: Kitchen Red and Vintage Red; Black Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon]
Day 6, by Jen A.
Jen's oh-so-delicate coloring of Bare Tree sets this long-time favorite of mine off so beautifully, giving it an almost ethereal look and mood. Her use of the oval shape and scallop oval punch are a perfect cameo effect for this pretty little box!
[stamps: Bare Tree, Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Vintage Red; Lime Peel Sheer Ribbon]
Day 5, by Michelle
Michelle's ready to have a very holly JOLLY Christmas, from the looks of this pretty box--she's got wine in mind! I love how she "faded out" the #5 by stamping it off on scratch paper first and using the 2nd generation imprint. This makes it look transparent and avoids obscuring the wine glass image! Wicked smaaaaht, Michelle!
Oh, my, but it's flurryin' by--Christmas will be here in a wink!
[stamps: Wine Glass, Birthday Builder Set, Vintage Green Paper, Swiss Red and Palm Stitched Grosgrain Ribbons]
Day 4, by Geeta
Geeta's box turned out so darling--I love that she used Holiday Bird--she's one of my favorites of this year's holiday release--she's irresistible! Did you know that the largest of our Clear Twinkle Stickers fits perfectly over the ornament she's carrying? PERFECTION! So, where did that #4 come from? Clever girl used the numbers from the Cupcake Builder set!
[stamps: Holiday Bird, Cupcake Builder Set; paper: Kitchen Red; Clear Twinkle Stickers]
Day 3, by Emily
Emily is one of the sweetest, most helpful people I've ever met, so I had to smile when I saw the Candy Cane on her box--I like how she adorned each little scallop with a bit of green!
Rumor has it that the Muses tucked a little treat inside each of their boxes! And, ya'all wanna know what's inside 'em! Gee, go figure! Well, I'm not trying to be a tease. Really. OK, mebbe a li'l bit. I'm a naughty elf, eh?!
We'll be showing photos of the contents of each of the boxes soon--I'll be just as surprised and delighted as you, as I have no idea what's in any of 'em but mine! *giddy* 
[stamps: Birthday Builder Set, Candy Cane; Paper: Kitchen Green; Swiss Red Sheer Ribbon]
Day 2, by Jennie
Jennie did her box all in greens, with the number and ribbon in red for accent!
Did you realize that you could easily mass produce these boxes by scoring whole 8.5 x 11" sheets of card stock, and then trimming them into the strips? *SNAP*
[stamps: Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Kitchen Grass, Vintage Green; Swiss Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon]
Advent Calendars have been increasing in popularity over the last few years, and we thought it would be fun if all the Muses contributed jointly to a fun project of our own this year! Based on Guest Designer Greta Smithson's wonderful boxes, we think it would be wonderful to suspend the boxes from a tree or garland to decorate your home! The PDF pattern & instructions for Greta's boxes is can be downloaded by clicking: Download Cube Boxes
We'll be posting one each day, and hope these little treasures spark your creativity as we all enjoy the wonder and festivities of the season, in anticipation of the Christmas Holiday!
Day 1, by Katie
I thought it was pretty keen that she used a decorative edge blade to trim her paper pieces for this!
[stamps: Rectangle Frames Set, Birthday Builder Set; Paper: Vintage Red and Green Papers, Kitchen Red and Grass Papers; Red Dots Twinkle Stickers; Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon]
