Hello! I am excited to be writing this post today. I am in love with this entire project. It will actually be a series of posts starting with today, continuing on Friday and then into next week as well. How fun is that? So what is this post you ask? It is creating a countdown to Christmas sign.

It turned out super cute. Today will are working on the Countdown and the Rae Dunn inspired Christmas mugs and Friday I will be showing you how to create the tray for the hot cocoa bar.

This post is sponsored by StyleTechCraft – my favorite vinyl company. They have been super nice to provide all of the vinyl for this project.

I am using mostly Luster Vinyl but I did sneak in some glossy vinyl as well.

The mugs are from the Dollar Tree. You can’t beat $1 each when you are making something like this.

If you love some Dollar Tree crafts and gift ideas you have come to the right blog. I love and use Dollar Tree items all of the time in my crafting.

You can get the cut file for this countdown to Christmas sign by adding your name and email to the opt-in box below. This will add you to my email list. I usually send one email per week.

If you are already on the list but still want the freebie go ahead and enter your name and email. You won’t get added a second time but the freebie will be sent to you! Win win!

Creating A Countdown To Christmas Sign

There are not too many steps to this but there is some cutting to be done so go ahead and get your Cricut or Silhouette ready!

Step 1: Paint your board

We have all sorts of scraps and things in our garage. I found this 8.5×11 board and it was perfect because I could add a frame to the edges.

I used the DecoArt Black Chalk paint to give it it’s first coat.

Then I painted two coats of Rust-oleum Linen White chalk paint. This step was apparently not filmed (operator error I am sure) but you know what it is like to paint.

Then I added one coat of Mod Podge to seal it all down.

Step 2: Opt-In and download the freebie

This cut file for the countdown to Christmas sign is only available through the opt-in shown above. If you want to enter your name and email address to get it go ahead and do so now. You will receive the download in an email.

If you decided you don’t want to be on my email list at a later date you can unsubscribe at any time.

The designs for the mug can be found in my Etsy shop but when you opt in for the freebie you will get a special offer to get it at 50% off! This is a great deal.

If you miss it you can find it in my shop by clicking the link below:

Hot Cocoa Bar Tray & Mug Cut Files and Tag printable

Step 3: Upload into Design(s) Space and cut the images

When you upload the Countdown sign into design space you will need to un group and re-group a couple of things.

The photo above on the right side shows the “another cup of cheer,” and the “only days until” as grouped together and attached. So click on each one in the group and click on “group” at the top right side. Then click on “attach” at the bottom right.

Repeat these steps for the second group.

This will keep the rows together and spaced correctly for the design to work.

After all of the colors have been cut and weeded you can add your transfer paper or transfer tape.

I used the transfer tape for this one but little bits of paint did come off with it. I am so happy it wasn’t enough to show but it did make me a little nervous.

Step 4: Layout the design on your board

I like to keep the picture of the design up on my computer while I lay it out on the board so I know I am close to the original.

Lay out all of the pieces and get them ready to apply.

Once you like the placement of your design you can start removing the transfer tape/paper and applying the vinyl to the board.

Keep going and apply all of the vinyl except for the mug.

When you get to the mug cut the backing from the center.

Step 5: Add the chalkboard area

I love the chalkboard vinyl. It is perfect for these little countdown to Christmas projects. You can see that I used in on my Grinch countdown as well.

If you don’t have any of the chalkboard vinyl you can use chalkboard paint. Either will do a fine job.

Without removing the backing from the mug…yet…place it down and use a pencil to trace the opening.

Measure a little bit bigger than the opening and cut a circle from the vinyl. I used my Cricut for this but you can cut with scissors if you want.

Place the chalkboard vinyl or paint the outlined circle just past the pencil line.

Then place the mug vinyl on top of the chalkboard vinyl or the chalkboard paint after it has dried. If you are using paint you may need a couple of coats.

If you like a distressed look you can dry brush a little bit of black paint onto the sign. I did mostly on the edges/corners.

I added a Dollar Tree certificate frame at the last minute. It looks more finished and polished with the frame.

Decorating the ceramic mugs

Download and cut the designs from the Cricut or the Silhouette. I love this Rae Dunn look and it is so perfect for these Dollar Tree mugs.

Weed the text and add the transfer tape.

Remove the transfer tape and add it to the mug.

Repeat this process with the other mugs.

Aren’t they cute? I love the way this all turned out.

Materials Needed

I have added some affiliate links for your convenience. You can see my full disclosure here.

What do you think?

Follow StyleTechCraft on Facebook!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Michelle