Aloha sunday ~

rain ~ AM

then a rainbow

stitching

Kapaia's signature fabric 

Hawaiian applique

Then this afternoon ~

can you find the chameleon?

new quilt in the window

The sign says it all ~

We actually went on a hike today. As you can see with the lack of pictures something is amiss.

Packed water, snacks, extra clothes and cameras. But no card for the camera ~ ugh ~ It was a green beautiful hike up the 'Sleeping Giant', for those who may know it by name, and we enjoyed views of Anahola, & Kapaa from the top as well as the beaches and ocean. 

Such a different view from on top of a mountain.

So when we did have a fully functioning camera I took the pictures you see above. It is most important to have fully charged battery and camera card in camera...just say'n

Project bag ~

barkcloth ~

Hawaiian applique ~

perfect combination ~

The Hawaiian applique kit came in a plastic bag. I thought I would spruce things up with a fabric bag. It slides right in. Barkcloth is not as stiff as linen or linen/cotton blends but it has enough body for a bag. Without knowing, I actually matched up the floral pattern. Best get to cutting out the rest of the fabric for the 'Postcards from Hawaii' quilt. 

Happy weekending

65 mph ~

As usual, my transition back to the mainland is slow. I wake up late, drive slow and am generally just taking it easy while trying to catch up to the rest of the mainlanders. It is so easy to slow down~ I find myself driving 55-60 and feeling that it is too fast. The posted speed on the island of Kauai is 35-55, with 35 being the typical speed. You see and enjoy the scenery and can stop at lei stand or shave ice cart with ease. 

Here are the last of the pictures from our trip ~ we made dinner that included macadamia nut crusted Opah, our favorite fish in the world, steak perfectly done, taro rolls, sushi rice that was not perfectly cooked and fresh mango salsa with all the ingredients purchased from local stores and growers. 

happy faces ~ Hale Hina

throwing lei's ~ Kepuhi Beach

 I toss my lei's into the ocean because I had heard, whether true or not, that if you do so you will return. I am evidence that it works because if given a choice this is where I will return over and over again. I am always sad to leave and I am sorry that these pictures do not capture all the amazing colors of the sand (crushed sea shells), black lava rock and blue water which happens to have a full range of blues and purple. I know it sounds unreal.

sad faces ~ Lihue Airport

pretty payphone ~

I didn't take a picture of the painted trash cans around the island but even the payphones are pretty. We were surround by beauty, culture and aloha the entire time.

fabric ~ Kapaia Stitchery

 Here is my stash of fabric and patterns. The large stack in the middle will become another Postcards quilt that will fit the bed. The barkcloth, the 3 on the left, will become pot holders and pillows. Almost can't bear to cut into it. The rest is a mystery ~

Hawaiian applique ~ in progress

 I am still in the progress of tacking down my first applique, the one on the left ~
I put them side by side then laughed. I thought the little one was a big project~

Better get to it
Mahalo

Aloha E Ko Mo Mai

Making progress with no iron nor scissors. The applique around each leaf takes time and patience. So I came up with this method of getting the 1/8" fabric to stay down...I fold the fabric over and place several large books on top then, when I return from the adventures of the day, I can sit down and stitch away. The long circular curves give me a sense of satisfaction and progress as I stitch them down. I will have to wait for some of the curves, they will definately need to be clipped before stitching.

 

girl feet

 Ke'e Beach was calling this morning. It was a quick ride to the north shore and the weather was beautiful. A nice mix of sun with the occasional cloud and drizzle. The tide was way out, the reef exposed and every color of blue represented. Cameras are great for the memories.

darling daughter's # 1 & 4

ferrel fowl

 There are many roosters, chickens and their chicks all over this island due to hurricane Inki back in 1992. It is weird to see him strutting down the beach.

if I had a house on an island ~

tide was out ~ picture taken from middle of cove

What can I say but this is a nice break from the everyday. Hoping to bring back this calm, laid back aloha spirit. It is funny because when we return to the mainland I am intimidated by the noise and traffic. It is in a very short time that one can learn slow down.

Darling daughter #4 and I took several walks yesterday afternoon and she made a comment about a sea cucumber that she had seen in the tide pools. She said, " We didn't have to pay to see the sea cucumber!". There is nature all around and we didn't have to purchase a ticket. We found two matching sides of an oyster shell and I asked where she thought the pearl might be? We agreed that if there was a pearl that it was very tiny. She went on to say that she doesn't want a perfect pearl because then it doesn't come from nature. She was very intune with the sand, water and wind, so much so that we couldn't leave the quaint beach till she was finished with her conversation with the ocean. I had thought that she was singing, as I saw her mouthing words, but I think she was thanking the ocean. I wish I had my camera.

Tomorrow, a 9th la hanau celebration with pancakes for breakfas,t a visit to  Lumaha'i Beach and the best mac-n-cheese on the island.

A hui hou kakou
(until we meet again)

Rain and sunshine ~

I am no closer to getting answers. I feel as though I am continually processing and sorting the past and until this is complete I will probably have trouble moving forward. So I will let it come, like the ocean waves, some big some small and in random succession.....

I picked up a project in a big/little quilt shop here on the island. Kapaia Stitchery is the best shop. I walked in a lady was basting (with glue) a hawaiian applique using there signature fabric onto a batique piece of fabric. The pattern is called Woodland Lei and measures 42 x 42. As I began stitching 2 days ago I realize and now have a complete appreciation for hawaiian applique quilting. this 'little' project will take some time. But I think that is the point to everything we do, big or small, that we take the time to sit down, enjoy and create.

morning sunlight

little stitches

It has been raining here off and on and mostly on all day yesterday. The beams of sunlight are promising for a hike for today.... More pictures to come ~

Aloha

 

 

 

 

 

What did I do this weekend?

I enjoyed the Del Mar Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival. It was small but mighty. I purchased fabrics, buttons and ribbon. Oohed and aahed over machines and notions.

It is a kit I purchased from Quilt Passions. They came all the way from Kona, Hawaii. The applique is cut out, saving time and frustration, at least for me. This is something I have wanted to try and have admired, especially the full sizes quilts. Lots of projects in the cue. 

I will attempt to baste (1/4th -3/8th's from the edge, I have read different directions) and then applique a 1/8th hem all around the leaves and hibiscus flowers. 

The best part was unfolding the flower.

Mahalo