How wonderful! The story of Adia has now been published in the Indian Express. We're hopeful that its publication in India's second-most widely read newspaper will generate a great deal of interest in her cause, and those of similar children in India and worldwide.

A minor error in the article gave the address of this, my personal blog, instead of that of Adia's story. You can find this at http://thestoryofadia.blogspot.com

In other news, the Nutmegs Three are enjoying their time in Nepal, attending NGO workshops and finding ways to make their absence from Adia useful in various other charitable spectrums. The Nepali people are gracious and inspiring, and the tension of the past several weeks is swept away by breezes freshly arrived from the halls of ancient tamples and the heights of snow-tipped mountains. We're learning a great deal about conducting and NGO as well, and are forever taking notes!

We're also reveling in the delightful textiles and beads and other baubles which glitter in the markets, and selecting a few to offer in the Etsy shop soon, along with the prayer-flags our Aunties are creating for Adia and other such initiatives of handmade hope.

Internet shall be scarce as we accompany releif workers to more remote villages over the next week, but we'll be laden with delightful stories to share upon our return!

handmade hope!

A new treasury of items donated by Adia's Auntys on the Etsy community. A marvellous selection of sundries for a good cause!

The Story of Adia

Please take a moment to read the story of a small girl who has come into my life.

Adia is a wee girl who has been atrociously abused and exploited by her family. Her health is presently in a very critical condition and I and other concerned friends are doing all we can to raise awareness of her situation, and that of thousands of other female children in India and around the world.

I implore everyone to read her story, pass it on, and do anything else you may feel called to do to assist this child's desperate plight.

The Story of Adia

sky frames

Collecting architecture and frames of sky....





















Affixing bits.....



I also found great delight today in discovering this convalescence-home for vintage blenders, and dressing wee Lark like a strange superheroine cupcake!





More on the wonders of cupcaker'y on the morrow....

(un)veil'ed

Visual accompaniment to the Great Veiling Experiment!

'well hum...this feels a bit odd...'


'but wait!'


'i do believe such a getup has dramatic potential!'


In short, I've begun an experiment in which I shall explore myriad aspects of wearing abeya and naquib - assorted sociopolitcal stirrings, gender issues, as well as greater themes of visual identity. I've oft wondered whether, for Muslim women, the veil is a sort of freedom, or a repression. Throughout my travels, I have spoken to women who hold both opinions, and am curious to see how it would feel to me. Another curiosity is in the concept of existing in the world without being contextualized by my looks. I will no longer be American, have red hair, of this or that fashion - I will be a non-entity in looks, and my only presence will be through my words and actions.

Eventually I shall collect my impressions into an article for publication, and will post the occasional update here for those who are interested.

sacred curios

Snagged!

thru the ages

I've felt a furtive need for a bit of utter frivolity of late to balance out all of the Great Large Important things transpiring....and I've found it!

Behold! a glimpse of the Nutmegs Three in 1956, 1962, and 1954, vintage yearbook style:







Such fun!