seaside, mountain side pillows
May 10th, 2012
Last winter we went on an amazing trip to Kauai. When we went the kids were 5, almost 4, and 1 at the time. They remember some things, but not too much. We try to tell stories about it and look at pictures from when we were there, because I’m guessing we won’t be back for a long while. That’s where these pillows come in.
Kauai is a teeny island with one main road that goes almost all the way around the island. When you are driving one way the ocean is on your side and when you turn around and drive the other way the mountains are on your side. Most directions include one or the other to help you find your way. The Hawaiian for this is mauka and makai:
– Mauka (mow-kah) means on the mountain side of the road.
– Makai (mah-kigh) means on the ocean side of the road.
The big kids each had their side of the car (the baby was in the middle). That mean one kid was mauka and the other makai. They would have argument about which was better and rub it in if they got the good side. Of course once we turned around and went home, the other one would rub it in. Some days the mountains were the favorite and other days it was the sea.
I’m not super big on souvenirs (except we got a hula girl of course), so I made the pillows, hoping it would help the kids hold on to a bit of Kauai. The mountain is a simple green triangle. And yes it has snow, shut up it looks good. My first idea for the ocean pillow was to make it look like this, but when I sewed it up, it looked like a blue santa hat. I was working on these pillow right after I made this potholder and I was getting into the polka dot as neutral thing–as you can tell with the ocean pillow. I really love how it turned out: the day side, the night side, and polka dots all over the damn place.
My sister and I just made 2 of your color block pillows, thanks for more pillow inspiration! :)
Meg you just shut your mouth! These are so fantastic. We actually have a Maui trip coming up this summer, but I don’t think I’ll be waiting that long to make something like this! So cool. Actually, mini versions as travel pillows could be great for the kids on the plane! Oh man, now my wheels are really turning!!
I LOVE These! Thank you for giving us such great inspiration!
You guys are always welcome to come back! The pillows are nani nui (very beautiful). If you ever tire of them you could add waterfalls to the mountain and a Hanalei moon to the night sea pillow. Is there anything the kids liked here that we could bring back with us when we go to IL in two weeks?
How cute! I love the little moutain pillow (especially the snow)!
Sharna :)
I really love the pillows and the story behind them. I can truly visualize the conversations in the car
You are so funny, and MAN, what creative pillows. I love it! Thanks for the inspiration. :)
I love these! So creative!
Seriously I love those pillows. Not just because the fabrics and colors are perfect, but because my family used to vacation on Kauai a lot when I was a kid. We went in the winter and stayed in a tiny condo on the beach for like 40$ a night. It was always a blast. I love that the island still feels so undeveloped and remote. It’s an amazing place.
Love! Beautiful and full of purpose.
love these! I pinned them from pinterest before I even saw your post. Very fun!
These are just darling! Such a great idea to make souvenir pillows as a reminder of a fun trip instead of silly little things you never use. I’m so glad I stumbled on your blog today, I will definitely be back for more crafty goodness :)
Beautiful!! And I love how they have a meaningful story behind them.
again, there you go with the swearing and the crafting, and I go laughing. well done, Meg.
i think your pillows are ace Meg. i especially love the mountain.
what a fun idea! those turned out great!
What a nice idea!
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