First Christmas Ideas and a flash of genius

Isn't it pleasing to see baubles among osteospernum and passion flowers to say nothing of in the beach pebbles.

I will try to write a pattern for these soon.


The flash of genius? I ran out of baubles and
 I couldn't face the loft again so I decided to make a granny square
advent calendar. The backing is made from super chunky yarn and it if fixed to a trouser hanger. I made the 24 granny squares first and then made the back fit. Each square has a fairly stiff felt lining which I sewed in place before attaching the squares to the backing.
As you can see I started to fill each little pocket with tiny little crochet things. I am particularly pleased with the jolly (drunk?) pixie. The angel has a mad miss Haversham look and somehow Santa seems hunched, cold and fed up. The others are a tiny tortoise, a miniscule owl, a small mouse and a fish.
Anyway then I had my flash of genius: why not make it an Advent calendar or Christmas present for crafters? You could fill each pocket with something essential or luxurious for a particular craft such as a packet of sewing needles, some special buttons a ball of yarn. Or you could put in a mix of things like the ones I am going to use;


And here they are in close up:
 3 large jingle bells and a ball of sparkly yarn
 Three different types of thread.
 Buttons and hooks
More buttons and a key ring finding
 Safety eyes  and some hair clip blanks
 a tape measure and a tiny purse clip
 A set of cat buttons and a set of snowman buttons.













Some small silver jingle bells and some stitch holders
 More buttons and some tassels
Brooch findings and hair combs








Some beads and some ribbon.












I know advent calendars should have numbers and I am still thinking about them - either felt cut with the dye cutter or I have some number beads coming. I am amazed that there are exactly 24 different things here although some might say there are rather too many buttons - but I don't think that that is possible.
Lynn