This is my first experiment wtih low contrast, high contrast and no contrast blocks in the same quilt -- something I've been wanting to do for a long time. There was no order to the placement of blocks and no pattern. It was just "do what you feel." Wanted a 4" finished block so started with 2.5" squares.

Mottled or Batik-like fabrics were carefully chosen for a Kaffee Fassett look. There are only a few Batiks in it with lots of vintage, feedsacks mixed with new which I love to do. Some of you saw this quilt posted on April 12 here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-42480-1.htm

Most of it was done in 6 days but wasn't able to work on it for the next 3 mos. This lap took two weeks to do at a comfortable pace. I wanted a crazy patch inner border in order to use up lots of pastels which hardly get used. I only wanted subtle areas of darkness and not a gradation of light to dark. For that reason, color placement was more challenging. There are gold ships, gold stars and one golden dragonfly in it. There is also one red heart. I call it "Happy Lappy" because I'm happy when I see it! If I had to choose another name for it, it would be "Among My Flower Beds."

More important than the quilt are the words of recognition for those who have been an encouragement and influence in my life. This quilt is lovingly dedicated in memory to my family who taught me much, but especially in honor to my parents for their sacrifice and love. To my father who taught me how to sew and fly. When I was a small child, he made the most beautiful floral Japanese kimono with mandarin collar and gold frogs that impressed me sew much. He was a flight instructor in his spare time and loved teaching others to do everything, but especially flying. A special recognition to both my brothers who were artistic and businessmen and who helped me much. For my mother's influence in the arts and politics and hand-made items also special honor to her for her great help in all the countless checks she wrote me throughout my life. Recognition is due all of them, but especially to the Lord for all He has done for me and for making it all possible! May this quilt bring glory to Him and His kingdom as it's for His use. I hope you enjoy seeing my "Happy Lappy"!!
It's 64" x 67". I didn't plan on making it this big; it just happened. To my family watching from the banisters of heaven and to my DM, this is for you, Mom, Happy Mother's Day! .....stopping to wipe tears as they fall.....enjoy :wink:

Absolutly gorgeous!!

Please pass the kleenex...sniff sniff.

Great scrappy. A happy quilt full of love.

My computer is acting up again. Here are some more:

Thank you, marsye!! Your pics always make me laugh!!!

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I know, I could hardly see for the tears. Needed my windshield wipers on!! Yes, definitely made from love! Thank you, wvdek!!!

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What a beautiful tribute of love!

It's beautiful n2! I really like all the colors that you used. Your family is undoubtedly proud of you.

Thank you, Toto's Mom!! My parents weren't perfect, but they did their best to see that we were dressed our best and well mannered and we weren't a perfect family but we stuck together and that was our strength.

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Thank you, danmar!! They all sure helped me a lot. Guess I needed it more than anybody! :oops: :lol: :roll: :roll: :oops:

Awesome!

Thank you, candi!!!
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Beautiful quilt!!!

Thank you!

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turned out lovely. very nicely dedicated to all.

A beautiful quilt and wonderful memories you have.

Thank you, Minnesewta!! I just love your signature!! :thumbup: ;) ;)

Thank you, mimee4!! :-D :-D ;)

I wanted you to see low contrast close up because it didn't show up in the pic from a distance and then I wanted to show some more of the blocks. Here they are.

Thats my kind of quilt. Most of everything I make are scrappy quilts..am getting on in years so I decided to use whatever in my quilts. I may cut a small piece out of a 3 yard piece but the kids will get it all someday and I want to enjoy what I am in my stash.

It's the best thing I think to use whatever in the quilts! It all looks good together and yes I don't save any fabric back for tomorrow. I too cut pieces out of 3 yd. or 4 yd. cuts! I didn't really want that outer border but wanted to use up some large scale floral to carry the theme of the quilt outward. My DM made pillows out of the navy fabric in the border (30 yrs ago) so I used up what was left over and I think it worked out well. Yes, we have to leave it all behind for someone else. I enjoy making each quilt as if it'll be the last one I make and scrappys are the BEST! Thank you, lil lulu!!

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you did a good job with those fabrics...

Thank you!!! ;) ;)

I don't which I love more...your quilt, or the story behind it. Lovely quilt, lovely tribute.

It is beautiful and has sooo much meaning!!!

Just love it! And mostly the sentiment. I love that quilts can have such meaning. This is beautiful!

Thank you, JanetM!! I should have told the whole story! But the most amazing thing about my father is that he made his own plane (!!) and more than likely without a pattern and most amazing of all is that he designed it so the wings folded up and he could fit it in our basement!!! haha. All three of us were in college at the time but was told a couple from Georgia came to see it and bought it. I don't know the particulars if they flew it home or what!! haha. But it was flyable!! And yes, he had his own planes and flew for 40 yrs. And if that wasn't enough to get the town talking, my brother bought a sailboat (the hull only) (we lived in the mountains! 300 mi. from the sea) and worked on it
in our yard until it was ready to go in the water anchored at Annapolis, MD!!! haha. That was really the talk! He sailed it to the Bahamas and lived there with his boat and family. We were a very noticeable family!! haha.
:D :D

You have some great stories. I love the boat story...so what if there wasn't a large body of water anywhere close!!! Your family sounds wonderful :)

Thank you so much, Martina, for your kindness!!! It has lots of meaning!! :D :D

The boat story is a great one! We didn't mind but people told us how strange it was to see Noah's Ark sitting in our yard (hahaha) and nowhere near water! We just told them we had dreams!!! haha. People would drive by to check the progress out on the boat!! It was thrilling! My father was the only person I ever knew to use his plane on his job! It was never a dull moment. Thank God for that! So this dedication is long overdue to my most notorious family!

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fantastic quilt

n2--your fabric selection always amazes me! I wish I could be as free with fabric choices as you are. OBTW in the fourth photo the red background triangles with the little pink and blue flowers. Used that long ago in my DD's quilt her daughter sleeps with! G

Thank you scrapsoftime!! We love those stories behind the quilts! This one has lots of sentiment!!!

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Thank you, MissM!!!
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Thank you so much, G! You CAN be free with fabric choices! Sometime I'll do a thread to help those with color choices and fabric selection. I'll teach my tricks on bringing a quilt to life with color!! It's so nice to see a fabric you recognize made up in a different way in someone else's quilt! Thank you, G!!

;) ;)

fantastic!

Thank you, Bev!!

;)

Very nice. :thumbup:

Okay you've given me a bad case of quilt envy! ;

Beautiful! I love scrap quilts and I love this one!