Creative Embroidery & Linen

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Landscapes, gardens and flowers...

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Birds of many feathers still flocking together.

The simple reason for which I decided to applique/embroider those peacocks was
just to use up some of the brocades & antique gold laces that I had for
years!Frankly when I embroider birds, I always want to stick to actual colours &
details but for these three pairs of peacocks I deviated from the
habit/practice.And I must confess towards the end I had to just force myself to
complete the embroideries!!I just didn't enjoy making them. Long before they
were put on the blog I had them photographed along with other work.When my
daughter uploaded the pictures and I viewed them I realised that one pair(where
there are two fishes as well)did't have their feet embrodered!Ofcourse, before
framing I did complete the embroidery.But I embroidered just one
foot & for the other I stitched on some antique silver flowers to hide
that space.This pair of peacocks has an old gara(Parasi embroidery) border which
had adorned my great grandmothers long blouse("kudti" as they called it).It was
embroidered by she herself.If you take a close look at the border embroidery it
has bird pattern in it.
The navy blue peacocks too have a lot of antique gold laces inculcated.
When these pictures were put on the blog I just knew that my dear old owl would
be more appreciated & wasn't wrong.The simple, embroidered interpretation of the peacock on the rust
background is an inspiration from a drawing made by a native craftsman from the
region of Maharashtra.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Appliqued lamps or "Diya"s

Tote bags or "batua"s - hand embroidered & appliqued.

I started making these ornate bags in
different shapes & sizes as a personal campaign against wastage of
paper & time in gift wrapping. I personally keep such bags handy for
giving gifts.For keeping delicate gifts, some of the bags are
quilted. Even by themselves they make pretty gifts. The idea is to
recycle them.The person who receives gift in any such bag can reuse
the same bag for giving one.Many bags have ornate traditional Indian
"oil lamps" or "diyas"appiqued on them.Diya is a symbol of auspcious,
happy occasions.I have also used "zari" borders(golden & silver
both),handmade laces(quite a few of them are handmade, anitique & of
real gold & silver wires),fabric paint,ribbon bows etc.to "dress"
them up.Some of the bags also have little trinklets stitched
on,though they are not visible in the photographs.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

The black leather frame

An abstract with blues & natural colored silks in a black leather frame.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Miniature picture frames

Here are a few of the miniature picture frames I did.
The smallest id about 2.5"x4" & the largest is about 6"x4". The rest range in intermediate sizes.