Birthday Countdown Stand

My "baby" will be turning six later this month!  She's super excited, I'm finding it hard to believe.  A couple months ago, I came across this cute Flip Recipe Organizer at Positively Splendid.  I'm not nearly organized enough to keep all my recipes together, but I thought the concept was perfect for a countdown.  I followed Amy's great tutorial and it came together really quickly.

 Our new Birthday Countdown Stand was an easy little project (and I got to use a power tool!), my daughter LOVES it, and I no longer have to answer "How many days till my birthday?" multiple times a day.  

Here's what you'll need:

* acrylic picture frame/sign stand (mine was 5x7")

* decorative papers and/or embellishments

* two 1" binder rings

* drill with a 1/8" bit

* painters' tape or masking tape

Here's what to do:

1.  Measure where you want your ring clips to be at the top of your frame.  I made mine about 3/4" down and in 1 3/4" in from the sides.  Place a piece of painters' tape or masking tape over that part of your frame (to prevent cracking when you drill) and drill two holes using the 1/8" bit.

I only had really narrow tape on hand, but it worked just fine.

 2.  Gather your decorative papers and embellishments.  I just used some of the tons of patterned paper I have left over from my short-lived scrapbooking days and printed up the words and numbers on my computer.

3.  Cut your main pieces to 5x7" and then assemble your pieces.  Punch two holes at the top to correspond to the holes in the frame for the ring clips.  Slide your completed design into the frame.  (Mine's nothing fancy, but I wanted to finish before my daughter came home from school to surprise her. )

4.  Make your number cards for the countdown.  Because we'll only be using this for a couple weeks, I didn't laminate them.  However, if you're making a countdown stand that will be getting a lot of use, laminating for durability might be a good idea.

 

5.  Attach your number cards in reverse order using the binder rings and you're ready to countdown.

I know this Countdown Stand will continue to be used for all my kids' birthdays and special occasions.  It'll be super easy to swap out the design and whip up some new number cards ~ expect to see a Halloween one soon! ;)

Sharing our countdown at:

Gluesticks 
Fireflies and Jellybeans 
Katie's Nesting Spot 
It's Playtime 
Smilemonsters 
Happy Hour Projects 
Sun Scholars 
Design Dazzle 
Delicate Construction 
Tatertots & Jello 
Be Different, Act Normal 
I heart Naptime 
The Sunday Showcase
Under the Table and Dreaming 
Craft-O-Maniac 
Running with Glitter 
Homemaker on a Dime 
Beneath the Rowan Tree 
C.R.A.F.T. 
Skip to My Lou 
Making the World Cuter 
Lines Across my Face 
Today's Creative Blog 
Reasons to Skip the Housework 
Not Just a Housewife 
The Mommy Club 
Momnivore's Dilemma 
Bear Rabbit Bear 
The Idea Room 
It's Playtime 
Momma's Kinda Crafty 
Craft Junkie Too
Ladybird Ln. 
Sugar and Dots 
The Frugal Girls