Another Incredible Bali Experience

We have just returned from an absolutely perfect tour in Bali, as the weather, scenery, fabric shopping and local sites could not have been better for our visit. While it was quite warm, we seemed to dodge the rain so our activities were never hampered.

The beauty of this island always seems to overwhelm me, there is something inspirational around every corner. Travelers from this trip felt the highlights were: learning how batiks are designed and printed, printing their own wax-resist indigo batiks, the Hoffman factory and field tour, and of course shopping.

Fabric shopping was particularly fun as we were able to pick up incredible Balinese batiks for $1.75 a meter (!), these along with the colorful sarongs will make an incredible quilt, or for some who were with us, perhaps 10 to 20 quilts!! In addition to the batiks, silver beads and jewelry, which are very reasonable here, soon adorned the fingers, wrists, necks and ears of most tour participants.

The colors and scenery of the markets and landscapes are so inspiring, I believe that many of us had quilt ideas in our head by the end of the first day.

Staying at our two beautiful hotels allowed us to see Bali from different perspectives; from the serenity of the beach at Nusa Dua to the tropical rainforest in the art village of Ubud the scenic variety of the island and islanders was evident. In between, the sites, sounds and smells we enjoyed will be memories that remain with us for many years to come.

Please enjoy highlights from our 2010 tour in the slideshow below. Our 2011 tour is already filling and we will soon be adding an optional 3 day extension to Java. For more information see our website.

Personalize a slideshow design

Noteworthy

It is my hope that this blog will be of interest to people who like quilts and love to travel, and that those who have a constructive comment know they will be free to say what they like and it will be posted.

However, today I found an unkind comment about a trip taken with a competitor and a personal (verbal) attack on him. Let me say upfront, such remarks and negativity will not be tolerated. Those who write these things may think they are doing me a favor, but, I will not have any unkind remarks on my blog. PERIOD. This site's comments are moderated before published, and when found, negativity, no matter what it is about, will be removed.

My suggestion to you is, take your issue to the person you have it with.

On the Go in 2011

It is hard to believe that we are already thinking about what is going to be happening in 2011, and it is only Easter weekend of 2010. The dreaded April 15, is on the horizon, but not here yet and certainly, it isn't keeping us from setting the stage for wonderful travel opportunities next year. Of course, this gives everyone time to plan for a trip of a lifetime with Deb Roberts and World of Quilts Travel.

On the horizon and in place for bookings in 2011 is another great trip to Bali. If you love batiks or printed fabric history, this is the place for you! Many do not realize that when India was sending out their fabulous chintz fabrics to Europe, they were also exporting to the East, to areas that included Indonesia. Like Europe, these areas wanted to emulate the designs that were coming from India, so they set up their own shops and soon, had a thriving textile economy of their own. The Indonesians, in particular on Java and Bali, have kept the age old printing traditions and the textile economy there today is just as important as it was 200 years ago. It is a place one can visit and actually see the color changes of the fabric going through the dye bath, the preparation of indigo, hand block printing and painting and more. Beyond the fabrics, the scenery and colors of Bali are incredible as are the people who go out of their way to extend their hand of friendship.

Our next trip to this fabulous country is March 29 to April 8, 2011. Like most of my groups, I keep this group small so that everyone can take advantage of the places we will visit - no 45 seat busloads for us! The price is incomparable, so the value for such inspiration could not be better!!
Read more about our Bali itinerary here.

Now, for you cruise fans, so far, we have two incredible cruise opportunities, with a few more in the planning stages.First - to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Electric Quilt Company (can you believe it - 20 years? Now I do feel old.), we are heading out to sea from Miami on a 10 day, 9 night cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Teachers Barb Vlack and Mary Ellen Kranz will be coming along to share some EQ magic with us. Quilt photographer Gregory Case will be on hand to teach us how to not only get great images of our quilts, but to get incredible landscape and family photography as well. Dates are from January 28-February 6, 2011.
For more, see the Caribbean Cruise Website!

In May, 2011, we are going on a much anticipated cruise to the Baltic. Over the years, I have had many requests for a cruise in this area - now I am happy to announce that we have a wonderful itinerary planned on the Emerald Princess, departing from Copenhagen, Denmark on May 24. This 12 day cruise has quite a schedule, going to the most scenic areas of this region including a 2 day stop in St. Petersburg, Russia. It will be an amazing journey, and once again, I have managed to get a very good rate from Princess for this cruise, which of course, I pass right along to you! Read more here.

Additional trips for 2011 are in the works, please check our website often. If you haven't signed up for our mail list - be sure to consider doing this, someone will win a cruise at the end of the year!

I wish to thank you all for your support and emails you send to me about your own travel experiences. I love to read about what quilters are doing around the world, we have such a wonderful bond and connection - even thousands of miles apart.

Easter blessings to all,

Deb

Travel News

It has definitely been a while since I have posted here, and I thank those who have sent emails asking why.

It has just been a very strange time here, we have been looking for a new home out of the area and between travels to different places and my 'other' job as an RN, I have had very little time to devote to the blog.

However, I hope that time will become more available as my husband is seemingly less interested in moving at the moment as I have convinced him to be patient as we look for the right place to call home.

So, my last post was about the Hawaii cruise and the response has exceeded my expectations. I have added as many cabins as I can, and I am close to selling out. This will be an amazing adventure with Melinda Bula, Patt Blair and Marie Strait who have designed projects just for this adventure.

If you have been considering the trip, please do sign up soon, I cannot guarantee availability much longer. One will still be able to sign up after my block of cabins is gone, for as long as Princess has cabins, however the regular Princess rate is $400 more per person than what my cabins are selling for. For more information see http://worldofquiltstravel.com/Hawaii.htm

And who said I did not offer value??


On another note - with the help of the current European economy, the dollar has risen nicely against the Euro, making a summer visit to Europe a great travel bargain. I have a few spots remaining on my European quilting tour this August which will include Italy, Switzerland and France. Should you choose to join us you will also have the option of a 10 or 20 day itinerary depending on your schedule. This is absolutely one of my favorite trips - combining the culture and history of Europe's textile world with contemporary arts and crafts. It promises to be an amazing trip as we visit the most beautiful and scenic areas of these countries. For the full itinerary and pricing options, visit http://worldofquiltstravel.com/GrandEurope.htm

Hawaii - here we come!

Hawaii - what a place for inspiration!!

Join us for this unbeatable opportunity on a quilt cruise to Hawaii with teachers Patt Blair, Melinda Bula and Marie Strait. These incredible teachers are preparing workshops just for our cruise which will be geared for all levels of skill.

Traveling on Princess Cruises Golden Princess, this 15 day cruise departs from Los Angeles on September 29, 2010 and cabins start at only $1695 per person double occupancy. Pricing includes: shipboard accommodations, all onboard meals and entertainment, quilting workshops, welcome reception, a subscription to the Quilter Magazine, a $325 Princess onboard savings book, show and tell gathering, World of Quilts Travel gifts and surprises and more!

Please register early, there is a lot of interest in this cruise and the ship is already selling out in some categories!!

Outraged!

Today, I was running errands when I came upon a battalion of Marines from Camp Pendelton "fundraising" by running a car wash in a local mall parking lot. At first, I found this rather mysterious and wondered if it was legitimately the USMC. So, I inquired.

I was surprised that it was indeed the USMC, and after gathering my composure I asked more.

Thinking it was a local effort, I asked, "What are you fundraising for?"

Marine: "For equipment we will need in Afghanistan, Mam".

Me: "Equipment? What kind of equipment? Do you mean things like laptops and IPODs?"

Marine: "No Mam (they are so sweet and polite). For things like rifle supports to help keep them steady when we have to lie prone, Mam".

Dumbfounded, I asked him to repeat what he had just said. When he did, I said that I found this hard to believe. I asked what else.....

"Well Mam, things like gloves to help protect our hands, they have special knuckle protection so that if we need to we can use them as a weapon."

I asked who was in charge. I was assured that this battalion like others, will be given all they "need" upon deployment, but that the fundraising will buy them those things that will allow them do a better job...such as the rifle support, the gloves, special flashlights, knee pads.....and more.

When I asked how much they needed to raise to buy the things they need - the answer was, "About ten dollars a marine, Mam."

!!!!????!!!!

At $10 a head, these young men should not have to raise their own money for needed supplies to increase their chances of being an effective soldier and coming home alive. Before deployment, they should be spending their weekend time with their family, not in a parking lot washing cars for "any donation". There is something terribly wrong when the USMC cannot afford to provide ALL that is necessary to those fighting on our behalf.

I am sorry, I know this blog is not about politics, and is really sincerely meant for things of a peaceful nature....but, some things just have to be said.

Quilter's - do I sense some support here? We can start by writing to our members of congress.

Fall into Color

With school back in session and many sewing machines now being dusted off, many of us are looking for some new inspirations. When I think of Fall, some things naturally come to mind, one, is of course Houston. What an incredible quilting event, one that always seems to get my creative juices flowing.

However, the color changes during this time of year are unbeatable for a quick get away as well as inspiring vistas. Here, courtesy of VBRO, are some top scenic Fall self driving tours perfect for a quick weekend get-away. It's your chance to, "Leaf" all your worries behind this season.

Pick one of North America's most popular leaf peeping drives below and time your fall weekend getaway to watch the trees turn colors for some fun fall quilting inspiration and time with your family.

Park Loop Road - Acadia, ME
Mohawk Trail - Berkshire Mountains, MA
Brockway Mountain Drive - Upper Penninsula, MI
Kancamagus Highway - White Mountains, NH
Delaware Water Gap Scenic Drive - Poconos, PA
Cape Breton Trail - Nova Scotia - Canada
Coconino National Forest All Around Peaks Loop - Flagstaff, AZ
Mt. Baker Scenic Skyway - Bellingham, WA to Mt. Baker, WA
San Juan Skyway - Durango, CO to Ouray, CO
Skyline Drive - Front Royal, VA to Cherokee, NC
Blue Ridge Parkway - Shenandoah Valley, VA to Smoky Mountains, NC

AQS heads to PA

AQS has announced a new show location - Lancaster, PA! Picking up where the Quilter's Heritage Celebration left off , AQS announced this week it will hold an annual event in Lancaster at the end of March each year, beginning in 2010.

Look for information soon about an incredible tour that will include the festivities of this 1st AQS Lancaster event!!

And we're off!!

The Quilt Cruise for a Cause is off to a great start at the 2009 Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, England. Billed as Europe’s leading quilt show, this year’s exhibition has certainly earned its reputation. Truly an international show, not only are there quilts from there are quilts from across the globe, including; the Middle East, Scandinavia, Japan, Russia, parts of Africa, Eastern Europe, the United States, and more. Sister’s Sue Nickels and Pat Holly truly deserved the Best of Show award for “Tea at Tenby” which was also honored at the AQS Paducah Show and the Quilter’s Heritage Celebration in Lancaster.

The diversity of the style and techniques – from traditional to fiber art, the quilts within the various categories is a real delight. It is always interesting to see how different artists develop a challenge project, and this year’s 30^th Anniversary Quillter’s Guild Challenge had a number of entrants each rising to the task of meeting the theme “Pearl Essence”.

Special gallery exhibitions by noted quiltmakers and artists rounds out the viewing pleasure of the attendees.

Quilt Photography Workshops

Quilt Photographer Gregory Case will be accompanying me on another cruise, the Mexican Riviera cruise November 7-14, 2009. Greg is a very gifted photographer and works with many well known quilters and fabric artists across the country. Greg will be providing workshops on not only how to improve our personal picture taking skills, but he will be showing all who are interested how to get those great shots for juried contest consideration!

Join us for a week of fun in the sun and on the sea. Http://worldofquiltstravel.com/Mexico.htm