Day 172-Heralding The Rolla's Arrival

And so it was with a heavy heart (and eyelids as well) that I said bye bye to Dale at 4.15am on 1st July 2010 after a most unforgettable 10 days. I have decided however that I shall not make a goodbye  post as  I am sure we will meet again. Just as I will be  meeting Rosanna again in another 23 days.

O dear, 23 days!  I shook my head as I stared at the empty bedroom in dismay. Where are they going to sleep? And I am really behind in all my swap commitments too,  I started to whine. Get a grip, Sans! I scolded myself and decided that I should just get on with the work. And get on I did.

It is never too early to make the bed and what better bed than a special edition charpai by Sans! I fell in love with the charpai or a woven 4-post bed when I was in Pakistan .  I could not carry one home then due to the size.  Finally, after 20 odd years, I am happy that I finally have one.

Ro loves the depiction of the Tree of Life in tapestry and so I hung this precious gift from Ira behind the bed. This is a most luxurious item in the Rolla's home and is likely to be passed from generation to generation, like a treasured heirloom.

Speaking of heirlooms and treasure, this is Ro's dowry chest. A gift from Eva, it is made of ivory and wood on the outside and lined with soft velvet on the inside. It is now used to store the best of Ro's embroidery and her precious china.

For better support of the back and for another really important purpose which I will reveal later, Ro's dowry chest is placed under the bed. Notice how the bed immediately firms up?

I started the Banjaran blanket in May, intending to make it in the same style and fashion as the Banjaran toranam. As you can see, it took me a while to put the 100 over pieces of mirrors and cowries on the blanket. I think it was at least 1 hour but really, who's counting.

There are many  gifts in this room, especially the ones from Ira which I received on 7/6/2010 or somewhere between  Day 164 -165. If you click through to her post, you will see them in their splendour. Everyone of them however, is way better in real life than the pictures, no offence to your photography, Ira. I really wanted to use them in this house and asked for permission to "de-glam" them, you know, make them less glamorous so that they will fit with the tribal setting. Ira graciously said yes.

There are three bowls in the picture above. If you enlarge it, you will see that the last one in the middle of the second bowl is two  of Ira's bowls,  de-glammed to simulate my real life  metal plates from India. I made it into a potpourri bowl with cover. Ira gave me enough to make another smaller one, without cover.

Now in this picture, there are two pillows.  If you enlarge it, you will see that the one in the middle of the big pillow is an imitation. I know you can't really tell the difference which would make this pillow quite ideal except it commits the mortal sin for pillows. It is not fluffable. You see I have used an iron-on embroidery and so this pillow is only plump on the back and not the front where the iron -on is. I am posting a reward for anyone with suggestions on  how to make a fat and not flat pillow with an iron-on.

Ro is worried about mosquitoes so the net is a must. It will also help prevent any creepy crawlies from landing on her face when she sleeps. I know you were concerned, Rosanna, when you saw the reed roof.

Alas, Ro may still not sleep well with the flat pillows. We can always use the magic pillows Rosanna made, the ones that make you dream sweet dreams.

I built two things to place the potpourri bowls. On the right side of the room, I made a small shelf and put the loveliest red doily I have ever seen on it. Tatted by Cindy, it is incredibly flat and intricate and I love it to bits. Next to the shelf are  pin-ups of "hot babes", one in a rather compromising position.

This is the wardrobe space for Ro, an old Indian chest I made in a hurry from the box that Mercedes gave me. So small, you said. Actually, I made it for the big potpourri bowl . By that time, I have worked almost non-stop for 17 hours. I was getting sleepy and the bedroom is  90% done  save for a few final touches.

I placed 2 books by Ewa on the small bedside table that Susanne made. There is no chance that Ro will be bored for in those books are materials on subjects ranging from palmistry to embroidery,  henna to nail polish. As long as the subject matters relate  to "hands",  they are covered in those two books. A single peony from Ira's garden in the prettiest vase is set down right next to the table.

Then , a fingerful of  sandalwood in Ira's bowl on the shelf  at the left wall  of the room and

dried dessert flowers in the bigger bowl on the old chest placed against the right wall. Breathe in deeply, people  and smile for the room smells like morning dew after the rain.

And so this is what it is like to wake up in the morning at The Rolla's Bhunga. You know, now don't you, the real reason for the dowry chest under the bed?

Breakfast in bed, of course. Only the best Turkish delights from Cindy in a jade bowl which was Ro's dowry and painted crockery, de-glammed from Ira's golden set. 

They say you can't build Rome in one day but thanks to my friends, this bedroom was finished in 24 hours, from 12 noon Friday, 2/7 to 5 am Saturday when I only stopped to  have dinner.  By then I only had the breakfast set to finish which I did from 4pm to 8pm Saturday.

So thank you, Ira, Cindy, Ewa, Mercedes, Eva and Susanne. I am sure Ro will welcome you all to her bhunga anytime for in there are little bits of your love and effort.

And Rosanna, I know this room is a little too feminine. Too much Ro and no Walter. I wish I could make a little Semporia football jersey but I really don't think that's tribal enough. Instead, I have picked a song for Walter.  Fifa World Cup Anthem with an Arabic twist! And a repeat just to make up for only 1 pair of shoes! Enjoy!