Block Printing

We had a fun evening yesterday. Kids were happy block printing on fabric. This was a trial session before we make our own table napkins. They are super excited about making their own napkins. Thanks to Dharu, who lent her lovely wooden block printing set to her God children!

The lovely wooden blocks

It all started a few days back. I have been thinking of some creative activities for kids. Somethings that the kids can make for themselves and use them. As a kid, I used to make almost everything by myself - hand embroidered handkerchiefs for dad, mom, and grand parents. I used to love making clay models in our backyard, sun dry them and then put them back in the dollhouse. Most of my dolls were rag dolls, I designed and stitched their clothes, woolens etc. Those memories are some of the best from my childhood and I want my kids too to have these memories when they grow up.

Kathir enjoys building things, creating things and working with paint. He has a steady hand, and aims at perfection every time. He is upset if at times the paint does not come off the block evenly or the pattern does not appear perfect. I will have to get him off his fetish for perfection!

Kathir at work!

Parth - his best pal at work too!

Gudiya′s work - of course with help!

Gudiya is excited about the excitement all around her. She runs around pulling out paint, trying to clean up, or trying to help Kathir - which he furiously refuses. The activity Gudiya loves doing the most is washing - wash hands, wash the palette, wash brushes, wash the tumbler that has water, and finally wash the fabric thats been recently painted. No wonder her nose resembles a leaky faucet all year round! Gudiya found the sponge pieces very fascinating. She kept brushing Kathir′s cheek with it much to his disdain.

I notice a sea change in the kids since we started our activity sessions every evening. They are happy, enthusiastic, less cranky and clingy, and more even tempered.

We have grand plans of building on our block printing abilities. First, the napkin set, next the table mats, then the table cloth, some T-shirts, and then the kids room curtains. Grand plans! Lets see how we go about fulfilling them.