Saturday, October 26, 2013

Dare to be different – A finished Quilt

Yay! I finally finshed the scrapbuster swap quilt. It was my first swap ever and the first round was postage stamp blocks. I made a bunch of blocks, send them off across the big ocean…

Scrapbuster Swap (3)_bb

… and received colourful scrappy blocks from around the world. I wanted the quilt to be big enough to serve as a throw quilt and added more blocks…

Scrapbuster Swap after Swapping (1)_bb

But I alwasy felt that the quilt was too busy and lacked a bit of interest and a little special something. And then, two years ago, inspiration came disguised as a book:

51ulvedxXcL._SX258_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_

I knew how I wanted to use all those scrappy swap blocks. I made several grey elephants out of grey linnen. I made Elmer from more scraps and then I got stuck halfway down the way. I needed a background fabric and I was not sure how to arrange the blocks. Elmer in between colourful rows?

So what did I do? I put the entire project in a box and let it rest for almost two years. Am I the only one?!

Three weeks ago, I finally took it out again and suddenly everything went on smoothly. I made some more blocks, decided on a block layout (KISS: keep it simple and stupid) and made a reversible quilt:

Elmar Quilt Top3

And I won’t even try to diguise how happy I am with the final result. I loooooove this quilt. Both sides of the quilt. And as it is going to be used on our sofa, there is no chance that only one side will be visible.

Elmar Quilt Back

I love how some scraps bring back memories of quilts I made and there are also squares of Mini Charm Packs that my friend Brigitte brought home from Quilt Market. I also used scraps from her four fabric lines for moda. And I love the thought, that this quilt also represents memories that my fellow swappers have of quilts that THEY made.

Elmar Detail

Here’s a close up of Elmer. Elmer is not grey like all the other elephants and at first is uncomfortable with his appearance. But by and by he realizes that his personality is not defined by his appearance and that he is happiest when he is himself – without disguise or pretentions.

A lesson I try to teach my two little sons as well: dare to be different!

Elmar Quilting Detail4

So I kept the other elephants without details. I didn’t even bother to make them eyes. Only Elmer stands out. I wanted to stress his differentness by enhancing the sameness of the others.

Elmar Quilting Detail

I free motion quilted Orange Peels all over the quilt. I quilted with the patchwork side facing up, using the squares as a natural grid and using a blending grey thread for the “back”. Then I turned the quilt and stitched in the ditch of Elmer’s patchwork. Afterwards I turned the quilt again and quilted only horizontal Orange Peels (or Petals) through the other elephants.

Elmar Quilting Detail2

This is a look at the back and top. I love how the Orange Peels turned out - if I do say so myself (: I thought about Dogwood at first but somehow thinking of elephants I rather thought of Orange Peel…

Elmar Quilting Detail3

I used those Ann Kelle remix stripes as a binding and my favourite method of attaching the binding: the triple zig zag stitch of my sewing machine.

Elmar Quilt Top Binding

et voilà:

Elmar Quilt Top

One last shoot with the patchwork side peeking over…

Elmar Quilt Top2

It is that time of the year again: It’s Blogger’s Quilt Festival again! There’s so much to be seen and so many lovely stories to be read.
This quilt is my entry for this fall. I’d say it is a Group Quilt or Scrappy Quilt.

AmysCreativeSide

 

Thank you very much for vising.

Please consider leaving a comment, that way I can hop over to your entry, too!

Happy Quilting everyone and remember: dare to be different!
Christine

104 comments:

  1. What a lovely quilt and a great story. I'm particularly fond of scrap quilts, and it's a great idea to have something unique on the back.

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  2. I love your quilt, it is gorgeous. I love the grey against all the colours, I love the binding and Elmer is beautiful. My daughter's comfy toy is an elephant and we have a few of Elmer's book, now here is a thought!

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  3. Elmer is so super cute! Love it!

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  4. Tee hee, I just love the ellie side!

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  5. Love this!! Especially the elephant side. Truly ingenious.

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  6. Love 'different'! Great idea and a great story!

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  7. Beautiful! Great fabrics, quilting is awesome and the back with the elephants is so creative--will have to remember this

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  8. My kids loved Elmer and your quilt is stunning. Nicely done!

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  9. This is one of the sweetest quilts I've ever seen. Love the scrappy confident elephant and all the little scrap pieces on the other side. Wonderful.!

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  10. What a wonderful quilt Christine and I love the story too.

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  11. This is a fabulous quilt--great story!

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  12. I love the scrappiness of this quilt but those elephants are way too cool!!

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  13. Gosh Christine, what a wonderful quilt! I love everything about it-Elmer, the quilting, the bright happy colours.

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  14. Love both the front and the originality of the back.

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  15. Love this quilt! And I am so happy for your inspiration in the form of Elmer. It makes an absolutely perfect quilt.

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  16. OMG, I love the back. Love it, love it, love it.

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  17. So gorgeous! I love how you've used your blocks and that it is reversible.

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  18. Cute and unique! :)) Thanks for sharing your story, it is so inspirational!

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  19. I looooove this too Christine. Elmer is a brilliant inspiration.

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  20. Love the colour, pattern and especially the elephants, great job on finishing your UFO!

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  21. I love Elmer - he's so cute!

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  22. Congratulations on finishing. What a happy quilt back!

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  23. Amazing quilt! I love Elmer !

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  24. Yay! Love this! So incredible! That elephant is amazingly fierce!

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  25. LOVE this quilt. You are SEW very talented!

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  26. this is so clever and beautiful! Love it!

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  27. Oh my gosh, Elmer is too cute! And what a great lesson :-)

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  28. That patchwork elephant is to die for! So fabulous!

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  29. Love, love, love this quilt! I'm glad that you left it in a box for two years as if you'd rushed to finish it you wouldn't have come up with this design and it's just brilliant!

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  30. Absolutely beautiful! It was so worth the wait and you did a fantastic job with it! Awesome!

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  31. I truely love this!! I loved the scrappy front and the elephants just brought the whole quilt to a new level. One of my absolute favorites I have seen!

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  32. Elmer is gorgeous i love the contrast and the story that has been used in this!

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  33. This is the cutest quilt I've ever seen! I'm completely in love with the patchwork elephant! And your quilting is just perfect - love, love, love it!

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  34. This may well be the perfect scrappy quilt. Elmer is wonderful!!!
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

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  35. Love the elephants, very cute quilt!!

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  36. I am especially fond of scrap quilts and the more fabrics the better and you have found a perfect way to add special interest to the quilt.

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  37. Oh my goodness - the scrappy elephant is absolutely adorable!

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  38. I love postage stamp quilts in bright colors - but your BACK is brilliant. BRILLIANT! Love those elephants!

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  39. Amazing! I have red that book with my kids-what a great idea for a quilt!

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  40. Thanks for stopping by Queenie's wee blog and your awesome comment!
    I appreciate it.
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

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  41. STOP with the fabulousness! I can't take it! This is absolutely amazing, and something tells me Elmer's amazon rank is on the rise these days thanks to this ingenious quilt. :)

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  42. My goodness you are creative! Fun fun fun!

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  43. This is a really wonderful quilt! I love it so so much. That little break allowed your inspiration to find you. Some things are meant to be! Fantastic!

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  44. This is the most amazing quilt. Absolutely inspired. :D

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  45. Makes me smile from ear to ear!

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  46. Love this quilt. So extremely cute.

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  47. This is so beautiful. I was wondering if you would mind if I made a similar version for a baby quilt for a good friend?

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  48. This is really fantastic! I love the fact that the design was inspired by a children's book!

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  49. Amazing quilt! Love the idea!

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  50. I love Elmer the patchwork elephant! He's so cute. I like him between all the grey ones too.

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  51. This is fantastic! I love the scrappy side and I adore the elephants! Congrats on such a stunning make :)

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  52. Love, love the story of "Dare" and of course your super cute quilt! Well deserved, dear!

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  53. Congratulations! I love seeing scrappy quilts, and those elephants are so fantastic!

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  54. Congratulations! You won in your division :0), what lovely quilt and story behind it :0)
    Happy
    Sewing

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  55. Woo hoo, I see Elmer won. Well deserved , if I may say so!

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  56. I love the elephant! I also love the quilting! Great job!

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  57. Love it! Great job! I'll remember the idea, since I make a lot of charity blankets for kidz!

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  58. I absolutely love your quilt! Great idea and job!

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  59. I absolutely love your quilt! Great idea and job!!

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  60. I love it ! I love he elephant too.
    I wich learn about scrapbuster swap quilt work. It´s beautifull. You are great !
    Love from Argentina.

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  61. So many little squares! I love everything about this quilt. I love the quilting itself, the binding , the elephant. I think it does add a much needed focal point on a quilt that's very busy on the front. Great work =)

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  62. Great quilt idea. I never would have thought of doing a scrap quilt this way. Thank you for sharing your creativity with the world! -South Carolina, United State of America

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  63. This is such a delightful quilt! It makes me so happy to look at it- and I love the little story behind the elephant. Well done!

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  64. I absolutely love your quilt! Not only is it fun, kid friendly, bright and adorable; I love the way it goes with the book. Great idea!

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  65. I absolutely love your quilt! Not only is it fun, kid friendly, bright and adorable; I love the way it goes with the book. Great idea!

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  66. Hallo Christine!
    Kannst du dich bitte bei mir melden: bea.galler at patchworkgilde.de. Danke.
    :-)

    Bea

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  67. Swoon - I am in LOVE with this quilt!!!!

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  68. That is adorable. You did a fantastic job. LOVE IT!

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  69. How cute are the elephants! Where did you get the pattern for them?

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  70. This quilt rocks!!!! You should be so proud! Super inspirational! Love it

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  71. I just love your quilt Christine!

    I've seen uTube video's how quilting is done - free hand - and I just don't think I'm patient enough to quilt. You have made an extraordinary quilt and you should be proud of yourself.

    Happy Quilting

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  72. Really cute!! I have a 2 inch patchwork quilt in the making and I might do a take on your back using bears... or turtles... or crows... or....

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  73. Fabulous. My daughter would like me to make her something similar for her first baby, due soon. Would you mind telling me the size of the little coloured squares?

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    1. Thank you Vivienne! The little squares are 2,5" unfinished.

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  74. Fabulous! My daughter has asked me to make her something similar. Wha size are your little coloured squares pleae?

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  75. I just got a request from a client with this blog post attached asking if I could make a quilt like this for a baby that is coming into her life. Would you mind if I used your creation as inspiration? I will not do it exactly but she really likes the way you did the Elmers on the backing. I like to ask for permission before I go using other people's ideas. ;)

    It is wonderful! We both really adore it!

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    1. You are very welcome to make a similar (or the same) quilt :) I am looking forward to see your interpretation of this idea! Enjoy the process and all the best to you and your client!

      Christine

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  76. This is so beautiful and awesome! My kids love Elmer. I may have to steal your idea too. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  77. Dieser Quilt hat mich zu deinem Blog gebracht...
    Der Quilt hat jeden ersten Preis verdient und kommt sofort auf meine Möchte-ich-nähen-Liste.

    Dein Blog ist toll, endlich mal ein deutscher Blog mit Quilts nach meinem Geschmack. Nur zu schade dass die Bielefelder Abteilung der Modern Quilt Guild so weit vom Ruhrgebiet weg ist...

    LG
    Nina

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  78. Love your "Elmer" quilt! Thank you for sharing it.

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  79. I just stumbled on your quilt on Pinterest! I **just** read this book to my daughter's kindergarten class last week! I am going to take liberty with your design (if that's OK) and make something similar for Grace's teacher. Thanks for the inspiration!!

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    1. Oh yes, please! I'd love to see your version of Elmer! Enjoy!

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  80. I really love this quilt, I have a friend who just started college and loves elephants, I just ordered Elmer
    for her also, I know she will get a kick out of it.

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  81. I have been sniffing around the internet looking at all the lovely quilts wondering if I could actually make one. Well, you have pushed me over the edge. I must aquire the skill to do this! To be able to create a quilt like this must be a wonderful feeling bringing smiles to so many. Thank you.

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  82. Came over from FB, love your quilt! Thanks for sharing.

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  83. Thanks for posting your incredible quilt! I definitely took liberties with your design and gave you a little publicity. Hope you don't mind!

    http://www.quiltingboard.com/pictures-f5/ellie-phant-quilt-all-done-my-dil-almost-fainted-t261397.html#post7094330

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    1. Thank you so much, Rose! I tried to contact you directly but I could not find your email adress. Your Ellie-phant looks gorgeous and I am happy to see you made Elmar's girlfriend :o) Thank you so much for sharing!

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  84. Thank you for sharing your incredible quilt! I definitely took liberties with it and posted your original link in my post on the QuiltingBoard.com.

    http://www.quiltingboard.com/pictures-f5/ellie-phant-quilt-all-done-my-dil-almost-fainted-t261397.html#post7094330

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  85. What a fun quilt idea - love it! I've been scanning the comments looking for, Dimensions of the squares on the back, and where to get the pattern for Elmer? Thank you so much!!

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    1. Hi Dotti,
      I could not reach you, as your email adress was not included in your email (no-reply). The squares are 2,5" unfinished. I took the shape of Elmer from one of the books. As Elmer is under copyright from the author, I cannot share his shape here. The best advice would be to buy one of Davic McKee's books and copy Elmer's shape. The book would also be the perfect addition to the quilt in case you want to give it away :o)

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  86. This is one of the most brilliant scrap quilts I have ever seen!

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  87. Just came across your blog I love, love,love your scrappy quilt with elephants on the back

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  88. Thank you so much for this post. I'd been searching for weeks for a unique quilt for the rainbow baby we are expecting in December, one year from a pregnancy loss. We will not be finding out the gender before birth and I needed a fun quilt that was not fussy, could suit a boy or girl, could tolerate the play and use of baby years on up. When I saw this quilt, I knew it was perfect, right down to the rainbow binding for our rainbow baby (the only idea I had decided on before finding "the one").

    I just have a couple questions for you... What is the finished size of your quilt? Do you think a similar size would be appropriate for a baby quilt this little one can grow with? (my screen name)@gmail.com

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  89. It.s a wonderfull quilt, with your permission i take a photo to show the quilt in my FB page, of course I'll put the link to your blog.

    Thanks for sharing

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  90. OMG! This must be love at first sight!! GREAT qulit.

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  91. I have just made a similar quilt, and was wanting to credit you with the design. I hope that is ok with you. Yours is amazing...

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  92. I saw this first on Pinterest and made it from memory. Mine is mainly pinks with teal on the back and darker teal elephants. I'd like to credit you with the design. This is how I found you. You are truly inspirational! Brilliant!

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  93. That is so adorable! It is upbeat and contemporary and perfect for any kid! I love the way you put the colors together with the grays - wow!

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  94. This quilt caught my eye and makes me smile. It is an ideal way to piece the back of a quilt for a very special person. It's actually so pretty to be reversible. Just beautiful!

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