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Friday, September 07, 2012

My Hexies–OH SO CLOSE!

We had long long drives on our bus in Bali – and bringing little kits for everyone to try their own hand at English paper piecing was SUCH a life saver.

Travelers with busy hands are happy travelers! I was amazed at how quickly my last hexagon section grew while watching the passing countryside outside of my window.

Memories of rice paddies, of swarms of motorcycles, of driving on the “LEFT” side of the road up narrow windy mountain roads --- ((Oh that took some getting used to, we kept trying to enter on the WRONG side of the bus, the doors were on the left..LOL)) Commenting on shrines and temples and architecture. Watching Balinese life continue on outside of the protective air conditioned bubble of our bus – we sewed away!

About half way through the week I took this picture on the floor of my hotel room. I’d sewn from Greensboro to Houston to Los Angeles to part way to Hong Kong before falling asleep. I sewed from Hong Kong to Bali….and I sewed on the bus.

Throughout the bus as we traveled could be heard the sounds of “Who has the thread?!” “I need the scissors!” And whoever had it last would pass it forward or backward depending on where the request was coming from.

On the way home….we stopped in Hong Kong ….and had to go through security two more times before we could board our flight to the US.

Do you remember me saying “The problem isn’t getting OUT of the country with scissors? It’s getting back IN!?”

I was indeed stopped and searched in Hong Kong – they saw something in my bag and went digging for it!

hexagonmedallion 017

This little bag was the culprit!

I bought this at one of the little shops in Ubud, and stuffed it with just a few fabric hexies, papers, needles, and thread because I was sitting bulkhead exit row all the way home and didn’t have a seat in front of me with room underneath to store a carry on bag. This I could keep in my lap with everything else in the overhead bin.

In the small bottom zipper compartment were these:

hexagonmedallion 019

The Hong Kong TSA agent pulled them out – showed them to her supervisor, who said they were “OKAY” and I was allowed to put them back into my bag and off I went.

These are the $4 manicure scissors with the rounded tips I bought at Walmart before leaving on the trip. If these are safe for TSA from Hong Kong – they are pretty much sure to be safe for EVERYWHERE – but I did worry there a bit! It’s always a bit unsettling to have law enforcement going through your bag!

And it’s a good thing I got these. One of our other gals had brought a pair of children’s fiscars – but they had pointier tips. They confiscated hers. It’s not the price of the item they keep that is the problem, it’s the inconvenience of not being able to sew. I’ve tried the medallion thread cutter. Hate it. You can’t thread a needle after using it without a needle threader. Same with the dental floss container idea --- I know – I’ve tried. You are toast at threading a needle on a plane without then having to use a needle threader. I like scissors! So these are my new travel pair --- we’ll see how far they go with me!

Back to the hexies --- how far did I get?

hexagonmedallion 015

I’ve started on the short section!! WHhhaaaahooooo!

hexagonmedallion 016

There are only 5 rows left to do!!

And these are short rows that decrease with each row…I am SO ALMOST THERE!

As this posts, I should be close to arriving in Aiken, SC for my workshop with the Carolina Pine quilters!

I’ll get to hug on one of my Bali travelers! Sharron will be there --- oh, it’s amazing how much I miss this group of people. It felt so disjointed picking up our luggage at LAX --- and all going our separate ways. We were from everywhere – Oregon, Virginia Beach, Canada, Illinois, Nebraska – and everywhere in between. I’m really missing everyone! So it will be great to see Sharron and catch up a bit.

She sent me this pic this morning of me with an armful of fabric at the batik warehouse:

My beautiful picture

Oh yeah, that’s a happy girl!!

If you are just arriving, you are going to want to check THIS POST! We are in the midst of a give-away for my friend Mickey’s new book, Pieced Hexies! And – here’s an incentive – she said if we reach 500 comments she will give away THREE copies! So leave a comment on that post – be sure to include your email address if you don’t have it linked to your blogger account, or are signing in as anonymous. No address means we draw again – so don’t forget!

We’ll be drawing winners on Sunday evening when I return home!

68 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:41 PM EDT

    Ooooo, Bonnie you are just soooo close to finishing this hexie quilt, you must be itching to "get 'er done"!! It looks lovely. And what a great accomplishment. Love the pic of you with the arm load of batiks, I would have bought out the warehouse!!
    Faye in Maine

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  2. I heard you discuss these scissors the other night on quiltcam, so I am glad to see what you were talking about.
    A big WooHoo!! on your hexie progress. Your tenacity is inspiring!

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  3. Your friend should not of lost her scissors if TSA was following their own regulation: "Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed, but blades longer than 4 inches are prohibited"
    We moved from Korea this summer, and I flew back to the States with a regular pair of small fiscar scissors (orange handle, short pointy tips) in my carry on without any problems. May be you could print out the info on their website (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm) and keep it with your scissors in your carry on.

    The hexie quilt looks great! What an accomplishment to get that done!!!!

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  4. Wow !!1 This is looking great...how will you quilt it?

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  5. Your hexies are beautiful.

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  6. Anonymous4:29 PM EDT

    You are giving me joy. The urge to do hexies is almost overwhelming. dblmstudio@charter.net I have done them before , 1/4 inche ones too. Must not subcom/ Have a mystery quilt to design and then a t-shirt quilt for my son. Then twin topsy turvy dolls for the twins for Christmas. THen I can do hexies. Might sneak some in soner. lol
    Marianne

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  7. Anonymous4:30 PM EDT

    When we lived in Japan, scissors were not allowed. My rounded tip children's fiskars were confiscated. However, you can wear sneakers through the checkpoints. Countries do things differently. After that I learned about dental floss cases!

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  8. Amazingly close!!!! You will be bereft when it's done because it's been with you so long!! :)

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  9. this is an amazing hexie piece of work! i've seen pieces of it off and on as i followed your blog, but haven't seen it in awhile. i love this! and your traveling adventures, too!

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  10. Oh, Bonnie! You're almost done! It's going to feel funny to not have this to work on, isn't it? It'll be like sending your child off to college. :) Whatever will you do next? Let me guess, pieced hexies! :)I'm working on a blue and brown version of your amazing hexie medallion, but I'm about as far along as you have to finish. LOL. I do have about 500 hexies stitched though.

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  11. Your hexies look great!! Man that's a lot of stitchin.

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  12. Anonymous5:01 PM EDT

    That hexagon quilt is fabulous!

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  13. Your hexies look amazing!! I would have tossed in the towel ages ago!! Good for you! Thanks for the chance to win Mickey's new book!
    Paulette

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  14. Anonymous5:27 PM EDT

    What a beautiful quilt! I had no idea just what it would look like just seeing the bits and pieces. I want it!

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  15. Wow - that is gorgeous!!!! I must admit, I am in awe of everything you achieve. I'm wondering, do you sleep... ever?? Hehe. I had a tiny metal nail file confiscated at Hong Kong, yet the man who was travelling with bamboo knitting needles had no problems. Go figure. The knitting needles would have done far more damage than my little nail file. I thoroughly enjoyed you CamTime yesterday, and as I'm in Oz, I was thrilled to be able to join you.
    My older sister made a beautiful waistcoat with hexies. She would sew as we walked to school, or around the house, or whenever she stood up lol - such a long time ago. But I'm whittering. I could talk with you for hours :D Thank you for all the time you give to "us", Carol, cthancock7@gmail.com

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  16. So close to being done! and how long have you been working on it?

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  17. Bonnie, I've been watching this quilt for a couple of years she is a beauty!!!!!

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  18. It looks wonderful, Bonnie. And, BTW, I went to Walmart here in Calgary, Canada and snapped up a pair of those scissors. I'm set for my next flight. Thanks for that tip. And, yes, I miss our group, too. Pauline Sawatsky

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  19. I think I would have to stay up all night to do those five rows!

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  20. Denise B6:35 PM EDT

    Love you hexies also. I have three hexie projects going at the same time. Mine are the 1 inch size; got a long ways to go. Thanks also for the photo of the scissors. Sq_Dancer576@live.com

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  21. Linda LaRose6:51 PM EDT

    Love the hexie design. Thanks for the scissors tips (no pun intended) : I' m going on several trips soon & the hexies are a perfect fit for my carryon!

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  22. Thanks for the tip, or no tip, about the scissors. I love that picture of you, Bonnie. You look so happy with fabric in your arms.

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  23. When I flew years ago I had a sewing project with me and, common to my scatter-brained self, I forgot any scissors. So, I used my nail clippers (which had been de-filed by the TSA!) Oh, well, I never use those files unless desperate. Bev (kwiltpharm@aol.com)

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  24. Anonymous7:22 PM EDT

    Bonnie, You're hexie quilt is gorgeous!! Sandi1100

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  25. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! Those hexies are absolutely gorgeous!!

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  26. ohhh that hexie quilt is looking great! how big are the hexies again?

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  27. Anonymous7:36 PM EDT

    Your hexie quilt is beautiful - can hardly wait to see it all finished. I would be stumped as to how to quilt it. I bought some papers (3/4) to start one - I am just working on the flowers right now - no idea what kind of pattern I will end up with! My biggest problem will be coming up with an idea so seeing some examples in a book would be AMAZING! I am working with black/white with white/black centers. I am wondering if just using bright colors around them might be the ticket - we will have to wait and see how many of them I get done first ...

    Sue Monsey
    Aloha, OR
    w7sue@comcast.net

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  28. Congratulations on the progress on the hexagon quilt...and now to win the book for Janice...

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  29. Anonymous7:49 PM EDT

    Love your hexie quilt. I love seeing how your quilts grow. jswiggett@comcast.net

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  30. Is there anything you can't do? LOL...wonderful hexies...and yes, the giveaway post for Mickey's book now has OVER 500 comments...whoohoo!
    Just LOVE that zippy bag!!! Wonder if one could order online...will have to research.

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  31. Cada colcha acabada é uma glória,no meu caso estou sempre começando ou recomeçando outra,adorei a sua.Experimente como eu, gráficos de ponto cruz,Daí é que o vício é considerávelmente aumentado.Beijos e Bençãos;

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  32. Anonymous8:49 PM EDT


    I've been told those blunt scissors you use are actually designed for trimming nose hair safely, wthout stabbing yourself. Seems to me that I recall using a similar pair to trim my babies' nails. Truly a multi-purpose tool. Yeah, Bonnie - the hexie quilt is fantastic. Susan as mimijost@msn.com

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  33. I think my jaw actually dropped open when I saw that hexie quilt, simply amazing. Well done!
    Leslie.
    Lstrumm@gmail.com

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  34. You got it!!! I just saw 528 comments on "Mickey" post!!! Don't underestimate us, Mickey!!!! We are Bonnie's followers!!!

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  35. Oh, you've put a hex on me! Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
    rudipatoodee@gmail.com

    June

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  36. Oh SO CLOSE! If it was me, I'd be up all night getting those last rows done. How beautiful. That quilt is a masterpiece.

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  37. Love your hexies, it has been great watching the quilt come together. You must be busting to do those last 5 rows. Such an inspiration.

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  38. janice dinse in Gastonia, NC10:57 PM EDT

    That Hexie quilt is so beautiful! I have never seen anything like it before. Do you have to sew a back on it when you are all done with the front? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE batiks and I always head to that dept at the fabric store! Now with all your pics and videos of Bali and all the hard work involved in making such beautiful fabric, I will always look at it so differently now, with love, gratitude and even more fondness. (And I think your blouse is cute and don't throw it away! You said to remind you to do that, but I like it and seems to fit right in the the Bali lifestyle!!)

    jandinse720@att.net
    Thanks so much.
    Janice in Gastonia

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    1. Janice Dinse in Gastonia, NC11:01 PM EDT

      Oh, BTW, I LOVE the crystals on your scissors!

      Janice in Gastonia
      jandinse720@att.net

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  39. Anonymous11:43 PM EDT

    I would love to win the book. I'm just starting a hexie quilt.
    tvbart@charter.net

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  40. I love all the fabric you scored! WOW! As far as scissors, I carry a clover needle threader with me for sewing my hexies.It's small and has a thread cutter on it. I can't sew well enough to thread the needles anymore, so this is really great! Drop in your needle, pull the little lever down, and you needle is threaded lickity split!

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  41. This is an amazing quilt!

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  42. the hexie quilt is beautiful! Great job Bonnie!

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  43. I've been hearing your talk about the hexies quilt and marvelling at how small the little hexie is. But seeing it almost finish.....OMgosh....it's stunning. I just might have to give it a try.

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  44. Anonymous6:27 AM EDT

    Bonnie, you are amazing! You never cease to inspire me... The quilt is a beauty! I'm working on a 3/4 inch scrappy hexie with yellow paths... I'd love a copy of the book for more ideas.
    Thanks!
    Terri in st Louis
    Tgeesey@charter.net

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  45. That quilt top is amazing. I love it..

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  46. Stunning...simply stunning...

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  47. The sister of a friend of mine went to Bali and brought home fabric (what else?!)...and I was the blessed recipient of a gorgeous green FQ for my birthday. My smile is almost as wide as yours! LOL!

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  48. Anonymous8:45 PM EDT

    Your hexie quilt is gorgeous. Dian

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  49. I will have to find those sissors . the book would be welcome my hexie could use a little more carisma.

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  50. My hexie could use some pizazz. TKS. Bonnie for all you do for your sisters& brothers in quilting!:-)

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  51. This is great, Bonnie! I'm rootin' for you! Can't wait to see what you do with the edges and how you quilt it!

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  52. The best thing to use as scissors while traveling and sewing is to use cat nail clippers. They snip the thread very nicely and the tsa agents don't have a problem with them.

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  53. I can't wait ti see the finished hexie quilt. I hope you bring it with you when you come back to the Chicago are in a few years.

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  54. I have tried hexies one time, when I finished, I said I was done until I started watching you now it's back the hexie quilt again.

    Allen

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  55. Love the hexies! Your quilt is so beautiful. We live in Ohio and drive to New Orleans a few times a year to visit our daughter... 14 hour drive. Perfect for a hexie project! Next trip in November for her wedding. Gotta get ready. You're my inspiration. Irishnana@gmail.com

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  56. I love it!!! can't wait to see it finished!!! And thanks for the travel advice! Never thought about round tip!

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  57. I love it!!! can't wait to see it finished!!! And thanks for the travel advice! Never thought about round tip!

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  58. Don't even know what to say, but I'm "awestruck" by your "Hexie" quilt. Really amazing!
    I will be going to Hawaii in a couple weeks and haven't flown in awhile, so need to figure out some hand work. You've got me thinking "hexies???" I also do a lot of hand embroidered quilt squares. Where did you get the bag you use for your hexies
    to travel with ??? Maybe you have shared and I just missed it???

    craftycat1970@gmail.com

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  59. It was a secret wish to travel with like minded souls on a trip like you have just taken. To travel ane buy fabric then be able to sew to of my favourite things to do. Good on you Margaret Lee South Australia

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  60. You have done something that I always wanted to do , sew and travel. The other wish is buying fabric and actually sewing as you go. I love the project you were making, what size hexies are they. Good on you to realize q dream. Margaret Lee South Australia

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  61. It was a secret wish to travel with like minded souls on a trip like you have just taken. To travel ane buy fabric then be able to sew to of my favourite things to do. Good on you Margaret Lee South Australia

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  62. Your hexie quilt is sooooo inspiring. Thank you for sharing your travels. I Love to read your posts! :) claytonja@live.com

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  63. See, hexies really do make the world go around!! There is no traveling companion more welcome imho (although knitting socks is a close runner-up) ... Love your work Bonnie. :)

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  64. Hi Bonnie, wendy from Brisbane here. Love the hexies it is huge! I got pulled up by the scanners in Sydney for a flight to Brisie for a two inch long screwdriver that was in an electronics kit I had bought my son last minute. Plane was boarding single mother with 3 kids a huge backpack stuffed full of my mothers almond croissants I had been asked to bring back drinks etc They had me looking in the wrong bag. Meanwhile holding up line and they're looking at me like I,m a terrorist. Finally get on plane looking like dishevelled madwoman with overfull arms of kids,flattened croissants hairbrushes etc falling in the aisle and guess where we are sitting, tail end!

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