Another blog hop challenge is here. Something fishy, underwater or related to water. Easy enough, right!? My number one goal was to make their fins flap and move!!! Not too hard as you can see, but there wasn’t a pattern so I had to improvise and borrow from other ideas.
I admit to not liking my design at all when I began. It seemed to have too much of the same blue background. Oops, I forgot to mention that I actually had to order an extra yard of this light blue Bella solid in Lake. Since the quilt wasn’t preplanned, I just began playing and never plotted out the yardage I would need. However, I really did enjoy the randomness and free form sewing. I felt it was so boring when I was done. Yet, as us we quilters know…everything is better once it’s quilted! I totally love it now. The wavy quilt lines were a challenge but with a Babylock Crescendo, you can “cheat” a little and use some of their stitch options.
I wanted wavy lines that would be straight in some places and have movement in others. My goal was to do something different with the appliquéd bubbles. This quilt has appliqué, patchwork, buttons sewn for eyes and more.
There are flapping and actual “moveable” fins. Then some scrappy bits created the underwater plants. It has a lot going on and I truly had so much fun making this little beauty. I really love it.
I’m declaring it a doll quilt because it measures 23 x 27 3/4″ inches. If you know me, this means it’s being donated to Amy at A Doll Like Me for one of her customized creations. You also probably know that I love making doll clothes for Amy’s dolls. The recipient of this quilt might get cargo shorts or ruffled roll-up capris (ruffled hems my adaptation) for the beautiful doll to wear. I have lots of clothing almost ready to send to Amy, but I had to add a few fish-themed items as well.
Thank you to Carol for another fabulous hop. I am thrilled to be back participating after a long period of being unable to create. My father just passed away a month ago. For some time, I had been flying across the country to help out. While he is already missed, I am grateful for his 91 years! My Dad actually loved to fish but hadn’t gone out in many years. When I was a young girl, I went fishing with him near a lake. With his help, I caught a tiny fish. Rather than be excited, I got upset and then we threw it back. He asked me, “what did you think would happen?” Truthfully, I didn’t think about the implications of catching an actual fish. It upset me that this live thing was now going to die. Needless to say, I never went fishing with him again!
Thank you for checking in and please do look over the lovely projects of the other bloggers.
JULY 22
JULY 23
JULY 24
That Fabric Feeling – YOU ARE HERE
JULY 25
Linking up to: Needle and Thread Thursday , Put Your Foot Down, Finished Or Not Friday, Off The Wall Fridays,
That Fabric Feeling 
Absolutely delightful. I want to reach out and touch each fin 🙂
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Thanks so much. It was so much fun to make.
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This quilt is so fun! I love everything about it! The doll clothes are super cute as well! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you. I really enjoyed making the quilt and then the doll clothes were a no brainer!
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I can tell that you had fun creating this quilt! Thanks for sharing.
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So much fun!!! I love a blog hop for the creative stretch it gives me!
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The quilt and doll clothes are a great expression of happy and cute. The child who receives both will no doubt cherish them.
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Thank you so much. I’m thrilled with how it came out. I just need to finish a few more doll clothes and Amy’s getting the whole shebang for A Doll Like Me.
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This is just a fantastic piece. I love it and the moving fins and the movement created by your quilting and on and on and on. Wonderful work on it and your “fishy clothing line”.
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Thank you so much. I learned so much making this piece. This is probably why the blog hops are so wonderful. There’s always something new to try, learn and practice.
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Looks like you used prairie points for the fins? Cute idea! The quilt is cute and so are the doll clothes! I will have to click on your link to see what the doll thing is about. The clothes look like they are for a large doll.
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Yes thanks, I knew there was a name for them!?? SO the doll thing is Amy makes dolls for children with limb differences and other medical issues. The doll is custom made to look just like the actual recipient. If you want to learn more, check out A Doll Like Me’s Facebook link.https://www.facebook.com/nannysbabiestoodollslikeme/
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Adorable quilt and doll clothes. So sorry about the loss of your father.
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
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This is soooo cute Elana, Amy will be thrilled and I bet she will choose the perfect doll to send this with. How clever all the special touches are – the eyes, movable fins, the bubbles. It is really creative.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Losing a parent has got to be so painful. Mom and Dad are both 89 so I will be dealing with this at some point as well. I enjoyed the story about going fishing. That was adorable.
Kind regards,
Bernie Kringel Needle & Foot https://needleandfoot.com/ Ph: 530-210-3665 Instagram http://www.instagram.com/needleandfoot – Facebook http://www.facebook.com/needleandfoot
Creativity takes courage. -Henry Matisse
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Bernie, I’m sending warm thoughts back at you. Hug your parents! I also love the many facets of this little quilt. I have to see if Amy saw the post.
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That is such an incredibly cute fish quilt and the clothes look amazing. I love everything about it! You did a beautiful job on both the quilt and clothes. The flappy fins were a fun addition. I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad, Elana. Your fishing trip with him was bittersweet with the realization about the fish. Thanks for sharing your fishy projects with us. xo
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Thank you so much. I really needed this project. It puts a smile on my face and I feel grateful that I can create for relaxation. When I made the quilt, I hadn’t thought of the connection to fishing and my Dad. He really loved to fish and sadly, so many of us kids were seasick on boats!!
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Good job, this is such a cute mini.
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Thank you. I adore these hops for what they bring out in each of us.
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Your quilt is wonderful. I love the 3D additions! And what little girl wouldn’t like the shorts and capris for her doll. It’s all amazing! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks so much. I guess I can’t help with the 3D parts. It must be why I love pop-up books so much too!
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Everything about this project makes me smile! Adding the flapping fins was so clever and adds such great detail to what looks like an aquarium to me. Donating it is so sweet, as well as adding some fishy clothing for a doll to brighten up someone’s day. I’m sorry about your loss. You were blessed to have such a wonderful father and great memories! Hang on to those!
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Kathy, I love the idea of an aquarium. I really never thought of it that way, but it works. I adore donating and Amy’s charity has been a favorite for several years now. These tiny quilts just belong with her dolls! Thank you for your kind words about my father. It still doesn’t feel real.
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I’m so glad to see you back and creating again. What a fun quilt that will surely be loved by it’s new owner, when they get it. So sorry to hear about your father’s passing.
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Thank you Joan. It’s been a long time. I needed this blog hop as my therapy!! I really appreciate your kind words.
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Your doll quilt is wonderful. The flapping fins was a great idea!
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Thanks, I saw it somewhere but there wasn’t a pattern or even a name. I finagled it on my own but you know, we all borrow from one another.
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