One Lovely Blog Award And Friendship

My Pixie | Whims And FanciesMy girl and my best friend – Pixie

I very recently met Lara and it was instant friendship.  It feels like I have known her forever.  Susie is the first friend I made when I started writing here.  So it is specially wonderful to be selected by both a new AND an old friend for the One Lovely Blog Award.  Susie and Lara are friends with each other as well, isn’t that wonderful?

One Lovely Blog Award | Whims And Fancies

I love visiting Lara at Buzzing Bumble and Susie at Susie’s Sunroom.  If you don’t know them already, you must really pay them a visit.  I promise you will not regret it!

For the seven things about me that I need to share for this blog hop,  I decided to pick seven words and pair them up with photos I’ve taken.

 

Ink

Love Of Notebooks And Ink | Whims And FanciesA Very Small Subset Of My Ink And Paper Collection

I grew up on top of my grandfather’s large printing business which printed books, among other items.  I learned about different stocks of paper, various types of ink, book binding techniques, etc. at a very early age.  The sounds and smells of the large printing machines, ink, paper, glue, typesets – it was magical.  I was hooked for life to the world made of ink and paper which turned into a passion for art.

 

Books

Foyles Books London | Whims And Fancies

Advertisement At A London Tube Station

I have always lived mainly within the pages of books, away from the world around me.  I walk around glumly for days when a book disappoints me.  I stay in a haze every time I say goodbye to my ink-and-paper friends at the end of a book.  It all started with my aunt telling me stories when I was too young to read.  Then it continued on with my mother taking me to large annual book fairs and with reading from my grandmother’s book collection.

 

Camera

Valley View, Yosemite National Park | Whims And Fancies

Winter in Yosemite National Park, California

Lenses are an old hobby of mine.  I see the world through the camera lens.  My camera is my security blanket and the source of my confidence.  I wake up at wee hours to catch the first sunlight,  I even hike up the sides of mountains despite my severe acrophobia, all for that one perfect shot!  ( My husband has the yawns and the droopy eyes to prove it! )

To see the world in a grain of sand,
And heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

                                   – William Blake

Rocks

Liberty Cap Nevada Falls, Yosemite National Park, California | Whims And Fancies

John Muir Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

I study rocks and I collect them.  So, if I get a bag of coal, that is a very good thing.  Although it feels a bit nightmarish for me to ever settle down in one place, the diversity of California’s geology has kept me here, camping, hiking and exploring. I specially love the Sierra Mountains.

This picture was taken from the John Muir trail.  Towards the end of the hike, instead of checking the map, we decided to follow our instinct.  So, a 6-mile hike turned into …. wait for it… a whopping 7-mile hike!!!

 

Stars

Milky Way | Whims And Fancies

Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, California

It’s a love affair.  When it’s dark outside with clear skies and my nose is not stuck in a book, you will most probably find me peering through my telescopes, with a little help from my husband because of their weight.  Currently I am in the process of building a radio telescope at home.

 

Travel

Fjord, Norway | Whims And Fancies

Heading Into Gairangerfjord, Norway

I have to travel, or I fall apart.  Before a trip I read, I do research and I pore over maps.  It’s a ritual for me.  Then I whisk my husband away on an exhausting trip.  I want to soak in everything about the new place without wasting a single moment.

 

Cold

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park | Whims And Fancies

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

I was born in January, and I have a feeling Old Man Winter must have made me using a little piece of himself.  I have been in the icy arctic rain with an ear-to-ear smile on my face.  Winter is when I am outside the most.  Those of you who abhor winter, don’t judge me, I was born this way.

 

Now it’s my turn to pass the torch.  Not only do I love the diverse art these ladies create, I also feel very comfortable nominating them because of their encouraging personalities and their eagerness to share and help.  I know you will love them too.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Esther @ I Patch And Quilt
Kris @ Kris Loves Fabric
Mary @ Needlemom

 Also please remember to visit Lara at Buzzing Bumble and Susie at Susie’s Sunroom.

 

Weeping Angel Quilt | Whims And Fancies

It is to their credit that I am ready to try Free Motion Quilting on this angel block. Wish me luck!!

And have fun visiting my friends,
-Soma

 

15 thoughts on “One Lovely Blog Award And Friendship

  • Quilts & Such June 12, 2015 at 05:04

    Fantastic post; you are an interesting lady with incredible interests. Looks like you have a plan for your free motion quilting so relax and enjoy.

    Reply
  • Lori June 11, 2015 at 03:52

    I love your weeping angel block! I really have to do a full Doctor Who quilt sometime. I have one with Gallifreyan I made for my son, but I need one for me!

    Reply
  • Cathy June 10, 2015 at 08:20

    I just finished the weeping angel block last month! Yours is lovely!

    Reply
  • Sarah June 9, 2015 at 13:27

    I love this post. The photographs are just gorgeous and I really enjoyed learning more about you. You definitely deserve the award!

    Reply
  • Janine June 7, 2015 at 10:45

    You do have a lovely blog and this is a beautiful post. Your photography is stunning and I really enjoyed reading about your interests and talents illustrated by these wonderful pictures :)

    Reply
  • Kaja June 5, 2015 at 23:01

    This is a lovely post Soma and a great way to approach the task of telling us more about yourself. You are a gifted photographer, so the pictures are really evocative: the perfect illustrations for your words.

    Reply
  • Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts June 3, 2015 at 20:43

    Thank you Soma for the nomination! Your pictures are so great, and I love that you grew up helping your grandfather. This is definitely a lovely post! :)

    Reply
  • Cheryl June 3, 2015 at 08:00

    Beautiful post, your photos are stunning! Thanks so much for the nomination!

    Reply
  • krislovesfabric June 3, 2015 at 06:58

    Ahh, Soma, what a lovely post! You always have a way of taking us on a journey with you. Love the photos and your descriptions of facets of your life.

    Reply
  • Jeneta@PlumJam June 2, 2015 at 20:26

    I loved reading this! How lucky you are to have grown up above your grandfather’s printing press! You are very talented Soma.

    Reply
  • Kathleen June 2, 2015 at 16:44

    A lovely blog post from a lovely lady.

    Reply
  • susie June 2, 2015 at 13:47

    What a lovely post, Soma, or should I say, Renaissance Lady! You are an amazing writer and photographer, knitter, quilter and artist! I love how you integrate many artistic skills into your projects. They speak from your heart!
    I am really wowed by your photographs that you shared with us!!
    I can’t wait to see what it yet to come from you… and beautiful Pixie!

    Reply
  • Crafty Ashley B June 2, 2015 at 11:43

    Fun post! I loved your take on sharing and I LOVED your pictures!

    Reply
  • Mary June 2, 2015 at 11:38

    What a great post this was, Soma. It was so much fun learning more about you. I can understand your many talents a bit better now. Your photography is simply amazing. Have you ever had work published? If not….you should have. We, too, have a love affair with the Sierras, but I have not captured them as beautifully as you have.

    Thank you for the nomination. I hope I can do it justice.

    Reply
  • Lara B. June 2, 2015 at 08:45

    Such a beautiful post Soma. You inspire us and give us a wonderful glimpse into who you are, both through your photos and your wonderful way with words! The William Blake poem is soul stirring. What an interesting and exciting life you have led! Now I’m even more giddy that we have become friends! I always knew that Susie had excellent tastes, hee hee.
    You’ve also made me eager to go and visit your nominees, three of whom I have not yet met. Thank you sweet Soma!

    Reply
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