Banana Banter

I was sharing my personal experiences with regard to cooking the banana stem and flowers, and in the process realized that some did not know where a banana fruit came from. Was it from a bush, or creeper, or shrub or tree??
This led me to draw a quick sketch on a white piece of paper explaining all about the banana. I also had the joy of demonstrating the process of cooking a banana flower, whilst explaining the medical properties. And as usual I did take some great pictures as well... Look at the tiny baby bananas in formation tucked neatly in layers within the folds of the petals of the pretty banana flower. Such an awesome sight it was indeed.
It remind me of my Sunday school kids who had such an aha ha discovery moment when for the first time I told them where a chicken nugget came from by bringing in a stuffed chicken soft toy!!
In the food chain where only the finished products make it the shelves it is becoming more common to miss out on where they came from. I have been blessed with growing up years with gardens and gardening experience that taught me plenty of things.. And love little nuggets of sharing around them.
Lots of love
Shanti

Traveling and crochet

Traveling again and new places, new interactions and new inspirations for my crochet. Smell of the sea, bustle of techie people, palm trees swaying and a unique banana tree perched on a patio..... It has to be LA... Such a lovely place indeed. Until next time
Lots of love... Shanti

Visit to the Frying Pan farm

I love farm life and totally enjoyed the piglets so special that were born on Fourth of July! The handsome horses, rabbits and piggies were so much fun. baby goats were being fed, and a rooster and a peacock were posing for pictures.. milked a goat for the first time. i was so awed by the cider barn details, cider is my favorite drink. loved the rugged old farm equipment and stock of corn feed and the simple smell of the farm... joy comes in all sizes and forms!! so glad to share these pictures with you.
Lots of love
Shanti

Half and Half Doll Scarf Peacock Lace/ Broomstick Lace-The Owl and the Pussy cat

This is a pattern for making a small scarf for any doll, a perfect gift for a little girl for her dolly.
Make multiples of 4 times 5 chains for 4 groups of 5 broomstick stitches. Turn, work 3 chains to count as one dc. Work dc across the foundation chain and then continue for 8 rows in broomstick lace, and then change color and continue another 8 rows. Fasten off. Edge  them with tassels and weave in the ends of the piece. Enjoy and happy crocheting.

Here is the  pussy cat I crochet with the owl and pea green boat, from the Owl and the pussy cat poem by Edward Lear and cat is wearing this scarf!! 

Here is the poem for you..

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea     In a beautiful pea green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money,     Wrapped up in a five pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above,     And sang to a small guitar, 'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,       What a beautiful Pussy you are,           You are,           You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

Pussy said to the Owl, 'You elegant fowl!     How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried:     But what shall we do for a ring?' They sailed away, for a year and a day,     To the land where the Bong-tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood     With a ring at the end of his nose,           His nose,           His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling     Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.' So they took it away, and were married next day     By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince,     Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,     They danced by the light of the moon,           The moon,           The moon, They danced by the light of the moon. This poem was something that I learnt in my kindergarten, and enjoyed it as a child and still love it!!  Until we meet again, lots of love to you. Shanti

Hairpin lace video tutorial.

Here is the link to three video snippets on how to make hairpin lace that I record whilst I was making a strip of lace!! It is a iphone recording and not perfect, yet will be of help I hope.
I will be releasing some patterns for you to make, and in the meantime get yourself any U pin, or hairpin staple and practice some lace stitches. I have used the Boye hairpin loom. For readers in India, Pony has a great hairpin staple on their online shop.

For a great pattern click here

I have demonstrated the making a short strip of lace.  You can make it for as long as you want.
Click here for the first video.

This is my first recording and hope it gives you the basics. Click here for the 2nd video clip. This does not have my commentary!
   
Click here for the third video.

Send in your questions if any to drshantimarysamuel@gmail.com    

Until next time
Lots of love
Shanti

Bees?

 

I love bees..here are  my handmade bees......I love the honey that they make. I will  never forget the taste of honey dripping and taken straight from the rock, in the crevices of which they build their hives, that I once had the opportunity to taste some years ago on a mountain slope.....I  am in awe of bees all the time..and the one that created these bees.

 

My curiosity takes me to explore flowers, and nature which is a source of  my crochet woven inspiration. In the process of my nature appreciation this morning,  I found this new kind of ball snugly hidden in the lowest branches of the tree. This tree has given me many special moments of inspiration ...

 

 

wondered why a bee hive looked so different, it looked like a round brown paper ball, so neatly made, with such a great finish that it looked like someone had put up a ball up there..... All my pictures are taken from my phone and so I had to get close to this strange ball in the branches...my presence slowly brought more curious black bees around the ball and around me that I had to run back inside..

 

 

 

Whilst sharing about this a dear friend informed me that it was not a bee hive but  a hornet's nest. I googled and indeed it was a great moment of learning. I came to know how dangerous they are and how they attack and where they are found and so on...Never thought they will be found so close to our mail box!! and almost so close to our heads whilst we walked by....."Black hornets are indigenous to the United States, as they tend to reside in climates that have four seasons. Though there are communities all over the United States, they are often found in places like the Rocky Mountains and California, where they are typically found in meadows, on the edges of forests, or in parks. Outside of the United States, the black hornet can be found in the southern parts of Canada." "The black hornet is known for its football-shaped nest that is attached to branches or inside shrubbery. The nest's paper-like construction is a product of chewed strips of wood and saliva. It starts out as a couple of cells created by the queen, and grows to accommodate the hornet community as it flourishes. As the nest gets bigger, it is reinforced with twigs and branches by the worker hornets. In warmer climates, their nest can keep growing, reaching up to three feet long. However, typically, one nest averages around 12 to 20 inches long and can hold up to 700 hornets -- its opening is situated at the bottom."
Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8512776_black-hornet-insect.html#ixzz2YOCqFVAk

 

Indeed yes there was a hole at the bottom and there was quite a lot of activity that I  noticed  until I was forced to run back.

I have loved this tree a lot and the flowers in the garden and  this tree holds a lot of inspiration for me, and there are plenty of flowers around the tree.  Here was the little one that I photographed  yesterday who gave me a big bright smile and I smiled back at her. Beautiful isn't she?

Here was this little bunch and I had to kneel down by her side to give her some attention. The hornets must have visit them all !! I am sure.

 

The evening shadows on the wall yesterday evening bounced the sunlight on to the tiger lilies and they all looked so pretty..am wondering now if they had seen  the hornets too?

 

Here was a lone dragon fly (right in the center here in this picture)..he was all by himself..looked as if he was examining the wall! and sure he was not great company for the hornets I think..

 

Here's the tree that  now holds the hornet home, which I came to know this morning. Will share my many experiences with this tree...

The spring time buds  pushing itself on the tree was an awesome sight, and spoke so much of new beginnings and hope..

The flowers that the tree dropped all over made such a lovely floral carpet that was so awesome and the color that reflect the baby blanket in broomstick crochet that I was then weaving..The tree was so meticulously raining down her flowers to embrace each and every blade of grass that the grass was all blanketed under them...what a glorious treat from this tree, and the creator who made the tree so...

 

Hiding from the tree behind the wall were these fragrant roses..Again..would the hornets have been here as well?

The tree during spring...was such a treat ..

 

...so beautifully dressed  with flowers...

This branch has served as a craft prop and stand for me!!

 

Look at my earrings hanging from the tree!!

 

The tree during winter...

The tree acts as my poncho stand,,,this is a poncho that I made..

 

in full spring bloom..amazing..the flowers come up even before the leaves..

Tree trunk acts as my stand again...

 

 

A granny square earring and pendant with a chain that I had made..there is something so rugged and nice about the trunk..the hornets build their home chewing and making their home from the bark of the tree..

Here's another picture of my granny square ear drop..

 

So much love to the tree that has been part of my art journey..

and lots of love to you

Shanti