Christmas Countdown Wallhanging

A long time ago (2014 actually) Hadley (of Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle blog) had a fab make in Quilt Now Magazine.  Not an advent calendar but a Christmas Countdown wallhanging.  I bookmarked it in my magazine at the time, you know, just case there was ever reason or time to have a go myself.  Then, of course, along came the reason but not so much time ;-)

Well, with the Lori Holt Cosy Christmas quilt finished I'm making the excuse of using up some of the scrappier leftovers and giving Hadley's pattern a go, at last!

The main part of the mini quilt is Christmas scrap heaven, of course, and perfect for Lori Holt's Christmas collection.  I've managed to complete the '...days until Christmas!' embroidery and have bondawebbed the numbers to some background squares.  A little bit of machine appliqué to secure them is the next thing - though I notice that I've forgotten to make a zero, so probably need to sort that out first.

Not sure that CT is going to grasp the backwards counting aspect of this any year soon, but one day I do think it will be a fun way to aid her on that skill.

Special Little Ladies

I've really been looking forward to being able to show you these little ladies who were stitched in December for a very special new arrival, but I waited until the gift was delivered before the big reveal.

I just loved the opportunity to stitch up these little Russian dolls from Aimee Ray's great Doodle Stitching book.   I think they are the perfect stitch design for this project and I was so glad to find Aimee Ray had included them in her book, as my efforts to draw these freehand would have made for much less successful embroidery!

I did consider making a cushion panel from the stitchery, but as the stitching progressed, I thought it would be fun to turn them into a bright and cheery wallhanging fit for the nursery of a treasured first daughter.  So a little bit of England Swings by Rebekah Merkle and a few heart buttons and cuteness reigns.  Although this cuteness is absolutlely no match for the cuteness of its adorable new owner, I promise you!

And, just as a wee extra I passed on two little taggy comforters like these as well - one to cuddle while one is in the wash!

I may have relished making these baby girl pressies rather a lot!