Amy is hosting a virtual Quilt Show this week. Here is my entry…sure to win Best of Show. (Just kidding, I’m really not that cocky! But since it’s a virtual world…a girl can dream, right?!) 
I chose this quilt as my entry into Amy’s “Festival” because it was my first true “art quilt” and I truly love how it turned out. The batiks blend together beautifully, I used alot of thread painting and quilting techniques I had not tried before and the overall product is, in my humble opinion, stunning. Here is it’s story:
My sweetie is a major fan of Django Reinhardt, a gypsy jazz musician from Belgium, who died in 1953. In addition to idolizing Django, he plays the guitar (a Martin that he refers to as “The Grail”) and the mandolin. I made him this art quilt for Christmas 2005. The name of the quilt is “Gypsy Django”.
The guitar in the quilt is created from the jazz guitar that Sweetie owned at the time, prior to purchasing The Grail and selling all other “inferior” guitars in his possession. The two mandolins are also his, the inlay one was his grandfather’s, and the “triangular” one he made himself.
This is the mandolin his grandfather owned and played, it’s beautiful, with a mother-of-pearl inlaid butterfly, and m-of-p inlay around the edges and on the neck. It’s a true work of art and is proudly displayed on the mantel.
We aren’t sure how old the mandolin is, or where it came from, but he has this photo of his grandfather (on the left) playing this very mandolin in the very early 20th Century:
The mandolin he made himself hangs on the bedroom wall when not in use.
I used a batik on the back and binding as well. This was my first foray into “creative” quilt labels. Now, go see Amy and enjoy the rest of the “show”! 
Oh! One more thing…go check out this birthday giveaway:
http://www.pigtalesandquilts.com/2009/04/give-away-time.html
made by a brunnette 
….wow….great quilt! the batik fabric has certainly captured the feel of the instruments…and isn’t “grandfather’s” mandolin gorgeous….lovely history! I think the quilt will be as treasured as the instruments….btw love the term “the grail”….!
Theo’s reaction to this post is priceless. Let me just say your BF is in BIG trouble and owes him a 12 pack of Hamms.
Wow. This quilt would definitely win the “best in show” prize. This took my breath away when I saw it. Absolutely stunning!
Terrific piece of Art! and what a great story and history for it.
So cool…what a great story
It gets my vote for Best in Show! Your quilt is stunning! And I can see that you are not the only one with talent in your family!
I love Django too, as does my husband. Very inspiring!
what a great quilt.
Really beautiful and a greatv story! I love Django’s music!
For a first art quilt that is pretty amazing. I really like the way it turned out. Very Nice!
Absolutely amazing! Wonderful art quilt.
Fantastic quilt..it could well be Best of Show. I made a quitar quilt for one of my sons too. Love your story too.
Thanks for visiting my blog as well.
Lovely quilt (and wonderful label)! Thanks for sharing.
It is beautiful!
THis quilt is amazing! Such an amazing work of art! I love it!
Love the design!
You may be right! That is one incredible quilt! Love that you made it with TLC for your Man.
Wow! That’s awesome!!
I am so scared to try an art quilt!
A beautiful piece of art.
What a creative quilt and great tribute to the musician in your life.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and the sweet comment on my pinwheel star quilt.
What an amazing quilt, and wonderful story!
wow. Great quilt.
um, WOW. this is spectacular.
Doris – I love your quilt!!! What an amazing collection of history to go with it 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
such a stunning work of art!!
Such a beautiful story and beautiful quilt!
Wonderful! Hope to see more art quilts from you.
Great story and an amazing quilt. You did a fantastic job. Love it.
Great quilt, will show my husband, he plays mandolin. I’m yet to attemp an “art” type quilt.
LOVELY!
Gorgeous work!
It is definitely a work of art..very pretty indeed!
Micki
I love how you made this so personal! The mandolin is beautiful and you really did it justice in your re-creation. Thanks for sharing this.
What a wonderful quilt. Very unusual. It is so interesting to see what different people are coming up with for quilts. Such fun! You are very talented to create such a wonderful work of art.
Wow, Doris, this art quilt is amazing! I love your inspiration behind it too. Very impressive work!
Wow!!! I love this quilt. My husband collect guitars and he has been asking me to make him a quilt with guitars on it. I’ve been waiting and waiting because I’m really afraid that I won’t be able to do it. Your quilt inspires me to maybe give it a try. Thanks!!!
Best of show, indeed! The quilt is stunning, and the history and story behind it is just wonderful. What an heirloom. Thank you so much for sharing!
wonderful quilt. love the story and the accompanying photos.
Stunning quilt! Luscious colors. I’ve long struggled trying to capture the graceful lines of my own sweetie’s guitar in fabric-you’ve captured them beautifully. Your first art quilt? Wow…I’m impressed!
WOW I love this quilt…I could stare at this for days!!
Doris, your quilt is simply stunning! I wish I could see it in person. What a lovely and priceless gift!
Both mandolins are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the quilt and it’s story.
Beautiful colors and recreation of these special instruments. I love it!
Thanks for visiting my blog.
This is one awesome quilt! Hard to believe you haven’t done art quilts before, because this is obviously a real talent!
Hope we see more of these!
You get my vote for best of show!
What a beautiful quilt. You have interpreted the instruments so accurately. Thanks for sharing the wonderful story behind it too.
Wow! that is so cool! “Portraits” of musical instruments. Very nicely done!
Incredible work! I can see why it is your favourite!
That’s fabulous and I LOVE the photo! What a great piece of history! Very clever and beautifully done.
I have to show this spectacular quilt to my husband, also a devoted fan of Martin guitars. Great story, superb fabric choices — yes, you’re in the running for “best of show.”
What a wonderful quilt! I would so love to see it in person to appreciate the detail in it – what a wonderful work of art!
Amazing…my husband also plays guitar and made what he calls a dulcilyn, mando-dulcimer combination that he later turned into a octive mandolin. He too has sold “inferior” guitars to get better ones and in fact is sitting a few feet away making a guitar right now. I just showed him the wonderful photos of your work of art quilt. We are both very impressed. So glad I persisted in trying to see all the entries and got to see your!
Wow, that is some quilt! Love the history behind it. You get my vote for best of show, and i've only seen half of the quilts.