HOW TO MAKE A GIFT BOX

                           

Making a gift box is very simple. You can easily make a box using the method given below and use your creativity to make it look attractive. The whole process would just take about 15 minutes.

The gift box I have shown here has a length=5", breadth=2", thickness=1". I have then painted it using poster colours.

Basically to make one such box, you would need the following

Chart paper or any other thick paper
Gum or fevicol
Scissors
Inch tape or scale
Pencils

Method

1. Roughly measure the size of the gift for which you are making the box. Add at least 1” to the measurements to ensure that the gift goes in easily and completely.

2. Using the basic pattern given below, and following the measurements taken, mark lines on the reverse side of the chart paper.

Here

a to b = length
a to c = breadth
c to d = thickness
k to h = a to c
i to j = breadth-1”
f to g = length-1”
b to h = thickness

3. After marking the lines, cut the chart paper following the outermost line. It is one single piece. Since the measurements taken might be different from the one given here, the shape of the box will be different and hence the shapes of the side flaps have to be adjusted accordingly.

4. Once the pattern has been cut, fold along the horizontal lines and glue the extra flap abfg with lm such that the box gets its perfect rectangular shape. Fold along the flaps and check if the box closes properly.

Your box is now ready. Insert your gift and check if it fits properly. You can also use paints, sequins, beads, gift wrappers, colour papers, glass paper, ribbons or any other kind of decorative items to make it look good. This will not only increase the appeal of the box but will also add a personal touch to it.

OTHER KAMEEZ PATTERNS

There  are several different patterns of kameez/ kurti. I have discussed a few basic patterns in my earlier post and in this post, I am sharing some more Indian kameez patterns.


1. Shoulder kalli

      This type of kameez resembles the princess cut in volume and design. The only difference is that the joints start from the shoulders and not the arms.

2. Neck gathering

      This type of kameez has gatheings at the neck and the dress is quite loose. Hence a belt or band is tied around the waist.

3. Overlapping

      Here one part of the top overlaps the other upto the waist or fully. It can be either real overlapping or false overlapping with a small opening at the neck.

4. Kameez with kallis

      In this type, 2 or more kallis ( extra pieces ) are added to increase the volume of the dress at the lower part.

5. Kameez with yoke

      Yoke is an extra piece that is stitched at the neck area. It is usually embroidered and has different shapes and patterns. 

 6. Kameez with gatherings

      In this type of kameez the upper part is same as A line kameez whereas the lower part has slight gatherings a few inches below the hips.

      This type of kameez is usually short and has gathers a few inches below the the hips.

     
      This type has gatherings at the top and is slightly loose because of the gathers. Hence it is usually stitched with a thin material to reduce the volume and create a flowing effect.

     
      These three types of kameez are usually worn with churidhars.

BASIC TYPES OF KAMEEZ / KURTA

Depending on the design and cut, there are different types of kameez. I am giving below some of the basic types.

1. Normal straight cut

      This is the basic type of kameez which is worn both long and short with normal salwars, churidhars and patiyalas. It goes well with almost every type of salwar. It has slits on both the sides.

                             

2. A line cut

      As the name suggests it has cut which resembles the letter A. This type of kameez is usually worn long with salwar or churidhar.

                               

3. Anarkali

      This is the most stylish type of kameez, which is worn with churidhars. It has gatherings (frills) at the waist or slightly above the waist.

                                     

4. Princess cut

      This type of kameez is cut in such a way such that it is fitting at the top and has volume much higher than an A line kameez at the bottom. It is also usually worn with churidhars.

                                    

5. Kameez with front opening

      In this type of kameez, either there is a full front opening with hooks or buttons or a fake opening in which there is an opening only for about 5" or 6" and the rest is stitched. It usually has a slit at the front. This type of kameez is often worn with parallel pants. But it also goes well with churidhars, salwars and patiyalas. Kameez with collars too are stitched with a front opening.

                                          

Refer Other kameez patterns for more kameez designs and patterns.

FRIED POTATO GRAVY

This is the result of the cooking experiment I did recently. I used many ingredients just to see how they taste together. The end product was really good and surpassed my expectations.

Serves: 4
Ingredients

3 medium potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
1 tomato roughly cut
1 onion roughly cut
1 tbsp sesame seeds (til)
1 tbsp fennel seeds (sounf)
2 red chillies
2 tbsp oil
½ tsp cumin seeds
A pinch of asafoetida
1 ½ tbsp gram flour (besan)
2 tbsp coconut paste
½ cup yoghurt
½ tbsp garlic paste
½ tbsp ginger paste
2 tbsp coriander powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
¾ tsp red chilli powder
¾ tsp garam masala
Salt
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves


Method

First heat a pan and roast the sesame seeds. Close a lid otherwise they will sputter out. Once done, set aside in a bowl. Then roast the red chillies. When they have cooled down, deseed them and add them to the bowl. Now grind the fennel seeds, cut pieces of onion and tomato, and the roasted sesame seeds and red chillies into a fine paste and set aside.

Then heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat and fry the potatoes till they are slightly golden in colour. Remove on a tissue paper to absorb the excess oil.

Then heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, asafoetida and gram flour. Mix well. Then add garlic and ginger paste and sauté for some time. Then add the grounded paste, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder and salt. Mix well and cook for about a minute. Now add yoghurt, coconut paste, garam masala powder, coriander leaves and about 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. When it has started boiling, add the potatoes and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes on medium heat, then reduce the heat, close a lid and let it cook for about 10 minutes. Serve hot with chapathi.