Xmas Bear - Too Cute

Last Christmas, about 8 weeks after we moved into our

home here in Citrus Heights, whenever we entered the park

we saw this cute bear at one of the neighbor's home.  I would

always wave back!!!  I finally stopped one day and took his picture.

About 10 days ago after I finished my Thanksgiving "Turkey Applique" 

I thought about this cute bear again.  So I created a black/white 

reverse image enlargement on my computer to use for my

pattern pieces.  (When doing applique with a non-symmetrical 

image, your pattern pieces have to be a reverse image.

At the fabric store I selected this mottled Christmas green fabric

for the background and some other Christmas colors

to complete the project.

When appliquéing all the red, pink, red, black

and candy cane patterned fabrics I stitched each with a

different color thread: pink for the ears,

red for his scarf and hat, and

grey for the bear's body which was 

created with a delicate white and grey floral print.

The candy cane's were the easy part because I just

happened to have some fabric (above) that I purchased

as part of a grab bag at a quilt show, that I thought would

look great.   So I designed 3 different sizes and shapes,

and let the fabric do all the work.

As you might imagine, the hardest parts were the tiny black  

eyes, paw and nose.   (Click on any photo for a larger view.)

 I designed this happy bear to hang on the wall where 

I hang a rotating display.  This little guy will occupy

 the space for the Christmas Season.

And last but not least,  I used a wild black fabric with colorful

little polka dots for the backing of the piece.   I selected

this fabric because it looked like  Christmas lights to me!!! 

(I've folded the corner up so you can see more of the fabric.)

From the front you only see a 1/2" width as it wraps

from back to front to create a bound edge.