Island Batik and Funky Friends Factory Challenge featuring Aristotle Axolotl

Hello there!  Meet Aristotle Axolotl, my Island Batik Ambassador challenge for the month of April.  This little guy was fun to make!

Disclaimer:  The products used to make this project were given to me by Island Batik and Industry Partners.

This month the Island Batik Ambassadors were lucky enough to choose a pattern from Funky Friends Factory to create a stuffed animal of our choice.

I've made a few Funky Friends Factory patterns before.  I've made Lloyd the Llama, a Fox, and a Kawaii Cutie Cat.  They were all fun to sew.  The patterns are detailed and easy to use.  Aristotle Axolotl was rated as an easy pattern, but I found it a little challenging.  That's okay, Funky Friends Factory has photo tutorials available on their website to help get you through the tricky parts.

My son chose the pattern and the fabric, too.  He picked out two sold color Island Batik fabrics, Fuchsia and Pink.  Island Batik has beautiful solids to coordinate with their batik fabrics.  They are printed on the same high thread count fabric as the batiks, so they pair really well and do not fray.

In this photo I am doing some topstitching on one of the Axolotl's outer gills.

I did a little research and they are pretty cool!  Axolotls are an endangered type of salamander.  They are found in two freshwater lakes in Mexico and they come in a variety of colors.  It is estimated that the current population is less than 1000.

In this photo I am pinning the head to the body.  Pins are your friend when sewing Funky Friends patterns.  They help keep everything lined up correctly while sewing the curvy pieces together.  Chessie the stray cat helped. She's my friend, too.

This project sewed up quickly.  I only worked on him for a couple of days.  I used some craft eyes that I had leftover from another Funky Friend Factory pattern project.  In this photo Aristotle is partly stuffed.  He's starting to look pretty cute!

The reason my son chose the Axolotl is because they are featured in a popular video game that he loves to play.  I took this cute pic of Aristotle and his game partner together.  Then we went outside to play.

Axolotls spend most of their time underwater, so he was keen to go exploring.  We went on a bicycle ride.

Then he tried driving my car.  Oh my!  Not recommended.

What is he doing here?  Up a tree?

Tree climbing close up.

And the reward.  A lofty perch.

Playing in the flowers.

Axolotls like to eat frogs.  Watch out, Mr. Frog!

Hanging out in the woods.

I should mention that I also used Schmetz needles, Aurifil  thread, and my Oliso iron to create this fun critter.

So cute!

And one last photo with some Pansies and seashells.  If you would like to try sewing a stuffed animal, I recommend you check out the Funky Friends Factory website.  The variety of downloadable patterns is truly amazing and the patterns are well written with handy check boxes for each step.  

Thank you for visiting my blog today.  Please visit the rest of the Island Batik Ambassador crew to see which adorable Funky Friends Factory patterns they have created.  Here's the list:

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs

Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting

Megan Best ~ BestQuilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio

Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Jane Hauprich ~ Stitch by Stitch Custom Quilting

Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts

Victoria Johnson ~ Forever Quilting for You

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion

Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique

Lana Russel ~ Lana Quilts

Julia Schweri ~ Inflorescence Designs

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color

Sandra Starley ~ Textile Time Travels

Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations

Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

I have some exciting news!  I'm now an affiliate for Missouri Star.  Have you visited their website lately?  They have everything you could need for quilting, including Island Batik fabrics ~ Yay!  (I ordered some precuts myself)  You can save 20 percent off your order of $50 or more when you access their website through my link:  https://glnk.io/mzmmj/curlicuecreations  Let's go shop!

Note:  This is an affiliate link.  If you make a purchase I may receive a commission.  Thank you so much!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today!

Jennifer Thomas

Curlicue Creations

Click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Etsy shop.

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New in the Curlicue Creations Shop ~ Week of 04/12/2024

Simplicity 9511 Dress and Jacket Pattern

Sew these lovely wardrobe pieces for everday wear. Classic pattern from the Simplicity pattern line. This pattern sews a dress and unlined jacket, suitable for misses and miss petite. Dress is below knee length with button front, V neck, extended shoulders, cap sleeves, straight skirt, with front pockets and pleats, elastic waistline, and back vent. Option for a contrast skirt. Unlined jacket has 3/4 length sleeves with turn back cuffs.

Beautiful! Make some pretty and casual outfits with this pattern. Mix and match for maximum looks.

This pattern is in like new, factory folded, uncut condition. The envelope is a little worn. Pattern and instructions inside are in excellent condition. Sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14. Vintage 1989.

Bust 30-1/2, 31-1/2, 32-1/2, 34, 36
Waist 23, 24, 25, 26-1/2, 28
Hip 32-1/2, 33-1/2, 34-1/2, 36, 38
Back-neck to waist 15-1/2, 15-3/4, 16, 16-1/4, 16-1/2

Boys Shortalls Smocking Sewing Kit

This listing is for a boys smocking shortalls outfit sewing kit by Little Miss Muffet. Vintage 1970s unopened kit. Size is not marked.

Kit includes (as far as I can see through the package), boy's shortalls outfit, smocking material, embroidery floss, needle, buttons, trim, and instructions.

Get a head start on this year's holiday gifts with the Boys Shortalls Smocking Sewing Kit. Vintage 1970s, unopened kit.

Baby Talk Alphabet Flannel Panel

A beautiful cut of high quality flannel quilting fabric, Baby Talk Alphabet Panel Flannel, by Cheri Strole, for Moda Fabrics. One panel of 100 percent flannel cotton, 44" wide. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features letters and pictures that go with each letter on a white background with a green border. C is for Cat, I is for Ice Cream, D is for Duck, and on and on.... The panel by itself would make a lovely receiving blanket. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. (not intended for children's sleepwear). So unique - be creative!

Marbles Orange Quilt Fabric

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Marbles Orange Fabric, for Moda Fabrics. 100 percent cotton, 44" wide. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is a marbled orange color. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Hope and Heart Batik Quilt Fabric 10" Squares Precuts

Hope and Heart Batik Quilt Fabric, 10" squares precuts, for Island Batik, 100 percent cotton. Breast Cancer Awareness quilting cotton.

This package of gorgeous Island Batik fabric contains 42 pieces, with 20 different fabric designs cut into 10" squares. This fabric is 100 percent cotton, hand dyed batik, from the garden village of Sanur, Bali.

Patchwork Roses Quilt Fabric

A beautiful cut of quilt fabric, Patchwork Roses quilt fabric. 100 Percent Cotton, 44" wide. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features various patches, some of them are floral. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Pansy Passion III Ivory Stripe Quilt Fabric

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Pansy Passion III Ivory Stripe Fabric, by Blank Quilting. 100 percent cotton, 44" wide. Hand wash separately, cold water, no bleach, line dry, cool iron on reverse.

The design on this fabric features a bold stripe, accented with thin gold metallic stripes. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Yellow Purple Floral Quilt Fabric

A beautiful cut of quilting fabric, Yellow Purple Floral quilt fabric by Quilters Choice. 100 percent cotton, 44" wide. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features yellow flowers over a purple background. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Tea Rose Batik Quilt Fabric

This beautiful piece of cotton has been individually hand dyed by Island Batik fabric artists in the garden village of Sanur, Bali. 100 percent cotton fabric. Easy care, machine wash cold water, delicate dry cycle, cool iron.

The design on this fabric features an abstract pink color. This fabric is perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

Country Harvest Quilt Fabric

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Country Harvest Fabric, by Anna Krajewski, for South Sea Imports. 100 percent cotton, 44" wide. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is an abstract blue green spotty print. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

For all these and more fabulous finds, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas

Curlicue Creations

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Note:  This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Log Cabin Blog Hop Winner!

I did this drawing a while ago, but Oooopsy!  I forgot to announce the winner!  Sorry!

The winner of the Log Cabin Blog Hop giveaway was Kathleen.  She's a regular reader and commenter on my blog and I appreciate her so much!  

Kathleen commented, "I do love your quilt and this was a fun one....the stained glass had to take a lot of time! I am always impressed when you go the extra mile and make a knock out quilt like this!"

She won a copy of my new Promises quilt pattern and 5" charms from the Romance Garden fabric collection for Sherry Shish by Island Batik.  Aren't these fabrics gorgeous?  I just love them so much,  

If you missed the post about my Promises quilt, you can click here to read it now:  Log Cabin Blog Hop

If you would like to purchase the Promises quilt pattern, please click here:  Promises Quilt Pattern

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Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

Curlicue Creations

For more Curlicue Creations quilt patterns, Island Batik fabric, and sewing inspiration, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop.

Connect with me:

Subscribe to the Curlicue Creations Newsletter

* indicates required

Email Address *

Note:  This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.