River Rock BOM - Month 3 and Maui Photos

I really enjoy sewing these blocks together.  They are made from batik fabric and the piecing is fun because they are large pieces of fabric.

There were three blocks that had to be sewn:

Block B - 20 1/2" x 20 1/2" Finished

Spacer - 8" x 13" Finished

Block A with Spacer - 13" x 21.5"

In addition to the large blocks, this BOM is particularly fun because you are given a layer cake (10" pieces of fabric) and you have to go through and determine which fabrics to use for each block.  Instructions on the cutting of each fabric are included so make it easier.  I enjoy the process of sorting through the fabrics.

Maui Photo outside our hotel in Ka'anapali.  A storm was rolling in and there was a light rain and wind.  

On our way to the airport we stopped at Iao National Park.  It was a wonderful green and lush place in the mountains.  It isn't that high up but it was beautiful. The island of Maui is pretty dry at sea level but this is where is rains over 250 days a year and the water collected from four rivers produce water for the entire agricultural area of West Maui. 

This is the needle at the top of Iao Park.  It was used as a lookout for King Kameamea's men in his attempt to unify Hawaii.  There was a fierce battle here where King Kameamea defeated the natives Maui islanders to unify the Hawaiian islands.  One of the signs in the park stated that so many men were killed in this battle that their bodies blocked the water.  Ewww!

Flock of Feathered Stars - Month 9

I finished Month 9 last night.  It was so much nicer sewing this month's block compared to last month.  It was easier because the "feathers" were larger.  This month's Feather Star block is called "Feathered Star No. 2."

This block is a 12" block - finished.

These are the three blocks for the border.

This one made me happy that I like to paper piece!

Mariner's Compass

A couple of months ago, I read a blog (I don't remember which one because I read several everyday) that touted a new method of piecing a Mariner's Compass by strip piecing and NOT paper piecing.  I was intrigued.  I went to the website mentioned:  www.robinruthdesign.com.   I read the blog and decided to order one of the two offerings that Robin Ruth had just to try it out.  I ordered the FAT ROBIN which looks like the points are shorter and fatter.  I thought that it would be easier to produce...no long wings.

I ordered the set which includes the book, ruler and circle templates for all of the compasses and centers.  The book explains everything in great detail. Robin recommends that you "practice in a block size between 12" and 18."  Robin uses the 18" block in the instructions for you to follow.  I did make a 10" size block because I had fat quarters that I wanted to use.  She uses the length of the fabric, 42", for the larger blocks.

I made the center circle by ironing under the edges and sewing the edges because I could not find any fusible interfacing.  Thus the not so round center. I will try to do the larger compass and post a photo of it.  I will have to go and purchase some fusible interfacing ASAP.

I must say that it was fairly easy to do.  My only concern is that you have to be careful making the cuts for each "wing" or you will make an error.   I like to do faster projects (I am easily bored) but this is a beautiful block so I had better slow down.  Maybe I will finish the blocks faster once I am used to all of the cutting that has to be done.  The book has great illustrations to make this block. 

Vacationing in Maui

My husband is attending a conference in Maui this week.  We arrived Sunday and the weather was in the mid 80's and it was humid.  It was very tolerable and perfect. As I would expect most days to be  in Hawaii.

We are stayIng at the Hyatt in Maui. This is one of the views close to our room.  It is a beautiful area in Ka'anapali north of Lahaina.

This is the view through the glass of our "back door."  On the other side of the hedge is the area in the photo above.  Surprisingly, there has been very little noise when the pool was full of children and adults.  

Our oldest daughter and her husband have visited Maui previously and gave us a list of their favorite places and things to do in the Kihei area.  One of those things was to go to Foodland and buy Poke (raw fish).  There were at least 8-10 different poke to select. Yum!

Of course. I have to go to the local quilt shops close by.  While in Kihei, I visited the Maui Quilt Shop.  

I purchased a yard of fabric of sea life in Hawaii and a six fabric packet of batik fat quarters.  

It was a fun store with two very friendly women while I was there.





One last photo of a storm coming through yesterday. It was very windy and misty.  Just enough to add moisture in the air.

This photo was taken yesterday in the front of our hotel looking east towards the mountains.  There was enough moisture in the air to see a beautiful rainbow.