A couple of months ago, I visited a stunning architectural wonder, Chand Baori, an ancient step well from the 9th century. This is situated in Abhaneri village in Alwar District of Rajasthan, India, about 100 kilometers from Jaipur.
This is what Wikipedia has to say about it –
Chand Baori is one of the oldest and most attractive landmarks in Rajasthan. It was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty between 800 and 900 AD and was dedicated to Hashat Mata, Goddess of Joy and Happiness upon completion.
The state of Rajasthan is extremely arid, and the design and final structure of Chand Baori was intended to conserve as much water as possible. At the bottom of the well, the air remains 5-6 degrees cooler than at the surface, and Chand Baori was used as a community gathering place for locals during periods of intense heat. One side of the well has a pavilion and resting room for the royals.
Glowing in the evening sun…
The royal pavillions
The water collected during the monsoons became accessible, however low the level, because of the steps.
There are 13 storeys of steps. the gallery on the top ( ground) level is being developed into a museum to store all the sculptures from the nearby Harshat Mata temple, which is falling into ruins.
Such construction projects were usually taken up as drought relief measures, to provide employment to the farmer subjects when the crops failed.
I took a lot of pictures of the gorgeous sculptures in the nearby Harshat Mata temple too. Watch out for the post!
The progress on my just takes 2 mystery quilt has been painfully slow 🙁 The mystery quilt by Gay Bomers of http://www.sentimentalstitches.net and Brenda of Dear Jane ran through 2012, and the last set of the 100 blocks that make up this quilt, and suggestions for the border were revealed this month ! I am still stuck in April, May sometime! 🙁 🙁 🙁 But finally, I am planning to go full steam on it from tomorrow, so am making a record of blocks finished
Here are three hand -sewed blocks I finished since I last blogged about this quilt, months ago!
The first applique( Hawaiian look) block uses the back basting technique. I traced the pattern to the wrong side of the background and basted the applique piece over it, turning it in as I went along. It also has reverse appliqued diamonds in the centre.
Hand appliqued quilt block – back basting method used
The second block, Grandma’s Favourite Compass is paper pieced by the EPP method . The circle was hand sewed to the background.
Grandma’s Favourite Compass quilt block -English paper piecing and hand sewing
For the third block, I appliqued after tacking the leaves on to paper,like you would for EPP). I then slit the background fabric to remove the paper.
Hand appliqued Quilt block
Here are the first 28 blocks put together, to make up Section A of the quilt 🙂
Section A of justtakes2 quilt – first quarter of the quilt finished!
And here are some more completed blocks. The bottom left Cathedral windows block needs some more work, I just discovered!
Blocks from Section B of justtakes2 quilt
So this is where we stand today! I do have a few 4-patch strips that I have not photographed, but which count as blocks, anyways!
I have finished tracing out two more applique blocks – which will probably take me ages to finish! I shall sew them in the evenings, sitting in front of the TV. During the day, shall do the machined blocks!
Target – at least 2 blocks per day; 15 by Sunday! Also I am determined to finish all blocks of Section B during 2012…
At the end of each day, I shall post pics of the day’s progress! Do look in to have dekko and drop a line of encouragement!
The determination to win is the better part of winning. Daisaku Ikeda
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