Thursday, December 5, 2013

Kraft Korner - Return Gifts for Valaikaappu :)


Hi All! In case you were wondering if I have really gone into hibernation, here I am :-) I've just migrated to warmer climes (read parents' house :)) on maternity leave... Winding up work, preparing the house for my long absence, last minute check-ups and packing had taken a lot of time and energy but this entire phase is just so beautiful and I'm enjoying every moment of it.

Valaikaappu/ Seemandham/ Godh Bharai is usually held in the 7th or 9th month in our custom.We had opted to have it in the ninth month since travelling to and fro often was simply not possible what with the distance and preparation involved. Also, I preferred to work as long as possible and save up my leave for after the Little One's arrival. And most airlines allow travel only till the end of 32nd week, that too with the doctor's certification and a detailed undertaking that no claims shall be made on them in case of any eventuality happening in the course of the travel! So, ninth month it is :-)

On the day of valaikaappu, the mother-to-be is dressed up beautifully and adorned with sandal, kumkum and flowers. Female relatives perform nalangu (like tilak), aarti and make her wear colourful bangles and give her gifts. In return, they are given bangles and return gifts too. Also, a feast of traditional rice dishes and sweets follows. We had a great time preparing for the event and I planned to make the return gifts myself to make things special and different. Well, it was back-breaking since we expected around 100 guests and so I had to make 100 items but it was a lot of fun too. I managed to finish just in time before the function and so pics had to be taken hurriedly with my mobile. And just while uploading, I realised I have left out clicking a set of keychains that I made!

Here are some pics of bookmarks:





And here are some of the earrings I made.. They were a huge hit!





I had made four types of earrings : bead earrings, quilled paper earrings, polymer clay earrings and foam earrings. The quilled ones took the longest time since they had to be made, coated and left to dry before adding the findings. And beaded ones were the most handy and quick to make! Here is a look of a major portion of the entire set:


Oops, the pic quality is very bad! And how I wish I had remembered to click the quilled keychains too :-(

But overall, it was so satisfying when friends and relatives vied to pick out the piece they liked most. And a couple of them wore them then and there :) Also, one of my nephews loved the bookmarks! Well, it was worth all the effort.

And not only the gifts, I had a great time doing up my mehendi too :


How do you like it??

8 comments:

  1. WOWWWW...loved to bits...U were creatively doing all these at this time too...Hats off for that first :) Ur little one will surely gonna be SOOOOOO creative u c :) May Almighty shower immense blessings on u and ur little one in womb...May positive thoughts and feelings surround u always..Heartfelt wishes for a safe delivery...Enjoy Motherhood!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the sweet wishes and heartfelt blessings Satya.. I dunno if the li'l one is going to be creative bcoz of me doing all this.. I do hope so but am sure that this beautiful phase has kept me positive and creative! Thanks again dear!

      Delete
  2. First of all Congratulations !! EsVee .. I thought of you today really and your post arrived.. :) Beautiful bangles :) Return gifts are fabulous.. book marks are cute.. earrings are lovely my fav are foam ones..you managed time for mehendi also great .. missed the keychains.. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, really?? Thanks a lot Radhika :) :) I have neglected the blog for a really long time indeed. Will try to make some keychains sometime soon and upload.. Meanwhile, gotta make a quick visit of all your blogs which I missed all this time..

      Delete
  3. Ohho..SO you have a good news..Congrats ! How did you mange to make 100 gifts..?? Hats off to you..and as Sathya said..your little one is going to be very active n creative :D ! I Ioved the earrings ,very pretty !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pooja... Yeah, initially the number 100 was daunting but it was quite fun once I began. And lot of parallel processing too helped :) Like finishing the earrings when the bookmark bases were left to dry, etc. Loved making them all.. NIce you liked them!

      Delete
  4. Congratulations EsVee and my best wishes for a safe delivery !! Great to see so much of creativity and all the beautiful stuff you made !! lots of good wishes !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks Suman!! Am a bit scared of the delivery part but all of your blessings and good wishes are going to sail me through.. So, keeping myself occupied and positive!

      Delete