Last year I drew Kimie's name for Christmas and made her an advent calendar. This year Norie is my Christmas giftee and has asked for a calendar too. So far - so good. I don't have to worry about what to make her.Now the problem gets a bit complicated ... living in a Japanese house, the wall space for hanging is limited. She gave me the size restrictions (and they were restricting) and I have drafted a pattern and begun the task of putting it in action. The little pockets have to each hold a decoration to place on the tree. If the pockets get too small, the decorations I will have to carve will be very small as well.
Since each pocket has a number, the size of the numbers was also quite limited and needle-turn applique was a bugger. I wanted to stop many times and begin over using paint or embroidery or anything else. Now I am quilting around each number and hoping they will be OK.
As soon as I get these little numbers taken care of, I will be able to sew those pockets on and then the tree and the border of one-inch Christmas fabrics.
Since this is an Advent calendar, it will have to be done by the end of November to be used. The little carved ornaments will take about a week so I guess it is time to stop blogging and get boogieing.
What! You're going to carve the ornaments? I am totally amazed...it would never even occur to me to try that. Wow! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of applique in a little space...it looks great!
ReplyDeleteEven though the dimensions are small, this appears to be a big project. The numbers are looking very cute at this point. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLooking great already, Mom! Love Norie, the lucky giftee :)
ReplyDeleteHello!! Stopped over from slow poke quilters. My hubby is active duty and we lived in Japan for four years, about two hours north of Tokyo. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteY'know, I have a question. Did you by chance do a cub scout camp about two summers ago? I thought I remembered someone who looked like you. Did you discuss plants? We held the teepee camp at Tama Hills?
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying your blog especially as I have visited Japan and lived abroad myself and met many expat wives. I adire all you manage to do by hand - regards Mary/Quayquilter fellow teacher/librarian
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are aching, just thinking of applique-ing those tiny numbers! But, as usual, they look fantastic.
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