My sixteen Corn Maze blocks are finished, and I’ve started attaching the lattices. I’ll connect everything tomorrow and start on the outer borders. I am so pleased with how this project turned out. It could not have been easier, and the result will be a lap-sized quilt perfect for use and display during the fall season.

To recap, this quilt was inspired by Chelsi Stratton’s pattern Corn Maze and uses the Birch and Willow fabric collection by Sheri and Chelsi, a mother-daughter design duo for Moda Fabrics. Chelsea’s pattern called for 16 1/2″ blocks and I reduced mine to 12 1/2″, and used the Creative Grid 12 1/2″ Log Cabin trim tool to size them up just right.

The project was fast and super fun. I highly recommend those Creative Grids Log Cabin trim tools, which come in a slew of sizes.

I had a busy weekend. Ryan’s mom Miriam came up to stay with us so she could attend one of Eva’s water polo games. There we all are watching the game. Me on the left, Miriam, Ryan, Dennis, and Ryan’s wife, Stephanie, who is sitting right behind Ryan. I told the man sitting next to me that my ears had been ringing for a half hour after the last game due to the clanging he was making with a big cowbell every time our team scored. He said, “Oh my gosh, here you go, you will love this”, and handed me my own cowbell to ring. And I did. I made such a racket you wouldn’t believe it and had the best fun. I was sorry to have to return it to him when the game ended. 12 to 5, our team won. Eva scored three times!

Is there anything more fun than supporting your kids’ team sports?

If anyone is confused about my family relationship with Ryan, I will explain briefly. Ryan and my daughter Sara were high school sweethearts who got married and had my granddaughter Eva. During their high school years, Ryan’s family lived around the corner from our family, and we became great friends. When Ryan and Sara moved up to the Sierra Foothills, where Ryan became a winemaker, Dennis and I pulled up stakes and moved up there as well so we could be closer to our grandchild and be part of her life. When Ryan and Sara ultimately split up, we remained very close to Ryan and his family and, in fact, live in the same neighborhood as Eva, Ryan, and his now-wife, Stephanie. Dennis and I have been blessed to be part of Eva’s life for the past 15 years. We see each other several times each week, and whenever Ryan’s mom comes up to visit, she stays with us in our guest room. Have you heard the Hawaiian term “Ohana”, which loosely means “family”? Its true cultural meaning runs far deeper than familial or marital ties, and refers to people bound together through mutual respect, genuine compassion, and shared responsibility. That’s us.