Creative Arts

Barbie/ Doll Party Invitation and Decorations.

These are very simple flowers made with kite paper. Very light weight and can be easily put with scotch tapes.

All other deocrations were in purple and pink.

My Pinterest link and Guide...

Board 1: Home Sweet Home http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/home-sweet-home/

Board 2: Creativity http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/creativity/

Board 3: Learn http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/learn/

Board 4: Newsletter Layouts http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/newsletter-layouts/

Board 5: Cooking   http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/cooking/

Board 6: My Kinds of Illustrations http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/my-kind-of-illustrations/

Board 7: Folks http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/folks/

Board 8: Design http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/design/

Board 9: Remember http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/remember/

Board 10: School http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/school/

Board 11: Drawing http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/drawing/

Board 12: Calligraphy http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/calligraphy/

Board 13: Frocks http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/frocks/

Board 14: Party Ideas http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/partyideas/

Board 15: Books http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/books/

Board 16: Photos http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/photos/

Board 17: Food http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/food/

Board 18: Colours http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/colours/

Board 19: Organise http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/organise/

Board 20: Apps http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/apps/

Board 21: Looksbook http://www.pinterest.com/dsandhupinit/looksbook/

Creative Arts

So, here I am with another creative art entry. This is also made with Geru (Reddle/ Ruddle/ लाल खाड़िया) and white poster colour with single brush.

I recently made two of the fusion artworks.

I have mixed art elements to create a scene of harmonious existence of living things in nature.

A scene where three females are together, elements of nature are together but there is still some gap between unification of nature and humans.

Trying to Understand Things Around Me

On life and Death

While I was reading through many news items related to including the recent air crash, I realised that the real accidents are mainly due to some small (petty) mistake which have not been fatal earlier. It is just like one such unique situation which no one thought could be so dangerous otherwise. Many have done it earlier and have got away with it. Thousands sigh of relief because they were not the ones who were gone even though they' d also been through the same situation. 

Crashed C130J Super Hercules Aircraft near Agra on Mar 29, 2014.

Of course, I am a firm believer of 'Reality is stranger than fiction.' 
Reality is what happens in front of our eyes or what is logical. It is like a competition between GOD's mind (reality) and human minds (fiction). There have been many incidents where people have been shocked to find real revelations.

God, gives us many chances before showing us the final 'Judgement Day.' But, the number of chances are not fixed for all living beings. (I think we can ask Dr. Brian Weiss or Sadguru Jaggi about the number of chances concept, if they can help us out with that.)
The stuntmen, daredevils continuously take chances and keep working for their bread and butter by taking chances and another man on the road, just passes away. 

The strong, intelligent, dexterous, courageous men/ women, who can fly aeroplanes (soar to great heights), climb mountains, go deep underwater, dance, run, build spaceships to try and scale the milky way, etc. are just finished within milliseconds. Just like that they are gone. Their bravery, plans, adeptness, curiosity, power, brilliance, abilities just depend upon BREATH. Breathe in breathe out, Breathe in breathe out and if there is a break in this routine... suddenly the soul leaves the body. As if the soul is tied to the body with a 'breathing lace'. Cut the lace or untie the lace and SWOOSH! the link breaks.

We are so feeble (our life depends upon a breath) and so strong (capable of scaling sea, mountains and sky) at the same time. We live in a balance of extreme opposites. 

Presence of breath --> life and Absence of breath --> death

All I can say is that Amazing! creator created us. I still want to understand the plan behind this fine balance. What is it that the creator wanted to achieve with this balance. I am sure, it is done with a reason and not without a cause.

Creative Arts

Handmade Paper Dolls

These dolls were made as a part of table decoration for Chinese Food Items.

All the dolls depict traditional attires from Noodle Eating Countries.

These were very light weight as they were stuck on Ice-cream sticks and so they were easier to stand on half cut potatoes. (You can make them stand on clay pots also.)

The names of cooks are also the names of real chefs from those countries.     

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Purida Teerapong

Thailand doll in traditional dress

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Indonesian doll in traditional dress

Maria Irene Susanto, now better known by the name Ririn Marinka from Indonesia.

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Korean doll in traditional dress

Chef Jung HaYeon

 

Vietnamese doll in traditional dress- Christine Ha

Christine Ha: Winner of MasterChef Season 3 (US)

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Chinese doll in traditional dress

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Japanese doll in traditional dress- Shoko Sakiyama

Shoko Sakiyama, left, is sous chef at EDO-ko on Spadina Ave. KEITH BEATY / TORONTO STAR

Creative Arts

Hand Painted Envelopes

Hand Painted Evelopes

These are the gift voucher envelopes which were given to the prize winners in a function. I tried to use minimal colours and all of them had the idea of joy, happiness and celebration.

Game Review

Nancy Drew: The Silent Spy

Genre: Adventure Game 

Platform: Windows/Mac

Quality: Good

Age-group: 12 to 15 years

Learning: 3/5 (If age-group is followed)

Violence: 3/5

Younger kids will need parent's help because none of the parts can be skipped.

It is cumbersome for those who are not used to playing games on computers i.e. it is not very easy to navigate. There are places where you get stuck. Learning comes slowly after many clicks and time is past. 

Graphics and feel of the scenes are good but a player has to really wait to learn things. Every step, click and second in a computer game like this should be used for learning.

The subject matter includes-- terrorism, biological weapons, threats to Nancy's life.

Honestly, speaking the beginning of the game surrounds events like Nancy's mother's death--> This is a heavy feeling to start with and might upset players. If it is game so let be it. In a game at least we can control somethings like these.

Screenshot from the game.

Concepts

Some Interesting concepts

I have come across some interesting  concepts which are close and are on my mind for past few days. These are namely - 

1. Play

2. Activity

3. Sport

4. Game

5. Gamification

6. Gamify

1. Play: Play is defined as an activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children. Play is a range of voluntary, intrinsically motivated activities normally associated with recreational pleasure and enjoyment. 

Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi

Csikszentmihalyi (1981) described play as "a subset of life..., an arrangement in which one can practice behavior without dreading its consequences" (p. 14). Garvey (1977) gave a useful description of play for teachers when she defined play as an activity which is: 1) positively valued by the player; 2) self-motivated; 3) freely chosen; 4) engaging; and 5) which "has certain systematic relations to what is not play" (p. 5). These characteristics are important for teachers to remember because imposing adult values, requirements, or motivations on children's activities may change the very nature of play.

2. Activity: According to thefreedictionary activity is 'an energetic action or movement; liveliness' or 'the state or quality of being active'. According to businessdictionary.com : Activity is a measurable amount of work performed to convert inputs into outputs.

Physical Activity Pyramid

3. Sport: Essentially, a physical activity. It is played individually or with a team to compete to maintain or improve physical abilities and strength or entertain. It is an activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.

Sports Silhouettes

4. Game: A game can be structured playing that is undertaken for entertainment or education.

Generally, sports require some sort of physical effort of specialized skill while games are more organised affairs with rules. Generally sports require some sort of physical effort of specialized skill while games are more organised affairs with rules.

5. Gamification: It is the use of game thinking and game mechanics in non-game contexts to engage users in solving problems. Gamification techniques strive to leverage people's natural desires for competition, achievement, status, self-expression, altruism, and closure.

6. Gamify: When you “gamify” something that means you are trying to implement game-like situation in that setup. For e.g. Gamify education means 'applying game design principles to motivate and inspire learners.'

Links:-

1. Read this interesting post on Difference between Games and Gamification

For interesting simulations categorized according to age and subject please visit

 for over 110 million interesting, inspiring and intriguing, simulations

2. Visit the website 360kid.org and see for yourself the amazing world of games, animation, creative expressions, etc.

Trying to Understand Things Around Me

Party and social-gatherings

Party abhi baki hai...

I was only five years old when I first heard of this wonder word which made everybody’s eyes gleam with joy and excitement. I have no memory of this wonder word before that very day about this thrilling word. Finish your homework soon, drink your milk before long, how about wearing your new dress?, etc. were some of the hints my mother was dropped in building the curiosity for the preparations that go into this special event called ‘Party’. Bliss bug had bitten my entire family that day and we all got ready for the evening in the best of our dresses, matching shoes and accessories. We were invited to a wedding party.

Party Bugs: I think Party Bugs would be something like these.

As I entered the decorated entrance, I was sure that I am going to witness something exhilarating and memorable because it looked so beautiful all around the place. My parents were in the best of their moods. My mother was happy for several reasons. She did not have to decide the menu for the dinner as she had no cooking to do, no kitchen to be cleaned past dinner, our home works were over. She was served delicious dishes and she could pick any of the mouth-watering snacks that came her way. She could just pick a plate and opt for her choicest the dishes profusely.  

My father could meet his old friends and relatives. He loved to exchange ideas with others and he did just that in the entire span of time in the party. As for my mother the word ‘party’ brought more goodies than that for my father. My sisters and I were also zealous to be present in the hub of good times. What could be better than to see everybody smiling and blissful? We could meet and play with friends eat whatever we liked, basically make our choices? That day onwards, for me the word ‘party’ meant ‘a real taste of free air, joyful atmosphere and pleasure of togetherness’.

Solar Globe String Lights

Brilliant lights, elevating music, amusing games and exciting entertainment, welcoming faces, exchange of gossip notes, tasty food items, etc. are some of the quick visuals that cross one’s mind when the word Party is spoken or heard. Venue of the gathering provides the platform, occasion sets the mood, entertainment gets the ball rolling, style and decor touch adds to the uniqueness, music, food and drinks muster to the josh, games and entertainment adds to the glow of the party and so parties are everybody’s favourites, almost. These are events to proclaim, get together and celebrate milestones in life like anniversary, birthday, husband’s night, housewarming, farewell, etc. are some of the formal and informal reasons for partying.

DIY party lights

Especially, the Defense forces are known for their partying capacity. People often laud the defense personnel and their families for their spirit and stamina of attending meetings and parties alike. With their busy schedule and tough duties round the clock they make sure that their families make the most of their time and talent. On another note, if we dig it deeper, parties are well implemented social gatherings meant to be more than just drinking, eating, dancing and enjoying.

The glow of the occasion makes the partygoers feel warm, optimistic, extroverted and often flamboyant. One tends to feel light-hearted, assertive and determined rather than aggressive. It is a good ‘meeting of minds’ where people can intermingle and exchange their notes about the maids, neighbours, localities, bollywood, etc. In defense forces, partying is very intelligently woven in to the traditions of the demanding and tough functioning of the workforce. It helps in cementing unity, easing of stress, smoothening of the working and strengthening of the propagation of the true spirit of the tough work culture of the armed services.  

Party Mood

Latest jokes spoken and heard lightens the mental burden, like-minded people sidle up bearing juicy tidbits of gossip to update and spice-up their minds, dance floor helps everyone to get higher levels of serotonin, known to boost mood, etc. helps everybody to relax and feel better in an assemblage. As a personality trait, people who love color orange are said to be party lovers. They like to socialize and plan types of social events- according to some psychologists ‘orange people’ are the life of the party, the uninhibited performer! 

An important part of the community is ‘communication’ which is aptly and cheerfully fulfilled at such gatherings. When you are 'drunk' (ਟੱਲੀ/ टल्ली/ tally) you can communicate all what you have not been able to say for a long time. When you are not drunk then you can ease-off yourself and communicate some important but casual talks (which cannot be done officially but those are important for office as well as everyday life). Finally, I can say that the ‘party seeds’ sown in my mind at the age of five are now well nourished trees. I cherish fond, flourishing and memorable party memories in my mind. They uplift my inner health and I try to spiritedly pass it on to others. 

Thoughts- Interpersonal skills in kids

Interpersonal Skills in Children

Interpersonal skills in kids’ are very significant and much delicate concept in the field of education today. Schools are recognizing it and focusing it as an important area and planning ways to develop it. Parents are also paying attention to the improvement of this skill within the family or at home. In schools various activities like the school council, group tasks, interactions among kids, collaborative learning, inter-school team events, etc. activities are commonly seen where kids are prepared for a ‘work together attitude’.

In a school children come from academically, linguistically and economically heterogeneous backgrounds. Considerable amount of knowledge is gained by every child everyday through class discussions and other group learning methods where teachers ask students to present their views about various topics. There are clear evidences of the benefits to kids with regard to ‘group based instructional strategy’ in the field social and academic learning. (Sharan, 1990; Slavin, 1983). But, only a few educators and parents understand the crucial design elements and implementation requirements needed for successful completion of group tasks.

Children start using their interpersonal skills of communication right from after their birth. When a newborn cries for milk, toddler yells to a particular toy, a baby cries to stop the father from going off to work, etc. are all instances of interpersonal communication within the family. Interpersonal skills are everyday’s communication abilities that have been acquired by training over a period of time. Interpersonal communication means communication (exchange of thoughts and ideas) with other people either in a group or individually, at home or outdoors.

Social skills or interpersonal skills develop gradually as children grow. It becomes complicated as their circle of friends, relatives and peer group becomes bigger. Some students’ easily complete tasks designed for individuals but may face problems in devoting time and energy to group consensus and group responsibilities; others may openly oppose the risk of leaving their grades dependent on the efforts of other members of their group. The teachers and the parents, therefore, must deliberately and carefully plan learning tasks that are ‘group-worthy’ and teach students to be socially intelligent. Social Intelligence (SI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) terms are closely related to each other and were proposed by the same author Daniel Goleman.

Emotional Intelligence refers to the ability to perceive, regulate and evaluate one’s emotions positively. It helps to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, defuse conflicts, overcome challenges, etc.[1]  whereas Social Intelligence gets extended beyond individual to interpersonal relations with people around in the society including social awareness and relationship management. It is ones’ ability of observe, recognize, interpret and use constructively the emotions of people around in the society. Social relations or interpersonal relations are very effective and is of vital importance for success in many fields, particularly leadership.

Emotional intelligence is a part of Social Intelligence. First an individual should be self-aware to be able to understand one’s mind and then the individual can progress to understand others around him/ her.

In the words of Daniel Goleman “...the ingredients of social intelligence as I see it can be organized into two broad categories: social awareness, what we sense about others—and social facility, what we then do with that awareness.” Social Quotient, on the other hand enforces what we know about the importance of interpersonal relations primarily that of Social Awareness and Social Facilitation or Relationship Management. Social Awareness primarily deals with instantaneous sensing of another’s state inner state of being, understanding others’ feelings and thoughts, and recognizing complicated situations. [2]

As every other thing, interpersonal skills are also absorbed by kids from their surroundings. These are very essential life skills which are required to get along with people in the society. Ability to greet everyone, join a conversation, make new friends, resolve a conflict, co-ordinate with classmates for projects, perform group tasks, etc. are all included in these skills. These skills are needed everyday throughout life. Tact, diplomacy, social norms and careful handling of sensitive issues are some qualities in humans that do not develop overnight instead they take years of experience. In fact, Social Intelligence is one of the cluster of "intelligences," according to the theory of multiple intelligences (MI) advanced by Professor Howard Gardner of Harvard University.

Some of the important reasons for developing interpersonal skills in kids at an early age include the following:

·     Children are able to communicate in a better way with their friends, elders and classmates. Kids are able to cultivate meaningful relationships.

·     They can understand the differences among the children and learn to deal with the differences. This leads to a better understanding o the society as well.

·     Group tasks, paired assignments and collaborative work become easier to handle and yield better results.

·     Kids get opportunities to express themselves clearly and are respected for being an individual.

·     Children become socially more active as they get a clear picture of what behaviour is expected from them in a group.

·     They develop a strong sense of individuality while learning to become a member of a group. Children must retain their individuality, yet they must give it up by putting the welfare and interest of the group before their own.

In the school, the focus on social skill development is threefold, revolving around the development of the following:

1.   Self-concept. Children’s feelings about themselves are the foundation from which they learn to relate to and communicate with others.

2.   Prosocial skills. Being able to cooperate and share are necessary for forming solid relationships with others.

3.   Making and keeping friends. Children who relate to and communicate with others, sharing and cooperating, are those who are accepted by their peers and can make and keep friends.[3]

Electronic media, Social Networking, extremely busy parents, instant messaging; Television, Internet, etc. are some of the technology related problems which hamper the growth of emotional and social intelligence. Kids spend ample time  watching TV, playing games on computer or mobile and have a negative impact on attention, academic performance, personal and interpersonal understanding. It has been observed in researches that kids who see more TV learn to read later and slower. Their minds are hyper-activated with colours, actions, and videos. Reading, writing and learning seem less active and un-interesting activities to them.

Increased exposure to violence on TV, video games or real life has been proven to result in:

·      More aggressive behaviour

·      More aggressive thoughts

·      More angry feelings

·      Less empathy

·      Fewer helping behaviours

·      Increases in fear, etc.

Spending more time over internet, chatting or social networking sites steal from the kids their valuable time of social or family interactions. In the words of Albert Einstein "It has become exceedingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."

Finally, it can be said that systematically embedding additional planned social interactions throughout the classroom and at home provides increased opportunities for learning positive social behaviours to make the world a friendlier and better place to be in. 

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[1]  Emotional Intelligence (EQ), http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq5_raising_emotional_intelligence.htm

[2]  Lana K. Jelenjev , HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AT HOME, Parents Guide, Tutor Time International Preschool & Kindergarten , http://tutortime.co.id/curriculumfile/Developing-interpersonal-skills.pdf February 2007

[3]  C. Seefeldt , Social Studies for the Preschool/Primary Child, 2005, p. 132-136

Creative Arts

My Daughter's (3 and half years) time spent with activities. 

A for Alligator Letter activity for Pre-School.

She loves to spend time on the table when the elder brother is studying. So, I made her paint the white paper green and she made eyes. I also give her scissors to cut shapes. Meanwhile, I cut the desired shapes for Alligator (A for Alligator) and then she helped me to stick eyes, nose and teeth. 

She was so engrossed working with Fevicol. She experienced something so sticky for the first time and then when it dried up, she liked peeling it.

 These are the activities we did with purple colour. She was happy to learn paper folding and sticking of course. Grapes are her favourite fruit, so she was happy to stick them together.

B for Butterfly and G for Grapes activities for Pre- School.

You can improve up on my ideas if you take coloured papers, the end products will be better looking but I wanted my daughter to paint as well.

Creative Arts

Inspired by Warli, Madhubani and Western Style Wall Painting:
with the use of Reddle/ Ruddle and White paint I came up with this idea

लाल खड़िया Basically, it is a folk art. The picture has been made with newspaper layers (6) and a thin sheet of cardboard inside.  The birds made in this picute are inspired by Billy Argel's video:  You can watch the video at the following link http://youtu.be/dgqb4LcL__8 Warli Style Madubani Strokes Western Painting. Take a closer view Close-up of Warli Style Madubani Strokes Western Painting.