This year's theme is Make Us Laugh. I struggled with the theme, because I kept trying to thing of a joke of some sort to put in a quilt. And that just wasn't working for me. So then I remembered a pattern I've been wanting to make that I think looks like what laughing feels like. But Husband said that was too abstract.
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| fabric laughter! |
The fabrics are all Island Batik. The elephant is the solid gray. In retrospect, I wish I used the new dark gray as the contrast would be better with the background.In person, the contrast is fine but it doesn't show up really well in photographs. The laughter are all brightly colored scraps. I sewed all the applique shapes with blanket stitch.The binding is Island Batik solid in fuchsia.
The pattern is "Paisley Splash" and is a free download from Windham Fabrics. I printed the splash pattern pieces on Heat 'n Bond EZ Print Lite sheets. I did not use the layout from the pattern but instead played around until I found a layout I liked and then ironed it all down.
You can kind of see the cross hatch quilting in this picture (above), if you look hard and ignore the wrinkles! I did the quilting before adding any of the applique, including the elephant.
Laughing Elephant is my 7th completed project in 2020; my goal is 52 projects.
Be sure to check out all the quilters attempting to Make Us Laugh:
Wednesday March 18
The Darling Dogwood -- You are here!
Thursday March 19
Friday March 20
Monday March 23
Tuesday March 24
Your elephant is definitely laughing, great job!
ReplyDeleteHe looks like he is laughing to me, exuberantly while flinging the water in joyful playfulness. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHe definitely looks like he's laughing; what a great idea and beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not laughing, but happy, and the image brings a huge smile. Gorgeous fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI like the back story about you and your hubby discussing the quilt. It definitely made me smile.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great quilt over and above the giggles.
I remember those lunch room days with laughing so hard milk came through my nose. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteI've seen that elephant quilt in the past and always thought it would be fun to make. I love your version!
ReplyDeleteLaughing, for sure! Happy, for sure! Seven out of 52 is awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and also the backstory. And I actually like the paleness of the gray for the elephant. It gives the elephant and ethereal quality and it makes the laughter pieces that much brighter.
ReplyDeleteOh what does he know, where is his imagination? Ha Ha....I do love this and I agree with you on how it does look like laughing. Love it.
ReplyDeleteOh Emily you nailed it with this adorable little guy! I'm grinning from ear to ear! Best yet I got a giggle out of thinking about the times I've shot milk and even soda out of my nose! Brings us right back to the fun things in life doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteLove it..makes me smile ...great goals for 2020 and thank you for the pattern link.
ReplyDeletethis is so adorable. and yes it made me laugh. thanks for sharing where the pattern is. this would be such a cute baby quilt quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteCutest elephant ever!
ReplyDeleteActually I think this elephant is laughing, with or without water. Beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteHe is laughing! So adorable. It is super cute.
ReplyDeleteI get it, and think it's very cute!
ReplyDeleteI love your laughing elephant. So much fun.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I would have to have done it in houndstooth and the "water" in Alabama fabrics!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a quilt genius! I am actually laughing ALONG with the elephant!
ReplyDeleteElephants are my favourite wild animal and they always make me happy and so does your. Very sweet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quilt! I was laughing along with the little elephant. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful project, and good luck on making 52 quilts!!
ReplyDeleteit's fun and it's frivolous, definitely made me smile and it was ingenious to add the water sprinkling out of the elephants trunk.
ReplyDeleteCute idea! And who doesn't love a happy elephant?!
ReplyDeleteAwwwww, this is so sweet. I love elephants so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! Oh, I'm so glad you didn't listen to your DH and made and shared this with us. It does look exactly like an elephant laughing, or at the very least, having a wonderful time. I adore all the different happy-looking fabrics you chose for the splashes. Thanks for the smile today - you achieved the mission goal. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteSo fun to see your version of the Paisley Elephant! Very creative defense of your design. I think it's the perfect interpretation! :D
ReplyDeleteI love this, and I could see the laughter right away. You are entirely correct in your milk-snorting laughter (gee, only in elementary school?). Thanks for sharing such a lovely wall hanging and providing the link for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteOh lovely, cute elephant!
ReplyDeleteLove the milk coming out of his nose idea - I can just see it! Beautiful colors, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see this elephant laughing. Thanks for sharing your project!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great story, and the colors really make the quilt pop. Thanks for sharing the story. Linda Pearl
ReplyDeleteOh wow! It makes me smile! It feels like the elephant is playing in the water!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, your husband was being too literal :-) It's an awesome quilt, congrats!
ReplyDeleteOh yes that elephant is laughing his/her head off for sure! I adore elephants and when they spray water like that they are happy.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute project - very cheery and so sweet! Well done Emily.
ReplyDeleteThe elephant is certainly laughing. If they cannot see it, they need to borrow your eyes. Look with magical eyes. And he definitely made me smile :-)
ReplyDeletelol A laughing elephant - great quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great project. I just love your Laughing Elephant.
ReplyDeleteA quilt that looks like what laughing feels like - what a great description! It looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHello Emily, I hope you will overlook the fact that my comment is many months late, but I just discovered your post from following a link on another blog. While reading your post and seeing your funtastic Laughing Elephant Quilt, I had to tell you how much it brightened my night and did make me laugh!! Thank you for sharing the pattern link and definitely for creating and sharing your splendid quilt!
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