Quiltspiration 365 - Creative process - wildlife photo

I usually create quilts without using a pattern, or if I use a pattern, I tend to give it my own twist. But sometimes it takes a little help to get to where you need to go. There is a lovely woman in my life , Gram Betty. She's part of my extended family. She and her daughter, Joan, shared their love of quilting with and taught me the basic when I was an absolute beginner. I really wanted to make something special for Gram Betty. Something from the heart. I knew how much she missed her trips to Canada and the loons on the lake she used to vacation at. 

Drawing a realistic loon from scratch was not an option so I had to get some help from a photo. 

Then the stash shopping started. Mostly Batiks for their organic feel.

I printed the photo a couple of times and clipped the various elements for the birds to use as templates

I glued the pieces with school glue and added a couple of lilypads and aquatic plants

To finish the effect, I used a thread painting method to secure the pieces, add the "fuzzy" effect on the chick and in the water to create the illusion of the reflection 

Here is the finished piece. Gram Betty loved it :)

For more Quilt inspiration, visit the Quiltspiration 365 bloggers:

Kitty: http://nightquilter.com

Chelsey: http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Laura : http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Jennifer : http://neverjustjennifer.blogspot.com

Brenna : http://www.beknitpicky.com

Cheryl : http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Jessica: http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Cathy : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com

Sarah : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com