Mostly cross stitch and some more

Desserts and stitching

2012-01-30T21:47:00.000+05:30

Hello dear friends. I am sure all of you have been very busy stitching and crafting.

This time I decided to try something simple for weekend dessert. I made a cheesecake base and had 2 desserts in a weekend

This was the cheesecake base. V wanted to have strawberry and chocolate variations. So...

That's the strawberry cheesecake. And...

That's the "chocolate" cheesecake. I had a little bit of nutella left over. So, used that as the topping along with hershey's chocolate syrup. Yes, it was as sinful as it sounds. And totally yummmmm...

And I do have a little progress to show you on Jan cottage

I am simply loving each stitch that I am putting into this design. Love the way the colors stand out.

So, my dear dear friends that's the update from me for now. Till my next update.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Cottage SAL

2012-01-24T10:02:00.000+05:30

Dear friends, thank you so much for leaving behind your lovely comments :)

I contacted the vendor and they said this is not how the box should be. But unfortunately, they not replace items to India. So, I have to glue the ends back.

Now, for the better part of the post. Yes, I do have some progress made on the JAN cottage

Isn't it a beauty?! I made a mistake last night while stitching the leaves and had to frog them all out and re-do them. I did not receive the recommended WDW and crescent floss along with the kit I ordered. So, I would have to finish the remaining portions while I wait for that to arrive.

Well, that's about it from me for now dear friends. Till my next post.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Jan TUSAL

2012-01-23T18:57:00.000+05:30

This year I decided to join the TUSAL 2012. Here's a quick post..

Yep, that's all the stitching I could do.

I do have a new start in Jan cottage. Would post pictures very soon
Till then dear friends.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Look what arrived

2012-01-12T00:39:00.000+05:30

This being the first post of the year, I am totally elated. Any guesses?

The postman came knocking yesterday, with my most awaited parcel - yes, the January cottage came knocking

I am itching to start stitching. While I was ordering I also took advantage of the opportunity and ordered a long time wish I had - a sudberry house box

Isn't it a beauty. But this is how it is

Any idea if this is how it normally is? Or is the box damaged? Please please be kind and say that it's not damaged
On the stitchy front, I have only a teeny weeny progress on the seashells. Till my next post..
Take care..Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Adieu 2011 - Welcome 2012

2011-12-31T23:45:00.000+05:30

I can't believe it's already time to say good bye to yet another year. Here's a quick re-cap of the year that was and my finishes.

Let me start with my resolutions for 2011 and what I managed to keep up:
1. A veggie a day
2. A fruit a day
3. A piece of choc a day (to whet my sweet tooth and not to deprive myself of anything) and last but defffinitely not the least
4. (atleast) a stitch per day

Not that many resolutions, are they? But they were tough to keep up all the same, trust me. Of course #3 was the easiest of the lot ;) I definitely managed 1 and 3. A fruit a day - well, I have to admit that I have not been very sincere in that. And also, a stitch a day did get affected thanks to a lot of other activities and work. But overall, I am happy with the number of finishes I have had over the year. Especially considering that I think this was the most fruitful year when it comes to crafting

And now, what are to be my resolutions for 2012?! Am I brave enough to include more to the list above? Of course, my dear friends. So, here I go:
I have decided to stick to the above for sure.
1. A veggie a day
2. A fruit a day
3. A piece of choc a day (to whet my sweet tooth and not to deprive myself of anything) and last but defffinitely not the least
4. I am going to change "A sticth a day" to "A craft a day"
5. A stretch of brisk walk a day (any time between 20 -30 minutes is a stretch)
6. A handful of nuts a day.

Ok, now for my favourite part. Stitchy finishes of 2011

This is very special as it was my first ornament finish

I was unable to take a picture after I catually finished the bookmark unfortunately. It came out very well

Again, my first ever tin finish

Last but not the least the quaker welcome, which welcomes people home now :)
And now, as we embark into an all new year, I take with me a new project by Janlynn

I can't claim great progress, but have tried to put in atleast half a row daily.

Also, this year I have joined the Cottages SAL being co-ordinated by Vonna over here
And during 2011, I have made such wonderful friends through the blogging world. Dearest friends, without all your support and encouragement I am sure I would not have managed to have even these finishes. I cannot thank you enough for the support.

If you are still around, friends Wish you all a very very Happy, prosperous and a splendid Year 2012. Let it be everything happy, crafty and stitchy.
Till we meet in an all new year.. Take care.. Be Happy.. Keep Stitching.. Au Revoir

TUSAL

2011-12-25T13:44:00.001+05:30

Wishing all my dear friends a very Merry Christmas. Have a great day with near and dear ones

This is going to be one of my shortest posts I guess. Today being new moon day, it's time to share my TUSAL for december

That's it from me dear friends for the day.
Till my next post, Be merry.. be happy.. take care.. keep stitching.. Au revoir

Baking and a new start

2011-12-06T00:11:00.000+05:30

Yep, that's what I've been upto the last few days. We've had quite a lot of rain the last few weeks and it's only a week now since we've had a continuous dry spell. As a result, V's school has been closed for about 2 weeks - first thanks to the rain, second the water's still not drained from their school campus!!!

Now, how to keep her occupied?! She wanted to do something "on her own" with minimum help from me. Our first attempt was to bake some blueberry muffins

She was not satisfied as I had to help her quite a lot. So, we made some "magic" bars.

These really are magic!! It's one of the simplest and yet yummiest things I've baked. Not even mixing involved. So, this was done totally by V!! She was totally thrilled with the output

Guess what, I've joined in my first ever SALs!!! This is the cottages SAL that's being hosted by Vonna. She has started a special blog for this SAL.
I am totally in love with the pattern and have placed an order for the complete supplies for January from ABCstitch. Am sooo excited to start on it. With my stitching "speed" I hope I can keep up with all the great stitchers.

And finally, yes I do have a new start. I have started working on "Collecting seashells" by Janlynn.

It's a teeny weeny start, but am already loving it. The aida that came along with the kit is great too.

And again.. I did it this year.. I forgot my bloggoversary!!! How could I?!?! It came and went by in November very quietly. Anyway, am really really happy that I've pulled along this long.
And this definitely would not have happened without all the immense support and encouragement from all my dear friends.
Thank you so very much for stopping by. Please do leave behind your lovely comments as a token. It's lovely to come back to the kind words.
So, my dear friends, till my next update.. Take care.. Keep stitching.. Be happy.. Au Revoir

UK Expreience

2011-11-14T00:44:00.000+05:30

Here I am dear friends, with updates from my UK trip. The trip was an official one, but I had a weekend to go around as much as I could and eat/see/BUY of course!!!

The first place I visited was the Victoria & Albert Museum. I had a whole list of museums suggested by colleagues, but I selected this mainly because of the William Morris artefacts that they had in the gift shop!! I was overjoyed, would I miss an opportunity to even have a look at all these beautiful things.

This is a very pretty handkerchief embroidered in Lucknowi (A place in India) style. Loved the intricacy and the detailing in the workmanship. This was one of the exhibits in the museum

This here is an antique doll. Look at the features on the doll's face, the gown!! Everything about the doll is so pretty. These were a few of my favorites from the V&A.

On Saturday, took the train to London Paddington to go around London. My eyes immediately fell on the Paddington bear store. I was spoilt for choices there.

After a loong time, I finally bought these from there - a magnetic bookmark, a fridge magnet and a tin of mints. I also bought a book called the "Original story of Paddington", but V has it with her and so I was unable to take a picture of it.

As I had a very short time, I thought that the best option to see as much as possible of London would be a package tour. So, I took one of the open bus tours.

That was the great bus that took me around London. It was great fun.
The last day of the weekend, I walked around Picadilly. I simply loved the life around the place. Then went to Hamley's to buy a few toys for V. I could not believe the number of toys there. I bought a few souvenirs from around Picadilly. As is my norm, I bought as many different kinds of magnets to add to my collection.

Apart from magnets, I also bought a few trinkets, like snow globes, scarves etc.
Now, how would a trip to any place be complete without visiting the local crafts supplies store. After great amount of googling and asking around I managed to find a crafts store in the same county as I was in. So, the day before I left, I went there to call my trip complete. Here are all the stashy goodness I bought.

I thought these trimmings to be very pretty and would add a bright touch to our crafts.

This shell pendant was so pretty that I could not pass it :)

And yes, a pair of scissors too.

As hard as I tried not to buy any more kits, I really fell in love with the bright colours.

This is a plain wooden frame. I thought it would be great to cover it with a cross stitch cover.

I had about half a day on the day I was leaving. So, I went to Windsor to look around the castle. There was not sufficient time to go into the castle, so had to be content by walking around and taking as many pictures as I could. The Windsor & Eton central station itself was a great place to shop.
The first store I saw here was the Little Box Company, that had sooo many of these pretty little things.

A very little cushion caught my attention here, and guess why. It was a Morris design!!! Was I not delighted. Here is the pretty little thing

And now that am back and life is back to routine, it's time to embark on my next project.

So, dear friends, that's about my experience in the UK. I definitely did miss V a lot, but I think overall it was a great experience.
Till my next post.. Take care.. Be Happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Hi There.. Am back

2011-11-09T21:28:00.000+05:30

Wow, it's almost a month since my last post!! I am just catching up with all that I've missed while I was away. Hope you all are doing great and have been stitching hoards :)
Now, I have sooo many pictures to share. Not just from my trip to UK, but also all the beading that I did.

I am thinking of splitting this post in two. So, this would just be updates on my beading
Here I go...

I did my best to format the pictures well, so that they don't look too cluttered. There was a charity event going on at my cousin's office. And she wanted me to make some jewellery to sell. These are a few of the pieces I made. Some I copied designs from what I made for myself earlier, so they are replica.

So dear friends, this is all from me for the day. Promise to show you all that I got from UK tomorrow.
Till then.. take care.. be happy.. keep stitching. au revoir

Very much here

2011-10-11T02:55:00.000+05:30

Yes my dear friends.. Am very much here. I am currently in the UK for a couple of weeks. I hope you have all been doing great and are really busy completing, starting, working on projeccts.

Oooh I've really missed my needle and thread. But I have finalized on what my next project is going to be. I am going to do a pillow. I do not have a new picture yet, but the picture is here in my earlier post. Hope to start working on it during the week.

And on the beading front, I have quite a few pictures to show you all. I've been reeaaally busy beading and making jewellery for a charity. I am waiting breathlessly for how it all goes, and how the reaction was. But right now, I am too tired to copy the pictures over.

Ok my dear friends, I am now going to call it a day and hit the sack. Thank you very much for stopping over.

Till my next update (am sure it's going to be a pictury one).. take care.. be happy.. keep stitching.. au revoir

Framed!!

2011-09-27T22:03:00.000+05:30

Hello, my dear friends. Wow, am truly overwhelmed and thoroughly excited to see all your comments :d Thank you all so so much.

Now, this post is going to be a very quick one to show you the Welcome, framed!!

You can see my arms there reflected in the glass. Could not avoid that, any ideas how to avoid objects reflected in the glass?? Probably something to do with the lighting?

I am working feverishly on a few beading projects I've taken up. So, no new starts as of now. But I am contemplating starting another small project. Yet to start rummaging in my stash, yey!!

So, my dear friends, this is it from me today. Till my next update..Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

A wedding, baking and a finish!!

2011-09-21T16:13:00.001+05:30

Hello my dear friends. I have been bad and not updated the latest happenings for a few weeks now. There was just too much going on. So, here I go..Let me start with the wedding.

Sep 11th was my cousin's wedding. And what fun we all had. It was a great family get-together after many years. Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews.. everybody enjoyed alike.

And the kids especially had a gala time. It was good to watch them have so much fun. Took me back to my own childhood days and how we all used to enjoy weddings. Ok, now for some pictures.
Vaishnavi wanted "long hair" for the wedding. So, here she is with her hair all braided up.

That's me (first on on the extreme left wearing the brown saree with the purse) with all the cousin sisters, showing off our brand new sarees :)
I baked a chocolate cake for my cousins for the mehendi ceremony. Decided to try my hand at some icing. So, made mint icing.

I used fresh cream for the topping. I saw in a TV show that if we beat fresh cream it becomes nice and fluffy where it just stays as a "peak". But am not sure if I did not beat it enough. It was quite runny. Tasted yummy though.. Would like to try this fresh cream again and get it right. Any suggestions or ideas please on how to go about this?
Another cake I baked was for my dad's birthday. This was again a chocolate cake.

This time I tried Coffee butter cream frosting. Came out yuuummmyyy...

And dear friends, yes I finally have finished Welcome!!! Isn't that absolutely great.

I simply love the way it has turned out. Love the way the black stands out of the fabric. I can't wait to get it framed and put up at home. Am definitely going to do this again later as a gift
I do not think I am going to start on a new cross stitch project just yet. I am going to concentrate on some beading for a while before taking up a project.
So, dear friends that's it from me for the day. Thank you sooo much for your continued support and comments.
Can somebody help me with showing how to reply to a comment? I do not see the "Reply" icon below comments left. Tried to read up help, but am sure that I am missing something.
Till next time.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Some celebrations, some beading

2011-08-29T21:43:00.001+05:30

Hi friends. Hope all my friends in the coastal part of US were not affected by Irene!!

First, a very hearty welcome to my new followers. I really hope you enjoy my blog and I keep you interested. I cannot thank you all enough to keep me inspired in crafting :)

Last friday was the 10th anniversary celebrations at V's school. V acted in a play that was a part of a scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows - part 2. She was Hermione.
The scene they enacted was where Harry, Ron and Hermione are accompanied by the goblin to gringott's to get the horcrux and escape on a dragon.

From where we were, this was all I could capture of them getting away on the dragon. Other pictures were too hazy. Hope the pictures taken by the school are good.

Doesn't he look exactly like Harry?!! Could not find Ron around when I clicked this picture, and V was just waiting to get rid of her costume.

Now for some crafty pictures. Made some more jewellery last weekend. This time it is completely hand made.

Now, I don't know why this picture is rotated, it looks alright on my computer :(

The beads were actually plain wooden beads that my dear brother got from Michaels. On saturday afternoon V brought her poster colors and insisted I give her something to paint. So, I dug these out and helped her with just some mixing of colors. Otherwise, she did the coloring. After that, we let it dry for a day and I gave the golden "touch" to the beads and strung them last night. I might just re-string them into a new design later.

I do not have any stitchy updates this time. So, with that let me wrap up for now.
Till my next update.. take care.. be happy.. keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Soo.. much to update

2011-08-22T21:57:00.000+05:30

Hello my dear friends. It has been a while since my last update. But, boy do I have updates for you to make up for all the silence.

Let me start with some celebration. 19th was V's birthday.. she's 7 now!!! Time sure does fly.

Clicked this picture just in time to catch the flair of her gown, hence the shake.

This time we ordered a Dora cake for her. I wanted Dora to wear a similar gown like V's!! Mother's fancies I tell you

Ready to make a wish :)

I tried something new in beading - something more than just 2 strands. This time a more funkier look (I think). Used some multicolor seed beads and Coral chip beads.

For the ear-rings, tried something different than the usual hanging. What do you think?

And now for the juicy part.. Guess what, I have Stash!!! I know, am very bad when am going at a snail's pace with my current work. But just could not resist ordering some fabrics from 123stitch when little brother was coming home from the US.

Ordered the required threads and fabric for LHN's The Bookshelf pattern too. Hoping to start on that soon. Also ordered some red silk thread.

Now for my stitchy progress.

Am taking my own sweet time to finish this up. Am loving each stitch I put in this.
That's my updates for now friends.Till my next update.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir..

A century and Giveaways

2011-08-09T21:27:00.000+05:30

I did not realize in my last post that it was my 100th post!!! I can't believe that I have managed to keep it going for 100 posts. And thank you all for supporting and encouraging me all through. I really would not have been able to accomplish as many finishes as I have without all your support.

Guess what, for those who do not already know - there are 2 must-not-miss give-aways.

The first one is from Lynn

Aren't these real beauties? To be able to enter in the give-away click here

The 2nd give-away is by Sarah @ Craftymoo.

To be able to enter this give-away click here

Yes, I do have some updates too. But unfortunately have no pictures yet. So, please wait till my next post for more from me.

Thank you so much again for all your support. Please do leave your comments if you have stopped by. It's great to read all your comments :)

Till my next update.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Quick update

2011-08-01T22:08:00.000+05:30

This is going to be a very short and a quick update from me. Not much has been happening on the crafty side. It's not the mojo exactly, but things are a bit slow.

Well, I baked some Banana nut bread over the weekend for my aunt and uncle's visit.

I got the recipe from here. I substituted the egg with milk as suggested by Sumi in the blog. Also instead of using 2 cups flour, I used 1 cup oatmeal and 1 cup flour. It turned out very moist and fluffly.

And here's my progress on Welcome. Sorry about all the wrinkles in the fabric. It's been caused by keeping it folded :( I know it's not much of a progress, but something all the same.

So friends, wasn't that quick? Till my next update..Take care..Be happy..Keep stitching..Au Revoir

More Stash!!!

2011-07-11T16:32:00.000+05:30

Hello dear friends, hope you have all been very busy with.. well life and loads of stitching :) I definitely have been busy, but very little stitching. For some reason have been very tired of late. So kind of low on the crafty mojo. Anyway, am just taking it as things come, a day at a time.

I did do some baking. I looove cinnamon rolls. I just can't have enough of them (whenever I do get them). So, I did some browsing on various recipes and with my friend's help, found this recipe on Epicurious. Here's the outcome

I know, it does not look very "rolly", and it was not the dripping roll. It was much harder than it should be. But well, it did taste of cinnamon :)

I had some of the cinnamon "filling" left over from the rolls. I did not feel like venturing again into the rolls yet. So, decided to use them up in cookies.

They came out real yummm. I added some raisins to make it slightly chewy.

Now for my stitchy update. As I said, I did not do much stitching. This is all I could do in aaallll these days.

Am loving working on this. Just love the combination of the fabric and the thread. Am using 18 ct Aida and black anchor thread.

And now, for the best part.. S.T.A.S.H!!! Yes, I bought more stuff from ebay!!!

I always loved blue and white stuff and fell in love with the pattern right away. Got both along with the shipping for about 19USD :d

I have a vision of dedicating a wall in our apartment to cross stitch. Planning to call it the cross stitch wall or maybe crafty wall. Also, going to start stitching seasonal stuff and change displays around the house according to season. This is just a vision. The rate at which I stitch, I might take a life time doing all this. LOL!!

That's all the news from me for today.
Till my next update..Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Finished

2011-06-27T19:51:00.000+05:30

Well, if you think that I've already finished the Quaker Welcome.. No way!!! What I mean is that I finally managed to put the round tin finish together.

That's an inside-out view of the tin.

And that's the side profile. Overall I think it has turned out quite well. I think it still could have been a neater job than this one. Especially the folding of the fabric.

Took me a lot of courage to start working on this. But after this, am much more confident of finishing a few more like this.

I went shopping last Saturday for some embellishments and findings for finishing up. And look what I found!!

Am majorly thrilled with what I got. A small store had soo much in it!! They used to have buttons earlier, unfortunately they did not have any when I went.
Guess, what.. Birthday celebrations continued over the weekend as well. Look what I got from my SIL

She gifted me this awesome William Morris book by Barbara Hammet!!! Am sooo in love with it and can't wait to stitch a few :d
Over the weekend I decided to "dress up" some of my new kurtas.
The pictures below are the before (on the left) and the after (right)

For some reason, the after and before pictures do not match. I do not remember if I changed the settings of my camera!!
Both the "embellishments" I used were pairs of my old ear-rings. I especially love the magenta/pink one more. I just stitched on both the ear-rings on the kurtas for that extra touch.

And after a long time, I have some beading to show you too. This is a neck piece and a pair of ear-rings I made.. well, for myself!!

Wow, the weekend was definitely fulfilling!! Wish every weekend were like this :d

Hope my next update bring in more stitchy update.

Till then friends.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

My next project

2011-06-23T20:10:00.003+05:30

Hello friends, how've you all been doing? Hope there's been a lot of stitching and crafting.

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and suggestions. I will attempt to finish the tin (hopefully) soon.

After a loot of going through free designs, books I have etc, I finally decided on what to stitch next. It's going to be my first quaker project!!!

Yes, am definitely thrilled. Am changing the fabric to a beige 18ct aida. The thread remains black. I did start on this, but it is too small to post a picture of my progress yet.

I have been wondering, how to respond to a comment to the commentor's email id? I somehow could not find how to do that. I usually end up responding by posting a comment on their blog instead. Sometimes it's better to respond by mail.

So, that's it from me for now.

Till next time.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

B'day gift

2011-06-09T21:25:00.005+05:30

I've been very bad lately. Have been buying so much stash!! I discovered last week that Ebay (US) ship to India!!! Yay!! Isn't that great news??!!

Look what arrived in last night's post

I fell in love with this design at first sight!!!

A closer look at the design and the linen.

And what's more, it was being sold with the linen too. I grabbed the offer. It came at $15 and a shipping of $4. I was so glad that somebody ships directly to India and that too at such a reasonable price.

To top it off, what's better is the timing of the arrival. Well, I celebrated my b'day today. And could there have been a better gift than this

Till my next update.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

And a Finish!!!

2011-06-06T17:27:00.005+05:30

Hope everybody's been stitching a lot anf life has been good :)

Guess what, I really do have a finish this time!! This was really a quick one even by my standards!!

This was a freebie available from Manka's blog here. I had to change the brown, used for the flower pot, to a different one as I could not get the drab brown mentioned in the pattern. So, I used a shade from my stash. Though it's not too bad, probably it would have been better with the drab brown.

Now for me to actually "finish" it. I plan to use this on a tin.

I looked up various sites for tutorials on finishing into a round tin, but only found Altoid tins, which are rectangular. Any suggestions/ideas please??!!

Guess what, I now have 20 followers!! A very warm welcome to Thomas (could not find a blog), my good friends Radhika and Keerthi. Keerthi's a great cook and has just started a cookery blog of her own. You can view her simple yet tasty recipes here. Both Radhika and Keerthi are great cross stitchers. In fact, it is thanks to them that I am into cross stitch now, and am loving every moment of it :d

Thank you all sooo much for stopping by and more so for leaving your lovely comments. It's great to come back and read them all :d

Till my next post.. Take care.. Be happy.. Happy stitching.. Au Revoir

Thank you and a new start

2011-05-24T22:26:00.009+05:30

Yay, I have another follower!!! Thank you soo much Mylene for joining in and leaving such lovely comments :) I am greatly honoured that you added my name to your side bar. Thanks a ton again :d

I finally managed to pick up the needle again and start on the next project.

This is just a teeny weeny progress but am already loving the way it looks. Love the colours as well.

I also managed to work on a neck-piece on Sunday.

And a closer shot at the "cluster" which acts as a pendant

The design has been on my mind for a while inspired by many designs I've seen on other sites as well. So finally got to work on it when I could not fall asleep on Sunday night. I started working on this on Sunday midnight!! Crazy right. Well, by the time I finished up it was 3am Monday morning!!! Yes crazier, I know. But once I started, it was soo addictive that I could simply not go to bed with this one incomplete. Well, I had to rip my eyes open to get to work the next day, that's a totally different story - hehe.

So, dear friends this is it from me for today. Hope to have finished the design am working on now on my next post.

Thank you for dropping by. Do leave your comments and suggestions.

Till then.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

First ever ornament!!

2011-05-09T16:02:00.009+05:30

A belated Happy Mother's day to all my dear friends and lovely mothers :)

After a while of being down, I feel good today (well almost). The weekend was quite good. Finally managed to go out and buy some materials to help me finish off my crafts. I managed to get some great fabrics. Unfortunately I have not taken any pictures of them. Would definitely post some with my next post.
With that I was able to finish off my first ever ornament!!!

Sorry about the poor picture. Made a twisted cord with a mix of the same pink used for the "V" and an off-white

That's a first again for me. So am pretty thrilled with the finish.

After a while, I also have a beading finish to share. Last Friday was my niece's birthday. So, I made this necklace for her. Also made some custard in my never-ending attempts to include fruits in our daily diet!!

This is plain custard with apples. V was a little upset that I did not peel the skin off the apples. But sweet baby managed to eat it without too much of a fuss, thanks to the custard. Infact, I was gifted with a sticky kiss after this as a treat :) Happy mother's day to me I guess haha

Edited to include my next project. After a loot of browsing and hunting for a new project, I have decided to start another small one while I gather the materials required for my next big one.

I plan to work on a freebie by Manka. The design is here. I fell in love with the colours and the design is something that I've never worked on before.
So, friends that's from me for now.
Till my next update.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir..

And another..

2011-05-04T20:38:00.004+05:30

FINISH!!! Yes, I have finally finished the illusion bookmark I was working on.

I plan to back this with decorative paper and get it laminated to preserve the stitching.

And guess what, I have another follower. Thank you soo much for joining my blog Ruth. I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy yours :)

Well friends, that's all from me for today. Am still trying to decide what my next project is going to be. Want to definitely take up something larger and challenging. Would update you very soon on what it's going to be.

Till then.. Take Care.. Be happy.. Keep Stitching.. Au Revoir

Swami

2011-05-03T17:19:00.004+05:30

I start this blog today by offering my humble and sincere pranams at the Lotus Feet of our beloved Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who attained Samadhi on 24th april.
Swami has been mother, father, friend, philosopher and guide. My brother and I were born into a Sai family and have worshipped Him right from our birth!! Swami has guided us in His gentle and kind way at soo many instances. When we cross a rough patch and then look back some time later, we would realize that there was His hands in bringing us out of the situation unscathed.

Though Swami has been preparing all His beloved children for this day some way or the other, when the day did finally come it was nothing but a shock. Tears flew abundantly and they wouldn't stop. Now it's over a week and well, I am just trying to come to terms with the truth still.

Having said all this, the definite truth is that Swami would definitely not stop guiding us. He is still with us, in us.

We love you Swami. Jai Sai Ram

Holidays and shopping

2011-04-18T21:48:00.009+05:30

Hello friends. Hope you've all been busy crafting/stitching :) Well, I've done absolutely none. But then it's the summer holidays and school has closed. We went on a short trip to Bangalore.

It was a great trip with site-seeing and shopping, of course!! What trip is complete without the shopping :)

We started the trip with a trip to one of the new malls in Bangalore. They were celebrating their first aniversary.

Found a store there that sold these lovely trinkets. I got some lovely magnets to add to my collection.

They had displayed a similar wall hanging and said they did have a magnet. Spent about 20 minutes looking for these!!! I really loved them.

Am sure you can guess why I bought the "Toys" magnet - yep to humour V. But isn't it cute too :)

Day 2 started at the zoo. The zoo is very famous for the wild animals being free. We have to take a ride on the grand safari to see the wild life.

A wild elephant welcomed us first by blocking our way. Or should I say, we were in its way to have a drink!!??

Then came the lion(es)s!!!

They were so close that we could have touched them

And then the tigers. But the tigers were not set free as you can see. Probably because they are restless souls

The icing on the cake was to evidence a peacock dance LIVE!!! It was the best thing ever

I could not get a better shot :(

I have heard that peacocks dance when it rains with happiness. But the sun was high up shining brightly. Wonder of wonders that same evening there was real heavy downpour!!! Isn't nature amazing!!

Well, that's all from me for now. No stitchy update from me today. Hope to show you a finish in my next post.

Till then.. Take care.. Be happy.. Keep stiching.. Au Revoir :)

And we won!!!

2011-04-05T21:25:00.007+05:30

Yay!!! We won the world cup!! India are the world champions in cricket!! Isn't it awesome. After 28 years, now India are the world champions again!!! Am sooo excited. The final match was so exciting till the end. It was an absolute nail-biting finish. Our apartment association had organized a big screen and projector for the match to be relayed in the lawn. The second half was watched by almost everybody in the apartment - old and young - together.

Apologize for the poor picture, but that was the big screen telecasting the match.

All ladies had b(r)ought a whistle to join in th excitement and children brought any noise-making device that they had. Boy, was it electrifying!! And when the captain MS.Dhoni hit the winning shot - and what a shot it was!! - there was such a great roar that went up!!! This is right after the winning shot!! Everybody crowded in the front as close to the screen as possible and Sachin being taken around I had (coincidentally?) made a new sweet and it turned out that we had the sweet to celebrate our win. This was a new recipe that I found in the latest Goodhouse Keeping magazine. It's called Chenna pudding

This time I do not have a stitchy update. It's too little to be shown here.

Guess what, I have a new follower!!! I now have 15 followers :d Thank you all for your encouraging comments and suggestions. Am inspired by each and every one of you to keep goin on my crafting expeditions. Thank you soo much again. Words are not enough to express how much you inspire me :)

So.. till my next update. take care.. keep stitching.. Au Revoir... :)

A new arrival!!

2011-03-28T19:44:00.014+05:30

Guess what, we have a new arrival in the family. My sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful little girl on the 20th March early morning!!! Am I a happy aunt now :d:d:d. Well, we are not allowed to take any pictures of the baby till she's atleast 45 days old. So, can't share any pictures now

I did catch up on some crafts last weekend. First some new baking.
I tried my hand at eggless marble cake. I used my regular eggless sponge cake recipe by Nita Mehta for this. Vaishnavi helped me with the "marbling" effect :d

And it came out real yumm. I added some walnuts too for a change

On the beading front...

This is a new set I made.. well for myself!!! Like hubby says "If you do everything for yourself, do you plan to sell anything at all"??!! Good question, ain't it? Hehe. But I sooo love this!!!

But then, these days many of my aunts are coming to me to string something for them. I think that is great progress, right?

And yes, I do have a stitchy update too!!

I admit, the progress is a teeny weeny bit. But of late I've not been able to put in a stitch a day :( Anyway, am happy with atleast this much progress definitely. I plan to gift this to somebody, still thinking whom to :)

Tried my hand at changing the format by including the images on the sides. For some reason, there were too many gaps between each image and the next line once I published!! So, am reverting back to my original format

So that's all from me for now. Till my next update.. Take care.. Keep stitching.. Be happy.. Au Revoir :)

Staaash

2011-03-16T22:27:00.007+05:30

Hey all, hope you all have been doing great and stitching a lot :)

Yep, am excited and very happy. Guess why!! My dear bro had been to the US for a short period and wasvery very kind to get me some stuff a.k.a STASH!!!!

And here I go showing off all my new stuff to you. First the beads he got from Michael's

This is the assorted beads he bought
Anndddd... check out my new patterns...

Thank you sooo much Meari for suggesting some good sites :) I ordered these from 123stitch.com. What a collection of patterns they have!!

And now for some crafty updates.. Last sunday Vaishnavi was very adamant that she wanted to do something "Art and crafty" with me!!! So, here's what we did

This was a plain mobile phone holder that I had won in a competition years ago. We decided to give it a makeover.

Finally for some stitchy updates, albeit a very teeny progress :(

Am really liking the way this is turning out. Love the combination of colours :) Can't wait to finish it.

Thanks a lot Lynn for showing me how to make the change. Would change it soon :)

So, that's all from me for today. Till next time... Au Revoir.. Take care... Keep Stitching :)

Mark this

2011-02-22T22:30:00.004+05:30

Hello dear friends. Hope everybody's been doing well and have been busy stitching. Am back after a short break, well just from stitching!! Work has been crazy the whole of February till date and my crafting has taken the obvious back-seat :(

But then, here I am with my update. Yes I do have a fresh new start to report!! This time am working on a book mark as promised. I decided to use a freebie that I found in some site while looking for free designs. Ok, let me share pictures
A closer lookI am using anchor equivalents of the suggested DMC. Initially, I started working on a pre-finished book-mark, but later found that it would look better on perforated paper.
After working so much on this design, am really loving the way its turning out and can't wait to finish it.
Ok, time to sign off now. Till my next update, happy stitching.. Take care.. Au Revoir

And... Voila!!!

2011-02-02T19:09:00.004+05:30

Am sure you must have guessed what I meant in my subject!!! Yes, I do have a finish.. my first one for the year.
Am really really happy that I have a finish within a month of the year's start!!! Have always been slow and this finish has given me a lot of encouragement.

Now, I need to get some stuffing and fabric for finishing it into an ornament. Tell me something, would cotton do for the filling? What other material is used normally?

Am soo sad that an art and craft supplies store that was very close to my house has closed down!!! That was so handy. I need to find an alternative. We have so few stores in India who sell craft supplies. Really wish we had a Michael's here!!! I love that store. Siiiggghhh

Another store that I really wish were in Chennai is, The bath and body works. Yummm. Though we do have so many others now, nothing is close to b&b!! I love that store too. Hmmm.

So much for my wishful thinking now!! Last week I had a wonderful 2.5 days in the divine presence of our own Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi).

Ooh, what an energizing 2.5 days they were...

Now I have to select my next project. I have a few patterns for a bookmark. I also have a kit (bookmarks) by dimensions. But I do not feel like picking it up yet. Probably would go in for something from the freebie gallery I saw yesterday. Liked a few bookmark patterns that I saw yesterday.

Ok, that's from me for now. Till my next update.. take care.. Keep stitching. Au revoir.

Did I speak too soon??

2011-01-21T21:48:00.002+05:30

...About sticking to "A-stitch-a-day"??!! Because have been sooo tired the whoole week. And I've not been able to pick up my stitch at all.

What can be worse, but that when I did pick it up last, I realized that I had made a mistake right at the tooop of the right hand arm of the V!!! So, had to frog out the entire right arm!! How frustrating!! Have not picked it up ever since.. Work has been really crazy and by the time I reach home am ready to crash in bed.

Hope to make up for all the lost time during the weekend. Wish me luck guys. And hope you had a much more productive week than I did.

Till my next update.. Take care.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Giveaway

2011-01-15T23:58:00.002+05:30

This is a very quick post to let you know about the lovely giveaway Emily's having. Check it out here.

Also, do help Emily increase her follower count by following her lovely blog.

Updates

2011-01-13T09:22:00.006+05:30

Hello friends. Hope you have been having a great start to the year. Mine has not been bad at all. Firstly, I have new followers!! Thank you soo much much for stopping over. It really has made my day.. should I say year!?

This is going to be a very quick post to update you all on my progress.

Before that, I baked some oatmeal - peanut butter over the weekend.
It was not bad, but could have been softer is what I felt. Recipe courtesy here.

Now for the stitchy update....
Am quite impressed with the progress, considering my speed!!! Guess the "a-stitch-a-day" thing is working :)
Oh yes, this is a new "V" and not the one I'd posted earlier. Am thinking how am going to finish this. How would a fringed effect look??!! Am not sure if the amount of aida I've around the stitching would be sufficient for the fringing. Any suggestions friends?

Thank you soooo much again for stopping by. I'm really encouraged by all your lovely comments :)

Till my next update.. Take care.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

New Start

2011-01-04T20:56:00.002+05:30

..Literally, in many ways.

Firstly I have made a resolution !!! I know, I have never ever been one to take resolutions. But this time I thought I'd take up something workable for my own good. So, this is how it goes

1. A veggie a day
2. A fruit a day
3. A piece of choc a day (to whet my sweet tooth and not to deprive myself of anything)
and last but defffinitely not the least
4. (atleast) a stitch per day

I think (fingers crossed) that this is workable. I have not been taking very good care of my own health the last year, thanks to working in shifts. I still do work in shifts. But I don't want to be irritable all the time.

And friends, guess what??!! I do have a stitchy start too!! Great isn't it? Yes, I started working on V's ornament for her room. She changed the colour as well as pattern later!! Trust kids to be choosy. Now am doing it in pink on 18count Zweigart Aida. Am loving the way it's coming up. Sadly, there's no picture yet as I managed to do just a miniscule last night.

Ok folks, time to wrap up now. Till my next update.. Take care.. Keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Wrapping up 2010

2010-12-31T00:58:00.008+05:30

Well friends, here we are.. It's time to wrap up yet another year.

Looking back, I think it was a good year overall. And as far as my crafty finishes go, I think it was not bad at all!!

I managed complete my very first proper finish this year - The needlebook and the Lavender sachet. There were a few beading finishes too. I was not able to use the sewing machine this year. Definitely hope (should I say resolve?!!) to put it to very good use.

I managed to finish a pair of ear-rings last night. Wonder what got into me to start beading at 12.15 at night!!

I really love the way it has come out. This is another finish I had not shared with you all earlier.

This is a bracelet and a pair of ear-rings I made sometime last month.

With that it's time to wrap up 2010. Wish you and your dear ones a very happy, joyous, prosperous and stitchy 2011.

Till we meet next time.. take care.. enjoy the new year with loved ones.. Au Revoir..

Start for a new start!!

2010-12-27T20:13:00.006+05:30

Hello dear friends. Am late in wishing you all a merry christmas.

Hope everybody had a lovely wonderful christmas with your families.

As we enter yet another new year, as always, I hope to make the most of it. As promised earlier, I plan to start the year with an ornament for Vaishnavi with a V.

I downloaded a few patterns from some of the free sites and showed the shortlisted ones to her. This is what she has settled on.

She wants this to be done in blue. This is a colour I've not worked much with. So, am definitely looking forward to a completed ornament soon. As this is a one-colour project, am hoping this would not take time

So, till my next update, take care.. keep stitching.. Au Revoir

Thank you very Much

2010-12-20T22:08:00.003+05:30

Firstly, thank you all for your encouragement and comments :) This is really very encouraging for me to keep going.

You know something? I FORGOT MY BLOGGOVERSARY!!!! How could I do that?! It was in November and I remembered a good 2 months later :(

Anyway, I really cannot believe that I've managed to post on the blog for 2 years. Thank you all again for all the encouragement from the bottom of my heart.

I have now decided on my next project to be. It would be an ornament for Vaishnavi's room with her initials. She wants it to be done in blue. So, am looking for a nice pattern of the letter V. Hoping to find something soon.

There's a lovely christmas giveaway by KittyCat. Do check it out

Till my next post (hopefully with a new start).. Take care... Au Revoir :)

Finishes!!!

2010-12-13T22:14:00.006+05:30

Finally, I have a few proper finishes!!! Yes, no wonder am excited!!!

I have never properly finished up any of my cross stitches other than getting them framed or made them into a greeting card.

So, now am really really happy to finish off the year with TWO new finishes. I managed to finish up the lavender into the sachet.
Isn't it a beauty??!! I really enjoyed stitching it and finishing it. After seeing this, Vaishnavi wants one for her room/wardrobe!! Am planning to oblige her.

I was really really nervous while finishing it up. But am really impressed with the way it turned out. Now am much more confident of taking up projects that involve a proper finishing :) This is what was really blocking me from taking them up. I realized that they are much faster too as the projects are small. And we have sooo many ways of finishing projects up usefully.

Having said (well, blabbered) all that about finishing, here is my second finish.

And this is the inside

I used the tutorial from here. The instructions were very easy to follow. Thank you for the very clear instructions Meari :)

I think that I could have definitely done a much neater job. But am happy that it has turned out as it has. Not bad for the first time. I used some cotton for the padding. So, while I turned the inside out after sewing up the sides, they kind of got rolled together. Took me some time to straighten them out. I also stitched up the sides with my hand as I am not confident with my sewing machine yet. Am thinking of making some lace with black and gold thread for the edges to dress it up a bit.

So, those are my finishes for 2010!!! Please please do leave your suggestions/feedbacks for improvements.

Till my next post, take care... Au Revoir... Happy stitching...

Festive and crafty updates

2010-11-25T22:06:00.008+05:30

Hello there. Hope you are all doing good. Since this is my first update since Diwali, thought I'd start with my diwali updates.

For the sweets, I decided to try atleast one new sweet, as it was also DH's wish. So, tried my hand at Chocolate walnut burfi (recipe - courtesy Sanjeev Kapoor). It turned out very well. Also made gulab jamun to satisfy Vaishnavi.

The mixture was a savoury made by mom. And there's Vaishnavi in her Diwali dress
She sure looks sleepy still, doesn't she? Well, it was about 6am when this was taken and she was up by 4.45 or so!!

This time my tailor spoilt all my diwali clothes (ahem, yes I did have more than one!!)!! The blouse was terribly lose and he decided to make them extremely trendy with cap sleeves and reaaaaall low back (or should I say no back)!!! Excuse me, I am not a fashionista going to the oscars!!! And my salwar kameez were all really lose!! I was terribly upset. Luckily I happened to have a saree which I had not worn earlier and wore that on Diwali morning.

Vaishnavi escaped an accident by a fraction of a second. She was lighting a flower pot and we asked her to wait for one of us to finish ours to be with her. The flower pot had already caught fire but she did not notice it. She being obedient (yes, she actually is) promptly picked up the lit flower pot in her hand without noticing that it had caught fire!!! What horror!!! We were terrified!! I finally just managed to flick it off her hand when it just started flowering out!!! PHEW!! I was shaking for a while after the incident.

We met up with all our cousins in the evening at my aunt's place to enjoy some fireworks. It was great fun.

Ok, now for my crafty updates. My friend had got me some lovely beads from Singapore. I made them into a necklace.

I'm quite happy with the way it has turned out. I have 4 more beads leftover. Am still thinking whether I should make a bracelet for myself or a necklace for Vaishnavi.

And yes, I do have a stitchy update. Well, actually a finish!!!Well, atleast the stitching is over. Now for the actual finishing up. I hope to complete that this weekend.

So, friends that's my update for the day. Thanks for stopping by and do leave your comments/suggestions behind. Love to come back to read them :)

Till my next update.. Take care.. Au revoir

Happy Diwali

2010-11-04T23:51:00.001+05:30

Wish you all a very very Happy and Prosperous Diwali 2010

More festivities and updates

2010-11-01T22:07:00.004+05:30

With just 3 more days to go for Diwali, the excitement is really high. We can hear the crackers all over now. The display of beautiful fireworks is simply superb!!! The spirit is definitely higher this year than it has been the last few years.

Now, continuing my last post about Navrathri.. As is the custom, we do a Pooja to all our books, crafts, machineries, tools... just about anything on the 9th day, which is Saraswathi Pooja. On the following day, known as VijayaDasami, we take up our crafts with a new vigour and pray for victory in whatever we pursue.

On this day, it is considered very auspicious to take up any new activities. Children usually start their music/dance/arts/crafts lessons on this day.

So, I did not miss this opportunity to pick up my needle after the penance. Well mine was definitely more than the Devi's, which was just for 9 days!!! LOL.

And here's an update of my progressIt's not much, but am definitely happy I was able to put in atleast so much.

Also, I managed to try to run a few stitches on my sewing machine. But for some reason, the thread kept getting cut off!!! AAArrrgh.. It was so frustrating. Any tips as to why that would happen??!!

Last weekend I managed to complete a few jewellery for my aunt. She had these beads, which she wanted to be lengthened. She had a lovely bright green and blue. Here's what I did with the green ones

Do let me know your thoughts/suggestions on this one too.

I managed to complete the blue ones too last night. But by the time I completed it, it was almost 2am and was totally exhausted. So, could not take a picture of it yet.

See you very soon with all our diwali updates and loads of pictures. Wishing you all a very happy and safe diwali.

Till my next update.. Au Revoir.. Take Care. Do leave your comments.

Festival Season

2010-10-11T19:59:00.004+05:30

Here I am, this time with a festive update!!! Isn't it always good when the festivals are all lined up one after the other??

Dusserah (or Navrathri) has started now and into its 4th day today. This is a festival that lasts for 9 nights/10 days. Sounds like a holiday package, does it not :) This is celebrated with great fervour all over India and the customs vary in each part of India.

There are many stories attached to Navrathri. One such story is that the war between Rama and Ravana lasted for these 9 days and the 10th day is when Ravana was beheaded. So in the Northern part of India, a huge effigy of Ravan is created and burnt on the 10th day.

Another story is that of Devi. The 9 days are divided in 3 parts. The first 3 days, the Devi is celebrated as Durga, second 3 days as Lakshmi and the last 3 days as Saraswathi.

This link has the significance explained in detail.

In the South here, we setup a Golu, which is a decoration of dolls. I did not setup a Golu this year due to tight work schedule. But here's a picture I took yeterday at my aunt's place.

Please excuse me for the poor picture quality as I was not prepared to take a picture and shot this on impulse in my handphone.

There's also a belief that the Goddess meditates over a needle during the period of Navrathri and so are not supposed to use the needle. Well, this is a belief and I do try to follow it. So, have you guessed what I am getting at?? LOL!!

Yes, I have absolutely no stitchy update this time. We had taken a nice vacation to what is called God's own Land - Kerala during Vaishnavi's school holidays. We were in time there to attend Mata Amritanandamayi's (my Holy Mother) 57th birthday celebrations. We had a lovely peaceful time.

That is a picture (again taken on my handphone) of Vaishnavi. You can see the ashram in the background. If you strain your eyes just a bit more, you can see the ashram surrounded by the Arabian sea!! Ooh, it was simply lovely. The experience on the whole was awesome.

So guys this is my update for now. See you soon with few more interesting and (hopefully) crafty updates. Till then Ciaoooo.. Take Care.. Au Revoir

Crafty updates

2010-09-24T21:58:00.005+05:30

Here I am with a whole lot of crafty updates :) Am very happy to writing this post as it is going to be very crafty after a real long time.

So, let me start with the cooking. I tried my hand at Peanut butter cookies and carrot cake (both eggless of course).

Vaishnavi and I tried some recycling. We made a pen holder out of a curd container.

The idea of using shapes was Vaishnavi's. So, we made it a geometrical themed one :)

Next, and finally, a stitchy update. YES, I do have a stitchy update this time!!!

I started working on the Victorian Lavender sachet that I just got from cross stitch center. Am loving every bit of it.
I get about an hour a week to stitch. But these days I manage to put in a few stitches every day before going to bed. So, am quite happy with the progress am making.

Thank you for your lovely comments. It's very encouraging to see a few comments every time. So, till my next update, so long, take care :)

A B'day and a new start

2010-08-21T19:44:00.009+05:30

Hello guys, am back. We had a b'day to celebrate this week. It was Vaishnavi's b'day on the 19th.

After her first b'day, we had a proper b'day party this year. And what a party it was!!

Let me start with the cake. She wanted to have a cake like cinderella. So, we had a cinderella shaped cake when we went to the baker's to order her cake. And, look what it turned out to be

An actual princess!!! That's her barbie in the middle around which the cake has been made. It was a yummy butter scotch cake.

We then went out to have dinner.

By the end of the evening, we had a grumpy, tired Vaishnavi.

And now for my new start. I have started working on my lavender sachet from the new stash. It's too little a start to post a picture yet. Will post one as soon as I have a considerable number of stitches.

So, that's all from me for now folks. Till my next post, adieu... Take care.

Awesome Giveaway

2010-08-17T22:19:00.002+05:30

Lynn is having a truly awesom giveaway for her 2nd bloggoversary.

Check out her blog for details and entering your name to win the Marie antoinette gift.

Hello, after aeons!!!

2010-08-02T00:29:00.004+05:30

Hello everybody, I know it's really been aeons since I updated my blog last!! Life has really been a whirlwind of activities. Unfortunately though, none of the activities involved anything crafty, leave alone stitchy :(

I really have been missing my beads and cross stitch. But I do follow many of my favorite blogs and leave comments whenever I could.

Today, when I signed in after ages to finally update the blog, horror of horrors, my background had been moved!! So, am being forced to change the background now :)

Hey guys, guess what. I've got S.T.A.S.H!!!! YIPEE!!! Check this out.

My friends and I have been eyeing stuff on http://www.cross-stitch-centre.co.uk/ for over 3 years and we finally ordered!! I finally have my first Janlynn kit. I plan to start on the Victorian lavendar first.

So, guys hope to update you with a lot more stitchy/crafty updates in my next post. Thank you all for being patient with me. It's very encouraging to see your comments. So, do leave me all your comments :) Till my next post, adieu... Take Care

Finishes and a New Toy!!!

2010-05-24T22:15:00.010+05:30

Hey Guys, am soo excited. Any guesses on the reason?? Well, I've (finally) got myself a new toy. Check this out

Isn't it a beauty!! Well, am no stitching expert and so this really is like a toy to me. Am reeaaally excited. Have been waiting to get myself a sewing machine for almost 4 years now. The wait is finally over.

Vaishnavi has been busy too during holidays with her kind of craft.

DH had bought these plain wooden magnets (a magnet freak that I am) from Michael's last year during his trip to the USA. She tried her hand at painting them. I left the colours to her choice and here they are. I know it's not much, but then something for a start ;)

About my finishes. Here are a few jewellery finishes.

And that's not all. YES, I have a stitchy finish. My first finish in 2010!!
Now, to gather the remaining materials required to properly finish this into a needle case.

Thanks for all your lovely comments :) It really is very encouraging to see comments on a post and I value each suggestion/comment.

Till next time...Have a great stitchy week.

Pictury Update

2010-05-04T21:48:00.004+05:30

I finally have some pictures to show you all!!!!
Here are the peacock and carnations framed

I Plan to put up the peacock in our study and the carnations in the dining room.

The carnations came to me half done, passed down by my cousin. It was a no-count kit from anchor and I had a great time working on it. Doesn't it look really grand framed??

Yes, I love it too :)) Much more than the peacock.

And guess what, I finally have a new start.

I plan to finish this into a needlecase. This would be my first project which I am not framing and making into a picture. Quite nervous about it. I plan to use the tutorial posted by Meari in her blog here for the finishing. I do not have a sewing machine yet. So, hope hand stitching would do.

So, this is my pictury update for now. And do leave behind your comments/suggestions. If you think I can do something better in ay of my projects do let me know. Would love to hear from you.

Till my next update, so long....

Updates and a giveaway

2010-04-26T21:35:00.002+05:30

Guess what, I've finally got the peacock, carnations (this I finished years back) and our name board framed!!! Isn't that simply great. They have all come out very well.

Meari is celebrating 145 followers and what else, celebrating with a giveaway. Leave a comment here before the 1st of May to take part.

A Giveaway

2010-03-22T01:11:00.002+05:30

Nima is celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway. Do visit her blog. She's an amazing crafts woman :)

Great going Nima and good luck

Where have I been!!!

2010-03-22T00:22:00.007+05:30

Well, you must be wondering if I am still around!! Very much and definitely alive haha.

Life has now almost settled around the new routine, except that I just am not able to pick up my linen, needle and thread!!! I did manage to do some beading. Mostly coz, it is pretty fast to finish.

This is the project in which Vaishnavi participated in her school project. The entire project was about how our education imparts values to our daily lives. Other subjects that were covered were culinary skills, computer science, arts and crafts, drance and drama, english literature, mathematics..... It was amazing to see so much talent.

Vaishnavi spoke about God and that there is God in every thing we do. It was great to watch these small kids performing so well without any stage fear.

Yes, just one crafty picture for you today :(

I love this and made it to go with a black and mustard saree of mine.

I have decided to make a picture for Vaishnavi's room next and have asked her what she wants. She has selected 6 pictures of flowers!!! I just asked for one picture!!! But they are all small patterns. But with my current routine, wonder how fast I can finish. And this year, I owe a gift too!!! Should I set deadlines or should I not stress it out??

Ok guys, see you all very soon with atleast a stitchy start in hand and more beady updates. Till then, take care.

Hello there...

2010-02-14T23:40:00.008+05:30

How'r uuu doin??? I simply love the way Joey says that in friends!!! Wishing you guys a very happy valentine's day.

I know, I've not been in touch lately. Work has been crazy suddenly. I'm just getting into the grove of things in my new role. Am working in the European timing these days, that would be 1pm to 10pm IST. When I get back home it's about 11.30pm!!! I know, sounds crazy. And have to wake up at about 6am to get Vaishnavi ready for school. DH does pitch in wherever he can, but still am still getting used to the new routine. If I feel very groggy after Vaishnavi leaves for school, I sleep for about an hour before I get ready to leave.

Above all this, our laptop breathed its last. So, we had to get a new one and get it setup!!! We went in for a Dell Inspiron this time in pacific blue. I simply love it. I am still getting used to Windows 7 though. Especially windows explorer is very different.

Yes, you guessed it right. With the above schedule, I am just not able to think crafts. But I miss my needle and the beads a lot!!! I do take out my cross stitch design books and sigh over what alll I would love to do!!!

You know what, Vaishnavi asked me a question which has kind re-kindled my spirit for crafts. She asked "Amma, you have not done any cross stitch lately!! Why??" I definitely am much more inspired by this, and intend to start up something new. So, hope to give you some crafty updates very soon.

No, am not going to say no pictures again!!! I do have some.

I tried my hand at a new DIY dessert. One of the late nights I had a major sweet tooth. When I dug into the fridge, all I could find was 1.5 measly scoop of ice cream. So, here's the outcome.

1. Crumble some cookies in an ice-cream bowl. I used some mixed-fruit Karachi biscuits.

2. Add your favourite ice cream on top. I happened to have mixed fruit ice cream too.

3. I had left over chocolate icing. Warmed it up in the microwave. Poured over the ice cream and top it with cherries.

Voila!!! There's my just-mix-it-up dessert. And I should say it was real yumm!!!

Crafty pictures, you say? Yes, I have some of those too.

Just look at all the colourful beads I got. Again, there's a bit of reflection from the lights!!! But am simply itching to bead away!!!

And finally, this is my completed name board.

Unfortunately I have still not got my pictures framed. I just forgot about that till I got down to updating the blog!!! What a shame!!!

Ok am signing off for yet another crazy week!!! Till next time, au revoir.. take care...

New look

2010-01-18T00:32:00.002+05:30

How do you guys like the new look? I suddenly wanted something nice and girly for the blog. And this one immediately caught my attention :).

Just realized that this also goes with the fact that valentine's day is soon approaching. Not that it is very significant in our lifestyle, but it's good to keep the spirit alive all the same.

I know you all must be thinking "WHERE ARE THE PICTURES"??? Bear with me for just a little while more. Have a whole lot of pictures to post

Till then, take care. Sayonara...

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T23:11:00.004+05:30

One can never be very late in wishing people a Happy new year!!! Well, that's what I have to tell myself for wishing you all so late!! Hope you guys had a great christmas and that the year started off in a great way. Wish everybody a very very Happy, peaceful, joyous, prosperous (well, everything nice and good and all you wish for or is good for you) 2010!!!

How was my year beginning??? Well, what a beginning!!! I really had a great entry into the year career wise. The last few months, I was without a project and trying to make my time as fruitful as possible. This new year, I am back into a project which I have already worked in before. And I think it might be good.

Crafty updates??? I do have quite a bit of those too. I got quite a lot of beads from firemountaingems. I got it shipped to a friend who was coming to India. Wow, what a collection of beads I have now. And guess what!!! YES, I did finish my name board last year!!! Isn't that great!!! I really feel great.

I doubt if I would be able to do any stitching/beading at all this month, with work and a whole lot of things coming up. Hope to catch on from Feb. And guys, sorry again for not posting any pictures at all. I do promise to post pic's of all my beads and my name board (hopefully framed).

Wow, I wanted to make this a quick update. Some, quick update this is!!! Ok guys, need to hit the bed now. You know what, these days am having to wake up by 5.30 to be able to leave home by 7.45!!! I am not able to believe this myself.

Ok then, take care and have a great, stitchy year ahead. Till my next post .

Updates and progress

2009-12-22T23:42:00.010+05:30

As usual, there's sooo much to update you guys on. Wondering where to start, ummm . Ok let me first start with the small gathering we had at home in honour of my cousin's family visiting India.

My cousin, settled in New Jersey is currently visiting India for his annual vacation. As the visit is very short and they would be in Chennai just for a couple of days, I had a gathering of all relatives currently in Chennai. You see ours is a pretty large family. So, going around and meeting people would be a problem and extremely time consuming. We decided not to do any cooking at home and order some small eats from outside.

Except for the choco muffins, we ordered everything else. I could not take any pictures in my camera as I had run out of batteries. I will upload some pictures of the gathering once my uncle forwards his.

I made a small gift tag for my cousin's wife.

I got the design from "Cross Stitch Silhouettes". The card got slightly damaged while I was trying to punch a hole in it . But it was too late to re-do the finishing!!! Please, can you guys give me some suggestions as to how to finish it better??? Punching the card itself is not the thing, but how do I match the hole in the card and place a hole at the right place on the stitched piece? Also, what tool do I use to make the hole on the stitched piece??

And, yes this time I do have a picture of my name board too

Keeping my fingers crossed to meet my deadline of finishing this by year end and have it framed .

I start on my new project at work tomorrow (err, today)!!! Please do wish me luck.

Am sure, the christmas spirit is really high all over. Hope everybody has great fun getting ready for the day. Till my next update, aurevoir..

A Give-away

2009-12-10T18:41:00.002+05:30

Karyn at The Teakettle corner is having a wonderful christmas give-away. Go over to her blog to see the entire list of things that are being given as a gift!!!

A few celebrations

2009-12-06T23:57:00.007+05:30

We happened to have a couple of celebrations the last week.

One was our festival Kaarthigai Deepam. This time I tried making Pori with mom's help. All these years I only made appam and never ventured near Pori as it involved making jaggery syrup. I am slightly nervous making that. But it turned out to be a simple process and not all that time consuming.

Pori is made with puffed rice. We get various types of puffed rice. For Karthigai, we make the balls by mixing 2 types in jaggery syrup, which are Nellu Pori and Aval Pori.

The most important part is the lighting of lamps.

The significance being that, the month of Karthigai (as per Tamil calendar) is supposed to be inauspicious. So, by lighting lamps the entire month, we drive away the evil and bring home light. On the full moon day that falls in the month of Karthigai, we light many more lamps at dusk.

The second celebration that we had was MIL's 60th birthday. Though we normally don't celebrate birthdays in a big way, as it was her 60th b'day we decided to make a surprise visit. I had bought a beautiful Orissa silk saree in cream and copper-sulphate blue colour. I took the day off and baked a chocolate cake. Vaishnavi was extremeley happy with helping me decorate the cake.

It was her idea to add the cherries. So, while I cut the cherries in half, she decorated the cake with them. I added a few sprinkles. MIL was too happy with the gifts and the surprise. Doesn't it always feel nice to make others happy and see the happiness on their faces. Nothing can be more satisfactory than that.

You know what, out of the blue one day Vaishnavi said "Amma, you have stitched Vaishnavi and have not even started Akila. Go and do it now" !!! Of course she was talking about the name board. Now, do you think I would sit idle even with this. So, out came my project again after weeks!!! I am almost done with Akila (sorry folks no pictures of that yet). Hope to finish the project by year end and get that framed along with my peacock.

Of course, I made quite a few neck-hugging necklaces. Pictures in my next post for sure.

Meari wanted to know how to make samosas. You can find the recipe here http://sanjeevkapoor.com/Recipe.aspx?RecipeId=2944&Header=Searched%20Recipe&MenuId=0

So, with these updates, I am signing off. Till my next update...

My first bloggoversary!!!!

2009-11-24T23:36:00.015+05:30

I am writing this update on the eve of my first bloggoversary !!!! Wow, how a year has flown!!! Isn't it amazing. And I think the blog and all my blog friends have really inspired me this year into achieving a lot this year!!! Thank you all friends for being sooo encouraging and keeping me motivated . Words cannot express how thankful I am to each and every one of you

As a token of my appreciation and gratitude, I wish to give a small gift to my first follower Chiloe. I have not decided what yet, but I would love to make something really nice for her very soon. Thank you Chiloe for being the first one to teach me more about the blog world and also give me many more tips.

Today DD took part in an inter-school theme talk contest. The topic she was given was "Conservation of Water" And guess what, she won the 2nd prize !!!

Does she not look happy!!! So am I :)

Now, for my updates. Let me start with my experiments in the kitchen. Chennai experienced very heavy rain for about 5 days shutting us all inside the apartment . It was terrible being shut inside the house with a 5-year old unable to step out. DH somehow managed to get to work, but I could not risk dropping/picking up DD at mom's place.

So, one evening I just felt like having nice hot samosas. How could I with an incessant. The cook in me then woke up and said "Lets give it a go"!!! Here they are

Well, I finished them only around 8pm, but they did turn out real yummy. Thanks to Sanjeev Kapoor yet again. His recipes never let us down.

Another evening gave me a biiiig craving for something sweet. So, my next venture was my all time favorite Apple Pie.

And guess what it is now DD's favorite too!!! I got the recipe from http://www.joyofbaking.com/. The sides got just a bit burnt. That's mainly because I ignored (out of sheer laziness) the instruction to cover the ends with a foil for the first half an hour of baking!!!

I tried a different way of making aloo paratha too. But could not take a picture of it. Guess was too hungry .

Now, for my crafty updates. I have been doing quite a bit on the beading front of late. A few of my friends requested me to make some jewellery for them after seeing mine . So, I have been reproducing some of those. I did make a few new designs as well.

I could not take pictures of all. Here's just one of them.

This is one of my personal favourites.

And yes, I do have a stitchy update too. I have made some progress on our name board (should I be calling it a name board??? ).

Before I sign off for today, thanks a lot guys for keeping me going. I am eager to receive more feedbacks and comments. If you think I can improve somewhere, on the stitching/beading/cooking front please please please give your suggestions. I would love to improve. I love reading your blogs and comments. Keep commenting. Till my next update, take care

Updates and a reminder

2009-11-01T22:29:00.021+05:30

Hello, here I am, as promised with a whole lot of updates and pictures .

Now as I have sooo many things to update, where shall I start ... I guess our diwali celebrations woud be a good way to start.

My parents had come over on the eve of diwali to burst a few crackers with us.

That's DD in one of her new diwali clothes.

You can see my dad right behind her, escorting her!!! This is the first year she handled some sparklers on her own. So, you can see dad being extremely concerned and is hanging around as close to her as possible .

When we were kids I remember we used to be woken up by my maternal grandmother at about 4am . We were about 5 cousins (we were a joint family then) and all my aunts and uncles. By the time all of us had the oil bath (Ganga snaanam), it would be 5.30. One by one all of us would prostrate our grandparents and take our new set of clothes from them. The previous night all our new clothes, the sweets, savouries and the fire crackers would be placed in front of God. There would be a contest (an unspoken one though) as to who bursts the first cracker in the street. My aunt would be the first usually, to our greatest delight .

So, here you see I have tried to keep up atleast some of the tradition. Though, we did not wake up at 4am, we managed to wake up by 5am and go down to start bursting crackers.

I made laddoos (the traditional ones) under mom's guidance and murukkus. Then tried my hand at kaaju barfi. Everything came out real yumm .

We had to travel on the night of diwali to Coimbatore to attend a wedding. As we have many of our relatives in and around Coimbatore, we used the wedding as an excuse to visit everybody there. The 3 days we spend in Coimbatore was extremely refreshing and energizing.

On the crafty front, let me first show you what Lynn sent.

The most beautiful pinkeep!! I love the colours and the choice of fabrics. Thanks a lot to you again Lynn .

Now on my finishes on the beading front. I managed to complete 2 new sets of necklaces and ear-rings.

This one is a choker. The actual colour of the beads is a light purple, though the picture shows it differently.

This one is slightly longer, coming upto the chest.

I found this store where they sell such beautiful oxidized beads and glass and semi-precious beads. I bought a whole lot of beads last saturday. I am sure DH is going to have a fit if I go there again!!!

Finally, the most interesting part. My stitchy update!!! Here is what I have done on the name board.

I decided to use a metallic silver. Thought it would look best against black. I am trying to put in a few stitches atleast daily.

Again, a reminder on my PIF. The last date for giving your names is the 7th of November. Please post your comments if you are interested on my post dated 27th October.

Now, that's about all my updates. Till I meet you with more updates, take care

Giveaways and a PIF

2009-10-27T14:14:00.003+05:30

I wanted my pictures to be the next post, but as I had to keep a few promises, here I am with yet another no-pictures post.

I just came across these lovely giveaways at Kathy’s blog. She is celebrating her first bloggoversary. CONGRATS Kathy.

And as promised to Lynn, here I am with my PIF. Anybody interested for the PIF, please post a comment for this post alone. The winner would receive a gift from me in the next 365 days. Also, the winner needs to agree to carry on the PIF by paying it forward to somebody else. Am all excited about my first PIF.

All my holiday pictures and crafty (beady/stitch) pictures are ready to be uploaded. Hope to do so very very soon.

See you all soon with loads of pictures and stories to go with them :)

Diwali wishes

2009-10-16T18:20:00.003+05:30

A quick post to wish everybody a very very Happy Diwali!!! Wow, I am so excited. This definitely is the king of all festivals I should say. The spirits are so high right now.

The bursting of crackers started about a week ago. DD is having a ball. She is beginning to get the hang of bursting crackers now.

We are going on a very short trip tomorrow night to Coimbatore to attend a wedding. We have also combined it with a visit to all the uncles and aunts who have moved to Coimbatore.

I owe you all a very very big/long update. There's soooo much to update and sooo little time. I am yet to upload allll of my pictures.

Guess what, I have received my first PIF from Lynn . It is soooooo pretty. This is my first ever cross stitch gift and I will treasure it for my life. I cannot express in words how important it is for me. Thank you soooo much Lynn!!!

I promise a picture-y update next. Till then, a very happy diwali again.

Back after a nice long vacation

2009-10-02T22:25:00.004+05:30

I am just back and refreshed after a nice long vacation to the northern part of India. To be more precise, I am just back from the capital of our country, Delhi. DH could not accompany us and had to drop out in the last minute. So, it was just DD and me. We stayed at my cousin's place.

We were there during the entire Navarathri celebrations. So, golu this time was at my cousin's place.

On the crafty front, I do have a couple of finishes on my beading and a new stitchy start. That's right, I have started (though not a great amount) on the name board . I promise to post all pictures during the next week.

I am dead tired after a real long day. So, going to hit the sack right after I shut down and say bye bye. Till then....

Some celebrations and some finishes

2009-09-07T22:41:00.012+05:30

Let me start with the celebrations. Isn’t that always a nice way to start?

Guess to turned 5 this month. Of course, DD !!! And she has been planning for the past few months for her bday. We did not want to make it a big celebration, just family. So, she came with this idea of visiting the Sai Baba temple in the evening and then cutting the cake at home. Could anybody have made a better plan than this . And her new dress had to be a salwar kameez WITH DUPATTA!!!! And where did we shop for that. Where else but my favorite Fabindia . I am a great fan of that store. (And now DD too).

So, on the evening of 19th Aug we set off to the Sai Baba temple. This temple is set facing the beach on East Coast Road. A very quiet and peaceful place. There's our sweetie on her bday.

This was the only picture I have at the moment that was taken on her bday. And that's her salwar kameez!!

I had made Rava ladoo to distribute there. My idea was to bake a cake for her bday. But then, what is life without hiccups. My oven breathed its last!!! I was devastated . I could not bake a cake for my own daughter’s bday. But then, the cake we ordered turned out to be yumm and was a feast for the eyes as well.

Doesn't it look yumm. It was choco nut!!!

That weekend we all went out for a nice family dinner to celebrate many events together (SIL’s bday, my bday, brother’s bday and DD’s bday). We had a great time there.

The next was Vinayaka Chaturthi. We celebrated Lord Ganesha's birthday with MIL this year. Here is our little Ganesha.

And there is the Kozhakattai (Modakam) that we made. This was a joint effort by MIL and me. It came out real yumm this time.

Now for my finishes. First, I completed a full jewellery set this time, a necklace and a pair of ear-rings. They turned out much better than any of my previous finishes.

And after a long time, I do have a stitchy update. I have completed the purple pansy . This is the first time I worked on perforated paper. I just love the way the stitches fall in place. It’s so easy.
And guess what, I finally got my black material as well. So my next is to get some nice shade of variegated thread. Am so excited to start working on it!!!

So, that's about allllll my updates for the day folks. Till I see you next, bye bye, au revoir !!!!

Harry Potter, Krishna Jayanthi and a finish

2009-08-16T22:52:00.018+05:30

I have soooo much to update you all. So, let me do that in the order my title goes!!!

V got to watch her first movie in the cinemas last weekend, yes as the title says it, she watched Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince. Here she is all excited at the cinema hall, just before entering.

Well, it is supposed to be scary for a 5 year old to be watching. At least, that's what we'd assume if we had read the book. But what a disappointment, the movie did not at all do justice to the book !!! Boy, I really was disappointed. Anyway, coming back to V's first movie experience. After we were settled down in our seats (the movie had started by then), her first question to DH was "which channel is this running on" !!!! And then she was curious to know why it was so dark inside, was it still day?? This was just the beginning. This was why I had taken DH along (to answer her questions) . I think he did a decent job of that, though he was not an avid follower of Harry Potter. Now she wants to watch every movie !!!!

We celebrated Krishna Jayanthi (Lord Krishna's birthday) on the 13th of August. This is normally celebrated in the evening as Lord Krishna was born at night. As usual, any Indian festival is incomplete and has to start with a Kolam. Specially for Krishna Jayanthi, we draw small feet. This starts at the entrance of the house, right till the altar where we do our Pooja.

This is to denote the Lord entering our house and going to the altar.

The Lord loves butter and aval (flattened rice) the most. Apart from these, we make seedai. This is made both salty as well as sweet. The basic ingredient is rice flour for this.

So, I made aval Payasam (a pudding/kheer made out of flattened rice). Mom had made the batter to make appam and she had already made the Seedai.

Now to the more interesting parts . Guess what, I have added some stash to my beads collection!!! Here they are.

And here is the new necklace I made with some of the new and some of the old beads.
This is not a perfect finish. I am not completely satisfied with it . I think the 2 layers should have more distance between them. Any suggestions/ideas please??

I am yet to get black material for my name board !!! I have been behind the crafts store manager for more than 10 days now. So, I have decided to do something small while I wait for him.

This time, I am going to try working on perforated paper. Wish me luck!!! I have zeroed in on the purple pansy from The Cross Stitcher's bible. It's a very cute, quick design. Hope to get started soon.

On the cooking front, decided to try my hand at some starters this time. So, tried making Corn Cutlets. I found the recipe from one of Sanjeev Kapoor's books.

It was an instant hit. And was not a big hassle to make too. I did not deep fry it as the recipe suggested. Just cooked it on the tawa till the sides were brown and cooked.

Phew, that was one big update. See you guys soon with more. Till then, have a great week ahead .

My next project

2009-08-03T21:53:00.011+05:30

Today I got a surprise day off. Well, the cause was that V (DD) fell sick and she did not want me to go to work. Was I not happy to oblige !!

This is how I used my day off. I decided on what I am going to do next . A name board for our apartment !!!

I found a beautiful alphabet pattern generator here. This is what I generated.

My idea is to use a black fabric and use variegated thread. Any other suggestions on how this can be done?

Have a great week ahead

FINISHED!!!!

2009-07-19T22:30:00.011+05:30

Finally, I managed to finish the peacock !!! As promised, here is the final picture of the completed peacock

Does it not look great!!! I have been holding myself back from posting anything just to update my status, so that my next post shows the last of the peacock.

And guess what, Vaishnavi finally did have the banana muffin . It was only difficult to make her have the first bite. Then, there was simply no stopping her !!!

These days I seem to be baking every weekend (at least every other weekend), so that I can send some home-made snacks to school. Today I baked some chocolate chip cookies. Sorry, I could not take any pictures of those, but they sure are yumm.

Also, with full day school this year, I simply cannot do away with cooking something (at least a sandwich) daily !!! Gone are my happy days . Luckily, she's not a very picky eater, so I can give her (almost) anything for lunch. In fact, she's pestering me to give her rice daily to school for lunch. I could not believe my ears when I heard that . My daughter likes rice!!!! It is personally not my favorite. But, definitely makes life a lot easier.

I definitely have to thank everybody who has kept me going through the making of the peacock. Thanks a ton guys .

Have a great and fruitful week ahead

Updates and a new hobby

2009-06-28T00:08:00.011+05:30

Yes, that's right, I have taken up another hobby now. Of course, cross stitch is definitely my favorite any day. My new hobby is making beaded jewellery!!!

My first attemp was to try making a pair of ear-rings. And Voila....

Would I sound extremely conceited if I say I am proud of my own achievement ?? Please say no!!! Vaishnavi wore it to a birthday party and she did look pretty . My next plan is to make a necklace that goes with the ear-rings.

I baked some banana muffins this time for a change.

They turned out real soft and yumm. This has been the yummiest of muffins so far. And guess what, one of my team-mates at work has asked me to bake some banana muffins for her this weekend . Is that not great???

But sadly, DD did not like the muffins . My main idea of baking these were to make her have fruits atleast this way (in a hidden form). Now, what else can a mother do . I am totally at a loss now.

Now, on the much awaited stitchy front, well the only update is that I got much better quality gold thread for the peacock yesterday. Have not done any other stitching. Life has really been getting on the way!!!! I promise that my next update would be to say I have completed the peacock really and post a picture of it!!!

Till then... . Have a great weekend.

P.S: Thanks a lot for keeping me going!!! It is extremely encouraging to read your comments.

Missed you..

2009-06-09T00:05:00.005+05:30

I have reaaaalllly missing my blog friends a lot!!! It has been almost a month since I sat down to check my personal mails and to update my blog and get in touch with you all!!!

But then, what have I been doing?? Thinking back, feels like quite a lot. On second thoughts, actually nothing?? Oh, whatever, time really has flown. Ever since DH returned, we have been very busy catching up and spending as much time as possible with Vaishnavi during her holidays. And now, her school re-opens on the 11th. I feel like I am going back to school after my vacations!!!

I have been baking quite a bit of cakes. I tried my hand at some frosting and some decorations. My first attempt with writing something on a cake was SIL's birthday (this was her first bday with our family).

It came out pretty legibly for a first attempt. And this time the cake was nice and fluffy too.

Well, on the stitchy front, you know what? I discovered that all the work I did with the gold metallic thread on the peacock are coming undone!!! So, I have to re-do them now. Fortunately for me, there's not much with metallic thread. I am going to replace it with Gold colour thread from anchor.

So, next time, I promise to post a completed picture of the peacock. Till, then, so long...

Updates Updates

2009-05-13T23:25:00.016+05:30

And boy, do I have many updates!!! Let me first start with where I left off (DH's arrival) .

Vaishnavi and I went to airport to pick him up. All of us kept the news of DH's arrival a secret from her as we all wanted to surprise her. Till the end she thought a friend of mine would appear. But when she saw her father walking out, she was shrieking . She was seeing him after almost 6 months.

Don't they look happy

And finally with DH's arrival, so did my stash!!! Now guess who was shrieking with joy . Here they are.

Now when and how I am going to put them to use, I have no idea!!!

Guess what else DH bought for me, BEADS!!! I just love them.

I had asked him to get some of those pre-finished, ready-to-paint magnets too.

Let me see how we fare at painting these .

And I did some baking too, my vacation would not be complete without that right? For a change I decided to bake some cookies. So, tried my hands at oatmeal raisin cookies.

They were a big hit with everybody

And finally, guess what, the peacock is all done !!! I am yet to put in the final back-stitches, which is not much. Unfortunately, the picture I took of the peacock did not come out very well. So, I will post one in my next post.

Today is the last day of my vacation. Back to work from tomorrow !!! But with all these updates, has this not been one great vacation??

See you guys soon with a final picture of the peacock .

Summer vacation

2009-05-05T23:41:00.015+05:30

The mercury level is constantly raising and it's getting unbearably hot . With great difficulty I am restricting the usage of air condition to only the night. Neither I nor Vaishnavi have any appetite. And with the onset of the oh so yumm mango season, we are feasting on mango milkshakes .

I have also taken a break from work for about 12 days . And guess what, DH is returning this weekend after successfully completing his assignment too!!! So, guess who's excited!!!! Finally I get all my stash !!! We have not broken the news yet to Vaishnavi, we plan to surprise her by taking her to the airport and see how she reacts .

These holidays, we are trying to revive one of our age old games, called pallankuzhi, by teaching it to Vaishnavi. My mom's the teacher!!!

This game has many benefits physically and mentally.

Physically, it is very good for the nervous system. Coz we have to hold the shells or tamarind seeds (these are used as coins in this game) in the palm and also drop them one each into each of the holes in order.

Mentally, it increases our analytical and calculative skills. Coz the final aim of the game is to accumulate as many shells as possible. The person with maximum shells is the winner. So, we have to calculate which hole to start the game from, so that we have maximum shells.

An amazing game if we know the rules.
Of course, Vaishnavi also has her usual role play games, which she loves to play on her own. Today was one such day, when she played cashier and....

guess who was extremely sleepy . Must have been one big boring day at the store!!!

On the stitching front, I did manage to pull out the peacock and put in a few stitches. But I want to finish my book first. Have always noticed that I just cannot stitch when I have a book to read!!! But have not read a good book for sooo long, so am I excused ?

Ok guys, meet you all soon with updates on my stash .

It's raining...

2009-04-28T23:21:00.017+05:30

COCOA!!!!

Ok, first an apology for having disappeared this long. So, here's what has been happening. As you all know, Vaishnavi's hol's are going on now. So, weekends are really busy and filled with activity (nope, nothing cross stitch)!!!

Let me do this in sequence. I bought a cycle for V. Boy, was she delighted . Initially, she was only pedalling it half way, then in a day she gained confidence to go around the apartment on her own.

We then went to the local museum. We just visited the children's hall. We did not want to tire the kids out.

That's one of my best friends with the kids. Don't they (all 3 of them) look cool .

Now, what do all these have to do with cocoa raining ??? I have been baking chocolaty stuff like crazy lately. Last weekend I made this express no-bake "brownie". Everybody just loved it.

This weekend I made chocolate chip muffins and chocolate cake with the frosting et al. I even shaved a few pieces of chocolate on the glacing!!!

Oh chocolate.. hhmmm .

And guess what, I have a new follower !!! Welcome Kim and thank you for joining my blog. Hope I am able to hold your interest.

DH is still not back. I am desparate to get my stuff. And he's refusing to even send me a picture of the parcel. Isn't this cruelty .

It's wednesday, just 2 more days of work and I am all set for my break .

Ok guys, hope to see you all very soon. It's mid-night, let me read my book. Oh I did not tell you that I borrowed Mistress of Spices from the library. So, I am half-way through it. I never knew that our spices had so many powers in them till I read this book. So, let me have my glass of cold cocoa (yes, cocoa again!!!) with my book. Doesn't that sound heavenly. Yes, this definitely is the part of the day I very eagerly wait for!!!

Good night guys and take care.

Lovely Giaveaway

2009-04-18T14:23:00.002+05:30

There is a wonderful giveaway here. Do visit to see what a lovely giveaway it is. Her blog is amazing too.
The temperature is soaring here. It is almost 40 deg centigrade now!!!! So, just trying to stay cool during the heat. What with the vacations going on, am also forced to take DD somewhere during weekends!!! Phew!!!

Have a great weekend.

Happy New Year

2009-04-14T22:59:00.003+05:30

Wishing all Tamilians and Malayalees across the world a very happy and prosperous New Year. Today (april 14th) marks the birth of a new year as per the Tamil calendar. As per the tamil calendar, the first day of the month Chitrai usually falls on the 14th and sometimes 13th april each year. It is the day when the sun moves into the Meda veedu or Raasi. This is the day when the sun starts its travel across the 12 zodiac signs starting with Mesha/chittirai.

On the eve of the new year, we decorate the altar with a lot of fruits, flowers and money. Then we decorate the deity with jewels.

This is a picture of a decoration of the altar (no, this is not what I did at our place today). Ours is usually a lot simpler.

Elders usually gift a small amount of money to children. When we were kids it was great fun waiting for the elders in the family to give us some money, even if it was just a rupee. I used to collect all these and when it reaches a sizeable amount, I used to buy something that I wanted. Oh what fun those days were!!! We used to go visiting all elders on these occasions. But today, I did not even step out of our apartment!!!! I was totally tired for some reason.

Of course, each festival is associated with its own list of delicacies!!! Poli and vadai are usually part of the menu on the Tamil new year's day. But the MUST-Be-Made dish is the maanga pachadi. This is made with raw mango, jaggery, neem flower, a red chilli. Wondering, what kind of a funny combination of ingredients?? haha. Well, this is to symbolically say that the coming year ahead should be a well-proportioned mixture of a little bit of sweet, little bitterness, something sour and something spicy!!!

Before I sign off for the day, wishing all friends a very happy and a prosperous new year again.

Another finish!!!

2009-04-12T23:22:00.007+05:30

Yes, my second finish in 2009!! Looks like this is a great year as far as my cross stitch accomplishments go. I managed to finish the card and give it to the teacher on time!!! Here is a picture of the card.

I did not have my handycam with me to take a better picture of the card. So, took a picture with my mobile phone camera, for whatever it's worth it.

DD's hols have started. So, I am making another attempt to get her into some activity. I bought her a sand art kit today. She loved it. And the kit really is very easy to do. Here is her first craft.

And here is the artist :d

Now I am gathering all my mojo to get back to the peacock. Come on, just a few more stitches, including the back stitch!!! I hate back stitch!!! But then I tell myself, come on that adds the real highlight to any work right???

Happy stitching!!!

And finally

2009-04-06T22:35:00.005+05:30

After a long long time, I have a stitchy update . I am almost done with the bouquet I was doing for Vaishnavi's teacher. We have a PTA on the 8th, to collect the report cards. I plan to give the card to the teacher then.

Here are some pictures

And another one slightly closer.

I have pre-cut cards in white and a brick colour. Which do you think would look best? As the fabric is white too, would it look good on a white card?

Am still around

2009-04-01T23:09:00.002+05:30

But again no stitchy updates :( Work is going to be very hectic the whole of this month. And today I had a small argument with my boss :( I hate to argue, but had no choice today.

Last sunday was vaishnavi's school anniversary day. The little ones did an amazing job. But the arrangements made by ther school were pathetic!!! The hall was overcrowded with no seats, air-con was very poor, we were all totally suffocated!!! I could not take any pictures as the school management requested us not to take pictures and that the school would send us a copy from their album.

Summer holidays start from the 8th of April. Am looking for some music and dance teachers. Vaishnavi is showing some inclination towards both music and dance. Hope she enjoys her classes.

Hope I have some stitchy updates in my next post.

An update and....

2009-03-29T09:45:00.002+05:30

STASH!!!! Guess what, DH has received our parcel from silkweaver. I asked him to try and send me a picture of my stash, but no.... He says am crazy!!!! :( It will be another month before I can get it.
Life has been really crazy of late. Work is extremely hectic. I have been returning from work only around 9pm whole of last week. I think that's how it's going to be the coming 2 weeks as well. Hope I will be able to complete the card I am making for DD's teacher. I have to complete it by the 8th!!!! :o
Thanks a lot for your comments on finishing forms. Ok, so I will settle for cardboard :d

I think...

2009-03-24T23:08:00.003+05:30

I have lost my mojo... Not just on the stitching front, but overall. Last weekend was sooo hectic, but when I turned back to see what I did.. well.. NOTHING!!!!!

Well, I did cook some palak paneer (spinach and cottage cheese) and that's about it. And I have been feeling so heavy lately, very sleepy, bloated... What's happening to me!!!!

I have no stitchy updates or pictures this time. Well, I actually do have a picture, but am yet to upload it to the system.
Hope to be up on my feet again. Wish me luck on that puullleeaase!!!

Finishing forms

2009-03-21T16:33:00.003+05:30

I have been browsing (AGAIN!!!) for other supplies. I found something called finishing forms. Can somebody please tell me how useful they are? How are they used?

And guess what I did when I was browsing. I fell in love with this pattern library on patternsonline.

I now just can't wait to get my order from silkweaver and get working on one of these paterns. Also, now my wait for the fabric is shorter. Coz I got a mail today that my order has been shipped. Am all the more impatient now.

This reminds me of Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes) where he is really really impatient to get his beanie. It's a hilarious one.

Have a great weekend ladies. And stitch lots :)

Guess what

2009-03-16T23:25:00.008+05:30

I have ordered my fabrics from silkweaver !!! The waiting is the worst part of it. First DH has to receive it and then he has to return . This is going to be a real test for my patience!!!

This time I tried my hands at apple cinnamon muffins. This is again eggless.

This is while it was being baked. And...

here are the yummy muffins. Again, the aim was to make DD eat some apples. So, how best than to present it in a way she likes!!! But nope , she's much cleverer, my daughter after all . Anyways, it was real yumm.

On the stitching front, this is my progress on my bouquet.

Am going to make a card with this for DD's teacher. School finishes in the first week of April. And her teacher has been really sweet. Am sure DD would be delighted too :).

Thanks a ton again for all your encouraging comments :)

The recipe

2009-03-14T15:43:00.003+05:30

Thanks a ton for your comments :) Here's where I found the recipe for the granola bars. http://is-that-my-bureka.blogspot.com/search?q=granola+bars. He has some amazing recipes for desserts. His pictures speak for him!!! Mind boggling collection of mostly easy-to-make recipes.

I have been progressing at snail's place on my new bouquet. I love the colours I am working with now. They are all so different and have not worked with this combination before.

So, that's how 'fast' I have been progressing.

An update...

2009-03-11T00:28:00.009+05:30

Well, are the days just flying by??? Suddenly, I feel I am doing a lot of things. Ok, so here's what has been happening.

First, I tried something new in the cooking/baking front. I tried my hand at granola bars, something healthy for a change. It was extremely simple to make.

This was how the dough looked just before the baking. As usual, not enough lighting :( And after the baking and cutting..... Voila!!!

Don't they look yummy!!! and they really were. It was a big hit at home and with DD too, which is the most important factor. The main idea behind making granola bars was to somehow get her to eat some dry fruits.

On this stitching front, here's my new WIP.

This is a mini-kit I had bought more than 3 years ago when we were leaving Singapore to return to India.

I found a new way to carry around my small WIPs. This is a ready-to-stitch tote that my friend and I ordered from a site. Here's a closer look at the design.

I stitched this about 4.5 years back, when DD was just a few days old. I found this design in one of the books in the Singapore National Library, don't remember the book or the designer :(. But this is one of my all-time favorites. This has just been lying around and I had no clue how to put this to use, till I started this kit.

I am simply loving working on this kit. The colors are sooo refreshingly different from that of the peacock!!! Sigh, the peacock!!!

Ok ladies, time to hit the sack. Have a great day. It's already mid-week, just 2 more days for weekend .

Hello Ladies

2009-03-08T00:00:00.005+05:30

Wishing all ladies a very happy women's day!!! It is 00:12hours in India now. Just a quick post to wish all my blog and stitching friends a very happy women's day, before hitting the sack.

Today was quite a productive women's day eve. No, not in terms of cross stitch (wish it were). I was finally able to make it to the international handloom fair that's on here in Chennai. Bought blankets, cushion covers, bed covers and....., would the trip be complete without something for myself!!! YES, i bought a very pretty saree in a pretty green color and one for mom too .

In the evening, my search for a muffin tray ended at a store quite close to home!!! I was going to include that in my list to DH!!! I also found (well, actually bought too) where we get butterscotch topping, flaxseed powder, chocolate chip!!! Though I knew these were available somewhere in our city, had no idea where!!!

We celebrated women's day yesterday (Friday, 7th) at work. All women were asked to come in a sari and the best dressed woman was given a prize. We also had a few quick games. Though I do not have a picture of all women very prettily dressed, I do have a picture taken of the Rangoli that adorned our reception.

My picture does not do great justice to what it really looked like!! No celebration in India is complete without a Rangoli.

Oh and forgot to mention, I also bought a tin of circular altoids for a future project :d. So, one more to my stash!!!!

I plan to take my small work to MIL's tomorrow and work on it.

Some quick post this!!! Ok ladies, will bid adieu here. Have a ggrrreat day. Stitch loooots. As one of my colleagues told, PLEASE DO TAKE TIME OFF FOR YOURSELF THIS DAY!!!

Thanks a looot to all my dear friends for keeping me going.

My cost Cutting and a new start

2009-03-04T18:14:00.004+05:30

As I am sure everybody is, I have also got into the cost-cutting act. I am packing lunch from home these days. That means, I have been cooking during weekdays . So, isn't that great. But I am a late riser, so do some semi-prep the previous night, to avoid the morning rush. What with getting DD ready for school too . Also, am trying to cut down on my visits to the parlor. Doing some pedicure at home more frequently, taking better care of my hair. I'm also trying to find these individual free-lance beauticians who come home and charge a lot less!!!

I have been ignoring the peacock royally . After the napkin, I have started on yet another mini-project. I will post a picture as soon as I take one.

I have an award

2009-03-01T00:52:00.005+05:30

And that's my first . Thanks a ton Chiloe for this wonderful award. That's very kind of you.

As the norm is, I am supposed to pass it on to 5 people. I don't know who have received this award already, as I am relatively new here. So, here I go. I would like to give it to Meari, Yuko, Lynn, Carol and Andrea.

My computer has been refusing to allow me to upload any pictures from my handycam. Kept throwing a funny error. I just found (a few minutes ago) that the culprit was a software I had installed sometime last week while I had to work from home to babysit!!! Imagine a world without google!!! Can you imagine ? The problem has been driving me nuts for over 2 weeks!!!

And guess what, I got a gift voucher of Rs.1400/- from my previous team. Thanks a ton guys. And this is one of my favourite stores. So, do I need to mention more?? ;)

As promised...

2009-02-26T23:06:00.003+05:30

As promised to Lynn, here is my PIF. If you are interested, please leave your name and email as a comment. You will get something from me within the next 365 days!!! This is my first PIF,so am a bit nervous :)

Sorry for the delay in posting this Lynn :)

Thanks a lot for your encouraging comments about my napkin. This is not a set of napkins. I had bought a few napkins to send to school with Vaishnavi. As this was plain, thought of trying my hand at it :)

Here I am...

2009-02-23T14:14:00.006+05:30

With my first finish for 2009 !!! Wish it were the peacock, but no. I tried my hand at a napkin this time. In fact, this is my first finish in over 2 years!!! But something is wrong with this!!!

I am not completely sure what is wrong with this, though. Maybe it needs some backstitching to highlight? Did I chose the wrong shades of thread? I just ran through my stash of threads and mixed 2 shades of rose. I used 2 strands, so 1 strand of a light rose and another of a slightly darker shade. Got this design from the book "Cross stitch silhouettes". Please do give your feedback as comments, as that would definitely help me with future projects.

The peacock is currently sitting pretty where it is :(. Don't feel like touching it right now. So, looking for some 3 dimensional project, something like a scissor fob. But then, can somebody please tell me, what do you use to stuff inside a scissor fob?

My list for hubby dear is almost done ;). Hope to place my orders (on the net) by this weekend. And it definitely does not end there, am sending him personally to some stores to buy some more stuff :d

Life Life...

2009-02-20T01:21:00.002+05:30

Is like a running race right now. Work is sooo hectic!!! Have not even touched the peacock :( But frankly, I think I am relishing the break from it. Right now, I am concentrating more on searching sites for fabrics and making a list to give my husband ;) I am trying to get stuff shipped to him directly, so that he does not realize the price attached to it.

Sorry, I do not have any pictures to post at the moment. Thanks a lot Chiloe for all your tips on fabrics :d. I think I now know what I want.

Fabrics Fabrics

2009-02-14T15:22:00.002+05:30

AAArrrggghhh!!! That's how I feel like screaming. I am trying to get some fabric shipped to my husband, who is returning shortly to India from Cupertino. The only site I know is yarntree and they have loads of fabric. So, now I have been reduced to a totally confused person, who is clueless about what to order. Can anybody ppllleeease tell me, what is good?
I have lots of 14ct aida with me. And I want to start some work on evenweave or linen. But I see soo many names on that site, Dublin, Diana Pearl, Edinburgh... the list is endless.
Thanks a ton :)

Have you ever felt

2009-02-10T00:14:00.010+05:30

Like you need a weekend to get over a weekend? Well, that's how fast the last weekend went/flew!!! Aishwarya, Vaishnavi and I had a good time on saturday . Hope she enjoyed her day off as much as we did .

We made Aloo dum (an Indian dish with baby potatoes in gravy) in the evening. Got the recipe here. It was just yumm. Way to go Aishwarya (as she did the cooking) . We wrapped up the day with a very good tamil movie we had been wanting to watch.

With sooo much activity, could not get too much stitching done. But here are the pictures of my progress all the same.

A closer view of all the gold work.

I did some experimenting again with the features in my handycam. Tried my hand at the Manual mode for capturing pictures, rather than making use of the regular Auto mode. That's why the difference in both the pictures.

Now I am unable to get the settings back in the Auto mode . Gave up after trying a lot!!!

Hope everybody had a great weekend. Thanks a ton again for all your comments

Updates

2009-02-06T17:47:00.009+05:30

I have generally been very irritable the last few days, and poor Vaishnavi has been bearing the brunt of my irritability .

Anyways, on a happier note, we had gone to attend my nephew's wedding reception. Highlight of the evening was Vaishnavi's dress, especially the back. Here are some pictures I took that evening after the function.

And here's the back, ahem ahem...

Ain't that sexy . After this, I could not resist taking a picture of Vaishnavi and me together . Here it is

Tried using the timer in our handycam for the first time, not bad at all.

On the peacock front, not too much progress to post a picture. But put in a few stitches last night with the gold thread after some struggle.

Thanks again to everybody for posting your comments and your tips .

My baby...

2009-02-02T01:16:00.010+05:30

Is growing up fast !!! Time sure just flies!!! On saturday I put on a paavadai (an Indian term for a long flowy skirt) after her bath. She immediately said "I am going to put on matching bangles"!! And she picked up the exact colors that were in the paavadai.

I did help her in getting the colors properly arranged and there they are. Don't they look cute?? She was not satisfied with just 3 bangles that I picked up for her. Says "less bangles make less noise, I want more bangles so that they make more noise"!!!

On the cooking front, as my entire family is crazy of paneer (cottage cheese), made paneer in mint gravy. Was bored making the usual tomato gravy. Sorry, forgot to take a picture of the paneer. But it sure was yumm (as anything paneer is).

And here is an update on the peacock. I just have to finish some gold color and then the back stitch. Hope to finish it by this month end . Was up till about 1am last night (err today morning), working on the peacock, while I watched back to back episodes of Friends.

This is the first time I am working with metallic thread. Tell me something, is it always difficult to work with metallic threads? I am finding it hard to get the thread behave itself.

Thought I'd take a closer pic of the part where I've done my first gold work. Any tips on how to manage metallic thread?

I tried some experimenting with some lighting last night while I took those pictures, am sure it shows, the pictures are pathetic

Thank you all for stopping by my blog and taking time to comment on them. It really is very encouraging and makes me work faster on the peacock.

Tips for a Better Life in 2009

2009-01-30T14:24:00.001+05:30

Found this in Meari's blog. Was too good to surpass.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)
37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Share this with those you care about. May your troubles be less.

Almost a week...

2009-01-23T22:50:00.011+05:30

Since my last post. Amma's visit went off very well. As we are not allowed to take any pictures of Amma herself, I just managed to take a picture of the archway that was put up at the entrance of the ashram.

In Her 2 days' visit (21st and 22nd), Amma gave darshan to about 40,000 people. Amazing, isn't it. Wonder when I get to have Her darshan next!!!!

Now, back to our world (the material, mechanical one)!!!! I tried baking a cake on Sunday. Though I have baked the sponge cake umpteen number of times, I wanted to try the Swiss roll (is that what it is called?) this time. So, I just baked a very thin base. But unfortunately, the oven was at a higher temperature, and the base got a bit harder than it should have been :( So, decided to make (and call) them, chocolate fingers .

And finally, and update on my progress with the Peacock. The movie that kept me company this time was Erin Brockovich. Loved the movie and the stitching.

You might not be able to make out too much of a progress, as most of it is in ivory shade.

I just can't wait to finish the peacock and get on with my next project. Still thinking what to take up next .

2009-01-20T17:20:00.003+05:30

Mata Amritanandamayi, my Guru, idol, deity, has arrived in Chennai today for a 2 day program. This is the time of the year I very eagerly await.

The 2 days are the most refreshing part of the year. This is the time when I charge myself enough to last the rest of the year. Amma is also popularly known as "The Hugging Saint" outside India, also known as Ammachi.

The weekend

2009-01-18T16:40:00.008+05:30

Was just too good. Wish it had lasted a bit longer. My weekend started on Friday with a trip to Prashanthi (a saree store), where MIL had been wanting to go for ages. But the collection was very disappointing. MIL did manage to find a saree she liked, proving she's my MIL ;) !!! She left on saturday afternoon, back to her routine, and we were back to just the 2 of us.

So, I decided to make something nice at my mom's place. It's too boring to cook for just the 2 of us. Made chapathis and Mutter Paneer for dinner and back home.

Sunday morning was the much awaited trip to the annual book fair. Vaishnavi has been wanting some books on Lord Krishna.

These are the books that we bought for her at the fair. Boy, was she delighted. She slept with these books by her side last night. And in the morning, she kept them carefully so that she could "read" it tonight!!!

I decided to try something interesting, but at the same time simple, no hassles. So looked around and found some slices of bread, a carrot and pizza cheese. So, made breadizza!!!

There it is, in the making. The bread is whole wheat bread, so not very un-healthy(?).

And now finally, my progress on the peacock. With so much happening, I did manage to do some stitching on saturday night.

Sat up till about 2am (Sunday morning) stitching. Am I crazy to be doing this? Maybe I am, but I need some time to stitch and this is the best time. SATC (Sex and the city) kept me company for a while, after which a hindi movie (Jaanam samjha karo, UGH!!!!!) kept me company. This is definitely not the best movie to be watching. But I needed some sound.

I realized that I never shared with you what the peacock would finally look like.

Here it is. I scanned this picture directly from the book, unlike my others, which I shoot with my handycam. Am sure you can make out the difference in the clarity.

Wow, that's a long post. Have a great stitchy week ahead!!! :)

Pongal

2009-01-15T22:28:00.007+05:30

As promised, here I am with a whole lot of pictures and all about pongal.

What is a better way than to post a picture of Vaishnavi, my daughter. She just loves to wear a salwar kameez, and definitely with a dupatta!!!

My mother-in-law is here to celebrate pongal with us this time. With Mohan (my husband) in the US on an assignment for a few months, her visit is a refreshing change for Vaishnavi and me. Hope she has an equally good time with us, before she gets back to her routine.

Below here is the sweet pongal that she made for us, and it definitely was as yumm as it looks. This is a sweet dish prepared with rice and jaggery.

Now to tell you about the actualy festival and its significance, here I go!!! Pongal is very popular in the southern part of India. It is called Sankranthi in some of the states.
The festival is split into 3 days:
Day 1 - Called Bogi. The significance is to get rid of all old stuff and bring in new things. People generally give away/burn old things on this day. But the actual significance is to get rid of all our old negative feelings and bring in new fresh positive feelings in our lives.
Day 2 - Pongal. This is for us to start afresh. Some states even consider this day as the beginning of their new year.
Day 3 - Maattu (cow) pongal. The cow is the celebrity on this day. This day, we offer our salutations to the cow. In India, the cow is considered as Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth). So, we offer pooja to the cow. Though, in urban Indian homes, there are no cows these days, in homes that do have a cow, this day is very special. Also, on this 3rd day, we pray for the well-being of our siblings, especially brothers.

On all days of Pongal the houses are decorated with elaborate Kolams, also known as rangolis. There are even grand rangoli contests held during this time of the year. Here is the kolam that donned our apartment.

This specific kolam symbolizes the festival of pongal, with 4 pot on each corner, and sugar cane in between. The actual tradition is to wake up at about 4am and put the kolam outside our house. But now, we (modern Indians) have modified this slightly to our convenience, and do this the previous night. Imagine waking up at 4am!!! So, most of our apartment was up till about midnight on the 13th night, putting kolams outside their flats. Keeping Vaishnavi away from the kolam was a great task. She was at her "helpful" best, handing out the color powders to me. I was almost shrieking in the middle of the night, out of fear that she might drop some of the color all over my kolam!!! Just imagine, all the effort down the drain!!! Finally, I was forced to allow her to try her hand at it. I just allotted a space to her where she could draw her kolam. Thankfully, MIL was engaging her with it!!!
So, that's allll about pongal. I did manage to do some peacock in between. But the progress is too little to show. While I was stitching, Vaishnavi suddenly decided to be at her naughtiest best!! She just ran away with one of my green strands!!! I was at my wits' end. So, just wrapped it up!!

Hope to update you with some significant progress on my peacock this weekend.

Pictures on the way

2009-01-13T11:43:00.001+05:30

Sure Chiloe, I just wanted to get some good pictures before posting them. Wait for a whole lot of pictures and a loooo....ng post :d

A fruitless weekend...

2009-01-12T17:50:00.003+05:30

In terms of working on my peacock!!! But I had a great weekend overall. How could it not be, with a birthday party on saturday and a family get-together at my aunt's place!!! I got meet a lot of friends and relatives over the weekend, whom I had not met in the past few years. So, I am sure you can imagine my delight.

I would not say that I did not touch the peacock at all, I did put in a few stitches. But not as much as I would have liked to. Hope to get some work done during the weekdays.

Also, this is festive season in Chennai (India), with Pongal on the 14th and 15th. This is a festival to celebrate the harvest season. So, we are all getting ready for that next. Other than the festivities, I get 2 days' holidays. Hope to get some work on the peacock.