Wrapping up 2010

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!!

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

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!!!

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

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

Wish you all a very very Happy and Prosperous Diwali 2010

More festivities and updates

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

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

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

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

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!!!

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!!!

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

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

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

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!!!

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...

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

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

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 .