Originally Posted by lucyb
I think they are barnacles on the whales belly.
I think they are as well. I don't know if it's clear from the photo, but it was almost 3D, moreso than normal quilting. The whale was prominent and put on after the background quilt, almost like a stuffed toy whale. And the picture within the whale must have been a completely different applique quilt.
I just thought the idea was genius!