My Liberty Hoop Christmas Tree Featured In Homespun Magazine

What a thrill! When I was contacted by Homespun Magazine - gosh it was months and months ago - about my Liberty Hoop Christmas Tree, I was over the moon. It was so long ago that I had forgotten that my work would be in the July issue. Even when I was reminded a few weeks ago, I was excited... BUT when mum surprised me with a copy of the magazine today, I was scrutinising every page looking for a tiny thumbnail image. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I opened page 91 to see a FULL PAGE FEATURE!!! My mouth literally fell open, I couldn't believe it. Then the jumping began. I still can't believe it.

This Hoop Christmas Tree was my Christmas craft project for 2013. I had only just discovered Liberty Art Fabrics that year and I wanted to make something special with my new stash. And back then, I loved embroidery and hated sewing! I didn't even own a sewing machine (pfff). So I got creative! Anyone can make this.

If you're interested in seeing close-up images, here's a link HERE.

I'm going out tomorrow and buying a whole pile of this magazine!

Thank you thank you Homespun Magazine, 

for loving my favourite Christmas craft project as much as I do xxTabatha

Liberty Advent Calendars For The Kids

Liberty squares cut for pockets || Rhapsody and Thread

DMC Colour Palette for the Pocket Numbers || Rhapsody and Thread

Hand-embroidered Numbers || Rhapsody and Thread

Hand-embroidered Numbers for the Pockets || Rhapsody and Thread

Numbers hand-stitched on red linen for Logan's pockets || Rhapsody and Thread

Logan's Advent Calendar has red linen pockets with Liberty fabric lining || Rhapsody and Thread

Hand-stitched numbers ready for stitching on Isla's Liberty pockets || Rhapsody and Thread

Isla's Advent Calendar pockets are Liberty fabric front with red linen interior || Rhapsody and Thread

Pockets sewn to linen backing flag || Rhapsody and Thread

Running stitch grid || Rhapsody and Thread

Backing fabric from Spotlight

Finished Advent Calendars || Rhapsody and Thread

Liberty Christmas Elephant with finished Advent Calendars
Logan's on the left / Isla's on the right || Rhapsody and Thread

So I'm one of those people who wishes it was Christmas all year round. I just love it. The bright colours, the cheer, the excuse to make beautiful things... like I need one. A couple of years ago, I made personalised Christmas stockings for the family and a big Liberty Christmas Hoop Tree to decorate the entry. My babies were still too young then, but this year will be different. Logan is learning to count and Isla has a pretty good understanding of Christmas - but no concept of time. So I think advent calendars will be perfect this Christmas. 

I found this design on Molly Flanders Blog. Here's a picture of the original, isn't it lovely!

I changed it up a little bit, I'm sure she won't mind.

As you can see, the original is much more neutral whilst still maintaining the focus on the Liberty. And the sweet hand-stitching (a feature that bumped me over the edge when deciding which calendar pattern to try) really pops on the linen.

I maintained a lot of the same features, like the beautiful pockets and hanging-banner style. But as it's a calendar for the kids, I wanted to add a few more pops of colour. I also couldn't find this handy number fabric so I decided to hand-embroider the numbers on the pockets (don't recommend if you're short on time!). All of the hand-stitching took a lot longer than I hoped, so I didn't get to personalise them. That'll be a project for next Christmas!! As it is, it's the 1st of December and I've got so much to do now before Christmas, I don't think I'd get them done this year. 

Happy Christmas Crafting

xxT