DIY Christmas Countdown- free cut files!

Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes

How to make a Christmas Countdown

1. Paint Wood

   Start with a blank piece of wood. Mine was 12 inches by 16 inches. Paint the whole thing with white craft paint.
   
   

2. Cut Vinyl

   I used my Silhouette Cameo 4 to cut my vinyl. Use my free cut file (download at the end of this post). You can either use vinyl for your words, or use the vinyl as a stencil, like I did.
   
   

3. Place Vinyl & Paint

   Make sure the paint is COMPLETELY DRY before you place your vinyl stencil. Place the vinyl on the top of your board, making sure to stick the edges down really well. Use a Popsicle stick or a vinyl scraper (linked above) to make sure the paint doesn’t seep under the vinyl. Then paint the stencil with craft paint.
   
   

4. Remove Stencil

   Let the paint dry, then remove the stencil. I always use my weeding tool (linked above).
   
   

5. Add Hooks

   Measure 3 1/2 inches from each side, and up 7 1/2 inches from the bottom. This will be where your hooks will go. Use a drill or a screwdriver to attach the hooks. Make sure to use the correct size hooks (linked above).
   
   

6. Make Countdown Tags

   Use 4×6″ wood pieces (linked above), and drill a 1/2″ hole in the center, 1/2″ from the top- Or cut cardstock with the free cut file provided below.
   
   

7. Add Countdown Numbers

   Apply vinyl numbers. Make sure to make 2 sets- each double sided. Be careful not to put the same numbers on the same tag- for instance, don’t put a 3 on one side of the tag and put a 3 on the other side. You want 2 sets with a number 3 on one side and a number 4 on the other side.
   
   

8. Add Hanger

   You can prop this up with an easel, or if you want to hang it on the wall, add a picture hanger to the back. I always keep a picture hanger kit on had for things like this (linked above.)