New Year's Cross Stitch Exchange

My facebook and cross stitching friend, Linda, had an idea to do a cross stitch exchange the end of this year. So, she gathered some Indonesian facebook friends (and cross stitch lover) to do so. And earlier this month she arranged to whom everyone send the cross stitch item. The item can be a bookmark, card, coin purse, pillow, and so on. So I began to pick a design and stitch it.

Last week, my cross stitch package arrived!
Well, we are not supposed to post about it until January 1, 2011. By then, we will post about it in a predetermined facebook group.

Ooooh, I cannot wait that long!! So, here is a preview...



And, this is my package I will send today.

Bali Dancer, Done!

Nothing makes me happier than seeing my stitch finished.. *I am being hyperbolic*
Last weekend, I have finished my Kebyar Duduk dancer...

I have been through a lot of things...!!



Here is my finished piece..



I have a pair of dancer.. yaaay!

Another Side of Bali (3)

I visited one of the famous ceramic manufacturers in Bali, the Tanteri Ceramic. This company exports its products to foreign countries, such as USA, Japan, and France. I have to admit that its designs are very smooth and refined.

















Although the crafters use several types of machines and tools, the details are still done by hand. They carve, shape, and twist the clay carefully and neatly.




The products are very fascinating...

...as I finish writing this post, I realize that still there's no beach pictures in my camera.... just like the last time I went to Bali...

Another Side of Bali (2)

While in Bali, I stayed in Kuta area, one of the famous beaches of Bali. At night, the atmosphere is full with excitement; the loud music, the hectic traffic, the bustling cafe visitors, and so many more activities along the street. But in the morning, it is rather quiet. And this is the view from my room balcony.



And the Balinese people say that their building never exceed the height of coconut tree. And I am pretty sure about that (after observing the surrounding).




At Pejaten village, I visited the workshop of Wayan Kuturan, one of the pioneer in pottery-making. I tried to gather as much information about the pottery-making activities in this village. And I could not help to notice his shack's ceiling. It was beautiful. The wooden bar was decorated with carving.



And I just love the gold color.

Another Side of Bali (1)

Last Wednesday, I got a chance to visit Bali again...(unfortunately) for work. Well, I haven't had a chance to go there for vacation.. :-(
But then I thought that others do not necessarily have the opportunity to visit Bali for free, so I just enjoyed the trip and did my tasks at my best.

I always pictured Bali as an island with beautiful beaches and rice fields, thousand of temples and attractive dances. This time I got to know another side of Bali by visiting small handicraft industries at Pejaten village, Tabanan Regency. They produce ceramic handicraft and pottery. I was there to identify what kind of training that they need to improve their products quality and sales.

They used to make roof-tiles.



But in order to increase the added-value, some of them switched to handicraft making.


Many interesting things I observed here.. I'll be back with another post..

Kebyar Duduk Update

I'm working on it.....
Metallic thread is fun...... knotted, tangled, loose, you name it.. :)

Birthday Hedgehog

Hi Stitchers!
I have finished stitching my Birthday Hedgehog at the end of September, but then I didn’t have much time to finalize it. The chart is from CrossStitcher magazine #230 (October 2010).

I decide to give the piece to my daughter’s classmate, Siti Alifa Aulia a.k.a Ifa. She will have her birthday coming up in November 11.

After downloading the mount from this link, I decide to frame it instead of making birthday card.



It has been quite a challenge stitching this piece, because it has so many fractional cross stitches to form the flowers at the hedgehog back… My eyes really work hard… LOL…