My Art Journey

From apprentice, to galleries, to television, to newspaper, to contests, to exhibitions and more.

Life is an adventure of learning, healing, growing, uniting, experimenting...

'Many Faces, One Voice'

Through melding paper, stitch, textiles and found objects, my aim was to take the viewer on a thought provoking journey exploring our Canadian culture of 'Unity in Diversity' during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The series of symbolically infused postcard profiles depict various scenarios Canadians experienced during Covid-19.

Regardless of race, gender or ethnicity, the viewer soon realizes s/he can identify with any of these vignettes.

The collection is a visual confirmation that we are all one.

The isolated postcards are connected to each other with a ribbon -- the only element of colour against the primarily monochromatic postcards.

The ribbon represents the various foundational qualities that have helped us to endure...

LOVE
FAITH
UNITY
THE ARTS
SELFLESSNESS
TRUSTWORTHINESS
MUTUAL SUPPORT
RESPONSIBILITY
FELLOWSHIP...

My Tribute to British Columbia

My 'Ursa Minor : Little Dipper's Sticky Paws' blanket is my tribute to my beautiful home, British Columbia, Canada. This blanket is the first in my series, 'Welcome Baby Canada'.

Embellishing my Ursa Minor BC Blanket

Having a perfect creative day adding faux button trim to my Ursa Minor baby blanket. Inspiration from the amazing Button Blankets made by BC's First Nation's peoples. My blanket, featuring the Kermode/Spirit Bear infuses BC heritage, culture and history and is my tribute to my beloved British Columiba, Canada! XOX

Newspaper Highlighting my Design Win

After gainig my composure after Debbie Bliss informed me that I was selected as the First Place winner of her Baby Blanket Design Competition, The Burnaby NOW newspaper so kindly did a feature on me. It's nice to cheer on local Canadian talent :)

Aruna Wins First Place Debbie Bliss' International Knit Design Contest

In the spring of 2013, Aruna was awarded first place in an International Knit Design competition run by British Knitting Guru--Debbie Bliss. The challenge was to design a baby blanket using Debbie's yarn. Aruna melded her passion for culture and chose a Russian Doll theme and coupled it with her love affair with haberdashery & embellishments-- adding embroidery, lace and pom pom trim. Her blanket along with the 2nd to 10th place blankets were donated to Debbie's favourite charity.

Why the Thimble?

What does a thimble have to do with knitting, you may ask? Well, my little Knitting Fairy mascot wears a thimble on her head to honour my Granny. She was a sweet Caribbean woman who had a fabric and haberdashery store. I have many fond memories drooling over all the buttons, elastic, thread and other haberdashery she kept under her glass countertops. Many amazing outfits flew off her peddle Singer machine -- with NO pattern whatsoever! Hmmm, wonder where I got my love of textiles for? I love you Granny! XOX

Premiere HC Kids Worksheet and Charity Project

In 2015, I launched Haberdash Couture Kids. My goal was to inspire kids to '...knit for humanity, friendship & fun!' I created 2 charaters, called Coco & Sebastian and designed this premiere activty worksheet to launch our first charity project called Itty Bitty Blankets. We knitted tiny paper sized blankets for pre-mature babies in the hospital. I was in literally in heaven collaborating with local yarn stores, knitting clubs in local libraries and schools, teaching kids how to knit for charity! XOX

HC Kids Outreach Program

Inspiring kids to use their creativity to create positive change is so vitally important to me. Here I am with my students who took my Knitting For Charity class at John Knox Christian Elementary School, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. We made paper sized mini blankets and encouraged the public to make some too. We recieved hundreds of knitted donations! Here we are at the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at Royal Columiban Hospital dropping off our mini blankets and getting to peek at these tiny, tiny precious little babies!

Project Love Struck

My second Haberdash Couture Kids Worksheet and Charity Project. Here I rendered Coco and Sebastian in a slighlty different way wearing hats adorned with hearts. I encourage kids and the general public to knit my Lovestruck Baby Hats which were then embellished with crocheted hearts. These little hats were donated to St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. So great to once again collaborate with local schools, local knit clubs and libraries and local yarn stores to make this charity project such as success!

Pinky Promise Pouch

One of the SUPER EASY patterns in my No Tears, Only Squares Series. This project teaches you how to convert a knitted rectangular into a felted scalloped pouch. You will also learn various embroiery stitches. What a special gift this would make!

Amazing Anne!

Amazing Anne from Tommy Douglas Library had the brilliant idea to start Knit2Gether montly meetups. Now trailblazing in Yellowknife, our wonderful new organizer is the fabulous June Joe! Thank you June!

Vintage Jack

I loooove designing knits that combine vintage elements. This Halloween sweater combines old fashioned stars, a vintage jack-o-lantern and pointy edging to mimic an old fashioned banner. Vintage Jack is sure to be a keepsake garment for any baby.

Tattered Rose

Ripped fabric takes on a new life as a tattered rose.

Shabby-licious Satchel

One of my patterns in my No Tears, Only Squares Series. If you are new to knitting, this step-by-step series is a great place to start!

Haberdashery Heaven

I love experimenting with various trims in my Knit Lab. You never know what you'll create!

Knit2Gether Library Group

Having a 'ball' of fun at our monthly Knit2Gether gathering at Tommy Douglas Library in Burnaby. Obession with yarn brings us together!

Mr and Mrs Hoot Workshop Kits

I still get excited putting together fun knitting kits for my students filled with delicious yarn, needle and haberdashery goodies!

Our Knitted Owls!

What a blast we had out in the country in Fort Langley, BC, knitting up a bunch of Mr & Mrs Hoots. Good times!

Love Pop

Knitted hearts are easy to make when you combine it with origami! A few folds here and there and--TA DA--you have a heart! Add a few embellishments, including torn fabric with iron on transfers, and you have a little piece of rustic charm.

Kids Love Pops Workshop

Learning to knit can be daunting and frustrating, to say the least. A Love Pops Workshop is just the antedote! :)

Learning How To Knit

Way back when my son was not a teenage basketball player, he used to actually accompany me at our local library's Knit2Gether gatherings. Here is a photo of little son, Aryn, probably about 7 years old, teaching a newcomer how to knit.

Knit India Kit

My HC Kids: Knit India World Knit Kit ready to be shipped. Ribbon yarn made from saris in India employing widows who would otherwise not have a source of income to support their families. Makes a fun and vibrant arm knitted scarf!

Knitted Square to Beautiful Flower?!

You betcha! I LOVE thinking of ways to use knitting in different ways! In my No Tears, Only Squares series of patterns, I show you how to convert a simple knitted square into all sorts of neat things. Here we have a flower! Let you knitting BLOOM!

TV Demonstrations

1999-2000: Headed back to my birth county of Trinidad & Tobago on a mission to inspire my fellow Caribbean people to do what comes so naturally to them--CREATE! Here I am with television host Allyson Hennessy. She invited me to her show several times to demonstrate creative DIY projects people could do at home. What an honour!

STAR STUNNED

STAR STUNNED! What an absolute honour to be invited to Trinidad and Tobago's leading contemporary painter, Boscoe Holder's home to talk about some of our favourite subjects -- art, native handicrafts and Caribbean culture! Boscoe Holder had a celebrated international career spanning six decades as a designer and visual artist, dancer, choreographer and musician.