I love these words by Hans Christian Andersen. Sometimes you just need a song or a melody! Welcome to my day on the Music Blog Hop, hosted by Carla of Creatin’ in the Sticks! When I saw this blog hop, I knew I had to participate! Here is the challenge Carla gave us: Create something to do with MUSIC. Do you have a song that inspires you or a tune you listen to when you sew? Do you love a particular instrument or know someone who does? Maybe something, anything, is music to your heart. Does your Mary have a lamb? Do you have music fabric you need to use? You decide! The theme is really your own interpretation, surprise us! Wow! So many of these statements resonate with me!
When I was nine years old, I was blessed to be able to take piano lessons, but my love of music began much earlier…before I even started school!
I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me-like food or water.
– Ray Charles
I loved listening to the radio and watching Sunday morning gospel music shows before church. And at the ripe old age of 12, I became the pianist at our little country church. From there, I played keys and sang in several local quartets until I married and we started our family. I sang in the choir at one church, then we moved and I started playing keys in the worship band. After a while, the bassist took over as worship leader, and I took over bass for him. I’ve been playing bass and singing in our current church for about 12 years, but since it wouldn’t be fair to have all the fun, I do alternate Sundays now with another bassist. One of my high school friends played bass and her dad owned the little music store in my hometown. I would hang out there a lot! She taught me to play bass as well as a few licks on the guitar! I’ve also owned and played an organ, drums, banjo, harmonica, and two steel guitars! So, as Ray Charles said, music is just one of my parts! LOL
As I was thinking about what I was going to make, I found several quotes that I loved, so I decided to do an embroidered mini quilt. I can say with certainty, that this is definitely me and it will hang proudly in my home! I digitized the embroidery in the center and the cross hatch quilting, all done in the embroidery hoop. I then added the borders in a quilt-as-you-go style and quilted wavy lines.
I forgot to tell you, during my life of music and singing, a friend dubbed me “Songbird,” thus the name of my website! I must also say, I’ve had the absolutely BEST roadie (equipment carrier) for over 45 years now! He’s my number one fan! Thank you, honey!! (As you read this, we are celebrating our 45th anniversary in the Great Smoky Mountains! Isn’t technology wonderful?!)
And now you know the rest of the story!!
I hope I haven’t bored you too much. Please visit my fellow bloggers today and see how music has inspired their creativity! Here’s today’s schedule! Leave them a sweet comment – we ALL love hearing from you!
Tuesday, November 15th
MooseStashQuilting
Kathleen McMusing
Just Sew Quilter
Pieceful Thoughts
Songbird Designs You are here!
Desertsky Quilting
Do you sing while you quilt and sew? If not, you should try it. Music makes life better! Thanks for visiting today. Until next time, keep on pickin’ and a grinnin’!! (and quilting!!)
How lovely to hear the story behind the name of your blog. What a wonderful history you have with music! It’s such a gift to be musical. Love your quilt. It’s simply perfect for you! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
Wow! You made the perfect piece – I had no idea you were so musically talented!
You certainly have a wide range of musical experiences and talents! Awesome!
I love your project! When I’m a bit blue, praise and worship music is my favorite!
Mussic soothes the soul, and sets the heart to singing. So true. I love your piece.
Wow, you are a true musician, and this blog hop was perfect for you! It’s fun to get to know a little about you and your passion for music, and that lovely little mini sums it up!
Happy Anniversary! It was so nice to get to know you a little better, and what a great nickname. Your wall hanging is beautiful!
Happy Anniversary! Love knowing where the name of your blog came from. Thanks for sharing!
This post is so sweet – very nice to get to know a little about the music in your life. Happy Anniversary!!
You are never boring, but very interesting with talents in so many areas. Love that you so beautifully combined your music with your quilting and created this lovely piece.
Happy anniversary! Not just a songbird, but probably a lovebird as well since it’s 45 years now. :o) Thank you for sharing your love of music!
Yep, your “songbird” nickname (esp. on the blog) was a natural. Brilliant quilt and it is so you. So glad that you were born with music inside of you.
Your mini quilt is lovely!!! Great job on the digitizing! It was fun to read more about your musical life!
Happy Anniversary!
your little quilt is gorgeous. I love the quote. I love what your were named and then putting on your website. thanks for sharing and inspiring
Sing or listen to someone else sing. =) I love your story, and that you are in my backyard celebrating your 45th year together! The Smokies are the perfect place to be. It was rainy today, but the sun’ll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar! I like the hanging you made, and the quote on it, too. What fun!
Hi Brenda! What a great quote from Hans Christian Andersen. I love music. I listen to it every day and I always find inspiration from it. Thanks for sharing a special piece of you with us. And the backstory on the name of your blog – you’re letting go of all your ‘secrets’ today with a beautiful project. I hope this beauty will be hung where you will gaze upon it every day. I love everything about it. {{Hugs}} a whole bunch! ~smile~ Roseanne
What a lovely mini-quilt, and the H.C. Anderson quote is spot-on.
Happy anniversary to you and the “roadie”. You have “nailed” the challenge with your pretty mini.
Really pretty quilt, and great story along with it. No, I rarely sing unless in church services. My voice is far from melodic, ha ha.
Happy Anniversary! I love your piece. Music has been a part of me all my life. I have music on whenever I am quilting or doing anything else.
Happy Anniversary, Brenda! This was fascinating to read and learn about your musical talents. My goodness, you really are a songbird! Your mini quilt is beautiful and definitely says it all about you. Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful story on how music moves your soul. This challenge was perfect for you and how fun to learn how you acquired the name of your website. A very Happy Anniversary, Brenda. I hope ya’ll have a very lovely time in the Smokies. Thank you for sharing your story and your gorgeous quilt.
Happy anniversary!
Love learning about the person behind the sweet personal mini quilt! So that’s where ‘Songbird’ comes from! 🙂
Fun to know you really are a Songbird at heart. Love your very personal and wonderful piece that you created. A very happy anniversary to you and your roadie!
Hello Brenda
I really liked your quilt. Happy birthday to you and your roadie.
Around here, some days I prefer to be silent and other days I like to listen to music. Usually classical music when I’m sewing or embroidering.
Brenda what a wonderful post! Your hanging is beautiful, and I love the story behind it. Happy anniversary to you and your roadie! 😀
I enjoyed learning a bit more about you and how music has been a part of your life, as well as the origin of the name for your blog! Happy Anniversary to you and your roadie – I hope you have many more happy years together! Your quilt is perfect for you!
What a beautiful post to read and learn more about you. Happy anniversary! Your wall hanging is gorgeous and it’s so fun that it’s so you. Love it!!
Your wall hanging is lovely and the message represents you well!
Congratulations on your 45th. I hope you are having a fabulous time celebrating. Thanks for sharing your story and beautiful quilt with us. I know it will hold a special place in your home and bring a smile to your face every day!
Your mini quilt is perfect. Happy anniversary! Enjoy the smoky mountains!
Happy anniversary! I love your wall hanging with that saying and all the music around it! Thanks for sharing your story too, Brenda. I enjoyed reading it.
Happy anniversary! The Smoky Mountains sounds wonderful!