During December of 2007 I attended two funnerals. At one there were alot of flowers and I as I was thinking about when I died I would rather have people donate to a worthy cause instead of buying flowers that will just die and have to be thrown away. But, then a few days later I went to a funneral and there were NO flowers. Changed my mind – I thought I wanted a few flowers, but then still have money donated to a worthy cause. But, with all those stands that they have to put the flowers on – that would be a great place to drape my quilts on. Having the quilts displayed would really add to the celebration of life atmosphere that I want to have. It would really be like a party and people would enjoy coming to see me dead. Later that month my kids were visiting to participate with me in the Emerald Nut’s Midnight Fun Run at Central Park on New Year’s Eve. I was telling my girls about the additional plans that I want when I die. (I have already told them I want upbeat music playing at the viewing – I really do want it to be a celebration of my life.)
A few days later my daughter came to me and said that we don’t have to wait until I die to do a party like this – I was turning 50 in 2008 – why not celebrate my 50th Birthday by hanging all my quilts and inviting family and friends to enjoy an afternoon together and see my quilts.
My birthday is in December and this really is a very hard time of the year to do something like this. As we started to look at the calendar we realized that my exact 50 1/2 birthday was on a Saturday in June – thus the idea for my 50 1/2 Birthday celebration was born. But, I needed a more catchy name. I asked Janaradan (one of my son-in-law’s) to come up it a catchy name. He went to his computer and started doing some searching. He found the word – Quinquagenarian (which means 50 years old). I decided this was perfect. Put it together with Quilt (since that was going to be the focus of the party) Quest (journey). As I was making plans for the party and lisiting the quilts that I had (or had made) I realized that I had at least one quilt from each of the decades of my life.
A couple of months ago I saw a postcard that Jane Davilla had designed for Fiber + Thread = Art exhibit. She had taken slivers of five different quilts and merged them together to make one photo for the front of the postcard. I thought this would wonderful for my postcard invitations. I included a sliver of quilt from a quilt made in each of the decades of my life. The party is a month away.
Date: June 13, 2009
What a great idea!!!
Have the very best fun.
I do have to tell you that I was pretty surprised/excited/honored to see my little quilt block with my name on the front of your post card! How fun. I wish that we could come and celebrate with you!
I anxious to be part of the party. i would like a post card 2287 west 4200 South Rexburg, ID 83440
Wow I really hate missing that party. Sounds like such a great time. Post lots of pictures on your blog–my connection to the other side of the world!!