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