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These days I am busy coming up with ideas about room decoration for our first baby due next month. We do not have space for a separate nursery and hence we are planning to put crib in our room only. 

I do not want to go an extra length for this as any such preparation like shopping, decoration are considered bad omen and somehow I am not able to get rid of feelings of fear. But at the same time I want to do something little, preferably on my own.

The first thing comes to my mind is 'Welcome Banner'. Instead of buying from store, I thought to make it on my own. 

Medium: Acrylic
Letter Size: Approx. 3"

1. Draw and color letters

2. Cut them and highlight the border

3. Stick them with tape to string

I am planning to put this on bedroom door. And yes, it's a baby girl, so first and last letters are in PINK :)

My my experiment with Acrylic Colors

I am still an amateur painter. I have had created few pieces using water colors, but then I wanted something new, something more sophisticated which will still suit a beginner like me. So I bought Acrylic Sheets and Colors.

When we begin something new, we first remember Lord Ganesha. I also followed the tradition and here I am with my first creation with acrylic colors.

Size - 9 x 12

And the experiment continues

Recently we renovated our bedroom. We bought new bed and side table. Though room is quite big, I did not want huge mirror and dresser since we already have dressing area in bathroom. But I already had a small table and a long mirror. I painted both of them matching to the color of bed (Used spray paint from Home Depot).

Then when handyman fixed mirror, there was a gap between mirror and the table. It was looking pretty good and part of the bedroom set, but did not look like one piece. As if two completely different pieces are forced to use as a dressing table. If I can fill the gap on the wall, it'll be just perfect.

I came up with few ideas like putting tall baskets to cover up the space (But that will be very dark and cramped), fitting shelf and putting small size creams/cosmetics (but then again I'll have to spend money to buy it and call handyman to fix it), painting thick and long border with fusion colors (but that'll be still a mismatch). So finally I decided to paint small pieces and glue them on wall to make one complete picture. Hence they will fill the space and at the same time small individual pieces will make whole piece look bigger.

I made 3 flowers and 2 butterflies.And instead of directly sticking them to wall, I glued cotton on back and then put on wall. So there's a little gap between this piece and wall and it looks like wall art and not just like a label or sticker.

I am so happy :)

Knitted Scarves (Beginner's level)

There must be something wrong with me. I always get right ideas at the wrong time. All of a sudden I wanted to knit something and I came up with this thought when winter is almost getting over. I have very fond memories of my mom who was always busy knitting and discussing new designs with her friends during winter days. I always had scarf and sweater knitted by mom during my school days and that would always make me feel proud since my outfit will be unique and different from others. She just taught me simple stitch in knitting but I actually never practiced.

I knew the basics but was not confident whether I can make finished product which someone can really wear. I wanted to surprise my mom so could not ask her where to start from. But I indeed found my source, YouTube. I came up with video tutorial for knitting for beginners. I bought the cheapest wool and needles from Jo-Ann Crafts and I am quite happy. In 3 weeks of time, I knitted two scarves. (since scarf would be the best start for beginner like me :)) I just spent 10 bucks out of which needles are re-usable. Now I am confident to use little more expensive matrial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9hv44QwQ-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgwi3xgZzlk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD5fxWP75yI

Scarf for Men (Or I should say both man and woman can wear)
Material: soft acrylic
Quantity: 300 gram
Needle: size 5
Length: 50”

Cast on 32 stitches and knit until desired length is achieved. This is made with just knit stitches since it was my first time experiment.

Scarf for Woman
I made this one mainly to utilize leftover acrylic and also to add little design. I wanted a short narrow scarf which I can just wrap around my neck and won’t become cumbersome with jacket/coat. I found some design online where length would be just enough to wrap it around neck in a single layer. To hold it, designer buttons were used.

Material: soft acrylic
Quantity: 100 gram
Needle: size 5
Length: 30”

Cast on 15 stitches and make alternate knit and purl stitch in group of five i.e. first 5 stitches will be knit, then purl and again knit. Do so for five rows and then change the pattern i.e. start with purl stitches, then knit and then purl again. This will create alternate block pattern. I stitched couple hooks inside which I can close if I want the scarf to hold over the neck. These are small hooks so even if I do not fasten them they won't be visible.

Birthday Card fro HIM

Initially I had thought to go to Hallmark and get a Birthday Card. Then last minute I decided to make it myself. I did not have much time to think creative or make something extraordinary. I knew that I wanted “benchmark for 30” and it must look funny. (Somehow I am loosing taste for senti stuffJ) So I came up with an idea of drawing a small puppy. Anyway, puppy has special value and meaning in our relationship. So here I am!

Diwali Cards

Since 2008, I have been making Diwali Cards to send to friends and relatives. This year, it was first attempt to try water color. I could make 4 cards in 10 days

 I started with the simplest one. Ganeshji in form on AUM has been my all time favorite. I just used thick border of green and red. The colored circles did not come out as I had thought, because green background became too bright.




After I gained little confidence, I tried these flowers. Three different colored flowers:

1. The smallest one has shades of Red, Pink and White
2. Purple, Red and White
3. Yellow, Orange and White

Stems and leaves are done directly with brush in black color
It indeed looks good, but not well suited for Diwali wishes



I used Kandil colors from one design and Diya from another one. Diya and Kandil has been hit Diwali design :) I painted Lotus with shades of Pink, White and little Red as a base for Diya. I should have been more careful while choosing Green for Diya since now I believe there is something wrong with this color. After it dries out, it always leaves patches. I outlined whole Diya design with white color and then with black pen. This one has been our favorite in the bunch so will go to my parents.





Another form of Ganeshji. Putting Ganehsji on two angled square offers completely different look. I  also like the combination of Orange and (Brown + Orange). Simple, but elegant.