On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me, two Turtle Doves

 

This month I have two blocks for you to make: the Turtle Doves and the first of our five Gold Rings. Plus a special treat: a tutorial for a Christmas stocking, adorned with the Pear motif from last month's block. It would make a lovely gift for a last-minute guest, filled with a few essentials for their stay - toiletries, bedtime snacks, a good book, the obligatory satsuma - and left hanging at the end of their bed. 

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Our Gold Ring is a traditional Wedding Ring block, although it has many other names including - rather charmingly - the Nest & Fledglings, which chimes well with the birds in our quilt. This block is actually the reason that Andrea and I chose the beautiful Tilda Windy Days for our quilt, as we fell in love with the soft golds in the collection and knew they'd be perfect for the Gold Rings. Please note that the background fabric for all five Gold Rings is in this month's parcel, so please keep it safe for later months.

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The Turtle Doves are an original block but borrow the half square triangles from the Gold Ring for their fluttering wings. Of course, being Tilda Doves, their plumage is rather spectacular.

 

If last month's Partridge was alarmed to find himself perched in the branches of a Pear tree, our dainty Turtle Doves will be most put out to find themselves in the frosty Northern hemisphere, as they prefer to spend the winter warming their feathers in Africa. And as I write this on a cold, foggy morning, I think they have the right idea... 

 

Turtle Doves are named for their gentle 'tur-tur' song - absolutely nothing to do with Turtles - and I hope you'll be singing too, this December, and enjoying the merriest of Christmases with your loved ones. I'm sending you my warmest wishes for a happy, healthy and restful New Year.

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Nicola xx