Art from Sharpie Pens!

If you are like me, you learn so much on what others share via blogs and Pinterest that there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to study it all or even begin to make it.






I do find however, that there are some things that peak my interest so much, especially when it is this simple and fun.





See, the plate? A really simple and fun project that even the kids can get in on.

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Views From My Balcony

After Mercury hit 42 C in my part of the world, short spell of shower in the evening gave big relief from scorching heat. I totally enjoyed the view from my balcony. Can you spot raindrops in this picture.

Even birds enjoyed their flight afterwards. 

Sun peeking through clouds and making view even more mesmerizing.

Vivid sunset colors, chirping birds, soothing breeze, smell of rain and cuppa in my hand.....don't you think made my day completely awesome.

 Coming up with some moroccan eye candies stay tuned!!

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Symmetry Rules My World ...

Happy Cinco de Mayo, friends!  I hope you're all out enjoying a tall margarita to celebrate the holiday! If I were a fan of tequila, I know *I* would be.  ;)

Thank you for making me feel better about my crazy *self-inflicted* OCD rules of decorating that I shared in my last post!  I'm glad that I'm not alone (lol)!  It also makes me feel a bit more comfortable sharing one of my latest projects!  

In our house, which is an open floor plan, our dining and sitting rooms sit across from each other, separated by our foyer.  When standing in our great room, you can see into both rooms at the same time.  And, for 7 years, one thing that has bothered me is that the lighting didn't match ... crazy, I know (see, there again my OCD rears its head)!

We finally solved the problem and added "this" beauty in here, which is just like the one in our dining room:  

My crazy self also added the same fabric that's in the dining room in here, as well:

What do you think?  Is this a place you might like to "GATHER?"

Here's what the other chandie used to look like: (I'm really enjoying the "presence" the new crystal one has over this one!)  

The new fabric is a fun change, too. Another matching pillow (made by my neighbor) helps to tie it all together, too:

Of course, coastal accents are still splashed around: 

And, so easy to even add a bit of coastal to a simple frame of my sweet boy (a few years ago) by resting a starfish on the corner:

Sufficed to say, having these matching elements now makes things okay in my crazy little decorating world ... for *now* anyway!  LOL

Is that wrong?  Probably ... but, just please play along with me, okay? :)

Thanks for stopping by (and come play with us here):

Dwellings/Amaze Me Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style/WUW

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Artist In Making!!

Whenever I get a chance to dip my fingers in color I never miss the opportunity. Some times I find excuses to play with colors. These days I am trying lots of different painting techniques so thought this is the right time to get organised with all my brushes, pens and other accessories. If you know me well you must be aware of my habit of hoarding lot of junk and I try to upcycle, recycle and reuse almost everything around me.

Here is how I turned plastic food containers into my brush holder, pen holder and tool holder.

Now artist in making is all set to create some magic with these magic wands.....lol I typed it not being serious.  But seriously when I see everything around my home organized, colorful, artistic and done by me it gives me a boost to do lot more.

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Then & Now Part II

Are you ready for Part II of Then and Now?

In this post we will tour the upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms of my home, as well as the man cave and sewing room in the basement!

When you reach the top of the stairs this is the first thing you will see in the hall. The wall now has color. In fact the whole upstairs is what I called builder's white when we moved in. I changed all that...several

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Unusual Uses For Baking Soda

Once again I am sharing some interesting and weird uses of stuff very common in households. Its Baking Soda. Earlier I have shared unusual uses of toothpaste. Now I am going to tell you uses for baking soda other than making your cakes and muffins soft, fluffy and spongy.
Baking soda is white, dry, powdery chemical leavening agent. It is pure sodium bicarbonate and is different from baking powder. It releases carbon dioxide in form of bubbles when it interacts with an acid and water.

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• Used as a cleaning agent: Take soda on damp sponge and clean your microwave, silver items, plastics, showers, bath tub, bathroom tiles, refrigerator, burnt-on food from cookware, cutting boards, food containers, tea pots, dentures and stainless steel sink. To clean the toilet, add a cup to the toilet leave for an hour and then flush, it will sparkle and odor will be gone. Use it to remove grease from pots and pans. Remove crayon marks from walls and vinyl floor. Soak brushes and combs in baking soda solution.  To make scrubbing dishes easier use it in dishwasher. Sprinkle it over the carpet leave it for an hour or overnight and then vacuum up. Mix it with warm water to wash baby bottles, nipples and brushes.
• Use it in your laundry: Add half a cup of baking soda to regular liquid laundry detergent to whiten dirty cloths and socks. Use it to wash diapers. It also minimizes the smell of dirty laundry. 
• Health and beauty uses: Dissolve half cup soda in a tepid bath and soak in the bath for fifteen minutes to soothe sunburn, windburn and prickly heat. Use half cup soda in a tub of warm water for soft and relaxing bath. Use it as an antacid. Works as a underarm deodorant. Use it as a scrub for face and body.  One teaspoon baking soda in one-half glass of warm water works as a refreshing mouthwash. Mix tablespoon of soda with your regular shampoo and then rinse your hair it will prevent conditioner and styling gel build up in hair. Mix half teaspoon of soda with peroxide and use it as a toothpaste. Baking soda works as a blackheads remover, wash face with warm water and apply a dab of baking soda on affected area leave it for two minutes now rinse off soda with warm water.
• Used in allergies: In a neti pot full of warm water mix quarter teaspoon of soda and quarter teaspoon of salt clean out nasal passage once a day will cure nasal allergies and cold. To soothe baby's diaper rashes add two tablespoon of baking soda in baby's bath. To reduce pain and swelling of red bump caused by insect bite or animal/plant sting dab thick paste of soda on the sore area and let it dry. For itchy and dry eyes make an eyewash with baking soda use one teaspoon of baking soda and two cup of water. 
• Uses in the home: To repel cockroaches and ants put it under the sink and in kitchen cabinets. Add a teaspoon to the water in vase to keep cut flowers fresh for longer. Keep it in open container in a fridge to absorb odor. Baking soda can work as modeling clay mix soda in 1 1/4 cup of water with one cup cornstarch. To soften the stiff brushes boil them in solution of one cup soda, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 gallon water. Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda in shoes, slippers, socks to remove bad odor from them. Wash fruits and vegetables with baking soda solution. Use it as an air freshener by mixing it with perfumed bath salt and then keep it in small sachets. 

There many other  uses also but I found these tips very useful in day to day life so shared them here for my blog readers. Now I am sure that after reading this you are going to stockpile it, isn't it :) and its very cheap too!!

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Indian Art: Mural Paintings Of Kerala

Mural Painting

Kerala also known as 'God's Own Country' is well known for its resplendent greenery and exotic views. Art here perfectly blends with the nature in harmony. Mural paintings are one such form of art. These paintings are drawn on the walls of temples and churches. 

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Origin: 

Tradition of painting walls began in Kerala . Roots of extant mural paintings of Kerala could be traced as far back as seventh and eighth century AD. Oldest murals in Kerala were discovered in the rock-cut cave temple of Thirunandikkara. Archaeological evidences show that period from the mid 16th century onward is the golden period of Mural paintings in Kerala.
  

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Style:
Subject or theme of mural paintings are related to Hindu Gods, Goddesses and ethics. Paintings art greatly inspired by Hindu mythology. This art form adorned the temple walls and Guruvayur in Trichur is one such temple famous for Mural paintings on its wall. It is rich, vibrant bold yet delicate style of painting. Paintings show artistic brilliance as there is acute clarity in form, costumes and expressions.

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Process: 
Process is somewhat similar to Pattachitra, as Kerala mural is also process driven with atleast six process involved in completing one painting. Mainly five colors are used in making Mural paintings: White, Black, Yellow, Green and Red. Colors are sourced from minerals and vegetable pigments. Even in present days artists use natural colors only to fill the paintings. 
It is interesting fact behind each painting that characters are given colors based on their virtues, like red is for power and wealth, white is for lowly and mean characters, green for divinity and black is for demons as usual.
Six steps involve in making murals are:
1. Image is sketched on wall with cow dung ash mixed with coconut water or water.
2. Outlines were originally done with cow dung pencils. These days pencils crayons and acrylics are used.
3. Color is then filled based on the virtues of the characters. The colors are generally painted beginning with the lighter colors. The order of coloring is firstly yellow, red, green, blue and brown.
4. Shading is done after filling colors.
5. On shading, black is used to delineate and bring life to the portrayal.
6. The painting is over-coated with pine resin and oil for sheen and protection.

No other mural tradition has been able to match the linear accuracy of Kerala murals. 

For new readers of my blog who recently joined me, read about other Indian Art forms here.

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