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Absence Explained

My lack of blogging this past week was actually not just laziness, but a great road trip with my best friend. I flew out to LA last Friday and spent the last six days driving through the southwest back to Minneapolis.

We stopped in Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Denver (loved!!! Denver). I had never seen the Grand Canyon and was blown away (almost literally, super windy).

I'll post some pics once I actually upload pics to my computer, in the meantime, TGIF!

A night out.

I was up north last weekend in Duluth (home of my alma matter) to visit some friends and we decided to check out Blackwater, a more upscale joint that has sprung up since I moved away. I must say, it was a refreshing change to most of the bars up north (think camouflage hats and wood paneling... and not the classy kind)–while I appreciate the rustic, it was nice to class it up for a night (after we grabbed an Anchor burger, that is).

The "June in January" and "Poprocks" Martini

The "June in January," -dry ice!

All pics provided by Angie

Weekend Wedding

One of my best friends got married last weekend! It was so much fun, she looked gorgeous and my legs are still tired.

Something I've been thinking about since then- only for a true friend will you practice walking in a straight line and then practice standing still:

So happy for them! It was a blast and I'm honored they let me be a part of the day!

Travel Inspiration : China : Cloisonné

An unexpected stop we made on the way back from the Great Wall of China (more on that later) was a Cloisonné factory just outside of Beijing. Prior to this stop I had seen pieces made in this style, but knew nothing (nothing!!) about the tremendous amounts of work that go into each handmade item. A brief overview below.

First, items are shaped (no pic for this). Then the wire outlines are applied to each vessel. Designs are shaped and applied with tweezers. We're talking major detail work.


Then comes the color. Each piece is meticulously filled with colored powder by artists (4 coats, a trip through the kiln between each). Their workspace was breathtaking with the bowls and bowls color surrounded by stacks of gorgeous in-process items.

After the color is added there are several rounds of polishing to create the final effect (see the blue vase in the background of the last picture of the colored powders).

Our tour guide at the factory, "Babbit," explaining the process to us.

Travel Inspiration : Hawaii : Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Last night on my way home I drove directly towards a rainbow. For those of you not in the Twin Cities area, let me just tell you: it has been raining for DAYS. Needless to say, the rainbow was a welcome sight as the sun made an attempt to peek out from behind the clouds before night fell.

Ever since I was in Hawaii, rainbows remind me of when we literally drove over one. Seriously. We were on the way to the Honolulu airport to take a puddle jumper to the Big Island when this was spotted. It's was kind of like Oahu was bidding us aduei.

Travel Inspiration : Hawaii : Cliff Jumping

Cliff what!? That's right, cliff jumping. On the big island of Hawaii, at the southern most tip, strangely enough called "South Point," (which is also the most southern point of the United States) there is a cliff. It's 44 feet high (or so we're told by the locals), the most gorgeous blue you've ever seen and yes, perfect to jump off of.


One of the first jumpers, photo courtesy of Angie.

Since it's hard to take a picture straight down a cliff, here's a view to the side that shows some similar ledges to the one we were leaping off. Photo courtesy of Angie.

The top of the ladder you had to use to climb out. You had to grab that rope to pull yourself toward the rock and then it was one rickty ladder lashed on to the next. The jump was nothing compare to climbing back out. Photo courtesy of Angie.

I'm in the middle, 5th from the left, I swear it's me. Photo courtesy of Angie.

A short walk away from the cliff is this freshwater sinkhole. Yup, some of us jumped in that too. Hey, why not. The 10-15 feet was nothing and there was no scary ladder to climb out on.

Several days later, the bruises that had appeared. This is what happens when you don't have your legs completely straight and your shins hit the surface of the water. (Aren't my legs strangely pale for being in Hawaii? I am just not meant to be tan.)

Even if you're not inspired by the landscape, although you should be, take this as your cue to do things that scare you. Trust me, you won' t regret it. It's the things you don't do you end up regretting.

Travel Inspiration : Hawaii : Flora

You really can't talk about Hawaii without mentioning the glorious flowers that cover the landscape.

Bird of Paradise, one of the many pictures taken before dawn on our first morning there (aka my birthday!!). Jet lag was definitely our best friend, as we went to bed just past midnight and were wide awake by 4:30 in the morning. Energized by our new surroundings we went on a long walk through the neighborhood in Kaneohe. We learned a valuable lesson that morning: it rains, everyday, in the morning. Needless to say, we were a little damp upon return.

I have no idea what this is called, it was in someone's front garden bed, Kaneohe.

Pine trees? In Hawaii? I had to snap a pic as we whizzed past on the Kamehameha highway.

Hibiscus! I love that you can see a star in the middle of this one. This was along the road in Pahala, just down from the Paniolo cabin.

Bamboo in the heart of the rainforest near Akaka Falls on the Big Island. I immediately bought a bamboo upon return and it sits by my desk to this day.

Travel Inspiration : Hawaii : Buddhist Temple

Just outside the small town of Pahala, on the Big Island, we visited this Buddhist temple. I was taken immediately by the colors and painted detailing throughout the structure. There was even a peacock roaming about. I must say, though, my favorite part was the outdoor area covered in prayer flags.

The view as you walk up. Makes me want to cop a squat on the grass and sketch.

The alter. Incense, flowers, a rad tiger rug and of course, a Buddha.

Stained glass. I think this would make a good quilt square some day (when I finally tackle making circles, that is).

Cool cut paper effect on this light fixture.

Peace pole stating: May Peace Prevail on Earth. Trivia: How many letters are in the Hawaiian alphabet? Answer to come later in the week...

Prayer flags! And looks like the monks there enjoy a good lawn chair (yes, there were monks).

Travel Inspiration : Hawaii : Bishop Museum

It was about this time 4 years ago that I was busy packing my bags and heading off to study in Hawaii. It was incredible to be able to experience the islands not as a tourist, but alongside locals who welcomed us into their communities. I also met two of my now best friends along the way.

So, heck, lets make it Hawaii week! Inspirational island pictures all week!

These are all things in the Bishop Museum on Oahu. I love, love, LOVE the quilts... maybe that should be my next quilt challenge to myself...

Anyone who has ever seen my portfolio should recognize the quilt above. The end papers and cover have a pattern I created based on this motif.