Check Fons&Porter. They had a tutorial that was not paper pieced.

I did one with the cat tails interlocked (snails trail) and I did it quite easily just piecing it Like the first one as it looks like waves to me

I too love the first one the best and may i say what a thoughtful thing to do.

just noticed that you did the blocks on your iPad..did you have an app for that?

blahel: yes, it's an app called "quiltography." Very cool.

I like the 2nd and third....they look like a sea/surf to me. Just do a couple of practice blocks. I am sure once you get started and do it in manageable pieces it won't be overwhelming. I think it is a most thoughtful gift.

I'm partial to the middle one. I can just see the ship in the middle block and the captain having a beautiful calm trip. :)

I like the layout of the first, but I like the white center of the second. The grey isn't doing it for me, somehow. (And I usually am very fond of grey)

I love snail trail blocks...I haven't tried it yet but I love how they look. It's going to be a great quilt!

Definitely the first one. Looks the most like waves with those colors.