A story behind a quilled card

Time and again I have posted pictures of the cards I make. The cards I make have been so widely appreciated and I have been flooded with so many orders now that I have to now refuse some orders!
The thing is I make these cards in between the breaks I take from writing my fourth book.

The book-writing pays me one thousand times (yes--really a thousand times) more than card-making does. But the joy that the card making brings is unmatched, because it is a joy which is shared by the giver (the person who ordered the card) and the recipient.

Some days back I had posted a picture on FB of a personalised card (which said 'dodda'). Someone named Astha had ordered it and I have interacted with her only on mail. I wondered what kind of a name 'Dodda' was. But since I did not know Astha at all, I kept the writer in me, in check and made the card and sent it to her.

She was overjoyed with the card. She absolutely loved it.

Later she shared the story with me. The card was for her dad's brother ('bade papa' whom she calls 'dodda') . This is what Astha wrote. (Yes, she does not mind me sharing on this blog. Have taken her permission to do so.)

My dodda (bade papa) loved the card.. He has been ill since a long time, so when I went to meet him after a long time with this card, he was delighted! He loved the design & the message that I'd written inside.
Will never forget that sign of joy on his face...Thank you so much! :) :)


I felt elated that my work brought so much joy to someone. When I asked her if I could share her mail on my blog, she said she did not mind at all, and asked if I wanted to know what she wrote inside. She said she wanted the message inside to match the beauty of the card. Of course I wanted to know.
She was kind enough to share that as well. It really brought a lump to my throat when I read it. This is what she had written inside.

My Dearest Dodda,
Has anyone ever told you what a wonderful person you are?
I hope so! I hope you've been told dozens of times...
Because you are really amazing!
And, just in case you haven't heard those words in a while,
I want you to hear them now.
You deserve to know that.

It takes someone special to do what you do.. It takes someone rare and remarkable around them.. Nicer, brighter and more beautiful.. It takes someone who has a big heart and a caring soul.. It takes someone who's a living proof of how precious a person can be.. It takes someone...just like You!
Thank you for being so wonderful ! I feel blessed to have you in my life!

Your presence in my life brings wonderful smiles and loving thoughts within my heart.

You have inspired me to a degree which can't be expressed in words. You've taught me to enjoy the little things in life and live every moment to the fullest.

You are the most joyful and determined person I've ever come across.Your will-power and zest for life serves as my guiding light and helps me get back up even if I keep falling at every hurdle!

Inspite of everything that has happened, you've got to believe that you can handle it.. You've got what it takes! Keep fighting back and keep smiling so that life gets tired of upsetting you...Let the difficulty also know how difficult you are!

And, always remember, the will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you!

Love you loads,
Yours Rani Maa "




What a magnificent message!
For me, being a part of something like this through my work, is truly beyond belief. I feel  so wonderful to be a part of someone's life, in such a close and positive way.

Here is another personalised card I made for a friend's wife. He too LOVED the card and he said his wife is going to love it too. :)

A close up showing how raised the quilled letters are.

A close up of the roses. Each rose was made individually by hand.

Bessie Stanley had said (and this is often wrongly attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.



For me, I touch people's lives though my work which I totally love doing. I am passionate about it.
And I feel so darn fortunate and blessed to have succeeded. 

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