Diwali Greetings From My Dream Canvas

It is the middle of the night in my part of the world. I am here to wish all my wonderful readers around the world........A very Happy Diwali from my home to yours! May you and your loved ones have a bright and beautiful Diwali.



A big hug from me to you and thank you for stopping by My Dream Canvas!



Image: My home this evening!

Decor Inspired by Nature (Diwali ideas)

Diwali, The Indian Festival of lights is a few days away. Diwali is usually a big celebration in my house. I miss India and my parents home even more this time of the year! However, over the years I have tried to recreate the magic of Diwali here in the States for my children!

I am drawing inspiration from nature for my Diwali decor this year.



I have picked up these beautiful leaves that are strewn all over my backyard. The colors are perfect. The golden hues gives me my color theme for Diwali this year. The leaves act as a perfect backdrop for the shimmering tea lights. A simple and inexpensive way to create a vignette for Diwali. Do you like it? This can be idea for a Thanksgiving tablescape as well!



I promise to share a few other Diwali decor ideas on the blog this week.

What is your most favorite childhood Diwali memory? I have tonnes.... and I shall share them with you soon!

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Vintage Inspired Diwali Inspiration at MDC

It is that time of the year again......Diwali (The Festival of Lights) beckons......

Here at My Dream Canvas, I am working on some Diwali inspiration with a vintage twist! Stay tuned for my Diwali series next week! 



Have a beautiful weekend and lets enjoy all the festivities together :)

Image: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Marching Towards The Festive Season

 Hello to all my lovely readers and to the new week. At My Dream Canvas I am getting ready to march into the festive season:) I hope you shall come along with me :)  I am pulling out all my things and shall soon start on sprucing up the house. I shall bring you festive ideas and shopping finds, decorating tips and a whole lot more. It shall be fun and action packed :)



Are you getting ready for the festive season? Do share and lets start talking :)

Images: My Home

Fall and Festivities at My Dream Canvas

I cannot resist turquoise even when its Fall :) Autumn has arrived and I am loving it. The sun has a golden hue that takes my breath away. I can see a touch of gold in the leaves on the trees around me. Its my favorite time of the year!!



Next week I shall bring to you the Fall and Festive season at My Dream Canvas. It shall be colorful......I promise you that :)

The next image has a touch of orange to welcome Fall :) When its Fall here in the States, India is gearing up for the festive season with Dussehra and Diwali. What are some of your favorite traditions this time of the year? I am also asking my readers to tell me what they would like to see featured on My Dream Canvas during the Fall/ Festive season? Drop me a line or leave me a comment. Lets celebrate this beautiful time together :)



Happy Friday my friends!!



To visit the Shop at My Dream Canvas click here!

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Happy July 4th

Here's wishing my fabulous readers here in the States a Happy July Fourth. My plan for today is a picnic and then watch fireworks by the lake with friends and family. 

Sending you a few flowers from my home to wish you a lovely day!

Image : Flowers at Home. Copyright My Dream Canvas

Holi : The Festival of Colors

It is that time of the year again......Holi is here :) When I was younger and living in India, Holi in my family was all about revelry and the onslaught of colors. 



 Holi is the Festival of Colors. The best part about the festival is that you get to smear color on your friends and family:) It is a fun and joyous event. The celebrations last from morning till night. Today it is a lot different and very subdued. Here in the States its hard to re-create that mood. However, I do try and celebrate all the festivals with my children. What I miss the most is my mom's fabulous cooking, the gifts we got from my grandmother and the songs she sang. There is so much more that it is hard to put in words! I miss my family, I miss my friends and I miss those carefree days!  I distinctly remember that I had colored nails for almost a week after Holi :)  I loved playing Holi and I would get rather aggressive with the colors :) 

 





Tomorrow, I plan to cook for my family, smear them with a wee bit of color and keep the traditions alive :)  A very Happy Holi to all those who are celebrating!! Here are a few images from my home as I get ready for Holi.



So what are some of your favorite memories of festivals growing up?

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all my lovely readers. I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Here's wishing you a lovely holiday season with your loved ones!
I shall see you back here in a few days. Unfortunately, I am feeling a but unwell but I am hoping I can shake it off soon!! My kids want to sleep next to the tree this year :)



Thank you for stopping by My Dream Canvas. It means the world to me!!

 

 

Image: My Home

Holi Hai!

Check list before playing with colours.

* well oiled hair (tick)

* wear old clothes ( tick)

* non-toxic colours (tick)

* pitchkari (tick)

Have a Rangeen Holi! The spring festival of colours!

Some colours from last year:-)

Happy Diwali to all you lovely people...

Here's wishing you a very happy & prosperous Diwali. The "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.A glimpse of some of the Diwali Decorating Ideas I have been posting everyday for the last 10 days on Rang Decor ( My interior Design blog) I want to thank all of you who have stopped by to encourage, appreciate and suggest. Thanks for being there and supporting me during the last few days.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Diwali!!!

Ganesh Chathurti celebrations at home...

Ganesha Chathurti has to be one of my favourite festivals.

* A festival where the whole family comes together to celebrate 'Ganesha' -the elephant god, the remover of

obstacles.
* The day when my husband gets fresh clay and let's his creativity flow to create a beautiful idol of Ganesha.
* Mallika's grandparents come down to be part of the festivity and give their blessings.
* Morning begins with the vedic chantings.
* Auspicious-ness is in the air.
* Everyone works with festive enthusiasm.
* Mango leaves are strung at the entrance of the house.
* Colours from various flowers fill up the home.
* The aroma of saffron & cardamon permeates from the kitchen.
* Ganeshas from my collection come out to be part of the get-together.
* The colour & fragrance of sandalwood paste & kumkum has not left my fingers.
* All the family members contribute towards the preparation of the menu.
* Modaks, Ganesha's favourite is prepared by the skilled hands of my mother.
* Mallika's creativity overflows in the form of a mouse idol. ( the vehicle of ganesha)
* Family prays to Lord Ganesha to remove all the obstacles and ensure happiness & peace in life.
* Satisfying of the senses with the colours of the flowers, the melodious voice of Shubha Mudgal singing Mangalswara, the aroma of melting jaggery & eating the sumptuous lunch consisting of 8 to 10 different dishes...

Now you know why this festival is so special:-)

Happy Ganesh Chathurti to all of you and hope the Lord removes all your obstacles and fills your life with happiness!

Ganesha idol on a bed of beetle leaves ready for the pooja.Fruits & flowers for the Lord

My husband's eco-friendly handmade Ganesha
My Ganesha collectionCoconut and jaggery stuffing for the modaks

Celebrating Ganesha...

Received an invitation from one of my favourite stores Eka, announcing their 'Celebrating Ganesha Festival'So if you are in Bangalore or Goa this week, do check out their exotic store with hand-picked one of a kind artifacts from all over India.

Happy Krishna Janmashtami...

On the eve of Krishna Janmashtami it is customary to paint Krishna's footprints right from the entrance of the house to the prayer room, symbolising the arrival of Krishna.
My cute Krishna idol posing with a beautiful orchid flower:-) Usually a long list of sweets & savouries are prepared at home, but I guess mine would probably be a very small list;-)

Do check out my pics on Flickr for updates

Wishing all of you a very Happy Krishna Janmashtami!