Be Thankful for the beautful thing for life- free printable- Art print

                                                                         
  I love the idea behind the celebration of Thanksgiving and think every one should make it a point to be remember the important things in their life for which they are or should be thankful for.. Things that we take for granted!! Although it would be nice if we could remind ourselves this all year round but we do forget that in midst daily chaos .. I made a digital art print for my desk which will remind me to be thankful about life..

                                     So thankful for the beautiful thing called LIFE..

You can download the pdf print from here. The print has a border for framing. PDF as you know has variety of options which lets you make smaller prints which can be used as gift tags or cards. Go ahead, use your creativity and imagination. I would love to see and feature your creation if you make something from this print. 

Pencil sketch

When I saw a photo of this Rajasthani old man , there was something intriguing about him. His eyes, his wrinkles, his turban or his mustache.. Something which compelled to draw his sketch that very moment. I haven't sketch much recently so I just had to challenge myself to sketch him. I was surprised at the result- it felt like ' wow! I can still sketch well. I thought I had completely lost touch'. 

I am happy I challenged myself to do this. 

laughter therapy - Illustration with watercolors and ink

I did this illustration of the smile or laughter technique since I see so many grumpy faces around:)

I have met/seen many moms who are so stressed out by their daily life or work. They frown and yell at their kids even toddlers. I know toddlers in their terrible two mode can be too much to handle for some. But then if children will not be naughty, throw things around, run around like whirlwind or typhoon who will. I get stressed too and when I do I just fake a smile not letting him know that I am stressed. I think a Mom should always be happy around her kids so that they would learn to be happy, jolly, less stressed. After all parents are their role models. 

We all fake smiles, don't we at work or while meeting some friend or stranger. So why not in this situation.. why burden their growing minds with stress. When you start smiling that itself starts easing the stress, making you feel better and better. This idea is also used in laughter clubs which were originated in Japan and later spread all around. I never laugh heartily alone( that's crazy) but a giggle or chuckle also helps..Just smile and just expand it till you relaxed. There are other benefits too!!

For more fun ideas to keep laughing read this wikihow articles: Laugh

So keep smiling and be happy!!

Joing party at PPT and IF!

DIY/ recycled craft : Rocket

I had saved the cardboard tube of the kitchen roll to be used when I will get a idea to do a recycle craft. Today I finally got the idea. 

A rocket- yes the tube perfectly fits the shape of a rocket. My planet loving son is very fond of rockets and UFOs.  I cut a yellow paper according to the size of the tube to cover the tube. Then two sets of blue and green strips, a few stars and circles to decorate the rocket. I also cut 3 legs for the rocket with a free hand design. A cone was made of the same orange card stock which I used for the legs. 

First glue all the decorations on the base paper. By this time my son who was sleeping got up. He wanted to be part of this activity. So I told him to apply glue all over the back of the yellow base paper. I glued it to the cardboard tube. With a sharp knife I made 3 insertions a little above the bottom of the tube for the legs in a way that the legs would touch the ground once inserted. Insert the orange legs inside. The conical top was glued to the top part. 

Spring Art

Inspired by spring I made these illustrations on small notebooks. They are done with ink and pen. These are spiral notebooks with handmade paper covers. Looking at these notebooks lightens up my day, especially on a gloomy dull day. It makes making a list of mundane chores much easier:)

I painted a book cover with Madhubani art sometime back. You can see that here.

Do you hate making a list of banal chores then either buy or decorate your little book with something that cheers you up!!!

Feather- Ink on watercolor paper

 I had shared the progress of this painting months back on Facebook .. If you have liked it you have already seen it. What not yet?!! You should.. ;; Haha!! For those who haven't yet I will share with you today. 

This inspiration came to me one night after my little one went to sleep. I had to draw it otherwise I couldn't sleep.I eventually   finished it. It is colorful feather- ink on watercolor paper. 

Image taken by@home. Subject to copyright. If you like it so much you can buy it from me. 

A perfect gift for a 2 year old- a handmade gift from Mom

It was my Son's 2nd Birthday last month. I was so busy preparing for his party and celebrations that I even forgot to update the blog. I will share the pictures with you later. It will take several posts to cover all the things I did- gift to decorations, from food to party venue. 

My son is big fan ( read obsessed) by vehicles- from racing car to siren cars to construction vehicles. Just few weeks before his birthday his love for fire engines surpassed other vehicles:) so I decided that his 2nd Birthday will be Fire engine themed. So along with the decoration started the preparation for his gift. Daddy had planned to give him a big Scania fire truck. I decided on  making something that I am good at- painting. ( honestly if I didn't paint myself I would have bought it from someone else for sure. Because that's a perfect gift for any little boy especially mine)

I added a sweet note on the sides which he will love to read when he is older and remember me. I intend to keep up this tradition of making something handmade for him every birthday- something that will last for years and maybe generations. 

Oh almost forgot to tell you that he loves it!!!!

Next I am working on Cement mixer!
Images taken by me @ home. Subject to copyright. If you are interested in print or similar painting just drop me a note. 

Our family portrait !!

Hellllloooo.. Anyone reading this blog anymore.. Hahaha.. I myself have not read it in long time honestly.. You know sometimes i just get this writers block..I just cannot find appropriate words..anyways.. I am sure it happens to all!! So please bear with me as I try to get my mojo back :)

So the other day I was doodling in my book.. I doodled my husband's face.. That gave an idea why not make a family portrait of us.. So I did a illustration of us with pencil..

Can you believe me if I told you that I had  to look in the mirror to see how I really looked like?!! I drew my son and husband  easily but I just couldn't draw my face properly.. I was a bit shocked and that time I realized how busy I am running around my little one and doing household chores that I don't have time to look in the mirror.. :( ok .. So I got over it and then starting painting with watercolors..

And then slowly slowly I finished it with the details of our features .. and it is finally done..There it is.. Funnily I do think we look cute as cartoons :))

What do you think guys ?? Would you like to cartoonify yourself :)))

Happy Diwali

                  Wishing all my lovely blog        readers a very happy Diwali!!!

Elephant in love

Sometimes size does not matter.. especially when you are in love!! Love can happen anytime..anyplace and with anyone!! 

A spontaneous painting ...doodle turned into a painting. No planning, no vision, no sketching..Just let my mind flow on the paper.

 I love elephants and recently I have been making a lots of them.. 

painted with watercolors on a watercolors paper. 

I then punched shapes on the sides..spontaneous punching I must add. I regretted doing that as soon as it was done.

I drew the design on the elephant with pilot pen. This goes on my son's room's wall ..I see it as a  good way to teach him big and small proportions:)

Images by me @home. subject to copyright!

New painting: Story telling

Hello beautiful readers..How are you? I hope you are enjoying the summer days .. a few last weeks I suppose.. Summer always seems to be short right?

I finished another painting after burning the midnight oil for several weeks..I don't know if it is summer or my son who is keeping me more occupied:) It is acrylics on canvas. I have named it story telling.

One of the cherished moments between a mother and child is story telling. It is that time when both of them forget the world and lose themselves in the beautiful world of imagination, fairies, kings and queens..far far way lands where the everyday worries and thoughts don't bother them..

I am sort of falling in love with transparent glitter paint.. I used it in my other painting' Daddy and baby lion' and in this one I have used it quite generously.. The puff cloud of imagination  is coated with glitter paint..Thus showing how they are surrounded by an aura of the bubble- like and dream-like thoughts.

Hoping to reopen my etsy shop soon ..it seems to be taking forever:)

Joining the party@colorsdekor, PPF!!

New painting: Daddy Lion and Baby Lion

After a sabbatical of nearly 6 months I have started painting again..It feels so good as if I got my wings back..

So readers, Sharing with you my new painting" Daddy I luv you" ..

 

I started working on this one in the middle of the night when suddenly I had an inspiration to draw and paint..

I worked on it slowly whenever my son slept.. Now he does not sleep longer hours in the afternoon as he did when he was a baby and also at night he makes sure that we both sleep and then only he sleeps....so you know the work goes on slowly..

These pictures I took at night when I got the idea to make these glittery bubbles on the paintings.. 

Another picture I took that night ..oh they look so pretty in real !!! After it was done completely to my satisfaction I showed it to him.. He just loved it.. I clicked some pics while he was admiring Daddy lion and baby lion..

His appreciation is the biggest compliment to me!

Here are the pictures of the finished painting..

                                  

Some more angels..

 

It took a few weeks to complete!! I am happy with it!!

Saree inspired hand painted wooden coasters

Sari has a special place in every Indian girls life..There is something magical about it..The beautiful textures, patterns, designs, embroidery on the long 6 meters stretch of fabric is mind blowing!!! I decided to pay tribute to sari by painting some wooden coasters with saree inspired patterns..

I decided to go for maroon base color .. Rich maroon which is traditionally favored sari color for weddings .. I painted golden circle motifs over them..

I varnished them with several coats of high quality glossy varnish ..

Initially I made these as prototypes.. as I was not sure if these hand painted coasters could withstand regular / rough daily use .. Now after months of usage I  am certain that they can stand heat, water and hand washing.. 

I am so keen on making a few more of sari inspired ones if only I had more time on hand...

All images taken by me and subject to copyright . 

Party preparations ..

Admist crazy packing for moving to Dubai, I managed to find some time to make decorations for my sunny boys car themed first birthday. I have designed, printed, cut and assembled all of these myself. Really enjoyed doing it although it was tiring designing and creating the tiny patterns and cutting the fine details.

Sharing with you some pictures I took at home..

Hello 2013!!!!!!!!!

Hello friends.. I am back to blogging..Wish you all a very happy new year!!!! Have you guys made annual  to-do  list for 2013. I have.. I made one last year as well..and am so glad that most if not all of the tasks I had planned for 2012 are done!! Looking back at 2012, it has been a very good year personally..

- First and the most important is that I became a mother. I have a sense of fulfillment now... I feel so complete after giving birth. It was the most painful ( physically) yet happiest moment of my life. My baby is the joy of my life and I am enjoying every single moment of being a full time mom. 

 A sketch I made of my mom holding my son when he was 1 month old.

- My parents came to Singapore for my delivery . They stayed with us for 5 months. We enjoyed Mommy's lovingly hand cooked food for all 5 months. She cooks such tasty yummy food. Even the simple dishes taste so heavenly when cooked by her. They both are so positive and optimistic about life. Brought back lot of positivity, witty sense of humor and energy to my life. 

- starting my own business . It hasn't made me richer but I feel happy, confident and strong.    This creative work makes me happy and satisfied that's why I do it. It keeps my spirits high all day. I can smile and be cheerful all day for my child. A happy full time mom ( especially in the growing years ) makes happy children I believe and is my experience so far.  I am also glad that I could achieve some level of mastery in managing time taking full time care of my son and doing other household chores without any help.

- I have got back into pre-pregnancy weight..

- I have seen most if not all of Hong Kong. Enjoyed the winter, experienced the typhoons, ate delicacies, visited most of the  the nooks and corners worth seeing, shopped antiques and local artifacts etc etc

 It had some downs as well but then this blog is my positive diary and I don't want to focus on wrong things.. No one should.

So what are your plans for new year..It is 10 Jan now. I made my annual to- do list just yesterday.

The first is another big move. We are moving to Dubai in 10 days .. It just happened suddenly..I know we moved to Hong Kong some 8 months back. But that's just us. I am just extra flexible to move, love to travel and live/ experience different parts of the world. 

Will keep you posted!!

till then
xoxo
Purnima

2013 calendar

I made a fun calendar for the new year using some of my paintings. It features paintings according to seasons/ some festivals in India .. Like Ganesh chaturthi , Diwali , Christmas etc..

I love to create products/ items which are multipurpose and gives space to ones creativity. So this one has so much fun packed in it .

It can stand on its own as well using a clip. I can just fix it to the fridge with a magnet or on the office board with a pin. Also if a hole is punched then can be hung on the wall., I made the front design and back as well.. So it will look good for gifting.

After the months are done with I can just cut the calendar and use the painting to either frame it as mini art or make a tag or greeting card.. Love the ideas and endless possibilities while creating something..

I love this calendar so I thought I will also keep it in my etsy shop as well.. For details visit my shop here !!

Holiday craft for all ages

I have been busy drawing and creating stuff for my shop. I am loving Etsy . It is fun. What I love te most about Etsy is the personal connections you are able to make. I haven't made as many sales on Etsy as I have done offline. Etsy requires much more marketing while I guess offline people know me and can see how good the item looks.. well..I need to work on that..:) If you haven't checked out my shop you should check it out right now..I have many more items to fill in yet.. My mind is busting of ideas but time is a constraint. Being a full time mom is not easy!

School holidays have already started and if you are looking for some creative activities for your kids or to do as a family..how about making cards for your loved ones.. It's ok if you are not very artistic ,  I have uploaded some DIY Christmas/ holiday / new year cards + gift tags, all you have do is download them, scan and then cut.

You can get this cute little owl in PDF format here!! Just print, cut and give!!!

Oh yes.. a polka dotted owl with a mustache.. isn't he cute!!  I painted this owl as a gift tag initially.. But later thought he is too cute and will look much prettier on a card instead..so there I put him in festive mood with a holiday cap and waxed his mustache (lol).. the snow started falling behind him and a cherry branch just popped out from the side..

This cutie is avialable with 2 gift tags.. all formatted for A4 size .. easy to print..just cut , fold and give!! oh  and you also have a option to choose " happy holidays" or " happy new year"..You can find him here!!

This cute little elf with a gift in his hand is a watercolor painting ..I painted both the front and back side of the elf. I then formatted them such that the lines and features all fall in continuity as if it is one piece.  I shaped him in a oval shape. 

I have created a easy format by which one can cut both these shapes easily. just print, cut and fold. There are several ways to use them. Either as a gift tag, card or an ornament. As a gift tag you can punch a hole and pass a ribbon Or you can do like I have done use a needle and pass a thread through it to attach the loop to the gift.

As a card you can just put the elf in a envelope and gift.

As a ornament you can stick both sides together and then hang it for decoration..

You can find this little guy here!!

I am loving doing printables.. They give lot of flexibility. One can use them in numerous ways  in any creative form you wish. 

Diwali- Do-it-yourselves project: gift tags

                I made some watercolors paintings for my family on card stock for the Diwali festival. 

I thought they will look good as gift tags or mini greeting cards. So today in the morning when the baby was sleeping I sat down and created a format( as seen above) to convert them into printable Diwali gift tags or mini greeting cards. 

All you have to do is to print it , cut , fold, write a message inside and give!!! A little Do-it- yourselves project for this Diwali!!!

Make it extra personal by writing a personal message/ greetings inside!!! You can choose a paper of your choice- handmade paper, card stock or photo paper. You can use this tag by punching a hole in the center and attaching a ribbon to it and tie it to the gift.

Or you can use a sticky tape on the back and attach it to your gift. 

You can also use it as a card and put it in an envelope and give/ send to your friend. Its your DIY and your creativity. Print as many as you want!!! 

You can get these digital file of the gift tags here!!!

Koi fish

Koi fish painting of 2 koi fish playing in pond with a lotus. 

A watercolors painting by me. Koi fish(also known as carp)is a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. Also good fortune or luck.

Available here!!