Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Winterkist Blog Hop - Gnoma Advent Calendar


When Katie asked if I wanted to be part of the Winterkist blog hop I said yes in about 0.2 seconds. And then in about 0.5 seconds I knew what I was going to make.

Even though I knew what I was going to make, I wanted to ensure that anything with Winterkist was made in the epically fun spirit of its designer. So I thought to myself: WWMSSD? That's What Would Monica Solorio-Snow Do? for those of you who are behind the times :) Monica's a pretty fun and hilarious lady, so I tried to rise to her level - this is me channeling my inner Monica.

I gathered myself a gnoma and we set out into the world, Flat Stanley style. I took the Prince Harry of gnomas, because he's not directly next in line for the throne, so he's allowed to engage in shenanigans and go out and rabble-rouse, whereas poor Prince William gnoma had to sit at home waiting for his moment to shine in the project. What did Prince Harry Gnoma and I do on our day of fun? Take a look:

1. Buckle up, Gnoma, safety first! 2. We had to get gas, and he pumped it [it builds character] 3. He was thirsty, so we had to stop for a Coke 4. Prince Harry Gnoma's favorite artists are ABBA, Tracy Chapman, and Tenacious D, in no particular order 5. Kelly and I buried him in the sand at the beach 6. I told you Prince Harry Gnoma was all about the shenanigans...wonder where he got all that cash money?! 7. Went hiking and had a zen moment at the top 8. Practiced the art of seduction with a mustache

By the end of the day, we were tired, but ready to get to work!

A Winterkist advent calendar! When I was growing up we had a Christmas tree advent calendar and you hung an ornament up for every day. I loved doing that [still do] and so I really wanted to be able to physically move something for each day to countdown to Christmas.

So to count down each day closer to Christmas you get to take a snowflake from the pocket [the snowflakes slide in more, I just wanted them to be seen for the picture] and snap it up around Prince William Gnoma. The snaps that are on the calendar itself are very hard to see since they're clear, so when none of the snowflakes are snapped on then it still looks great!


I Steam-a-Seamed the largest gnoma in the collection to the background and then stitched in DMC Perle 8 around the edges. The only thing I'd do differently next time is layer some white fabric behind the gnoma so you can't see the background when it's stitched down. I kind of think it looks like freckles?


The snowflakes are interfaced and then stitched to some heavy duty red felt for durability.


The white background [which is also Winterkist] is free-motion quilted in a new-to-me design. Swirls! Hopefully so it looks windy/snowy/blustery. I don't have the patience for practice, so this was my first try at this design, and I'm pretty darned pleased.

Winterkist pairs up so nicely with this red Farm Fresh dot for the pockets, and the Riley Blake [I forget the line] for binding, and some fabric marker drawn numbers to indicate the day. In all honesty, I'd originally planned to embroider the numbers, but wanted nothing to do with more hand-work when I was sewing this all together.

AND LOOK. Baby gnoma! From Holiday Happy! For the 25th :)


I love it! I love that it's on the bigger side [about 18" by almost 36"] so it will take a commanding space in my living room this winter. And I love that it's not "Christmassy" and so I can leave it up in January and February and June. The pockets are plenty big enough [3.5" square] to hold the snowflakes and even a little treat or note.

I plan to sew some snaps onto some double fold binding or some ribbon so that I can use the snowflakes as a garland in January if I want. You could totally do that with the gnoma too, I just didn't think of it until I had already sewn him down.

Thanks Katie for letting me join the fun, and for Monica for having gnoma fun with fabric!

Don't forget that if you leave a comment on this post, or any other blog hop post this week, that you get entered to win a FQ bundle of your choice from The Fat Quarter Shop!

The remaining blog stops:

Aug 16  Diane at from blank pages
Aug 17  Allegory at {sew} Allegorical

Aug 20  Kim at My Go-Go Life
Aug 22 Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts
Aug 23 Jenelle at Echinops & Aster
Aug 24  Katie at There & Back


82 comments:

  1. LOVE this!! More things to add to my sewing list :)

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  2. Oh my gosh! That is totally sweet and awesome! I love this!

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  3. This is absolutely the cutest advent calendar I have ever seen!!

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  4. Oh wow this is so cool, and you're so funny! I have a soft spot for Tenacious D as well :)

    I LOVE advent calenders too and reallly want to make one. I love how you made this one, it's wonderful! Love, love, love it!

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  5. Such a fun post. I love the little mustache photo.
    What a super idea. The advent calendar is so cool and all the little spots. Well done!

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  6. Love the idea for the calendar and especially the roaming gnoma!

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  7. What a super cute idea - thanks for sharing.

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  8. Not only did you make a cute project but you wrote a cute story too.

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  9. Woah snaps!!! Fantastic idea for attaching all the little pieces. Cheers!

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  10. That is so awesome - how creative! I may do it with the square print squares :)

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  11. Love the Advent Calendar! Gotta get some Winterkist.

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  12. this is a cute way to make an advent calendar! love the snap on it!

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  13. That's a very cute advent calendar. Clever to use clear snaps! Who had more fun, the gnoma or you?

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  14. Wow! Such a fun project... I just love those gnomas!!!

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  15. Thanks for sharing this project !

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  16. Hilarious post. My daughter was wondering about an advent calendar large enough to start the countdown on Dec. 26th instead of on Dec. 1st - maybe because I told her that many advent cal's have chocolate? :)
    Very original idea!

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  17. Freaking hilarious! I love mustache gnoma!

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  18. This is just fabulous! What a wonderful idea and Prince William Gnoma looks great, freckles and all!

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  19. Oh my gosh. This is so cute. I love Advent calendars.

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  20. What a great project!
    I'm sure Prince Harry will be thrilled!!

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  21. Your advent project is cute - like the idea of the clear snaps.

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  22. Love your ideas!!! Thanks for sharing in the blog hop - it has been great and I look forward to each day and each new and different project!

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  23. Such a great idea. I love using the clear snaps, wouldn't have thought of that. I bet my nephews would love this!

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  24. This is just the cutest project! I love how unique is it for an Advent Calendar. Any child, little or big, will love it!

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  25. Oh what a cute idea! I really love this fabric. Thanks for a chance to win!

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  26. Ah, I absolutely love this! So cute. And the snaps are a very creative idea.

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  27. LOVE!! Especially the recap of Prince Harry Gnoma's day out! Fantastic!

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  28. Wonderful Advent Calendar! The snaps are a great idea!

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  29. Loved your lil story! Absolutely love Prince Harry Gnoma!!! LOL

    Thanks for chance to win! :)

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  30. Loved your lil story! Absolutely love Prince Harry Gnoma!!! LOL

    Thanks for chance to win! :)

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  31. Cuuuute ! I especially like the baby gnoma on the 25th :)

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  32. What an adorable idea!! I love it and I bet my grandsons will too. Am so looking foward to this fabric coming out!

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  33. Your swirls look wonderful. Such creativity. You go girl. I love your calender. Thanks for sharing.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  34. You completely made my day with this post! Thank you for all the hilarity and great sewing :)

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  35. This is adorable. Much better than those candy calendars.

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  36. OMG Prince William Gnoma is so awesome! Way better than the real deal!
    Loving the calendar such a fun idea =D

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  37. Another great idea! I love advent calendars and I think cute ones are hard to come by. Thank you for sharing this awesomeness.

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  38. thoroughly enjoyed reading your post! love your advent calender and fabric choices. winterkist is such a fabulous collection; it enhances your project beautifully.

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  39. I wish there was a Gnoma big enough to hug on and take hiking. Of course, a red-headed Prince Harry Gnoma would be fabulous, too.

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  40. So cute.... I loved the Gnome..

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  41. How clever!! I love the moustash on the finger so Mr Gnome could have a 'tash :)

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  42. I love advent calendars! Fun use of your Winterkist fabric. Thanks for sharing.

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  43. I've never had an advent calendar but I always find them so charming... love this idea with the ornaments...

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  44. Great project! Love the use of clear snaps!

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  45. How cute is that?! What a great idea, and perfect use for those great little gnomas. :)

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  46. Brilliant! And your gnoma action photo spread is a hoot! :)

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  47. This is a very imaginative project. I especially like the idea of sewing snaps on ribbon so you can display a garland of snowflakes in January (or whenever). I'm already thinking of ways to put my own spin on the project.

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  48. Very cute calendar, love the gnomes :)

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  49. Hahaha i love your calendar, and especially your Prince Harry gnoma journey:)
    andri_chama(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  50. TOO CUTE! I love Prince Harry Gnoma's Flat Stanley tour!

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  51. ahhh, so cute. good idea with the snaps!

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  52. awesome, this is such a great idea, Prince Harry Gnoma looks super-gorgeous. I LOVE the snowflakes-on-snaps idea too, it's so fun. Will bookmark this one to make - the advent calendars I made last year have teeny-tiny pockets, we need a bit more room for treats. And gnomas. Cat.

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  53. Really cute idea. Much healthier than the chocolate advent calendars I get for my kids. Thanks!

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  54. I love the adventures, it looks like you showed him a good time. Cute idea for the advent calender and the snaps idea is genius.

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  55. Very nice idea. Those clear snaps are a great idea. Thanks.

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  56. Love your creativity and humor! Thanks for sharing.

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  57. cute! love the clear snaps idea. :)

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  58. Haha! That was just awesome. I'd make that calendar in a heartbeat if I had a reason to. I have to follow your blog now.

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  59. Have many fond memories of advent calendars when I was a girl, but none were as cute as this one. A gnome with freckles, love it.

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  60. Oh I LOVE this idea! So much work though....want to do...so many other things to make. Typical quilter's conundrum huh?

    Gnoma went to Hawaii and saw Rabbit Island! :D

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  61. Love it! Such a clever idea and very cute :)

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  62. Such a great idea. I will have to try to make something similar to this! Thanks for a great start!

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  63. Hope you guys enjoyed your day out. The gray/red combo is so bold - love it!

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  64. What a great way to count down to the holidays!! Love your project.

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  65. This is my favorite project so far! Very cute idea!

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  66. Very cute Advent calendar!

    Deborah
    homemakerhoney @gmail .com

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  67. I love this and I think you could use it to count down birthdays, Easter, school holidays etc.
    Thanks so much for sharing this, it is gorgeous.

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  68. LOVE THIS PROJECT!
    THANKS TO YOU+FQS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  69. This is a fabulous idea! I'll be doing this for (me) my kids ;)

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