So Far Away

Living away from what one usually calls "home" is an ongoing journey. As I prepare to leave India again, I re-examine my personal meanings of home and belonging. In a political sense, I have come to appreciate the ever-changing dimension of home, and what it means for me to "belong"--here in India, and there in the US. I must admit that this re-examination is usually confusing and immensely emotional.

My 95 year old Grandpa

I spent the last 24 hours with my grandparents (my mother's parents), who live near Mangalore. They, especially my grandfather, hold a special place in my heart and in my life. I am told that as a baby, I was extremely fussy and stubborn (big surprise). Other than my parents, I would only go to my Dad's mom or my Grandpa. I remember being most eager to see him, and anxiously awaiting for him all the time. He has been a wonderful grandfather.

He has been sick on and off for a couple of months, and its scares me to death. I think it scares me even more, because I live so far away. So far away, I might not be able to just pack my bags and visit if I could only see him for one last time. I have deeply embedded hope that he will be around the next time I come to India.

Here is my grandparents' home.
All of us cousins have torn this house apart with our childhood games and teenage nonsense.

This is the back-in-the-day, still functioning, everyday-used,
hot water reserver in the bathroom.
It is a huge copper pot which has a heating source (usually of dried coconut husk or palm leaves) underneath it.

Aunts and Grandma (seated) making yummy rice noodles with a traditional noodle making, lever "machine".

Here are the noodles!

First there were flowers

Then they were tied into garlands by my aunts.
These flower garlands are sold in the local market.

"Perfect" Handkerchiefs: Birthday Gift for Grandma

There is always some celebration going on at home in India. Someone getting married, someone's birthday, someone just had a baby, someone is having a 7 course dinner because (s)he just felt like it. When I got here in the beginning of the year, I attended weddings like it was going out of style. My brothers have grown to have busy lives (you know how it is), so I got my sorry butt dragged around by my parents. I am not complaining. Apart from the consumerist foolishness that one might see at some weddings, I enjoy these gatherings. Over the past couple of months, they were the primary occasions where I got to meet most of my family and our family friends.

Now it is March. March is an important month in our family because two important people have their birthdays--my Dad and my Grandma (this is my Dad's mom). For both of them, birthdays are serious business. Actually, I am convinced that my Dad feels that the yearly calendar clocks on his birthday. Now you know why I am the way I am. It is all in the genes.

My Grandma's 85th (oh yes, 85th) birthday was last week. Her birthday requests were a hat and white handkerchiefs. As some of you might have already read, the hat worked out pretty quickly under her close supervision. It was an early grandma present which is currently undergoing ample use.

Coming to the white handkerchiefs. When Grandma means white, she means white. No frills or detours from the plan. This worked out perfect for me. I had no intention to make hand-knit handkerchiefs...and now that I can (somewhat) sew, why not some cotton kerchiefs?

Is sewing for the obsessive?

In the beginning, these kerchiefs drove me peanuts. I just had to get perfect squares, and all of them had to line up in the EXACT same way. Let me tell you that the kerchiefs did not go "perfectly as planned"--they are not perfect squares and the stitching is not in a straight line. I did not use grid boards, etc, but now I am convinced that they were made for people like ME.

PS: I now I have deep respect for all who sew--especially my tailor here in India who puts up with my obsessive way.

Ok, Grandma said white. But how could I?

I mean, I do like white, but just white? So I slipped in some bright orange for the stitching. When she received the gift, it seemed like she did not mind.

Fabric: White cotton fabric from Ravi's Craft Shop, Commercial Street, Bangalore
Pattern: Do not get me started about perfect squares and perfectly straight lines.

Goa: Paradise for the Creative

Wannabe Tourists: Mom, Dad, and Me
My brothers could not make it to Goa. Rayan was buzy with school, and Alan had a dance competition.

We stayed at Molly Malone's (Calangute, Goa).
Molly Malone's also runs an Irish pub. I promise it was a coincidence that we lived here (it is besides the point that my Dad loves Goa because he believes that one has an instant license to walk around with beer-in-hand).

A silver jewelery flea market near our hotel, Calangute, Goa
Anjuna Flea Market: Every Wednesday, off Anjana Beach
A must see for all things handicraft...several artisans from all over the country sell their ware here.

Wooden Handicraft at Anjuna Flea Market

Mapusa Market at Mapusa, Goa (every Friday)

This market is very different from the Anjuna Flea Market. The market brings together local fruit and vegetable vendors, cloth traders, and food producers. You will also see some handicraft artisans.

Yummy, homemade Goan Sausages
These sausages are made of uncooked pork, marinated in various Indian spices.

Indian Spices at Mapusa Market

St. Xavier's Church, Old Goa, Goa
Do not miss its (and other Goan churches') architecture. Breathtaking.

The Altar, St. Xavier's Church

16th century stone flooring at a church in Old Goa, Goa

That was quite a vacation. Would you like some tender coconut?

I am flattered.

Not one, but two awards! Paige and Carola just gave me the "you make my day" award! I suppose I could also mention that Carola named me and THE Yarn Harlot (and of course eight others) in the same breath (Ok, same post, but it is all the same to me). Where Yarn Harlot and where me--but I think we have now at least virtually met, right? ;)

Paige and Carola. Thank you. I feel honored to be in your lists. This blog began thanks to the persuasion of my brothers and mom, with a primary intention to do some long-distance showcasing of my work to my family. Today it has extended to become a part of my dailiness...an important part of me. I have meet (and continue to meet) very interesting, creative people, and it gives me great joy to be a part of such a great community.

Anyway, I spent the last couple of days walking on the GOA beaches with a bloated ego. Oh yes, you heard that right. I just got back from Goa. My father's 60th birthday is today, and what could be a better way to celebrate.

I love Goa!

Baga Beach, Goa

Birthday Boy trying to figure out the menu at Souza Lobo (Baga Beach, Goa)

More Goa pictures in the next post.

Now back to the award. As the award goes, I am to pass it on to ten bloggers (or in this case, ten plus ten) who inspire me. I suppose the "you make my day" fairy will not be upset if I mentioned only five. So, in no particular order

1. Oiyi: I enjoy reading her crafting and life stories, both written in a simplistic, clean style. She now has a wonderful baby girl for whom she has been knitting for with a crafter's fury. I wish her a lot of well-deserved sleep.

2. Laughing Purple Goldfish: for her super crochet creativity. I am in awe of how she comes up with her cool and funky creations, especially for the uncommon crochet and silly string ravelry groups. She cracks me up every single time!

3: Freda's Hive: Nanette and her daughters bring a wonderful, warm space for quilters and everyone interested in sewing. I am always learning something new...

4. Knitting B: Knit-blogger, dog lover. Amongst many things, she loves knitting beautiful socks--socks which I love ogling at with my low-sock-knitting-talent.

5. Cindy at SnidKnits: She is the only blogger on this list I have actually met! I feel like I have known her forever--we share an desire to know more about the yarny world around us, especially local handicraft and textile. And she is going to be in Bangalore for the next two years!

Special mention: If Barkha Dutt ever decided to write a blog, I would be its most ardent, obsessive stalker. Until then, I will settle with watching her on television.

Joint Craft Project with Mom: Accent Throw for Neha and Aakash

Mom's hands in crochet action

It is not Christmas all over again. You can attribute these "Christmasy" pictures to my poor photography skills (I would also apologize for the poor lighting while taking the photos, but maybe I could blame that on the weather). The supposed red in the photographs is actually a deep rust/brick red, and the green is a rustic green. I am now at risk of sounding like a wall paint brochure--sunflower yellow, charcoal black, stone brown. I will stop right here.

The accent throw is a wedding/house warming present for Neha and Aakash. Neha and I were in graduate school together for our masters degree...she is a wonderful friend. I could not make it to her wedding party in Delhi this January, so this gift is more of a peace offering :)

This yarny project is a joint one--my mother did half of the work. She got quite addicted to it, and most of the time, one would hear her yell across the house--"Rima, why haven't you wound more yarn?"

Project done, yelling temporarily on hold. On the whole, it was super fun crafting with my mom again.

Pattern: Basic granny square, with a single crochet edging (four scs in each corner)
Yarn: Light worsted yarn from Patel Craft shop, Ulsoor, Bangalore
Crochet Hook: 4.00mm

No Crafting Content. Only Doggie Love.

Vodka, our ten year old labrador.

"What do you want?"

"Photographs! Are you out of your mind. I am trying to sleep."

"Fine, fine. I will give you one of those classic, majestic poses.
After that, I am so done with you."

"You are back again. Don't you understand dog language?
All that camera staring is messing up my eyes."

"For the last time, get out of my face."

Coaster Joy

Firstly, thank you for all your wonderful comments on my Grandma and her new hat. She is one happy woman—if she could read and were Internet savvy, all of you would have received many virtual hugs and kisses.

***

We had some birthday fun this weekend. My Uncle Joe and Aunt Molly, who I have blogged about a couple of times, are visiting us from Kuwait. We had a small birthday party for Molly at their new Bangalore apartment.

The birthday girl with my two younger brothers. Rayan and Alan are such cake piggies.

I made a set of six coasters as a Birthday/ Housewarming gift. Five of them model here.

Each coaster is backed with fabric (wonderful Indian print fabric).

This fabric is first backed with freezer paper. Well, I suppose “freezer paper” is the right term—it is hard fabric where one side is waxy and when ironed onto a fabric, both the fabrics fuse together. Dont forget to zig-zag both the fabrics after fusing them together (oh, I love talking sewing). Then handsew this new fabric onto the crocheted round.

Proud Owners of some Coaster Joy

One more picture for the road?

Pattern for crocheted side: Crochet in a round; I used instructions from Crocheting School
Fabric from a local, street store off Commercial Street; Freezer fabric from Ravi's Craft Shop
Yarn: Odds and ends of stash yarn
Crochet Hook: 3.5mm

Way too much sun. Way too cute a grandma.

It is way too hot in Bangalore. It is so hot that it is wonderful to be here--away from the butt-freezing cold. I am currently enjoying being roasted in the heat, and would not want to change a single thing.

Then there is my super cute, super pretty, "I am going to be 85 soon", Grandma. She is very fashionable, and loves a good haircut (The stylist is my mom. It is one of those "at your own risk" kinda things).

Just after her new haircut

If and when you meet her, tell her you love her current haircut, current dress, current walking stick. You will be her friend for life.

It is so hot here, that my Grandma wanted a hat that will go with her new haircut. A warm hat. Crazy but true. A warm hat with an flower embellishment. Like I said, she is very fashionable :), and very particular about how her stuff should look and feel. This beanie was made under her strict supervision...especially its embellishment.

Irish lace, two layered flower motif

I should say lace inspired since I used worsted yarn and not so thin crochet hook

The Crazy but True Beanie

Grandma!

Pattern: Single Crochet Beanie
Embellishment Pattern: In Crocheting School
Yarn: Local light worsted yarn from a store on Commercial Street, Bangalore. One has to buy by the gram
Crochet Hook: 4.00mm for hat; 3.5mm for embellishment

I was in a crappy mood, and then there was dessert...

Thank you. I fell asleep thinking about my UFOs, and being very grateful for not being the only one in the cold, dark land of haunting unfinished objects. I do think about how liberating it would be to be in non-UFO land. I would never know. I do not have the dedication, self-control, loyalty, and diligence to live in non-UFO land. Anyway, without having UFOs, I might lose the little social status I have as a crafter.

***

I woke up this morning in a very crappy mood. Why?--just. Wanted to post something here, but kept drawing a blank. Maybe some pictures from India? Na. Yarn. Nope, I am trying to destash. Cat, dog? Though having a pet seems to be a pre-requisite for having a craft blog, I don't have a cat or dog (I would love to have a dog). However, my parents have Vodka, our ten year old labrador. I will blog about him one of these days.

Drawing a blank continues. This is very unlike me--I love blogging. It is cathartic, free, and definitely free unlike therapy.

Drawing a blank continues. Just then my brothers want some dessert. I make some crepes with figs, strawberries, ice-cream, and chocolate sauce. Super easy and super quick.

I am very happy person right now. Thank goodness for dessert. What can be a more fitting post on this crappy mood day?

Do you believe in the UFO Curse?

I think I have been cursed by my UFOs. The minute I become greedy and begin too many projects all at once, somehow none of them seem to work out. By the end of the day, I am quite disgusted with myself. So I go back to the UFOs, and they finish super quick and turn out decent. So I have resolved to be faithful to my UFOs for the time being. Hopefully then the curse will go away.

The bond between my UFOs and me has become quite intimate thanks to my mother. I usually try to spend time with my mother in the evenings, and her evenings are consumed by bad television--those Hindi anti-feminist, woman as villian, "ideal India woman" as heroine, kind of TV soaps. Do not get me started. I am sure a google search will give you sufficient critical discussion on the issue.

Moving on. I take solace in my UFOs (or am I also getting sucked in too?...the contradictions....). I had made several granny squares over last Fall for no real project, and brought them to India to turn them into "something". This is that something.

Bad Television, Granny Square Neckwarmer

Chunky Buttons from Ravi's Craft Shop, Bangalore
(I hope I become a shareholder at this store)

Pattern: 4 Basic Granny Squares sewed together
Yarn: Lion Brand's Homespun in Harvest
Crochet Hook: 5.5mm

Alan, the Creative Dancer

Alan

My brother, Alan, is a part of a professional, Indian contemporary dance team in Bangalore called Aryavarta; Aryavarta is also the dance team of his college. The team has won several competitions and events in the city and region.

I am a proud sister :), and here are some pictures. Other than the dance form, I really like the costumes and the bright colors. Well, when I figure out sewing...

Aryavarta at a recent inter-collegiate festival

****

Other dance teams

Kitty Kat Kid Bag

This bag is on its way to Las Vegas as a belated birthday gift for Ruha....Ruha is my friend Malvika's three year old daughter.

The body of the bag was crocheted in December. Life took over, and I just made the handles. The body is a long strip of fabric made of 25/28 single crochet, and I began with the cream color. After a little more than 3/4th of cream, I switched to blue. Folded the strip into half and made a rugged mattress stitch on two sides.

I cant get over how cute these kitties are...and they are eating watermelon! The kitties are machine-embroidered iron-ons from Ravi's Craft Shop. I had concerns about ironing them on directly on the yarn, and if they would hold on well. A sewing friend suggested that I first place the kitties on the bag, then a 100% cotton fabric on the bag, and then iron the kitties (now that sounded awful). It worked like a charm.

Here the green button is an accessory. I thought a "functional" button might be a little difficult for a three year old. It was a challenge to find the right (you know what I mean) big button on Commercial Street. Most craft shops sell white and wooden buttons in a large size, and if I did find a big button in another color, it was a shade I did not want. Actually, I was looking for another green, but I made peace with this one.

Pattern: Made it up myself
Crochet Hook: 6mm
Yarn: Lion's Brand Wool Ease (worsted) in Blue Heather and Fisherman

Crafty Bangalore: You add color...

I was at a local inter-collegiate festival, and one of the competitions was Rangoli or the traditional art of drawing motifs on the ground with colored sand/rice powder. It was a pleasant surprise to see all this spectacular color. As a child, I remember my neighbours "putting" Rangoli at their doorstep. Here are pictures of the competition entries for you to gaze at.







And bonus. I received this beautiful bhandini (tie and dye) dupatta (a long scarf worn with South Asian tunics) from my brother, Rayan. He was in Rajasthan on a school field trip, and of course, wanted to get something handmade for his yarny-obsessed sister. I love him. Most of the time.


It was truly an inspirational day. It was a bright, happy-colored day. Nice, colorful dreams to you too.

"First Class" Hairband

My first class in sewing school was learning to stitch a straight line. I first felt that I was doing some complicated dance move--holding the material, moving the circular motor, and pedaling at the same time. Once I got the hang of it, it was fun! After many lines--back and forth, back and forth--I had a tortured and tormented blue strip of fabric.

So now what. The sentimental fool that I am, I would like to keep this fabric.

I could wear it as a abstract, high-fashion scarf...orange hanging threads and all. Well...guess not.

What about a fancy chocker? Hmmm. I would need a serious lifestyle change to pull this one off.

Ok then. Maybe a hairband. I sewed (yes, sewed!) a snap button at the end, cut off all the excess threads, and here is my personalized creation. I suppose I could call it a FO.

Crafty Bangalore: Yarnventures on Commercial Street!

This may sound surreal to some of you...it is surreal to me. I am yet to fully get my head around how things work and are made (im)possible in our rapidly changing world.

Cindy lives in California, and is now in Bangalore for the next two years. I am originally from Bangalore, now live in NYC, and currently visiting Bangalore. We recently got to know each other through the very addictive Ravelry, and met today! It was great to meet a new yarny friend. We roamed Commercial Street, and visited the usual suspects--the small craft stores perpendicular to Commercial Street and fabric stores on the parallel (behind?) to it. Bliss.

Crafty Gazing by Cindy: At Ravi's Craft Shop, Commercial Street.

This shop sells knitting and needlework related threads, fabric, and notions. There is also prettiness overload in the form of Indian embroidered ribbon, beads, and all that bling. And if you are lucky, which you will usually be, you will find the most unexpected, unique finds here. Be ready to be pleasantly surprised. I would encourage you to first visit this store for your needs. I have always found Ravi most reasonable with his pricing and very helpful--he is filled with ideas and suggestions of how you can increase your craft hoarding ;)

Surya Emporium, Commercial Street

Have you any wool? Well, nope. Only acrylic yarn is available on Commercial Street, and I am yet to find a store in Bangalore which sells wool and natural fibers. If you do know of something, please let me know. There will be many grateful crafters!

We fell in love with this double-toned cotton fabric. Sold off Commercial Street. Once I learn to sew in a straight line (!), I could work some magic, right?


My childhood friend Nasir's beautiful drapery and upholstery store--Zara on Commercial Street. A must see! I have so many pictures, I think I might have to do a separate blog post about Zara.

Lunch at Samarkand, Infantry Road. The restaurant's menu looks like a newspaper!

The food was great! Burp. Now for some photographs in our very fashionable, apron-like bibs.

Crafty Bangalore: Singer Showroom, Commercial Street

Guess who is learning how to machine sew! It is time I moved beyond hand sewing and figured machine action. I have been taking some classes since I got to India and one of my earliest projects was how to machine seam this polka dot fabric before hand sewing it onto the crochet piece.

Singer showroom on Commercial Street. This is where I am taking my beginner sewing classes. I know little about sewing and nothing about sewing machines...so this post must not be understood as endorsing Singer. I had to look around for classes quite a bit, and didn't even know that there was this option right under my nose! Therefore, thought this post might be useful for someone who is looking for sewing classes in Bangalore. Singer has beginner to advanced classes, and they are at a very reasonable rate. Also, Bindu, the teacher, is really good and fun to learn from.

Class in motion

I am learning on such really cool, old school, manual sewing machines. Though I am loving the sewing, the pedaling action getting to me. I tried an automatic machine the other day, and now I know what I have been missing out on. But I suppose there is something to be said about these super sturdy, back-in-the-day machines.

Crafty Bangalore: Elephants for Suketu

Suketu loves elephants--here are some things from Bangalore, which remind me of the way he touches the trunk of "everything" elephant that he sees.

At the Grand Ashok Hotel

Framed Embroidered piece put up for sale by a street vendor on Mahatma Gandhi Road

Postcard from Gangarams Bookstore

Silver pendant from my favorite silver jewelery store;
Narayan and Sons, Commercial Street

Lastly, my new stuffed friend, Mr. Flappy Ears

Finding Childhood Craft Treasures V: Flower Inspired Embroidered Pillowcases

Embroidered pillowcases. Now moving from animal inspired to flower inspired.

Not sure what the center red motif is! I somehow managed to mess it up.

I am such a Lazy Daisy

My Friends' Yarnographies: Ajay and Manisha

Ajay and Manisha

Ajay is my long-time, crazy friend alias food eating partner alias co-Corner House pigging machine. It has been a fruitful relationship. Ami is very jealous that she is not with us right now...but for the time being she can enjoy slogging it out in an NYC architecture firm. Yaha.

Here is Ajay, with his wife, Manisha. Ajay and Manisha met last year, and married in August. Ami and I are very sad that we didnt make it to the wedding :(

It was really nice meeting Manisha. She is wonderful--I keep wondering how Ajay got so lucky.

Manisha and Ajay recently moved into their new home. Ajay has a tiny room dedicated to his mask collection!

The mask room also houses this unique chess board from Sri Lanka

Saying Oink Oink until the next blog post: Ajay, Me, and our favourite stuffed pig, Grunt

Hysen's Roce

Our family friend's son and my childhood friend, Hysen, gets married this Saturday. One of the traditional pre-wedding ceremonies for Roman Catholics "ansectorally" (hey, I am entitled to word invention) from Mangalore is Roce. Here, the bridegroom and the bride (at their respective homes), with their bridesmaids/best men, are washed down with coconut milk and coconut oil. During the event, there is a lot of traditional singing called voyos....both sentimental and flirtatious.

Hysen and Me

Hysen getting doused with coconut milk

Hysen yells--this stuff is too cold! Well, tough luck, buddy.

Fine. I give in. Just pour it down my shirt.


You are not seeing things. Young people attending the ceremony had to have their share of fun too. Those are eggs broken on Hysen's head. And he also got some beer, rotten tomatoes, and rotten oranges.

Some cool guests turned up in traditional Mangalorean garb!

Practicing a group dance event for the Saturday wedding reception