Saturday, December 22, 2018

Island Batik December Whimsical and Wonky Challenge

Hi and Happy December!  Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas, and happy holidays! 
The December challenge for Island Batik Ambassadors is Whimsical and Wonky.  

After making the Christmas Lights Log Cabin for November (it's almost done being quilted, and I'm working on the file for you) I wanted to stay whimsical for this challenge.  And since I've been playing with my Pfaff Creative 1.5 and wanted to do more with embroidery, I picked the project from Embroidery Library called Santa on the Edge

I picked a piece of older red Christmas fabric from a Stash Builder roll, and the new Solid White fabric, and a bit of pink from a scrap, plus beige from another background scrap, and some Buttermilk for the background.  

I used the Triangles fabric from Alpine Jingle in Forest for the borders.  I just purchased a bolt of this, and have it listed in my Etsy shop.  It's a great shade of green.

I created my own writing file from the program that came with the machine.  I think it would be fun for Santa to have his own placemat on Christmas Eve!  And of course, we need to leave treats for the reindeer, who are working so hard to make all the deliveries.  I know they like carrots.  

I didn't make Santa's coffee, and I must admit that Mom and I ate the little mini cupcakes, and she ate the cookies after the photo, since I haven't finished baking my treats yet.  They would be stale if I left them out for Santa. 
The backing is also Island Batik White and I quilted around Santa with Aurifil 50wt and used the green for the border.  I use the same thread in the bobbin as the top.  It makes the top look better.  I'll be listing the solid white batik in my Etsy shop soon!  

This shows a little more detail for the fabric.  I planned the placement of the mitten, so it has a gold snowflake on it.  Santa's hat and coat also have the gold painted snowflakes, and yes, it's Island Batik.  I loved the metallic accents when they came out with this group.  
I used a double layer of white for the beard, pompom and cuff, because I wanted to make sure the red didn't show through.  I used a Clover fusible web for the applique.  All the threads are Aurifil 40 wt.  The finished piece measures about 16 by 20".

Okay the color is off on this photo, but I finished this at night, and wanted to send it to my great-nephew and nieces in Colorado in time for Christmas Eve.  And I'm still learning about placement for designs that require 2 hoopings.  Santa is a little wonky.  So I guess I have both whimsy and wonky??lol  Each time I try something is a learning experience.  I do plan on listing this as a custom item in my shop.  I'll work on getting Santa a little more straight with the lettering.  

Want to see more?  This is a list of Island Batik Ambassadors with links to their blogs.  But it may not be to the current Whimsical and Wonky post.  Please check their list for the desired post.  But inspiration is in abundance.


Thanks so much for visiting!  I hope you have a wonderful time with your family, or whomever you wish to enjoy.  And eat a few too many cookies!  Thanks so much for following my quilting journey. 

Maryellen

3 comments:

Kathleen said...

This is too adorable! A great idea for Santa and the reindeer to have a mug rug. I am sure the grand neices and nephews will adore it.

Quilting Tangent said...

So cute!

Calicojoan said...

Oh, that's just so sweet!