Mahatma Gandhi’s Peaceful Journey to India’s Freedom

Mahatma Gandhi’s Peaceful Journey to India’s Freedom Mahatma Gandhi obtained India's freedom from the British remarkably with nonviolence. His many methods included fasting, being imprisoned, civil disobedience, boycotts, peaceful protests and marches. He encouraged others to do the same. Four Gandhi portraits: The first is of an18 year old law student in England.  The second is as an attorney in South Africa: fought against discrimination of Indians and their rights for 20 years. And, 2 senior portraits including a large line drawing of a bald head, glasses. Charkha (spinning wheel): spun his own yarn, wove his own cloth (self sufficiency)

He is regarded by Indians to be the Father  of  The Nation  The  back of the quilthas map of his journey.  He inspired many others including Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.

Techniques:                                                                                                                          Ink and stencil, hand embroidery, hand quilting, machine quilting

Materials: Cotton, shisha mirrors, beads

Holi, a fun festival of colors

A quilt I made several years ago for the spring festival of colors, Holi in India. One of the most fun festivals when we wore old clothes and sprayed each other with bright vivid colors and tossed bright, colored powders at each other!

Rangoli, India's Folk Art

Rangoli, India’s Connect the Dots Folk Art

Rangoli designs can be made from dry flour, colored rice, sand or even flower petals, and it is thought to bring good luck. The designs are created on the floor by the front door, in courtyards, around stainless steel food plates or disposable banana leaf food plates during Hindu festivals and weddings. Dots are first made using the thumb and index finger in rows and then the dots are connected and filled in to create the designs. The number of dots in each row and the number of rows are specified in Rangoli pattern books. This design is a typical one for Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

The quilt was made for the Fast Friday online group for a challenge on childhood memories. Having grown up without crayons, and other luxuries, we had fun with Rangoli, Mehndi (henna), cards, playing outside daily with jump rope, hopscotch and using our imagination in make believe plays. It was hard to select one memory from childhood and I chose Rangoli because it was creative and LOTS of fun.

The dots were made with french knots and the line designs are in chain stitch hand embroidery. Beads, sequins, shisha mirror embellishments

Classical Indian Dancers

The Classical Indian dancers’ movement of hands, feet, and expressive faces tell a story set to soothing, melodious music.

The fused dancers were designed in Make the Cut software.

Hand embroidery, beads, bells, trims, Paintsticks, watercolors, and machine quilting

It is 36”w x 12” h

This quilt was created for the Fast Friday challenge ..this month's theme was dance and movement.

Postcard Swap with Artists in India

Back of Postcard above.Keep Cool, hot pepper roof

This is the Front of the postcard I mailed out. It was Machine sewn with a Pepsi can, charms, beads, trims, fabrics.

Dreaming of warmer weather during a long, cold, snowy Michigan winter

Cannot wait to see the postcard I get back.

Wedding Quilt: 7 Steps Around the Sacred Fire

All auspicious beginnings include a havan, or a sacred fire which is symbolic of Agni, the Fire God. It is through fire that our prayers are said to reach God. During a Hindu marriage ceremony, the couple exchanges garlands of flowers and take 7 steps, Saptapadi around the fire, and each step represents a vow. My actual wedding chunni(veil) is used as the wedding sari in this quilt.