I have just returned from a magical place……Costa Rica! Once again Jim West put together a fabulous trip through his company, Sew Many Places. We had a great group of adventuresome people and together we enjoyed time for relaxing and sightseeing.
The first four days were spent at Tango Mar Resort, a small boutique hotel at the southern end of the Nicoya peninsula. This secluded spot has a magnificent beach, beautiful scenery, a great spa, abundant wild life and so much more.
On our first morning I did the introductory class on our diamond project. That afternoon we relaxed–some had spa treatments, some walked the beach and others just read by the pool. The next day we took our excursion by boat to the Curu game park continuing on to Tortuga Island for lunch and snorkeling. On our way back, we slowly floated up a mangrove swamp area and saw a lot of manta rays.
From there we went to San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital, for three nights and had some great side trips to a coffee plantation and best of all to the village of Sarchi. This village is known for its elaborately painted ox carts. Costa Ricans have traditionally used these carts to take goods to the coast for shipping.
The ox cart wheels were first made from a solid piece of wood with brightly painted symmetrical designs, reminiscent of Mariners’ Compass patterns that we use in our quilts. Soon it was realized that the wheels would be more durable if they were made with wedges.
Each wheel is now made up of 16 painted wedges. Decorative scroll work intertwines with the geometry. My mind is spinning with ideas for a pieced and applique quilt inspired by the ox cart wheels.
I hope you enjoy this collage of photos. One thing I can say about Costa Rica is that color abounds everywhere!
Thanks for sharing! Those cart wheels are amazing – since my husband is a retired navy man he has asked for a Mariner’s Compass quilt! On my list. Cheers.
Oh and I wanted to mention that I am taking the Craftsy Class 2015 BOM! Thank you so much for this opportunity to learn from you, I would otherwise never been able to.
I have always admired your quilts and have a special penchant of border prints. I have the material kit for this class and it is just beautiful. Thank you again.
I enjoyed this trip! I have started working on my “blocks” and they are looking great. Thank you for sharing your tips on hand work. I have several pictures of you and want to share them with you. Send me an e-mail and I will attach them. The wild boar and sitting waiting for the ferry are my favorites.
Check out some of the pictures on my facebook account. Loved Tango Mar!
Linda
Thanks Linda, we would love to see pictures! You can e-mail them to service@jinnybeyer.com.