Summertime

I remember the old song... beautiful woman's voice. I wonder who?
"Summertime and the living is easy....."
Not quite like that here....days are 40+ and nights around 30. Just charming.
What us good is we are home and not having to run too far for a while.
We have survived the huge wedding of Praveen's eldest.

He was run ragged but as his wife not mother of bride or anything I only had to swan around and enjoy myself.

Which I did.

Everyone's finery was amazing, and all the carrying necessary for a flashy Indian wedding unbelievable.

Never thought I would see my old man in a turban and I felt flash in a silk sari, although it took ages to get on because it was so slippery.

 Entry was via a long corridor all pink and pretty with lots of sparkly lights, in fact sparkle was the theme, sparkly lights hanging from the giant tree up one end.
Here weddings are held in open air gardens, the grounds all carpeted, a huge stage one end for the groom to sit on a throne and wait for the bride to arrive.
there is a dance floor and lots of teenage boys being silly, a huge area with all types of food set out and you wander and graze, an airy gazebo with many comfy lounges cooled by floor fans that had sprays of rose scented water being dispersed by them....lovely

 The lounge,  up on one wall was a giant screen and wandering a few photographers and video cameras....we are going to get hours and hours of film of everyone there.....ohh joy oh bliss, I will get to sit through it all at least once....haha

Finally after midnight Pretti, the bride arrived, she was escorted by many of the family under a canopy dripping with jasmine flowers....

You know how a western wedding there is a tall cake with model bride and groom on top...well Indian style there is a central stage the bride and groom mount and there the first step of the wedding ceremony starts when they exchange giant rose petal necklaces or mala.

To the sound of conch horns and bells the stage started to slowly spin, poor Pretti got quiet a shock and lucky her groom was so responsive he caught her and steadied her.

The most amazing thing was this giant leaf blower thingy that showered the whole area in rose petals.

what a fine time we all had.

I finally got to meet so many of the extended family....let me say SSSSOOOO many of the family, boy does Praveen have some relatives!!

It was lovely, my Hindi is limited but friendliness and warmth is easy to share and I was handed around everyone.

I had a truly lovely time and got dropped to my hotel at 3.00am.
Praveen and the immediate wedding group moved back to his mother's house where there we many hours with a priest and fire....poor man he was in tears by 8.00am as she finally left to her husband's house.

so that was a week or 2 ago, we are home, sweating and back in the workshop, working like crazy.

We need at least 2 more professional machinists- do you know anyone.

A woman Muna started a few days ago, I don't want to jinx it...it is so hard to keep women machinists on staff but she does seem very professional in her ability, no training needed and I DO hope she is a keeper.

work, work, work and I want to find the time for a few new samples I am imaging...

Quilts almost ready

year ending

End of the year already...I must say I feel like I have been running all year and I had thought 2012 was busy!

Way too much and time to make some major changes.

Recently I was in Oz which was lovely and sad at the same time....this hassle with visas for Praveen is really wearing me down.... It does not feel like a holiday when I am on my own,  the pleasure of seeing everyone I love is diminished when I don't get to share it with him....

I know I should just buck up and get on with things- be happy for the opportunities I have but it is rather hard to do at the moment.

ohh well....

Pleasures of Oz...

 catching up with Alison Muir and Trudy Billingsley....here are some of Trudy's people from a recent exhibition- gorgeous.

 Checking out some of Zac's latest work....looking good

 a few days at the beach house with my younger boys and friends.... much fishing on their part but generally fish were totally safe.

 Being silly with Zac and my brother Steve.

My lovely biggest boy and his gorgeous wife...dinner at Four in Hand was fantastic...really yum.

 and then home again...inspired by Gramshree [ we visit them in our Raj Tour, by the way ] I am documenting timings, variations I explore in the things we make. Here is sari rip yarn knitted on various needles and the variation in size- all same amount of stitch....I have gone for the 15 mm needles - unfortunately 20mmm are just too loose and things would snag too easily even though so much quicker.
Life is always a compromise.

 Checking out new hotels to use in Jaipur...we are heading a bit more grand Heritage Hotel....affordable for our groups and memorable places....yeh and right next door to Hot Pink..a yummy boutique .
Intense office work has resulted in finishing off 2 tours- next years' Raj Tour and our Indian Inspiration Creative Camp- bit excited about this idea- I get to stay home, play and have visitors all at once!
Found a new programme to make CAS newsletters easier....once I got a handle on it I think it IS going to be a winner.... yeh.

 More samples- I am loving these crocheted bags...

after many dead ends trying ways to do the handle that made me happy I simply wrapped it,,,,now they feel finished!

 A lot of this madness is to do with the Trade Show in just a few weeks...still waiting to see what shape our stall is but finally I have a plan for presentation...well sort of.
Re-cycled and hand made is our theme...so coat hangers are to be colourful and wrapped....bright mats on the floor....
a poster- a bit boring but a fabric frame should set it off....

SSSSOOOOOO

to be kept in mind

my resolutions for the New Year

1. sit in the garden more often

2. keep doing the morning walking and yoga I have been onto the last week or so...it was complete GROOOOAAANNNN-a-rama to start but even a week later I can feel an improvement. Sore muscles from use feel a lot better than pain from Non-use and already the Claw formation my back liked to spasm into is softening.

3. I've put aside the demon alcohol....easy for a glass of red to call too loudly in the evening... and without it I get more sitting and stitching in a pleasant manner happening

4. I WANT a holiday...not a tour, not a work trip.... a holiday. Never could see the allure of going somewhere to do nothing, a slow learner but I think I could work it out now.

Trying to make more of this happen as part of the new me.
Happy New Year to you.

 

A bit of a lather!

Sunday...good intention is to take it a bit slow....
failing miserably! well happily actually.
we are going like the clappers at the moment samples for us The Stitching Project, samples for us Tasty Old Chooks Clothes both to got to Indian Garment show trade fair in January,  samples for Zac and us Watts Wright Designs and TSP stuff to take to the home wares trade show in February...and then heaps of work for other clients all starting to build up. we can manage everything just got to keep paddling to keep on track.. [ ooh a real mixed metaphor but you get it?]

Praveen and I feel all abuzz and excited actually...this is dreams come true stuff.
We have our workshop where we work happily together, we have students coming here for 2 weeks to use the studio, we have our Rajasthan tour following that.....and we do hope to be going to Oz in December.
Another spanner has been thrown in the works of that one...another visa decline.
Very interesting about the visa things...we applied for visa to Europe- it was clearly defined all the information we needed to show. Half a tree of business registration, bank statements, tickets etc...a clear list to tick which we did, then money was paid over after the girl had seen we had everything and low and behold the visa was granted and the passport delivered to Mr Kanhaya Lal - Praveen's official name as he sat sipping tea with his Mum 2 days later.
When the courier arrived he had to think twice, he was not expecting anything official for weeks and his nickname Praveen is most often heard in the house.....but there it was - we spent the rest of the day checking to see it was true.

Applying for an Australian visa, the first thing they look at is the money- do you have it?...then it is a matter of giving them whatever paperwork you think they might like to see. There is no clear indication as to what it might be... you have to guess...you might get it right or you might get it wrong...if you miss something there are no questions asked , you are rejected.
You might like to take another stab in the dark and apply again- do pay up first.
If you like to have the decision questioned you may go before the Migration Review Board -pay $1605 first and then they will eventually review it-you send whatever paperwork you think they might like- no requirements given. If they decide to approve it you will be given half the money back if they do not decide to approve it- they keep all your money. What do you think the odds are of getting approval??
We only want a tourist visa to visit the kids and friends, we never want to live there, we will pay our way and we will leave on time. We have things to do back home in India, we love India....ooohhh I can start to loose my cool if I think on it to much.
Monday though I am starting in again to take another stab in the dark to apply- fingers crossed. Boy will the enquiry lines run hot...squeaky wheel will hopefully yield results.
I am Australian and this is an attitude of my country I hate!! It is a beautiful country, full of great people but we/they have let bureaucracy take over...quite mindless.

Anyway my little happiness for the morning- this sample is working.....a BIG list has be drawn up....much to do...and I might have a new idea brewing....

Stitching Ladies later as well- always fun to see them... life is good

Everything is a happen'

 We have been here, there and back again....Praveen is still an active part of the community in Delhi [our biggest girl Pretti will marry next year so it is an important time to maintain networks according to Indian custom] It was time for the Ram Devra Festival...so banners were put up [ yes that is Praveen's picture blazon across it....taken a few years ago I would say...although I am not allowed to mention that!! He is 29 forever- along with my best mate and daughter-in-law] ???
So banners were hung, food organized to be distributed to the hungry and a march with music and dancing through Old Delhi...he arrived home rather tired :)

 Our nephew Sunny [ last time I had pictures of him  he had just competed in Mr India competition and looked gaunt- not an ounce of fat on him just pure muscle] it is so nice to see him looking healthy again...although it has all paid off he worked as a personal trainer in Delhi and made a good nest egg, now has 2 hotels...He has just been staying with us for a while - he has decided to buy a farm nearby. He will get a manager to look after it and the good thing for us is he will be down regularly to visit it and us - yeh. 

 French dreams abound- this just turned up in the mail....love this fabric...we are working on designing blocks to print some of our own Indian inspired fabric along these lines. Can't you see Baba the camel and Pushkar immortalised on cloth?

 I am so proud of my husband....no schooling has left him shy of books and trying to read...well that is changing a lot...this was in the block carvers workshop and Praveen just picked it up and started leafing through it- well done- boy!! he has a great mind- I read itineraries out to him and he finds all my glitches and with encouragement - either gentle or snarls he can read the itineraries himself even... but to look relaxed and pick up a book- wow. The new one this morning was the same.
 We have just got a whole stash of fabric back from Bagru and lots of new blocks - here is a photo album

Just ordered him a copy for us to use .

Bit of a glitch this week with the kids we have in school...maybe we were just being over ambitious thinking with our encouragement we could make a big difference. They started and the first month both turned up every day, we have maintained regular contact with the teacher who ahs been great giving extra lessons to help catch them up because they are so far behind...but last month they miss more days than they go. The teacher has rung Mum and all types of vague stories...we have tried to touch base and again vague stories and we can never meet up.
Disappointing. we have put it out there and school has as well attendance is necessary but much more of this and they are finished with us.
We work really hard to earn our money, we are both committed to using some of it to help our community and will make sure we do it where it does the most good. This isn't it.

it is the same attitude we have with our stitching business- we want it fair and fun for all...we are happy to train people, we are happy to work hard to provide continuous work but if it ain't fun, we have to grumble too much for that to happen - we are happy for people to find other work options...luckily we are surrounded by people who like our attitude.
Our old car is slowly, slowly falling to pieces- we love this car. we bought it together 9 years ago and it has taken us all over the country but retirement is near. I have been suggesting perhaps she could house a mobile library.
Books have always been my solace and with information you can learn anytime. There are no libraries here, no where near enough books for kids to enjoy....we're trying to make a small difference in our community....just finding our path.
It is so hot today my mind is not working....I think I am going to go home, put the AC on and read a book...be lazy until I start to get itchy to DO something...might be a while.

 

Australia, weddings etc and home

Home again and I fell in a heap, exhausted by all that has happened of late- I did not feel I wanted to move, think or do anything....

Getting over it now, but the recent fiasco with that 'fictional' Delhi police story I was mentioning a while ago and then no visa for Praveen due to the mistake of the visa agent and so having to do the trip to Oz alone just took the wind out of my sails...add to that a wonderful head cold and I was a teary mess coming home to fall into Praveen's arms.

I guess the best thing to do when feeling like that is to count your blessings, don't look at the length of the list of things to get onto rather like eating an elephant take it one bite at a time and DO start and move- wallowing as a blubbing mess will not help anyone.

OK there is a part of me that would like to sit and mould still but I am up to getting bored with that and moving on, I think.

Some of my blessings

1. Praveen did sort out the Delhi fiasco and is safe home

2. we might have worked like maniacs for the last 6 months getting paperwork in order for the visa, only to have the guy mess it up- we still have all the bookwork etc done, business registations, tax statements and a better system of officework sorted out to keep the million and one government agencies we have to deal with as an Indian small business sorted out- which must be a better foundation for our future dealing with Indian paperwork.

3. My eldest son got married!! This is in the suit shop...notice 3 boys in suits and the groom not? Yes, his did not arrive, whilst I was going to pull the head off the shop owner the boys restrained me, David was very cool and got her to cobble an outfit together that looked the business. This photo was to show his girl Niamh - only after the wedding.

4. I have never seen such a happy and present expression on my son's face- for that I am truely grateful. He has grown into a beautiful man and I thank Niamh for inspiring that- they make a great couple. I spent a lot of the wedding crying- a lot in happiness for them and a little in sadness I really missed not having Praveen with me to share in all this.

5. My best friend's daughter Bonnie married Mick. I have known Bonnie since she was a wee small thing, love her dearly and am so happy to see her with Mick he is a lovely guy. Again such a beautiful day.....

6. My little boys- well that is how I used to refer to them in reference to David who is 6 years older...not so little anymore [baby Ruben was 21 yesterday- on right] but still as silly as ever. We made them quilts using Tshirt offcuts from Zac's designs [Zac on left] bothe were well pleased.

7. Zac kindly took some time off work and was my co-driver to drive down to Geelong, we met up with Jen our distribtor and helped we set up a stall at the Geelong Fibre Forum. I really enjoyed having time with Zac as well as the comfort of his presence and co-driving.
This is Jen's blog and Facebook page - keep an eye on it as she has a whole new programme happening soon

8. Jen's business is antique quilts and designing quilts [I love her stuff] and it sits very well with ours- she was great helping with a style makeover consultation. Branding and presentation are such a big bit of selling your stuff, and I must admit not really an area of expertise of mine. We are re-branding all our stuff to the workshop name The Stitching Project [ she has had a few enquiries about Jamie Oliver getting into textiles with our name being Pukka Desirables- whilst I love Jamie that is not quite the association I had hoped for]
Now need to design and make new labels, build a new website with shopping cart etc heaps of work but it will be worth it in the long run...the our pukka place site is not up to scratch anyway....

9. yes whole trip was a bit like this- a blur and headless chook moments

10. very pleasing to be able to drop in and visit Anne at Timeless Textiles in Newcastle, fabulous gallery/shop and exhibtion programme - a must visit place if you are passing through Newcastle or interested in excellent workshop opportunities.

11. Home with Praveen- it is such a comfort to be with him again and settle down, stop crying and try and get on with things...this was a bit of a highlight this week- new quilt coming togther. We arranged the blocks to make steps...love making quilts

12. Treasure, my mate in the UK helped get these for us. John James long darner needles...our Stitching Ladies have been eyeing off the few I have in my personal stash for some time...we were able to buy 1000 as a bulk order, then I got worried they would get 'lost' in the post [I am waiting more than 6 weeks for 3 books I ordered from the UK and so rightly nervous I think]....anyway Anne sent them to Dawn in Oz, I picked them up from Dawn and now they are in our workshop being handed our very fruggaly and happily to our Ladies.....

message to self- keep looking on the bright side ...and just get on with it!!

almost home again...

My lovely Dawn....so nice to hang out, we speak all the time on the phone but hanging around together is such a heart warming pleasure....here she is modelling one of the Tasty Old Chooks numbers....great to look and see how the dress takes to a body.

We were delivering work to the local gallery where I used to live, blossoming under the care of Donna Cavanaugh with lots of interesting stuff. Let me know if you want more details and I can pass her email onto you...website for them is hoped for one day....

Con Detterer delivering one of his sculptures; lovingly crafted from junk.

Had a big pow-wow with Zac- got the thumbs up on our interpretations of his artwork transfered to Tshirts and Hoodies...stay tuned Watts Wright Designs are all go. I need to tweak a few details he and everyone else noted but generally heading in the right direction.
It was rather wonderful having design session with Zac, Dawn and the gang; when the boys and I were down at my biggest boy David's place....bodies scattered all over the room, samples everywhere and patterns being measured....that is almost how they grew up- when they were all very small I supported us through making clothes...everything was all around and the boys had to paly around it....now we were all hanging together confering over where to go with Zac'd designs Praveen and I are making......such a winderful loop and such a long way we have all come from those days.

Dawn's grand daughter fishing around in bag for a present I bought for her- a camel bell, she is msot interested to meet my camel Baba and is waiting for Nana Dawn to bring her to visit one day- what a wonderful idea.....little children bought back many memories for Dawn and I ...our kids are around the same age...so we always had a gagle of her girls and my boys around...we were always making clothes for them...now they are all growing up or grown up and starting to come back with their kids in tow....so lovely to see. and here we were at Dawn's doing the first inspection of one of the kids designs....last year Cait one of Dawn's girls had her first fashion parades.....good to have things in common with your kids and see them prepared to have a go with their creative sides

My big boy David and his lovely fiance Naimh put on the most wonderful Christams spread and had the younger boys and I down to hang with them in Sydney for a few days- ssssooooo good for an old Mummy.
We dined [ yes it sounds fancy and it was!!] at Dave's workplace Toko- a rather flash Japeanes restaurant in Surry Hills- delicious and a huge over-indulgence....what fun....

and now I am stuck in Delhi for a few days.....half way between my lovely Aussies and my man....I have to get a visa for Ghana in January and so using the opportunity to do a little more textile research, try and catch up on emails, dwell on all the wonderful things that happened in a few short days and work on ideas that were generated.....life is full of such wonderuful experiences, if you let them in.....

I believe in an open arms policy :)

whirlwinds....

It is so nice to be in Oz and see friends and kids....such a pleasure to see my boys, but mostly it is a whirlwind...rush to get here, rush around fitting as much as possible while I am here...today is the onlt day where I will spend a few hours sitting still on my mates verandah and chatting over a cup of tea....whilst catching up on officework, drawing up a pattern or two, organizing a bit of posting....should not have started that list it does not sound like to\\he restful day i have been promoting to myself!

 Had 2 and a half brief and busy days at the Orange Forum- great buzz...met so many old friends. students, tour clients and new people I have met via the cyber world it was great to put flesh and blood to, and lots of cheery warmth.

 I was being a real tourist taking pictures of the natives trying my clothes- the ladies back home will love to oggle the locals just like my tour clients take pictures of the locals to show their mates back home.....gave me a drippy smile thinking I am being a tourist in reverse....does that make sense to you?
In this instance we Ozzies are the exotic creatures....

Also wonderful to see my garments on bodies....hard to tell much when I only have me to look at in the mirror or men to try them on [just would not work asking the ladies]
We have very favourable comments [and people putting their money where their mouth is] and a few leads on shops that might like to stock us....all very encouraging

 I shared a space with 2 wonderful women and in the quiet times between shoppers we had a great laugh, Julianna with a cheeky smile will stock some Pukka Desirables products in her Gallery/shop....details coming and Carol who we wtached work and crate beuatiful sculptural jewelery from morning to night

 This necklace in particular l\took my eye, colour spot on and form so soothing- i imagined it framed and able to be lifted out to be worn- duel purpose...someone elegant and dressed in black would look stunning wearing it.

 Australia is a very beautiful place....my eyes are so happy to feast on her....early morning departure from Orange heading back to the Hunter Valley

 Another mystery lady i met in  Newcastle yesterday, kindly modeling more of my clothes for tourist shots....keep your eyes glued to this blog I will have more to say soon, but I hold great hopes for a very elegant Textile Gallery Studio to be arriving soon. Great to be around at the beginning and have a chance to watch it all unfold.....

 And hanging out with my best friend...we have been cooking togther for years feeding our kids, but now they are all so big and would you believe helpful, still larikins as well!
Dawn's baby....

 My Zac towering over the BBQ....

and my baby Ruben. It is so nice to see them and see what beautiful people they have grown into .....
happy visits....