Blowing Bubbles

"You will never regret time spent blowing bubbles!"

I've been busy at work on a new quillo project but couldn't resist the urge to share this amazing picture that my friend shared today. It fit perfectly into the theme of my latest 'Bubble Project.'

I decided I needed to learn how to sew circles in order to add appliques to my quillos. It has been quite a learning experience, but it has opened a door to new horizons. Once I started sewing circles, I thought they looked pretty cool. In fact, they looked liked bubbles. I love bubbles. When was the last time you took some time to blow some bubbles?

The project is evolving into a design that I created on the computer and will be transferring to the quillo pocket. Stay tuned for the finished project....

And if you think that I've been goofing off, I've bought a slew of fabric for my next collection.

The dragons are coming in July.....

I plan to keep these little books safe. I love looking through them and seeing my Dad’s signature. Leafing through the pages, I try to imagine what he thought about it all.”

The Symbolism of the Fabrics in the Quillo

The Koi and the Dragon Gate

According to Chinese mythology, the Dragon’s Gate is located at the top of a waterfall cascading from a legendary mountain. Many koi swim upstream against the river’s strong current, but few are capable or brave enough for the final leap over the waterfall. If a koi successfully makes the jump, it is transformed into a powerful dragon. Because of their perseverance, koi are often associated with the Samurai Warrior known for their courage, integrity and high sense of character.

The Tiki and Ancestor Worship

Ancestor worship was the dominant form of religion in the Pacific Islands and Tiki was the half-man, half-god figure that filled the role of the first man, like the Biblical Adam. Eventually, all carved religious totems came to be called “tikis.” You can see four separate tikis here in the fabric. They represent the 4 gods of Hawaiian religion and also represent the 4 elements:

Kane: Father of living creatures. (Air), Ku: God of war. (Fire), Kanaloa: Ruler of the ocean. (Water) Lono: God of agriculture. (Earth)

Fish on Batik

The quillo is united by the fish on batik that depicts the importance of fishing in the island cultures of Japan and Hawaii. The many proverbs, prayers, tales and artwork attest to the importance of fishing in each culture. A successful fisherman was a highly valued asset for his entire community.

Mahalo to Alison Kaczmarek for sharing her story with me and helping to create a very personal Maui Medicine blanket for her father, Joseph Britt on Father's Day, 2017. (All images courtesy of Alison Kaczmarek)

"Thank you so much. It will be perfect - he wears sweaters in the summer in Georgia! But this will allow him to sit on the screened porched in comfort and style!"