White Teapot Crystal Lamp!

The best thing about Winter for me is, that I am able to stay in out of the cold and create! This peticular day, I decdied to combine a tired looking vintage crystal lamp with ceramic teacup, saucer and teapot.

 I took the old crystal lamp apart and cleaned all the pieces.







You just don't realize how easy it is to drill holes in ceramic and glass with a special drill bit that you can

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My Hand Painted Tray!!

An elephant's picture on packing of incense stick caught my fancy

 and the moment I saw it I wanted to paint it somewhere. 

I painted it on a plastic tray and put all my imagination and creativity to make it look different from what is available easily in the market. How I did it..I chose a bit different color combination, motif and intricate design that reflect true essence of India.

When I started 'Indian Art' series and 'Indian Textile' series on my blog I read a lot about different art forms and textile and was intrigued by the beauty of all art forms and textile around the world. I was determined that I will try my hand on each one of them whether it is art or textile. I have tried art forms like Warli, Madhubani, Gond, Tangle art, Tye-die pattern on terracotta figurine and  now I am trying to paint textile patterns like Ikat, Kilim, Block printing, Kanjivaram and here is one that recently I painted..... Suzani on my elephant. Doesn't it look wonderful. I liked the combination of sienna, pink, black and white.

An year ago I saw a cabinet painted in Suzani pattern and I was inspired to do something like that. So I came up with this idea with my personal touch of course.

I loved the way this tray has turned out. Intricate work that is done with lot of patience.

Leaving you with some more images.............

Let me know how do you like it :) Working on some more interesting projects so stay tuned!!

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Give me more Light!

My sewing room is an itty-bitty room 
                                  that is under the stairs in the basement
                                                                              and I just love it!





I have a built in wall unit that keeps me organized
               and I built a doll house, sans the inside, to cover my sewing machine when not in use!

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Inspiring Eminent Artist: Pooja Ajmera

So it's time again to meet inspiring and talented artist. 

Introducing you to a girl who creates magic with her "Teekhii Chhurii". Readers please welcome Pooja Ajmera, a paper cutting artist and founder of 'Teekhii Chhurii'. You will be amazed to know that she left her corporate career and followed her heart, her passion for art of paper cutting(Sanjhi). 

Warm welcome on 3D Pooja, I am very happy to have you here. We are desperately waiting to know more about you and your artwork.
Thanks for having me here. I am a paper cutting artist who started Teekhii Chhurii, where I create one-of-a-kind artwork.

I haven't come across this kind of art before. Will you please enlighten me on this. 
Paper cutting is an art form which is very slow unlike everything else in today’s world. It requires tons of concentration and patience. The paper is hand cut and designs come to alive. I am also trying to revive a dying art form of India called Sanjhi.

I am glad to know Pooja that you are trying to keep the age old art form alive. Being an artist I can understand that art is a passion for an artist. So when was the first time you came across this art and how it became your passion.
I knew about paper cutting since sometime before starting with Teekhii Chhurii but had never really tried my hands at it. So this one day, when I had to gift a birthday present to my sis-in-law, I thought of creating something unique for her rather than picking just one of the things available at shelf in the stores. I made a papercut out of the design that was there on my bedspread that day and then after finishing it, I created one more design and then one more design and it went on for few days when I realized, this is something which I want to for rest of my life. It was a AH-HA moment for me!

So this is how destiny knocked on your door :)
Share your experience when you finished the very first project, were you completely satisfied with the result, did you find any difficulty cutting the paper in desired shape and pattern for the first time.
When I made my first papercut, I was so happy with it. I was amazed and didn't know I have so much of patience within me. Since it was the first time, of-course it was difficult to cut it as I didn't know the do’s and don’ts of the art. But yes, anything done with love is bound to look great. That art piece adorns the wall of my sis-in-law’s house now.

What are your tools that you use for creating such beautiful master pieces. What are the challenges you face as you work with sharp objects. What are the safety measures you use.
The tools used for paper cutting are very simple. I just use a pencil, a knife, a mat and a single sheet of paper. The only caution to be taken is to be a little careful while using the blade or you might end up cutting your finger.

If you look back at the year when you started paper cutting how long have you come and how has been your journey so far. 
It’s hardly been time, so I can’t really call it a journey but yes, it has been like a ride of roller coaster which was full of ups and downs and I am happy it was that way or else what is the fun when life just goes on a plain road without any turns and hurdles. It has been a good experience so far where I met and interacted with so many good people who cherish the work I do and support and encourage me to move ahead.

True that hurdles in life come to make us even better.
You have created so many wonderful art pieces. Which one is your favorite and why.
All the papercuts I create have a hidden story behind them and hence they are all so close to my heart and sometimes I find it really difficult to let the artwork go. It is extremely hard for me to choose the best one that I made till date because I put my heart and soul in each paper cut I create and only after I am completely satisfied I get them framed.

Other than paper passion what excites you and you love to do in your spare time. 
I love to learn new things. But paper cutting is a very time consuming art form. It requires lots of time to create a single piece. So frankly I am hardly left with time to practice and do different things. As I work on weekends and on all holidays too! I recently learnt tarot card reading and that is taking up all my spare time lately. So sometimes its music, sometimes its jogging or sometimes painting..anything that interests me.

You have some amazing pieces of artwork. Can you share where one can see and buy your artwork. 
As of now, some of my work is there on my facebook page – Teekhii Chhurii. People can message me on facebook or drop a email at pooja@teekhiichhurii.com and the rest will be taken care of.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists and I would love if you say a word or two for my readers also.
All I would like to say is, "Dare to dream and follow your passion. There are no substitutes to hard work. Success will come sooner or later".

Thank you Pooja that's a beautiful mantra of successful and happy life. Thanks for taking time out for us and letting us know about this beautiful art form. I wish you a great success ahead!!

Folks have a look of her art work on her Facebook page and you will be spellbound. Leave a word or two here in comment section to let her know what do you think of her art work.
In case you missed earlier post on Inspiring Eminent Artists Click here to read. Wish you a lovely and creative weekend ahead!!

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Our Valentine Kitchen

Raise your hand if you're ready for Spring!  Hopefully, March will be here before we know it and bring warmer temps along with it!

And, before Valentine's Day comes and goes, I wanted to share our little ol' red and white kitchen.

I decided to "retire" the Valentine tree on the island that I've decorated the past couple of years and opted for something a bit more simple this year by just hanging a few ornaments on faux floral branches:

Glass apothecary jars are my favorite place to "showcase" anything, including these "2 cool" plastic hearts (from Michael's):

Inexpensive Valentine cookie cutters provide a fun pop of color to an otherwise plain canister:

If there's one thing that isn't "faux," it's the candy, which my son has been more than happy to empty a couple of times!  That's why there's only ONE apothecary jar sharing real treats!

Since I'm NOT an avid baker, these cute cupcake liners are better off being showcased, rather than actually used!

The pretty red/white plates I recently scooped up from Home Goods have fit in perfectly with our red/white Valentine kitchen decor!

Our breakfast table got a little hint of Valentine with more faux tulips from Michael's ... pretty soon, I'll "pluck" the red and pink ones so that only the white ones are left for Spring, which I hope gets here soon!

But, until those warmer temps greet us, I'll be tackling lots of yucky organizing projects inside!

Stay warm and dry and thanks for stopping by!

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Quirky Decorating Ideas

Decorating is definitely not a rocket science.

 You don't need to buy big pieces and everything new. If you want to decorate your home in a quick and easy way here are some tips to fulfill your desire for that dream home.

1. The very first thing to start with is unclutter, clear the clutter and your space will look brighter and well arranged. Clutter in any room makes it appear messy and small. Clearing the clutter and placing things in proper way makes a room look bigger and brighter.

Image Courtesy: Click Here

2. The easiest way to make your home look new, fresh and beautiful in record time is rearranging the furniture. Place furniture in an unconventional way to give a completely new look to a room. Move seating arrangement away from the wall for intimate and cozy seating. I rearranged my living room and got a completely new look. You can see that transformation here.

Image: Mine

3. Putting slipcovers on furniture make them look new and can change overall appearance of the room.

4. Update curtains and draperies. Choose the right color according to theme and furniture in the room.
5. Changing a theme or style of the decor in a particular room is also an easiest and quick way to cheer up the space. To choose or pick a style read this post.

6. Change the pictures and artwork all around your place. Try matching either color or theme of the paintings. Changing accessories can make a lot of difference. Its a quick and easy way to decorate your space.

Image Courtesy: Click Here

7. Add texture and pattern to a room by placing some nice area rug or beautiful cushions. It instantly lift the lost charm of a room.

8. Painting just one wall in a room certainly adds a lot of character and drama to the place. Put up some nice artwork and you are done.

9. Sometimes changing indoor plants can also do the trick. Replace palm with fern or some flowering plant or vice versa and see the difference.

10. One more easy and quirky way to decorate home is give those old lampshades a new look by painting them or adding nice lace to them. 

Just follow these tips and your home will be pleasant and welcoming.
Happy Decorating!!

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Arch Window Find!

You know the feeling...

    When you come upon something...

                      That takes your breath away.






When that happens...

                   I know that I have to let go of something....

                                   I let go of this bookcase, because I have a gorgeous new French china hutch that is going to house my Great-Grandmother's china (to be seen in a later

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