This month, Island Batik and Funky Friends Factory joined together and gave the ambassadors a challenge to make our choice of stuffed toys on the Funky Friends Factory website! There are so many cute toys from which to choose, but I knew which one I wanted before we were even given this challenge, as I had seen it when it was released not too long ago! I chose Harmony, the Highland Cow!
I grew up in the country on a farm, and I’ve always loved cows, though I was a little intimidated by them as a child. It took a little “getting to know” them before I was really comfortable around them. My favorite was Belle aka Beauty! I do remember helping Mama milk one day, and her kicking the milk bucket, half full of milk, and spilling it all. It took me a minute to get over that, but I was glad she kicked the bucket and not me! LOL Moving on…
This was my Island Batik/Funky Friends Factory project from two years ago. Meet Shirley Sue.
Making the Cow
Our patterns were provided by Funky Friends Factory. These patterns are well written and there are lots of photos and illustrations to help. I really like the fact that she adds check boxes ☑ to help keep up with the steps you have completed.
I printed out my instructions and then printed the pattern on freezer paper. I ironed them to the fabric and cut them out.
Many thanks to Island Batik and their industry partners, who provided some of the supplies used in making Bella!
For her body, I used Sable, an Island Batik basic, that is such a pretty, rich brown. Island Batik basics are available year round from your favorite LQS that carries Island Batik fabrics. I have always loved light-faced cows, so I used Almond for her face and tail. I had a half-yard cut of Island Batik, Bubbles – Sahara, that I used for the forelock. Her hooves and nose were made with Island Batik solid black. For the flowers, I used various scraps of Island Batik fabrics, and sewed fun buttons to them! I sewed her together using Aurifil beige and black threads from my stash, and an 80/12 Schmetz microtex needle! I used my new Oliso TG1600 Pro Smart iron to make sure the fabrics were all pressed neatly! She was stuffed with Hobbs Fiberfill (did you know Hobbs makes more than just great batts?!), and craft eyes were used for her eyes, instead of buttons. Thank you!
Meet Bella, the Highland Cow
When Chloe first met Bella, she was not sure about her!! But later, when we went outside for a photo shoot, Chloe decided since Bella hadn’t left her turf yet, she would just ignore her.
I hope you enjoyed meeting my Bella! It’s good to know I don’t have to worry about her kicking over the milk bucket! LOL I hope you will check out my fellow ambassadors’ blogs as they will be sharing their Funky Friends throughout the month. I also will share them on my Songbird Designs Facebook Group page throughout the month! Come join the group and share in the fun. If you don’t use Facebook, they will also be shared on Instagram.
Renee Atkinson @ Pink Tulip Quilting
Tina Dillard @ Quilting Affection Designs
Connie Kauffman @ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman @ Darling Dogwood
Denise Looney @ A Quiltery
Susan Deshensky @ Lady Blue Quilt Studio
Brittany Fisher @ Bobbin with Brittany
Carol Stanek @ Stitch with Color
Solomae Stoycoff @ Cuddle Cat Quiltworks
Jennifer Thomas @ Curlicue Creations
Gail Sheppard @ Quilting Gail
Preeti Harris @ Sew Preeti Quilts
Susan Michaels @ Dragonfly Fiberart
Connie Kresin Campbell@Free Motion by the River
Leah Malasky @ Quilted Delights
Lisa Pickering @ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher @ Pitcher’s Boutique LLC
Suzy Webster @ Webster Quilt
Mania Hatziioannidi @ Mania for Quilts
Kimberly Flannagan @ Kimberly’s Quilts
Kim Jamieson-Hirst @ Chatterbox Quilts
Brenda Alburl @ Songbird Designs (you are here!)
Have a great week. Until next time…
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Bella is beautiful. I love the flowers and the buttons. I’m going to be in Scotland in June and am on the lookout for “highland coo’s”.
Bella is so sweet! Another one to add to the bucket list. It was funny to see Chloe’s reaction, meeting her. Have a great day!
Bella is adorable. I do know my Percy would have thought it his immediately and chewed it – you are lucky. I used to visit the cows up the street when I was younger…we grew up in a suburb of Reading PA, and there were still fields all around the development.
She is adorable. I hope Chloe has come to love her by now.
Bella is adorable, Brenda. Now who wouldn’t love such a lovely heifer in their herd? And Shirley Sue- well she is a precious gal as well. Great job. Hugs.
The fabrics you chose are perfect. Too funny, Loki was sure about the crocodile, which is 3 times his size.
Bella is just adorable – she’s fancy! Love Chloe’s reaction to her – lol! Loved your story.
Like you I grew up on a farm. The farmer who lived next to us had cows and a little white building where they milked the cows. I used to ride my bicycle to their house and watch them milk the cows, then his wife would have me come into the house for milk and cookies. Good, good memories!