9.8.11

Diorama-Kerala,India


Diorama Trivandrum Kerala
 I was quite busy the past week as I had to prepare my daughter for her "Just a Minute Competition" where she had to talk about a City in India from a tourism point of view. The talk had to be supported with a chart or model.
I am from Kerala State in India and Kerala is popularly called " Gods own country" as it is so beautiful. We chose the city Trivandrum ,the capital of Kerala and here is the diorama we made.
Kerala means the land of coconut trees and we have so many coconut trees and beaches abound!
Here we made the coconut trees from chart paper and card stock.My little one stuck all the leaves and the coconuts.You can see her art work on the trunk of the coconut tree too!
Diorama Trivandrum Kerala
Here are the majestic Indian elephants all decked up for the temple festivals.These are wooden elephants available in most handicraft stores in India and are symbolic of Kerala where they are an essential part of temple festivities.
Diorama Trivandrum Kerala
Let me play my part in Kerala tourism too!The background scene is the famous Kovalam beach in Trivandrum which is very popular with the tourists.My little one enjoyed making the paper lighthouse.
Diorama Trivandrum Kerala
This is a paper boat we made and my 5 year old painted and embellished.If you get a chance to visit Kerala dont miss a chance to stay in a houseboat--its an unforgettable experience!
Paper Boat
The photograph below shows a Kathakali dancer.Kathakali is a classical dance form from Kerala which often tells a mythological tale.The Kathakali dancers convey sentences and emotions so eloquently with their facial expressions and a visit to Kerala is incomplete without experiencing a Kathakali performance--it is spellbinding!
Kathakali
Sorry If I got a bit carried away with the tourism promotion-- all week I had been coaching my daughter about the tourism high points of Trivandrum !

Diorama Trivandrum Kerala
Since I dont have a cutting machine we hand cut everything. It was fun but time consuming.Corrugated paper adds a lot to the 3D effect and I used it to create the beach and the waves in the water.We also made a paper lotus from Punched flowers.Lotus flowers are abundant in the backwaters of Kerala.
Paper Lotus Flower
I find it much easier to do her school projects nowadays as she helps tremendously in the painting,sticking and cutting bits.Its becoming more enjoyable day by day-- so young mothers out there take heart- it only gets easier!

Diorama Trivandrum Kerala
Our whole family chipped in to help my daughter make this project-Her Grandaunt gave ideas for the talk,her grandma got the elephants and the wooden boat when she went to Trivandrum,her Grandpa helped collect the photos for the flipchart I made for her to present and also the shells and the Kathakali and her Dad helped to tie up the elephants securely to the Diorama base.My daughter had her JAM competition yesterday and I am thrilled to share with you that she got selected! Hooray!

124 comments:

  1. MY EYES ARE STILL OPEN !
    MIND BLOWING !

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  2. OMG!!!This is fantabulous!!!Girl you really amaze me with every project of yours.

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  3. OMG.. Doc this is absolutely gorgeous... Great work by you and Prisha.. And yes been dying to go to Kerala.. Have not had the opportunity yet.. but this took my breath away.. Absolutely beautiful.. How did you do the lighthouse??

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  4. Oh my goodness, Sonia! What a fabulous creation! This is one that I wish I could reach out and touch, and look at from all sides. Amazing, my friend, simply amazing. I love the beadwork on the elephants, the beautiful lotus flower, and the houseboat that your 5 year old created is awesome as well. Wonderful project! Thank you for sharing :)

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  5. Oh, wow, Sonia, again you leave me speechless... What an elaborate project, loving all the little details! Beautiful city indeed! Congrats to both your daughter and you!

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  6. It is very beautiful !
    All the elements are very interesting

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  7. Thank You dear friends .I will convey the compliments to my daughter. Khush the lighthouse and the boat are made from kids paper model books available in most stores in India.They are super-easy for kids to do- you just remove the cut pieces,fold and glue.

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  8. What a wonderful project! I can see why she was selected- the project definitely achieved the objective of promoting tourism (I learned so much about India from your diorama!!) Thanks for sharing the pictures and project! :)Amy

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  9. Dr. Sonia,

    Sounds like you and your family live in paradise! You creation is wonderful as usual and I always love to hear how you and your daughter have worked on them together. Beautiful and amazing! Nancy

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  10. What a BEAUTIFUL project!!! You should go to work for the tourism of India because you sure just made me want to go. The work and detail are amazing Great Job

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  11. HELLOOOOOO!!! i had to pinch myself to believe what i was seeing... this is absolutely stunning and so so beautiful Sonia... how on earth did u make it?????????? must have been so so time and patience consuming... awesummmmm!!!! beautiful!!!

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  12. Its such a brilliant project... My eyes were wide open while going through your post.. Hats off to you Sonia!

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  13. wowers doc !! u sure r promoting indian tourism abroad with this fantabuolus project !!

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  14. Cool!!! A gorgeous thing! So many details, so fine, so well done! You're great! =)

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  15. Thank You dear friends I think I have managed to strike some interest in my home state of Kerala!

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  16. Oh my, but this is an outstanding piece of art, I can only imagine the time that went into creating this masterpiece.

    Judie

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  17. Fabulous, amazing diorama! I loved hearing about Kerala! Congratulations to your daughter!

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  18. AMAZING FANTASTIC CARDS BEAUTIFULLY REPRSENT THE TOURISM OF KERLA
    CONGS FOR SELECTION OF UR DAUGHTER

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  19. Wow!! This is absolutely gorgeous....I wish my mother could have made stuff like that when I was at school...Ha!
    Thank you for visiting my blog....I'm so glad you liked the award that Jacki passed onto you....it certainly looks like it is well-deserved!

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  20. Dr. Sonia,
    Very nice!
    I loved the colors used as the perspective and the details of each piece!

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  21. Your project for your kid is wonderful! Your daughter has done a great job, loved the elephants, the 3D effect of waves, lotus flower and kathakali dancer.

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  22. Диорама супер! Столько разных деталей. Лотос очень красивый, и слоны и лодка. Здорово!

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  23. Fabulous diorama, looks amazing! =)
    Thanks for your kind words!
    Hugs, Elenor

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  24. That little house boat immediately reminds me of reading the book 'Life of Pi' that is exactly what I always pictured in my head!!! I think the elephants with their head dresses are my favorite :) Congrats to your daughter on her selection!!

    -rachel w k
    rwkrafts.blogspot.com

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  25. magnificent elephants the boat is all wonderful!
    Greetings Baukje

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  26. Bee-utiful! Gorgeous! Wonderful! Amazing! All of the above & more. I would like to know directions to making the lighthouse?
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"
    http://CreatedbySunshineHoneyBee.blogspot.com

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  27. Also, you can enter this in a couple challenges depending on when you posted (since no back linking is allowed but that brings up a question I do not see a date posting): Ambers Crafts and Stuff Ch#21 Sparkle & Shine which ends today 8/9, My Craft Spot Ch#20 It's hot out there! which is to use hot, bright colors and Scrapalicious USA Challenge Anything other than a card (this site seems to be having a problem though, cannot comment on it or add my project to the link and not sure why).
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"
    http://CreatedbySunshineHoneyBee.blogspot.com

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  28. This is absolutely amazing. The detail is phenomenal- The colors and the texture bring this to life. I want to thank you for my virtual birthday hug -- what a sweet treat. The hotel I was staying gave me wi-fi for free for my B-day so I was able to read it on the day. Thanks dear friend

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  29. Dr. Sonia S V
    I am absolutely blown away by this wonderful project.
    Myrna

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  30. Wow...this is amazing! My husband is from Trivandrum so I had to send him a link to your post...he loved it as well. Absolutely love all the details. Brilliant work. :)

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  31. Dr. Sonia, Please stop by my blog I have an award for you.
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  32. Fantastic tourism project and congrats to your daughter being selected too, She has a gem for a mum, being able to help her make such a wonderful presentation,
    Sandy

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  33. What a fantastic diorama and thanks for sharing the info about each section. Well done to you and your daughter.

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  34. wow! This is just breath taking!! Hugs! Dina

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  35. Oh My Sonia You are just AMAZING with your fabulous creations!! What a blessing to share that time with your daughter and instilling the love for creating in her early!! FAB JOB ;)

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  36. I'm finally here!!! Did you miss my comments! I always worry because you always mention that I may be tired of yours but that is so far from the truth! I LOVE hearing from you! So, it is no surprise that dear little Prisha was selected with this AMAZING piece! WOW! I remember you telling me you were from Kerala originally and about all the beautiful beaches! Your pitch makes me want to make a trip! I loved hearing about it and I can't wait for my girls to get home to show it to them! I cannot believe all the amazing details you fit into this! It is beautiful! I'm sure your little assistant was very proud of her work too!

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  37. this is very nicely done. i like the lighthouse and lotus and the coconut trees. we have a lot of coconut trees here too in Malaysia. I hope someday I can come out with something like this too, to introduce the place I stay.

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  38. OMGoodness, what an amazing scene...absolutely stunning. FABULOUS!!! ~Shen

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  39. Wow! Congratulations to your daughter. This diorama turned out gorgeous! I can tell that you both put a lot of work into it.

    Sandra
    sweetpeascards.blogspot.com

    P.S. Thanks for all your wonderful comments on my blog. :)

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  40. WOW! This is amazing! Great details!

    Carri~abusybee
    www.doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com

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  41. Ahhh!! thats breath taking... you are one patient soul, to make such things!!

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  42. Anonymous10/8/11

    Sonia.....that is just mind blowing..... FABULOUS!!! Mustav taken you quite a while to make it. Such detail......absoloutely phenomenal! Priya Venkat

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  43. Wow .... This is wonderful. I absolutely am in awe and I love it! Thanks for visiting my blog ... Yours is fabulous!

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  44. Amazing!! love each and every aspect of it..and since I just got back from a trip to Kerala, all this brings back wonderful memories of my trip!! Super super!! Big hugs to Prisha for her hard work!!

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  45. This is JUST BEAUTIFUL!AMAZING job with this Gorgeous project,WOW!!!:)

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  46. I am sure Prisha is too proud of this one. She is so special with so many thoughtful people around her.

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  47. Its really amazing...loved every small details you have added.Hats off to you for the time you have given to your daughter´s project.She must be really proud of her mommy.

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  48. So much to admire in there... love the paper boat - I mean the house boat. The lotus flower is just so pretty and the trees, your daughter's inputs all look so nice together. What patience you have and what a creative mum you are.

    xxx Monica

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  49. One day I will go and live in a house boat... for sure. Thanks for reminding me...

    xxx Monica

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  50. Wow!! This is gorgeous! My jaw fell to the ground when I saw it. You guys did so great!

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  51. lovely diorama. This is the first diorama of any Indian Scene I have seen and I must admit that it is the best.

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  52. What an awesome project. It's fabulous

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  53. Your daughter had to be the biggest hit of the competition with this awesome diorama. My goodness, it is spectacular with the beautiful waters, palm trees, and so many points of interest. This is a splendid family affair and something your daughter will remember forever.

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  54. Thank you for joining us this week at Craft Your Passion Challenges- I can'n belive ! this is so amazing !! Big great project - wow wow wow - hugs Joanna

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  55. WOW! Can I feature this post on my blog this month as a guest post? I will link the guest post to ur blog! Please let me know!

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  56. Resham I would be honored if you feature it on your blog.I am thrilled someone likes it so much!
    Aditya how wonderful that you like it so much!
    I am amazed people like it so much to take the trouble to leave me a comment too.Thank You dear friends

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  57. its a masterpiece sonia...i totally love it

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  58. My first time on your blog...and i'm stunned :) Prisha is very lucky.... :)Its so perfect... so much of kerela in a small diorama :)

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  59. Wow! This is fabulous. And I appreciated the tourism info as I would love to visit India someday.

    Kelly
    http://kellyscraftylife.blogspot.com

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  60. What an absolutely stunning project you have completed with your daughter. Love how all your family helped with supplying the bits and pieces. A real family project. Hugs Mrs A.

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  61. Wow, wow, wow. Your daughter is super lucky to have such an amazingly talented mom! Thanks for sharing your fabulous creation with us at Craft Your Passion!

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  62. This is simply amazing. You are a very wise woman to share your crafting with your daughter, and in this case, the whole family. These memories will never be forgotten. Congratulations Prisha!

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  63. what a flow of creation...mindblowing.

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  64. loved the details..congratulations to Prisha for getting selected.

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  65. Superb! what a beautiful model you have made. The 3d effects are very good. hats off! amazing work, Sonia. Wishing Prisha all the best.

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  66. Wow! Your attention to detail is amazing.

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  67. OMG.....what a work of art, its just fabulous! I too would love to visit India one day. Your projects are amazing...always so much detail!

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  68. WOW!! That is all I can say :)
    This is totally amazing and I love that you had a helper in making this!
    Well done...you always amaze me with your projects! TFS and playing along with us over at Paper Playtime :)

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  69. Wow!! This is beautiful and have so many great details. You guys did a awesome job. And the fact that you had to hand could everything makes this even better.

    LaKesha

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  70. fabulous.love it...

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  71. congrats, it is really awsome, love it!!!
    Paula

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  72. STUNNING CREATIONS! You are sooo talented! TFS! Please stop by my blog! I have an award waiting there for you :) http://acreativejourneywithmelissa@blogspot.com

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  73. It's nice to see India and see it in many pictures in a neat way. Great job!

    www.comicdaverusso.blogspot.com

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  74. awesome project!!!1
    love it!!!
    hugs from Brazil

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  75. Wow and double wow! This is an amazing project! Congrats to both you and your little darling! Awesome!

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  76. This diorama turned out fantastic!

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  77. Hi.... amazing project, i totally loved it.
    I wanted your opinion on the card i made http://artistneelima.blogspot.com/2011/08/anniversary-greeting-card.html?showComment=1313424511343#c5183503149279847279

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  78. Dr Sonia, It is amazing. No wonder your daughter is developing a talent for turning paper into art too! x

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  79. This is amazing! I will enjoy visiting your blog often to see all your creations.... please visit http://stretchnbubbles.blogspot.com ... I have some happy news for you!
    hugs and blessings from Australia,
    Pauline

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  80. WOW! WOW!! this is just amazing!! sorry I've missed some of your post:) off the see the other projects!
    Hugs

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  81. It is a beautiful work. You have also a beautiful blog and thank you for tutorials you share.

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  82. Have left something for you on my blog.

    xxx Monica

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  83. Hi aunty..The diaroma was amazing..joined your blog privately...please visit www.nkavya.blogspot.com..!! Cant wait to see more=)

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  84. Wow I can't believe what I am seeing. It must have taken you days to compleate this.
    I just joined as a follower and hope you will come and take a peek at my blog too.
    Carolyn

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  85. Loved the details in this one. Congratulations to Prisha for getting selected. You must be so proud!

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  86. Loved the details in this project. Congratulations to Prisha for getting selected. You must be so proud!

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  87. hi..u asked me regarding my flower...ya stitching is required.See this video for the tutorial.
    http://soapboxcreations.blogspot.com/2010/10/saddle-stitch-ribbon-flower-tutorial.html

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  88. thanks for visiting my blog this morning and I trust you had a wonderful trip. I'm glad you are back safe.

    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-wednesday.html

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  89. Wow! just absolutely amazing! I love your creations and thanks for visiting my blog.
    Hugs,
    Minta

    mintascreations.blogspot.com

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  90. Thank You dear friends both old and new for dropping by and appreciating our diorama. I am just back from a short holiday and am just getting around to catching up with everyone.Thank You once again

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  91. Hi Sonia, This project really has the wow factor and is beautifully designed!

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  92. Hello Sonia,
    Thank you for your wonderful comments on my blog. I have now become a follower, I came over to thank you and to look at your work and i was not expecting what I saw, what amazing creations!! I have never seen anything so detailed. So much effort has gone into it. I love it!
    Love Helena x

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  93. Oh my gosh!! How do you do this?? You are amazing. Plus all these skills you are teaching your daughter. I'm sorry for not visiting sooner. We are remodeling our house. I'm so glad I stopped by to see what you have done. Thank you for the teaching you gave us on your country too! Hugs, Pam at http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/

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  94. OMG.......I'm speechless....

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  95. Thank You Pam for flattering me and cheering up first thing in the morning!

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  96. Вау! Очень классно получилось! шикарная работа!!!

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  97. Sonia, this is so beautiful work of art...lot of patience, U & your daughter have done it so beautifully...& about Kerala it's already on my list of to-see places....Congrats to your daughter for getting selected.

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  98. Hi!
    A very beautiful piece of work indeed,really nice project with your daughter ♥.

    Hugs from Norway

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  99. I can learn so much from u,u r so creative :)

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  100. OMGsh.. This is AMAZING!! You and your family did an awesome job!! The details are awesome!!

    Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I am happy to have you. :)

    Thank you again..

    Hugs,
    Tanya

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  101. Sonia,
    I gave you an award, please go here: carla-writes.blogspot.com
    Carla

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  102. Wow Sonia, You and your daughter did an amazing job on the diorama! How fun to spend time with your daughter and be creative! She will never forget the special time you invested in helping her with her projects:)
    ~Kim

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  103. Wow, what a wonderful project♥.

    Hugs Marita♫♫

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  104. Thank You dear friends for stopping by and taking the time to leave encouraging comments

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  105. Okk...so I have very badly missed on ur blog...what a project, and so so sweet of the entirely family to get involved in whatever way they could ! I just love it !

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  106. Oh my goodness. this just blows my mind! I do not believe that I have ever seen a project to compare to this. Sonia, this is gorgeous! the more I look at it the ,ore fabulous detail I see! I just cannot say enough about the spectacular work you have done!!!
    Charlotte

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  107. Wow, what a masterpiece! I love it all but the pink flower is my favourite, what terrific craftsmanship went into this.

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  108. my jaw just dropped and i am drooling all over my laptop right now! SUPER DUPER BRILLIANT JOB! what a brilliant creation!

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  109. Soniaji!! I just love your kerala diorama, as I am simply in love with kerala..
    this is where I forced my hubby for our HM (as I had been there for a training and knew its simply amazing). Have seen this post long back and wanted to comment ...but somhow it was missing...
    I showed this craft to my hubby also..and we recalled each and everything from this...the backwaters...our stay at houseboat...kathakali show..elephant ride...shikara ride, kovalam...everything...its simply mindblowing! great work

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  110. OMG! THis is fantabulos, Doc!! Looks like too much of hard work!! I LOVED it! I did not know you were from Kerala.. Weeeee... I always get super excited when I find a fellow mallu. :D *hugs*

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  111. Anonymous22/8/11

    Oh my gosh!! I truly dont know what to say.. This is absolutely stunning.. Can I send my daughter to you too.. Sims is always complaining that I am hopeless and never do enough for her.. Can I really??

    You are totally amazing doc!!

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  112. Patricia if you were in Bangalore I would invite you over! And yes your daughter is welcome to come over and craft with us craft crazy mum- daughter duo!

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  113. Lavina so happy our diorama rekindled lovley memories
    Yes Shruti I am a typical Mallu married to a nonmallu! And yes I am super thrilled that you are excited to know I am a Mallu!

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  114. Wow, I don't even know what to say, this is so AMAZING! It is simply a work of art!! You and your beautiful daughter did such a fabulous job! It is just so stunning and incredible and absolutely beautiful! A masterpiece!! :)

    Lisa
    http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  115. This is one of the most wonderful projects I have seen....! Wow- everything is awesome down to the last detail- Gorgeous!!! I love the gorgeous Lotis flower and the look of the corrugated paper!

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  116. this is absolutely stunning. WOW. As you know I love my elephants and so would love to come visit especially after such a beautiful tour of your city. I really need to get me one of those elephants all decked out. I LOVE your creations and your daughter did a wonderful job!!!
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  117. From Sonia To Sonia
    Wow Sonia!.. Amazing Creation!... Congrats for do a card like this.
    -Sony
    Sonia-Studio60

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  118. This is simply outstanding! Congrats to you and your daughter :)
    Good luck with the Artsy craftsy at Shruti's.

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  119. Dr Sonia, whenever Iam on your blog, I don't know what to say or what to add to all the comments here. I'am so so glad you linked me to this post. This is such a great way to showcase your hometown and our lovely state to others. I loved all the details. A lot of thought went into this piece and it can be seen everywhere.

    Love love love!

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    1. Oh you are so sweet..It was a school project so I had to put my heart and soul into it!!

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  120. hi Dr. Sonia this project was a great help for my daughter's school project on Kerala thank u so must. I m a regular visitor of ur website

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  121. Please mention about the material used for making the project. So i Can make it for my daughter

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