ring a ding card scarp book attempt

One of my friends is getting engaged and they wanted a crafty card background for displaying the rings on the table before engagement. The rings will be placed in the two hearts and the whole thing is on a cushion that is red textured. I have used vellum for sentiment.  They wanted a western theme for their ring display.The darkish spot on the right hand corner near 'happily' is a glue spot for Kumkum Haldi.
 the style is minimalist and their rings are of course gold bands ( I have used my rings here to give a sense of how it will be displayed) The black velvety handmade paper background matches their invitation which is copper lettering on a black and brown background. It was double challenge to make this for my first submission to lulupuchallenge #63 and also fulfill on my friend's request. But fun since I had a sketch to start me off.
 They liked the black because 'black will take away the evil eye.' All elements are glittery.
 Here is how I made it-
 I fist turned the black paper by 90 degrees to creat a sort of a triangle and attched the chip board element. It looks like a marriage Chatram/ gazebo

I painted the chipboard in old rose colour using water colours, I wanted to keep it as pastel as possible.

then I positioned the vellum with the quote from a stack I had. I kept the holes intact and did not finish it clean. ( my friend wanted it to look hand-made)

I positioned a strip of card stock with roses in the same rose colour, you can see the glitter on the paper. There are light blue strips in the background that added to the layers so the pattern is a nice contrast to the plain brown and back. I resisted using washi as it would have made it a bit tacky, I did not want to use gold, it would have taken attention away from the rings.
I then stuck the two heart shaped borders, these were glittery bright white and so I again painted them lightly with the old-rose colours I used in the chip board so they looked slightly pink. I off set the hearts to add some asymmetry but linked them.
In the end I trimmed off the extra edges to keep the whole card rectangular and stuck a bridesmaid element as a stand out image. the serrated edge looks just right ( I was inspired by a lulupu blog post by Rizwana) Then I added the copper and white floral elements ( from little birdie) to match the invitation. Since everything is pastel and in contrast, the rings will stand out against the black. This will also work as a card if I insert their photographs in the heart-shaped frames so if they change their minds, or even after the engagement, they can use this card as a memory keeper. The brides' mother wanted a  spot for Haldi and  Kumkum so I have kept a transparent glue spot so the powder does not scatter on the card. This will be added next week during the function.
 Materials used:
 Scrap booking elements- flowers ( from a company called little birdie, Brides maid cut out, chipboard cutout , Cardstock ( W&R) and vellum stickers ( from a stack). These are things I had purchased long ago, and I cant remember where I bought them. I will add the names as I find the original packets to this blog.

Restarting my fresh projects

 With a full teaching load and research, I had no time to blog what I was doing so far. But thanks two two great changes in my life, I am ready to get back to my blogging and online activity. The first is a home management system introduced to me by a person we call the Flylady. in about a year since I started, my chores at home are in control and my home is almost always visitor ready. It all begins with a simple " shine the sink " Habit and spreads across all other areas of the home. Here is a link to her site
 The second transformation is my planners who have become my task assistants and actually allow me to have fun and get my work done.  I began with a regular calender and moved to the passion planner, Filofax and the bullet journal system and suddenly find myself a crafting and planning addict. So I will use this space to share my projects and failures and reflect on the world of crafting, planning and generally having a great time creating new stuff.

I began a counted cross stitch project on a pre- stitched aida on a towel, sold as a kit from pony online. I am nearly there and  the next will be a book mark with a Stonehenge motif.

Light Scarf with Nako vals

Its been a long long while since my last post. Actually the work on my academic work is intensive and has kept me from blogging. Also I stopped knitting for a while. I have resumed thanks to inspiration from a Ravelry and a crater's group I joined recently. The Pony store had a promotion sale in Bangalore just during my annual vacation from work and I picked up yarn for three projects specifically. 2 balls Nako Vals for scarf and cap, I loved the multi-colour effect. I have finished the scarf , this is one of the WIP pictures. I am starting on the cap soon. I also got some medium bulky yarn for a poncho for my brother and also some lighter wool for a summer cardigan.

Scarf is knit using longstitch because I wanted a light and airy scarf for windy times, not for cold climate.
 The UFO row scarf is now a WIP and is about half done. and I am going to work on that.
Love the Turkish yarns on pony and the french knitter.

Knits and more UFOs

The pony craft onlinestore is living up to its promise of delivering yarn and all knitting supplies. They are sourcing some nice yarns and we hope to see more in the future. I have a whole set of  students who knit and so have been inspired to make something. I have never tried lace, so I shall try some light ruana style wraps in lace or arrow lace. It easily replaces a duppata and so is ideal for theIndian salwar as well as for the tee- jeans combo.
 there is this:http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/felicita/felicita_1.html

or
this :
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20087.html?noImages=

Though the Venus yarn I plan to buy looks better with 5.5 on this
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/81084AD.html?noImages=

How did I match pattern to Yarn:
I check the needle size and recommendations on the yarn page. Then I check for similar needle size and texture of yarn. If you notice the the earlier patterns need even looking yarn, the lace pattern will not look good if it is higgledy piggdley.

 so let me also try a knit tension patch to be sure. Tension patches are often not in pattern in yarn listings. The patterns will however have a  size range and advice. But sometimes since we may not work with the yarn recommended ( as in India) the next best is to then knit something like a short scarf in the basic pattern first to check the yarn out before investing in a huge yarn stock for a large project like a sweater or shawl. This also helps to train ourselves in the pattern.
 Knit away...

N For NEEDLES: A Fitting End

It is with amazing pleasure that I announce that  pony has an online store in India now. (My first MA batch of students have graduated by now).
 this is a comment on my earlier post that I missed, because I was too busy with needle work. Besides Manipal, where I live now is so hot, I prefer craft and needlework. But I am still doing those UFO's In Bangalore. 
( Not a marketing blog, but I think all our rants/ oops prayers have worked. So ladies/ gents... go go go
 Also check out the hobby kits and beginner projects and bless us Bamboo Circular needle.


 here is the post from A Venkat of Pony Industries at the bottom of all the comments.:

"We wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some exciting news ! We are delighted to announce you that the longwait is over., Yes the PONYCRAFTSTORE is all set to be launched on 10/05/2012. 

As you all have been part of our store as either a friend, or a customer. We would love the opportunity to drop by and give you an opportunity to experience our store ! (We would appreciate an opinion on the products!) At this time we also ask you to refer about us to the people in your life who may be interested in Pony brand of products. 

Looking forward for your support !

Website: www.ponycraftstore.com
E-mail: info@ponycraftstore.com"


So that's where N for Needles ends,  Online.


And the other bit of news too, Amazon ships Global to India.


So if you can find yarn there, They may ship to India...