Hey friends,I might have been away from posting for a long time.Actually I have been working on a lot of projects together.here is one that I have finished just last week.
Its a embroidery ,kantha embroidery on a blouse piece.For all who are not much aware of this kantha stitch embroidery,here are some facts.
This is Kantha embroidery.West Bengal,a state in eastern India is famous for this craft.The craft has been around for hundreds of years in India and was born out of necessity.It has always been popular amongst rural women who keep the tradition of this special craft alive. This type of embroidery was initially created on old used fabric like old Saree's(Indian dress ).Kantha can be translated as ‘patched cloth’ although in the ancient language of Sanskrit and with a slight spelling variation, Kantha also means ‘rags’. To the people of Bengal, the word is associated with ‘embroidered quilt’ .People often recycled their favorite garments/fabric to make a new quilt to protect them in winter.
Kantha embroidery has a long history and is believed to have arisen with the way Bengali women mended old clothes. They would take out strands of thread from the borders of their colorful sarees and then create simple designs with them. The creations were known by different titles depending on the item they created. These names included Lepkantha and Sujni Kantha. Another simple fact for the development of Kantha embroidery was to be used as a blanket to beat the cold of the winter months in this north-eastern part of India. There are in fact 7 forms of Kantha embroidery in West Bengal.
These days new cloth/fabric is used,Saree's/cushion covers/bed covers/are all done using Kantha embroidery.A running stitch is used creatively to form beautiful patterns on the fabric.Floral motifs,bird/animal motifs are used.Rural women engage in this craft and every day life is depicted in the design. Cloth is layered and held together by the Kantha stitch.Kantha embroidery is a hit with tourists in west Bengal and it truly is a work of art.

So I used the same stitch to adorn a boring single color blouse to an attractive one.I stitched the motifs on the arms.Thread here used are from  anchor cotton threads.

Just a little goodies bag

Hi all,this is just a little paper goodies bag that I made for a friend on her birthday to present the gift.it was super easy .I used the bag to hold a  nail polish from Elle18.And along with it I gave her a chocolate bar from Cadbury's temptation(wrapped in red wrapping paper).

As for the bag I used plain white card stock and folded to form the bag.At the bottom ,pasted a dark purple CS and scalloped the edge with scalloped  scissors.The handle is done with mauve ribbon that remained in my stash for a long and I found a place to use it,so here it goes.

It’s a very easy to make and hope I might try to decorate this a bit more which I couldn't do because of time.

Thank you so much for stopping by with your lovely comments..It means a lot to me.

Until next time…

Have a nice day… creativebee.

Watermelon Juice

Now that the summers are here,the wet sultry weather has taken over,its time for the chilled juices,lassies and all.And with summers,one fruit which always arrives in the summers are watermelons.




Of course there are mangoes too, but they are not yet available in that great quality,moreover,watermelon is a thirst and heat reducer. We usually have watermelons cut into large crescents with a sprinkling of chaat masala and black salt. sometimes they are made into juices also especially because its damn easy to make.


The only tiresome part of making the juice is removing the seeds. but i still its manageable.

Ingredients
1 watermelon
 2-3 tbsp or sugar (optional)
black salt - a pinch
chaat masala - optional
ice cubes


Instructions
1.chop the watermelon.
2.remove the seeds.
3.in a blender add the chopped watermelon , sugar and black salt.
4.blend well.
5.serve in glasses topped with ice cubes.
6.optionally you can also add some chaat masala  while serving the juice.

So easy-peezy and quick to make refreshing watermelon juice is ready…. a coolant recipe for the summers.
Enjoy!!!!

Masala lassi

Lassi is one of the most favoured drink during the summertime. It has a cooling effect . The onset of Spring in North India usually means a good amount of heat. So this is the drink to help with the changing weather!

Lassi is usually made by blending yogurt with water until frothy, and made sweet or savory. 

No straining or cooking needed! Make some spice, add ground cashew and some chilled yogurt!

 Practically any flavouring can be added to the lassi be it fruits or spices.

Preparation time:1-2 mins

Cooking time: Nil

Serving: 4persons

Ingredients


3 cups chilled curd/yogurt
3-4 small cardamoms, crushed
6-7 black peppercorns, powdered or 1/4 tsp black pepper powder
a pinch or two of grated nutmeg
2 tbsp chopped dry fruits like almonds, cashew, pistachois
few strands of saffron
crushed palm jaggery as per taste(a replacement of sugar)




Instructions

• In a blender ,add all the ingredients along with some strands of saffron.
• Add 1 or 2 tbsp of water, if you want a little thin lassi.But tastes best if made thick.
• Blend till smooth. 
• You can also whisk everything with an egg whisker till smooth.
• Don't overdo the blending.
• Best when  served chilled in glasses, topped with some dry fruits and saffron and if you like some cream or malai

It was an instant hit among us the very first time I tried myself, being inspired by the recepie from veg recepies of India thats because i like strong and intense flavors. It has a strong aroma and sweet taste and rich with healthy ingredients,which make the experience more rich and refreshing.


It is a bit different from the general lassi,as here a few spices go into the making of the lassi and thats why its called as masala lassi. 

Cherry tomatoes with pesto stuffing

Ain't these cherry tomatoes looking juicy and fresh , refreshing.While in States, I came across this cherry tomatoes. While these were quite easily available there but in India,they are not so. I wish I could get those here also. Allured by the red color when I bought I had no idea what to do,with these ,except from using in salads. Later as I googled ,came across some recipes which I modified accordingly  to suite our Indian taste.
These stuffed cherry tomatoes are nice and east to make and are good for snacks or as starters as well. Moreover ,since the stuffing is mainly of nuts like almonds ,these are nutritious too.


Ingredients:

for the pesto:
1/2 cups coarsely chopped toasted nuts (almonds,walnuts,peanuts,cashews)[I mainly used almonds.and cashews,and it turned out nice.]
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese.
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
1 tbsp fresh lime juice.
1/4 tsp paprika powder.
1 clove of garlic very finely chopped.
a pinch of oregano.
1/2 cup fresh loosely packed basil leaves(optional).
salt to taste.
To complete:12 cherry tomatoes.
pinch of paprika (garnish).
To make pesto:
Toast the nuts on a dry skillet over medium heat till they are brown ,3-4 mins,then coarsely chop them.
mix all the pesto ingredients in a bowl.Taste and adjust the seasoning.
To serve:
Cut the tomatoes at the top where the stalks remain attached,horizontally.
Using a small melon baller or a spoon,scoop out the inside pulp, seeds of the tomato.Store it for further use in other dishes.
Gently fill in each tomato shell with about 1 teaspoon of the pesto mixture.Use the tomato top as the tiny lid.Sprinkle lightly with paprika just before serving.
Arrange the stuffed tomatoes on a plate and garnish with basil leaves.Serve chilled or at room temperature. Best when served chilled.