Make It A Handmade Christmas Challenge

I saw this just a few days ago on SewCalGal, put the button on the side bar and then sat and thought.  I make a number of Christmas Items thru the year, so why not start now.

  

So I am taking the Pledge and I thought this would be easily enough to do if I combine it with Sherri @ A Quilting Life challenge using those candy charms. 

I saw this TUTORIAL over at Connie's and made a few changes.  I don't have die-cuts and really am not very good at applique.  But you could fussy cut that center or even a pretty hankie or embroidery would work, too.  I had a piece of 'Monet's Countryside' by Fabric-Quilt, Inc. (old fabric) and a few 2.5" candy charms left from a Collection for a Cause - Mill Book Series-1835.

I have been using up this very old lily of the valley print as mini backings.  It goes with the garden theme.  And I found a scrap piece of binding that is from the Enchanted Pond collection - again theme. And these little projects are a great way to use up scrap pieces of batt. I used a piece of the selvedge from Monet's Countryside and signed and dated with a sharpie as my label and simply fused it to the back.   Corner inset pockets for hanging or it can go on a table.

I used a Superior white thread top and bottom and did a simple meander in the center, some loops and fans in the white framing, and some loopies in the charm border.  I have a lot of family members who garden, so don't know who will get this, but it goes into the present box - one gift down. 

This little project took me all of 2 hours to make from beginning to end.  So you still can get a small project done and link up with SewCalGal Challenge by January 25th.  If not, keep it in mind for the February Challenge.

** also linking up with Connies @ FreeMotion by the River - linky Tuesday **

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon