FANTASTIC FABRIC GIVE-AWAY

KAPAIA STITCHERY

CURRENT

INTERNET SPECIAL

AURIFIL THREAD

RETREAT TO THE OREGON COAST

Are you a nighttime sky-watcher?  If you are, then you probably know that March 2012 ranks as one of the very 

Jupiter & Venus from Janice's house on May 8, 2012

best planet viewing months. Five of the planets we share this little solar system with are visible during March:  Mercury (in early March), Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn (in mid to late evening). If the sky is clear shortly after sunset, step outside and take a look. The website EarthSky.org will tell you all about it, and show you what to look for.

Nancy & Janice 

CRUISING HAWAII

Inspired to Design

For an intimate group of eight fortunate quilters the stars and planets aligned just right in February! These lucky ladies found themselves on a 6-day cruise, in the Hawaiian islands, with Nancy guiding them as they designed their very own Hawaiian quilt. Wow! Here's Nancy's report:

Nancy

There is nothing quite like cruising: everyone on board smiling and happy, and the staff wanting to serve you in any way they can. We set sail on Saturday evening, leaving Honolulu Harbor (our stateroom had a beautiful view of Aloha Tower and the skyscrapers of downtown) and made our way during the night to Maui.

On Maui we visited the Maui Tropical Plantation, where we saw an amazing array of flowering tropical plants. For the first time, I saw a gorgeous Blue Jade Vine in real life. It is the most amazingly bright blue/aquamarine, no photo will ever do it justice. As a little girl, when my daughter looked at something bright she would say "that poked me in my eye!".  This blue jade poked me in my eye! It also inspired a Hawaiian quilt design during the cruise, as did a Crown Flower we saw at these gardens. A visit to the Bailey House Museum gave us the opportunity to view some of their old Hawaiian quilt patterns.

Then it was on to Hilo for one day; Kona for one day--where I visited the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm again.  Still an amazing place to spend an afternoon. As every good quilter does, we made our way to quilt shops at every stop:  Sew Special (Maui), Kapaia Stitchery (Kaua'i), Quilt Passions (Big Island), Fabric Impressions (The Big Island).

Napali Coast sunset

At 2:00pm on Friday we sailed away from Nawiliwili Harbor around the north end of Kaua'i and along the Napali Coast.  We were torn between photographing the gorgeous cliffs and waterfalls on this unpopulated stretch of coastline, or the amazing show of whales frolicking between us and the shore, and then there was the sunset. A beautiful end to a perfect trip.

TIP: You can find a list of quilt shops and quilt-related venues to visit in Hawaii on the Links page of our website.

Make a Simple Statement

Calla Lily, a stately, elegant flower often chosen for weddings.

With its straight lines, gentle curves and few points this quilt stitches up quickly, whether by hand or machine.

We most often think of Calla Lilies as being white, did you know they also grow in shades of yellow, orange, green, pink, lavender and deep dark purple?  So, when you are deciding what color to make your Calla Lilies, any color will do!

TIP: If you are hand-appliqueing with a white applique fabric and are concerned that the turn-under will shadow through, here are two options:

1.  Depending on how thin or thick your white fabric is, you may not notice the shadowing once the quilt is quilted.  Even if it shows when the applique is complete, by quilting in the ditch, the applique fabric is lifted up off the surface of the background just enough that the shadowing is diminished, and sometimes disappears.

2. Consider using two layers of white fabric, like this:  Mark the top layer as directed, then lay it on the second layer of white fabric (think of this as a lining).  Place both of these on your background fabric and continue to follow the instructions.  When it is time to cut, cut through both white layers.  Then, as you applique, trim away approximately 3/16" (or the width of your turn-under) from the lining just ahead of where you are stitching.  This lining blocks any of the darker background fabric from showing through.

Calla Lilies: 24" x 36". Normally $12.00, for a limited time, just $10.00. Buy It Now

Choose any fabric pack you like to make your Calla Lilies quilt this spring. Click here.

Scroll down the page in our 2FAQ Gallery to see several colorful examples of this quilt made by other quilters.

Cultural Icons 

Royalty / Hula was one of the first pattern sets we designed to sell. Back in the 1980's, Nancy's daughter was taking hula lessons and the whole family was involved with the hula halau (hula school). We were displaying our quilts and demonstrating Hawaiian quilting at local Hawaiian-community events. We wanted to have a pattern for people interested in hula and Hawaiian culture to put on their shirts, tote bags, banners, and quilts.

On the left side are the hula implements: 'uli 'uli (feathered gourd rattle), pahu (drum), ipu heke (double gourd drum) and pu'ili (split bamboo sticks).  On the right side are images of Hawaiian royalty: crown, kahili (a feather standard), and fan.

While these may not be instantly recognizable images to many, they are cultural images that hold great meaning to hula dancers and Hawaiians.

Royalty / Hula:  Six 21" blocks.  $12.00. Buy yours here.

TIP:  Use individual blocks on tote bags, on the back of a shirt, or group three for a banner or table runner. 

Hula blocks