My Tribute to British Columbia
My 'Ursa Minor : Little Dipper's Sticky Paws' blanket is my tribute to my beautiful home, British Columbia, Canada. This blanket is the first in my series, 'Welcome Baby Canada'.
Embellishing my Ursa Minor BC Blanket
Having a perfect creative day adding faux button trim to my Ursa Minor baby blanket. Inspiration from the amazing Button Blankets made by BC's First Nation's peoples. My blanket, featuring the Kermode/Spirit Bear infuses BC heritage, culture and history and is my tribute to my beloved British Columiba, Canada! XOX
Newspaper Highlighting my Design Win
After gainig my composure after Debbie Bliss informed me that I was selected as the First Place winner of her Baby Blanket Design Competition, The Burnaby NOW newspaper so kindly did a feature on me. It's nice to cheer on local Canadian talent :)
Aruna Wins First Place Debbie Bliss' International Knit Design Contest
In the spring of 2013, Aruna was awarded first place in an International Knit Design competition run by British Knitting Guru--Debbie Bliss. The challenge was to design a baby blanket using Debbie's yarn. Aruna melded her passion for culture and chose a Russian Doll theme and coupled it with her love affair with haberdashery & embellishments-- adding embroidery, lace and pom pom trim. Her blanket along with the 2nd to 10th place blankets were donated to Debbie's favourite charity.
Why the Thimble?
What does a thimble have to do with knitting, you may ask? Well, my little Knitting Fairy mascot wears a thimble on her head to honour my Granny. She was a sweet Caribbean woman who had a fabric and haberdashery store. I have many fond memories drooling over all the buttons, elastic, thread and other haberdashery she kept under her glass countertops. Many amazing outfits flew off her peddle Singer machine -- with NO pattern whatsoever! Hmmm, wonder where I got my love of textiles for? I love you Granny! XOX
Premiere HC Kids Worksheet and Charity Project
In 2015, I launched Haberdash Couture Kids. My goal was to inspire kids to '...knit for humanity, friendship & fun!' I created 2 charaters, called Coco & Sebastian and designed this premiere activty worksheet to launch our first charity project called Itty Bitty Blankets. We knitted tiny paper sized blankets for pre-mature babies in the hospital. I was in literally in heaven collaborating with local yarn stores, knitting clubs in local libraries and schools, teaching kids how to knit for charity! XOX
HC Kids Outreach Program
Inspiring kids to use their creativity to create positive change is so vitally important to me. Here I am with my students who took my Knitting For Charity class at John Knox Christian Elementary School, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. We made paper sized mini blankets and encouraged the public to make some too. We recieved hundreds of knitted donations! Here we are at the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at Royal Columiban Hospital dropping off our mini blankets and getting to peek at these tiny, tiny precious little babies!
Project Love Struck
My second Haberdash Couture Kids Worksheet and Charity Project. Here I rendered Coco and Sebastian in a slighlty different way wearing hats adorned with hearts. I encourage kids and the general public to knit my Lovestruck Baby Hats which were then embellished with crocheted hearts. These little hats were donated to St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. So great to once again collaborate with local schools, local knit clubs and libraries and local yarn stores to make this charity project such as success!
Pinky Promise Pouch
One of the SUPER EASY patterns in my No Tears, Only Squares Series. This project teaches you how to convert a knitted rectangular into a felted scalloped pouch. You will also learn various embroiery stitches. What a special gift this would make!
Amazing Anne!
Amazing Anne from Tommy Douglas Library had the brilliant idea to start Knit2Gether montly meetups. Now trailblazing in Yellowknife, our wonderful new organizer is the fabulous June Joe! Thank you June!
Vintage Jack
I loooove designing knits that combine vintage elements. This Halloween sweater combines old fashioned stars, a vintage jack-o-lantern and pointy edging to mimic an old fashioned banner. Vintage Jack is sure to be a keepsake garment for any baby.
Tattered Rose
Ripped fabric takes on a new life as a tattered rose.
Shabby-licious Satchel
One of my patterns in my No Tears, Only Squares Series. If you are new to knitting, this step-by-step series is a great place to start!
Haberdashery Heaven
I love experimenting with various trims in my Knit Lab. You never know what you'll create!
Knit2Gether Library Group
Having a 'ball' of fun at our monthly Knit2Gether gathering at Tommy Douglas Library in Burnaby. Obession with yarn brings us together!
Mr and Mrs Hoot Workshop Kits
I still get excited putting together fun knitting kits for my students filled with delicious yarn, needle and haberdashery goodies!
Our Knitted Owls!
What a blast we had out in the country in Fort Langley, BC, knitting up a bunch of Mr & Mrs Hoots. Good times!
Love Pop
Knitted hearts are easy to make when you combine it with origami! A few folds here and there and--TA DA--you have a heart! Add a few embellishments, including torn fabric with iron on transfers, and you have a little piece of rustic charm.
Kids Love Pops Workshop
Learning to knit can be daunting and frustrating, to say the least. A Love Pops Workshop is just the antedote! :)
Learning How To Knit
Way back when my son was not a teenage basketball player, he used to actually accompany me at our local library's Knit2Gether gatherings. Here is a photo of little son, Aryn, probably about 7 years old, teaching a newcomer how to knit.
Knit India Kit
My HC Kids: Knit India World Knit Kit ready to be shipped. Ribbon yarn made from saris in India employing widows who would otherwise not have a source of income to support their families. Makes a fun and vibrant arm knitted scarf!
Knitted Square to Beautiful Flower?!
You betcha! I LOVE thinking of ways to use knitting in different ways! In my No Tears, Only Squares series of patterns, I show you how to convert a simple knitted square into all sorts of neat things. Here we have a flower! Let you knitting BLOOM!
TV Demonstrations
1999-2000: Headed back to my birth county of Trinidad & Tobago on a mission to inspire my fellow Caribbean people to do what comes so naturally to them--CREATE! Here I am with television host Allyson Hennessy. She invited me to her show several times to demonstrate creative DIY projects people could do at home. What an honour!
STAR STUNNED
STAR STUNNED! What an absolute honour to be invited to Trinidad and Tobago's leading contemporary painter, Boscoe Holder's home to talk about some of our favourite subjects -- art, native handicrafts and Caribbean culture! Boscoe Holder had a celebrated international career spanning six decades as a designer and visual artist, dancer, choreographer and musician.
Local Trinidadian Potter Gives me a Tour of his Studio
So fascinating to visit local potters in Trinidad and hear about their traditional kiln and materials techniques.
Fascinating Traditional Kiln in Trinidad
My mind was literally blown away as this local pottery artisan in Trinidad showed me the traditional kiln he makes in order to fire his wares. Unbelievable!
Showing off our Finished Wooden Decoupage Trays
After demonstrating the process of decoupage on television, interested viewers had the opportuity to register for my workshops. We had a lot of fun making these wooden decoupage trays out in the warm tropical air in Trinidad. My students did a GREATY job!
Reverse Decoupage Glass Plate Workshop in Trinidad
Teaching the advanced technique of REVERSE decoupage on glass plates. Fun workshop wiht these awesome ladies! Trindiad, 2000.
Weekly DIY Column
Loved writing my weekly DIY column for Trinidad & Tobago's largest newspaper -- The Guardian. My column was called 'At Home with Aruna Neela Bahadoorsingh'. This particular project was all about creating with beautiful Japanese papers!
Feeling a Bit Like 'Dear Abby'!
Feeling a bit like 'Dear Abby'! In this article I respond to a reader's question about how to properly care for heirloom books. So fun to interact with my readers!
Outreach Art
Visited a local temple in Trinidad in 2000, to do a creative workshop with the children. Outreach art is so important. As artists we must share our skills and knowledge to inspire and ignite!
Gallery Collection at Destino's
So excited to have my Reverse Decoupage Platter Collection on display at Destino's Gallery in West Vancouver. 1995
Featured in La Raffinage's Magazine & Gift Shop
Eccstatic to have been featured in Vancouver, BC's downtown gift boutique La Raffinage's Magazine & GIft Book. In this issue, they featured my Botticelli Collection of Reverse Decoupage Glass Dinner Plates. 1996.
The VOICE Community Newsletter
I wasn't going to let having to move to another province keep me from writing, sharing and inspiring people to create. I contributed to my local community's newsletter with regular DIY articles. 1997+
Teaching at Vancouver School Board
1997: My DIY workshop course outlines for Vancouver School Board's Continuing Education. Lots of fun!
Best First Job EVER!
Aruna's first job...and what a job! Her professor at the University of British Columbia (who also happened to be one of Canada's top textile artists!) asked her to be her assistant at her studio in False Creek in beautiful Vancouver, BC. That summer, Aruna helped Joanna create large exhibition pieces using colourful wool fibre to create Polish 'Kimonos'. The exhibition toured throughout Europe. Joanna was a pivotal figure in Aruna's life and left a lasting impression on her and her passion for art.