Practice, Practice, Practice!

That's what my mom used to tell me as I would sit and play the piano. I never really got that proficient at it, but I do alright. I played the piano for years in the Primary (children's meeting) at my church. Now I teach the children singing. I really enjoy it. It's like "The Vivian Show" every Sunday! :)

Anyway, these days my BabyBoy is practicing the piano. He has lots of time on his hands these days, since he graduated early from high school and hasn't found a job yet. He's very talented and has been working at teaching himself the piano. (Side story and confession: I am not a good mother. I never taught any of my 3 children the piano. Bad, Bad, Vivian! I didn't have the patience.)

This is the piano in our home. It's an old "Chickering" built in 1893.

I bought it in 1993 when it was 100 years old. My dad lovingly restored it for me. I love my piano and have told my family that when I die and if there's not enough money to bury me in a casket, I would be happy to be buried in my piano. I know that's kinda sick, but it's the truth.

Let's see what my BabyBoy is working on lately. "Cold Play"...excellent choice!

And who is sitting in a comfy chair in the room waiting for BabyBoy to play? His #1 Fan: The Purse Dog. (Actually my BabyBoy is out rock climbing with friends. He's enjoying his 'free-time-after-graduation a little too much, I think.)

And practice for me too! Yes, I've been doing charity quilts since I started my "First and Ten" plan. I do ten quilts for my business and then one charity. Here's one where I practiced Suzanne Early's Meandering Magic.

And check out this backing fabric! Bright and fun. I wonder where this quilt will end up.

Now I must say a word about the thread I used on this charity quilt. At first I was using a lovely, bright variegated Superior Thread, "King Tut." I was having a lot of breakage. It was driving me crazy. I never had problems with that thread before. It could've just been the day. So I decided to try a new thread that Gina Halladay of Cranberry Quiltworks told me about. It is "Lava" by Superior Threads. I loved it! It quilted like a dream. Thanks for the recommendation, Gina! (They sell it at Cranberry Quiltworks, too!)