Winner of the Kindle Fire and Fun in the Sun Party Highlights!

Thanks to all of you who participated in our Fun in the Sun Party ... you guys are beyond talented ... so much inspiration for all of us to soak up!  And, how incredible that there were over 13,000 entries in our Kindle Fire giveaway!  We're excited to announce the winner ... LAUREN KIM!  Congrats Lauren!  To view the original "rafflecopter" verifying her win, feel free to click HERE.

And, since I shared our summer porch during our summer gathering, I thought it only fitting that I feature other summer porches that were shared at our linky party!

Angie from Echoes of Laughter shared her beautiful and colorful front porch.  I'm ready to sit on her cute bench, lean up on her fun pillows and enjoy the glass of water she has waiting:

Christine from Little Brags featured her charming front porch.  I love that she added flower pots to her lanterns ... just might have to borrow that idea:

Mary Alice from Chateau Chic shared her gorgeous porch full of vintage charm and soothing colors!  If her pillows mysteriously disappear, I *hope* she doesn't come to my house looking for them:

Anita from Far Above Rubies shared her fabulous porch, full of vintage/country charm!  I love her collection of antique license plates ... such a fun conversation piece:

Faye from The Shabby Cottage shared her inviting front porch that is such a wonderful welcome!  Who would've thought to add a chalkboard to an entry ... love that idea:

And, Christy from Our Southern Home shared her incredible porch makeover!  There are so many fantastic elements in her expansive space ... you'll just have to see for yourself:

Again, thanks to much to all of you who played with us, celebrating Summer, as well as your creativity!  Be sure and visit our "Fun in the Sun" group Pinboard on Pinterest by clicking HERE, where we share even more of our faves!

Thanks for stopping by,

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Inspiring Eminent Artist: Priyanshu Thakur

Featuring today a cute, little, very talented, inspiring and youngest Artist here on my blog. Readers big round of applause for Priyanshu Thankur. 

A little artist at work

A big warm welcome Priyanshu on Design Decor & Disha. Please let us know something about yourself. Over to Priyanshu:-

I am a 13 year old child artist and I make sculptures out of stoneware clay and also paint acrylic on canvas. I am 9th Std. Student of St. Annes High school Mumbai.

When I was 5 year old playing with clay and made one Ganesha....my mother saw that and she taught me how to make sculptures. 

My Parents always encouraged  my talent, and many other people who helped me gain so much success till now.

Beautiful sculpture created by Priyanshu

Their are many eminent personality who encouraged  my talent and give me an opportunity to participate in various shows.

Priyanshu exhibiting his artwork.

My sculptures are often abstract figures of tribal people, and I even sculpt ceramic shoes and tea pots. The sculptures that I make are Raku fired which gives them a shiny effect.

 

 My paintings are of villagers and farmers whom I see from train while I go to my hometown.

Many famous people who have collections of my art work are  Film Director Amol Gupte, Music Director Leslie Lewis, Actress Anushka Sharma, Actor Ranbir Singh, Mrs.B R Chopra, Industrialist Mr. Jay Raghoonanthan from South Africa and many more.

Priyanshu with Ranveer & Anushka

Film Director Amol Gupte interacting with Priyanshu

Ah I am totally bowled over by amazing creation of this wonderful artist. 

Here are some feathers in this little boy's cap. 

Education:

* 2012 : 8th Std. Student of St. Annes High school

 Orlem Malad (w) Mumbai-4000 64

Solo Exhibition:

*2011: Stoneware Sculpture & Painting, at Prakrit Art Gallery, Channai

Group Exhibition: (Ceramics & Painting)

* 2006: Holy Childs School of Art , Mumbai

* 2008: Nehru Center Art Gallery, Mumbai

* 2008: Kala Ghoda Art Festival , Mumbai

* 2009: Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai

* 2010: Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai

* 2010: Nehru Center Art Gallery, Mumbai

* 2011: “CHATAK” Nehru Center Art Gallery, Mumbai

* 2012:Ceramic sculpture show at Artist Center, Mumbai

Participation:

* 2010: Loksatta Balrang News paper Children Story Painting

* 2010: Kala Ghada “Just Fired potters” Slide Show at ICIIA Art Gallery

* 2010: Theater Workshop with Juhi & Nadira Babbar, Mumbai

* 2010: Landmark Forum Course from UK in Mumbai

* 2010: Studio Pottery & Sculpture at Lavasa Art & Culture Festival

* 2011: 21st Jan to 30th Jan. Surbhui Art Fest. CBD , New Mumbai

* 2011: 5th Feb to 13 feb. studio potters show at Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai

* 2012: 4th to 12th Feb. Studio Potters Ceramic Show at Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai

* 2012: Studio Potters Ceramic Show at Hathautee Art Festival, Mumbai

Achivements:

* Many prizes in Painting, Project & Poster in School & Interschool Compitition Mumbai

* Two Drawings about Mumbai Social Life Printed in Annual School Magazine, 2007

* “Spread Peace” Painting Cover Design for School Magazine 2008

* 2008: 26 Nov. terror attack painting selected by Loksatta Newspaper

* Media Coverage by Leading TV Channel, Newspaper at Mumbai & Chennai

*2012 : 2nd place for Inter School Save tiger poster compitition

Installation: 

* 2010: Lavasa Art & Culture Festival, Lavasa, PUNE

* 2011: “Boot Race with Foot” Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai

* 2012: 4th to 12th Feb. Installation “Wild West ” at Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai

* 2012: Installation “Wild West ” at Hathautee Art Festival, Mumbai

Ceramic Workshop :

*2008: Eco-friendly Ganesha workshop for children at Holy Childs School of Art , Mumbai

*2009-10: Ceramic Ganesha workshop for children at Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai 

*2010: Ceramic Sculpture Workshop at Lavasa Art & Culture Festival

*2010: Studio Pottery & Sculpture workshop at Nehru Center for Bal Mohan School, Mumbai.

*2011: Ceramic Sculpture Workshop on 17tht Jan. at Surbhui Press Conference, The Club, Juhu.

*2011: Ceramic Sculpture Workshop on 2nd Oct. at Prakit Art Gallery, Channai 

* 2012: Ceramic Sculpture Workshop at Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai

* 2012: Ceramic Sculpture Workshop at Hathautee Art Festival, Mumbai

Painting & Ceramics in Collections:

* Mr. Amol Gupte, Mumbai * Mrs. Neena Rege,Nehru center 

* Mr. Jay Raghoonathan , South Africa * Mrs. Tulika Gajarao, Singapore

* Mrs. Pratibha Wagh, Mumbai * Anushka Sharma, Ranvir Singh 

* Mrs. Pamela Chopra, * Sidharth Kak Mumbai

* Lesle Lewis * Prakrit art Gallery, Chennai and many more in India & abroad. 

If you are residing in Mumbai then don't miss the opportunity to have a look of Priyanshu's artwork at his studio.

Studio Address

Plot-323/ D-45 , Vishakha CHS, Near Apna Bazar, Sec- 3, Charkop , Kandivali (w) Mumbai - 400067. India.

Contact: Cell: 09820383213, 09820441619, Resi: +91 022-28681475

Email: priyanshuthakur14@yahoo.com. kawitathakur@gmail.com

I know lot of readers out there are inspired and appreciating this little wonder...don't you!! OK you can express your feelings in comments below. Shower your love by saying a word or two to this young artist.

Read about some more artist featured earlier on my blog here.

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How To Incorporate Terracotta Decorative Items In Home Decor

Terracotta is a hard semi fired waterproof ceramic clay used for making vases, pots, figurine, lanterns and lots of decor items. 

It really doesn't matter how you use them around your house they will definitely enhance the beauty of your space. Though here are some inspiring images that can give you some hints and clues about how to incorporate it well in your home decor.

Lantern and diffuser can look wonderful if placed right in home or garden. Diffuser placed near buddha statue or in a tray with some greenery looks pleasant.

Image Source: Click Here

Image: Mine

Lantern whether colorful or plain terracotta can be hung against bright colored wall and result will be mesmerizing.

Image Source: Click Here

Terracotta pots are not only meant for growing plants. Want to see what else can you do with them. 

Fill small terracotta pots with wax and use them as candles placed in group.  You will love the warmth they will create.  

Image Source: Click Here

You can place a terracotta tree in your garden to support climbing plants. Yes it can works as trellis and it certainly will enhance the beauty of your garden.

Image Source: Click Here

Aged terracotta pots placed anywhere in the garden looks elegant.

Image Source: Click Here

Vases of different height can be placed in corner in a group.

Image Source: Click Here

They can be of different shape too..........

Image Source: Click Here

Grow plants in different shape of pots and then club them.

Image Source: Click Here

Hanging a terracotta wind chime outdoor is the best way to make your outdoors gorgeous. 

Image Source: Click Here

And last but not the least a plate full of terracotta is what I want now.......... :))))

Image Source: Click Here

Do you have something to show off send in your entries at designdecoranddisha@gmail.com and I'll definitely going to feature it on my blog.

Have a happy weekend friends!! 

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Wood Lamp

Humor me here...


I love making lamps...


I love making chandeliers...


Any kind of lighting that's creative...


Maybe I've missed a calling!






I found this lamp on Wayfair... and thought it was very cool.



In my stash, I found a wooden piece that I purchased at a garage sale years ago. It was a homemade candle holder and I was always going to do make something with it. Well now was

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Lavender Harvest

If you are like me, you love the smell of Lavender! I have one plant that has grown very large next to my driveway...


I cut it back and get loads of this...




Some for bundles, and some just loose buds...



Ahhhhh, the lovely smell!





These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Monday
Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The

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Gearing Up........Stay Connected!!

Dear readers I have lot to share with you but two months long vacations of my son and a short trip to home town has made me feel lethargic. Though I can't stand this sluggishness anymore. I'm doing ever possible bit to make myself active, charged and connected to you wonderful people. 

Continuous rains in my part of the world has made it even worse........

My cuppa came to rescue.

As I gulp down........

I charge up........

Believe me talking to you and sharing things here on my blog makes me feel better and it makes a huge difference :)
See yaa with some lovely posts queued up in my draft and waiting to be published................!!!

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Sitting Room Changes ... Again

Greetings, friends!  

I hope you are enjoying the holiday week and have fun plans with family and friends to look forward to in a few days!

Here in the Southeast, we are ready to say goodbye to the DAYS of rain that we've had!  I'm pretty sure that is what has caused me to mess around in our sitting room and make a few unplanned changes.  

BEFORE:

AFTER:  Can you spot the differences?

I decided that our bookcase needed a little bit of "oomph," so I washed it with a mixture of CeCe Caldwell's Seattle Mist and Simply White.  I then added a fun, French fabric to the back of the bookcase for a bit of interest and contrast:

I love how the accent pieces pop against it:

The fabric even pulls out the gray in the shell, too:

I then added a small starburst mirror (from Ballard) to the front of the bookcase for a bit of interest:

And, when I replaced this coffee table (from Pottery Barn) in our great room (I'll share all the changes in there soon), I decided to try it out in our sitting room, but not before giving it a little facelift.  

BEFORE:

AFTER:  See what a couple of coats of Annie Sloane's "Pure White" can do?

Of course, you know I couldn't resist distressing it just a tad:

While I still envision 4 chairs in my little "Mom cave," I'll enjoy this look until I find just what I'm looking for (wish me luck)!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!  And, hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Come join the fun at:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style/WUW

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