I'm Positively Giddy...

Yesterday, I finished the tote and then bound the Nantucket quilt. Two major projects finished! I'll share the quilt tomorrow, but for today, I have to share how positively giddy I was last night at the Guild meeting.

When I got up yesterday, I was determined to finish assembling the Sweet 16 Challenge piece for our Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild meeting. I got into the studio early and completed it before lunch time.

For all of you who guessed that the song was "House of the Rising Sun", you're right! It made the Top 100 list in 1970, and although there were other songs I could have chosen (the processional for our wedding was "The Long and Winding Road" - also a hit in 1970), there is a special story behind this song. I also figured I could do something more visual with this one, which also helped me decide.
My father's younger brother, Larry, was only five years older than I, and although he was my uncle, it always seemed like he was my older brother. It always seemed weird to call him "Uncle", as we were so close in age. He was in a band when I was 16. He had an electric keyboard and drums set up in my grandparent's basement, and he played guitar.

When we went to visit one weekend all those years ago, he, my brother and I headed for the basement. I played keyboard and my brother played drums. Larry showed me the chords for "The House of the Rising Sun" and said that I should just play the chords and repeat them...then repeat them again...until the song is over. I'd do alright for a while, but then, I'd lose my concentration and we'd have to start over. He was so patient with me. I still hear Larry's voice saying, "Come on, Dee! You can do it!"

Larry passed away when he was 52 years old (8 years ago). To this day, I can still hear his voice. When I went down the list and saw that this song was in the Top 100 for 1970, I knew I'd be doing my challenge piece based on this song with such happy memories attached to it. This is my loving tribute to him.
Why am I giddy, you ask? Out of sixteen entries at the Guild meeting last night, my tote was chosen by the members to receive a Third Place ribbon! All entries were anonymous, as were the votes for Member's Choices. With all the gorgeous interpretations, I was shocked that I won at all. Truth be told, I didn't even know they were going to judge the pieces. I only thought it would be fun trying to figure out the titles for each of the entries.In case you're interested, the other songs were: Twilight Time (wall hanging), Hummingbird (pillow), Swing on A Star (hanging), Three Coins In A Fountain (wall hanging), Red Red Wine (wall hanging), Tears Of A Clown (wall hanging), Heard It Through The Grapevine (wall hanging), Deep Purple (wall hanging), MacArthur Park (a windowpane wall hanging), Our House (wall hanging), Spooky (wall hanging), Yellow Submarine (wall hanging), I Saw Her Standing There (wall hanging), my House of the Rising Sun (tote), Brown-Eyed Girl (wall hanging), and Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces (wall hanging).

THEN, there was a contest to see how many song titles you could guess from the entries. I won a prize bag for having the third most correct answers! My prizes were a Bali batiks jelly pack (worth over $30!!), another cut of batik fabric, a box of pins, a tape measure and a quilt pattern book. My entire prize package had to have been worth at least $65! Thank you to Nora and Kathy of Sandy's Quilt Shop for donating the prizes.

AND, they also had a raffle last night. As we walked in the door, we signed our names to the attendance book and were handed a raffle ticket. I won a fat quarter pack of baby-themed flannels!

So, I guess yesterday was my lucky day, and I didn't see it coming at all. (Darn! I should have bought a lottery ticket!)

Tomorrow, I'll share the finished Nantucket quilt, and if I'm really ambitious, you'll see the finished Lavender Dreams quilt, too! (Kathy told me at the meeting last night that it was ready to pick up.)

Kessie is feeling much better. She's even wagging her tail! Fez is being really sedate, considering that he could be a real pest if he wanted to. We're all really grateful that he's behaving and giving Kes time to heal. I'm sure he'll tell you all about it on Friday!

Sweet 16...

I spent part of my day yesterday working on the Sweet 16 Challenge piece for our local quilt guild, Disconnected Piecers. This is the focal point of my piece, which is going to become a handbag/tote. I'll decide which as I get further along in the project today. Oh, yes. The guild meeting is tonight. What can I say? I was a little distracted over the weekend.

The theme for the Sweet 16 Challenge is to take a song from the year you turned 16 and translate it into a 36" x 36" quilt, a handbag or a tote. I turned 16 in 1970 (sigh). Those were the days!
The participants in the challenge will be able to guess at the song for each of the other participants. Do you think you can guess mine? I'll show you the finished piece and reveal the song that inspired it tomorrow.
Before I run off and finish my entry in the challenge, I want to say "Happy Birthday" to my sister, Diana. This is a photo taken of me with all of my younger sisters a couple of years ago. (I'm the oldest of all 5 of my siblings.) Top to bottom, eldest to youngest: me, Lyn, Diana (Miss Snoopy Pants, the Birthday Girl!) and Jan.

Diana is a sister, mom to a daughter and son, and grandma to three sweet boys. I guess it doesn't matter how old she gets...

She'll always be this little girl to me.

Happy Birthday, Di!
I hope you have a wonderful day, and
that all of your dreams come true.

Time For Quiet...

Handsome bought a new Casio keyboard for us. He and I can both sight read well enough for us to rehearse my chorale music. I think it's funny that I get nervous singing alone in front of him after nearly 30 years of living together. Yesterday, that changed.

I asked him to listen to me rehearsing the two Hebrew pieces we're doing for our holiday concert. The sheet music I have gives a website where singers can listen to not only complete recordings, but also recordings for the various choral parts. It's wonderful. Click, play and warble away!

Handsome gave me some useful pointers about marking my music to give me cues in my own handwriting (like reminding me where to breathe, or take bigger breaths when I have to hold notes) and I know that's going to be a tremendous help.

Both the critters were lying on the carpet and listening to our rehearsal, too. Unlike Kes, who will put her nose right under Handsome's drums while he plays, Fezzik prefers to run for the hills. I'll have to start desensitizing him to the drums. We can't have a dog that doesn't appreciate music, after all. Thankfully, my singing didn't drive him from the room!

"Mom."

"Yes, Fezzik."
"I've been really worried about Kessie, so I've been
helping by watching her with you today."
"I know, Fezzik. I was noticing how sweet you've been
to her. You've been quiet, considerate and haven't
bothered her. Not at all puppy-like."
"Well, Mom. I can tell Kessie's not feeling well."
"You're a sweet boy, Fezzik. Mom's very proud of you, Mr. Man."
"Thanks, Mom. I'm really tired. I. think. I'm. gonna...

take. a. nap. now."
"Sweet dreams, sweet boy."

Kes is pretty doped up right now. Doggie downers can do that to an old girl. Even the corgi puppy knows it's Time for quiet and healing now. All of us would like to thank you for your get well wishes for my girl. I promise a crafty post for tomorrow.