About Me
About Me
Born and raised in the sunny state of Southern California, I had a deep love for the beach, swimming in the ocean, and patchwork quilts that adorned our home, a cherished gift from my beloved grandmother and great aunt. At the young age of 23, I was eager for new experiences, so I joined the military in search of adventure and learning opportunities. During a winter vacation in Iowa in 1994, I was taught the art of making patchwork quilts by my grandmother while we were snowed in during a blizzard. That’s when I truly discovered my love for quilt-making, which served as my creative escape during my 26-year military service. My unique heritage, a blend of Scandinavian from my mother’s side and Mexican Indian from my father’s side, has always been something that I hold dear. A trip to the enchanting islands of Hawaii in 2003 completely won me over and made me feel right at home. I took a leap of faith and bought a home there in 2007, although I didn’t retire from the military until 2017. The years since retiring have been filled with me embracing my artistic side, immersing myself in the rich Hawaiian culture, and listening to the island’s spirit. I count myself lucky to run a small business where I can share my passion for quilting. My aim is to provide top-notch machines, products, and education to the vibrant quilting community in Hawaii. Nothing brings me more joy than helping customers find the perfect machine for them and organizing educational classes and events!
About Handi Quilter
Laurel Barrus, Handi Quilter’s founder, developed the portable “Handi Quilter” frame to meet her quilting needs. She couldn’t find a suitable product in the market, so she created a lightweight, adjustable frame that could fit both small and large quilts. This invention sparked interest among her friends, leading to the establishment of the Handi Quilter business. The company debuted at the International Quilt Festival in 1999 and quickly garnered enough orders to keep production busy. Recognizing the potential of the home machine quilting market, Laurel launched a new line of products in 2002 – the “HQ Sixteen” and its adjustable frames. Handi Quilter even established its own manufacturing infrastructure and network. By 2010, Handi Quilter had achieved global safety and electrical certifications, expanding its reach to over 900 retail locations across 55 countries. The company continues to innovate with a dedicated engineering team and emphasizes education through field educators worldwide. Handi Quilter is renowned for its superior customer relations, technical solutions, and high-quality machines. Despite the retirement of the HQ Sixteen, the company remains a market leader, offering products for various budgets and needs, including the recently launched HQ Stitch sewing machine line. Located in North Salt Lake, Utah, Handi Quilter is the global leader in longarm machines for stand-up and sit-down quilting. Its 100-strong team is committed to serving all quilters now and in the future. Experience the Handi Quilter difference today.
About Hawaii
Lets start with Aloha. Many that come to the island think it is a greeting for hello or goodbye. It is so much more, it is a spirit to be felt and when said it has intentions on how we should act.
Hawaii, composed of eight islands, is home to a diverse population with a rich blend of East and West cultures. Oahu, where I live, also known as “The Gathering Place,” houses Honolulu city, the main airport, and the largest population, with Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges enhancing its charm.
The Big Island, Hawai’i, is the largest and youngest in the chain, offering a variety of climate zones due to its massive volcanoes, Maunakea and Maunaloa. It is famous for its awe-inspiring geological features, lush valleys, and black sands. Kauai, the oldest island, is known for its emerald valleys, sharp mountains, and waterfalls. Maui is a smaller island loved for its golden beaches, forested mountains, and endless sunshine and is one of the most loved. The fire taking away Lahaina historical town was devastating this year.
The other four islands are small tourism is not encouraged. In Hawaii, ethnicity is deeply valued, with residents often identifying with their heritage, which contributes to the state’s diverse culture. Kama’aina is used for none Hawaiians living in Hawaii.
About Location
I live in Oahu, the city island, with Honolulu. If you are flying into Honolulu and have some time be sure to contact me for an appointment to tour my quilt studio. Ewa Beach is on the leeward (west) side of the island. It is an easy drive right off of HI as long as you get here before 3pm on a weekday to avoid work traffic. I live off of Renton Road in the Sugar Mill Plantation homes. There is the original train that moved the sugar from the fields is a fun tourist attraction on Wednesday and the weekend. Art Quilts Hawaii is located at 91-1660 Orrick St, Ewa Beach 96706.
About Honest Fabrics
After retiring from the Army in 2017, I purchased a long arm machine and created a quilt studio in my home. I joined local quilt guilds to help her explore the quilting industry while taking college courses on digital media and design. Her passion for design really came to life when she created designs to be printed on fabric to make quilts for family and friends on the island. She had a successful business as a long arm quilter, selling quilts at craft fairs and making memory quilts under Camokai Studio LLC. In 2022 she consolidated her different businesses and launched a new online store, Art Quilts Hawaii, and is now a retailer. I want to connect, share and continue to grow in my artistic journey and I do that by creating panels sharing the island way of living, designs and the Aloha spirit with others.
Click the photo for Honest Fabrics.
