Guess who's coming to dinner...

NO...it's NOT Aunt Bethany!

It's Santa...

you know...the Big Jolly Fella, who brings presents to all the good little boys and girls!

Just in case you aren't one of those on the “NICE” list...you still have plenty of time to make a set of these Super Cute Santa Face Placemats for yourself!

After I had gotten all of my decorations up and pulled out my Christmas Placemats...that I had made over 15 years ago...I realized just how “rough” they were starting to look! 

So...Today, we are going to remedy that, real quick and in a hurry!

Let's get started...

If you haven't already purchased a “Santa Applique” design...be sure to check this one out!

I used the 5x7 size of the Santa Applique and I am going to place it on the bottom left corner of my Placemat so it will be off to the side and easily visible...even when I have a plate on it! 

The Stats...

5 1/8” wide X 6 1/8” tall

Approximately 8,937 stitches

Here she goes...

As you can see in the above picture...I used my 8x8 FULL Fast Frame, even though I didn't quite need that big of a frame.  This way I could use the left hand side and the bottom of the frame as a “straight” edge to line the placemat up with.  You can always be certain that your frame edge is straight...so using this method will always give you perfect placement, and you can be sure that all of your placemats will have the Santa Appliqued design in the exact same spot! 

Now...how's that for Fabulous?

I prepared my fast frame with sticky stabilizer and fused a piece of no show mesh cutaway to the backside of my placemat...because I want a permanent hold on the placemats during the laundering process.  And you know, that's gonna happen! 

Be sure to mark the center of your design, using a water soluble pen.  After the fabric panel tack downs are all done...I slapped a piece of WSS on top and let the pretty satin work RUN!

The sticky stabilizer holds the placemat pretty well...but I want to be SURE it doesn't shift...

EVER...

So I added a couple Flower Head pins on the left side and bottom of my frame and on the right hand side of the frame, where the placemat hangs “over”...I used a couple of my little red clippies from Clover.  I have also used a couple red clippies to hold my WSS on top and in place.

Gracious Alive...I LOVE those red clippies!

Almost as much as I LOVE the way my Placemat turned out...

And here's a close up of this adorable Santa Applique...

And before you ask...

YES...I use the White Glitter Mirror Canvas for the brim and ball of Santa's Hat!

I LOVE how it sparkles!

I certainly could NOT stop at just ONE...so I made a Fabulous set of FOUR!

It's official...

I'm all set for Santa's visit...

Just in case I can manage to get put on his “NICE” list!

I can't promise...

But...I'll try!

Happy Holidays!

Kathleen

TOOLS OF THE TRADE...

-Santa Applique Design (I used the 5x7 inch size) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Fast Frame (I used the Full 8x8 inch size)

-Fusible No Show Mesh Cutaway Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-Perfect Stick Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-WSS (off Brand)

-Heat and Bond Lite Fusible (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Walmart and On Line)

-Clover Wonder Clips (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Amazon and Quilt Shops)

-Flower Head Pins (Hobby Lobby, Joann's and Quilt Shops)

-Cotton Canvas weight Placemats (I got mine at “Old Time Pottery” Store)

-Fabric...White Swirls (Essentials by Wilmington Prints...Red with Lime Green dots (Christmas Countdown by Deb Strain for Moda)...Cream (solid color-unknown source)...Red Batik (for nose-unknown source)...White Glitter Mirror Canvas for the Hat Brim and Ball (Mikriworld.com)

-Thread-Exquisite Brand...Red #3015-Black #020-Gray #588-Cream #812-White #010

-Water Soluble Pen for Marking Center of design

We are nearing the first of December here and the children are back at school from the Thanksgiving Break...so it's time to plan those special Christmas Holiday Gifts for all the little ones in our lives!  And for those of you who have the “animal version” of children (aka PETS)...today's project can certainly be made for them too!

Some of you already have super cute Christmas Family Traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation...and here is one to make your Christmas Holiday a little extra SPECIAL for everyone!

First...I went searching for the PERFECT Santa Sack Blank that I could send over the top with one of my Super Cute Applique Fonts...you are certain to LOVE adding a special name in fabric applique to a really nice Santa Sack, and here's what I did...

I found this Sweet little shop on Etsy...Love2MakeIt...this shop has a large selection of really nice quality blanks that you can add your personalized “BLING” to...using a WIDE variety of fabulous Embroidery and Appliqued Fonts.   Be sure to check out the TOOLS OF THE TRADE...located at the bottom of this blog post, where you will find the complete list of supplies used in this project...including where to get them!

Let's get started...

This particular Santa Sack is really nice and big...very roomy for lots of presents for your special “little”.  It has an approximate measurement of 19” wide X 27” tall, with a red drawstring to close it up.  It has an area for the name that is 4” tall and as wide as the bag itself (which is 19”)...so it is just PERFECT for an applique or embroidery font to personalize it with!

I chose the ever so cute Jambo Applique Font in the 3” size to spell out the name Charlie...and lookey how pretty she stitches out!

I used my largest fast frame called the “Bag Frame”...it's an 8” X 12” size.  My finished design size is approximately 3.25” tall X 11.5” Long and has 18,536 stitches in total. I used a Sticky Stabilizer on the frame and also a piece of No Show Mesh (fusible) to help with permanent stabilization.  After the fabric panels were all tacked down and trimmed, I went ahead and threw a piece of WSS on top, just before the design went into the satin work.  My most favorite part of the Jambo applique font is the bean stitch overlay...it makes the whole design just POP right off the bag!

Isn't this the Sweetest Santa Sack you have ever seen?

Go ahead...

Get started on yours TODAY!

Kathleen

TOOLS OF THE TRADE...

-Jambo Applique Font (I used the 3” size) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Fast Frame (I used the Full 8x12 inch size)

-Fusible No Show Mesh Cutaway Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-Perfect Stick Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-WSS (off Brand)

-Heat and Bond Lite Fusible (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Walmart and On Line)

-Clover Wonder Clips (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Amazon and Quilt Shops)

-Red Santa Sack Bag (www.Love2MakeIt.etsy.com)

-Fabric...Lime Green (Zig Zag S#N7700 by Hoffman California International Fabrics)

-Thread-Exquisite Brand...Lime Green #983 and White #010

-Water Soluble Pen for Marking Center of design

 Gracious Alive...it is simply about time I completed something extra special...just for ME!  Actually...it's been a long time coming!

I am a busy gal these days...

 -Etsy Shop Owner

-Embroidery Blog Writer/with Samples

-Tutorial Writer

-Pattern Writer

-Photographer

-Lecturer

-Embroidery and Quilting Instructor

 I am super in LOVE with this Beautiful Jumbo Intertwine Vine Monogram from i2s...(www.theitch2stitch.com)

it is really...really...

REALLY...

BIG!

Want the skinny?

It's 6.75" tall X 8.5" wide...with roughly about 21,000 stitches.

Be sure to click on the picture to see the texture of the letters themselves...it is simply F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

Kathleen

Can you believe there is less than a month till Christmas...

REALLY...

Where has the time gone?

Well, let's get a “jump” on the upcoming holidays by making a Super Cute Apron that's just PERFECT for all those fun Christmas Cookie baking traditions...

Whether you make those yummy slice and bake cookies or spend hours in the kitchen replicating your Grandmothers famous Sugar Cookies...

a FUN Holiday Apron using this Super adorable Gingerbread Man Applique will be sure to make your Baking traditions EXTRA Special!

Let's get started...

I found this really nice Lime Green and White striped adult sized full body apron, that has an adjustable strap around the neck...it even has a couple pockets below the waistline.  Believe it or not...it was at my local Home Goods Store!  Be sure to check out this fabulous place!

For this special Holiday Apron I used the Gingerbread Man Applique Design in combination with the Smiley Monster Font and the Sunny Beach Font.  Be sure to check out the Tools of the Trade at the bottom of the blog post to view all the details of what was used, including the sizes of the designs, for this cute project!

Here she goes...

As you can see, I used my 8X12 Full Fast Frame that was prepped with sticky stabilizer.  I also fused a piece of No Show Mesh to the backside of the apron for permanent hold during those repeated washing's...YEP, I'm a MESSY baker!

And...you guessed it...

I threw a piece of WSS on top!

My sweet little Red Wonder Clips give my apron that EXTRA hold in place...so nothing is moving that isn't suppose to!  LOL! 

Be sure to check out the extra outline stitch that Teresa used around the eyes and the buttons on the Gingerbread Man...this little detail makes them POP off your garment!

My finished design size is approximately 6.75” Tall X 8.75” wide and has 17,062 stitches in it...

All this cuteness with only ONE Fabric Panel for the Applique...how sweet is that?

Now...

Who's ready for some Holiday Baking?

Kathleen

TOOLS OF THE TRADE...

-Gingerbread Man Applique Design (I used the 5 x 7 size) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Smiley Monster Font (1 inch size for the words...its cookie time) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Sunny Beach Font (1.5 inch size for the exclamation point) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Sunny Beach Font (2 inch size for the coma) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Fast Frame (I used the Full 8x12 inch size)

-Fusible No Show Mesh Cutaway Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-Perfect Stick Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-WSS (off Brand)

-Heat and Bond Lite Fusible (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Walmart and On Line)

-Clover Wonder Clips (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Amazon and Quilt Shops)

-Adult sized Apron (Home Goods Store)

-Fabric...Tan for Gingerbread Man (Moda Marbles in Tan)

-Thread-Exquisite Brand...Tan #621- Red #3015 and White #010)

-Water Soluble Pen for Marking Center of design