I'd definitely make it Aussie. That would give her a bond with you that nothing else could, especially if you don't get to visit often. Just my thoughts...

Go for reversible and do girly-Aussie on one side and girly-Alaska on the other? That's a big order tho, isn't it? Hugs and smiles and good luck with whatever you decide, I'm sure she will love it.
Ohhhh, how about an I Spy girly quilt with all things Alaskan and Aussie in it? You could add solid color strips for learning her colors between some of the squares and include some game blocks for when she is older. LOL Now I'm all excited about this idea!!!

There is a lovely antique quilt at collectionsaustralia.net

Its called the Tasmanian Crib Quilt. It was originally in purples but has faded to brown. Its on my list of ten Wannados. My friend online sent me the picture. I'm trying to find fabric to make a replica reasonably simliar to the original.

OR Aboriginal fabrics on the front, native Alaskan on the back. Would love to see what you come up with.

She is only three, why not make one of each for next several years.

Just do not agree with the "girly" theme, there are so many great patterns available. She probably has a favorite color. The options are endless. Whatever you choose, she will probably still love it.

Could you make her something with a koala on it. My dad brought me a stuffed koala back from Australia when I was 5 I loved Koalie to death and have/had a collection of koalas all my life I am now 54 and down to a mama and baby on her back and two lovely figurines of koalas. You could be starting a life long love of the animal. Now I know they are not cuddly in real life but it could be a connection to her family down under - send a stuff too.
From a Nanny to a Grandmother *All the Grammas were already on the picture when I got married to my DH - so I picked Nanny - yes Nana was gone too :)

How about an I Spy incorporating animal fabrics from both countries? I can send you some 6 1/2" squares North American critters, flowers, and girlie stuff. I'm sure a request on the board will produce whatever you need. You can add goodies from your corner of the world. Border or back it with your fabrics so she learns about her heritage. There are great free patterns on Maryquilts.com. Let us know what you decide. Have Fun!

Try to combine all three. She'll have pleasant memories when she grows up of when she was a three year old.

Try to combine all three. She'll have pleasant memories when she grows up of when she was a three year old.

I'm definitely feeling an Aussie animals quilt with some pastel colors to make it girly....she will love your animals that she doesn't have in Alaska and it will be something to show off to her friends and classes later as she studies Australia. (In Georgia, we do that in 6th grade)

Pink kangaroo appliqué. That's all I am going to say.

:D

I would make her a girly quilt......a very young one. When she is older you could make an Aussie quilt. Our babies are only babies for such a short time.

What about a girlie type "I Spy" quilt? You could use the pinks and purples that little girls love and put the Australian and Alaskan themed things in the "I Spy" centers.
That way, she would enjoy it for a long time.

I agree with most, the girly approach for now. Later you can create a down under for her so that she knows something about her heritage.

I would go Aussie. She can always see what's in Alaska but I think she would enjoy seeing what's in Australia. Just a thought.

Lynn

I agree.

We have 2 gds in Alaska. Things are rugged there, so whatever you decide to do, make it very strong!!!! My girls live w/o electricity and laundry is done at the laundrymat 3/4 of the year (when its cold). Hard on quilts!

There is no reason why it can't be "girly" AND Aussy. They aren't going to be 3 years old for ever. Since you are so far away, I'd make it with something relating to your part of the family. One of my quilts for Alaska was fish and ocean theme (I had 3 gds born one summer and made each of them a very different "fish" blanket). Something like that would be a possibility for you, also. Another (baby blanket) was a clumsy rendition of the northern lights we saw on one trip. But almost anything can be made feminine and cute while including some images of something Aussy. That way they can learn to be proud of that part of their heritage without even being aware of it, until later.

Kitten blocks mixed with Aussy colors (although, unless they live in the city they may not have kittens...eagle food), snowmen or women and cute kangaroos... Go look at fabrics and see what speaks to you.

I don't know if aboriginal patterns have made there way into fabric there, but they should have! I have a gift tee shirt and have been stopped when wearing it and told in an Aussy voice that it is a true rendition. And it is incredibly beautiful. Enough. Go with your heart.

Why couldn't you combine those themes to make a quilt that was truly, uniquely Sydney's? Maybe "favorite things" type blocks, with two of them devoted to Australia and Alaska--childish renditions of local animals from coloring pages on line. It's a real opportunity for a creative one-of-a-kind quilt that she will cherish all her life.

Can you incorporate girly & Aussie? Or girly now and Aussie when she is a little bigger? Sorry, that was helpless wasn't it?

Im making a paperdoll quilt for my granddaughter for Christmas. Go to topics and type paperdoll quilt and see if you are inspired. Good luck. Im sure what ever you decide will be wonderful.

:thumbup: I like the idea of a girlie quilt for a 3yo, but koalas, kangaroos would be cute to include. I too love koalas. I still have a stuffed koala from when I was a kid. I'm 68 now. :(

What about an "I spy" quilt or the bug jar quilt in which you could do a whole bunch of fun prints.

I made my granddaughters quilt with appliquéd dresses on them. Put ribbon trim and two small buttons on each dress. Totally cute and they love them. Also made a small doll quilt to match. Can PM pictures if you'd like.

My granddaughter is in a different province as well and she just turned 3 in Aug so i made her a quilt the colors she likes and she loves puppies so that was material i got for her quilt. I would do the same for your Granddaughter find out her colors she likes and what she likes then make that the theme for her quilt . I will be making another one for when she is older but the quilt is girly and for a young one . Here is the one i made just to give you a idea. Was my own pattern i made and the pillow part . http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-156323-1.htm

I would combine girly with kangaroos and Koala's

I agree. You can still make a child's quilt and include Australian things.

I, like others, would go girlie. Unless you went girlie and incorporated a panda bear into it somehow. Little girls need...'pretty'. Wait until she grows up and has decided she wants a psycodelic (sp?) quilt or something :lol: :lol:

My three year old granddaughter really likes Dora the Explorer. Might there be anyone that your GD really likes!

She's 3...go girlie...do the others when she has more of a chance to understand the meaning of Aussie or Alaskian..heheheh...girlie all the way for 3...I have 5 granddaughters all under the age of 6...most of them want pink or purple and princesses or something little girlish....although the 4 year old wanted John Deere Girls with monkeys..hehehe...she's 4 what do you want...heheh...good luck..blessings

For a little 3yo I would do 'girlie', find out from mom what her fave colors are, is she into Princess stuff etc.

She will love it just cuz it is from you ... maybe you could print your photo on the label ?

how 'bout Aussie meets Alaska! Kangaroos , polar bears seals,kolalas, grisslies. ect they could be fancy cuts set into 9 patches or ?? it would be kinda an I SPY QUILT--she would know what animals came from where before she ever got to school!

how 'bout Aussie meets Alaska! Kangaroos , polar bears seals,kolalas, grisslies. ect they could be fancy cuts set into 9 patches or ?? it would be kinda an I SPY QUILT--she would know what animals came from where before she ever got to school!

For a 3 yr old, I would definitely go girlie. I have a DGD the same age and she is definitely into dolls, tea parties, etc. You can always make her another quilt as she gets older that shows Australia and/or Alaska.

I would go Girlie, in her favorite colors.

I agree! Go girlie, pink & purple, and it will be a hit.

do Ausie to represent you. and where her family came from.

How about the turtle auditorium (opera house) done in pink flowers and blue flowers for each layer? :)

Aussie quilt by almeans, that way she can see the things Grandmama likes, but it still can be girly.. have fun she will love it regardless because you made it just for her..

Aussie