We’ve had such a busy week! If you have been wondering where the heck I’ve been, all is well, it’s just been a lot going on. Sunday we attended a wine and food pairing Ryan was hosting at the winery where he is Associate Winemaker, and Monday was Eva’s birthday. Fun times, but no time to sew or even blog. By Tuesday, things had calmed down, and I did have a blog post planned, but ran into technical issues and had to give up.
Yesterday I was able to spend a good amount of time upstairs in my sewing room. These latest blocks for Corey Yoder’s Border of the Month program really require all my concentration. I decided to tackle the two units required for each block and get those all made. 60 four-patch blocks, all of which had to have all the seams pressed open. 80 half square triangles, which had to be trimmed and pressed open. Then, finally, I could start assembling the blocks. This process really had me focusing in order to get both the adjacent colors correct and the chain going in the right direction. Not to mention trying not to repeat any of the same fabrics in adjacent blocks.
Five hours later, I had finished five blocks!
And I love how they look.
Now for the most joyful thing of all. Our beautiful Eva turned 15 this week! Here she is at the place she spends all her time, the pool. She is on the swim team and the water polo team, both of which have daily practices, plus she has a job teaching little tots to get used to being in the water. This keeps her super busy and at the pool all day long. That’s why she looks like a model for a tropical travel magazine. She does use sunscreen, but no matter what, she turns brown as a berry.
She is having the time of her life, making great friends, and getting so physically fit with all the swimming she does. She’s a good swimmer too. I may have already mentioned this, but she was in a swim meet a week or so ago, and when we picked her up afterward, Dennis asked her if she had come in first place in any of the events she had participated in. She shyly said, “Yes, all of them”. Breaststroke, crawl, backstroke, and relay, all first place. Can you tell we are proud grandparents? Forgive me for bragging, but I just can’t help myself!
39 Responses
They grow up too fast don’t they! Certainly the little mermaid – or not so little now. You brag away – it is a grandmother’s priviledge! Meanwhile the border is coming along just great and you squeezed in some fun time with wine too!
I will have to look for a photo of her in her mermaid outfit at the pool. She must have been around 9 or so. She has always loved water from the time she was two and in her little puffy water wing floaties.
Love your quilt! The colors are wonderful, anxious to see the finished top. Eva is beautiful and her tan is picture perfect, you have every right to brag!!
I am working on the borders today. I have the top and the right side done and hope to finish the left side before it gets too hot up here in my sewing room. I will tackle the bottom border tomorrow. I may actually get this done before Corey releases the next step.
Your quilt is coming along swimmingly (ha!) and Eva is so lovely and talented! I’m so glad your summer is going well.
I have been so lazy this summer! Hardly any sewing actually finished. My schedule has been so disjointed. I haven’t bothered to start a project because I know I will be interrupted.
Eva is just beautiful! I can’t believe she’s fifteen, it gives me hope that my granddaughters will still want to spend time with me when they’re teenagers! Lovely quilt, that border is gorgeous!
She is lovely inside and out. She likes hanging out here because I feed her whatever she wants and let her play on her laptop! No pressure.
The border is looking great. I saved yesterday’s tips for when I get to my similar border (whenever that happens!!). Lovely Eva is really coming into her own.
She has really blossomed this summer. The extra responsibility of teaching the tots to swim and hanging out with all the other teens at the pool has really helped her mature. With her late July birthday, she has always been the youngest kid in her class (the school age cut off is Aug 1). She has grown up into a teenager this summer.
Eva is beautiful. That means I have been following for 15 years or more. I check every day though I rarely comment. So today, thank you for interesting posts that are positive and not political.
Thank you so much Betty. I deliberately avoid anything political on my blog. I just feel there is no place for it here.
I come here to see what you are up to and to be inspired. your followers posts are so fun to read. if I want to be sad or mad about politics I can read the newspaper. ;p
What a beautiful granddaughter, she’s definitely worth celebrating! Happy Birthday, Eva! 🎂
I’ve been following the progress with the Border Quilt sew along, but not sewing along. The comments regarding the most recent border have been that it definitely takes more concentration than the previous borders. A little challenge is a good thing. It’s beautiful and I love seeing the different color ways. Thanks for sharing your work!
Things are going great so far. Today I only had to use the ripper once to turn around a unit I had going the wrong way.
Eva is 15! Which means I’ve been following you for longer because I remember when she was born–I thought Evangeline was such a beautiful name. And, you & Dennis brag about how talented she is every chance you get!! It’s a grandparent’s job! Your border is going to be so pretty!
Same! I remember the picture Nicole posted of her holding Eva swaddled at the hospital!
And I’ve enjoyed your comments for 15 years!
Loving your new quilt project and you are to be commended for your patience in getting all the pieces put together. Can’t believe Eva is 15! She was just a toddler when I first started following your blog. So nice to hear about positive things happening in her life. Take care.
We are so grateful that she is such a hardworking kind girl. I remember so fondly the days when I took care of her while her parents were at work. As a toddler, she would make a beeline for my jewelry chest and drape herself with costume necklaces and wear them all day.
Oh that is a nice border and of course you put it together beautifully!
Eva is such a pretty young lady! I just can’t believe how time has gone by so quickly – how can she possibly be 15 already? I’m sure you are just bursting at the seams with pride on how lovely she is, well-rounded, and achieving all those accomplishments too. You have every right to be proud grandparents. 🙂
She does make us proud. The time passes so quickly, I can hardly believe it.
Eva looks marvelous! What a marvelous thing that she has found her niche at such a young age! She will be able to swim for her entire life. It is the perfect exercise.
I have to admit I am hoping she may be offered a college athletic scholarship…
okay, I now think that each year that you post a picture of Eva’s birthday you should also post the picture of you holding her at the hospital after she was born. she’s all swaddled and you are full of joy.
she is a beautiful mermaid….I think Kerry said that? so happy for you! stay cool…it’s gonna be hot. we have friends coming for dinner tomorrow which means I have to turn the oven on. ugh. oh, well! might as well have a glass of wine if I’m going to be hot. ;p
Ina, you crack me up! If we wanted to take your idea a bit further….. I think Eva also favors Sara, and wouldn’t it be fun to see a side-by-side of Nicole, Sara, and Eva at about the same age? 15 – 16 years old? That would be so much fun! 🙂
OH.MY.GAWD! I think Eva looks like Sara too! I think your idea is wonderful. Nicole, are you reading this? Drag out some pictures to share with us…..please?
I will absolutely do that. I have to tell you though, Eva is actually a dead ringer for her dad. Similar body type, although her blond coloring is like Sara’s. Her dad’s family tend to be tall and slim like Eva is and my side of the family is definitely on the shall we say, more rounded side. And we have no idea where her athleticism comes from!
I will have to go thorugh my photos and prove it to you.
yay!
Have a great dinner party! It is really going to be a hot stretch of days in the next week!
It goes without saying that your quilt project is beautiful. I love those Fruit Cocktail fabrics. Wow, your granddaughter is stunning, she looks like a super model and sounds like a kind and smart little lady too. Great Shyne genes run strong! ❤️
She would made a great model. She is just so slender, clothes look fabulous on her. Although she sure hasn’t been wearing much this summer besides her swim suit, little shorts and crop tops.
Awe…Eva is grown up and gorgeous!!
Thank you Tracey. She has suddenly gotten all grown up
As we say in our family— it ain’t braggin’ if it’s true! All first places— wow! Love the Corey Yoder quilt. I have the fat quarters of her Cali & Co set— would be perfect for that. ❤️
love this!
I love that Carol. I will be repeating that phrase!
Corey has a couple of upcoming collections that are so pretty. I loved Cali & Co too
Golly, I remember when Eva was born but surely I’m not 15 years older, too!
LOVE this border and it will certainly help your quilt sing! As Walter Brennan once said in a movie: “No brag, just fact!”
Hugs!
Wow! Eva 15! She’s growing up to be such a beautiful young lady and talented too! How awesome that she excels in swimming, it’s such a great sport!