the first full day in Oahu we went snorkeling in Hanauma Bay (well, others went snorkeling, I sat on the beach (I have this thing about fish (similar to the one I have of birds)... but that's another story).
When I was in Oahu about 15 years ago, Hanauma Bay was free and there were lots and lots of fish. This time, it costs $1 to park and $7 per person to go to the beach.  It was also $2 to take the tram down the trail to the beach... it's a short walk, but I suppose if you had a lot of gear, the $2 would be worth it.  We walked.   There weren't as many fish as the last time either but that's because you are no longer allowed to feed them.  Last time, people would bring frozen peas to feed the fish. 

http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/index.htm

Last visit, I was with my friend Shirlene.  We walked around the bay, to the east to the area known as the "toilet bowl"... because water rushes into a bowl that you can swim in.  I don't recall if we went swimmin in the "bowl", but it was a nice walk!   This time I lounged and no one seemed interested in any hike or walk, but that's ok... I was on vacation!
Here's the view of the bay as we walk down the trail and some other photos of swimmers and sun bathers.  Also, a a "towel view"  (the palm trees)

Posted by sue at 2:55 PM PDT

Updated: Friday, April 9, 2010 3:15 PM PDT

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DH, family, and I just returned from Hawaii.  Waikiki to be exact.  Ah, what a way to start off spring, sitting on the sands of Waikiki....

This is the view from our hotel in the morning

and this was our evening view -  just to the west.... 

Waikiki is very crowded.  The buildings are right next to each other and most do not have any beach. However, the hotel we stayed in, the Hale Koa, had lots of beachfront acerage.  It was wonderful.  The colors were spectacular.  The food, the sky, the water, the trees, flowers, everything was so colorful.

Over the next few postings, I will post different aspects of our trip.  

Today I'll post photos of our visit to Pearl Harbor.

Posted by sue at 3:25 PM PDT

Updated: Friday, April 9, 2010 3:19 PM PDT

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Pattern Description: MISSES' DRESS AND SLIP: Dress, above mid-knee (front), mid-knee (back), has fitted bodice, front pleats, midriff, flared skirt with side front and side back seams, side zipper and short, two-piece sleeves with mock bands. Bias, flared, pullover slip, above mid-knee, has shoulder straps, front darts and raised waist.

Pattern Sizing: Misses 6-20. I made my usual 12 and it was perfect in length, bust, and sleeves. (generally the bust is too loose and the sleeves too tight.)

Were the instructions easy to follow? The only confusing part was the sleeves. The pattern did not have a good visual of what was going on and I had a heck of a time visualizing it. Basically, there's a sleeve band that twists.  The sleeve is 2 parts: front and back, and the band on the front is sewn to the band on the back and vis versa.  It doesn't show it on the line drawing on the pattern and the instructions are not very clear. But its a really really cute technique and I really really like the sleeves.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I'm really into dresses this year and I have always liked the DKNY pattern styles. I liked the fun, flirty look of this dress.

Fabric Used: I purchased this Anna Sui silk and cotton semi sheer fabric at the ASG convention last year, about 2.5 yards, then when I got home I saw the same fabric at Fabric Mart for half the price, so I bought 2.5 more yards. It's a really soft, finely woven fabric.
I need to make the slip in the pattern to wear under. I have some white batiste that I will dye black.   Update: I did dye some of the batiste black, but it didn't come out black enough!  argh... it's more plum.  So, I can either re-dye, buy a slip, or buy some black fabric.  I really like batiste for summer slips.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: This fabric was only 45" wide and the dress side panels are wider than that, BUT, I didn't want to refold and shift my fabric around for a few inches in width, so I narrowed the skirt width a few inches... I don't feel as if this ruined the look. I also raised the neckline "V" about 2" because it was pretty low. Oh, and since I hate fiddling with pleats, I just gather the lower bodice from but where it called for pleats.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. This is a really cute dress. I can't wait for it to warm up a bit, and to get some color in my legs so I can wear it! (I'm heading to Hawaii for a vacation in a few weeks, so it won't be long!)

Conclusion: Like dresses? Need a dress? This pattern is really really cute!
 

Posted by sue at 2:05 PM PDT

Updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 2:15 PM PDT

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The orioles are back!  Last year I spotted this beautiful bird feeding at the hummingbird feeders.  I did a little research and discovered it is a Bullock's Oriole.  They love the sugar water in the feeders and also grape jelly and oranges.  The Orioles (male and female) arrive in March and then disappear in late August.  They are really difficult to photograph as they are very skittish and any sound ore movement on my part scares them off.  I was lucky to get these great photos.  This is the male, the female is not as pretty and I probably won't see her until May.   They build their nests in the oaks, but I haven't been able to find it. 

Posted by sue at 8:53 AM PDT

Updated: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 9:48 AM PDT

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Sew, this weekend, after a visit to LACMA to see the Renior and American Stories Exhbiits, a friend and I went to The Ivy for lunch... I brought my camera .... celebrity sightings are pretty much guaranteed at The Ivy, and boy was I glad I had my camera ... Look what I walked past!

This is a clothing store and their window display is rows and rows and rows of vintage sewing machines...   I was like a kid at the candy counter, staring at a box of chocolates! 

As we were walking back to our car, I noticed the store's valet sign....

how cute is this:

I'm sure I looked rather odd, I mean here I am on Robertson, the celebrity sighting mecca, where tourists flock to catch a glimpse of a celebrity, and I have my camera and am taking photos of sewing machines.  We did see Sandra Oh, having lunch with friends, but I got the photos I wanted!

Posted by sue at 10:27 AM PDT

Updated: Monday, March 15, 2010 10:41 AM PDT

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