Batik Day 1!

This day was so crammed full – I sit here with a camera full of photos, trying to come up with some coherent way to share what we got up to today ---and there is SO MUCH!

First off, let me introduce you to Mawa, our tour guide. He is so easy going, our tour so well planned and so fun to listen to as he explains to us the ins and outs of Balinese customs and the way of life here in Bali.

Our many questions on Hinduism don’t phase him at all, and we are learning so much about the history, customs, the folklore and daily lives of these wonderful loving people.

As we loaded our bus, we were told that we were on our way to a warehouse where we could buy batik fabric. Cheers arose from all of us….we were eager to help the local economy!

We wound through the city of Denpasar out past businesses and endless traffic until we reached our destination. I don’t know what you think of when the word “WAREHOUSE” or “FACTORY” is mentioned, but we tend to think of it in an industrial area, and most likely would consist of a self contained huge building.

We walked up an alley – past houses adorned with statues, sacred altars holding the evidence of the morning’s ritual placement of flowers, palms, and a bite of something to eat for the gods ---it feels holy wherever you step, and WATCH where you step because many such offerings can be found on the ground right outside the threshold of a business.

Where to start?!

I’ve visited the home of Moda fabrics in Dallas, TX. I guess that is what I had in my mind this would be like…..but this is an individually owned batik manufacturer, and things were much different!

There were women at industrial sewing machines making up articles of clothing.

Bolts and flat folds of gorgeous batik fabrics on every flat surface throughout the place. We were given the price per meter in the local currency, rupiahs. It was something like 26,000 rupiah per meter ---and I nearly laughed when I found out that with the current exchange rate, that batik fabric was going to cost us just under $3.00 a meter. HOLY! MOLY! Where to start?

Here is Jan contemplating a quilt back!

Blurry pic in action!

The workers will ask you how much you want…..there are markings on the cross piece and they measure and tear. I bought several 1 and 2 meter cuts.

And then…..

I spotted the scrap bags! Heaven Help me!!

Mawa asked the owner if I was allowed to buy the scraps instead of the yardage. They looked at me like I had 3 heads, but a deal was struck!

The scraps were sold by the kilo ----I got about 20 POUNDS of scrap fabrics for a whopping total of $8.00! One bag was $3 and the other was $5.

My shopping spree cost me a total of $30.00.

I wasn’t the only one that discovered the scrap bags either! Don’t we look like we are having the time of our lives? WE ARE!

From here we went to the actual factory where the batiking is done. That I am going to have to save for another post because I took videos….I don’t have the wifi connection to upload those. And it is too much to put in this post….

It’s just about bed time…..tomorrow morning we go to make our OWN batik!

Time is flying and we are trying to pack as much into our memories and our suitcases as possible. This trip really IS a dream!

Until next time!

12 Days of Show & Share! Day 3!

Along with the photos of beautiful quilts that people send ---and sometimes much more meaningful than the quilts themselves---are the stories that come with them.

This first photo today touched me so deeply because it is the reason many of us do what we do, it connects deep down to who we are inside, and changes the lives of those around us.

Julie shared her story in an email to me. She writes:

Bonnie:

One of the great things about using your scrap storage etc. method is YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED RIGHT AWAY!

One of my dearest childhood/lifelong friend's call to say, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (thankfully C# stage “curable".). Chemo has started, surgeries planned etc. One of our daughter's had breast cancer. I had made her a comfort quilt to take to chemo for warmth and loving. Just made Betty one also, this weekend.

Julie’s String Comfort Quilt for Betty

Back of Julie’s Quilt – USE IT UP! :cD

So when I say THANK YOU for your sharing your ways and methods, you will know how much I do mean what I say. (HUGS). See photos attached for Betty's Quilt... the blocks are 8" finished, with 2" sashings.

HUGS AGAIN

Julie in TN

Julie, thank you for sharing your story with us..your quilt is SO CUTE, and so very cheery! You sent your email to me in April, I hope that Betty is doing well. She is lucky to have a friend like you!

Next up! Emily B in SC!

She writes:

Bonnie- Thanks for your simple and easy to follow instructions. I am new to quilting and am a bit intimidated by all of the jargon, different tools and equipment.

Your site helps maintain the fun of quilting - which is creating. I'm looking forward to trying more of your patterns in the future. This is the second quilt I've made.

I am donating it to the Citizen Sam project. I used red and blue instead of light/dark and when my strip sets didn't quite measure exactly, I cut them and pieced them for the border. Thanks again!

Emily in South Carolina

Emily! You did a great job, and I love that stringy border..it’s perfect! And I love to hear about quilts that are being donated to others, where they are going. I am sure the new owners will be so grateful for your beautiful quilt!

And lastly ((but not leastly of course!)) for our 3rd day of Show & Share ---

Brigitte S of Switzerland!

((Yes, the SAME Brigitte I had to do a shout out for because her email kept bouncing back. So glad we found her!))

She’s sent in pictures of her gorgeous Orca Bay!

Brigitte’s Orca Bay found in String Fling!

((Kitty Not Included!!))

She writes:

Dear Bonnie

I have picture from my finish Orca Bay.

Regards

Brigitte

Words are not required when the pictures are worth MORE than 1000 words!

Close up of Quilting!

I just LOVE close ups of fabric choices…and you can see the quilting so well on this one…..looks like feathered wreathes in the white star areas, and plumes that extend beyond the black backgrounded stars. BEAUTIFUL!!

Writing these posts ahead of time --- thinking of day 3 in Bali ---I’m wondering if I will have lost my sunglasses or camera to the monkeys yet, or had my chance at riding an elephant?

Oooh! Have I had that massage on the beach yet?

I can only hope so!

Tomorrow…Day 4 of 12 days of Show and Share!

My First Bali Sunrise

I awoke this morning to the sound of exotic birds outside of my window. Rolling over and brushing the sleep out of my well-rested eyes, I found it was already 6am.

Mawa mentioned to us on the bus last night that sunrise would happen about 6:15am and I threw on my clothes and my sandals, threw my hair up into a pony tail and out the door I went.

Not many people milling about, but there were a few joggers, some resort workers sweeping sand and plant debris off the side walk with palm brooms, and some doing tai chi in a magical dance on the sands.

This place is another world. It feels ancient, like it existed far before any other land existed. Like it has always been here. Magical, etherial, surreal.

Bali.

I keep having pinch me moments. Like every thing I have ever done, good or bad, every step I have ever taken in my life, every trial that has ever passed my way -- every heart break, every joy--- has been a neccessary step to get me to this place.

Bali.

Words can’t begin to describe the feeling of watching the sun rise over the shores of Nusa Dua.

I am smitten.

I am forever changed.

In 10 minutes we head out on our first batking experience!

From Hong Kong to Bali!

This is the view that greeted me as I awoke from sleeping an unknown number of hours from Los Angeles to Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific airlines is seriously one of the nicest airlines I’ve ever been on….my back doesn’t hurt! My leg doesn’t hurt! The seats in coach had great lumbar support --- and I DID sleep.

A view of part of Hong Kong as we were descending --

I know this pic is blurry, but I also think that Cathay Pacific has the most exotically beautiful flight attendants EVER! When the whole crew came marching towards our gate en masse – we were instantly aware of the power of the color RED!

I sat bulkhead with no window on my way from Hong Kong to Bali….worked on hexies and slept on and off. Somehow it felt like that 4.5 hour flight was LONGER than the 14 hour LAX to Hong Kong leg.

We are checked into our hotel in Nua Dua ---We are staying at the Melia Resort, and I honestly have never stayed at a more beautiful place! Sew Many Places has done a great job at having all of this arranged for us, including a special dinner tonight. I’m stuffed to the gills as I write this before heading to bed.

After arriving in Denpasar, we deplaned only to find ourselves in one long line after another. First – to pay for our visa ticket (($25 per person, US funds, not bad!)) and then wait in ANOTHER long line to go through the customs area. I think the whole process took about an hour and a half.

After this, we wound our way to baggage claim, and then out to meet our guide, Mawa who was waiting for us! He herded us all onto the bus, and off we went!

Toto, we are DEFINITLY not in Kansas anymore!

This statue is enormous, and I got this shot through the window while at a traffic light.

We got in to our hotel about 5:30pm ---by the time we got checked into our rooms it was 6pm –and dinner was at 7pm. We hadn’t seen a bed for over 36 hours ---but this place is PARADISE!

And as tired as I am…..I’m going to show you the room pics, and then head to bed. Tomorrow our batik factory day starts at 8:30am when we meet up with Mawa again in the lobby of the hotel.. I promise I’ll get MORE photos –I can hardly keep my eyes open as it is.

Upon entering my room I spy paradise beckoning!

((That’s my lei from the airport on the bed. Frangipani flowers…yummy!))

My bed from another angle….canopy with tassels! Perfection!

My balcony looks out over the pool that meanders around like a lagoon --- or is it a Moat?!

There are gardens for exploring and a path that leads to the ocean ----

But first….it’s dream time!

12 Days of Show & Share! Day 2!

I hope by the time you read this that I am acclimating myself to new time zones and recovering from jet lag!

I also hope there will be a way to connect for live-from-Bali pictures, but if not – just know I’m having the time of my life on this trip to Bali.

Let’s continue the plan of 12 days of Show & Share with some gorgeous quilts that have been sent into me by readers.

First up is Jan C from Tyler, TX! This girl has been BUSY!

Jan’s Rectangle Wrangle found in Scraps & Shirttails II!

She writes:

Hi Bonnie,

Wanted to send you pics of my latest quilts in the finished column.

The Rectangle Wrangle is made from some more of those sample shirt fabrics I got a couple of years ago. Still have a trash bag full, so another quilt is probably in the future.

Jan’s Fair & Square found in Scraps & Shirttails II!

Fair and Square was a blast to do. Everyone calls it Jan's quilt of Bazillion pieces. LOL. Also attached is pic of my back on Fair & Square. Use those scraps - YES MAM!

So looking forward to future string quilts from your new book.

Jan C

Tyler, TX

Here is the pic of Jan’s back! I have to laugh, because I used all the extra checkerboard border by piecing it to the backing on MY quilt too! It’s easy to think you don’t have enough and keep piecing until you have way too much!

Jan’s Fair & Square backing!

Jan, you did me proud! I love your quilts so much ---why is it your plaids look so much better than mine? :c)

Next up ---Lorraine B from Australia!

Lorraine sent in photos of her first prize Roll Roll Cotton Boll!

Lorrain’s Roll Roll, Cotton Boll found in String Fling!

Lorraine writes:

Hi Bonnie,

Just letting you know that I won First prize with my Roll Roll Cotton Boll quilt in my local CWA Exhibition this past weekend.

Thank you for offering these wonderful Mystery Quilts and other patterns on your site. I have nearly finished Orca Bay. I used aquas, oranges, black and neutrals.

Kind regards,

Lorraine B

Frankston South, Victoria, Australia

A close up photo of her first prize ticket here:

Congrats Lorraine!

And to round out today’s Show and Share we have Laura W!

Laura sent me an email with embedded photos from her Google+. I couldn’t save them individually, so I did a group screen clip!

Laura writes:

Hi Bonnie,

My pineapple blossom quilt top is FINALLY COMPLETE! I started it in the class you taught in March in Virginia Beach. I’m happy with the way it turned out, and I used up a ton of scraps! Almost all of my bright green blenders are gone, and I used up all of the polka dot background fabric (actually ran short of it and filled in the corners with plain white). If your mystery this year has pink, green, or yellow, I may have to BUY some fabric.

Thanks for the great pattern! It is nice of you to post so many freebies on your site. I’ll be buying your new book this summer as a thank you.

Laura

I just LOVE the polka dots in this! What’s not to like about polka dots and orange? Great job, Laura!

Does this inspire anyone to get a UFO out and complete something, anything yet?! When I get back home I want to hear about what you finished while I was gone!

Now get SEWING!

iPhone-o-gram! Sitting in Hong Kong!

Here we are at the airport in Hong Kong!

We've arrived in one piece, and are mostly rested albeit a bit road weary!

Our next flight is in about 3 hours. A 4.5 hour flight should put us in Bali!

12 Days of Show and Share! Day 1

I tried to think of what I could do ahead of time to have posts show up on the blog while I’m gone. I won't be home in my own bed until late night on September 1st!

A few emails with photos attached provided the inspiration to go through the archives and turn this blogless ((It MAY be blogless, I don’t know if I’ll have wifi that will work for blog writing or not while I’m gone)) time into a quilt show!

I’ve set a few quilts every day to be shared by my readers.

Along with a random photo of Bali so you can put yourself in a Bali mood for the day as well!

I hope you enjoy seeing the quilts as much as I’ve enjoyed getting their photos in the mail!

Our first quilter is Barbara!

Barbara’s Hidden Spools top!

What she writes is short but sweet:

This was started at workshop in Portsmouth RI. Hope you have found some time for Bonnie.

Guess what, Barbara! I’m on my way to Bali, if I’m not there already! Somehow I lose a day going there, but gain a day getting back and the whole travel time is like 24 hours or something! I love your hidden spools in the lovely Bali batiks! It’s GORGEOUS!

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Next up is Donna T!

Donna’s Star Struck Quilt!

Donna writes:

This is my completed quilt from the workshop you did in Winfield, Ks., last fall. I just love it.

Donna, this turned out so pretty, it looks just like stained glass! Great job!

I also want to share with you these pics from Joan P!

Joan’s Scrappy Bargello in Shirts!

Joan writes:

Dear Bonnie,

Here's a scrappy bargello! I finished the top of this AM. The quilting will commence as soon as I piece a backing. It is the exact same dimensions as the one in your book. I used all recycled shirts (even saw a couple shirts at church last night that I asked for...did NOT get any takers).

I love the detail shot she sent too! What a great selection of shirts in this top…

With autumn on the way, doesn’t it just make you want to make one yourself? You can!

I hope you will enjoy the other posts through the week! I hope to leave you inspired and ready to pull out a UFO and work on it!

Maybe that can be YOUR goal to tell ME when I get back – just WHAT one project can you pull out and complete while I’m gone? Come on – you have 10 days. What can you do with it!

iPhone-o-gram! Let's Fly!

I'm boarded!

They were able to check my bag all the way through to Bali---I hope it makes it!

I'm ready to get some hexies going. Will I finish this section this trip??

I'm going to try my darnedest!

Here are a couple glimpses of my busy bag---for those who asked last night during quilt cam time. :-)

Next stop--Houston!