Kiss, Hug, Kiss!

 A quick Kiss and a Hug and how about another Kiss!






 I made this Valentine's Banner from three things,

 Baker's Twine, Fabric Cuts and Corrugated Metal letters!



  Don't you think it turned out sweet?



 Oh and the Corrugated Metal letters were purchased at Hobby Lobby!




These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab

Monday

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between

Read More

Our Winter Great Room

Happy Friday!

Is it really already mid-January?  It seems like just *yesterday,* we were all sharing our holiday homes!

Normally, I would transition right into Valentine's Day after taking down our Christmas decorations, but, this year, I thought I'd give the red a break for a bit and keep a few winter touches around our house. 

I decided to add in a bit of gray, with the help of these pretty solid and striped pillows from IKEA:

I then shopped the house and brought in chunky mercury candlesticks (from the dining room) and added them to our sofa table.  I left our wintery arrangement that was here at Christmas, but, I removed the red berry branches to give it a cleaner look:

Of course, blankets are a "must" when it comes to winter decor, which is why I had to scoop up this blanket from IKEA ... love the colors and it helps our chair feel "cozy ready!"

I've really enjoyed intruding more gray around here ... and, I even carried it over to our buffet.  Although, I'm not done with it yet ... gotta add just "one" more coat of paint, and then she'll be ready for her close up:

Now, you *knoooow* that I had to try my hand at a simple Winter mantel.

And, when I saw this free printable from my sweet friend Barb on her fabulous blog, The Everyday Home, I knew I had to print it off and add it to our mantel, smack dab in the middle!  Thanks again, Barb!

"Pencil-y" Christmas trees (that were on our foyer table during the holidays) and silver candlesticks help to finish off our simple Winter mantel.

While I miss the red and vibrant holiday colors around our house, we're enjoying the soft and soothing "wintery" colors in here for now ...

And, of course, I had to add a bit of Winter in the kitchen, too.  Soon, these sweet, faux treats will be replaced with Valentine goodies!

Stop back by for a few splashes of "LOVE" soon!

Thanks for visiting,

Read More

My latest Crush - Asus Zenfone 6

You can call me gadget geek. I just love trying my hands on latest in technology devices and appliances. I love the fact that how technology is shaping our lives and can be a great help, provided you are using it in proper manner and for better. For me it has always been a great help, be it blogging, online interaction with clients, raising a tech wizard kid or fun with family and friends far away from me, I always need a good device that is packed with latest technology. Sometimes this is how I work.....

Recently I have been given Asus Zenfone 6 to use and write my experiences about it. I have been using Zenfone 6 since past 4-5 days and found it quite impressive phone. It is the most beautiful phone that I have ever used. It has very useful features and it's quite robust mobile.

How I am using Zenfone 6:
 Lets see how I am using it. I found some unique features in Zenfone 6 and here they are...

Sleek and light:
The moment I picked up the Zenfone 6, the very first thing that I noticed about it is, it's sleek body and light weight, which is 196 gms only. It perfectly fits in my palm but, yes, I have to use other hand to operate it. Back cover of this mobile is in a matte finish that allows perfect grip. My earlier phone's screen shattered because of its glossy back, that doesn't allow perfect grip and it slipped from my hand. Zenfone 6 screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is a benefit for user like me.
Though it's a bigger phone but, it fits perfectly in my jeans pocket, bigger and better it is. And because  of its light weight I will give few extra marks to Zenfone 6, because unlike my previous phone I can hold Zenfone 6 for longer with feeling any discomfort or pain in my hand.

Bigger Screen:
Zenfone 6 screen is quite bigger. With its 6 Inches LCD display, it is a large beautiful phablet. I loved the device for its better and wider display. Brightness level offered by display is quite good that results in brightly lit visuals. I love watching videos and playing games on Zenfone 6  because of amazing picture and graphic quality. I am a big music lover. I love to listen to music whenever I am stressed out but, with Zenfone 6 not only I enjoy music, but I can write my blog post also at the same time. Isn't that icing on the cake.

One more thing that I liked a lot about Zenfone 6 is its touch, which is quite sensitive and accurate. I faced lots of problem with touch screen of my previous mobile. Thankfully Zenfone 6 offers wider screen and sensitive touch, now no more typing mistakes. Writing a blog post and replying to mails have become pretty easier and time saving. With my previous mobile it was a hassle to write post, upload pictures in a blog and then editing a post. I tried writing blog post using Zenphone 6 and I was quite amazed with the result. I wrote the entire post with great ease.

See the size of virtual keys in type pad, it allows your finger tip to freely tap the specific key. Zenfone 6 earned extra bonus in terms of touch screen sensitivity and accuracy. You can switch to glove mode too when you are using the phablet with gloves on, useful feature specially in winters.

I am exploring the device and finding something new, exciting and extra ordinary everyday, I will share more of Zenfone 6 unique features and how I am using it. Stay tuned!!

Coming up next "Lippan work panel made by me".

Read More

Inspiring Eminent Artist: Trishna Patnaik

As I promised in the last post, here I am with an artist who was doing great in her professional life, but then she realized that 'Art' is her first love and now she is following her heart. So without further ado, let me introduce you to a very talented painter- Trishna Patnaik

Please let us know a little more about you.  

Disha, Thank you for this opportunity. 

Well, I am Trishna Patnaik , a Bsc (in Life Sciences) and MBA (in Marketing) by qualification but an artist by choice. A self-taught artist so to speak and, I have been practicing art for 13 years now.

I have had a few professional stints in various corporate of repute. Three years of my corporate stint made me realize that I’m designed for something more meaningful.  I found my true calling in my strength, my hobby, my inner voice, my freedom/ platform to express, my passion that is painting.

I’m now a full-time professional painter pursuing my passion to create and explore to the fullest.  Contemporary Art is what gets me going. I am working smart on developing my unique style. It’s a road less traveled but a journey that I look forward to everyday.  

I am glad to know that you are following your heart now. When and how you realized your passion about Painting.

Painting for me has been synonymous to meditation. It has been my stress buster, my get away, my platform to express, my energizer for as long as I can remember. 

Coming from a service sector inclined background getting a decent job after a decent degree was always a priority in the family! But there was a perpetual uneasiness in everything I pursued .Because I was doing it as I ‘HAD’ to do it. Only when I use to paint I felt ‘Free’. There was no ‘Have’ to do it then!

Also the other part of the story is that I use to dislike the whole thought of an art class in my school. It was so rule book based, so full of marks and grades etc. Draw and paint a rainy day or accident on a road or a mela etc. were the usual topics in school.  I could never really understand that I am good in this or inclined towards art!Probably because of which the thought to go to an Art School never occurred to me at all.

I preferred art which I learned and did as my hobby with various artists during weekends and vacations. It was in my 10th std vacation that I enjoyed the whole learning process a lot more! I kept coming back to it in every vacation or even weekends till my graduation. In fact I began even painting my own artworks. Then my MBA happened and then I got a job.

As I got more and more into the routine of a desk job, I felt more and more claustrophobic, disoriented. It was because I lacked a goal! I found my solace only when I painted! So I moonlight as a painter. In the process I worked for almost 16 hours a day for almost 2 years! Finally I took the call to be a Full Time Artist. 

I believe I am born to paint. I believe I am fluid. In other words creative, hence sticking to a routine for a lifetime would be ridiculous! I am glad I am a self taught artist, as it keeps the spark of the perpetual need to learn going. I am learning till date and will always continue to do so!  

That's very inspiring Trishna. We would love to know more about your passion. How many mediums and techniques of painting you have worked on. 

I have dabbled with all mediums right from pencil to charcoal to colour pencils to pastels to water colours to acrylics to oils!

Each medium is beautiful and has something unique to offer. 

I have applied techniques as per the artworks requirement. The purpose of using a technique is not to ‘USE IT’ to prove a point but to add value to a painting without making that ‘VALUE ADDITION’ obvious.

I believe the whole point of been a painter is to express rather than impress.

And once you are set to only express, the medium of expression can vary and the techniques could be straight out of the book or even something which has never been seen before.

I really admire your thought process Trishna. Though for a passionate painter like you it's difficult to answer this but I would love to know which one is your favorite medium and why.

Now that’s difficult to choose. It actually depends on the painting.

I never paint on the paper or canvas. I always paint in my mind first and then I only manually pursue my artwork with my hands.

Sometimes I need Charcoal to complete my rendition, sometimes its water colours and sometimes even Acrylics!

I love the fact how a small Charcoal stick or crayon can create fire on paper!

I love the ease with which water colours leave their base transparent and are so intriguing!

Acrylics, well what can I say, it’s the fastest and the least messy of all the mediums. A masterpiece can be created in no time!

What inspires you to paint. Is it nature, human, everyday life or something else.

Everything around me is inspiring. If not to the conscious mind then definitely to the subconscious However, I am more inclined towards three different themes within the Contemporary Art arena.

One theme is Abstracts, the second is Graphics and the third Faces.

I like the inflow of colour in various modes, directions, paths etc. to make my abstracts.

I like the amalgamation of shapes, silhouette, forms etc. to make my graphics.

I like to work around faces of woman with a contemporary touch to it.

What other than Painting excites you.

Well, it’s a cliche, but I guess I eat, live, breathe painting only as it’s my passion.

I want to pursue a course in Curatorial Studies in the near future to expand my wings in the arena of Art.

I do enjoy the thought of baking though and would like to explore the idea of been a film critic some day.

And I am planning to learn the guitar this year, as I enjoy music on a very basic level! 

Please share the links where we can find your Art work and where my blog readers can get connected with you.

I am planning on having my own website by next year maybe.

Last but not the least, as everyone dreams of being something in life, what you have dreamed of.

My dream is to leave a legacy behind me. I don’t want to live a regular life where after 60 years, I get a pension and have a farmhouse and I say to myself I have lived my dream so now I will relax and enjoy! I want every day to be a challenge. I want everyday to be new. I want to wake up every day with a smile on my face and clueless of what life throws next at me. My dream is to be a perpetual stream of water that is in no hurry to find a shore.

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Trishna it was great pleasure to know about you and your true passion. I wish you all the success ahead. Thoughts play a major role in determining the quality of life and your thoughts just reflect that you are living a beautiful life. Thanks for inspiring all of us.
Dear readers what do you think about this amazing artist. Do drop a line or two. You can read about other inspiring eminent artists by clicking this link.

Stay tuned!! I am exploring a new device and will be talking about it in my next post.

P.S. All the image are provided by Trisha Patnaik and subject to copyright.

Read More

Gratitude!!

I have so much to be thankful for. As the new year begins I strongly feel that it's a time to say 'thank you' to each and every one of you. You all have been my strength, courage & support throughout my blogging journey. I was nothing and you all made me a beautiful person, I feel content and happy all the time. I find myself very fortunate that I got connected with such wonderful and lovely people in this virtual world of blogging. Now I have friends from many different countries, religions and cultures and that's what I love about blogging. 

I am grateful to God for giving everything that I had in the past, I have today and will have in future. I am grateful to my parents, siblings and my wonderful, lovely, sweet & small family for their endless support and selfless love, for their precious time that they spend with me and make me feel special, for their encouraging words that keep me going, I couldn't ask for more. I am grateful to all fellow bloggers who are always there to help and keep inspiring me. I am grateful to you all my friends and readers, you never fail to encourage and support me, no matter in which part of the world you are, you are always there for me whenever I need you. Thank you! Thank you very much.

I would like to thank those friends too, who always see negative in me, who try to put me down, who always discourage me and try to create negativity around me, who criticize me in every way possible, who never even congratulate me on my success, people....believe me you are my best friends because you bring the best out of me. Every time you try to put me down I rise and run with strength double than earlier. I am very grateful to you friends, but I request you to stop being jealous, instead be grateful for what all you have got, as gratitude blocks toxic emotions :) look in the mirror, think about me and SMILE :) kill those toxic emotions as soon as possible. 

My dear friends and readers, I read somewhere and would like to share the secret to happiness with you, it's Gratitude!!

"Gratitude is not only the greatest virtues, but the parent of all the others".

                                                                                                                   -Cicero

Secret to happiness is- express gratitude, practice kindness, spread cheer and savor joy. I have experienced this many a times that when you become grateful for everything that happens in life, you see the world with new eyes, you find yourself calm, happy and content, your life becomes full of wonderful opportunities.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my dear friends Vandana and Nayana, who sent very beautiful and thoughtful gift for me. Thanks girls!! We joined a wonderful group on FB called 'Urban Gardeners Around The World' and we decided to send some gardening related gifts to each other. This is what I got. I am a happy girl now :)

Nayana sent me beautiful wooden trinket box, lovely dangler and cinnamon sticks. I loved them all :)

Vandana sent me fabulous orange watering can planter and very classy Varnam box. What lovely friends and what beautiful gifts :)

I have lot to share but I wish I had at least 36 hrs in a day to make it possible. Let me quickly share some very important things:

1) My blog is considered as one the best Indian design blogs. Thank you Hindustan Times :)

2) It crossed more than 4,50,000 hits recently. Thank you readers :)

3) I earned money in six figures in just 4 months and that too through blogging. Thanks to Blogger, Google and my clients :)

4) I did my very first commissioned wall art project, post about it will be coming shortly. Thanks to the wonderful client :)

5) I took plunge into the video blogging and it's also paying me handsomely. Thanks to viewers :) You can subscribe to my Youtube channel here.

That's all from me. Stay tuned lovely people, a very talented artist will be joining us soon.

Read More

Winter Putz Display

While most people display their Putz Houses during the Christmas season,

I reserve mine for a favorite winter display...

Why?

Because, I have way too much Christmas decor to display and not enough surface space to show and share it all at the same time!





And it's something that I look forward to after the Christmas decor is all put away!



Plus, I hand made all these Putz Houses except

Read More

LivingRoom Winter Decor!

I don't mind taking down Christmas decorations because I have so much winter decor to put in it's place!
This year I made this felt snowflake pillow...




Just by adding old buttons and ball trim made it the cutest pillow on the couch!


I found these small skates at a vintage and decor shop.


And an old wooden bowl of faux snowballs compliments the theme.


Add my bit of primitive, and

Read More