Cissy, Author at Hawaiian Quilting With Poakalani & Co.

Cissy

Let Your Light Shine

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Apr 042020

The Kukui Nut had many purposes in Hawaiian society but mostly used to light the dark Hawaiian evening nights. Click on the design for this weeks pattern: The Kukui Nut 22″ x 22″

John always spoke of everyone having an inner light and inner light that makes us shine as good parents, amazing co-workers, dependable siblings, and even Hawaiian quilters. How is your light shining during this difficult time.

A few ways we can make our light and everyone’s light shine:
Go out only when you really need to and practice Social Distancing
Call a friend who lives alone and have a joyful conversation
Clean your windows… that’ll make your light shine(lol)
Write a letter to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
When you see a First Responder….. Say Thank You
Quilt and Pray because God Really Listens
…. I bet you can think of many more ways

To All Hawaiian Quilters….

Are you quilting everyday? Is your light shining through your beautiful hand made quilts. Send me a photo at cissy@poakalani.com of your completed quilts or quilts in progress so we can share your light with other Hawaiian quilting enthusiasts. If your not quilting send a picture of what you’re doing with your time.

Stay Home & Be Safe

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Mar 282020

The Ulu-Breadfruit Design 22″ x 22″. Over 20 years ago John designed a series of circular cushion patterns. It was series of designs that represented our spiritual center. Over the next few weeks I’d like to share these designs with you. Please click on the picture for your pattern.

It’s been two weeks since our last class and Tuffy and I are hoping everyone and their families are home safe and healthy. Yes, we would rather be at quilting classes but until the Covid-19 situation gets better classes are on hiatus. So today we leave you with this memory of our mom Poakalani who started the quilting classes. She was amazing and it was during times like this that her quilting became more meditative and prayerful. Every applique stitch and every quilting stitch became an affirmation or prayer to God for healing and hope.

So when you applique or quilt today today or at anytime… with every stitch you make in your mind send a prayer request to the heavens. Ask God or your spiritual guide to…

Heal the world and its people

Keep us safe and make us strong
Give us hope that this will end soon
Pray for those who are currently ill

Pray for those who are now home with you
Pray for those who are mourning the lost of their loved ones

Pray for our first responders and their families
Pray for our world leaders that they do what is right

….and the list goes one. Again lets be prayerful and meditative while we quilt during this time. Quilting is an amazing tool to center us and gather our thoughts.

Until next time everyone please stay home and be safe and for any reason if you need anything or help please call Tuffy or myself at (808) 524-0394

The Breadfruit or Ulu was the other starch that the Hawaiians ate besides Poi. It nourished their body and soul.

Reminder: Class Cancelled

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Mar 212020

Just a Reminder class is cancelled until further notice. Everyone please have a care. We will miss the weekly classes but this will pass and we will return to our daily lives. We want everyone to be safe and healthy when we return. If any of you need anything please call or text me at 808-223-1108.

Fun, Friendship and Ohh’s and Ahhh’s

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Mar 152020

Our Poakalani Quilting Family. March 7, 2020

It was an beautiful day even the sun decided to shine on us. For just a few hours we forgot about the worlds concerns and just enjoyed each others company and celebrated everyone’s accomplishment for the past year. Many of the quilts didn’t make it to Honolulu because of the cancellation of the Festival but hopefully next year and some of the quilts made it to the show but not the quilters, Ah Well! I’ve posted some of the quilts. The photo’s are not the best but remember it was a show and tell. Thank you to the quilters. All of you are awesome, pat yourself on the back for a your amazing quilts. It would have been one of our best quilt shows. If I missed your quilt it was not intentional. Some photo’s just didn’t come out clear. Love you All. Enjoy

Hana Yoko’s Hokulea tell the story of Hokulea’s voyage around the world. The Hokulea and it’s crew visited 150 ports and 18 nations 2013-2019.

Hiromi’s Lau’ae a scented leaf found throughout Hawaii. This is Hiromi’s first 45″ x 45″ quilt.

Anne Marie’s Tree Skirt. Yes I know some of the ladies are hiding behind their beautiful quilts. Ah! Well!

Amy’s Twin Size Bed Quilt. Bird of Paradise and Heleconia. This is Amy’s first large Quilt. So Beautiful.

Jeanie’ s 45″ x 45″ Monsterra Quilt. Jeanie’s on the Right and our amazing Rie is on the left. She helped to hold up all the quilts.

Another Quilt by Anne-Marie. The Monsterra a popular design in Hawaiian Quilting

Another Pat Masterpiece. Remember she also does commissioned quilts. so if you’re interested in a quilt made in Hawaii please contact her at mtgvpg@yahoo.com

Yuki’s Quilts Made it to Hawaii but not Yuki. The Quilts are Beautiful. Anthurium and Orchid.

Tomoko(far right) and her Hawaiian Helmet Series. Only 1 more to go and the series will be complete. Hopefully all will be displayed next year. Rie on the left with Ralph at the center. My ladders 🙂 (Quilt holders)

Our amazing Peggy and her Na Koa quilt. Telling the story of Hawaii’s warriors. The colors and design makes this a really beautiful quilt.

Junko’is one of my Favorite quilters. Quiet, kind-hearted and an amazing quilter.

Another beautiful Quilt by Pat. Ginger and Lau’ae. Thanks to Ralph for being our quilt stand.

Gordon’s Ginger Quilter. I really wish you could see the stitches on this quilt. Expert stitching.

Kathy’s Ti Leaf. Thank you for sending this quilt and Hana’s Hokulea’s quilt for the show. Sorry you couldn’t make it here. See you in December.

Lynette’s Banana Quilt. Too Cute it makes me smile.

Naomi’s Cherry Blossoms. Loving the colors and enjoying the design.

Susan’s Ti Leaf Quilt. How beautiful is this!

Barbara’s Ti Leaf Quilt. Barbara has been with Poakalani for over 25 years. How fast the time goes by but she’s still making beautiful quilts.

Pat’s Sea Grapes Designed and Quilted by Pat Gorelangton.

Kaori’s Rose quilt. Kaori has been with us since Queen Emma Summer Palace that’s almost 20 years ago. She’s amazing.

Colleens quilt was going to be placed on one of our quilting stands. This quilt is called body and soul. The Kukui Nut representing the healing of the soul and the Ulu representing the healing of the body. I can’t wait to see it complete.

Yuko’s Quilts for her twin grandson and granddaughter. So beautiful and amazing. It’s probably being mailed to the twins right now.

What happens when you have knee surgery. You make cushion quilts. Beautiful Linda!

Mie’s Loulu Palm. Another quilt that was supposed to be placed on one of our quilting stands. When this quilt is complete it’s going to be a “WOW” Quilt.

Lynette’s Chrysanthemum Quilt. Amazing design, Amazing color, Amazing Lynette.

What to do with scrap fabric? Make smaller samplers squares. Awesome Pat.

Susan’s King Size Monsterra. It has matching pillow shams but we couldn’t get all of it in the picture. Isn’t this an amazing quilt.

Show And Tell Saturday

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Feb 092020

…and what a class we had. The ladies showing their completed quilts for our Honolulu Festival Exhibit…. It’s going to be great March 7 & 8 at the Honolulu Convention Center.

Another Quilt

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Jan 262020

For the Honolulu Festival. March 7-8. The Monsterra quilted by Toshie. It’s going to be an amazing exhibit.

Happy New Year

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Jan 202020

I took a little R & R from my website at the end of last year(but I’m still available on Facebook) but I’m back with some exciting updates. The classes are still busy while we prepare for our quilt exhibit at the Honolulu Festival. Many new quilts will be exhibited that was just made in this past year.

Many volunteers help make the yearly Honolulu Festival a success

The Honolulu Festival will be held on March 7 & 8. Our Poakalani Quilting Ohana will be celebrating the 200th year anniversary when the first sewing circle met on the Brig Thaddeus in 1820. We’ll of course be holding our quilting class throughout the festival. We’ll also have some vintage quilt patterns for you to trace. Just bring your own tracing paper and pen. You can also come by and watch our ladies applique and quilt.

No Class November 16

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Nov 142019

…but please enjoy a few photo’s from the Yokohama Hawaiian Quilt Exhibit. See everyone back at class on Nov. 23

Class cancelled for 09/21/19

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Sep 202019

I don’t like when this happens but for the safety of our students and the general public. Iolani Palace is closed until Tuesday September 24. Hopefully by then the bees will be gone and we can resume classes. During our hiatus please enjoy some of the quilts created since my last posting. Amazing ladies and beautiful quilts.

I have a new Favorite Pat Quilt….Amazing she has a way with the needle

Yuko’s Hokulea….

Pineapples…are forever a favorite Hawaiian quilt design.

An emblem to match antique fabric.

Amy’s New Passion.

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Aug 112019

Amy started with us only a few months ago with a friend. Her friend stopped coming after only two weeks but that didn’t stop Amy from continuing the class. She’s enjoying her new passion.

Amy's Rose Quilt — Amy just completed her beautiful Rose Wall Hanging…..

Amy;'s Heleconia and Bird of Paradise Twin Size Bed Quilt. — …and decided to cut out a larger twin size bed quilt. She’s amazing.

…the Tradition Continues

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Aug 112019

we’re finally back at the Iolani Palace and the ladies are continuing an amazing tradition. …

Laying out the Bed Runner on the Background Fabric

Yes the ladies also quilt Bed Runners.

We’re BACK at the Iolani Palace starting July 27 9:30am- 12:00pm

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Jul 252019

We want to thank the Ohana Market Place for opening their doors to us while the Kanaina Building was under renovations. It was an amazing five months were going to miss the ono food and music but we’re happy to be home.

NO Class May 11

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May 082019

…see all of you back at class on May 18 at the Ohana Market Place. Have A Happy Mother’s Day.

Remembering mom…Poakalani Althea Ku Serrao. She had a passion for Hawaiian Quilting and started the Poakalani Hawaiian Quilting classes…The Tradition Continues..

Honolulu Festival 2019

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Apr 022019

After a computer crash and website crash I’m finally back on-line.

There were tears at first but We did it! Thank you to the Poakalani Ohana who came on Friday to blow up beds, set up lattices and hang quilts. It was a beautiful show and one of our best. Then everyone came back on Saturday and Sunday to quilt and enjoy the festival. John would be so proud and yes he was there in every quilt that was hung. His designs were amazing. We miss him but the tradition continues in all of us. The Poakalani Ohana is number 1 in my book, simply the best. I didn’t post all the pictures so please forgive me if one of yours is missing.

[Show slideshow]

Celebrate With Us….March 9 & 10

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Feb 182019

Honolulu Festival 25 years of Aloha March 9 & 10
Honolulu Convention Center

Happy Anniversary… Honolulu Festival for 25 amazing years of culture, art and entertainment. We’re always so excited and grateful to be part of this wonderful event. Everyone please come by and visit with our amazing quilters and their quilts. All the Hawaiian quilts being shown are designed by our prolific quilt designer John Serrao (1934-2018).

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Poakalani Hawaiian Quilting Classes Canceled Until Further Notice