The Back Story
Yes, hard to imagine that anything involving exercise could be a happy place, but after 25 years of swimming with the Stanford Masters program, I'm happy that I'm still there.You see, 30 years ago, I was treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma, and upon approaching the five year mark, I decided I needed to commit to a life of exercise. Having grown up on a lake, swimming was a natural fit, especially since it could be done year round in CA.
Fast forward to two years ago. After so many years of swimming, I started having neck/shoulder issues, and sought physical therapy. Turns out, I wasn't using the right muscles to swim, causing pain and numbness.
Now I'm on a mission to change my stroke, and build up the proper muscles in my back. It hasn't been easy, but I'm getting there, and I find that I really enjoy swimming again. Of course, with a Master's workout, I can also let the diet go a bit - I just work harder to burn off any extra calorie intake!
So, yes, in the swimming pool is my happy place.
Fabrics/Construction
This row is really simple to construct, thanks to the wonderful water/wave fabric from Northcott. The company was kind enough to contribute fabric for the rowalong, and this Northcott Artisan Spirit Shimmer, Blue Lagoon (20425M-45) is perfect! Below is their picture,
and this is what it really looks like.
Using Kona Cotton Solids to add a few lane lines and an applique swimmer, and this row is complete!
Previous Years Rows
And just for fun, here's the row from last year:Let It Snow,
which is now a Let it Snow wall hanging pattern,
and the year prior:
Silicon Valley Road Home row, which, is currently unavailable.
Happy collecting and enjoy the hop!
Thank you for sharing your story and the wonderful row pattern with us, Susan. It is absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteYour row is fantastic and the story behind it is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI love your row, Susan. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteDoing things in pain is not fun, glad you are working through it and getting back to doing what you love. Very appropriate row for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful row Susan and how awesome that you swim all the time!
ReplyDeleteI love this row Susan, it's "sew" cool!!! The story behind is really makes it that much more special. I loved that you showed your other rows from previous years to, its great to have a nice reminder of that with your participation each year. Thank you for coming along for the ride again this year and perhaps you will consider the next also. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteYour swimming pool story is inspirational. I appreciate the pattern.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your victory over Hodgkin's! I love swimming too. I hate exercise, but swimming just doesn't feel like exercise. Thank you for a very nice pattern.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Swimming is such an excellent all around form of exercise - probably why I've stuck with it.
DeleteLove your swimming row, Susan. My favorite classes at the Y are in the water.
DeleteI love your row! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an inspirational story and an amazing triumph over Hodgkins! Your row is another beautiful creation that goes along with all the other incredible things you make. I love it!
ReplyDeleteCarol - thank you so much for the awesome support! I got truly lucky with the Hodgkins - stage 1A - it could have been much worse.
DeleteI love your row block - perfect reflection of your dedication to taking control of your body. And a great inspirational reminder for me to do the same. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove the row and the story behind it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the pattern! My granddaughter is on a swimming scholarships at Regis College in Massachusetts. This will be perfect for her
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I'm thinking I might include this in a quilt with all four strokes - just need to work out the rest of the design.
DeleteOh my goodness, you are an inspiration. Congrats of your remission and commitment to keeping healthy. I used to swim daily when my kids were little. That was truly my happy time too!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I've been consistent at a minimum of 3x a week, at an hour each, for 25 years. And I hope to go for another 25!
DeleteMmmm, makes me want to take a dip in the pool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful row - just perfect for my niece who swims!
ReplyDeleteI love your row!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Enjoy all the others too!
DeleteBeautiful story .. and your row :)
ReplyDeleteTerrific row! I too am a swimmer and every time I get in the pool I think "I need to do a pool/swimming quilt". Your swimmer appliqué is just perfect! Thanks for taking the time to create and share!
ReplyDeleteThat water fabric IS awesome, Susan!! My 9 year old granddaughter and 6 year old (almost 7) grandson are on the Y swim team. They love it and it really is a good work out for them. The other twin grandson is into karate. In fact, they both take karate. When they go to the Y for practice, the one also goes along and he swims, but has asthma and does not have the lung capacity for the team. Thanks for sharing your row. I think I may make them one! And, congratulations on being a SURVIVOR!!
ReplyDeleteYour row is wonderful! Really captures the water. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat quilt, and that fabric is perfect for water!
ReplyDeleteCute quilt. You live in my old stomping grounds. I still miss the great weather and all of the wonderful activities around the Bay Area.
ReplyDeleteNow I know what to do with some of the water fabric I have! Thanks for the pattern.
ReplyDeleteGreat row and inspirational story!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Wow, I love this so much! My college roommate was a swimmer and just recently got back into it, I think she may need this! Thanks for a fun row!
ReplyDeleteYour reminding me that I have to get back into water aerobics. Thanks for the adorabe row.
ReplyDeleteThat turned out so well. I LOVE that water fabric. Swimming is such great exercise. I'm sure your lymphoma treatments were no fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I don't really remember much - spent the time sleeping.
DeleteGreat row! I commend you for your commitment to swimming. Exercise is not always fun but it can become a way of life and it has it's benefits.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely is a way of life around here!
DeleteBest water fabric I’ve ever seen and your row is genius!
ReplyDeleteWish I had your willpower! Beautifully uplifting row! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I could swim, but never learned how. Now at almost 70, think it's a little late. Congratulations on getting back into that which you love so much. Thank you for a cute row and for sharing your time, your talent and your creativity.
ReplyDeleteThe fabric made row more realistic. Thank you for sweet row.
ReplyDeleteI've never learned to swim but I understand its good exercise. Never too late to start, right?
ReplyDeleteA very nice row. It is wonderful how we can find fabric to do most of the design work for us. Congratulations on your Master's program and your good health.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your row.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to hear you're in good health after having Hodgkin's lymphoma. You're a survivor!
ReplyDeleteSew...you're a swimmer;-) What a great story. Swimming is the best sport isn't it. Your quilted swimmer has perfect form.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing row! Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteYour row is amazing--which is just what the commenter about me said, but there's really no other word for it. Especially after seeing the first photo--you could not have displayed it more perfectly. My niece just made the decision to quit the swim team and I'm so disappointed, if only because I wish I could make her this quilt row; she's a teen and if I did she'd think I was being snarky. I'll wait a decade and she'll view it as me commemorating a happy time in her life.
ReplyDeleteAmazing Row. So glad that you are healthy now and that you have kept up with your exercise (swimming). It will pay off as we get older. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI'm not a swimmer, but I admire your dedication. Your row reflects your happy place.
ReplyDeleteGreat Row I too Use the pool for healing body and soul
ReplyDeleteI love this! Reminds me of my youth, when I spent literally EVERY day at the pool!
ReplyDeleteI used to love to swim. Would like to get back to jt.
ReplyDeleteFabulous row Susan. I love the pool too.... our outdoor pool reopens for the summer season in just over a week yay! Love that fabric from Northcott... I have sone red of the same print in stash..... Just because I had to have it. :)
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