Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay was one of the first places I visited on my first trip to Oahu. My parents moved to the island earlier that year. I was still in college, so I didn't get to visit until the holidays. My dad was very excited about taking me and my brother to Hanauma Bay to go snorkeling. We'd never done that before, and he was determined we would take every advantage we could while they lived in Honolulu. 

This is the only photo I found in my albums of Hanauma Bay. My parents probably have more.

Me and my brother at Sunset Beach.

I visited Hanauma Bay several more times once I moved to Honolulu after I graduated from college. Yes, it's super touristy, but it's also beautiful and for someone like me who isn't a particularly strong swimmer, I felt safe snorkeling in the Bay. Being able to see all the different fish and other sea creatures was a highlight of my time living in Hawaii. I tried other places on the island too, and also spent a lot of time on the North Shore. One of my friends dated a guy who lived on that side of the island so we'd go to the beach and get garlic shrimp from one of the stands on the road and hang out and watch the surfers. It was probably the most relaxed I've ever been in my life. Living on an island does that to you.

Today's pieces is a somewhat abstract interpretation of Hanauma Bay. After I did the practice piece last weekend, I decided I wanted to do something that looked more like Hanauma Bay rather than just a random beach. I found my one photo of Hanauma Bay and reviewed photos online to get the shape to the Bay. I also wanted to include the trees/grass/rock area around the sides of the Bay. I don't know that it turned out great, but it's not terrible. I don't know; I spent about four hours on this piece and I'm not sure I like it. Regardless, I made it and there are elements I really enjoy, like the water and the idea of the shape of the Bay. 

Details:

Stitches: satin, split stitches, French knots
Thread palette: DMC 437 (3 strands), 801 (6 strands), 935, 496 (3, 6 strands), 986 (6 Strands), 3845, 3846 (3 strands), B5200 (3 strand)