The East Hawaii shop hop circuit and its blocks include: Pahala Quilting and Creative Sewing Center in Pahala, “Orchid;” Kilauea Kreations I in Volclano, “Naupaka;” Kilauea Kreations II in Hilo, “Puakenikeni;” The Fabric Workshop in Hilo, “Anthurium;” and Fabric Impressions
Beekeepers class scheduled in February
Existing or new beekeepers interested in learning how to raise hygienic hives are invited to attend the Big Island Beekeepers Association “Hygienic Queen Selection” class, taught by master beekeeper Jeff Ritchie of Winding Road Apiaries of North Carolina. This hands-on class will be held Feb. 8 through 19 in Pahoa.
Because of the duration of this course, it may not be possible for all students to attend all days. Feb. 8 through 10 should be considered mandatory for all students. Feb. 11 through 19 are recommended for existing beekeeper/yard owners, but all enrolled students are welcome. Feb. 11 through 19 will be videotaped, so that any students who are unable to attend all class sessions can still obtain the desired training online.
The cost for this intensive hands-on training is $75 per person, with a 15-person maximum class size.
For more information or reservations, call Val Kimbrough at 769-1320.
Quilt shop tours slated in February
Colorful tropical fabrics, aloha for one of the world’s most popular pastimes and vast, contrasting landscapes make the Big Island Quilt Shop Hop unlike any elsewhere. During February, eight shops participate in the circle-island quilt trek, where shop-hoppers will pick-up their custom quilt block kits and have their “passport” stamped, to be eligible for the grand prize drawing.
Maps and passports will be available at each location. Participants can start their tour at any of the venues along the route or join one of two excursions by bus. The Kona-to-Hilo bus tour takes place Feb. 11. For more information on the fee or to sign up, contact Karen Barry at Quilt Passions, 329-7475.
The Hilo-to-Kona bus tour takes place Feb. 18, departing from the Hilo Bus Depot. For fee information or to sign up for the Hilo bus tour, contact any of the three quilt shops in Hilo listed below; Kilauea Kreations, 961-1100, Fabric Workshop, 933-1010, or Fabric Impressions, 961-4468.
Completed passports make shop-hoppers eligible for the prize drawings. First place wins eight $25 gift certificates plus eight one-yard cuts of fabric; second place wins six $15 gift certificates plus six one-yard cuts of fabric; third place wins two $15 gift certificates plus two one-yard cuts of fabric. Numerous other prizes are available.
Each Big Island shop offers something special, with its own personality and unique location, from the lush greens of the Hilo, Volcano and Pahala areas to the paniolo hill country of Waimea and Kailua-Kona’s sunny shores. Various venues will offer refreshments, sale items and handmade treasures as individual highlights of every stop.
This year’s theme is tropical flowers. Each store will have a different flower on its 10-by-10-inch quilt block, to collect and complete the one-of-a-kind 2012 Big Island Shop Hop quilt. The quilt block patterns are free, or available with fabric as a kit for $6 — the background fabric for each block is Hoffman 1895, Seagrass. If a customer purchases $35 or more in other merchandise, the fabric kit is free. Finishing kits will be available for purchase as well.
For more information, visit facebook.com/TopstitchHawaii?sk=events, or contact organizer Mary Moody-Cox at marymoodycox@earthlink.net or 961-1100.
The West Hawaii tour and its blocks include Topstitch in Waimea, “Heliconia;” The Fabric Gift Shop in Kailua-Kona, “Tiare;” and Quilt Passions and Needlework Shop in Kailua-Kona.
The East Hawaii shop hop circuit and its blocks include: Pahala Quilting and Creative Sewing Center in Pahala, “Orchid;” Kilauea Kreations I in Volclano, “Naupaka;” Kilauea Kreations II in Hilo, “Puakenikeni;” The Fabric Workshop in Hilo, “Anthurium;” and Fabric Impressions in Hilo, “Hibiscus.”
