Christmas is just around the corner, and I am so excited to have a scrappy finish of my own ready to go under the tree!
As you may have read earlier in my blogposts this month, each year I make an "annual" quilt for each of my grandkids to commemorate their year. As Lilli has gotten older (she just turned ten) I've given her some say in what her quilt looks like. This year, after changing her mind three times, she settled on dolphins - she wanted a dolphin quilt! Now, if you've ever looked for dolphin fabric, you'd find that there isn't much, and what is available isn't what I wanted to work with. But then I saw the Athena pattern from Gotham Quilts and eureka! I had the beginning of an idea! And hallelujah, it could be made from scraps!
A little bit of surfing around on Pinterest and I found the picture above - a dolphin tattoo! Fortunately, my son-in-law saved the day and printed it out 36" tall for me to use as a pattern. After raiding the blue scrap tub and piecing the background, I cut out the pieces for the appliqué and put them in place. I'm very thankful for the blanket stitch on my Singer - it made attaching those pieces much easier!
Lots and lots (and lots and lots) of wavy line quilting around the dolphin creates the illusion of water! And adds a lot of fun texture, too.
And look at that backing - isn't it just perfect? It reminds me of the scallop shells we used to find at the beach when I was a kid.
And of course, the quilt isn't truly finished until the label is sewn on! The labels I make for these quilts are like a little "time capsule" - I tell something about what they were like during the year. I love to think of their children reading these labels some day and imagining their parents as little kids!
And one last shot, just because it's pretty! I think Lilli will really like it - it's a dolphin quilt, but it's kind of grown-up, too. And even if she doesn't, I'm really happy with it. I love it when I manage to create what I see in my mind's eye!
Next week I'm planning to share the twelve (or more) projects I'm putting in my "draw jar" for the Scrap Attack challenge. Are you working on choosing yours? I'm really excited about this - the thought of getting twelve scrappy projects done is getting my creative juices going! I do hope you'll join in. You can read more about the challenge by clicking on the link above in this paragraph!
See you next week!
Hugs!
Sarah
Oh My!!!!! The dolphin, the wavy lines,. the waves below, the shell backing, this is such a treasure. Liliana will be elated beyond anything she would have imagined, and to read your label, that and your quilting, a perfect finish.
ReplyDeleteyes it is exciting when things turn out as planned...this is really gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful quilt and finish! Love what you have created!
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunningly gorgeous quilt. Very clever and I love your label!!
ReplyDeleteturned out great!! I bet she will love it
ReplyDeleteYour dolphin quilt turned out beautiful! I really like your story labels - Surely the grandkids will treasure their quilts with these labels as they get older.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thoughtful quilt for your granddaughter. I love the story that goes along with the quilt also.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out absolutely fabulous! She is going to love it! And I love the labels you are putting on these quilt. How meaningful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous unique quilt! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a spectacular quilt! Our daughter was so into dolphins too at that age. Love it!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the dolphin quilt! If she doesn't love it, feel free to send it to me.
ReplyDeleteIt is a glorious dolphin quilt! I sure Hopi Lili will love it. Even if she doesn’t now, in time she will. The problem with asking for her input is that like you had some picture in your mind, conceivsbly, so could she have, though at the age of ten she probably didn’t. I made a quilt a couple of years ago for a teenaged niece, and though I think she likes it and will appreciate it long term, it doesn’t fit her style or the decorations in her room right now, so she doesn’t really use it. I understand, and, of course, I can’t and don’t expect her to change her decor based on the quilt I happened to make, and I’m sure she’ll use it in due time when she has more than one room. But I feel like if I had asked for input I just as easily could’ve made something which wasn’t quite right. It can be hard to match another’s vision, especially when that other is a teenager! But fortunately you’re still dealing with kids!
ReplyDeleteI feel sure yours will all be overjoyed!
You really did a fantastic job on that dolphin quilt.
ReplyDeleteYou've created an awesome quilt that I'm certain she will love. And if not? Just send it my way :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Lilli’s quilt is so unique, so beautiful. What a wonderful legacy you are creating for your grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself a bit of a connoisseur of dolphins leaping out of the water, and you NAILED it, Sarah!! I'm imagining our own boat just off the edge of the quilt and the dolphin is leaping in our bow wave :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea and fabulous quilt - thank you for sharing your creative process - ideas are forming for me already! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely creation. Lilli was thrilled with it, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Amazing quilt.
ReplyDelete