Finally!

John with Eleanor-first time he held her

The past two weeks have proven that one should never give up a dream. FINALLY! A Granddaughter. Eleanor Jane Ballentine was born on July 8, a healthy 8 lbs. 14 oz. and 22 inches long - the first granddaughter for Bobby and me and for her maternal grandparents, Coach and Peggy Huckeba in Arkansas. Eleanor came to a world of 6 Ballentine boys and 3 Huckeba boys. Now the challenge is to see if she plays ball or plays with dolls surrounded by three football coaches in her uncles and grandfather.

Eleanor on her quilt from "Anna Banana"

Grandma Ballentine is going to start sewing with batiste and laces!! I'm hoping that my theory of how a child behaves is somewhat affected by the style of clothing she is dressed in - dressing prissy helps one to feel prissy. Do you think she could be influenced by those boys to wrestle and tackle when she is wearing frills? We'll see, because Grandma and Mamma Peg are planning on pink and pretty for this little lady.

Eleanor screaming because Grandma has to go back to SC

Grandma is so grateful to the ladies of Heirlooms & Comforts for picking up the "slack" at the shop while I stayed in Arkansas to help get Eleanor and her mom and dad through the first week of her life! We had some really great times together. Her room is all set and decorated beautifully. Mom picked out the fabrics and Grandma made the curtains and crib set. Eleanor's dad saw that there was fabric left from the decorating and requested YET ANOTHER quilt - imagine that from the man who never had enough quilts. When I announced to Eleanor that it was time for Grandma to come home on Saturday her reaction was to scream and cry. Don't you love it when they cry for you? I've included some photos from the week for you to see this beautiful girl. Excuse my bragging, but I agree with Grandpa and her dad that Eleanor is beautiful.
Sara

H&C Feature of the Week: Clover Silk Pins
At Heirlooms & Comforts this week our feature is "Fall 'n Stars" Carolina Shop Hop 2012 with a 25% discount on Clover Silk Pins. These are such skinny pins that they do not skew your fabrics when you pin seams together for sewing. They are long enough to hold the surrounding fabrics securely for the sewing process. These pins have a glass head so that you can press over them and not worry about melting the plastic heads. We find that these are our favorite pins and you can't have too many of these staple items! 

Carolina Shop Hop
Carolina Shop Hop with 14 great Carolina shops included in the hop around northwest South Carolina and western North Carolina continues through Saturday, July 21. Store hours are different this week and you can register for door prizes and grand prizes. Go the www.carolinashophop.com to find all the rules of participation and to print out a Passport to get stamped for qualification to win those prizes including a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 875Q. Hop on in for great fun!