Thursday, October 25, 2007

How to Make Your Own Diwali Rangoli

Rangoli is the traditional way of making decorative paintings on the floors in any Hindu festival. Read more on Diwali rangoli.

With Diwali drawing closer, you're probably planning to make your own Diwali rangoli. Here are some of the simple steps you need to follow.
  • Choose a design: If your are a first time artist it's a good idea to choose a simple, 2-dimensional design. Remember that simple things looks really elegant if drawn properly. Symmetrical geometric art would be the best choice as a Diwali rangoli. You can get loads of designs in art books and magazines and over the net.
  • Your own design: I'm sure you can come up with a real blast, if there's an artist within you. Simpler is always better. Try to create a small and simple, yet an elegant art. Too much of details may spoil the very essence of the art.
  • Practice first: Once you have planned for your Diwali rangoli, try to make a sketch of whatever comes from your within. All I can suggest is to dip a brush into your heart and paint a design on a paper. Color it so that you know what your Diwali rangoli is going to look like. You can change things if necessary. This will be a blueprint for your original rangoli.
  • You are ready now: Wipe off the floor clean before your create the rangoli. Use a wet cloth for cleaning it. Let it dry.
  • Outline: Draw the outline of the rangoli design using a chalk.
  • Putting colors: Fill up the designs and the gaps according to your blueprint. Sprinkle the powder very carefully lest it doesn't go out side the specific border. Use your thumb and the index finger to take a pinch of powder and sprinkle it carefully by rubbing the fingers. Be careful the colors should not merge up on the borderlines. This is the most challenging part of the story.
  • Diyas on rangoli: You can also leave spaces in the rangoli to places the diyas.
So friends good luck! May you be blessed with all the bright colors of life on Diwali 2007

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posted by priyanka Joshi at 5:00 PM, | 4 comments
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Diwali Rangoli

Rangoli -- the art of painting courtyard, patio floors, doorsteps etc. is traditionally associated with almost all Hindu festivals. It holds a special importance when it comes to Diwali. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi (the Hindu Lord of wealth) steps into every homes on this very auspicious day. Diwali Rangoli is made on the doorsteps to greet the Lord.

Whatever the traditional reasons for making a Diwali rangoli be, it is really one of the most important part of Diwali decoration. It's again a passion for the artists of the family to come up with their innermost artistic sense. Diwali rangoli is created by powdered colors on the cleaned floors to form a beautiful ornamental design. The powder is usually applied 'freehand' to form two dimensional designs, although experts can make three-dimensional arts with shadings.

Rangoli is really an inspirational art that gives a place a special dimension. But all you need to have are an artist within you and lots of patience. I've tried making some designs on my patio floor a couple of times but each time, it turned out to be a flop. Check out some of the awesome Diwali rangoli designs if you are planning to create a special rangoli art. Up next! If you want to know how to make Diwali rangoli, stay tuned!

Let me wish you all loads of peace and prosperity in Diwali 2007. May your days become as colorful as the brightest Diwali rangoli.

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posted by priyanka Joshi at 1:47 PM, | 0 comments
Thursday, October 11, 2007

How to make perfumed candles at home

Are you a little old-fashioned when it comes to home décor during the festival of lights? Then you'll perhaps love to go for retro-styled real candles, instead of the contemporary electrical ones. If you've got enough leisure time, you can make colorful candles at home. Soon you'll realize that much of Diwali's fun is making candles by yourself, for decorating your house. And guess what? Your very own handmade perfumed candles can make outstanding diwali gifts too.


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Here are some tips on how to make candles for diwali at home:

Requirements:
1.Paraffin Wax
2.Water – half a gallon
3.Wicks
4.Crayon or wax dye (for color)
5.Fragrance oil (as per your choice)
6.Wooden Spoon
7.A melting pot
8.Thermometer
9.Hammer or mallet
10.A mold or glass jar (heat resistant)
11.A stove
12.Scale (to measure the quantity of wax)
13.A pour pot

Requirements for Safety:
1. Pair of safety goggles (to protect your eyes from hot wax)
2.Anti-burn ointment
3.Fire extinguisher

Direction:
1.Melt the wax at 160 degrees. Measure the temperature of the wax in the melting pot with the help of the thermometer.
2.When the wax reaches the desired temperature, add the Crayon or wax dye and the fragrance oil slowly into the liquid wax. Stir it slowly with a wooden spoon until the color gets mixed properly.
3.Cut the wicks approximately an inch longer than the mold.
4.Place each wick in each of the molds straight, as you carefully pour the wax into the molds using the pour pot. Keep the wicks straight, as you pour melted wax into the molds.
5.Weigh the wax that will go into the pot. 7 lbs. is the best weight.
6.Avoid over filling the pot. Wax will not melt while burning.
7.Use the mallet or hammer to clear off the wax chunk.

Friends, this is not the end. There are certain vital points to be kept in the mind while making candles at home.
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posted by priyanka Joshi at 4:47 PM, | 0 comments
Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Electrical Candles vs. Wax Candles

Stuff like bdellium, frankincense, candles and diyas are inseparable parts of Hindu festivals. But one thing I've been noticing these days is that people are much interested in using the electrical candles, although frankincense and bdelliums are still much in use.


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I was quite inquisitive about it and tried to find out as to why people are looking for the electrical candles instead of the real ones. My grandma is hyper-sensitive to the trace of smoke. I found it to be a real blast to decorate my house with all electrical candles instead of the real diyas and candles. There's no smoke and I don't feel uncomfortable with a candles glowing unsupervised in my patio and windows.

  • If you want to decorate your garden and entrances with candles without being blown off, electrical candle is the only answer.
  • If you don't want the wax to drip on to the floor, electrical candle is the best solution.
  • If you want to have a safe Diwali, there's no other substitute of electrical candles.
  • If you want to enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner with your loved one where candles should not go off even at a slightest breeze, electrical candle is the right choice. Yes this is how technology has made it possible that flickering LED can keep the flame of your love glitter for ever.

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posted by priyanka Joshi at 6:00 PM, | 0 comments
Monday, October 8, 2007

Diwali Decor: Decorating Your Home

Arguments can start over something as simple as whether to buy the traditional diyas -- the earthen oil lamp, or have electric lights instead this Diwali. Your spouse may accuse you of always being indecisive and you may point out that your partner is one of the hopeless spendthrifts. The exchange may end up when you find something which is as interesting and important as this. And you will wonder why both of you always get into such silly arguments over and over again.

If you've decided to go for the electric ones, you can decorate your patio and balcony with diyas and candles that are not real. They will still give an awesome real look when seen from a distance. The electrical candles and diyas are small and very simple electrical gadgets that look like original candles or diyas and glow when plugged into an electrical outlet. This resemble a perfect candle or a diya with a small bulb that glows very much like a flickering flame from a distance.

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The electrical candles are gaining popularity day by day as they can illuminate windows and patios like the original ones and you don't have to worry about whether the oil is still there or burnt off. One thing I really like about these electrical candles is that most of them have in-built sensors that turn the light off during the day and on with the sunset. This will save power.

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posted by priyanka Joshi at 3:17 PM, | 1 comments
Thursday, September 20, 2007

How to purchase decorative lights for Diwali

Diwali is a time to have a blast for Indians. In the midst of all the shopping for gifts, sweets, crackers, dresses and plans to do up your house and gardens, it's also required to spare a thought on the decorative electric lights for this special occasion. You can find thousands of shopkeepers doing brisk business with decorative electric lamps around Diwali. But not all will be providing you with the quality range stuff.


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How to Purchase
Walk into a well established light store in the market. While purchasing the electric lamps for Diwali, look for a genuine dealer. You can come across loads of seasonal dealers selling the electrical lights just before Diwali. But it is safe to purchase lamps from a well known dealer, because you can find a good assortment of stuff there. And he can assure you the high quality items.

Before picking a light set, make sure that it works well and is free from any leakage or short circuit.

Compare price with the other well known dealers in the market. Remember that the price may be higher as compared to that offered by the seasonal sellers, but it is advisable not to pick things from the seasonal stores
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posted by priyanka Joshi at 4:53 PM, | 0 comments
Monday, September 17, 2007

How To Wash Rugs At Home For Diwali

With Diwali just around the corner, we should start the preparing for it by now. Cleaning our homes and decorating them are the first steps for Diwali preparation.
If you're having beautiful oriental rugs to wash and looking for the right person whom you can offload your headache on, you're probably on the wrong track. Cleaning carpets can be really expensive. Oriental woolen rugs are easy to wash. So if you have a bit of time on your hands you should better do it yourself. Here's how:

Step 1: Vacuum clean the rugs both sides well to wipe of the dusts first.

Step 2: Use high quality stain removers like ... to spot clean the stain. It's better if you test it in an invisible area to see if the colors run.

Step3: Take the rug outside and place it over a plain area and wet it thoroughly with a garden hose. Pour liquid mild cleaner in a bucket full of cold water. Using clean sponge mop apply the suds thoroughly over the rug's surface. Rub it gently.

Step 4: Rinse the rug well when you are done with applying suds.

Step 5: Remove excess water. Let it lay flat under the sun for sometime and then take it away from the direct sun as it may cause the color to fade out.

Just imagine how easy it is! You can save a lot of money out there too. And you can have some extra fun – extra sweets, extra fireworks and extra decors with whatever money that you're saving. Isn't that a good idea? Have a safe and happy Diwali. Wish and be wished with lots of good wishes by your near and dear ones across the globe. Reach out to your loved ones with your innermost thoughts who will not be with you this Dusserah and Diwali.


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posted by priyanka Joshi at 3:39 PM, | 0 comments
Thursday, September 13, 2007

Diwali Interior Decoration

Diwali is close at the hand. And it's already the time for adorning yourself and your home. If your living place is lacking brightness and you don't find how to regain its lost glamor, don't worry. You don't have to spend much on buying new furnitures and expensive decors. Interior decoration is all about planned art or artistic plan -- any way you take it. And believe me subtle strokes of decoration will be good enough. Just paint the walls of your home with bright and elegant colors, throw in some bright colored cushions, dry wash the curtains and rugs, put some elegant decors on the corner racks of the room, put a classy bedspread on the bed or sofa and see the magic. Your room will get a brighter look without much time and money spent.


Bells and Diyas
If you want to come up with little more decoration, conventional bells and diyas will give your room a wonderful effect. A classy assortment of bells of different sizes hanged at different heights at the corner of your room will just be great. And in just the opposite corner you can put some diyas to add an ethnic touch to the decoration.

Lights
Experimenting with lights and lamp shades will just be great, as Diwali is a festival of light. Put some personal touch to your lighting – with a little difference. Local lighting fixtures stores will be waved by a huge collection of wonderful lampsheds, rates will be inexpensive too.

Now you are ready to invite friends on this diwali. Send Diwali invitation.



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posted by priyanka Joshi at 3:54 PM, | 0 comments