Re-Creating Using Old Cushions and Pillows

All of us have a few old cushions / pillows which we don't use anymore. We can use them to create something new and wonderful! I made very tiny square cushions using an old cotton sari as the cover. I call them 'cushionlets' :) . These cushionlets can be popped into my handbag as well, just in case I want to rest my head while I am traveling. In short, they are portable, light weight and very cute! :)

My cushionlet :)

The DIY idea will require:

1. Old cushions/ pillows
2. Old cloth which is in good condition and has a pleasant color and design
3. Needle, thread, scissors
4. Measuring tape

Steps to be followed:

1. Decide on the size of cushions
we should have a rough idea in mind before we start our work.  How big will our cushion be? What will be the size of the cushion? Etc.

2. Cut out the cloth.
Take the cloth of our choice and cut it according to the size we decided. If we want a square cushion, we can cut the cloth based on the length of the side. If we want a circular cushion (I am yet to try it), we can use a compass or a round shaped object to draw out the shape and then cut it out. We can also have flower shaped, star shaped, moon shaped cushions. In short, it depends on our liking :)

We have to cut two pieces of the cloth having identical size. (For the front and back of the cushion)

3. Stitch the cloth
Stitch the two pieces of cloth using a thread and needle. Select a silk thread for more strength, and also keep in mind that the color of thread should blend with the color of the cloth.
Leave one side open and stitch the rest.

4. Fill the new cushion
Tear the old pillow or cushion and remove the cotton inside. Use this to fill the new cushion. (which we stitched in step 3.)  Ensure that the new cushion looks fluffy.

5. Stitch up the last side
Stitch the last open side of the cushion using the same thread and needle. Once all the sides are stitched, check the shape of the cushion and even it up.

Our new cushion is ready!!!! We can repeat the steps and modify them as we like. We can add things like buttons, ribbons etc. to make them more pretty, but that is wholly our choice!!

Carry What You Make

When I was in school, we had subjects like Craft and Art.  I wasn't very interested in these subjects while I was a student. I used to be lazy to actually create my own crafts.  But once I started working, I don't know what changed, but I started feeling the need to create.  May be it was due to the fact that office life is mostly about the technical field and there isn't much of creativity there.  As years passed, I felt the need to creatively express myself, in order to get back in touch with me! And that is how the whole idea of 'Carry What You Make' started.

 Imagine having an idea, bringing it to form (which requires a lot of patience and time), and then using it. So if I feel like owning a bag, I think of the color and other details of it and I then create it.  At the end of it, I feel happy and light that I made something.

I have always loved simplistic kind of style.  And these days I like Indian, simple, colorful kind of fashion.  'Handmade, Handcrafted, Handloom'...all of these words are what describe what I love.

So what are the benefits of creative expression?

Creating something helps us all in some way or the other. So if you are someone who likes playing the guitar, then may be you can think of a new tune and compose it. Or if you are someone who loves cooking, then you can try a new recipe of your own. What ever interests you, take sometime out to give it form.  This whole exercise is very liberating. It gives us a voice in the world. It expresses what we have to say out into the world.

We need to create without expecting anything in return. We need to create for the joy of creating. We need to create to patiently see what comes out of our efforts.

So the  next time you feel called to create something, give it a try!

Chudi Bazaar @ Hyderabad

My visit to Hyderabad wasn't planned. It just happened. My friend called me one day while I was at my cubicle in office.  I was speaking to her after a long time and as we spoke we realized we hadn't met since two years! The plan to visit her at Hyderabad followed, the tickets were booked through Tatkal and Shatabdi Express dropped me off at Secunderabad station on the afternoon of the Saturday that week.

My ethnic, metallic bangle box

My trip was very short as I had office the following week. But in the short time that I had at Hyderabad, I managed to visit the Chudi Bazaar also known as Lad Bazaar near Char Minar (Old Hyderabad). The  I have always loved wearing bangles, be they chudis or kadhas. I started collecting bangles since my college days. I have a varied collection now. I have the colorful metallic thin bangles, and the glass ones which are a little thicker than my metallic ones. I have the wooden, hand painted, thick ones. These continue to be my favorite. I love hand painted and hand crafted things. As I belong to the IT industry and we work a lot with the computer, I find wearing bangles on a daily basis a little cumbersome. I'm not very comfortable typing with too many bangles on my hands. I collect bangles nevertheless and wear them whenever I get a chance!! :)

The Chudi Bazaar at Hyderabad has a vast variety of bangles. There are the thin chudis (metallic, glass, etc.), the black metal, bangles with stone work, wooden ones, painted ones.  There are the simple ones which we can wear daily, and then there are the ethnic ones too!

The market is very crowded as it is thronged by tourists from all over. We need to bargain a little as the prices quoted are a little higher than the actual price.  We also need to check the bangles really well before buying, as if we buy a defected piece we will have to go back through the crowded streets to find the shop.

Apart from bangles, we also get bangles-boxes of many kinds, Some are metallic, others are wooden, some look simple while others have a richer look.  I didn't buy any box as I already have one with me. My bangle box is metallic and has an old, ethnic Indian look.

During my trip to the bazar, I bought a few bangles for me (rustic old golden shade with white stones perfect for a sari or an ethnic salwar kameez, and similar bangles for my sister who also happens to love bangles.

So for those of you who are planning to visit Hyderabad and who wouldn't mind exploring the world of bangles, the Chudi Bazaar is definitely worth a visit! :) Happy journey and happy shopping !! :)

My Latest Love - The Bindi :)

Bindi - a tiny dot placed in the center of our forehead.  It is common to see women wear a bindi in India.

I used to be a person who never liked wearing a bindi. Recently though, I have developed a lot of love for the Bindi, and when I tried wearing one, I felt it suited me :)

I belong to the Konkani GSB community and according to our tradition we are supposed to wear the bindi.  But these days it depends on each one's personal choice.

I did some online research on bindis and found the reason they were made part of our tradition. It seems that a bindi is traditionally placed on the Third Eye (Ajna) chakra and it is supposed to protect the person from negative energies and other evil. I am not sure about the scientific side of this theory but this is something I read.

I feel that wearing the right bindi with the appropriate outfit can greatly enhance one's look. It can make us look traditional, beautiful, elegant and trendy all at the same time.  I specially love the large round bindis which are available in many colors. Bindis look wonderful with a sari (simple or ethnic), with kurtas and salwars, with ghagra cholis, and other Indian attire. It makes our look complete.

As for me, I am going to make the bindi a part of my look whenever i can from now on !!

Lost in Green

Being out in Nature has any benefits, be it a walk, or gardening, or just sitting near a tree.  In olden days, children spent more time out in Nature, and even adults were more connected to Nature.  With the rise of urbanization, trees reduced in number and buildings increased.  These days most cities are filled with smoke and pollution. People are living a life cut off from Nature, but this isn't how it was meant to be.

Nature and human beings as well as animals were supposed to live in harmony.  The rate at which we have gone astray from this original plan of the universe is shocking. May be it is time to get back in tune with Nature.

Some of the scientifically proven benefits of being close to Nature are:

1. Nature helps us calm down and relieves stress

2. Nature is said to positively affect our health

3. Nature makes us happier people

4. We become more productive at work

5. We are more balanced as people

There are so many more benefits of spending time in Nature. Many people are realizing the importance of re-building their connection to Nature. Some people are switching to Organic products, many people are creating start ups related to Nature, like Yoga Retreats, Homestays, Gardening, etc.. Slowly, we are able to see some change in the world.

I think we should all try to re-built lives in such a way that Nature is also a part of it.  Activities like Nature walks, hikes, gardening, etc. are some great ways to start.