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November 25, 2014

DIY Advent Calendar & Rockwell Tools Giveaway!

Thanks For Sharing!
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Rockwell Tools. All opinions are 100% my own, these tools really do rock!

Have you ever had one of those projects that’s been on your list for years but you just can’t seem to check it off? Well, this is one of those and I am SO glad I finally buckled down and finished it! I love advent calendars and I’ve had this idea to make one using these tiny galvanized buckets for the past few years and I finally completed it and guess what, I think I love it more than I imagined!

Today I’m giving you a glimpse into how I made my new DIY Advent Calendar using Rockwell Tools and if you keep scrolling you just might have a chance to win some tools of your own!

DIY Advent Calendar With Bucket Pails

Miss E helped with most of the project and she is so excited to start using it on December 1. I used these tiny galvanized buckets I found on Amazon. I actually started this project last year, you may remember my ornament post here, but I never actually got to the calendar part.

DIY Advent Calendar

 

These little buckets are the perfect size to place candy, little toys, notes, or scripture to countdown the days until Christmas.

DIY Rustic Advent Calendar

So are you ready for a quick tutorial using some of the most amazing tools ever?!

Supplies:

– (5) pieces of 30″ X 4″ X 1 ” wood (Keep in mind, 4″ wood from the lumber store is really 3 1/2″)

– (2) pieces of 17 1/2″ X 2″ wood

– (10) 1 1/2″ screws

– (25) 2″ nails

– (25) 2″ Bucket Pails

– Measuring Tape

– Wood Glue

– White Paint

– Decorative Element for Top

–  Compact Circular Saw

ROCKWELL TOOLS JAWHORSE FEATURE

I couldn’t be happier with our new move, but unfortunately I don’t have an official workspace yet. We don’t have a workbench or anything in our garage for that matter, which has made working on DIY projects a little challenging for me. I’ve been doing a lot Macgyver setups! Untilllll, I got this the JawHorse from Rockwell Tools. This portable workstation has been nothing short of life changing. I kid you not I don’t know how I have worked this long without it.

The JawHorse folds up into a compact space making it easy for transportation or storage. With just a simple steps it turns into an awesome work station. It’s really sturdy, and gives you the opportunity to securely work on pieces up to 37″.

Rockwell Tools Jawhorse - Awesome tool that creates a portable workspace

 

For my advent calendar, I measured all of my wood first and then cut at once. All I had to do was clamp my wood in place by pushing the button into lock and pushing the food lever down to fully secure it and go. The whole process took seconds. I would lock, cut, unlock, move the piece over, cut. I cannot tell you how much easier this is than trying to balance the piece of wood on a table and having to clamp it each time. I am pretty sure I cut all of my wood for this project in under 5 min.

I’m not exaggerating when I say I’m in love and I will probably be getting a lot more DIY projects done now that I have this!

ROCKWELL Circular Saw

Now let’s talk saws. I’ve been in the market for a  new circular saw. Mine hit the dust a few months ago and I honestly haven’t found one I like yet. I decided to give the Compact Circular Saw a try and this was really impressive. Good things really do come in small packages!

Most of my DIY projects tend to be on a smaller scale, most likely decorative pieces for our home so I don’t need a large circular saw. This Compact Circular Saw is absolutely perfect for me, it’s small, lightweight yet sturdy, the guide is really sleek and it’s powerful.

rockwell tools circular saw collage

The saw feels very ergonomically correct. It feels very natural, there is not learning curve and I was really impressed with the ease that it cut the wood. Such a clean cut with little effort.

Wood Sign - Wood Sizes

Here are all of my pieces of wood for this project.

Sanding Wood

I quickly sanded down the edges to smooth them out, very little was needed.

SECURING WOOD PIECES

Then, I secure the smaller pieces using wood glue and screws. You want to make sure there is a screw going through each plank.

Advent Calendar Tutorial

I gave my sign 2 coats of satin white paint and then measured for my nail holes. I spaced my buckets out 5″ a part and placed 5 buckets on each plank. 

DIY Rustic Advent Calendar with fresh greenery

 

For the final decorative elements, I made a vinyl sign using my Silhouette and used this graphic. You can also learn more about how I decorated the buckets here. The little greenery and twine just gave it the final touch I was looking for!

I can’t wait to start using it on December 1 to start using it! The kids are so excited.

GIVEAWAY

Rockwell Tools Giveaway on DesignDiningAndDiapers.com

Now it’s your turn to win the BLADERUNNER PORTABLE TABLETOP SAW from Rockwell Tools! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Open to US Residence only, 18 years and older. Prize valued at $119!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AND THERE IS MORE!

As part of Rockwell’s “Tools for People that Rock” holiday campaign, the company is hosting a huge “Give One, Get one” Sweepstakes which runs until January 31st, 2015. Participants have the chance to win two ULTIMATE sets of Rockwell Tools for themselves and someone they love. There will be 10 runners-up, who will each win 2 Sonicrafter F50 for themselves AND someone they love.

You can learn more information about Rockwell Tools through all of its social media channels:

  • Facebook @RockwellTools
  • Twitter @RockwellTools
  • Pinterest @RockwellTools
  • YouTube @RockwellTools
  • Instagram @RockwellTools

About Taryn Whiteaker

Taryn Whiteaker is the voice of style behind TarynWhiteaker.com (formerly Design, Dining and Diapers) ! Taryn is a previous PR/Marketing professional who got back to her creative roots after becoming a mom and now shares her passion for home decor and design for the world to see. Taryn lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband and three kids and loves coffee, the outdoors, and exploring with her family.

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Filed Under: DIY Home Decor, DIY Projects, Giveaways, Sponsored

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Breanna says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:00 am

    I love your Advent Calendar! It was definitely worth the wait :) The possibilities sound endless with these tools! Thanks for the giveaway :)

    Reply
  2. valarie says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:43 am

    I love tools!!! Thank you so much for this opportunity Taryn

    Reply
  3. Netty says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:48 am

    Thanks for the chance! Those compact tools look perfect for the winter ;)

    Reply
  4. Gina says

    November 25, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Oh my word – I have been wanting that jaw horse – it’s so awesome. We just built a new coffee table & need to make some matching accent tables – so I would use it for that. LOVE this project Taryn!

    Reply
  5. Mrs. T says

    November 25, 2014 at 8:45 am

    I would give this to my hubby who enjoys woodworking when he can find the time. He would love it!

    Reply
  6. lesley says

    November 25, 2014 at 9:28 am

    i would lOVE LOVE LOVE to win this! my BFF and i have numerous pallet projects as well as signs we are trying to work on and this would be awesome!

    Reply
  7. Carol W. says

    November 25, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    The Jawhorse is definitely a keeper (although my husband would try to take it over)!! I have a few wood signs I would love to make with vinyl and this tool help accomplish that! Thank you Taryn and Rockwell Tools for the chance to win! ~ Carol W. workmanscraps at gmail dot com

    Reply
  8. Taylor Borders says

    November 25, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    id love this saw

    Reply
  9. Evelyn Louangsithideth says

    November 25, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    Oh this would be a fun tool to own!!

    Reply
  10. Sarah says

    November 25, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Thank you for the chance to win the tools and all your great diy projects

    Reply
  11. Hannah says

    November 25, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    So awesome! My husband is constantly picking up tools at garage sales it would be awesome to win this and surprise him!! Thanks for the opportunity!!

    Reply
  12. Brittany Gable says

    November 25, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    This advent calendar would be so awesome to be able to make and hang in our new home. Any Rockwell tool would be amazing to have as newlyweds!

    Reply
  13. Joni says

    November 25, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    I could make lots of things!! :)

    Reply
  14. Ashley @ Simply Designing says

    November 25, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    This turned out so beautiful!!!

    Reply
  15. Jen Smith says

    November 25, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Great projects & ideas! I could definitely use this! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    Reply
  16. Debbie says

    November 25, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    Love it! What a great idea and a great giveaway!
    Debbie

    Reply
  17. Deb Jackson says

    November 25, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    I would use it to make a toddler bench.

    Reply
  18. Cindy B says

    November 25, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    Love this! We just took a big bunk bed apart and I have all kinds of boards to use for making signs to sell!

    Reply
  19. Cathie says

    November 25, 2014 at 8:26 pm

    I love any project that involves power tools! This turned out great.

    Reply
  20. Jentrie says

    November 25, 2014 at 10:31 pm

    I would probably end up giving it to my dad!

    Reply
  21. Jennifer says

    November 25, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    I am all about small decor pieces for our home too. I’ve been making some signs and I would love to make more as gifts this Christmas!

    Reply
  22. [email protected] says

    November 26, 2014 at 3:51 am

    I adore this! Great tutorial too! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  23. jessica w says

    November 26, 2014 at 6:47 am

    we are expecting in May and would love to build our own dresser for baby! :)

    Reply
  24. theresa J says

    November 26, 2014 at 9:54 am

    I would love to make wood signs with the blade runner

    Reply
  25. Kim says

    November 26, 2014 at 11:44 am

    I would love to give it to my mom she is so dang handy!!

    Reply
  26. Colleen Boudreau says

    November 26, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    I would give this to my dad.

    Reply
  27. Jeannie Buechele says

    November 27, 2014 at 10:16 am

    The possibilities would be endless on what I could make with this amazing tool, but what I would like to make most is some cutout letters for my familyroom wall that says family :)

    Reply
  28. Vickie says

    November 27, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    Display Cases and renovate our kitchen.

    Reply
  29. Kayre says

    November 27, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    I would give the Bladerunner to my husband. ..to make things for ME!

    Reply
  30. deena s says

    November 27, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    I would make a frame for a picture my father in law wants to hang. Thanks so much for the chance!

    Reply
  31. Cathie says

    November 27, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    I’d love to make some wood cut ornaments with the Bladerunner!

    Reply
  32. Maura says

    November 29, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    Wow!!! I’d finally get to build some funky shelves( books in boxes for almost three years)

    Reply
  33. jan says

    November 30, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    I NEED a portable table saw. I love it so much. It would help with the built in closet organizer I am making for my daughter.

    Reply
  34. beverly e says

    November 30, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    This would make a wonderful gift for my brother-in-law who is always doing projects for me. Thanks for the chance to win one!

    Reply
  35. Jim Lipscomb says

    December 1, 2014 at 2:52 am

    I wonder if I could get a square enough cut for flooring? It looks like a fun tool to have.

    Reply
  36. Nicole Dz says

    December 1, 2014 at 3:50 am

    I would love to give this to my dad, he loves being out in the garage working with his tools.

    Reply
  37. Carla Hundley says

    December 1, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Wonderful giveaway and cute
    calendar! I would give this to
    my husband, he likes to use
    tools and loves working with
    wood!
    Carla from Utah

    Reply
  38. Patricia C says

    December 1, 2014 at 9:01 am

    I would gift to my husband!

    Reply
  39. arthur says

    December 1, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    looks good

    Reply
  40. Erin says

    December 1, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    I would love making the advent calendar or even a chore chart! The possibilities are endless!

    Reply
  41. karen says

    December 1, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    I love this

    Reply
  42. arthur says

    December 1, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    My wife now wants one.

    Reply
  43. ana b says

    December 1, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    I want to wim to make a little house for my little daughter

    Reply
  44. Eustacia Miliusis says

    December 1, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    I would use this for DIY projects around my home and for crafts. I love the advent calendar you made!

    Reply
  45. Eva McCracken says

    December 1, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    I would love to give it to my Dad for Christmas as a way of saying thanks for all the hard work he did for my husband & I when we moved into our new home :)

    Reply
  46. chris aka monkey says

    December 1, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    i would finally get to use the pallets i have stacked up on the carport for signs and pallet boxes thanks xx

    Reply
  47. Jason says

    December 1, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I’d like to try making inlays.

    Reply
  48. Allix baer says

    December 1, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    i would like to give this to my boyfriend and put him to work on some projects!!

    Reply

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Meet Taryn

Taryn Whiteaker

Hi and welcome! I'm Taryn and the voice of style behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. Recent transplant from Seattle to Dallas. Sharing our journey of modernizing our European style home. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list to get all the latest updates! Read more...

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