Sweet Sugar Swirls

I've been working on this one since mid-summer.  I first saw this quilt in California made up in batiks.  That should have been my first clue.   Exact 1/4-inch seams are a must (and almost impossible for me to do).  And the bias edges are killers!  I've never had anything stretch the way this one has!  Starch is now my new best friend.

Anyway the top ended up like this:

I've had it on the frame for about two weeks trying to decide how to quilt it.  Yesterday, I finally settled on a tighter panto and so far I really like it.

Thank goodness, I'm not in a hurry!  Some of these quilts are taking me awhile to complete.

Sweet Sugar Swirls

I've been working on this one since mid-summer.  I first saw this quilt in California made up in batiks.  That should have been my first clue.   Exact 1/4-inch seams are a must (and almost impossible for me to do).  And the bias edges are killers!  I've never had anything stretch the way this one has!  Starch is now my new best friend.

Anyway the top ended up like this:

I've had it on the frame for about two weeks trying to decide how to quilt it.  Yesterday, I finally settled on a tighter panto and so far I really like it.

Thank goodness, I'm not in a hurry!  Some of these quilts are taking me awhile to complete.

1000 Cranes

Our son, Bryan, has a friend getting married today.  Several months ago, the groom asked him to build a cabinet as a gift for his bride.  This cabinet is to house the 1000 Cranes.  As I understand it, the bride folds 1000 origami cranes before her marriage to ensure long life, happiness, and good health.

Bryan figured he had enough time to do a good job on his first real wood-working project.  Mitch, the groom, was getting the glass panels cut and they were ready only 8 days ago!

With lots of help from his dad and brother and very little sleep, the job was completed late last night.

The bride got the following in a fortune cookie and wanted it included:

We wish them well!

1000 Cranes

Our son, Bryan, has a friend getting married today.  Several months ago, the groom asked him to build a cabinet as a gift for his bride.  This cabinet is to house the 1000 Cranes.  As I understand it, the bride folds 1000 origami cranes before her marriage to ensure long life, happiness, and good health.

Bryan figured he had enough time to do a good job on his first real wood-working project.  Mitch, the groom, was getting the glass panels cut and they were ready only 8 days ago!

With lots of help from his dad and brother and very little sleep, the job was completed late last night.

The bride got the following in a fortune cookie and wanted it included:

We wish them well!

Kamaka Ukulele

During one of their visits several years ago, I took my dad and stepmom, Marge, to tour the Kamake Ukulele factory.  I thought Dad, a violinmaker in his "spare" time, would enjoy it.  And we did.  However, that also jogged Marge's memory that she had a ukulele packed away somewhere.

After they got home, she searched and found it. It was a Kamaka dated December 1972!  But it was in sad, sad shape.  During the tour, we learned that they repair only Kamakas.  Marge and Dad sent it to me and I took it in.  That was the first week of June 2009.

Last week, I got a call saying it was ready for pickup.  When I went in today,  I overheard them saying today that there is now an 18-month backlog for repairs and only a Kamaka decendant does the repairs.  I think it is a great grandson who does all the repair work.

They did a wonderful job and it sounds great!  My boss plays a little bit so we enjoyed listening to it this afternoon.  I tried to take photos that highlighted the beautiful koa wood.

Isn't it pretty?

Kamaka Ukulele

During one of their visits several years ago, I took my dad and stepmom, Marge, to tour the Kamake Ukulele factory.  I thought Dad, a violinmaker in his "spare" time, would enjoy it.  And we did.  However, that also jogged Marge's memory that she had a ukulele packed away somewhere.

After they got home, she searched and found it. It was a Kamaka dated December 1972!  But it was in sad, sad shape.  During the tour, we learned that they repair only Kamakas.  Marge and Dad sent it to me and I took it in.  That was the first week of June 2009.

Last week, I got a call saying it was ready for pickup.  When I went in today,  I overheard them saying today that there is now an 18-month backlog for repairs and only a Kamaka decendant does the repairs.  I think it is a great grandson who does all the repair work.

They did a wonderful job and it sounds great!  My boss plays a little bit so we enjoyed listening to it this afternoon.  I tried to take photos that highlighted the beautiful koa wood.

Isn't it pretty?