Trip to Panama, Part 3

 I am not sure what tree this was, I just thought it was interesting. (I have been told that its breadfruit)

 A beautiful catamaran parked near the islands.

 The dock on our island

 Our boat was out in the water so the boatman stripped down to his underwear and swam out after it.

 And pulled it to the dock

 Back in Panama City (and civilization) with the molas I purchased spread out on my bed, ready for me to take the blouses apart.

 My room was a studio with a cute little kitchenette

 And a table for eating.

And even flat screen TV.  What more could you want?  OK!  There was a Casino across the street and a McDonalds up the block

Trip to Panama Part 2

 Another view from the balcony

 The parrot loved to visit me upstairs

 He kept wanting to steal my shoe laces

 Families gathered in the evening for ball games in the open square

 The parrot was acting out at dinner time

 So the owner's daughter took him for a time out on the fence

 Views from the dock

Thread for sale at a store on one of the large islands

More Molas from Panama

Most of the molas I purchase in Panama are on blouses (Mola is actually the Kuna word for blouse) and I have been spending the last few days taking them apart. There are two molas on a blouse. This beautiful mola is a peacock.

Notice the very tiny little embroidery stitches, the rick rack type edge and the small colored appliques surrounding the bird. All signs of excellent work. $37

This mola is more of a traditional style although i am not sure of its meaning.

Note the rick rack type trim again and those orange strips are applique if you can imagine making them that small. If you click on the image you may be able to see the tiny applique stitches. $37 (SOLD JULY 1)

This exquisite mola reminds me of Southwestern Folk Art. In addition to the usual fabulous applique it is filled with exquisite tiny embroidery stitches. Most of the ones on the dog are round which is unusual.

You can see some of the tiny chain and circle embroidery stitches. $54. (SOLD JULY 2)

This is one of the most exquisite molas I have ever purchased. It was obviously made by a master mola maker. The butterflies begin as one piece and then are cut out and turned under. The tiny holes are punched in the fabric and then all the edges are turned under and stitched with all but invisible stitches.

The big black dots are made in the same way but here they are TWO layers. Incredible.

The green dots are single punch holes which are all painsakingly turned under and stitched. $54.