Candle's Glow:

Wonders with needle and thread

by Aditha Dissanayake

Dating back to the time of Kuveni, weaving and sewing have always been associated with the alluring charm of womanhood. The touch of deft fingers on soft fabric creating beautiful works of art be it on the cloak of a king, a cushion, tablecloth or bed-cover have continued well onto the 21st century.

Proving how true this is, giving the opportunity for everybody interested in adding beauty and colour to their lives, transferring the mundane into the exotic, Hilda Herat and her friends have got together this year too, to hold their annual exhibition and sale of Cottage Crafts at the Girl Guides Association, Colombo 7 on November 18, 2006.

The event titled Candle's Glow will present cushion covers, table linen etc. designed by Hilda Herat together with Shadow work stitching and other creations by Nelum Munasinghe, Kamini Jayasekara, Jenny Walpola, Daphne Bandara, Franky and Sheirne Munasinghe.

Hilda, who has successfully kept time's chariot wheels from drawing close to her, yet who is sceptical that perhaps there may not be another event like this in her life again, ("who knows I might drop dead any moment" she confides) has let her imagination roam sky high in creating exquisite cushion covers, flower bouquets, greeting cards, table mats, serviette rings etc.

"All alone" she reminds you. Especially the beautiful wall-hangings made with a variety of material you will never expect to find hanging on your wall(discover them for yourself on the 18th) are quite awe inspiring.

Having discovered the pleasures of creating exquisite products with needle and thread, beads and lace, while she was dwelling in the cool mountains of Nuwara Eliya, Nelum Munasinghe says "Some of us engage in this as a hobby, some as a means of earning a living but our main intention is to add beauty and colour to everyday lives with the nick-knacks we have created".

Adding that her favourite is 'shadow stitching' she explains this form of needlework, to the uninitiated, as 'stitching on the reverse on material like organdy'. Right now, though busy with her family, she says she creates saris, kurthas, blouses, table linen and bed linen for individual requirements with the help of five girls who stitch what she creates for them.

"We meet every Saturday to discuss our work and I am happy I can provide employment to these girls and help them be financially independent". Says Nelum. Though its time consuming work she prices her creations at the most reasonable prices possible.

At the exhibition, apart from gushing over the creative powers of a needle and thread, ribbons and bows, stiff wire and lace, with Christmas round the corner, if you are someone who loves a good bargain, Candle's Glow might prove to be the best place to be, to begin your Christmas shopping.

So, make an entry in your diary for November 18, anytime between 9 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. to visit the Girl Guides Association to buy bonbons, candles and other Christmas decorations, home-made food including pickles and wines and gifts that would suit everybody with a Christmas-presents-list.

Go with forward looking thoughts and who knows, with luck you might realize all your "what-shall-I-give-him/her-for-Christmas" questions have been solved.

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