Applique

At the Tilonia bazaar last week I bought this gorgeous applique bedspread.

Skillfully made by women artisans in the Barmer region of Rajasthan.The Algerian Eye stitch which looks like little stars are sprinkled all over the bedspread. Each bouquet of flowers with a zig zag border must have been made by different artisans because the density of the Algerian Eye Stitch varies from square to square.
                
Then I saw these cushion covers and I had to have them as well.

I picked a camel and a horse.There were elephants and peacocks but I couldn't find any as beautifully made as these two. Next time I'll go on the first day.   

Starting this week I'm going to be teaching Indian embroidery to an evening class and applique will be one of the topics dealt with so these cushion covers will come in  as handy examples. The bedspread will be too bulky to carry.

Have a good week.  

Specialisation is for Insects

This quote ought to be everybody's mantra in life.
If only this quote could be used as a guide in one's approach to life instead of following what is prescribed  because of a person's gender, social status, age, religious belief etc.
The prescribed life is a sad one which perpetuates discrimination, stereotypes, corruption and a warped sense of entitlement all modeled on the caste system. The caste system has been abolished then why do we create a system for ourselves which hems us in. Avenues to explore new ideas and to grow and blossom in an area of ones choosing are shunned for those which are merely sources of money and possessions.    
Follow your heart, live a little people. Sigh! I feel privileged because I've done what I want to do by choice and lightning hasn't struck me down. One is told there are dire consequences if you don't toe the line served up with generous helpings of emotional blackmail.
 All bunkum. Do your thing follow your heart get involved with living life. You'll be a better person.

Cotton fabric dyed with coffee.This is the reverse of the embroidery. 

This is a work in progress.

Have  a good weekend.  

Africa inspired throws

My trip to Tanzania in August inspired these patchwork throws. A small group of women in North Karnataka made these hand sewn throws with noil silk cut offs from Plantation House.    

 Indian Ocean. The blues of the ocean and the soft white sand. It's magical in Zanzibar. R and I sat and watched the colours of the water change as the tide came in and the sun
made its journey across the skies to finally set. Absolutely spectacular.

 Masai. The Masai wrapped in their red blankets, so dramatic in the golden brown Savannah.

 The savannah in Tanzania. Browns and golds and the blue sky. Serengeti - the endless plains with the odd acacia tree I've never experienced such wide open spaces before and seen such exotic animals.

Spice Market. The colourful market in Zanzibar,the different colours of the produce and the awnings protecting the shops from the sun inspired this throw.

  

Spice Market. The colourful market in Zanzibar,the different colours of the produce and the awnings protecting the shops from the sun inspired this throw I used lungis. A lungi is a woven  cotton fabric which is usually checked and worn by men in India like a sarong. Currently this Bollywood song has made the humble lungi top of the charts.
The throws are reversable and are generously sized rectangular lounge throws 74" x 48".

The show at Madder Moon was a thumping success. Some pieces of my work sold which has me so excited. I now have to find more venues and galleries which will show my work. If like me you find yourself  wondering where you can find an audience for you work there's good advise to be found here.

Have a good weekend.

Fibre to Fabric - An exhibition at Madder Moon, Singapore

On display at Madder Moon, Singapore are my embellished fragments. This is a group show of fiber artists from Singapore and India. 

Delighted to be exhibiting my work alongside such talented artists.

I chose to represent the cultural mix of people of different diverse ethnic backgrounds through their proverbs. The ethnic diversity of Malay, Chinese, Tamil and many more makes Singapore such a vibrant lively place.

Patchwork, applique and embroidery went into making this piece. The material used is tussar silk. 

A Murukku is a savoury crunchy treat which is usually in a spiral form. There are a number of different types made by Tamilians who hail from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. So I've embroidered names of the different types of Murukku in the Tamil script.  

There are Singaporean proverbs too I discovered. 

       

A Malay proverb. Tussar silk, patchwork in a boro style and embroidery.(This piece has been featured in the Straits Times Life, 27th September 2013 - An Hour@ the Museum)

Fiber to Fabric opened on  24th September and is there to view at Madder Moon until 5th October.
Do drop in if you are in Singapore and want to be culturally enriched!

Madder Moon
16 Ann Siang Road,
01 -01 Singapore,
Singapore 069696

Phone + 65 6225 2435

More pics of the show here on Facebook.

Bead seller in Besant Nagar

The bead seller who will customise for you.

bead jewellery. 

colour, size and texture - you're spoilt for choice.

The bead seller wears fancy bead anklets made by a friend.

Have a great week.

Tussar silk boro

This tussar silk boro began way back in 2012. Take a look at the beginnings here. It languished for a quite a while before it found its way into my handbag along with an assortment of tussar silk scraps and embroidery thread to be worked on while I waited in airport lounges and got curious glances, or got up early while on holiday. It grew and got embroidered on.   

Those lines sum up rather nicely what results from being isolated with  scraps of fabric, a needle and some thread.

The whole piece. It's not complete my intuition tells me, I'm waiting for that flash of inspiration.

Details.

How is your week? Any flashes of intuition?
I'm working feverishly on some embroidered proverbs for a show at the end of the month. I might have something to show next week.

Tea - A Fiber Book - Page from Susie

Apologies, about not posting on this blog but I'm getting back on track.  

 Here's my latest page  for my fiber book on Tea which I received from Susie.
Don't you love those little ceramic cups? Equisite details which I really appreciate.

This is the back of the page. Teaspoons of sugar. Delightful.
Susie thank you for this beautifully detailed page.

Winner of the Crochet Runner

Hello! 
We have  a winner for the crochet runner - drun roll......... it's.......... Celia from Portugal.

This is what Celia had to say about Crochet and what it meant to her.
'Crocheting means reviving my childhood hobby and remembering those long-ago pleasant afternoons and evenings spent creating bedspreads, tablecloths, doillies, etc. Nowadays I apply my creations on CQs, bags, etc. Always a pleasure.'

There were eleven of you who chose to participate and I loved reading all your associations with crochet. Thank you for sharing

Celia I'm hoping you read this because I can't email you. Would you email me your postal address so I can post the runner to you. My email address is maya (dot) matthew ( at) gmail (dot) com.

I hope you will participate in the next giveaway I have.

Have a great week.

    

Looking for Roy G Biv 2 - Violet

Violet.

The Jacarnda in the Nilgiris - such a pretty sight.

I don't know the name of this flower but its so intense and velvety.

Petal strewn road.

A violet house. Purple and violet are considered vaastu colours in India.

Crochet Runner Giveaway

There is a man from Andhra who we call 'The Laceman'. The Laceman brings an assortment of crocheted products to my mother's house on his bicycle. He only asks you to take a look at what he has, you needn't buy but you know at the end of the half hour spent on the verandah looking at cushion covers and table cloths you will end up buying. 

Over the years my mother has bought for herself and for us beadspreads, tablecloths in assorted sizes, runners and doilies. Each piece is exquisite.

The last time I was visiting my mum The Laceman came calling so I decided to buy a runner to giveaway on my blog in appreciation of the craftmanship and skill of the women of the West Godavari region in Andhra Pradesh.  

The handmade ecru coloured crochet runner in the picture is there to be won by one lucky person.
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what crochet means to you.

The giveaway is open until the 23rd of August.

Page for Theresa - Book Page Swap 2013

Here's the page I made for Theresa.
Theresa's theme is Travel or Travelling.

What a coincidence because I'm going to be away on a trip, hoping to spot the Big 5 in Tanzania and the blue waters of the Indian Ocean of the coast of Zanzibar. Can't tell you how excited I am, its my first trip to the African continent. Any tips? or advise on things I must do and see or avoid. I'm all ears,do tell.
 Its been a bit of a roller coaster ride getting things together for the trip especially getting a shot of the elusive yellow fever vaccine but I'm hoping It's All Smooth Sailing from now on!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Looking for Roy G Biv 2 - Indigo

I could have taken a photograph of an indigo tie dyed shawl I have or an indigo resist dyed bedspread but that was not the point, I wanted to come across Indigo and snap it with my cellphone camera like I had with Roy G B.  

 So I couldn't be a part of the Roy G Biv hosted by Julie and Jennifer on the 18th of July.( the third Thursday of every month)

 Then yesterday I got onto a plane and looking out of the window and I saw the most glorious indigo sky. I could have snapped a lot more indigo because I flew Indigo airlines and all their branding is ... you guessed it indigo but that would have been way too cheesy.

 Above the monsoon clouds an indigo sky and an indigo wingtip.

Check out the indigos Charlton Stitcher, Kim, Fiona, Cindi, Lisa and Christine found.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Life is a whirlwind

The last couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of activity. We have spent quality time with family making some beautiful memories and we've been on the road covering hundreds of kilometers.
Work has been progressing slowly and there will be something to show you in my next post.
I'll leave you with this inspiring video on YouTube called 'Before the Looms fall Silent'. Please take a couple of moment to watch this video, .It's a fantastic initiative by the Crafts Council of India.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AJYaQswa4Cs#at=15
 I hope your week is going well. Sorry about the gigantic spacing I can't fix it although I've tried. I hope its fixed by some miracle by the next post. 
I'm planning a giveaway soon - next week or so to celebrate the work and skill of the Indian crafts person.
Until next week, have fun and stay well. 

Page for Francis - Book page Swap 2013

Francis' theme is Flowers and Gardens. Hope she likes the way I've interpreted her theme.

Tea - A Fiber Book - Page from Francis

The third page for my fiber book on tea is from Francis in Australia.
Francis has photographed her favourite tea pots from her collection and transfer printed them.

The reverse has a picture of a ride 'The Mad Hatter's Tea Party'  at a local amusement park. Even the little note has a cute little teapot charm.
Tea seems to be taken quite seriously in most countries as is evident from all the commercially printed fabrics available. Love the print of tea pots and cups Francis has used on her page.

Looking for Roy G Biv 2 - Blue

I saw a lot of Cobalt blue this month in my search for Roy G Biv. I wonder why its so popular, is it cultural, religious, why cobalt blue? I must try and find out.     

 Electric blue serial lights wound around the trunk and branches of a tree. You would never have guessed right?

Cobalt blue chain link fence.

 Scratched cobalt blue paint texture on a merry go round.

I've never seen a fish like this so I don't know how to go about searching for a name. Any clues anyone? There was no name and price at the fish shop where I snapped this picture.

What blue and where did you find it? Won't you play along? See what some others found this month here and here.

Have a great weekend.

Page for Susie - Book Page Swap 2013

This is a page I've created for Susie. Susie's theme is 'whatever makes the artist smile' and chocolate certainly makes me smile.

Red, Blue and Green

 Red

 Blue

Green

I've restocked my Etsy shop. There are three pretty handloom cotton scarves with beaded fringes and hand rolled edges for sale.

Lightweight, with delicate hand embroidery just perfect for summer.

Mille Fleur

Mille Fleur - my latest creation. Hand embroidered buttonhole wheels cover the surface of this two and a half meter long black cotton silk scarf.