Entering a new phase…..with back to studies, little bit of creative moments and a long wish list to accomplish….

 

Hi folks,  as promised I am back. Who would ‘nt love to interact with like minded people..

But as I mentioned in my last post  I was missing on it so much .  Today I will tell you all the reason.of my absence from blogging or crafting.

Well , as a mother of two grown up boys, I am in that phase of life, where my children needed a lot of my time and support. My elder son, finishing his graduation and  trying out for admission to  post graduation colleges. And my younger son, just completed his grade 12 cbse board exams, and looking out for graduation in good design colleges.

This whole year has been a pandemonium of  dropping and picking up from classes,  browsing the net for information about the courses, colleges and  most of all moral support to make this exam phase a little stress free for them.

At this juncture, I can very well relate to what Jennifer Quinn said….

“  There are two times when parenting is the most difficult….

When the baby first arrives at home, and when the adult first leaves home.”

But then these and some facts of life…. and we must support our kids to fly high and make a life for themselves….., to live their dreams.

As for me… I will terribly miss my kids at home but I will have so… much time to myself that I have decided to make the most of it by blogging often, study to become a teacher, which was always in my wish list………

 

Try and continue my hobby which is sewing and quilting……..

These are two blocks that  I had made long back but managed to quilt recently…..

 

Or just blog about whatever comes to my mind and also improve my writing skills. I always loved to read, and I  am always fascinated by a well written post or article.. I really admire people who can write well, and to  acquire that art is one of the item in my wish list.

So hoping to do all that and more….. I hope you all will support and inspire me with your suggestions and advices and post your comments.

Until my next post…..take care.

Preeta.

Happy Vishu….. and back to blogging

 

Hi Everyone…..

Its been a long hiatus from blogging….. and I will talk about that in my next post.  But for today, I want to wish all my keralite friends A Very Happy Vishu…..

Its the time of the year which indicates movement or transit of the Sun to Aries, which is also the time of spring Eqinox.  It marks the astrological new year for us Keralites from the southern part of India.

It is also the onset of harvest season….. and nature is at its beauty the sun shining bright and hues of yellow everywhere around us back in India, with the Casia fistula or the golden rain tree blooming with yellow flowers, all yellow fruits and vegetable in abundance.

Smell of mangoes….lemons, pumkin…the list is endless..

It brings a festive air ……

 

It is also the festival of good beginnings…..

What better day and way to start  my blogging, which was neglected in the past few years….

                                                                                                     

 

The age old belief goes that if we see the auspicious “Vishu Kanni” ( which means the first sight or that which is seen first at the crack of dawn) on the day of Vishu would prove to be lucky for the entire year…

And so that is how I started my day…  and  praying and hoping this new year to be full blessings and abundance in all phase of our lives. The pictures are of the Vishu kanni I kept in my home for us to have the first sight.

With that note of positivity…… hoping to see you all soon.

Have  a wonderful day and be blessed!

Preeta.

Ethnic Cushions….

With the festive season in full swing among us Indians,  Its lovely to see beautiful homes decorated with traditional and ethnic stuff.

I am also a fan of ethnic and beautiful stuff.   So it was natural that I wanted to add some festive touch to my home decor too..  That<s the reason I came up with these pair of cushions……

 

These are 30 X 50 cms and I have finished it with invisible zipper.  The fabric is cotton silk and I have appliqued typical kutchi embroidered  trim ,on them.   Loved the finish.

 

Took this picture without light, to focus on the self prints on the fabric. With this project I became more confident with attaching zippers too.  Will definitely make more of them. Because they really add to the moods and seasons.

Until my next post…. enjoy this festive season and do take care…

Preeta.

A post after a long break…..

Hi Everyone!,  Its been a long break for me with summer vacations here in the Middle East, and after certain priorities restricting my creative moments, I couldn't wait to get into my creative haven.
But as soon as I could get active, I wanted to make this dresdane wall hanging which had been there in my wish list.
 







I actually wanted to hang it on the rod and take a picture but, my living room doesn't   get that much sunlight to take a good picture. So I have spread it on the floor where I can click a good snap. I have machine quilted it and am quite satisfied with the outcome.      
Did you notice the tag in the corner of my quilted wall hanging? This is courtesy  Nissiwood.  My friend Nima,  had made this tag, for her handmades and when she showed it to me I was so.. impressed that I wanted to get it made for me too. This time during my vacations in Kerela, India, I ordered some for me. Thank you Nima, for giving me their address and Thank you Nissiwood for this wonderful design and tag.
This last picture of my finish on the dining table in my hall. You can see what I meant about no sunlight! Just managed to click this one for my satisfaction. Do you notice all that tags? All of them from Nissiwood.

I know my posts are not frequent, I am trying to manage a more disciplined routine with my creative moments too. So looking forward for some more time with my hobby. Until my next post…
Its Bye from Preeta.

Handmade with love …..

Handmade gifts are always cherished ,and especially if  its for someone who has similar passion, they cherish it even more.

With the holiday season here I am looking forward to meet up with my people back in India. And so made a few simple and quick gifts……

I made two more pouches, and a journal cover. All the three are quilted. Its been ages since I tried quilted stuff, and found my hands a bit shaky while quilting the journal cover, using my free motion foot. I tried to do stippling on the cover.

Hmmmm…… will really have to practice a lot to become perfect  and loosen up my tight hands.

 

The pouches were quite simple since I have just done straight quilting. One is a pencil pouch and the other is a cosmetic pouch.

I hope, whoever receives these gifts are happy about it.  If you ask me…I am eager to give it to my dear ones.

So what do you thinks guys…..

The journal cover is a tutorial from Jenny of  Elefentz designs. And the pouches, there are many tutorials out there online.

Its going be another long break for me here at creative moments since I am off for  a two months vacation.  Hope to come back with lots of inspirations and mojo after this break. Till then stay happy and stay healthy everyone……

Bye……

Preeta.

 

A zippered pouch….

Hi friends….. I am trying to get back to sewing and quilting, although as slow as a tortoise, I am progressing and I am happy about it.

Today I am showing you off my quilted zippered pouch. A very simple and quick one to make.  I saw this pattern when my dear friend Nima made this pouch. I found it very practical and neat to carry basic cosmetics and daily wear jewelry. This pattern is a tutorial from bloominworkshop.  Perfect pouch, for filling it with all your necessary items that you need to carry along on daily basis.  And also perfect for gifting. I really need to make a few more.

Quilting is simple, using a walking foot.  I have made it bigger than what is specified in the tutorial, since I needed the depth.
Hope you all will send in your comments and advices…
Until the next post, please take good care of yourselves.
Preeta.

A Come back and a post……

Hi Everyone!!

This blog has been totally neglected since the past two years. In fact I was in a dilemma as to how I should start all over again. Last two years has been quite challenging in terms of my health  which has resulted in total neglect of my blog.

I am feeling blessed to be out of that situation, and happy that it has made me more stronger as a person.

Today I am back with a post…. A set of six tie back cushions for my dining table chairs.

My living room doesn't get any natural light, so I have manage with the lights on and since the table has a glass top, that reflection of the wall mirror on it.
Please excuse the picture quality.

Sewing the cushions was not tough, since I chose to keep it simple but the tie backs took a lot of time…..

But I am happy with the result, it was worth all the effort. I love the fabric which is from Ikea.

Now, only looking forward to have more and frequent such Creative moments in my life. Do send in your comments to motivate me …Until then its bye from Preeta.

First post this year…….

 

Hello everyone !!   Its been a long time,  since  I posted on my blog…… Last month was very busy, and continues to be so at present too.   Hope all of you out there had a blessed New Year’s Eve. 

I made these cushion cover almost 1o days back but couldn’t blog about it.

I  had always loved these ethnic fabric,  called Khaan.  It is a silk type fabric which is little thicker than pure silk and comes with lovely borders.  This fabric is quite common in the State of Maharashtra in India.  I have used half of Khaan fabric and the other half is silk.  And actually the colors are brighter than in the picture.

I love playing with different types of fabric for making cushion covers.

That’s the back of my cushion cover, I have added a piping  to the flap, and it looks beautiful.   I am sorry that the pictures are not so… great but its been cloudy since some days and I couldn’t manage to take a better picture.

One last look at my cushion covers……………..

Hope to come up with many more creative posts shortly…. The are too many WIP and I am eager to finish off them, but with the time constraints I am taking it one at a time…… Have a great day!!!  Bye….

                                                        Preeta.

Merry Christmas to all… and a gift for my friend.

 

Wishing  you all a Very Happy and Blessed Christmas ……….

Hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love, laughter and happiness.

Meanwhile I also wanted to show you all something special , I made for a dear friend of mine……

This is a New year planner for which I made this cover and a  Christmas Roses penny pocket.  The  Roses penny pocket  pattern is a Simply Christmas freebie by Jenny of   Elefantz  on Shabbyartboutique  blog.  Thank you Jenny for this wonderful freebie.

The card was made by my son.  Hope all of you out there have a wonderful time.   With prayers and good wishes …… Preeta.

Reviewing the past and a small finish……

 

Nothing much has been happening in my sewing room,  since I have been busy enjoying some time with my elder son, who  has come home  from the university for his holidays.  And whenever we get together as a family its fun speaking  about the past and we feel so great and proud about all the things we have done and learnt together,  and our journey through life. Such family times are the ones we love and cherish.

And  then, I wanted to go through my creative past too….. So, I decided to remove all my past finishes  just feel good about it….. and include you too ….

Reviewing the past...… VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Meanwhile, I managed to finish a small project…. another journal cover.

This one will be a journal for all my positive thoughts and pearls of wisdom that I collect over the period of  time…..

 

I am sure all of you out there will be busy getting ready for Christmas  and new year.  Do share  your work  and keep posting your comments. Until then, its Bye from  Preeta.

A quick recycling finish

 

Hello everyone,  the other day I was organizing my son’s cupboard and I came across some old pair of  jeans, which had become quite small for him.   As I  kept it aside, I remembered something that I had come across online about recycling old jeans  into some fabric baskets.  I had bookmarked that particular blog and so after finishing my cupboard organizing,  I went to check it out.  And I really thank this blogger for coming up with this wonderful and quick tutorial.  The result of which are  these lovely fabric baskets…..

It was  just an hour long project and I was really thrilled with the outcome.  I have used iron on interfacing with the lining fabric.   If you too want to make some with an old pair of jeans, which I am sure everyone will have, please check out this blog by Pam from threading my way.  Its quite a simple and  quick  finish.

Sorry about the picture quality, its very cloudy over here and I am not able to get some good pictures.

What is happening at your end friends,  loving all the festive finishes in  blog land. Looking forward to your lovely comments and suggestions. Until  my next post. Do take care all of you…  Preeta.

Some new cushion covers…….

 

Hi friends,  We here in gulf  had a lovely weekend, with beautiful weather, and some rains.   Last week I had a lovely time in my sewing room whipping up some colorful cushion covers. 

I made six of these and was very happy with the outcome.  I kept the backing plain and attached some wooden button for the opening.

This was the first time I used the sensor button hole facility that I have on my new Janome sewing machine. It was very convenient and easy.

One  final look at all my cushion covers……

Hope all of you are busy in your sewing room making some lovely things ….. Looking forward to all your   finishes.   Till then do take care…. Bye from Preeta.

A prayer book cover, and a new beginning……

 

Life is full of choices and compromises,  and we have  control on it till we make our choice, But once you choose, then the choice takes control over you.   And I as a person believe in the power of prayer and faith.   Prayers help us in making the right choices.  I used to maintain a prayer book in which I wrote  some shlokas  ( hindu prayers verses) everyday.   It is believed that every verse, that you say or write has its own positive vibes. 

So as a new start, I decided to give a positive look to my prayer book.  Moreover it made me feel auspicious to start with something connected to prayers and the almighty.

So this prayer book cover……..

There were many journal cover tutorials online and I just looked up a few of them to get an idea.  I have added a cotton lace which was gifted to me by my dear friend Nima.  I  have also added a ribbon book mark.

I hope to continue coming up with more creative projects, and request all your support and suggestions. Until my next post, Take care and keep making right choices…….

Change brings progress….

 

   Hi Everybody. Its been a while since I have posted anything on my blog. This was because I was on a long vacation of two months,  after which I got caught up with several other priorities that came up, giving me hardly any time in my sewing space.   Then there was also this lack of mojo, which made the creative side of  my brain very lethargic.

But during these past few months of absence, I spend a lot of time thinking and introspecting as to how I can strike  a balance between my creative interests and the other challenges that come up in my daily routine .   And it was a realization which made me understand where I was going wrong.

  I was always focusing on   a time  consuming or a large project which eventually remained  incomplete due to lack of time and continuity,  and later my interest on that particular project dies. I also had this thing of trying to finish a project the same day I started it, which wasn’t easy and so I used to wait for the  day I had lot of  free time which was not practical at all.

Finally, after a lot of  self motivation and  convincing myself that it is  better to do little little things that I enjoy, rather than focusing on something big . I decided to start afresh.   But before I plunged into my creative world with my new found wisdom, I needed some change.    Change in my blog,  which would be  a new look, a new name to which  I can relate  to, and many other things…. Because I believe Change brings progress….

So dear friends,  From now on I am switching over to my New Blog  name,  and  Inspirational Art will now become Creative Moments.   Because it is during my creative moments I come up with a creation.  It can be anything small and creative.  I am now going to focus on  consistent blog posts.  It may not necessarily be a crafty post.   It can be a simple home décor that I have added or changed.  Phew….. now I feel good and motivated to enjoy my creative moments.

I hope, all of you out there will support and encourage me,  and all my friends who follow my blog will take notice of this and make changes in their  blog lists. Please continue giving me all your support and suggestions and look forward to the all new CREATIVE MOMENTS.

Another table runner…..

It’s the time of the year, (that is nearing holidays in this part of the world), where I find myself eager to do  a makeover for my home.   Every year, around this time I feel that urge to make changes around my home.  I don’t know why, but maybe since we are eagerly waiting for that vacation wherein we go to our country, meet our family and then shop for a whole lot of things for the next year, mainly because we need Indian stuff especially clothes and accessories, and I also have a  separate list for my home décor and my hobby ie sewing , quilting etc.
In that process, I end up making more of décor stuff…., so this second  table runner……


I have used typical Indian cotton fabric, I really love to use indian fabric since they have an ethnic look and also easy to handle while sewing.  This pattern is a tutorial from  Samelia’s mum   Stack and Slash table runner.   I loved sewing this pattern, and am very happy with the outcome, I have done free motion quilting…….and here’s a closer look at my runner.

Hope to come up with some more décor items next time….. Till then happy sewing  and take care.
                                                     Bye !! from Preeta.

A table runner…..

Hello!! everyone, Its been sometime, but  my visits  to  the  sewing room has  really come down nowadays.  My elder son, has come down from India for his vacation, and I am quite occupied trying to spend some precious time with him and for him.    Meanwhile , our family vacation is also due soon and I wanted to make some quick gifts for my people back home in India.

I thought of a simple table runner, and this is what I came up with……

 

I  have appliqued this paisley design on  either side of a self printed bright red material ,  I really don’t have enough words to tell you all how happy I am with my new  janome  8900QCP  .

I  really enjoyed doing the applique stitches around my paisley.

The fabric I used for my applique  and binding is quite thick, and it was also fraying a bit,  but in the end I was happy with the result.  My DH  loved it so…. much, that he wanted  it to be on our buffet hutch.  So I will have to make another one as gift.  With so much  time constraint, let me see how I can manage.

Until then take care and Bye…….

An Embroidery pillow……

Embroidery is something I really love doing, but I am always confused as to how to finish it or  what to make out of it.  I also love positive sayings and quotes around me.  So this time I have tried to merge two of my likes through this design which is a free  BOM from Jenny of Elefantz.  She is a wonderful stitchery designer and I really love her work as well as her blog.  I consider her as a great inspiration for a person like me who needs lot of motivation for progressing on the crafty side of my life.


I have used Jenny’s  promises and borders design , but the saying inside the border is different than what she has stitched.  I loved it once it was complete and decided to make it into a pillow, so that I can have it always in front of me.
Nowadays I am a little busy with other priorities but I will do my best to try and reduce the length of my to -do list and post some more  finishes.   One final picture of my pillow………

Until my next post its bye from Preeta…..