Another favorite design of John’s because of it’s long lines and simple uncomplicated beauty, the Heleconia comes in various colors and perfect for the larger floral arrangements. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js672-bk8
Did you know that the Monstera plant is also called the Swiss Cheese Plant. Just look at the leaves and you can see why. Seen though out the Hawaiian Islands in gardens and climbing trees it’s big bold green leaves is a favorite among gardeners. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js652-bk7
The plumeria flower found throughout Polynesia is a favorite in Hawaii. It’s overwhelming scented flower was strung into floral leis and used especially by the hula girls. Dancing to the strum of the ukulele the plumeria leis enhanced the beauty of the dancer. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js668-bk8
Every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00pm during my High School Summers I danced with my Hula Halau at the Ala Moana Center Stage. I needed to have all my costumes ironed and prepped and my leis sewn for each performance. But unlike my other Hula Sisters it was easy for me to find the plumeria blossoms. My paternal grandparents had their own plumeria garden right in their own back yard. So I spent my mornings picking and stringing the beautiful plumeria leis.
Click on the photo to find out more about Girls Day….
Originated in Japan March 3 Girls Day is celebrated with a display of finely crafted dolls as we pray for hope, happiness and abundance for our daughters, nieces and granddaughters. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js645-bk7
The coral reef was home to many species of fish especially the He’e and Uhu(Parrot Fish) Unfortunately it was also an easy food source for the hungry Hawaiians. This quilt was designed for those days of spear fishing among the many coral reefs of the Hawaiian Islands. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao Personal Design.
Read more about Hawaii’s Parrot Fish from the Maui Ocean Center
Because of Hawaii’s ideal climate the islands are now a major center for commercial orchids farms and also popular are orchid patterns for Hawaiian quilts. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js675-bk8
Symbolizing strength and light the Kukui Nut is an invaluable tree to the Hawaiian People. From the oil and nut which lite the Hawaiian homes to the roots and leaves which were used for medicinal purposes as well as dyes. The Kukui Nut tree also graces many tourist with it’s nutty leis. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js660-bk8
Photo From Native Plants of Hawaii DLNR …learn more about Hawaii’s Native Plants especially the Kukui Nut.
There were two types of Mamo patterns when my Tutu Correa quilted back in the 1920’s. Sometimes the Mamo represented the beautiful Yellow Lehua Blossoms and sometimes the Mamo bird known for it’s yellow feathers and used to make the feather capes for Hawaii’s Na Alii. This quilt is for the fragile Yellow Lehua Blossoms. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js642-bk7
Did you know that there is a tradition that you never pick a lehua flower because it will cause it to rain and that the bark and the young leaves were used for various medicinal preparation. Learn all about the Ohia Lehua by following this link http://www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hi?Plants.ohia or click on the photo.
When Poakalani was a little girl she asked her grandmother, ” Where do babies come from?” and her grandmother told her that they found her underneath the Rose Bush in the front yard. From that time Poakalani loved roses especially that Rose bush in her front yard. This quilt was designed for those days of innocence. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js669-bk8
Read about the Honolulu Rose Society and their Peace & Heroes Rose Garden and then visit their garden located in Pearl City, Oahu which is part of the Urban Garden Center.
The Pink Ginger like the Red Gingers are seen throughout the islands, changing Hawaii’s Landscape into tiny mini-gardens. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrrao/js655-bk7
The most popular Hawaiian Quilt Design is the Ulu (Breadfruit Design) Many legends are associated with this fruit but for a Hawaiian quilter it is believed that if you make this design first you will not want for anything in life from food to money. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js666-bk8
The White Ginger one of my nieces favorite island flowers because of its sweet smelling scent. 45″ x45″ Designed by John Serrao/js661-bk8
Learn more about Hawaii’s White Ginger. http://www.growhawaii.com/hawaiian_white_ginger_plant_root_more_info.htm
With All My Hearts and yes there are a lot of hearts in this design. Hearts of Anthurium. 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js670-bk8
Back in my younger days we lived for a very short time on Hooulu street in Kailua. Our home was a very small 3 bedroom house which had a short walkway that led from the street to the front door. John who has a passion for flowers planted carnations in front of the walk near the front door. When we had visitors they were always greeted to that spicy scent of the carnation . This quilt and many of John’s other carnation quilts were designed for that small memory in time. 45″ x 45″. Designed by John Serrao/js676-bk8
The “local” culture of the islands is made up of traditions from a diverse group of people from the original Hawaiian inhabitants to the later migrants from Japan, China, Philippines, Korea, Spain, Norway, Puerto Rico, Russia, and of course Portugal. John being half Portuguese was proud of his Portuguese people and what they contributed to the “unique” island culture from the Ukulele to the Ono foods made in the outdoor Portuguese oven. This quilt was designed for the kindred family from the islands of the Azores and Madeira where most of the Portuguese migrants came from. OI! 45″ x 45″ Designed by John Serrao/js644-bk7
http://www.global-hawaii.com/hawaiiblog/?p=816
