Rangoli-22

I am back from my hectic touring. Very tired  as its so hot here. If this is in April Second week we dread to think of May. I feel so drained out but have to work out on my TAST stitches and many other pending projects. I am lagging behind. Hmmm I need a long holiday to set things right and catch up with everything.

Here is another 11 to 1 design. Its done in two ways. Hope you like it.

This is one way

This is another way. The design is the same, but done vertically and horizontally.

I have collected and recollected so many designs during my stay with my old friends and relatives. I need to pen them down properly. I will be posting many more shortly. Give me some time....Keep watching my blog...

New Year Greetings

Wishing You all 

  A Very 

   Happy, Healthy, 

    Prosperous 

     and 

     Creative 

       New Year.....

Thanks a lot for encouraging me. Without your suggestions and motivation, I would not have come this far. 


I have made some New Year resolutions as usual! I don't know how many I can really put into practise. I think this year I have more chances of adhering to them. 

• I want to be more creative, spend more time with my family, my friends and you. That means, organising all things in my life and following time management techniques...take care of my health, eat well, concentrate on mental and physical health...relax..stop worrying about everything..I am badly burnt out...and need lot of rest....
• Need to complete lots of pending projects...:) :) which seem to keep on piling up day after day..... 
• Take care of my garden...I need to do a lot there
• Improve my communications...I sort of withdrew my self into my shell like a crab...

I think that sums up most of the things I want to do...I am yet to chart out my to do and not to do lists...Any suggestions???????


Well I am excited about TAST 2012 and have lots of my own ideas to be given a shape on the creative side...


Keep watching....

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Half Chevron Stitch-2

TAST-2012-Week 19-Half Chevron Stitch

Well I have been quite busy during the week on the work front. So I could only try a few stitches for my sampler. Since one of the challenges is to combine various stitches along with this stitch, I have done my sampler accordingly. Here they are:

1.  Half Chevron Stitch (HCS) with Cretan Catch Stitch and + Stitch

2. HCS laced with beads

3. HCS with Tete de Boeuf Stitch

4. Double HCS(facing each other) with beads
5. HCS with Buttonhole Wheels(half) and beads
6. HCS with Detached Chain, Beads and Stem Stitch
    

7. HCS with Wheat Ear Stitch, round and bugle beads

 8. HCS with Zig Zag Chain and Slipped Detached Chain Stitch

I am still doodling so watch out for more....

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Home Sweet Home

Ohhhh! Its good to be back home after a long stay and long journey. I am so tired, have a splitting head ache. But I just wanted to share my photos, especially those of Tast 2010. But Alas! battery of my camera is completely out and it takes, overnight to charge it...I am disappointed  :( :( :(

But I will load them the first chance I get. I have also had a go at the village scenery. I am afraid I have to check how good the pictures are as I had clicked them from a moving vehicle. I just hope at least some of them are good.

I am feeling sleepy..but needed to share this with you...Ohh by the way I landed my hands on some of the most beautiful and unique Rangoli designs...Will have to draw them and share them with you. It will take some time though.....Good night for now

Couching Stitches-2

TAST-2012-9th Week-Couching Stitches

Here are some more of my exploration of Couching Stitches. 

I was so busy with my work that I hardly had any time to do much on these stitches. But I am jotting down all my ideas for further exploration after all this is over. Or else, it is difficult to keep up the pace and I will be left behind. 

But do keep an eye on my blog for more.....

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Enjoying my travels....

Hi Friends. I am busy with travelling and my work. Its quite hot here. I am exploring the TAST second week and third week stitches. But I am afraid I am not able to post the pictures. There seems to be some problem. Its quite frustrating as to why I cannot load them. May be the net I use in the net center is slow or some problem with the computers. I think I have to wait till I get to post these from my own computer at home. Hey the spell check is also not working and I dont know how to make it work. So you may come accross many a printers devils.

Here the people are gearing up for celebrating Sri Rama Navami on 24th. Where I am staying, Lord Rama is worshipped with great reverence. So there is large scale celebrations of Rama Navami. Navami or 9th day of Chaithra month is supposed to be the day on which Lord Rama was born. But here in Andhra Pradesh, his marraige with Sita is also celebrated on the day. If I am lucky, I will be able to can some of the celebrations. I am eager to I used to participate as a child. Now after a long time I am going to do so again. For nine days starting from 24th, these celebrations go on. There are also some special dishes made on this occassion. I am afraid I can only share these recepies only after I come back.

I am also shopping liesurely in my limited spare time, especially for cottons and silks. The range here is mind boggling. Oh I also landed my hands on some of the Kalamkari patches. I am very exicited to share them with you. But alas! I cant. I have also bought some plain saris, on which I can applique them. But that will have to wait till I return home as I dont have any stitching resources here.

So keep an eye on my blog......

Hello There

Hello friends. I was not able to post much these few days. My sis and my niece were down with viral fever. They had high temperatures and needed looking after. Even I was not feeling well with juggling home, work and looking after them. I feel so tired by the time I have some time for my self.

So I missed out so much. No Rangoli for Ratha Saptami. I also missed out 4th week of TAST. I did start doodling but could not do much. However I have started with this weeks stitch. Let us see whether I can do some thing. 

I have not yet recovered fully...Hope to recover soon...

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Its been a long time.....

Hello friends, I am yet on another one of my hectic tours. That is why I could not keep in touch. But today some how I managed to, so here I am. There is lot to share with you. I will try to post as much as I my hectic shcedule allows me to. I missed you all and I did not have time to at least tell you all that I may not be able to post for some time.

It was quite difficult for me to prepare  for the travel. Till the last moment I was just packing something or the other and did not have even two hours sleep a day  a week before leaving for here. But I slept most of the way on my long journey by the train. I love trains. There is something very romantic about it.

Anyway,  here I am. This is a beautiful place, surrounded by gardens, beautiful lawns. Its so peaceful here. I am able to let my hair down as we are not able to go out much after the working hours. Its far away from the city and not possible to go out much. Equipped with a swimming pool, a gym, tennis and badmionton courts, a beautiful library and other facilities, this is a paradise. After our work, we are all going for long walks or work out in the gym, play one of the sports, or just sit quitely and talk. Boy it had been a long time since I felt so peaceful.

But I would love to go out seeing the sights and shop. Here its a shoppers paradise for many things, be it be the accessories like bags and purses, belts, scarves, bangles, jewelery, hair accessories, clothes and of course textiles. Moreover, there are different markets in different places for different price ranges to shop for these things. Each market is famous for some thing or the other....That makes it more complecated. Added to that  there is not much time after our work hours before the shops are closed. We are trying to shop as much as possible in the little time. Being so far away from the city with lack of proper conveyence its difficult. Moreover shopping should be slow and liesurely not rushing through. At least I cannot enjoy it that way. Let us see what happens.

It seems I am well behind on my TAST. I am not able to do much, as my stash is very limitted. I could not pack much. But I think I will pick it up and post you with some of my experiments.

So keep watching my blog for the latest in the acessories, textiles, and of coarse lovely sites here........

TAST-2nd Week-Knotted Loop Stitch

Here it is. My experiments with Knotted Loop Stitch.

 I could only do a few due to paucity of time. The ones with green floss are the ones I tried first.

Here is a closer look at the one where I used cut glass beads.

Here I have used the round white beads in the center.

Here I have first stitched with green floss, then used yellow floss to weave in and out of the base stitches. The yellow floss is only on the surface. No need to enter into the fabric. It can be done more neatly, I dint have time to do it again.

Hope You have liked them. Please leave your comments and suggestions. 

Couching Stitches-1

TAST-2012-9th Week-Couching Stitches

This week Sharon has announced Couching Stitches for the challenge. You can visit Sharon's Page at Pintangle for further information.

I have not done much couching before. So I am very excited to get this opportunity to explore the couching stitches. here are my first set of attempts:

My stitches are not perfect as I am finding it difficult sometimes to work on even weave fabric. I need more practice. Moreover after working many hours on key board, when I finally take up this needle work late in the night, my fingers don't co-operate with me :) :)....

Well these are my first attempt and I am warming up. But I have some idea in my mind for exploring which may be different and unique. Well let me explore and see whether they turn out well. So Keep an eye.

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Feather Stitch-7

TAST-2012-3rd Week-Feather Stitch

Some more experiments with Feather Stitch.

Though I have many ideas, I think I will just try them out and post them later as 4th weeks stitch has been announced.

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Time for ......

Hi friends. Finally our biggest festival Sankranti is over. It had been very hectic for the past few weeks. Starting from Dushera, festivals and other religious occasions come one after the other. Dushera Diwali, New Year, Dhanurmaasam where one has to observe all rituals including the drawing of Rangoli for a month finally our Sankranti festival. This means lot of preparations at home, cooking huge quantities, spring cleaning our homes and surroundings, refurnishing and refurbishing, visiting temples..

To top it all we have a steady flow of friends and relatives dropping in at all times, going out with them to visit places and temples, picnicking, shopping. It is fun to bond with them, some times with those we have not seen for long. We also have some marriages and other such functions during this period. If it involves our close friends or relatives, we have more work on our hands.

But juggling, all this and work is a real headache and tiring. Everything goes haywire. And the icing of the cake is that children have holidays during this period. They keep on playing with their friends, don't bother to study, or complete their assignments and projects and keep barging in for snacks and drinks..Phew 

Now every one is back to their schedule. At least that gives us some breathing space. I feel tired and need to rest. Funny but true that holidays are very tiring and we don't get any rest.

Till now I had to concentrate on Rangoli designs. I am happy that I could create some very beautiful ones and have noted down so many ideas for new ones. But I need a break from them.

I now need to concentrate on other things. TAST 2012 has already begun. I started some doodling on the stitches but could not come out with much. Now I need to strictly follow the challenge.

I will also post Mirror Work Tutorials. I just din't have time for anything else during these past weeks. I am also planing to finish my on hand projects and also have some new ones lined up...let us see... by this week end I will organise everything properly.

Keep an eye on my blog .....

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Half Chevron Stitch-1

TAST-2012-Week19-Half Chevron Stitch

This weeks challenge announced by Sharon is given below. Do visit for details and join in the challenge. 

http://pintangle.com/2012/05/08/take-a-stitch-tuesday-week-19

My first attempts are here:

1. Half chevron stitch
2. Half Chevron with Open Cretan Stitch
3. Half Chevron with Herringbone Stitch
4. Half Chevron with Fly and Detached Chain Stitches
5. Half Chevron with + Stitch


Working on more stitch samples...keep an eye on my blog....

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Feather Stitch -4

TAST 2012-3rd week-Feather Stitch

 Slanted Feather Stitch circle, with detached Chain  Stitch as leaves and beads for berries. Looks like a wreath. I could have done better with the circular shape.

 You can see the detached Chain with the beads.

This is one sided Feather Stitch circle with beads.

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I am back

Friends! Here I am back for a very brief period. I wanted to share so many things with you very badly. I will do so as time permits. It was hot there. But back home its much pleasant. Thank God for that. 

I enjoyed my travels, my stay and of coarse loads of work. But now I have a very short break, want to spend that with my family.

I have my experiments with TAST 2010 to share. Apart from that celebrations of Sri Rama Navami, new Rangoli designs, new recipes, latest saris and much more

Keep watching my blog......

Homeward bound...

Well after more than a fortinight, I am going home tomorrow to spend my long week end and celebrate Ugadi-our New Year with my family and friends. Well I miss them terribly. I miss all my plants, little visitors to my garden, my hobbies and ofcoarse my stash. LOL! I am just making do with a meager stash I was forced to buy, to practise Tast-2010 stitches. I am going to load my pictures during the week end.

Wow! Its time to relax and enjoy the brief break after a very hectic work shedule. 

Tomorrow by this time I will be nearing my destination...so homeward bound I am....

Will keep in touch with you all....until then have a great time friends!

My Little Friend

Everyday I get up at 4O'Clock in the morning and complete my Yoga and meditation. Me, working on my TAST or other projects and my Mom, on some of her own projects, have coffee and discuss various topics from spirituality to mundane things. We talk till the first rays of the Sun slowly start penetrating the black of the night. Its just then I hear this little fella singing chirpily. His call is sharp but sweet. Oops I dont know whether its a he or she. But I think its a he.

Any way he sits on a pomegranate tree of my garden, which is near my window. He seems to be visiting it in the afternoon and evening also. But yesterday in the evening when I was watering my plants, I found him happily singing. I went in and brought out my camera and very quietly shooted him. But could not go much nearer for the fear of sending him away. Any way it will take some time for me to befriend him. I love birds and animals. I make friends with them easily.

Here now is the little one...

He always sits there as if the place belongs to him...I think he is trying to build a nest. I wish he would.

Just when I was thinking that I did not have a good view of him, he hopped on to the rope. Ha ha! He is posing for my photo smart chap! First one side of his profile and then another. He is so handsome.

Black but beautiful.   But then he flew away.  But I will keep an eye on him.....may be I can have some more of his pictures...

Oh! I am so tired after my hectic traveling. But just wanted to share this with you .I could not resist believe me...

Feather Stitch-5

TAST 2012-3rd Week-Feather Stitch

The last one is detached Chain Stitch anchored with French Knots. Well my French Knots are not neat-need more practise........watch out for more....

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I am Back

Hi there. I am back after a wonderful rejuvenating trip. Though I travel so much, this is an outing with my family and friends after a very long time. It went well though I missed out some of my plans but I have so much to share with you all. I did not feel like coming back from those lovely places. 

Back to my home where the summer is at its peak-this year temperature at its high continuously with out even a drop of rain in between. Some of my plants died due to heat and some were on the verge. The moment I entered my home the first thing I did was to water the plants. This is when I don't like to go away from my home. Well I need to work on my garden this monsoon-it needs a lot of work. We are just waiting for the first few showers.

On my work front...so much has piled up in just a week's time..I just don't understand  how it gets piled up easily. I need to work hard now to clear off all that. But more and more work keeps coming. This is a real hectic time for us at our work place. I envy all those who are out still, enjoying the summer holidays. 

Well I missed out last week's TAST challenge. Hope I can do next one....

In this heat I don't feel like doing anything...Just completing my daily chores apart from my work is really taxing...I hope and pray that Monsoon comes here soon....

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Basque Stitch-2

TAST-2012-Week 29-Basque Stitch

It rained here cats and dogs for the past few days. The skies were highly overcast. It rained most part of the night and in the evenings with heavy drizzling through out in the day. In such a weather it is really difficult to attend  our  daily chores leave alone any thing else. 

Still I just tried a little doodling.

Here it is.....

1. Stitches with space in between
2. Stitches close together
3. Stitches with beads
4. Basque Stitch with Fly Stitch

5. Slanting Stitches. The bottom part was difficult to work. I don't know weather I got it correctly or not.

6. Basque Stitch with one sided Feather Stitch.

Need to work out a lot on this stitch. I do have lots of ideas but I don't think I have the time now...So I will note them down and work when I am a bit free....

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