Hawaiian Quilting students at Kuuipo Restaurant in Kamiooka, Japan

Akemi and Masai were our hosts for Haunani Cesar's 5 days of Hawaiian Quilting classes. These are some of the students that invited us on a wonderful adventure to an onsen in Hakone. Our 2 day road trip included the Needle Festival, favorite shrines & temples, charcoal eggs...eaten for long life, wood inlay class from a master, and of course...lots of great food, noodles, sake, and Akemi's 50th birthday feast after the roof top onsen...at nite, in the brisk, cold air.

Black/Charcoal eggs...our quest enroute to Hakone

12 of us caravaned in 3 cars up the mountain enroute to the onsens in Hakone. We stopped here...geothermal vents atop the mountain...a shrine for cleansing and the sign for "black eggs"...just in case one needs directions. Black eggs were yum! (hard boiled, or charcoal cooked to "hard boiled"). Eaten to bring another 7 years to your life. Think I ate 3. Yes...that's snow...brrrrr!

Altered Art Adventure: Mini Board Book @ Rubber Stamp Plantation

Debbie and Pam led 4 very unique projects at their all day Altered Art Adventure held at Rubber Stamp Plantation. Here's a peek at a few of the board books created.

Cherry Blossom & Longevity Cards by Stephanie Freeman

2 great cards from Stephanie Freeman. She's the queen of using scraps and tidbits of papers you just can't bear to toss!
Add a few eyelets, ribbon, fiber, age the edges and voila!