Wednesday, January 13, 2010

textiles and shoes

A dobie wallah (laundry person) washing clothes along the steps of the Ganges river at daybreak.


When my mother and sister got off the airplane from India, they came home to a house full of family- a very appreciative audience. There with plenty of hands to carry in the many bags, and we didn't have to wait more than a couple of seconds before they started unzipping them. The unveiling of their treasures wasn't anything I could have ever imagined. I think the best way to share it with you is by breaking it up into categories: textiles/shoes, kitchen/utilitarian, and wild/wonderful. Although just about everything fits into the w/w category!

Wood blocks...

handmade shoes...
turbans and towels from Rajisthan...

end of a cotton bolt... like selvedge...
felt lily brooches...

And the most beautiful of all... quilts from West Bengal and Bangladesh (read more about them here)



I couldn't capture how amazing these were. The running stitch has never had more impact. Do you see all of those little stitches? Can you imagine how long each one took? If you worked so hard on a piece, mending it wouldn't even be a second thought. This little square is my favorite part, of course. Pin It

26 comments:

  1. All of these things are so beautiful! I love the wood blocks and shoes :)

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  2. ah. no words, maya. thanks for sharing these.

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  3. Love everything here! Will adopt the name Dobie Wallah next time the laundry gets out of hand. :)

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  4. You lucky girl...what amazing treasures. Aren't those quilts the most lovely things you have ever seen! It's so funny because I ran into the same problem...how to photograph them in a way that shows their full glory. Hmmmm? There are worse problems to have!!

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  5. Wow! I love the treasures! How amazing.

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  6. Beautiful treasures..My goodness what a fabulous place to visit. Needs to go on my list of must do's I think :P

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  7. oh my, wow what a post, Maya ! thank you, and thank your mom & sister for us please !
    On the last photo, the running stitch makes me think of Cathy (Cullis) and the patch makes me think of Liane.
    xoxoxo

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  8. For years I've had a vague idea of a tattoo I want for my ankle, but I have been unable to come up with the exact design. I think I see the beginnings of it in two of those wood blocks. I'm going to play with the idea now! Cool treasures!

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  9. it's all so yummy... but I love the wood blocks - especially because you can further create with those. I'd be printing everything in sight!

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  10. Wow! Such treasures... I can't wait to see what you do with those woodblocks.

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  11. Whauw, amazing. I also love the wood blocks!

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  12. Those black shoes are amazing. And thank you for the link to my Valentine's Day collection. I loved listening to your interview with Jennifer, too!

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  13. Beautiful! Will you get to use the wood blocks? Love the patch in the quilt. I've taken to patching my tablecloths and kitchen linens with out-loud-different fabrics because it is so charming.

    Love seeing India via you and your mom.

    --Vicki K.

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  14. How beautiful, all these presents..... I love to read your blog!

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  15. Beautiful materials Maya- especially like the shoes and wood block and pointed elf slippers...thanks for sharing.What an interesting family you all are!

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  16. Wow!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this.

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  17. Hi Maya,

    Thanks so much for posting these wonderful photos and also for the introduction to the Lavendar and Limes blog. I greatly appreciate all you're doing!

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  18. Very beautiful. There is something that seems so spiritual about these items and pictures.

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  19. Oh, Maya, so much eye candy in one post! You are spoiling us!! India has such a rich textile history, and I think your mom and sister brought back the best representations of it!

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  20. India is just a place full of treasures!!!
    But did you get one of these:
    http://chunkychooky.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-place-and-yours-wherever-i-lay-my.html

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  21. Maya,
    Thank you for taking the time to share this beauty. I kept re-loading my dial up internet because I didn't want to miss a single picture. I especially appreciate the hand quilted piece. I enjoy hand sewing so much more than using the noisy machine but I can also appreciate all the time it takes.
    Many warm wishes,
    Tonya

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  22. Pray for the people of Haiti.

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  23. Oh, all those beautifyl woodblocks! Can't wait to see what you do with them..Peg

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  24. Hi Maya,
    I'm glad you like my country. I am sure the memories of the places you visited and the people you met are as beautiful as the take aways.

    Regards
    Priyanka

    PS: The handmade shoes are called "Mojiris"

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