Koko

While researching for the next On Demand! post [yup, another one coming up soon! something to do with babies and kids...], I came across this crazy eclectic collection from Koko. Lots of inspiration from India - in design, colors, textures and fabric techniques.

Another section of Koko's collection will be part of my next On Demand! post. Keep Reading!

Swagat Volksfaden!

I am very proud to present to you the new sponsor of An Indian Summer - Volksfaden.

Volksfaden is a online fabric boutique from Berlin, run by Linda. What makes me so proud to have Volksfaden on my blog is not only because the Volksfaden collection of fabrics completely awe-inspiring, but also since Linda is a lovely friend!


More about Volksfaden:

Volksfaden when literally translated, means 'people's threads'. Volksfaden specializes in 100% cotton fabric, that is personally selected and imported from the United States and Japan. The collections are unique and emphasis is on pattern that is bright and eclectic. Shop for:
Fabrics here
Patterns here
Products here

A warm Swagat (welcome) to Volksfaden!

Kalamkari - The Art of Textile Painting

I am in love. With the amazingly rich textile tradition of India! As I select exquisite fabrics and furnishings for the upcoming bazaar, I can not resist buying double the quantity, so that I can have them at my home too. You can very well imagine what this is doing to my budgeting and thoughtful financial planning!

One such rich textile art that I am planning to get is Kalamkari. Kalam means 'pen' and Kalamkari literally would mean 'Pen craft'. The name is believed to be derived from trade relationships between Persian and Indian merchants as early as the 10th century. Interestingly, European merchants had different names for similar textile art in their geography: the Portugese called it pintado, the Dutch used the name sitz, and the British preferred chintz. Kalamkari today is synonymous with both painted and hand block printed textiles that incorporate natural vegetable/organically derived colors, and the art is primarily practiced in the state of Andhra Pradhesh in India.

Kalamkari in contemporary furnishing...

Beautiful designs from Anupama

Kalamkari bed furnishing found on Overstock

If you would like to try your hand at creating Kalamkari fabric or painting yourself, you can find excellent tutorials here

[History source: Kalamkari Art]

Pretty Pretty

I just couldn't resist these charming patterns from Galbrith & Paul. Reminds me of spring and early summer!

Do check out their site for more designs and for custom designing of rugs!

The Wedding Story

Late last year

Two individuals

decide to get married

And the rest,

As they say,

Is history!

The Build up:

32 weekends devoted to shopping

Guest lists tuned and fine tuned nth number of times

Wedding venues seen, rejected and finally one selected

Wedding dress all ready in August for a December wedding

Strict instructions to the bride-to-be to maintain exact weight and measurements

8 trips up and down Delhi, Mumbai and London

'Project' plans created in excel sheets and shared across families

Cards specially designed by the couple in London

Got printed in Mumbai and

Then shipped to Delhi

Before they were finally couriered to the fine tuned guests

A week before the wedding :)

Family averaged one minor emotional or logistical storm every two weeks

Every one week as the day drew closer...

But,

we waited in anticipation

for the..

The Wedding

Lights

Thousands of them

Flowers

White and Yellow

Satin and organza cloth streamers

The wedding venue looked like a dream

And the dream also had

Unexpected high velocity winds

(that helped nicely done hairdo's and sarees to go to places they aren't supposed to)

And some rain

But they say,

Rain on a wedding day is lucky

So we rejoiced

for the happy couple :)

And then

After some hours of ceremonies in the wee hours of the morning

the aforementioned Two individuals

were pronounced

Man and Wife

Congratulations to my dearest lil sis and friend-turned-bro-in-law!!

As we wait for the professional photographer's pictures to come in,

Sharing with you some beautiful photos taken by my uncle...

Decoration. You can 'see' the wind..specially in the second snap on right

Waiting eagerly for the 'Baraat' (Groom's party) to arrive

Glimpses of the bride...

From the 'pheras' (ceremonies)

And, a snapshot of absolutely beautiful colors, textures and fabrics that lit up the wedding

And, now that the wedding is all nicely done

I shall be back with a vengeance to blogging :-)

[P.S: I am open to be hired as a wedding planner....but this time, I better be paid! ;-)]

Hand that Block!

So that I can handblock!

Hand carved teak blocks, painted in different colors, have been used to create these pretty pretty fabrics

[From Anokhi, another one of my regular haunts]