Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Inspiration from a Favorite Thing

About ten years ago, I was perusing the local antique shop and spotted this beauty. I scooped it up and ran to the register with it, my heart racing with anticipation. I love it just as much now as I did in that moment. I keep it draped off the end of a cabinet in my family room and it makes me smile every time I walk into the room.

It's not in perfect condition and I think that's one of the reasons I like it so much. I often wonder about who made it, when and why. Someone put lots of time and effort into each loving stitch. It has a variety of embroidered symbols (each one representing a different meaning) including a double and triple ring - so perhaps, it was made to commemorate a special wedding anniversary.

Around the time I purchased the crazy quilt, I was really into Victorian decorating. The lovely stitches on the quilt inspired me to try my hand at silk ribbon embroidery. I ended up creating this cute little guy.

I keep him in a cabinet full of some of my other 'Favorite Things'. I used fabric remnants and lace trims from things I had sewn for my children. He reminds me of my grandmother, who collected elephants - although, hers all had their trunks up in the air which she said was a sign of good luck. Perhaps, someday someone will scoop him up and wonder about the history of him as well.

5 comments:

  1. What an absolute treasure! How nostalgic you made me feel. Wouldn't it be fun to write something about your elephant with a permanent pen perhaps...or even embroider if time permits...on a piece of fabric and tuck it in somewhere? Just thinking about it gives me the warm and fuzzies.

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  2. I love the elephant. what a beautiful thing to pass down. thanks for sharing,Amy

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  3. Crazy quilts are wonderful. That is something I would like to make one day.

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  4. Oh my, this elephant is just gorgeous.

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