Friday, May 13, 2011

"If" - the Super Secret Reveal!

Okay - so blogger went out for what? 24 hours? And I though I was going to die! hahaha!! Anyway - now it's time to reveal that super secret project!!!! YEA!!

First - I made this for my husband for our 10 year wedding anniversary! I thought of it, and started it in February and I feel really lucky that I finished it in time! So, here it is - I call it "If".


My husband's all time favorite poem is "If" by Rudyard Kipling. It is a wonderful poem, with a lot of personal significance to him. So, I got a rather hair-brained idea to applique the entire poem onto a quilt. So I did. And yes, I cut out every. single. letter. Yes - I am crazy. No, I do not recommend doing this! :)


There were a few moments when it nearly got thrown in the trash. During the second stanza, I was feeling particularly frustrated by how the letters kept NOT being straight. But then I realized something important. I was making this as a token of my love for the greatest man I know. My beloved. And HE would appreciate the effort that was put in, even if it wasn't perfect. And you know, when all was said and done, I was very proud of how it came out.


The other elements also have significance.

The tree


Well, trees have all sorts of symbolism - strength, firm foundation...etc. Take your pick. I put it on there because we love trees. Seriously. They're all over our walls. :) The funnest part of the tree is the quilting. I FMQed it to look like tree bark. I LOVE how it came out!

The bird.


For a love quilt - the obvious choice would have been a dove, right? Well... that's not how I roll! lol! This is a Falcon. I did a lot of research into the symbolism of birds and the Falcon really spoke to me. The Falcon symbolizes "A light Shining in the Darkness." Also, "The light that gives your life purpose." I love that. It really is exactly how I feel toward my husband. The Falcon also represents wisdom, rising above, Keen intellect, success, loyalty, and fierce guardianship. All describe my husband perfectly.

I am so pleased with the final outcome of this quilt. My husband was deeply touched by it, and I am so glad I had the patience (and the insanity) to make this for him!

I have been told by a few people to link this up to the Blogger's Quilt Festival, and I think I will!! :)




Amy's Creative Side
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51 comments:

  1. Elizabeth DacksonMay 13, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Oh, wow, Linz! This is amazing! I'm familiar with the poem and it happens to be one of my favorites. What a wonderful gift, my goodness. And I love the falcon, I think it's amazing. Happy anniversary!

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  2. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.comMay 13, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    you are a quilt goddess. I cannot believe you cut out and appliqued each letter. You are amazing! What a special gift.

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  3. Lis HarwoodMay 13, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    What a wonderful expression of your love and how fanatastic that it was for somebody who would appreciate it all. Personally I think you're mad, what's wrong with a nice tool set, or maybe a meal out, with wine? Fantastic achievement and I'm so glad you put it in the festival so that we could all enjoy your work. I loved learning about the significance of the falcon as we live in Kestrel Cottage :)

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  4. AngieMay 13, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Great job, Lindsay!

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  5. Becky (My Fabric Obsession)May 13, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    oh my goodness, you are insane! That is fantastic. What a beautiful labor of love! So wonderful and romantic. Did you give it to him yet?

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  6. Angela FlickerMay 13, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    I think maybe you're crazy ;) I can not imagine cutting out all those letters, and lining them up. Wow, you must be very patient.

    The quilt is absolutely beautiful, and I love the quilt job you did on it!

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  7. Kristy LouMay 13, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    WOW!!! (That's really all I can say)

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  8. Vicki WMay 13, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    What a special quilt!

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  9. Angie PadillaMay 13, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    I thought I did some crazy (teeny, tiny) things with appliqué, but this takes the cake. On first sight I thought this was printed on fabric. I usually embroider words, not appliqué them. I'm sure this was a real challenge. Congratulations on a really well done job!

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  10. ToniMay 13, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    What a beautiful piece of art! Very creative and simple. I love this, thanks for sharing - came by way of the Quilt Festival!

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  11. AnonymousMay 13, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Wow, that is some serious patience! You have a very lucky husband.

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  12. Katie BMay 13, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Wow!!! What a gesture of love! I'm sure your husband is thrilled, and I cannot believe you cut out each letter!

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  13. LeeMay 13, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Wow. Linz! This is amazing! An appliqued poem! A tree! A symbolic bird! Yep, amazing. "Great job" doesn't seem like enough to say here, but ... great job. : )

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  14. Anne at Film and ThreadMay 13, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    Are you serious? You appliqued each letter? I loved how it looked even without knowing that amazing fact!

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  15. Dee J.May 13, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Gorgeous! So lovingly done

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  16. Lindsay ConnerMay 13, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    What an awesome wife!! I cannot believe you did that--so sweet! He will treasure that forever. :)

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  17. JanetMay 13, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    This is a tremendous labour of love! I hope he loves it!

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  18. SerendipityJoyMay 13, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Every letter? Yowzers. But the quilt turned out wonderfully and what a wonderful labor of love.

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  19. MelindaMay 13, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Ooh! Look at all your comments! You know why? Because it's beautiful! Great job, my friend! Oh, and worth the wait!

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  20. EileenMay 14, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    This is so inspiring! Wow. I do appliqué but that is APPLIQUÉ! Superccongratulations and thanks so much for sharing and have a great day

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  21. ValerieMay 14, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    Amazing Linds! Love it!

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  22. stitchinpennyMay 14, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    This is so beyond words that I fear no comment I could make could come close to the wonder of this quilt. The love you and your husband share must be so wonderful to encourage such a thoughtful and labor intensive quilt.

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  23. JolandaMay 14, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Sooooo beautiful and loving. Your husband is a very lucky man.

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  24. LeanneMay 14, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I love it! I love that you made this poem for him, I love that this is a poem he loves and you got to make it! What a wonderful project!

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  25. Laurel H.May 14, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    WOW. What a quilt; he was right to be very moved by this labor of love.

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  26. KelliMay 14, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    This is amazing! But said on a loving way... You Are NUTS! :)
    It is a beautiful present, I am sure he loves it!!

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  27. Kelly @ Vintage Fabric StudioMay 14, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    how amazing and what a sweet gift, this is something you will both treasure for a lifetime. Thanks for sharing!

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  28. ladybugquiltingMay 14, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Wowsa! This is so Amazing, I take my hat off to you!

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  29. ~ Val @ PinkPlease! ~May 14, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Are you kidding me, Linz? This is amazing! I need a close up of those letters. How big is it? Details, please!!!! So, so proud of you!

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  30. AllieMay 14, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Oh my gosh I don't even know what to say. This is beyond fabulous. I cannot believe you appliqued every...single...letter....I wouldn't have any hair left! An absolutely stunner of a quilt, I'm so glad you entered the festival!

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  31. KarenMay 14, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    This is very special. What incredible patience you have to do so much work. Congratulations!

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  32. baukjeMay 15, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    My goodness, you did a hell of a job but the result is worth it, fabulous!!!!

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  33. Christie describeHappyMay 15, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Oh gosh this is just totally amazing and I also enjoyed the story behind it. Very thoughtful! And happy anniversary again!!

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  34. Kit LangMay 15, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Wonderful! and happy late anniversary! :)

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  35. BJMay 15, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Wonderful piece of work. What a treasure!

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  36. SaraMay 15, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Everything about this quilt screams special. The appliqued lettering you go girl!!! The significance of the falcon is perfect for this!!

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  37. SewSaraMay 16, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    wowowowow...wow!!!
    that's a lot of work and i love it!
    i love applique ... i've done tons of it on shirts and stuff (for my etsy shop) but not like that on a quilt -- what a great idea!! you've inspired me ... way to think outside the box :)

    and i see that we're both LDS :) (congrats on the anniversary!)

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  38. AurelieMay 16, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Speechless. It is lovely my friend. Happy Anniversary.

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  39. JenMay 16, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Absolutely INCREDIBLE!!

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  40. Sarcastic QuilterMay 16, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    Amazingly beautiful. You made me teary-eyed. :)

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  41. MollyMay 16, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Um ... WOW!! I can't believe the detail in this quilt and all the letters! I always feel that a quilt is a tangible expression of care and love and this one is especially so.... LOVE IT!

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  42. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    How flipping awesome!

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  43. Julie FukudaMay 17, 2011 at 4:01 AM

    Now that is just SUPER! Where did you get all those letters to applique? I love that poem too
    but I'll bet embroidery or copying on to fabric from a printer would have been easier. What a labor of love!

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  44. Side StitchesMay 18, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Insanity indeed! I can't believe you persevered through this quilt, but I'm glad you did. It's awesome and I can see why your husband loved it!

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  45. IsisjemMay 19, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    What an amazing quilt. I'd have been so worried doing so much wording that I'd miss a whole line out and mess it up lol. No wonder your husband loved it so much!

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  46. JudyCinNCMay 21, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    What an awesome quilt and masterpiece you have created. We are all a little crazy when it comes to our family - Judy C love it

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  47. VickiMay 21, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    What a lot of work! It's a gorgeous quilt, what a great idea.

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  48. A.J. Dub. (Amy)May 25, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    That is amazing! What an incredibly thoughtful gift. Just out of curiosity, how big were the letters?

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  49. HeatherMay 30, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Beautiful! Wonderful! Incredible. It is my husband's favorite, also--I thought of embroidering it, but this is so gorgeous. . . completely inspiring!

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  50. Hitch and ThreadDecember 13, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    This is totally gorgeous. I gave my husband an IOU for our anniversary for a text quilt of our wedding song. (I'm not as organised as you!) he just needs to choose colours and a style. I love how you've added the tree and falcon, simply stunning. Can I ask how big the letters you used were and how big the quilt ended up?

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  51. AbhishekOctober 10, 2013 at 4:00 AM

    Wow !! this is really amazing... Your husband must be feeling so proud of you :) wish you all the best and a great married life :) btw "If" is my favourite poem too :D

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