Sunday, July 14, 2019

Christmas in July

                                         
I was so happy when SARAH put the call out for interested hosts for the Christmas in July Blog Hop.  I've participated each year and it was a push to make a project that has been saved for years.

This is my inspiration to make an Advent Tree for my grandchildren.


I confess that I don't own the pattern, but mathed out my own plan.  I planned the center size and then figured how many patches I would need for the borders.  I don't particularly like to work with seasonal fabric, but this is simply some scrappy Christmas print reds with a white snowflake print background - that I can handle.  Strattas became twosies and twosies became 4-patches that then became borders.


Pulled some homespuns for the tree trunk and the limbs.  Add some fusible and then cut to the sizes I needed.


I just folded the ends and did a rough rounding cut.  This helped to loosen the fusable paper to make for easy removal.


Hey, I even put another border on!  You all know how I hate borders.  This pretty much used up that white snowflake fabric that has sat so long.  Now the original pattern I liked with the stockings and was thinking homespun would be cute, but this is for my grands and not me.


This is fun stuff to play with - Bosal.  It comes plain, fusible on one side, or fusible on both sides.  I had some scraps left (fusible both sides) from cutting out kits for a class I am teaching later this month - time to use them up.


I pulled the tote with the Christmas fabrics knowing I had baggies filled with cut down scraps in different sizes.  I went thru the 3.5" and 4.5" baggies and pulled out some prints I thought would work nicely for this next step.  And my neat pile of Bosal 3.5" squares cut from those scraps.


I like to use household items for templates when I can and that silver tin lid was the perfect size I needed and traced a circle on a square.  Simply press the Bosal between two squares, cut out, and then finish the edges with a zig-zag stitch - easy peasy.  A long sharp needle and some skinny ribbon made for quick hanging loops.

  
Next the some of the button boxes came out and I was looking for shank buttons.  You noticed I said 'some' - there are lots more.


Ooops - have to quilt and bind before I can add those buttons.  I was happy to use up that tree fabric for the backing and that was the last of my favorite stripe for bindings.


The buttons are all added and with the shanks it will make for easier hanging for small fingers.


As you can see, I didn't add the star.  This reminds me of my great Grandmother's feather tree and she never put a star on it.  I didn't number anything as I want the grands to enjoy their own creativity by being able to put any ornament chosen for the day where they want.  Since they have dietary allegies I didn't make pockets for candies, but you could (the stockies could be stuffed) so I plan on packaging each ornament with a little gift.  A little surprise each day. 


A close up of some of the 'ornaments'.  A very easy and quick project - and I have a start on the season!  I hope this encourages you to take that step outside of the box and go with the flow.  Imagine it and create it.


I have a give away as well, be sure to leave a comment on my blog post and that I have a way to contact you - shipping in the US only.  (will pull the winner on July 27th) This is 'Winter Tidings' w/ Timeless Treasures.  Some pretty metalic for your next project that might just be inspired by one of the hosts during this hop. ** this give away is now closed **

SARAH has found a wonderful company to sponsor a HOP give away:



A Fat Quarter bundle of 'Wintertide' by ' by FIGO.  She will have the entry form each day on her blog as well as each host for the day.  So many chance to win this lovely fabric.  *be sure you hit the submit button on the form or it won't process*




  





Merry Christmas in July,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

70 comments:

sewyouquilt2 said...

Love this Sharon. Such a fun piece.

GranChris said...

Great idea, I love it.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Very nice, I love how you came up with your own pattern. Happy Stitching!

Nancy L said...

I love your project. You are such a thoughtful granny!! I love how you are going to hide surprises for the kiddies. They will really enjoy this and always have a special memory about Christmas and their grandmother!!

maggie fellow said...

adorable and thank you

Debbie said...

Love your version....especially with the circle ornaments versus the stockings. Really cute, Sharon!

Carol C. said...

Very cute!! I love how you made the idea your own! Your grandchildren will love it!! Thanks for sharing!

Susan Shaffer said...

Cute scrappy advent tree. I'm sure the grand kids will enjoy it.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Awesome project, Sharon!!

Toni Macomb said...

Such a clever idea. Thank you for taking the time to prepare this for us.

Kathryn said...

I've always liked advent projects.

MissPat said...

A very creative adaptation and a fun activity for the grands. Hope your Mom is doing better.
Pat

Margie said...

Love this idea and as soon as I get the tree skirts quilted i just might need to make a couple of these. Thanks!

Karrin Hurd said...

What a great project. I keep thinking about doing one for my little grands.

DelightedHands said...

I like your 'I can do it' attitude that is so common with us quilters! This would be a great project to pull out and revisit each year! I recognize lots of fabrics from my own stash, too!

PatriciaLud said...

I love, love, love your tree, and wish I had some grandchildren to share it with. Oh, well, I guess I'll have to make it for myself!

Nancy J said...

Super tree, and the fusible to make the ornaments, that is so nifty.

Mary Ann said...

Great job designing this tree. My mom loved her feather tree! This looks like a great way to use up scraps and would make a great gift!

Jannette said...

What a great idea for an advent calendar! My grands don't have one yet, and this would be perfect (plus I have a large stash of Christmass-sy FQs), so I'm bookmarking this post for a little later this fall. Thanks for the idea!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Cute tree. I'm sure your grands will love it.

Debbie said...

Great project for Christmas memories to be made

Beth said...

This is a really fun project--great for kids to be a part of all along the way. Thanks for sharing.

Christine S said...

This turned out so cute!

Meloney said...

I always do an advent project for DD, even though she is in college. This would be great to make a pocket to be hung there.

M Garcia said...

Shank buttons for hangers is genius!

Material Girl said...

Your tree is very cute. Love the ornaments with the Bosal- great idea. I made a tree for my granddaughter a few years ago. She was so excited she just put all the ornaments on at once. She still loves it! Hope your mom is doing better. It was nice to see you at the picnic.

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Love your Advent tree!!!

Danice G said...

Adorable Advent Tree, very festive.

Nikki said...

Your advent calendar is lovely! Thanks for sharing.

OhioLori said...

Love the Advent Calendar, & great tutorial too. Thanks too..for chance to win your Give-a-way :D

Joanna said...

Advent Calendars are a nice part of the Christmas season and yours is super. The different fabrics add to the fun. Thank for the design.

Renegade Quilter said...

Such a cute idea! I love it!

tink's mom said...

What a wonderful spin you put on the original pattern. Always love that you use up scraps from your ever multiplying stash.

mumbird3 said...

Very cute - just right for my family!!! mumbird3atgmaildotcom

Susan said...

That is a wonderful advent tree, as I would expect from you. I like the idea of using the ornaments as the countdown. Thanks for sharing how to do it, too.

cityquilter grace said...

adorable little advent tree!

Amy B. said...

Your advent tree is adorable!

Jollygirl said...

What a clever idea! Now I want to make one for my nieces and nephew!

ShirleyC said...

That is so neat! I always intended to make an advent tree for my grands when they were little. Maybe I'll get to it for the great-grands!

Tammy said...

Love your ornament advent tree. And it looks great without the star....Thank you for the chance to enter your giveaway.

BarefootThunder said...

a wonderful tree, I might have to make something similar.

Barb Neiwert said...

That's a lot of work making that advent calendar, but I'm sure it will be enjoyed and enjoyed!

Carol Swift said...

That is one of the cutest fabric advent calendars I've seen...nice job, Sharon!

Linda Kay said...

really do like your ornament idea for the tree! and great Christmas colorful!

The Joyful Quilter said...

That ornament tree is super cute, Sharon!!

marebear said...

Love your rustic tree! Thanks for participating and making this event so much fun.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

I so want to make one of these. Love the buttons.

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

Oh I love your version! Very pretty and I am sure will be well loved! xx

Susan said...

Your version looks easier than making 25 stockings. I like it. Are you going to create a tutorial for this?

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi! Thank you so much for the really cute Advent calendar. I just adore this, and really need to make it for this year. Thank heavens there is time - five whole months, right?!! ~smile~ Roseanne

Shirl S said...

LOve the ornament tree, thanks for sharing!

Shirl handquiltATyahooDOTcom

Sharon Aurora said...

I love your tree. That would be fun to make.

Karen McMahon said...

I love your Advent Calendar. I hope your grandchildren enjoy it.

Lee said...

Fabulous idea! Love it!

Moira said...

What a great idea for an advent tree! Love it and will have to remember the idea for the future.

tac73 said...

Thank you for such a great idea! I’ve been trying to plan an advent tree for my own grandchildren and this will be a wonderful start.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I really like this - thank you! I have two grandsons (and another wee one on the way in January) and have been thinking about making them an advent. This one just might be 'it'!

Heather said...

I love that advent tree! What a way to make it your own!

quiltingbydawn said...

Cute idea for an advent calendar! Thanks!

Shelley E said...

Loved your adaptation of the advent calendar!

Jamie Janow Elfert said...

Love your version ... especially using the buttons to hold the ornaments. Thank you!

Chiska said...

I love your advent tree! The buttons are a fantastic idea! Thanks so much for sharing it!!

Tehachap said...

Your Advent Tree is one of the easiest designs I've seen yet. I just might have to make one for the grandson!! Many thanks for participating in the fabric drawing. tehachap@yahoo.com

Tu-Na Quilts said...

Great idea!! Looks simple enough and uses up some fun buttons.
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

Mctoppass said...

What a cute project! Handy too since you had a lot of the prep work done. Thank you for sharing.

bcarlf said...

That is one of the cutest tree ideas I have ever seen.

Danette said...

Such a fun quilt!

Cathy B. said...

Great idea - your grandchildren will have such fun decorating their own tree!
basaran.family (at) rogers (dot) com

Ms. Nicholson said...

Love this quilt! I can use any material for the ornaments!! Can't wait!!

cghundley said...

Fabulous Advent Calendar
Tree! Love the ornaments.
Carla from Utah