Friday, 17 February 2012

the Johnny Cash quilt

I am linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday; TGIFF, which is at Marsha's Spot and Manic Monday



     Sew Happy Geek


Thank you to everyone for your kind Anniversary wishes yesterday!

The secret is finally out... the quilt I've been working on was for my husband, a gift for our 5th wedding anniversary, the Johnny Cash quilt:



I had the idea for this last September after seeing Sarah's gorgeous quilt. I knew I'd write the words to 'If I were a Carpenter' because it is our song (and I know it should be 'baby' but we have two!!). Here's some night shots with the man himself holding it (that's my husband not Johnny Cash obviously!!), you can see the quilting a little better in these ones. I pretty much copied Sarah here too and just did some quick random lines to reflect our haphazard relationship!!:


I managed to do three blocks last October and then got distracted so it's been a scramble to get it finished in time. I changed up the fabric for the letters a few times, using up scraps and even used some that I was given by a friend last week! And yes I was sewing the binding on yesterday before he got home!! Last minute Lucy.


I was making it up but finding it really difficult I don't do maths or planning very well and I struggled a bit so I bought Tonya Ricucci's book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Word-Play-Quilts-Patchwork-Place/dp/1604680172/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329470042&sr=8-1
This helped a lot!! I followed the tips and starting some unruly cutting :)

I used the DS fabric Kaelin sent me for the binding and I think it looks cute and helps lift the quilt.



One thing I especially love is because it's double sided it looks cool whichever way you fold it!


In other sewing news, I want to challenge myself and having seen so much cute embroidery out there I ordered myself this cute kit from Sublime Stitching and a couple of patterns. It came really quickly and I love it! It includes instructions thank goodness:


A wonderful friend and her lovely husband from London came to visit me yesterday. I don't get to see them as much as I'd like but we had a nice chat and the kids were loving them!  They even brought gifts :) for my belated birthday.
She made me this cute dishcloth (not sure I will be able to bring myself to use it as that!!) and some delicious homemade Clementine marmalade, named 'Oh my darling!':


As if that wasn't enough, explaining they were having a bit of a clear out, she also gave me some fabric because she knew I'd make use of it:


Seriously??!!! I honestly nearly cried. I'm sure she saw me welling up. She didn't know it was one of my favourites or even that it was the glorious Hope Valley but the girl has seriously good taste!! I think she bought it in London but never used it for anything. I am so glad she thought of me!
If you are reading this thank you so much sweetie! I love the homemade gorgeousness :)

Oh and by funny chance I was doing a quick bit of blog reading yesterday, look what popped up:


47 comments:

amandajean said...

the quilt is just fabulous!!! i love your words. you did a nice job on them! and i also love that it is double sided.

so, what did your hubby think of his quilt?

happy anniversary!

thanks for linking up to finish it up Friday!

Pat said...

Awesome quilt Lucy!

Deborah said...

Wow! The first word to mind is SPECTACULAR! Deb.

Nicky said...

Great quilt - hope he is pleased!

And I can tell that you are with quilt and all the goodies that came your way! Wonder what you are going to do with that Hope Valley! Something really special I guess!

If Toys Could Talk said...

Your quilt is incredible! I'm sure your hubby loved it! :) And those goodies... you are one lucky girl!

Allison said...

What? You mean today is Friday?!? Good thing I decided to induldge in some much needed blog-therapy. I might of missed it ;)

that.quilt.rocks.

Debbie said...

wow - you're busy, girl! ;-) Fun quilt for the hubby!!

Lynz said...

I LOVE your quilt! My own spouse would appreciate the Cash reference! And I think I may have welled a little at that gorgeous bundle too - and I own it already! Bless your friend.

Melissa said...

What a great quilt!!! I just love it :)

Sew Quine said...

Happy Anniversary! Your quilt is fabulous what a great idea! That book is sitting (with many others) on my wish list, think it might just be bumped up the list now.

What lovely gifts from your friend and a bundle of Hope Valley too -wow!

Katherine said...

Amazing quilt, Lucy! What a lovely way to celebrate your anniversary. Happy 5th Anniversary to you both!

Janine said...

Fabulous quilt! And a great story too:) Although the 'prove your not a robot' thing is driving me mad - it sometimes takes me about four attempts and the listening option is just off the wall!!!

Sana Saroti said...

Oh my god! As I wrote you before this was my husband's and my wedding song! I love that quilt so much. Is ii ok if I save the pics of it on my computer? Your post made me cry a bit. Our 5th anniversary is coming up in August (hopefully the last one being seperated!)

Alycia said...

That is wonderful!! I love it!!

Annabella said...

I love your quilt - such an amazing present. I may have to check out that book! BTW, what amazing gifts!!

Heather D. said...

Well aren't you awesome!!!! Love it.

Taryn said...

Happy Anniversary! Your quilt is awesome! I am going to have to show my husband, he is going to be so jealous! Big Johnny Cash fan. That embroidery kit looks awesome. I want to get one now!

Katie said...

Wow Lucy, what a great quilt! I have used lots of Sublime Stitching patterns for stitching, they are fantastic. Have fun with it :-)

Flying Blind... said...

The quilt is fantastic! Well done Lucy, it is a masterpiece!

Oh and your friend is obviously a complete diamond, I think I need to make her acquaintance!!

Noas' Libellule said...

It is fab! What a great quilt! Cannot wait to see your embroidery work!

Claire Jain said...

Ahhhhh, that is such a great quilt! I love, love, love, love it. I'm going to have to pick up a copy of that book and give this technique a go. Thanks for sharing your hard work!

Archie the wonder dog said...

Fabulous quilt - you're a wonderful wifey!! And your friend is marvellous, we'd all like to meet her!

Jennie said...

What a great idea for an anniversary quilt - might have to borrow it. I'll buy the book first though! You did a great job!

M-R said...

Love it, Lucy! I so want to show this one to the hubster because I know he'll love it too, but then he's going to want one. I don't think I have the patience to do all that lettering! Yay for a fabulous finish!

I also wanted to let you know that I gave you the Liebster Blog award. :) Thanks for inspiring me and making me laugh, m'dear!

Katy Cameron said...

Ooh, absolutely fab gift, not surprised it took a while to make though!

Enjoy your new gifts :o)

susan said...

Love your quilt! Bet it made himself grin. And that gift would make anyone grin - clearing out DS indeed!!

Sarah said...

Great quilt!! You gotta love Cash :-) And OMG wow, a big bundle of DS? How lucky can you get?!!

Toni said...

Lucy, it is so awesome!! Great song and great quilt! Your husband must have been thrilled!

Becky said...

I LOVE this quilt!!! Fantastic! That's hysterical that the robot pulled up that word. i swear sometimes the words that pop up are rigged somehow...

Kelli said...

Oh, Lucy, I LOVE it! Its the perfect gift! You did such a great job. I bet he loved it!

Kelli said...

This has to be one of the best quilts ever, Lucy! :o) I love its story, too. What great gifts that your friends brought! Your hubby must be over the moon about his quilt! Was it a surprise for him?
xo

Wee Little Birds said...

Love your quilt...what a lucky hubbie

Rachaeldaisy said...

What an awesome quilt!! I love word quilts and the lines you've chosen are so romantic. It's lovely you have such thoughtful friends.

Michele said...

I want to let you know that I gave you a Liebster Award!

Lisa Johnson said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! The quilt is so wonderful and thoughtful. It made me tear up. I have to think something up we celebrate 15 this year.

Hitch and Thread said...

Oh Lucy this is gorgeous! What a lucky husband. Happy Anniversary. x

felicity said...

Love love love this, Lucy! :)

bethanndodd said...

Fabulous work! No doubt it will be loved for many many years! Great finish! Smiles~Beth

selfsewn said...

Brilliant!!
Thanks for following my new blog.
I have turned off the word ver. for now it seems they have become really hard to read!!
Clare

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

This is fab Lucy, I love it!! Thanks for the mention too :-)

Kirsten N said...

Such an amazing quilt Lucy - sewing all of those letters would have taken so long!! Happy anniversary!!

lindaroo said...

Your quilt is really a treasure!

Just Carol said...

Love it-just ordered the book from Amazon! I hate those word verification thingys, too!

Live a Colorful Life said...

Lucy, your quilt is one of the best ever! I have wanted to do a "word" quilt for the longest time. How special.

Jessie @ Messy Jesse said...

your quilts are so cute - and what a lovely lovely friend!! Amaze! she definately a keeper ;) x

Rebecca Lynne said...

I keep forgetting to email you to tell you how much I love this quilt. I remember when you STARTED to make it. So proud of you Lucy! It rocks!!!

Tonya Ricucci said...

woohoo, congrats on a fabulous quilt!!!! glad the book helped. cheers ton