Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Ho Ho Ho: Not-Quite-Christmas-in-July

Welcome, hoppers!  I have been loving the outpouring of Christmas Spirit these past few days!


I really struggled over what to create for this blog hop--I had several ideas that just didn't feel right.  Then one evening as I was straightening my sewing area, I unearthed the advent calendar that I started last fall.  Woohoo--perfect project!  Pieces are already made and mostly cut out, a fabric line I truly love (Blitzen by BasicGrey) and still time to actually finish it.

The original tutorial is here at Sew, Mama, Sew.  It is really easy to follow and comes together quickly ... unless you're like me and iron on the numbers 1/4-inch instead of 1/2-inch from the borders.  That's about the time I put it aside last year, and I let it languish.  Once I picked it back up, it took me longer to very carefully pick off the numbers without damaging the Wonder Under and re-adhere them to the pockets than the rest of the project combined.  Oh, well.
  

Each square is a little pocket to put a thought or scripture or treat into for each day leading up to Christmas.  I like their size--it encourages fun simplicity.  I've got ideas for most of them, but I'm still working on some.  The first thing that Samantha noticed about this is that each pocket is off-center :)  I like that about the design, but we'll see how much it drives her crazy (hee hee hee).


I did decide to add top stitching to each pocket.  I used blending thread so it doesn't show too much, but I do like the extra little finish.  This was also my first attempt at machine applique.  I would definitely suggest starting with a simpler pattern.  These numbers were quite difficult with all the fussy turns and curves.  It took quite a bit of patience for me--but I do like the way it turned out.


I chose a fun grunge collage from the the Blitzen collection for my back.  Really I love the fabric.  The more I look at it, the more I like it.  Also, I'm not that great at FMQ yet, so I wanted something that would hide my mistakes.

Make sure to check out all the other hoppers today.  Thanks for sharing the love!

59 comments:

  1. Love it! Your FMQ is really nice. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. If we didn't make any mistakes, our quilting would go so much faster. lol. I think your calendar is great, even if the numbers were tedious. You will treasure it for many years, I am sure.

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  3. What a great quilt. I love the fabrics. Thank you for sharing

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  4. Your advent quilt is wonderful. Thanks for sharing and being part of this blog hop.

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  5. Beautiful quilt. Thank you for including the link to the tutorial! I will have to put it on the list.... I keep telling myself that there is still LOADS of time till Christmas......

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  6. Fun project - thanks for sharing.

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  7. Wonderful advent quilt, thanks for sharing!

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  8. turned out just wonderful...love your quilting on this.

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  9. I love it! Cute, cute.... blessings, marlene

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  10. Very cute advent quilt! I think your FMQ looks great. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Lovely quilt and such nice quilting too!

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  12. How fun! You will really enjoy your pretty quilt! Great job!

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  13. What a beautiful project and your applique looks perfect! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Your quilting is sew great ! I really like the idea of putting scripture in the pockets !

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing your creative ideas. Very nice.

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  16. Just love the advent calendar and the idea of putting scripture in the pocket each day! Thanks so much for sharing today!

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  17. What a pain to have to pick off the numbers, but it looks like it was worth the trouble...it is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Such a lovely calendar quilt. And your quilting is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  19. Lovely advent calendar! thanks for sharing!

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  20. That is just about the sweetest thing I've seen. Beautiful!

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  21. What a great idea. I love the fabric that you choose for it.

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  22. What a great project! It looks fabulous, and my grandchildren would love it! :)

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  23. I think you did a fabulous job! It looks terrific!
    xo jan

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  24. I really do like the advent calendar! It is very pretty, nice fabric. Thanks for sharing,
    cheers
    maggie

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  25. So glad you found and finished that advent calendar. I love it! Gives me an idea for one for my grandsons. Now to make it . . .

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  26. Nice job! I need to make an advent calendar for my granddaughters.

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  27. Love the fabrics! Thanks for joining the hop!

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  28. Hi Heather. I think your Advent Calendar is really cute. The quilting is beautiful and so is the applique. I wish my quilting was half that good. Great job. Thank you for sharing.

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  29. My DH just walked in and loves the snowmen fabric!

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  30. How nice to finish a UFO. I like the advent calendar.

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  31. what a great idea for an advent calendar. thanks for sharing

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  32. Nice Advent quilt. Thanks for sharing.

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  33. That will be wonderful to have for the holiday season! You did a really nice job on it! Happy Stitching!
    Sharon
    Forget-Me-Not Stitches

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  34. Way to go on this project. I like that the numbers are off center and use such cool fabrics.

    There is a song by Rodney Carrington called "Presence of Love" Your plaque reminded me of it. Entirely true sentiment that we often forget with all the holiday hub-bub.

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  35. I love the idea of filling the pockets but I think all three ideas would be great to find. Words of encouragement, Spiritual growth, and a sweet treat.
    Hugs

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  36. Such a sweet Advent calendar! Love that fabric line too. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  37. ohhhhh sweetest for last..I am ready for bed with visions of your sweet work....pockets...great idea

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  38. oh what could be found in those pockets this Christmas season.....thanks for sharing
    in stitches

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  39. I love it! I am going to have to make an advent calendar. I keep so many cute ones around the blogosphere. I have been reluctant to make one because I don't have children to unearth the advent treasures. I think I am just going to make one for myself and fill it with quilty goodies and act surprised every day! Is that a plan or what???

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  40. I am a serial reverse stitcher...ha.... I can relate to putting things aside! But you have made a fantastic job of finishing it - it looks awesome!

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  41. I love your advent calendar!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  42. Cutest calendar, well done.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  43. this will be fun to use on the holidays!

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  44. Hiya Heather!!! What a wonderful Advent calendar. And I love that line too. You did a great job on it. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas, blessed be, hugs!!! Pam

    pamspretties57 at gmail dot com

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  45. Thanks for being part of the fun blog hop. I enjoyed your blog.

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  46. I love it! That is one beautiful advent calendar!

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  47. An advent quilt is a perfect project to get finished early. Advent starts much earlier than most the holiday parties so looks like you're nearly set to go.

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  48. Very nice. Thank you for sharing.

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  49. I think your Advent quilt will look beautiful....I am so sorry I did not get to post on your day I was at docs most of it but wanted to check back.

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  50. Just adorable and congrats to you for finishing it.

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