Ideas needed for a Diwali card please

[cw18]

Our neighbours celebrate Diwali, and last year I made them a card which they were really thrilled to receive (don't think many British friends acknowledge that this is a big festival for them).

Have just realised I only have until 21st of this month to make one for this year, and I'm really, really stuck for ideas...... wasn't easy last year either, as hubby (who's the one who normally picks up on 'unusual' dates, despite forgetting all family birthdays except his!) only gave me 48 hours notice

pic of last years card attached......

any ideas for something a bit different this year would be gratefully appreciated

[Flapsi Hapsi]

What about something to do with lamps as it's a festival of light? Liked your card from last year.

[cw18]

the only thing I have is really small peel offs of a candle in an old fashioned holder (the sort you carried around the house). did think of them, but don't know what to do with them

[Flapsi Hapsi]

Have a look here you could maybe use your candle stickers something like the top banner - lots of them??

[cw18]

thanks for that link must admit I struggled to find any ideas on the 'net last year

[Kitty Crafts]

Have a look on page 3 of the Non christmas cards thread on here. Cara D has posted some pics and they are lovely - maybe ask if you could 'borrow' her ideas

Kaz x

[Petra]

How about some paisley patterns and doodling, to look a bit like a rangoli design?

[purpleplanet]

I am a hindu celebrating Diwali - there are some examples of the contemporary cards i have made for my friends and family, in my gallery - i started uploading pics last week to help my customers - more going up this weekend

examples of contemporary Diwali/ hindu clebration cards

the greetings are Happy Diwali and Happy New Year - Diwali is the day before our new year - rather like new years eve.

To impress your Gujarati friends you can add the following greeting for the new year "Nutan Varsh Abhinandan"

Nutan varsh Abhinandan in phonetic gujarati means "happy new year"

Most people however will be heard to say "Sal Mubarak" to each other though which is the same thing "happy New Year"

Most of the medallion cards are great for hindu celebrations as they represent our Rangoli patterns which are created out of coloured powders for Diwali etc.


Shilpa

[cw18]

Thanks all

And a special thanks to Shilpa for the greetings I guess that would always be a major stumbling block to someone like myself who doesn't celebrate this festival themselves

[mysticclare]

This card was successful one year - I just printed out the symbol on card, spread glue carefully in the shape and added seed beads.
http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=y5xf...p=1&quality=70
I don't know what the symbol is (maybe Shilpa can help) but as it is the centerpiece of Leicester's Diwali lights display, it must be the right one!
Lovely idea to do a Diwali card.

[cw18]

Thanks

The symbol actually looks very similar to the one on the first couple of cards in Shilpa's gallery

[purpleplanet]

hi

The symbol on mysticclare's post is called the OHM or AUM - it is a HIndu religious symbol and can be used on all hindu cards. You will see it everywhere. It is the mantra used for meditations and is a general sign for all hindus.

My cards have my own version of the symbol and it can be adapted in several ways without causing offence.

there is a site with a whole collection of aums - showing loads of different interpretations. Sacred Aums

PS if you really want to impress - little touches like writing the message in red would put the icing on the cake. All hindus write their cards out in red ink
Invitaitons, birhtday cards the lot

[JemCraft]

Have you seen the November issue of Crafts Beautiful? They have a bit on Diwali cards.

[purpleplanet]

I actually love the cards that Amanda has done for Diwali - The elephant is a great card for indian cards.

Mysticclare - very impressed with your idea - off to find the seed beads.

Just so you all know - i am getting indian stamps made COS THERE ARE NONE AROUND.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! religious symbols, motifs and deities.

Will keep you posted.

[Bluemoonjules]

Interesting thread, thanks. I wish I had soneone to make one for!