Coffee Cup

This is my LIFE  - day three.

There's a Lyle Lovett song, called "I've been to Memphis" that starts with the words

The sun comes up

in a coffee cup

Waitress please, I've had enough. . .

Years ago (like 9  years ago), I couldn't get that phrase out of my head.  It demanded to be made into a quilt, and so I did just that.  I pulled out bits and pieces of scraps of browns, blues, yellows and oranges - and then went to my local fabric store and found the border print that seemed made for this. That's where I found the swirly brown print that looks just like my coffee as the cream is stirred in. 

I drew a funny little sketch and then set to work - figuring it out as I went along.  I won't say I was obsessed with this project, but I will say that I got little else done during its construction.  Oh sure, my children ate and were reminded to brush their teeth and all, but I don't remember worrying about the laundry or any other silly incidentals during that time.  Cullen was a baby then, and when my big two went off to preschool, he'd watch me sew like a madwoman until it was time to pick them up.  I didn't have my Bernina then, and my sewing machine was barely up to the task of the freemotion quilting surrounding the coffee cup.  I broke more threads, more needles and had more knots on the back of this quilt than I had before or since. And although I can't remember precisely - I bet there was some swearing under my breath as well. I just couldn't get my machine to cooperate with my vision of those lyrics. 

In the end, it was all good.  The tension is sporadic, the colors uneven and there are things I probably should have done differently in terms of composition.  But I don't care.  I love that song, and I love this quilt.  I love the sculpy coffee bean buttons that Lara made that surround the saucer.  I love that it's uneven and quirky and primitive.  But mostly I love it because it was one of those things that demanded to be made.  Lotta power in that song, wouldn't you say?!

Comments

[larahurley]

I can't get the lyric out of my head "I don't wear no Stetson but I'm willin' to bet son, I'm as big a Texan as you are."

That would be an "old Terry Allen song" as Robert Earl says...

So I have this idea for my super female lawyer friend (who happens to be married to Lyle's cousin) for a quilt w/her on a rearing horse holding the scales of justice with a big hat and high heels... just think that would rock hanging in her high rise corner office in the Houston smog!

did you hang this in the kitchen like I TOLD you to??

[ijsbeer]

I love it! Very vibrant. I love to hear where people get inspiration from. Isn't it cool that it can come from the wierdst places?

[threesweeties]

I am loving the "this is my life" project and this quilt is so great! I know that Lyle Lovett song as well. Gotta love Lyle.