Another First...

Back in March, Gwyn started Pre-school at the Armed Services YMCA on base.  I absolutely love her teachers and how they have given her so much more than I ever could (in the educational department, anyway).  So, tomorrow is Gwyn's last day of school for the spring.

It's my first time showing her teachers how much we appreciate them.  I searched and searched Pinterest to find the best gift I possibly could find and make.  There were so many to choose from that I was getting overwhelmed.  Wes even told me that I was over thinking it, too.  Ha, me?  No way!

I settled on this....

It may be hard to tell from the picture, but it's an insulated cup with candy (chocolate, of course) and a Starbucks gift card.  The flag reads "thanks a "latte" for quenching my thirst for knowledge".  I love it.  And, I think they will, too!

Here's to Ms. Joanna and Ms. Katie for all that you do for a little ones!  I am utterly grateful!

May Day... Lei Day

As I am sure you have noticed (or maybe not), I haven't written in a while.  There is a perfectly good explanation for that.  I have been completely busy!

Back in March, I was asked by the Navy Hale Keiki School to make twelve lei day dresses.  They had a dress from the previous year that they really liked.  I liked it, too.  However, I didn't like not having a pattern to use.  And this is where my adventure began....

I would never suggest charting a pattern from anything that you can't take apart.  But, I had no choice.  I sketched the pieces out onto some $1.99 fabric, measuring and drawing, re-drawing and re-measuring.  I feel like it took me forever, but in hindsight, it probably only took me a few hours.  Day 1, I had a pattern.  About day 10, I had fabric and a mission.

I won't go into all the details of making each dress tailored to each girls' measurements.  Because first, I would never divulge anyone's measurements, and two this blog post would be a mile long.  The ending results was absolutely beautiful.  There's nothing like seeing a rainbow of color.  Here's what I mean:

You can see most of the eight colors.  Each color represents an island of Hawaii.

Red - Hawai'i

Pink - Maui

Yellow - Oahu

Purple - Kauai

Green - Moloka'i

Orange - Lana'i

Blue - Ni'ihau

Gray - Kaho'olawe

These two were the "ladies in waiting".

My friend's daughter, Ashley.

Ka Moi Wahine (the Queen), Alaina Morgan

I was privileged to be able to watch the whole performance.  These beautiful ladies performed a great hula.  I was absolutely honored to have been apart of this celebration.

Eleven of the ladies did one hula performance.  But, the Queen had her own.  Alaina was amazing - poised, elegant, and beautiful.  I was utterly impressed.

While there was so much work involved in making these dresses, I would never trade it for anything.  If I cross my fingers, I may even get to do this again next year.  Here's to hoping!!