Modern Art!

I learnt this art through Neil Buchanan’s Art Attack. He showed this simple, easy and effective way of creating a modern art. First draw around some objects like a mobile phone, a greeting card, a bangle, etc. with some of them overlapping each other. I’ve made use of my mobile, a TV remote, my wax-crayon box outline and a few freehand geometrical and non-geometrical shapes. The next step is painting. The point to remember here is, in Neil’s words,”Do not use the same color on two sections that are next to each other”. And that’s it! It really did look like some complicated modern art! I’ve gone one step further and tried to frame it myself using cardboard and cling film. Since this being my first attempt, handling the cling film was real tough and it showed up wrinkles in the corners. Nevertheless, I think it is a good piece of modern art!

Satin Ribbon Cushion Cover

The face of this cushion cover was made entirely of satin ribbon. I’d bought these ribbons for making satin roses, but later realized that their width was not enough to turn them into roses. They’d been lying in my materials basket since long. That is when I saw this method of cross-weaving with satin ribbons on the net. Though the process was actually simple, it needed quite some amount of patience to handle these silky soft ribbons. Finally when the cross-weaving was done, I attached the edges to red satin ribbon and then fabric for the inside and back of the cover. Since my sewing machine is still under repair, I had to use fabric glue to hold the pieces together. Working with fabric glue is much easier and lesser time consuming than stitching, but I still doubt on the strength of the glue. Anyways, hoping this lasts long.

Crochet Bag

Me and my husband have always tried reducing the usage of plastics. We take our big-shopper with us while out shopping and try reusing the plastic bags that we already have rather than getting a new one each time. This idea of making a cloth bag originated from this same thought.
Initially I’d thought of making one with fabric but later on had to move to crochet since my sewing machine was under repair. I’ve used the same stitch like the one for the mat, but this one went layer by layer vertically. Once I’d finished with the black crochet, I moved on to maroon for the pocket in the front and back. For the pattern on the pocket, I’ve made use of shiny anchor embroidery threads. When I’d completed the pocket I realized that my bag was a see-through bag! I had to then give a fabric lining to ensure that things don’t spill out of my bag through the gaps between the threads. Once the lining was completed, the only thing remaining was the handles. Since I’d run out of maroon wool, I had to use similar color fabric for the handles. 3 strips of stuffed fabric were plaited to form one handle. When the handles were securely fixed into place, I included 2 press-buttons next to the handles. And there, my eco-friendly handmade bag is done!

Traveler

Anchor quick stitch kits have always tempted me to do one completely for myself. I and my sister had done one each during my school days, but then that was not completed and hence not framed. This one too was completed some months back, but framed only recently! This design is from the Anchor Flash Frame Series and is called "Traveller". Since stitching is always to be done with darker colors first and then the lighter shades, this initially did not look very appealing with black and brown scattered here and there. The stitching part was a little complicated too, especially inside the cart and the bulls, but the final product is so good that I have no words to explain! :D The best compliment I received for this was by my little nephew. He asked,”Chitte (aunty)….did you make it or buy it??!!” Oh…I was so happy!! Though only 5 yrs old, he already has good observation skills and an interest towards arts. Hmmm...following his aunt’s steps, is he??!! :D

Work in progress...

Recycled crafts

These crafts originated from various discarded materials. The 3 African face-masks was originally a glass tumbler that was broken and hence could not serve its purpose. The flower bouquet was made using colored activity papers and tissue papers. I've included (what used to be, but now dried)evergreen leaves and a basket from a bouquet we'd received on our anniversary.

Earthy bells

This craft work began as an inspiration from my sister’s neighbor’s door hanging, a cluster of mud-bells with white beads in between. The bells I’ve done are made using flexi cardboard. It was the making of the South-Indian conical “masala-dosa” in a cookery show that taught me to make these cones! I’ve given them an Indian red acrylic finish and topped each bell with strands of matching crochet thread. The beads are made entirely from newspaper. I’ve wrapped each of them in green tape rather than painting it, since that was easier! Finally I’ve threaded the bells and beads together using a strong long needle and crochet thread.

Om Suryaya Namah!

This time I’ve tried to recreate a very popular, traditional and metal-finish sun god. Though the actual ones done by embossing on a metal are far more attractive and authentic, this isn’t bad too! Neil Buchanan of Art Attack had demonstrated this kind of sun and moon crafts using newspapers. I’ve made use of a circular cake board for the base of the face and then stuck cardboard and later made cones out of newspapers for the sun’s rays. To make the surface slightly hard, I’ve made use of Neil’s technique, his paper-mache comprising of pieces of tissue paper stuck down with a mixture of PVA glue (fevicol) and equal parts of water. The final painting with metal finish acrylic colors is what made my Suryabhagwan “metallic” and varnish added to his “tejas” (luster, brilliance..)! :)

Step-by-step images...