Aarti Badamikar

SOCH : some new bags

2012-01-29T16:15:00.000+05:30

Many of us have grown up with these kitschy colors, typical patterns, gallant textures and strong weaves...

Yes! I'm talking about the Solapur chaddars!

Worked on some new SOCH bags recently...

Unlike the boring rectangles, tried some ergonomic and trendy shapes. What do you think about them?

More of SOCH here and here.

Pantone COY 2012

2012-01-04T14:20:00.000+05:30

Rusty-Orangy year it is, as per Miss Pantone!

A super energy boost! But, I couldn't find this color in my pantone fan... and then I realized that 17-1463 Tangerine Tango is one of the 75 new colors introduced few months back!! It's time to get updated!!!

01012012 :)

2012-01-01T14:38:00.002+05:30

Wishes for much happiness and awesomeness on the way...

Aarti :)

Hello with Hearts

2011-12-29T23:55:00.004+05:30

Hello! Hello!! It was a long period of hibernation over my blog! But now I'm back all refreshed for the new year...

Today is a special day, it's the day of celebrating one year of our love! Its our First Wedding Anniversary!
Few days back, I was looking for heart shaped chocolates at Fantasie, but to my utter disappointment, I was told that heart shaped chocolates are made only during Valentine season :( Motifs of love are not like Christmas which have time span every year. Ideally they should be available all round the year... what say?!
Anyways, so I decided to make various hearts at home... some edible and some decorative :)

So here are some cutlet hearts and quilled hearts which made a fab beginning of the day!

Diwali Greetings

2011-10-29T12:49:00.000+05:30

Happy Diwali!!

Made this e-card for Diwali this year!

In past few months, the magnitude of my blogging has reduced enormously :( and I am not liking it! May be it is the post wedding effect of being busy with added responsibilities, which I am sort of liking :) !!

Well well, it was my first Diwali with all new specialties celebrated in Nashik, but I missed my home town Solapur very much! Missed doing the rangoli on a tiny tile, missed my lil niece and nephew, missed the pooja and pan-supari, missed the family gatherings, missed my friends over an ice-cream and missed every bit of the Diwali in Solapur!

Happy Birthday Abba | Happy Dasara

2011-10-06T20:22:00.004+05:30

My dearest abba (grandpa) turned 80 today!! A very Happy birthday to him!

(last years snap with abba, mom dad and brother:)

and wishes for Dasara! (Saraswati pooja @ home today:)

May the good triumph over the evil!

The Khadi Stamp

2011-10-02T16:31:00.000+05:30

Im not a stamp collector who keeps track of the new and upcoming stamps in the philatelic bureau, but my friend DJ is one! Few months back she told me about the Mahatma Gandhi stamp which is printed on Khadi, and the very presence of textile in it interested me to posses one! Khadi is a new material for the philatelics and is indeed a wonderful one! This stamp was released in Feb 2011 in Delhi and with kind efforts we bought it from the philatelic bureau in Mumbai in June 2011. Dj has written a post about it here.

Today, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, I thought of sharing this proud possession on my blog!

All images are from the miniature sheet of the stamp. Several details of the stamp can be google-d!

"The 'Khadi spirit' means fellow-feeling with every human being on earth. It means a complete renuncia of everything that is likely to harm our fellow creatures, and if we but cultivate that spirit amongst the millions of our countrymen, what a land this India of ours would be!"

- MahatmaGandhi

Young India, 22-9-1927

This and many more rich thoughts of Gandhi on Khadi are in his book "Khadi, why and how"

This also reminds me that its time to buy some nice khadi from the Khadi Bhandar :)

Miracles

2011-10-01T12:41:00.003+05:30

Miracles do not happen overnight. They take a little longer...!

First sketch using my new Wacom Intuos4 tablet :)

Hello Hyderabad

2011-09-30T09:52:00.001+05:30

Hyderabad!

Colors + Flowers

2011-09-25T22:11:00.001+05:30

Rangrez - The Dyer

2011-09-25T22:00:00.002+05:30

I'm not so much a music lover but I like few songs. And here is one of them, a colorful love song, a song with dyes and the dyer! A textile song :)

Was listening to this song today morning at 4am and I really wanted the complete lyrics! Googled for it and here it is with its english translation!

Happy Horchow Sunday

2011-09-18T18:11:00.000+05:30

Its a Happy Sunday! My "Prachi" design is now on Horchow. Table runner textured with red and gold beads!! Do you like it??

My dear friends in the US can grab this beaded glamor for the coming festivities from here. :)

work in progress...

2011-09-08T17:42:00.001+05:30

Sunday Special: Wonders of Bt Cotton

2011-08-28T14:14:00.008+05:30

Sharing an article from today's Times Of India... A must read for textile enthusiasts.
Links: 1 2 3 4

Rainy Saturday

2011-08-27T18:52:00.005+05:30

We have a waterfall when it rains :)
One of the pleasures of living besides the few hills of Mumbai. A restful view away from the restless world, a calm chair in the balcony, hot steaming tea and casual conversations! That's a perfect rainy Saturday!

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-07-20T13:44:00.005+05:30

A panoramic view of Shillong as seen from the Shillong peak makes a soothing wallpaper with a black background. Click on the above image to download.

my wallpaper!

MP Ajab hai...

2011-06-20T14:12:00.004+05:30

I love this TV commercial of MP Tourism. Brilliantly made, isn't it?!
MP is one of the states I haven't visited yet; but will soon plan for it!

{Happy Weekend}

2011-06-18T17:08:00.004+05:30

I would love to spend a beautiful weekend on a romantic tree house!
What about you?

A tree house at Ialong in Meghalaya

PS: My tales about Meghalaya haven't ended yet :P

Tynrong :: Pineapple Fiber Craft

2011-06-09T08:01:00.024+05:30

Tynrong! I like the name! Isn't it a striking one?!! A small village about 29 km from Cherrapunjee. 25 km of drive and the rest is a 1.5 hour of walk steep down hill. Next day it takes about 2.5 hours to walk back up and then legs are completely out of order! You walk like a duck for next 48 hours. (This is what happened to me :) It is a beautiful village on the hilly slopes nearing Bangladesh border with areca and orange trees allover.
Apart from areca nuts and oranges, Tynrong is known for pineapple fiber craft. Fiber is extracted from pineapple leaves then it is dried, sometimes dyed, twisted and knotted to make beautiful products like doilies, coasters, bottle bags, mobile bags etc.
With the craftspeople, I explored the pineapple fiber with some colored beads beads, knots and shapes and tried to make some hand knotted and beaded jewellery. Here are few pictures of the same...

I'm looking forward to develop more exciting stuff...

Would love to have your views and comments over the same.

Concept: Aarti Badamikar | Photograph: Arunima Singh | Model: Soumya Menon
Acknowledments: Peter Marbaniang, Eson Rymmai, Balbara, Pyndaphun Pde and Yake.

A wallpaper Wednesday of pineapple fiber here..

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-06-08T08:05:00.002+05:30

Downloadable Pantone wallpapers...
Click on the image for the link to choose a favorite color color chip for your iPhone, iPad, Mac or PC.

Dear Meghalaya, from Gujarat

2011-06-07T13:13:00.016+05:30

Dear Meghalaya,

It's not many days that Aarti has been away from your country of clouds, and she is already missing them! May be she badly needs them! Within fifteen days she has come from extremes of 14 degree to 43 degree Celsius of atmospheric temperature. Clouds have arrived on the Mumbai horizon and all of Aarti's friends are happy and she is waiting for her part of happiness.
Kindly arrange loads and loads of clouds for her in Ahmedabad, as you have them in abundance.
Thanking you...

With Regards,
Gujarat

PS: Issued in interest and concern of all the Amdavadi public.

A panorama of clouds on the way to Nongriat in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

Motif Monday

2011-05-30T18:32:00.002+05:30

Nail Art :: Manicure Effect

missed Mango Mania

2011-05-30T10:03:00.010+05:30

Having been disappeared from the tropical region for quite some time, I have majorly missed on the "MaNgO" part of it! Few days left for the arrival of monsoon, I still had a chance to relish the mangoes but some ill health due to the drastic climatic change has abstained me form doing so...
*sigh* *sigh sigh*

Made this pattern as an ode to the missed mangoes of this season...!
Also, I have missed on an important day of my blog, the Hot and Happy "Second Anniversary!" dated 20th May!!
Thanks for all the love...
:)

from Meghalaya to Mumbai

2011-05-27T21:43:00.009+05:30

Two months of Meghalaya! Feels like this time was too short and has quickly passed... and the end of two months has brought me back to aamchi Mumbai, I like it as aapli Mumbai!
Things changed for past two months and now are back to being usual!

View from the Cherrapunjee Circuit House

I am back...
from Meghalaya to Mumbai
from high altitude to sea level
from hills to plains
from rivers to the sea
from winter to extreme summer
from pine trees to coconut trees
from room heaters to air conditioners
from woolens to cottons
from clouds in the sky to skyscrapers
from ever turning roads to endless flyovers
from ML 04 to MH 04
from no street lights to the hoarding diwali
from MRDS to MMRDA
from Jowai to Powai
from Tynrong village to Thakur village
from Police bazaar to Crawford market
from Laitmukhra to Linking road
from jadoh to masale bhat
from fresh water fish to salt water fish
from plucked lychee to Rs. 6O for a dozen...

A typical Mumbai picture with the heritage architecture of CST

from research work to development work!

And this reminds me of my pending work. It is high time I get back on the Mumbai track!
But I love being back home and also miss the time there!
Will keep posting about Meghalaya till I have subjects which make interesting posts... and I promise not to bore you by that!
:)

Sha Saw & Jing Bam

2011-05-20T10:16:00.015+05:30

No concept of fresh milk here! It is either Amul Tazza or Nestle Everyday milk powder... and that's why it is Sha Saw (red tea)! Sha is "tea" and Saw is "red" in Khasi. One cup of boiling water, perfect amount of tea leaves and optimum sugar makes a cup of steaming hot sha saw to begin your day in a perfect way! Go to local shops, homes or any offices... sha saw is what you will be offered along with some jing bam.

The concept of snacks with the tea is called "jing bam" and it is as exciting as it sounds! The kong (lady) will first offer you sha saw and then in a beautifully handcrafted squarish bamboo basket comes the a variety of jing bam to choose from...It is a confusing situation as you have to choose from a variety of yummy snacks. And you have to be quick! Rice cakes, pan cakes, pattices, puffs, cream rolls, jam buns, sweets of different kinds with samosas, bhajiya and much much more...

Sha Saw lovers (from left) Arunima, Soumya and Dhaneesh @ the Lakadong Tea Stall in Jowai

Lakadong Tea Stall

Sha saw is available all over Meghalaya. But we loved one place- Lakadong Tea stall, is a small tea stall in one of the crowded corner of Jowai market where you will get customized tea...light, strong, more sugar, less sugar or no sugar! Sha saw with cheeni kum was what I always asked for!

Red tea and black gram cooked in onion seed spice.

Rice pancake with sugar topping.

The size of the jing bam basket and the variety of snacks increases as you move from smaller offices to more higher rank and important offices of Meghalya! :P
Unfortunately :( I do not have any picture of the jing bam basket and the "giver of jing bam" in every office; the kong dressed in a typical checkered jain kryshah!

PS: Missing the sha saw and jing bam...

Khublei Shibun

2011-05-18T23:00:00.022+05:30

Khublei Shibun means "Thank you very much" in Khasi language. This is the first khasi word I/we (me and Soumya) learnt and is the most pleasing and helpful too.
To admire the overwhelming greet, cooperation and friendship by the lovely people (now friends) of Meghalaya, we made a few Khublei Shibun cards. Here are a few of them...
Khublei Shibun to Ali bhai- the best cook, Shyl Sema- the stylish friend, Sir Hajong- the helpfullest, Bah Pariat- the IIM A man, Peter Marbaniang- the NIDian, Anushka Sharma- the designer, Sujeena Manpoong- the Guwahati friend, Morcha Pde- the SIM friend, Carlo Marbaniang- the architect friend, Mandy- the engineer friend, Ashok Elwin- the well known, Mr. Ladi- the sculptor, Mr. Febby- the NIFT fac, Dorjee- the NIFT fac, Jonathan Rymbai- the busiest man, Ricky- the cool company, Harmless- the non-harmful, Kong Baliyan- the doer of all things, Sir Deepak Chanda- the precise man, Madam Passah- the only madam, Kentiew- the manager, Kong Nian- the enthusiast 1, Hiebhah- the young energy, Dr. Joan- the lady with details, Fomley- the bike rider, Ruati Darnei- the designer, Oriland- the new friend, Mr. Good Year- the good taxiwala, Diana Jathang- the friend, Kong Nampui- the Saipung lady, Mr. Nampui- the Saipung man, Mr. Mangaya- the guide, Jenny- the best friend 1, Chuani- the best friend 2, Sanga Sir- the enthusiast 2, Rema- the cool school teacher, Chungnumga- the secretary, Sumarsing Sawiam- the traditional expert, Teilang Khyriem- the almost busy man, Mang- the perfect entertainer, Bless- the on phone man, Buh- the Sunday awaiting man, William- the best driver, Riew- the never-been-out-of-Meghalaya man, Riaz Bhai- the first and best taxiwala, Sujeet bhai- the exploiting taxiwala, Rashid bhai- the nice taxiwala, Bah Mahesh- the cool dude, Mr. Diengdoh- the Ribhoi expert, A. Khonglam- the in office man, Mr. Bang- the man in office, Pochester Kharkongar- the bureaucrat, Eson- the smart man, Kong Balbara- a typical character, Balawan- the sweet chap, Kong Rikynti- the friendly lady, Ivoreen- the married mystery, Thup- the silent man, Ilis Kramsa- the enthusiast 3, Yar- the Saitsama madam, Bercy- the cousin, T. K. Darnei- the Saipung help, Mayfereen- the NGO lady, Arun Diengdoh- the brother in law, Mr. Yake- the name mystery taxiwala and the countless taxis between Jowai and Ummolong and many more people.

Kublei Shibun to the unlimited pack of Lays- cream and onion, Maggi cuppa mania- chilli chow yo, the bakeries in Jowai, Amul butter and Kissan mixed fruit jam, Britania good day biscuits, Bisleri water and the dal-chawal and alu fry of 5 Stars dhaba for surviving us in Jowai. Khublei shibun to Cafe Shillong, Centre Point, Bread Cafe and Subway for making a difference in Shillong!

Khublei Shibun to all those who have made this trip fantabulous and unforgettable for us!
We love Meghalaya!

*LOVE*
Aarti :)

KHUBLEI is the word to wish well, KHU meaning bless and BLEI meaning God, from the depth of the heart and soul. (Ref.: Golden Vine of Ri Hynniewtrep- The Khasi Heritage by Sumar Sing Sawian)

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-05-18T21:48:00.001+05:30

Pineapple fibers... some dried, some fresh and some dyed!
Click on the image to download.

Sunday Special: Sacred Groves of Mawphlang

2011-05-01T18:28:00.013+05:30

Sacred Groves! It sounds special, doesn't it?! A large stretch of forest land untouched with any sort of human activity! Pure and virgin nature, that's how special it is. They are the forests preserved for beliefs associated with Khasi religion and traditions.

We (me and Soumya) visited the sacred groves of Mawphlang, one of the largest and best in Meghalaya which is about 25 km from Shillong. To explore the forest, you need a guide to take you around as finding your way back is a bhool bhulaiya! And after a point it is quite scary! Or else you have drop things on the way like Sita dropped her jewels as a direction for Rama or like the noble Scottish man who carried a ball of Scottish wool while entering the labyrinth to fight the devil and dropped the thread as a trail to return back safe.
Thank God that these forests are botanically rich and not rich in wild life!! :D

Here are few pictures of the Mawphlang Sacred Grove...
Google mata has more to say on the sacred groves. Few links to that are here and here..

Cafe Shillong

2011-04-30T23:04:00.023+05:30

After consequent unsuccessful attempts made in search of basic food in Jowai, discovery of Cafe Shillong was like an achievement!! After about 25 long days of starvation and survival on bread butter and noodles, I was craving for a meal full of veggies! In the whole of Meghalaya, Shillong is the place for some variety in good veg food! Otherwise, loads of meat is available all over!

On one of the busy streets of Laitumkhrah area is where you will spot Cafe Shillong on the first floor of an ordinary building!

AWESOME FOOD + AWESOME PLACE = AWESOME DAY
is what it makes!

We @ Cafe Shillong

Cozy Cuhions, wall display and the graffitiVeg Cheesy Burger and Veg Thukpa (Tibetan soup)

Black coffee and chocolate brownie!

Click on the menu for a bigger picture.

Short but delicious menu for the veggies and a slightly elaborate one for the non-veggies!! Best place to hog after super protein and vitamin deprivation in other parts of Meghalaya!

The best part of Cafe Shillong is free unlimited Wi-Fi! Superb food and free internet! What else do you need?!! :)
It was not just one but many AWESOME days @ Cafe Shillong! A must place to visit when in Shillong. And I know that Soumya Menon, Dhaneesh Jameson, Jisha Unnikrishnan, Anita Isola and Arunima Singh will second me on this!

Saturday Special: Full Wood House, Smit

2011-04-30T16:51:00.002+05:30

Smit, is a small village about 15-20 km from Shillong. Well known for it's traditional Nongkrem Dance, Smit has beautifully preserved the Khasi culture and traditions.
Smit, till today follows a king-ship rule. The King is called the "Syiem" here. Today Morning, I had a chance to visit the Syiem's house. And being a Syiem's house, it is indeed very special...It is a huge, full wood- thatched house without any metal nails. Is'nt it interesting?!! Walls and floor made of oak and pine wood, with a thatched roof and roof windows for light, the house has a complete cane and bamboo furniture. Plus the floor coverings are also of woven cane and bamboo. Pleasant in summers and warm in winters!!
Well, believe me, the summers here are more chilled than the winters of Mumbai. But also, people say that, the warmth here has increased in past few years... the global warming shows its effects everywhere! :|

Coming back to the Syeim's house...
Here are few pictures I captured. Pardon me for the extra bad quality of pictures. (It was a cloudy and rainy morning!)
Thatched houses generally have a low ceiling and a narrow entrance. But this being a king's house, everything here is king size!
The pegs used are all wooden. It is a belief that devils and ghosts are always killed by wooden weaponry, hence using wooden pegs keeps the house safe and away from evil spirits. Also, Meghalaya is an earthquake prone area. The wooden pegs help keep the joinery more intact than the iron nails.
To get to the house, you have to drive through a boulevard fenced by conical pine trees on both sides. It is a beautiful place and Smit is one of the coolest places in Meghalaya!

Ferns and Petals

2011-04-28T18:05:00.006+05:30

Just cannot resist taking pictures of flowers and leaves here! Yea... I'm still in Meghalaya! Place of sheer beauty and vivid nature!! Love the ferns and petals here..
A month back this place was mysterious, people were strangers, names were alien and language was tangent! But now about a month and half later, the place is limitlessly beautiful, people are friendly, names are familiar and language is logical.
There is a lot more more to this place...will keep posting in bits and pieces.

Happy Earth Day

2011-04-22T20:48:00.006+05:30

This picture shows one of the mesmerizing part of the earth in Meghalaya! Evergreen forest, ever flowing river and the suspension bridge to get the most of it! Crossed this and many such bridges on a 25 kilometer, eight hour walk from Saipung to Mualsei in the Jaintia Hills district.

Photograph by Dhaneesh Jameson. Find more photographs on his blog "through my snaps"

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-04-20T13:16:00.001+05:30

love BAMBOO love

Click on the image to download.

Motif Monday

2011-04-18T07:50:00.004+05:30

Pine cones with the Fibonacci spirals!!

Bamboo Weaves

2011-04-17T19:22:00.013+05:30

Bamboo, a very versatile natural material is in abundance here. Every thing from houses and furniture to plates and containers, tools and equipments is made of bamboo.
Bamboo Rocks and Bamboo Rules here!

Here are some woven structures used for the walls of houses.
Yo North East!

Chad Sukra

2011-04-10T20:55:00.014+05:30

Today was the celebration of a local festival called Chad Sukra in Jowai. Jowai which boundaries within the Jaintia Hills district, is the second largest town in Meghalaya. Chad Sukra (chad meaning dance) is a spring pre-sowing festival celebrated by the Niamtres (non- Christians) of the Jaintias.
Dancing on the traditional beats and songs praying for a successful sowing of paddy and a fruitful harvest, everyone from kids to elders were dressed in the traditional wear of thohsaru- the black and white checkered waist cloth woven in eri silk, jainkyrshah- muga silk woven draping fabric with red borders, iu spung- the cotton turban and jainkup- eri shawl with beautiful traditional beaded jewellery. Some of the traditional dances are named Laho, Kyndai, Nongrep and Pasteih. Some people carried these humungous paper flower bouquets which symbolize the the season of spring and is also an icon for a healthy and fruitful harvest.
I tried taking some random pictures of the festival and some very pretty young Jaintia girls in their traditional attire.

Happy Chad Sukra!!

Flower Zoom {Happy Sunday}

2011-04-10T18:46:00.012+05:30

Unlike in Mumbai, it is Spring here! Abundance of flowers; fresh bright and beautiful. Meghalaya is the place! I've never seen so many flowers together. Here are just a few. Don't ask me the names! I just know lilies and irises.

Lily

Iris

Happy Sunday!

Updates with Pine cones

2011-04-06T21:05:00.013+05:30

Hello everyone!
I'm not lost! Absolutely alive and aal izz well!! I'm just in another world! A little cut off from the blogosphere, I'm in the state with plenty of pine cones, tall pine trees and wide expanses of pine forests! I am in Meghalaya- The Abode of Clouds!
As of now I have pictures of pine cones, yet to capture the spread of lovely clouds here, and I love pine cones. The love began when I designed few pine cone motifs for Christmas. Had never seen them earlier and now here there are loads of them. I've collected some to take back to Mumbai and have some fun.
In past few weeks, I have missed a lot of things on the blogosphere.... it was Holi, then the April Fool's day, then Gudi Padwa and many of motif Mondays and wallpaper Wednesdays! *sigh*
But I have more interesting things coming up straight from Meghalaya!! :)
For example: World's best turmeric is grown in Meghalaya!

Turmeric

Will get back with more details and excitement in upcoming posts, till then...
Ciao from Meghalaya!! :)

Friday Fresh Flowers

2011-03-11T19:05:00.007+05:30

Pink pale and yellow! Love these roses that colored my dining today! :)

Motif Monday: When in doubt, use a paisley!

2011-03-07T11:35:00.008+05:30

Paisley, being Indian at origin and having global fame is such a versatile and ingenious motif. It easily blends with floral, geometric, ethnic or even abstract patterns! So, when in doubt, use a paisley!! :)

More of paisley love here, here and here..

The Rubber Band

2011-03-05T14:49:00.008+05:30

Do you remember Sharuki and his Rubber Band from Movers and Shakers on Sony Entertainment Television about ten years back?!!! I remember!! His Rubber Band was do much fun! Hai na?!! Sharuki and his Rubber Band was the first thing I thought while composing a post for these colorful rubber bands I picked up from Staples. Such cool colors and ultra cool packaging!! It's a rubber band ball, all "Made in China".PS: No connection between Music bands and rubber bands except for the common "band"!! Don't know why the thought of Sharuki and his Rubber Band here??!!! :D

Runner Story + Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-03-02T19:38:00.009+05:30

It is a fact! A found fact! I have mentioned this here. The placemats and runners that are sold in Crawford market "are" export rejects because of defects. Defects that you cannot make out, but I can ;)
During our discoveries last weekend, me and Dj encountered a whole godown storing beautiful runners, placemats, napkins, kitchen towels and much more... in the heart of the city, Crawford market. I picked up this multi-stripe runner from there! "Multi-stripe" is such an exportish word in textiles! All in spring-summer colors woven in Karur.
Well.. well.. have a look at the same runner here.
Yaay! It's a Pier 1 product and I have it just for 5.5 USD!! ;) I love Mumbai for this!!
And this also makes a colorful wallpaper for today!

Click on the image to download.

Hello March!

2011-03-01T15:12:00.010+05:30

It's March already! And 2011 not being a leap year, has missed our "two months of wedding" anniversary!! But CeLeBrAtIoNs do not need dates :)

Last weekend was a "market roam around" weekend with my friend DJ. Dj is an architect - urban designer and has recently started blogging at City Doodles. She loves cities and we love to explore cities together. I have blogged few of our explorations here and here. City Doodles is an interesting architectural city-centric blog, you should visit, comment and follow!!

Both, me and Dj love to buy pretty stationery of any kind. And this time, we picked up these patterned binder clips from Staples and Landmark. Aren't these pretty?!! Bold Bright and Beautiful! Very Spring-Summer!!

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-02-23T22:15:00.003+05:30

Florals in Wild!!

Click on image to download.

Elephant Ride

2011-02-22T20:14:00.005+05:30

Does it feel ROYAL on an elephant? The very purple-wala ROYAL!?!
I never had a chance for an elephant ride!! *sigh**sigh**

Camel Ride

2011-02-21T21:10:00.005+05:30

I had been to Rajasthan in March 2008. Enjoyed the camel ride on sand dunes of Jaiselmer. I was not blogging then! But I do blog now :) and today, I was thinking of that camel ride for a design!

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-02-16T17:50:00.002+05:30

It's getting warmer bit by bit! And here is a stripy and springy wallpaper for today!

Click on the image to download.

CelebrationS :: Happy Love Day

2011-02-14T23:09:00.004+05:30

It is time for celebration in the season of love :)
I heart my blog ::: I heart fabrics
The 200th post makes the LOVE DAY more special!

I have designed a I heart Fabrics wallpaper for you! Click on the image to download.
Hope you have a lovely DAY of LOVE!
XOXOXO

Delhi Calling

2011-02-10T10:58:00.005+05:30

Headed to dilwalon ki Dilli for a few days, to catch up with work, friends and much more!

Happy Blossoming Weekend

2011-02-06T18:00:00.003+05:30

Hand Drawings + Blossoms = Happy Weekend!!

Hometown Love

2011-02-03T09:23:00.015+05:30

I believe in IDEAS. I believe in FUN.
Therefore, I believe in FUN IDEAS!
As, FUN = LOVE

{Hometown LOVE + Fabric LOVE + LOVE for Bags}
=
{FUN + More FUN+ Much More FUN}

This equation is illustrated here...
Colorful and trendy, patterned and smart is what adds to this new "RECYCLED" development. Let me know what you think!
How about calling this line of products as "SOCH". SO for Solapur and CH for Chaddar!
I have thought of few more things for SOCH, those would be in different sizes, different shapes and different tastes too :)

More on Solapur Bags here.

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-02-02T13:37:00.002+05:30

The season of roses red and pink... for the season of LOVEClick on the image to download.

{Happy Monday}

2011-01-31T10:43:00.012+05:30

It was indeed a happy Monday morning to see a dark pink flower blooming bright in sunshine on the ganesh vel in our balcony! And many more buds are coming up :)
We had a hard time to grow this small ganesh vel. Yeaa, but now it is all healthy, wealthy & bright!
Further... it is a happy working Monday!

Co-blogger meet: Neha Gandhi of Matsya

2011-01-30T18:57:00.015+05:30

Many a times, I do click the "I'm attending" button, on events received on FB, and hardly attend any! But today, I made it a point to attend the event at the Farmer's market in Bandra where Neha Gandhi of Matsya Crafts was exhibiting her "eco" products.
Sharing some pictures of Neha's exhibit here...
Mostly from Kachchh, the products included beautiful ajrak printed bags, hand embroidered pouches, hand painted wall decor and terracotta lamps, decorative danglers and much more. All handcrafted and awesomely finished!
Here is Neha interacting with a customer...
And here is "me" with Neha :)
What inspires me is Neha's unbound level of energy and her involvement and dedication towards Indian crafts and crafts-people!
Links to Matsya Crafts here and here.
Some more pictures of the Farmer's Market "eco" exhibition follow...

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-01-26T16:37:00.002+05:30

Happy Republic Day!!

Click on the image to download.

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-01-19T17:26:00.009+05:30

The magic about black wallpapers is that you can see your reflection on your screen! (Provided you have a glossy screen :) And you can give a glance at your looks time-to-time :P I'm sure you have tried this and if not you should try it now!
I always keep blackish wallpapers but I also keep in mind that *Work is IMP* :)
Click on the image to download.
Try the white one too... But the black is more dynamic!!
So...Happy Glancing!!!

Uttarayana

2011-01-15T15:38:00.005+05:30

Happy Uttarayana/ Sankranti/ Pongal/ Lohri !!

Wallpaper Wednesday

2011-01-12T20:09:00.006+05:30

The WALLPAPER WEDNESDAYs begin here...
This new year has been a honeysuckle start in terms of color and life too. And thus it continues here too...
I like clean and clear wallpapers. They make life easier.
Click on the image to download.

Relationship Status: Married

2011-01-08T10:16:00.016+05:30

Married to Mahesh Jagtap. Mahesh is a fine artist. He works on paintings, sculptures and installations. I will feature his work soon and keep featuring him in some or the other way! He is currently working on his web portfolio and me too. We house in Kandivali- western suburb of Mumbai. Having stayed in south Mumbai all this while, we are liking the suburban way! It is peaceful! After setting up the house, getting into a routine and simple decor happening all the time, we will soon catch up with work-stuff!

Sharing a glimpse of our simple Marathi wedding...

...delicious yumm food followed...

Photographs by Prashant Chavan and Aniket Waingankar

Happy New Year

2011-01-07T13:13:00.003+05:30

Wishing everyone a very happy colorful prosperous new year!
I'm not too late to wish, its just 7th day of the new year 2011! :O It's already 7 days!! Time if flying and I flew from being single to being married this new year :) It is really too fast!

Well well... many resolutions planned for this year too. Like, exercising and gym-ing to be first on list :D and so on...
In blog concern, I have planned to start a new sku called Wallpaper Wednesday in the category cloud. As the name suggests, there would be a new download-able wallpaper on Wednesday. For me it's an exciting challenge, and for you it's a new wallpaper every week! Interesting, isn't it?!
Hope you like the Wallpaper Wednesdays and more that comes up this year!

Season: Wedding

2010-12-15T15:10:00.012+05:30

*blush blush*
Like I've been saying in past few posts about my love for paisleys and pink, it now actually shows in this post. This also explains what and which too many things have been happening lately. The countdown has begun and its just 14 days from now!

It is a simple Marathi Wedding with "paisley" (koyri in marathi) as the theme. From my saris to the jewelery I designed for myself, to my husband to be 's wedding kurta; everything has paisleys.

Here, I'm sharing few images of the Wedding Reception invite...
Let me know your views.

Design: Aarti Badamikar
Print: Virakshi
Photography: Rohan Deshmane

PS: The cards are scented :)
PPS: I think I should take up wedding card designing ;)

Truely dainty...

2010-12-13T23:13:00.006+05:30

Paisleys have taken all over me. Its a secret sneak peek of whats coming up very soon...
This makes my new banner all influenced with the "mood". The pink is totally "love" and the font 'French Script' is awesomely stylish. Love its 'A' and '&'!!

Honeysuckle {happy weekend}

2010-12-11T22:29:00.012+05:30

THINK PINK
It's the "We Love Pink" year!!

Pantone announced color of the year 2011 as Honeysuckle.

Few days back I worked on a lotus sketch for some applique patterns. Thought I should recolor them in Honeysuckle just to enjoy our love for pink!

And Honeysuckle indeed makes a happy weekend!! :)

It's getting cold

2010-12-10T22:34:00.007+05:30

I heard from a friend that it has snowed heaps and hills in Canada in past few days. It's getting cold here too, but I still do not need an extra blanket :P
PS: I'm in love with pink nail polish these days :)

Old drawing

2010-12-09T23:48:00.006+05:30

It's been long for my last post. Many things are keeping me "busy" here and there. This secret of being "busy" will soon be out..
*blush blush*
In my Blog folder, I have a folder named "Not Published"; which, as the names suggests contains unpublished images. Was browsing through it and found this floral drawing from my first semester at NID, and I guess it makes a good post!

Button Love

2010-12-02T10:51:00.008+05:30

I made some fabric buttons yesterday!
Not some but chappan :) 56
Used a mix of fabrics; woven, printed and embroidered. Some of my favorites too like mashroo, khann, batik and brocade.
Now will soon craft something of them...

World Aids Day

2010-12-01T18:50:00.002+05:30

LET'S LOVE LIFE MORE!

making Snowflakes

2010-11-29T18:28:00.006+05:30

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T22:09:00.005+05:30

Maple and oak leaves, they are such wonderful forms and superb colors! There is some beauty in their hindi names too, chinar and saigun.
I have seen them just in pictures. Not available in my part of the world *sigh*
I keep asking my friends to get me some maple and oak leaves while coming from Kashmir, US or Germany! But they think I'm crazy and they never make it a point! *sigh sigh*
But I never miss to use them as favorite fall motifs!

Sunday Sunflowers

2010-11-21T11:48:00.014+05:30

Last Sunday, on my way back to Solapur from Belgaum, there were fields of sunflowers to add cheer. Sunflower being the favorite flower of Van Gogh *(I love Van Gogh)* and also a favorite motif for patterns, I did not miss to take few pictures.
I always prefer self-shot images, firstly because the photographs are shot according to my ticking thought and then I can use them with a lot of freedom :)
More sunflowers here and here.

Tatte Idli

2010-11-20T11:42:00.024+05:30

I love all south Indian food. Idlis are common. We make it at home. Button idlis are also somewhat common. These are small and coin sized, hence called button idlis. What about tatte idlis? Not common! Right?!!

'Tatte' is 'plate' in kannada. And these idlis are called tatte idlis because they are as big as a small plate and are made in plate size molds.
A tatte idli is double the size of a vada. Here the vada itself is bigger than the regular size :)
Idli being a south Indian dish, I'm not sure whether tatte idlis are common there. I have had many idlis and many varieties of them at many places in the south of India, but found these for the first time! Visually different but yummy to taste, provided you like street food! *(I love it)*

TUMKUR TATTE IDLI CORNER, near KLE campus in Belgaum, as the name suggests makes no other but only tatte idlis. The menu is limited with tatte idli-vada, double tatte idli, double vada and masala dosa for Rs 20/- each served with unlimited coconut chutney and sambar.
Tumkur is a place in Karnataka. I guess the owner hails from there and thence the name. Did not get a chance to talk to the people there as everyone was busy serving on the Sunday morning. Crowded on all days and super crowded on Sundays, Tumkur tatti idli corner is a very famous idli corner in Belgaum.
It is a no smoking zone with self service and walls decorated with divine images and ceilings with colorful paper garlands! I had one tatte idli-vada as my Sunday morning breakfast. If I would have had a double tatte idli, I'm sure I would have had to skip lunch for the day ;)
Captured a south Indian man dressed in typical south Indian attire of mundu and a shirt having double tatte idli!
The next time you are in Belgaum, Thumkur Tatte Idli Corner - a must visit place for Sunday breakfast!

PS: Tatte idli molds are available in Belgaum market. I got one for myself :)

more kirigami snowflakes

2010-11-19T22:09:00.006+05:30

C for Christmas>

S for Snowflakes>
K for Kirigami Snowflakes

Last year my kirigami snowflakes were octagonal. This year they are hexagonal and perfect!

Kolhapuri Chappals

2010-11-17T13:25:00.006+05:30

Kolhapur is my grand-parents place and I have been there 101 times. Since childhood I've enjoyed wearing the very famous handmade Kolhapuri leather chappals. Many times I have shot these chappals, but I always shot them in the evening and hence the pictures were never good to post. But this time I went to the market of Chambar Galli during the day time and got some unshaken and focused pictures which make this post.

Natural palette

I like the natural palette these chappals make. Inspired from the color and design patterns made on the chappals, a superb collection of home textiles can come up! (my next inspiration ;)
Over the years, Kolhapuri chappals have taken various turns in terms of design and look. But I always have loved the very basic and traditional looking chappals and especially I love the red pom-pom (gonda in marathi). Now-a-days the chappals are made without the gonda, but whenever I buy, I insist to put a gonda for me! It looks more authentic :)

The traditional chappal with the gonda (pom-pom)

Fancy and modern Kolhapuri

Kolhapurai chappals are available in Mumbai and other places, but a very few of them are authentic. Regular chappals are also sold as Kolhapuri.. so one who doesn't know how and what they are might buy something else under the name of Kolhapuri!

Jaya Jaitley has written a beautiful chapter on Kolhapuri chappals and its craft-persons in her book 'Vishwakarma's Childern'. A must read book for those who keep interest in Indian crafts.

Lace Love

2010-11-17T12:52:00.014+05:30

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Ric-Rac Ric-Rac /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Four and half meter of lace! Whoaa!! Super colorful and super cool!
I'm using it on a cushion. Will get back as soon as I finish the work on the cushion :)
>PS: Thank you Kate for this lovely tutorial. Found the ric-racking here..

crocheting..

2010-11-15T18:09:00.006+05:30

I was in Kolhapur/Belgaum for last four days for some family get-together! A lot many interesting things I came across which are going to make few awesome posts... plus, I also did some work!
Regular design work + some reading + some fun work like like winding some fancy colored cord and crocheting it into a funky lace...
I spent all the time on my way to Kolhapur winding this colorful cord. It was in a hank form when I purchased and it really got all messed up in process!! But yea finally I could get three balls with no knots :)

PS: The lovely lace is coming up in the next post.

Rockstar Besan laddus

2010-11-10T09:33:00.013+05:30

Who says laddu has to be spherical? Why should only Christmas and Halloween sweets have all the fun?! Diwali sweets will also have fun! And laddus will take a different shape!!

My friend Vaishali sent me a box full of sweets yesterday. Apart from the regular stuff there were these interesting besan laddu (or ladu called in marathi), I took pictures before I could taste them! I'm sure they would be as yummy as they look! I would call them Rockstar Laddus ;)PS: My mom is also equally excited and says that she would decorate her besan laddus in similar way for next Diwali!
Thanks Vaishali for such wonderful laddus!

Macrame Bag

2010-11-08T08:53:00.008+05:30

I love bags! And old bags; I love them even more!!
Recently found this macrame bag which my mom knotted 30 years ago, before her marriage. It has just faded color from bright green to a dull yellow. But its knots are still intact and firm.

Mom is expert in embroidery! She has beautifully embroidered many things,but all before her marriage! <"sigh"> I'm sure I have got my design and textile genes from her :) Moreover, my grand-mom was a super expert in embroidery, macrame, quilting, knitting, stitching and what not. And more importantly, she consistently continued it after her marriage! I have some textile pieces which she has made, will post them some day.

As of now, I'm going to flaunt this bag all around. And I like when people ask me when I carry some out-fashioned old bags, similarly when I carry the Solapur bag!!! :)

Diwali diya

2010-11-07T19:19:00.007+05:30

Shubha Dipawali!!

>Ps: I so so want a DSLR to shoot more dramatic pictures <"sigh">...

Happy Diwali

2010-11-05T13:45:00.005+05:30

Its Diwali, time for colors, lights, joy and cheer! Also time for colorful rangoli...
This is the rangoli I made today in my porch. Currently, I'm working on some traditional Jaipur patterns and the same influences my rangoli pattern too :)

May this Diwali bring you lot of new business and success..
Wish you a very happy and colorful Diwali!

It's Halloween

2010-10-31T13:39:00.002+05:30

and it is Happy and Haunted!!

Pumpkin Fun

2010-10-25T14:32:00.004+05:30

Aren't these the real rockstars?!!

Cauvery Emporium

2010-10-25T09:51:00.007+05:30

CAUVERY is the government handloom and handicraft emporium of Karnataka, like the Trimourti of Maharashta, Gurjari of Gujarat, Lepakshi of Andhra Pradesh, Kairali of Kerala, Mrignaynee of Madhya Pradesh, Phulkari of Punjab and many more. My last Bangalore trip was a short, but this time couldn't miss a visit to Cauvery! Like the logo, the elephant is omnipresent in the emporium. Elephants of rosewood and sandalwood, decorative and carved, small and big, all is here! Authentic for sandalwood and sandalwood items/products, all of Cauvery is fresh with the sandalwood fragrance. Unlike the Trimourti emporium of Maharashtra which is located in a corner of Mumbai, Cauvery has a prime location on M. G. Road of Bangalore with all the hustle bustle. It is a lovely place celebrating the crafts of Karnataka and all of India!
PS: I got some sandalwood perfumed sachets and a rosewood elephant.. sandalwood one was too expensive :P

Scary Cat

2010-10-24T15:20:00.007+05:30

peeping...
What's in there for the coming weekend??!!

BoOoOoOoo!!!

Autumn Mood

2010-10-20T10:12:00.002+05:30

Shubha Dasara

2010-10-17T11:48:00.006+05:30

Happy Dussehra!!

Bebinca

2010-10-07T10:01:00.013+05:30

Bebinca - The Goan SpecialityI missed it the last time I had been to Goa. But this time, my mom went and I asked her to get it without fail. Had tasted it earlier when my friend Dj had got it... but this time I wanted to explore it completely and so this pack of :) I like the name 'Bebinca' It so different! A little difficult to remember at the first go..but later that's the only word you keep on saying! This happened with me :D

Bebinca is popularly known as the Queen of Goan sweets, it has a rich golden brown color and an enticing flavor.
A multi-layered sweetness that melts in the mouth. A Goan specialty that is relished all the year round.
Made from maida, eggs, sugar, coconut, butter, salt and spices, bebinca is a real treat! Not to be missed the next time you are in Goa! Available in any local bakery or a grocery shop.

I was googling for more images and found this with a complete recipe here @ Food Lorists
Let me know if you bake & make it!

Thanking...

2010-10-06T18:47:00.010+05:30

I'm featured on The Key Bunch. Yaaay!! :) Thanks to Rekha and Sharon to feature me on their "Designer Spotlight" section. I'm so happy!! Thanks a bunch!

Screen shot of the blog featuring me

And, thanks a lot Patty of Colors Dekor. It is a 'better late than never' thanks :) for featuring me on her first "co-blogger find" in January this year. Thanks so much Patricia!

Screen shot of the blog featuring me

A continued and over whelming response from my lovely co-bloggers and readers (you) gives me a continued enthusiasm to blog and to blog beautiful. Many many thanks :)

Love all,
Aarti

Blue

2010-10-03T12:24:00.007+05:30

Some more napkins.. hand embroidered and Blue :)

Chart 2 for Akshay

2010-10-03T10:11:00.014+05:30

"7 DAYS OF WEEK"

And here is Akshay with his colorful chart!

He says to me "Teacher has said very good!"

I'm waiting for the next chart to come... hehe!

Chart 1 for Akshay

2010-10-03T10:03:00.006+05:30

Akshay Joshi, St. Joseph's High School, Std I-A, is my cute little neighbor. For his craft class teacher gives 2 projects per week. This weeks first project was 'cereals'! Akshay's mom had too much of workload so she said, "Aarti, will you please do this for me?!". She says, the marks are for the mothers!! <:D> No student does it, it's all the mommy's home-work!

Why are students given projects which they themselves cannot do??
I remember, my mom did some clay fruits/vegetables for me during my primary school! Why such difficult crafts.

Well, anyways...! It was so much fun doing this and the next day Akshay was flaunting all over the apartment that "look this is my chart!" :)
And my excitement for the next chart was building up :D

comeen halloween

2010-10-01T18:48:00.003+05:30

It is OCTOBER already!
^_^

Felt Love

2010-09-27T09:56:00.010+05:30

My love for felt is never gonna cease. No hem, no stitch, no finishing! Just cut and use... It makes life so easy! I had asked for some felt fabric and felt ball samples for explorations... received them and I'm lovin' them!

Color-Select

2010-09-27T09:46:00.004+05:30

Weekend bit of work...
Dad is getting new t-shirts made for his office staff. He asked for a few texture samples and chose one.. this was pre Brown? Dark brown?? Light brown?? which brown?? Coffee?? Choosing color was the biggest confusion! and I had to settle down this confusion by selecting one proper color. I selected Sepia.. A nice brown! Neither too dark not to light! Just right!

Of course I asked the staffs choice... that was the easiest way indeed!! :)

Napkins

2010-09-23T21:46:00.009+05:30

In magenta, gray, turquoise and lavender... my new development is here!!!
A set of hand embroidered napkins. >Some napkin rings are here.

Dots & Stripes

2010-09-22T16:32:00.007+05:30

Absence of my computer for a few days made me sit with my water color box for a day... for few hours actually ;) Wearing my new yellow, green and red polka dot dress made me paint these polkas! And some coordinated stripes for it!!!
This often happened with me during my grad school days... did it happen with you too?? Getting influenced by the colors you are wearing and painting the same in your artwork/design. If not your own, sometimes color worn by your fellow classmates!!!

It was so much fun and excitement to paint these!!!

G for Ganesha

2010-09-22T16:23:00.002+05:30

Ganapati bappa moraya..

Pudhchya varshi lavkar ya!!

All New!

2010-09-15T08:57:00.004+05:30

Get set go with new fabrics & new colors for new designs & new products!

Yes Yes! I yet have to post pictures of the new embroidered napkins... wait for it some more....

A sneak peek

2010-09-08T12:16:00.004+05:30

New development!!

Lately, worked on set of napkins, some hand embroidered.. and some aari embroidered...

Inspiration: Gooseberry

2010-09-06T11:57:00.011+05:30

I once saw gooseberries in the Crawford market and regrettably did not buy them, neither tasted not took a picture! Thus I do not much know about the fruit. But just the sight of it was inspirational enough to draw and compose a pattern of it.
I worked on these patterns last year and had forgotten about them completely until yesterday, when I saw this beautiful silver & pearl pendant.
A superbly elegant translation of the inspiration!! Such a fortunate connection!! Loved it!! Bought it!!
:)

Floral Blast

2010-09-06T11:17:00.009+05:30

I'm not good at guessing names of the flowers but I'm good at drawing them ;)
Here are some poppy, lilies, asters, gladiolas, sunflowers, crocus and irisis.

This post is by an invitation from The Key Bunch people to participate in the celebration of their second bloggiversary!! Its party time on the blog world and its a floral blast "Say it with flowers!!" out here! You may also join the floral party!
I recently got introduced to The Key Bunch. It is an eclectic blog... I'm yet to explore it completely.