Countdown to Christmas QAL--My advent calendar

 

Here it is!  My advent calendar I made with the Countdown to Christmas QAL.  I think it turned out so cute.  It helps when you really like the fabrics you used.  'In from the cold' charm pack plus a fabric sample of another cute fabric line--I can't remember what it was called, but it had the Santa, little cardinals, and the words all in it. 

 

 

I added another pocket for Christmas day.  It made sense to me, but apparently it's against the norm when it comes to Advent calendars.  That's just how I roll.  I guess!  That pocket is a special shimmery gold fabric. 

 

I did pebble quilting, but added a feathered cross.  For us, that is the reason for the season!  As for the pockets, I am copying several of Janice's activity-based ideas, along with a few little books and prizes I found at the Target dollar bin.  And there will be chocolate in there too!  My kiddo is not quite 2, so I want to keep it fun for the whole family, but not too candy-focused.  The kid is still demanding he have his Halloween candy- which is pretty much gone except for the things that are too hard for him to eat.  We kept it "hidden" on top of the fridge, but he knows it's there and points to it and whines "tanny!!"  I hope the calendar doesn't encourage the same behavior.  We'll see!

 

For the numbers, I used the font Plantagenet Cherokee in size 225 and bold. I just printed out 0-9 and cut them out and traced them (backwards) onto the backside my felt which I had ironed on my fusible webbing. Then, I just cut them out-very carefully- and ironed them on. I considered stitching around them, but decided I could get by without the extra effort. I can always hand stitch around them later if I really wanted to. Or glue them down if they come off. I figured it's only getting 'used' for 25 days out of the year, it won't get worn out too quickly...

 

I found this striped binding at my LQS.  I had to do a Google search to figure out how to cut it on the bias.  It was pretty simple to do.  Thanks to Janice and Melissa for organizing this QAL.  I'm so glad I participated.  One item on my holiday bucket list is forever crossed off!

 

And here are my November blocks for my do. Good Stitches group.  This block is called Arkansas Traveler.