Hawaii dropped in my lap. You absolutely do not say no to a trip to Hawaii, even if you only have a few days between it and the Smithsonian’s Craft: Fashion+Home show.

So I did as much as I could for the show, then packed my bags for the beautiful island of Kauai.

7 days to relax and leave all concerns and worries behind.

Palm trees, trade winds and blue skies.

And a turquoise ocean with craggy mountains behind.

Flowers that do not grow in Portland.

Amazing, gorgeous flowers

And banyan trees.

Banyan Trees!

The Kauai Coffee Estate, the largest coffee farm in the US, where you can wander through the coffee orchard.

And more palm trees and beaches and more ocean.

Even when it is overcast, it’s still warm.

Delightful!

Then back home to finish up for the show.

I had made these before my trip, but the Hawaiian vibe comes through strong.

A jacket with exotic birds and jungle like flowers.

More birds on the sleeves and the back.

And water, this design is usually referred to as a stream, but after Kauai, it’s totally ocean to me.

With beads sewn all over to add a watery sparkle.

A coat with another ocean-y ‘stream’ design. I appliquéd strips of gold bias tubes to emphasize the feeling of waves.

A side view to show a sleeve.

I wasn’t consciously channelling Hawaii, but maybe just the idea of going percolated through to my work.

Next up? In just a few days, Craft: Fashion+Home in Washington DC! October 5 – 8. If you’re anywhere near, stop by!