Textiles and Textures

After seeing block printing on fabric and the process of handmade wool carpets

we were taken into the textiles showroom.

You have to admire women who can wear a sari and keep it on the whole day long.

Although we didn't buy a wool rug or a sari, we did come home with many beautiful scarves ...

My husband thought I bought this one to wear,

but I decided it looked great at the foot of our bed.

I will change out the white bedspread for this quilt in October or November when I do some Fall decorating.

And this shawl will also be used in the Fall decorating as a throw over a chair in the living room.

Last weekend I cleaned and rearranged the entire living room. The quilt on the couch also came back with us.

I'm thankful it is the weekend again. As always, cleaning is on the agenda and I hope to get motivated to do a little something crafty as I haven't made anything in weeks. Maybe I'll find some paint and try out my little wooden print blocks.

Sending good thoughts and best wishes your way! Peace & blessings, Tammy

Wool Carpets

Jaipur is well-known for its handmade wool carpets. We were given a demonstration of the process from spinning ...

to skeins ...

to the loom.

The beginning of the rug design is only printed on a small portion at the bottom and then the craftsman completes his work from memory.

The backside of each carpet is burned off ...

then special scissors and precise pressure are used to make an even cut on the front side.

The final step is washing the carpet.

All of these skills are normally passed down from generation to generation in families whose lives are devoted to weaving. They are considered masters at their craft.

I never really considered the process, the work and the artistry that goes into making one of these wool carpets.

They truly are handmade treasures!

Please hop over to Bell'Antico to enter her heart giveaway. Tomorrow is the last day!

Peace & blessings, Tammy

Great Things Come in Small Packages

On Monday September 13th, Creative Carmelina posted about her wonderful envelopes made from magazine pages.

One of those envelopes had my name on it and arrived today!

As I opened it, I found a sweet little note ... a sticker made from one of her original watercolors ...

and these beautiful sketches that I can't wait to frame!

I am always astounded at what Carmelina creates. She can take the simplest objects and supplies and create something absolutely incredible! Thank you CC! I LOVE my sweet and beautiful surprises and will save each little bit!

Hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday! Friendship blessings, Tammy

Block Printing

One of the traditional crafts of Jaipur is block printing.

We were given a demonstration of how each block is dipped in a different color natural dye ...

and stamped on the material.

Each block is like a puzzle piece ...

that creates a color pattern.

The finished piece is then dipped in a vinegar solution which totally changes the color of the final product.

We were given these two prints free.

And I bought these small blocks so I could try my hand at printing on cards or small pieces of material.

Will have to put it on my to-do list as right now I am just trying to keep up with school work and housework. Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Peace & blessings, Tammy

Silent Sunday

A Whole Lotta Honkin' Going On

All the transport trucks in India were painted and decorated nicely and had this request on their backside.

If anyone watched the World Cup, you remember all the horns blowing all the time. Well, driving around in India was kinda like that.

It's commonplace to "horn" in order to let those around you know that you are there and want to pass.

After having myself driven more than 5,000 miles while in the States this summer, I was quite content to sit back and take in all the images of the countryside.

Our trip was booked as a tour which meant we had the same driver the entire time. Balveer was the nicest guy you could ever meet.

He told us that you need three things to drive in India: Good eyes!

Good brakes!

And Good luck!

Between all the cars and trucks, motorcycles and bicycles, rickshaws and tuk tuks, pedestrians, cows and dogs, it was certainly an obstacle course. And if you needed a ride to where you were going, you just grabbed on and held tight.

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur make a triangle so driving between destinations was about 5 hours each way. I was thankful for my camera to capture everything along the way and my crochet to keep me busy.

Hope everyone is having a super Saturday! Best wishes, Tammy

Back to India

Our first day in Delhi included a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India and tallest brick minaret in the world.

It features one of the earliest and most prominent examples of Indian-Islamic architecture.

And the area around it is filled with ancient and medieval structures and ruins known as Qutub Complex.

The Qutub Minaret was built in 1193 and added on to in 1286 and then again in 1368.

When you consider the work and craftmanship that went into building these awe-inspiring complexes ...

it's no wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.
Aristotle

Wishing you a day of peace and joy! Tammy

Tour Interrupted

Today I am taking a break from our tour of India to introduce you to beautiful Ms Lillian!

Her mom, Melissa, just happens to be one of my very best friends!

And Lillian is her 7th, I repeat ... 7th child.

She slept peacefully for the first two hours I was there, but then it was time to eat.

I was so amazed at how perfect she was in every way!

Hello world!

Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever-fresh and radiant possibility. Kate Douglas Wiggin

Sending wishes your way for a bright and beautiful day! Peace & blessings, Tammy