Little Stories – Holiday Happenings

California Redwoods National Park - inktorrents.com photo by Soma Acharya

 

 

Hi Everyone!!  A very fond welcome to all my new and old visitors.  I have had quite an eventful winter break.  On two occasions, my husband and I first drove down to Southern California and then also to the north.  Apart from being outside and travelling, I have also been busy in my little atelier with sorting out projects, planning, painting, book binding, etc.   I LOVE to bake, so I have been playing with recipes too.  I have one to share with you today along with my other holiday happenings!

 

 

Katsushika Hokusai Fuji woodblock print - inktorrents.com photo by Soma Acharya

 

 

This year I swapped out my snowshoes and outdoor boots with my city boots.  I was all set to go to the Eastern Sierra to play in the snow.  Then I found out at the last minute that Bowers Museum in Anaheim is hosting an exhibit of an extensive collection of  Katsushika Hokusai’s woodblock prints from the British Museum.  As a block printer myself, I could not pass up the chance to see these original prints up close.  Needless to say, it was an incredible visit and it happened to be on my birthday weekend.

 

 

Japanese ink Kakimori and Shikori Miruai - inktorrents.com photo by Soma Acharya

 

 

Afterwards we visited a few book shops and stationary stores there.   I got several incredibly beautiful Japanese inks for my birthday from my husband.  I love the simple joy of playing with these inks and writing Japanese with a brush.   I am excited about using these inks for both writing with fountain pens and for drawing.

 

 

Juki Sewing Machine - inktorrents.com photo by Soma Acharya

 

 

I recently got a new sewing machine.  To familiarize myself with the new machine, I started making something that is nothing fancy but very special – blankets for my kitties who love to sleep on them.   I “quilt” them with wavy lines.

 

 

 

Bobcat quilt pattern - inktorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 I made this bobcat pattern for a school mascot as a custom order

 

I used to design paper piecing quilt patterns.  For non quilters, it is a type of pattern that enables me to create almost any picture with fabric, like this bobcat.   The challenge in writing these patterns is that every sewing line (seam) has to be a straight line.  The curves are all made of straight lines.  I start with drawing the picture and then start drawing lines where the seams will go.  Figuring out the way each piece connects to another is like creating a puzzle.

You can see my currently available patterns in my shop.   I took a break from designing patterns, but I am excited to say that during this break I started working on a new one.  I will share as soon as it is ready.

 

 

Compass Mariner's Star quilt pattern - inktorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

During the holidays, Rebecca Magee shared photos with me of this beautiful quilt she made.

 

 

Compass Mariner's Star quilt pattern - inktorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

 

She used my Compass Needle pattern for the stars in the middle.  Isn’t the quilt gorgeous?!! 

 

 

 

Truman Fruitcake recipe - inktorrents.com photo by Soma Acharya

 

 

Due to severe food allergies, I can’t have store-bought fruit cakes and I am not really very fond of alcohol-steeped desert.  I recently happened on a recipe from the President Truman household that was posted by the National Park Service.  I made a few modifications to fit our taste and we really love it.

I am sharing both the original and my modified version with my notes.  I posted the recipe on this page all on its own so you can bookmark it directly.   I hope you like it.

 

 

California Redwoods National Park - inktorrents.com photo by Soma Acharya

 

 

I usually make a “official” end to my winter break with a visit to the majestic Redwood forests along the California coast.   It is a very contemplative time for me.  I took this photo from the car one morning.   Not the best photo technically, but I love the atmosphere.

 

 

Redwood cone ink drawing - inktorrents.com by Soma Acharya

Purchase handmade journals

 

At home, I finished a long-awaited drawing of the redwood cones collected from my own backyard in my nature journal which I made.

 

These are just a few things from my winter break.  I have so much more to share with you, from both my atelier and my  travels.  Thank you so much for continuing to visit me.   It is great to see familiar as well as new “faces” here.

Until next time,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please consider paying a visit to some of them.

 

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Something To Smile About

Cat playing lute sketch by Soma Acharya @ InkTorrents.com

 

Hello!  It is time I made my way back here with something that I hope will put a smile on your face.  More on that in a bit.  First of all, I want to thank every one of you for staying here with me through thick and thin, as well as everyone who joined the mailing list despite my long absence.  It means the world to me. 

 

 

Woman running watercolor sketch by Soma Acharya @ InkTorrents.com

 

When I left in June, I was not in a good place.  Unfortunately life continued to set up hurdles. 

I ran.  A LOT.   Running takes the edge off, helps me sleep.  I handmade a tiny book where I paint little “things I did”.  I made this quick watercolor sketch yesterday of  “me” running…finally managed an 8K/5mi run after a bad foot injury last year.

 

 

Lute lino block print by Soma Acharya @ InkTorrents.com

 

After a severe breakdown followed by 14 hours of straight, deep sleep a couple of weeks ago, I am finally starting to get myself back together.  I couldn’t bring myself to do much artwork in the last few months even though I knew that was the one thing that would have helped. 

Last week I posted this photo on my Instagram account.  Writing this out is my attempt at easing myself back into the land of the living.

 

 

Lute lino block print by Soma Acharya @ InkTorrents.com

 

I started a new project of carving and printing small blocks.   Lute had to be the first one.    Here is why –

 

 

Cat playing lute sketch by Soma Acharya @ InkTorrents.com

 

Very few things in my life have made me happier than our kitty Charlie.  He has always been just a very happy boy with a penchant for “singing”. 

On this day, he sat under a tree in his best clothes and sang his heart out while playing a lute.  It had to be a lute that he played, didn’t matter if he was good at it or not.  That is why I started my carving project with a lute.

 

He gave me permission to share his song as long as I added the correct inflections.  He is very particular about them!

 

I wrote a new ballaaaaaad

But now I am so saaaaad

She won’t hear my new song

Where did I go wrooooong.

 

Even the thought of this makes me smile and sometimes laugh out loud.    I hope it does the same for you too! 

 

 

Yosemite National Park handmade book by Soma Acharya @ InkTorrents.com

 

Apart from carving, I have once again started making different kinds of books.  I love the tactile feel I get from book making.   I didn’t get to mention it earlier, but my shop has new books and I have also added an extra colour.

If you purchase books from my shop for gifts, please make sure to place the order early.  The books are made to order personally by me and they take a few days to dry properly before I can mail them.

 

 

Cat on a pumpkin lino block print by Soma Acharya @ InkTorrents.com

 

I want to finish this post today with another block print I made of Charlie.  He also gets into sticky situations, but they are always quite innocent and comical.   I hope you get a smile out of this one too.

 

Once again, I can’t thank you enough for being here with me.   Next week is Thanksgiving here in the US, which starts the holiday season here.  Just in case I don’t make it back here in December, I wish you a season full of happiness and laughter.   I will certainly see you early next year around February with armloads of quilting, art projects and The Girl And Her Cat stories.  There will be travel photos as well.

 

Until next time,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please consider paying a visit to some of them.

 

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