Thank you Khabar!

A big Thank you  to Girija and the team at Khabar Magazine for featuring My Dream Canvas in their February issue. Click here for the online edition of the magazine. The article also includes a few of my fabulous blogger friends :-) Khabar is a magazine for the Indian-American community based out of Atlanta.

I also want to mention that new updates for my SHOP and other design ideas will be available on my Facebook page.  Come on over and join the fun :-)

Image: via

Wit & Whistle

Good Morning!! I am absolutely in love with these cute Chalkboard mugs from Wit & Whistle. Tea time and a cute message..... what a lovely way to begin the day!

Here is the link to get the instructions for your very own DIY mugs! The magic of porcelain chalkboard paint! Are you tempted?? I certainly am.....

Image: via

A New Week

It's been a late start to the week for me! My weekend was hectic and chaotic with a few quiet moments thrown in :-) A trip to the nearby lake to watch and photograph the beautiful sunset was a major highlight. I had not been to the lake in a few weeks and I was really missing it.

I think we all need a special place in our lives don't you think? A quick yet brief getaway from reality and our routine lives!

This week I have a home tour, tonnes of design inspiration and something new coming up at the Shop at My Dream Canvas. So have a good week.... and keep coming back :-)

Images: Mine

Love Affair with Suzani!

It's time to bring you this week's "Fabulous Find". I am drooling over this absolutely stunning Suzani arm chair. The vivid suzani embroidered fabric on the turquoise wooden chair and the orange leather upholstery. It is a stunning piece!

Okay, it is super duper expensive, nearly 2000 bucks!! Are my family and friends listening?? Remember my birthday is coming up soon!!
I wish :-) However, I can add it to my dream list and share it with all you fabulous people!!

Images: via

The Magic of Figueroa

As I mentioned in my previous post, the days are far too grey for my liking!! I need some color to liven things up a bit. Join me, as I visit the colorful and mesmerising Figueroa Hotel! Surprisingly this Moroccan themed hotel is far away from Morocco. It is actually closer to me and is in Los Angeles :-)  Here's some more interesting information about this property......the Figueroa was built in 1925 as a tourist class hotel and was a YWCA residence at one point!

Step into the magical world of Figueroa.......

Images: via

Red and Pink!

Okay, I am officially fed up! There I have gone ahead and said it to all of you :-) January in the Pacific Northwest is dull, grey and extremely boring! I guess more so when you are just back from vacation.

The greyness outside is literally getting on my nerves today. I would love to step outside, minus the rain of course and enjoy a cup of tea in my backyard. Now, if my backyard looked like this........I would be a happy happy gal!

I am in the mood for color.....the bold red and the dramatic pink seems so appealing today.  Sigh!!

Images : via

4MACOHA

Bright and beautiful.........I am here to introduce 4MACOHA!

4MACOHA is a collaboration between the Malawi council for the handicapped  (locally known as Macoha) and designer Holly Dunlap. This gorgeous collection is made locally using Malawian cotton. The organisation supports local cotton farmers, textiles workers and artisans. Dunlap is dedicated to promoting the skillful endeavors of these artisans far beyond Africa’s borders.

It's such a delightful collection with an inspiring story!

Images: via

CasaSandra

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Yes, the desire to travel is in my blood! I yearn to visit new places, meet new people and of course try out different cuisines :-) My trip to Mexico many years ago was lovely, but I was not satisfied. I long to go back as there is so much more to be seen. Today, I want  to share with you the story of CasaSandra........a story that appeals to the dreamer in me :-)

"For a long time owner, Sandra, wanted to write by the sea. She went in search of a remote world, quiet, where the blue was obvious.  She took a small plane and flew over the island of Holbox near Cancun. Here on the beach, is where she came up with the project to create "the hotel with a human touch".

"Feelings, emotions, poetry, touches of color, aromas of black coffee, hammocks, fabric on the balconies, fluffy sheets, the sea at every angle, and romantic evenings create the magic of the "place of your dreams. "

Have you been swept away??

Images and some text : via

Sunshine and Monday!

I have woken up to a glorious Monday morning filled with sunshine and blue skies! It's been a while since I took out my camera and drove around my beautiful city. This seems like the perfect day! I am enjoying my cup of tea, and the beauty and warmth of the sun streaming  in through my window!

Sometimes, It's nice to just take a break and enjoy the simple joys of life! Have a great week everyone!

Image: My home

The Weekend!

Sometimes a picture says a thousand words..............

I am signing off for the weekend from snowy Seattle!! See you on Monday!

Images: via

Frosty Evening

Snow, Ice, back to snow and freezing rain. No! I am not the weather man.... but this pretty much sums up my week. Not to forget the power outage and finally cabin fever as I have not stepped out of the house! My kids have been out of school as well and with a three and six year old...you know what that means :-)

I am dreaming of sunny skies and emerald waters......

What have you been upto??

Image: Mine

From Past to Present

I am starting a series called here at MDC called "Fabulous Finds". Every week I intent to showcase one Shop/ Designer whose work I admire. The feature will especially include products with an eclectic and global feel!!


I recently stumbled upon Amy's Etsy shop called "From Past to Present". I must say that I was intrigued by the name itself :-) This is a shop where cushions are made with re-claimed often vintage and hand printed textiles.

Here is a lovely description of the textiles she uses for her products. " I use re-claimed and vintage textiles which were once part of a garment worn by Hmong women. The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group living in the mountainous regions of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and China. They use a traditional batik process where wax is applied to a piece of cloth and dyed with natural dyes. The wax is then removed and the design is created where the wax has prevented the dye from penetrating the cloth. Colourful embroidery is then added to the batik designs."

What a fascinating story and process, don't you think? I adore these striking cushions. Hope you have enjoyed my " Fabulous Finds for this week"

I have recently added a set of Tribal Musicians to the Shop at My Dream Canvas. You can click here to view my latest find as well :-)


Till We Meet Again.............

 

Images: via

My Brother's Big Fat Indian Wedding :-)

2011 ended on a high note for me and my family. My baby brother got married. I cannot help calling him a baby as he is 8 years younger than me :-) The wedding was a dream. The bride is absolutely gorgeous. More importantly, she is a real sweetheart :-) My parents got their wish, especially my mom, who I think managed to host the best party ever :-) It's hard for me to capture those lovely moments in photographs or in words, but I am going to try!

My paternal Grandmother who was a poet, wrote these words for my mom when she was a bride. Lovely words that are very apt for the occasion :-)

A, this is for you.

"Look at my bride, she is resplendent.
 Gold and Jewels cover her,
 pearls and emeralds frame her face.
 All her limbs, her hands, her feet,
 shimmer and sparkle.

In the glimmer of gold,
in green leaves and flowers,
she comes.....
my bride."


We kicked off the wedding festivities at home. The flowers, the laughter, the yummy food, friends and family.....the memories will stay in my mind forever!

Packing the gifts for the bride and the others into the wee hours of the night!

A glimpse of the beautiful bride on her wedding day!

After the wedding my parents hosted the reception in Delhi. We decided on a cream and gold theme for the evening. There were shimmering candles, tea lights, fragrant flowers, music, 400 people......... it was a magical night!

The table setting!

I wish I could be back there.............

A few months before the wedding, I came up with a whim :-) I wanted to wear my maternal Grandmother's wedding outfit. She wore this 70 years ago on the day after her wedding. This outfit is made of brocade with intricate embroidery. She gave it to me when I was in my teens.  My aunt and my mom found this lady who managed to repair the outfit. It had just a little bit of wear and tear over the years and she did an amazing job of restoring it. I was extremely close to my Grandmother so it made me very happy to wear this for my brother's wedding. I shall pass it down to my daughter in a few years. Hopefully, the legacy and tradition will live on......

I know I have been rambling for a bit......but then weddings are always so special. I just had to share it with all my wonderful readers :-)

Here's wishing the newly weds love and happiness now and forever!

Linking up with Tuesday Treaures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

A New Week and some Snow!

I am looking at a winter wonderland outside my door! I don't know about your hectic plans for the week ahead..... but we here in the Pacific Northwest are looking at a snow storm coming our way! Okay, I am well aware that our snow storms are not very extreme and some other parts of the country get a lot more! However, having said that, even a few inches of snow is a "big deal" in the Greater Seattle area. Yes, we do like to dramatize things a wee bit :-) On a serious note, the roads are pretty treacherous so its going to be an interesting few days!!

Call me crazy, but while my kids and their friends were building a snowman......I tried my hand at a little photo shoot in the snow!! A few fresh flowers, some snow, and my camera and I braved the cold to have some fun!

What can I say, these images make me smile so I had to share them with you. Here's wishing you a cheerful week ahead :-)

Images : Anu Varma. Please do not copy without written permission.

Joining the Weekly party at Colours Dekor!

Hello Weekend

Hi there! This is how I want my weekend to be :-)


Have a wonderful weekend and remember to make the most of it!!! I promise you a fun fun new week at MDC!

Image: via

A Diya Collection...

I have always had a weakness for Diyas (oil lamps) and tea light holders. This is the inspiration for the 2012 Diya Collection at the Shop at My Dream Canvas. I am always on the look out for unconventional and pretty brass diyas.

I am happy to share my finds with you today :-) Please email me at anuseattle@gmail.com for prices. The entire collection will also be available  on my Facebook page.

A Holiday Home

You know me! I am constantly dreaming about holidays...vacations.....travelling and now I yearn for a holiday home :-) A girl can dream, can't she? I can go on endlessly about my vision for a holiday home.  Instead, I am taking you to Spain today! The relaxed and rustic vibe of this restored 14th century farmhouse is extremely charming.  It has a lovely view of the surrounding mountains. This home  is definitely on my dream list today :-) The history, the charm, and the inspiring interiors make me want to call this delightful getaway...home!

This is a place to gather with family and friends. I can just picture myself here.....Cooking for the family, endless chatting through the wee hours of the night, taking long walks, waking up to to spectacular vistas, reading books, playing....yelling :-) You get the picture, right?

Love the vintage suitcases, it brings a certain amount of drama into this space!

Ah.....the lovely outdoors!

Elegant and classy yet comfortable and cosy.

 

The perfect bedroom for my two kids :-)

Very chic bathroom!

Have you been swept away? Are you also dreaming of a holiday home?? That was part of my plan :-)

Images: via