Advent Garland :: Ta-dah!

I've been wanting to make some sort of Advent calendar/garland type thingy for many years now, but until this year I've never been organised enough to get my creative thinking cap on in time. Arriving at the very last few days of November and suddenly wanting to create a handmade advent something-or-another is not really possible. Way too rushy and stressy for it to be worthwhile.

But this year, lo and behold, I have actually managed it. Yaaayyyyyyyyy for me!!!!! I feel very impressed with myself I have to confess, and even though technically speaking I haven't quite finished stitching all twenty four numbers yet, I am overlooking that weeny little fact and giving myself a pat on the back anyway.

The idea for my garland came about when I started making these fabulous crochet granny stars, you probably remember my post about them from a few weeks ago (see here). I was originally intending to string a dozen or so of them into a garland to hang over my fireplace (to replace my heart garland for the festive season), but as with many projects of this nature, I found that once I began making these stars I simply couldn't stop. Soon my starry pile was growing a little out of control and when I finally stopped hooking and started counting, I found I'd made sixteen instead of twelve. And that was when it suddenly occurred to me that if I made just eight more, then sixteen would become twenty four and they could indeed be turned into something Adventy.

So twenty four stars were made and strung onto some pink yarn to make a very looooong and colourful garland. But as festive and pretty as my garland was, my stars were Numberless. And no Advent garland would be complete without a set of twenty four numbers, would it??

I needed numbers of some sort then...hmmmm.....well I pondered and I thought, scratched my head and browsed through this amazing Flickr group for ideas and inspiration and eventually came up with a Number Idea.....

I cut twenty four circles out of coloured felt and lots of numbers out of red cotton fabric, then used iron on bondaweb to attach the  numbers to the felt.

A bit of white embroidery thread and some extremely enjoyable and theraputic hand stitching, and there you have it.....a whole bunch of Advent Numbers!

On the reverse of each number circle (which is visible when they're hung up), I added a circle of bonded cotton fabric (embellished with a button and some stitching) to stiffen the felt and stop it going floppy.

And the final thing was to add some coloured paper clips as an easy Hanging Mechanism.

I'm really rather pleased with how it's turned out.

So are the Little People.

They declared that Mummy did a Good Job.

So shall I show you how it looks?

When it's all hung up?

You'll have to excuse the quality of the following pictures I'm afraid, the light is very poor here today (more rain and gloomy dark skies) and I struggled to hold the camera still enough without wobbling.

ok..

here

it

comes.....

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a good 8 or 9 ft long and beautifully stretches across the whole width of the archway which divides our living and dining areas downstairs.

And today being the 3rd December, the first three numbers are hanging in place, marking the date and the Big Countdown.

In true, homespun, colourful Attic24 style.

I'm really pleased with my Advent Garland.

In fact I Love, love, love it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Becky]

Love it, great idea!

[Suzanne Bochel]

Dear Lucy, Please stop distracting me as I have housework to do! Another fab project...when is the next one? Love Suzanne
P.S. I was nearly late for school pick up yesterday!

[Lallee]

Lucy, this is so festive and delightful. I always enjoy everything you create.

[Shelley(crochetedsass on crochetville)]

So so adorable. Love the bright cheeryness of it. I so want to make...no no no must finish christmas present first. lol

[Ali]

Lucy,
I just wanted to pop in and say that I am completely addicted to your blog! it's so amazing, and one of the first in my lineup of blogs to look at. The bright colors and fun patterns are a JOY to see every day!

I've just started a few of your crochet snowflakes, and yup, they're completely addictive! I've only made 3, but am planning on a whole host of them to put around the house! I've also made your ripple blanket, your birdies and much more! You're an inspiration!

[Lara]

WONDERFUL! you are a real artist! :)

[Mildawg]

What a lovely idea. Simply stunning!

[Harriett]

Beautiful! You are such an inspiration! I'm using your basic circles to make Christmas garlands for my home.

[Janice Perkin]

I'm glad you are keeping well - the bump looks nice and rounded now - the Advent garland is just fantastico!!!!!!

[michelle]

I can't believe I nearly missed this post...
Wow!!!
So gorgeous!!!
And another huge thankyou for all that you have done for me by putting up a link to my now bigger(thanks to you) blog...
I am just so thrilled seeing all the wonderful ideas everyone is coming up with...and it is just encouraging me so much...
Luce your are the sweetest!!!

[luigi@]

meraviglioso!!!!!!!!!!
questo è il blog in assoluto più bello che ho mai visto!!!!!!
complimenti!!!!!

[newintown]

I LOOOVE IT!!!

[Janeen]

I'm new to crochet and it's modern possibilities and am so inspired by your work and creative spirit. I'm glad to know someone else is up at 3 am creating. Thank you for sharing your ideas!

[Jessica]

Oh my your garland is lovely, great work :)

[Martina Tierney]

Absolutely love your Advent Calendar Lucy, what a beautiful idea. I hope you enjoyed making it. Have you seen my homemade Advent Calendar? www.sparkyfizz.typepad.com

[Aussie Maria]

My, oh my, you have outdone yourself Lucy!!!

[Erica K]

Oh I love it too! :) It's so perfect!

[Mousy Brown]

Me too! I love it to bits and think that if it was mine I might be tempted to keep it up all year!! Happy weekend :)

[Greedy Nan]

I'm almost doing it - I've printed the pattern out...

[Jennifer]

I love it!!! That is definately one for the "to do" list! :)

[Jenny]

Wow, that's gorgeous! makes me want to throw my red/green/gold theme out the window and go all multicoloured!

[pattie]

Beautiful!! Your creativity amazes me!

Pattie

[M]

Very Nice!!!
Love It!!
=)

[Teri Leigh]

What a great idea! I love coming to your blog because it makes me smile. All the pretty colors and so cheerful. Thanks also for the snowflake pattern.

[anne@andamento]

Nearly missed this one - love the stars, so bright and jolly.