The Fourth of July has never been on my list of favorite holidays. I don't know why. I do like parades and BBQs and a couple of fireworks, though. I also dig the red, white, and blue color scheme. I was at the hardware store a week or so ago and spotted a display of patriotic-colored bandanas and was overcome with a desire to celebrate my independence through craft. Something about those bandanas just inspired the patriot in me! How does the saying go? "As American as bandanas." Or maybe it's apple pie. Anyhow, here's what I came up with:
What's that? Never heard of a patriotic whale before? It's no majestic bald eagle and I know they're not usually (or ever) associated with Independence Day - but whales are darn cute! Besides, if I had a pet whale you can bet I'd name him Old Glory. That's a great name for such a massive creature that's been around forever and has a loooong lifespan. Plus, it's close to Old Faithful (the geyser) and that's reminiscent of whales with their blowholes and whatnot. So, you see, it just takes a tiny stretch of the imagination to accept the idea of whales as a patriotic theme.
If you're still having trouble with the concept remember that this is America and I'm free to choose ANY animal as my 4th of July mascot without fear of persecution. Let freedom ring!! Before I get carried away, let's see some more cute whales.
Get it? He's so patriotic that he's spouting fireworks!! I must give credit to whoever designed my daughter's jammies because I pretty much used them to create the whale template. So, thank you to the designer for Carter's who came up with the purple whale jammies. Basically, I traced the whale shape onto some fusible web and then used the bandanas as my fabric. I machine stitched around the edges and then embroidered the facial features and spouting fireworks.
The white shirt is my favorite and it'll be the one Susannah wears to the parade on Sunday. I had to add that star to cover up the emroidered teapot that was there when I bought it. I had the hardest time finding a plain white shirt!
What's that? Never heard of a patriotic whale before? It's no majestic bald eagle and I know they're not usually (or ever) associated with Independence Day - but whales are darn cute! Besides, if I had a pet whale you can bet I'd name him Old Glory. That's a great name for such a massive creature that's been around forever and has a loooong lifespan. Plus, it's close to Old Faithful (the geyser) and that's reminiscent of whales with their blowholes and whatnot. So, you see, it just takes a tiny stretch of the imagination to accept the idea of whales as a patriotic theme.
If you're still having trouble with the concept remember that this is America and I'm free to choose ANY animal as my 4th of July mascot without fear of persecution. Let freedom ring!! Before I get carried away, let's see some more cute whales.
Get it? He's so patriotic that he's spouting fireworks!! I must give credit to whoever designed my daughter's jammies because I pretty much used them to create the whale template. So, thank you to the designer for Carter's who came up with the purple whale jammies. Basically, I traced the whale shape onto some fusible web and then used the bandanas as my fabric. I machine stitched around the edges and then embroidered the facial features and spouting fireworks.
The white shirt is my favorite and it'll be the one Susannah wears to the parade on Sunday. I had to add that star to cover up the emroidered teapot that was there when I bought it. I had the hardest time finding a plain white shirt!
Ok, those are too stinking adorable! I wish I could sew but, alas, I cannot. :(
ReplyDeleteI love the whales! So cute!!
ReplyDeleteOK, these are a 10 on the cuteness scale! ;o)
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Too cute!! I wish my girls were still little, I would SOOO try this!!
ReplyDeleteYour shirts are absolutely adorable!!!! So cute!
ReplyDelete-Kara
http://littlelearnerslounge.blogspot.com/
Oooo! Too stinkin' cute! Patriotic whales - of course!! : )
ReplyDeleteI love your patriotic whales! you are too cute and your creations are adorable :) Your little one will be filled with pride wearing it in the parade :) xo
ReplyDeleteI may try this even though my daughter isn't little.
ReplyDeleteadorable! Its awesome that this would work for a little guy too!
ReplyDeleteSo cute... You should sell these on Etsy (if you don't already)!
ReplyDeleteLindsay @ A Design Story
Love those cutie little whales! And who says whales aren't patriotic?! Look at those little guys in their red, white, and blue glory. Adorable!
ReplyDeleteThose are precious!! I LOVE the cute little star. :) Thanks so much for the visit to my blog! :)
ReplyDeletelove it, can I copy it ? it would look great sewn onto card. lovely idea :)
ReplyDeleteLove the use of bandanas in those darling whales!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo stinkin' cute!!!
ReplyDeleteI've given you an award over at my site today!
ReplyDeletehttp://straightstitches.blogspot.com
Oh, my gosh, the cuteness! You can give me one of those adorable patriotic whales over a bald eagle any day!
ReplyDeleteThose are adorable! I always see kids wearing patriotic animals on their clothes that *aren't* eagles. Puppies,butterflies...whatever is cute! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, that is SOOOOOO cute!
ReplyDeletelove this! I'm redoing my sons room with whales and am loving them currently!
ReplyDeletewe have a friday fun finds party- we'd love it if you'd link to this!
These are too cute!
ReplyDeletethese are really cute!!
ReplyDeletein fact, our readers would love to be able to find you and how you've put this together.
this is where you get yourself a link back to your article :
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-4/
rose
Those are way, way, way too cute... I am cool with the concept and like the idea of naming a whale Old Glory!!
ReplyDeleteSoooo cute! Yay for patriotic whales, absolutely adorable!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I think I may even try something like it. Thank for posting. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are just adorable. I especially love the red whale on the white t-shirt!
ReplyDeleteI featured this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com earlier tonight!
ReplyDeleteI adore your patriotic spirit. It is red, white and bluetiful!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will stop by for a bbq on a white tablecloth. :)
that was truly a whale of an idea!
ReplyDeleteso sweet!
so american!
Super Cute!
ReplyDeleteAwww...so cute!
ReplyDeleteLOVE those! Tell me you have an Etsy shop. I think I need some for a whale watching outing.
ReplyDeleteVery, very cute! I love applique'!
ReplyDeleteThose are so stinkin' cute! I love the whales and your post was cracking me up! I like the whale idea better than the bald eagle anyway! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!
ReplyDeleteRidiculous cute! Thanks for sharing - these are really awesome!
ReplyDeletethese are adorable! my little guy loves all things big and swimming..he would love these!
ReplyDeleteThese are too cute, love the fireworks spout too!
ReplyDeleteI like the whale too, she looks so playful and so baby-ish. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteThis is just darling! Thanks for linking up at along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute whale design! Great job.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I think the whales are perfect. Who says it has to be flags and sparklers? Great job. Lisa~
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! This would hide some stubborn stains beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThose little whales are adorable and make it easy to still wear after the 4th. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday:)
ReplyDeleteThose are so darn cute!
ReplyDeleteI recently received the Sunshine Award and would like to pass it on to you!
http://suddenlysandy.com/2010/07/i-won-the-sunshine-award.html
Have a great day!
Adorable whales, I think red white and blue is a great combination of colors no matter what they're done it, including whales! The navy blue and white is kinda nautical and the red thrown in just makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI'm LOVING the whales. So cute!
ReplyDeleteADORABLE! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteThose are just so stinkin' cute!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore this applique! Thanks for sharing!! I featured this idea on my Wednesday's Wowzers today. Here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/07/wednesdays-wowzers-inspiration-while-im.html
Have a great day!
~Alison
You are featured at my Creative High Party and win a spot in my sidebar. I put the whales up with a link to you, if you want something different, let me know.
ReplyDeleteSo cute, I love the little whale. Very creative and festive! Thanks for linking to Sister Sister Sunday, please come back next week!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Amanda
adorable! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab craft - have featured you on "Water Get Crafty"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.redtedart.com/2011/05/01/water-get-crafty-fish-summer-crafts-to-inspire-you/
Thank you!
Maggy
Those shirts are fabulous! I popped over from RedTedArt's fab blog and will now probably spend far too much on here ;-)!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteI’d love it if you shared this with the Fun Family Crafts audience.
FFC is similar to Craftgawker but it only features kid friendly tutorials.
Looking forward to seeing what fun crafts you submit!
http://funfamilycrafts.com