Sewing

Little Stories – Threads, Tones, and Textures

Posted on August 6, 2026
by Soma Acharya
Outside The Lines, Paintings, Photography, Sewing

I am a very happy girl whenever I get to deep dive. Not only did I figure out the geometry of a triangular pencil case and how to draft the pattern for it, I also pulled out my sewing machine and promptly stitched one afterwards. For another Outside the Lines art supply review, I painted this same picture twice, so I could compare the behavior of paint on both cold press and hot press watercolor paper first-hand. I am excited to share more about sewing and painting along with another set of black and white everyday photos.

Cracking the Code of The Pencil Case

I really wanted to sew a pencil case for myself. It would have been easy to follow one of the myriad patterns out there, but I wanted to understand the 3-D geometry of a triangular pencil case so I could draft a pattern for any size. After drawing and playing with the lines and angles on scrap paper and building a little model pyramid from the mini pattern cut-out, I had my math for the project.

Fabric pulled and pattern drawn out, I set about sewing.

I followed a sewing tutorial for the triangle box corner. I really, really did not like the little “pockets” it originally created in the left photo. So off I went to stare at the stitched pieces until I came up with an idea. Since this was at midnight, I grudgingly decided to go to bed. Next day, after a couple of tries, I found the correct seam line that avoids the “pockets”. Now my little case looks like the right picture. I am just glad I did not tear any fabric while continuously undoing the stitches until I got what I wanted.

I used a piece of faux leather for the bottom, and was happy to see that it stitched up just like fabric without even changing my needle. I love the bi-color case.

Now I am all set with my new sketchbooks and my brand new pencil case. One note – the case tapers toward the top, so longer pens and pencils need to sit at the bottom. Otherwise it holds my plethora of pens and pencils easily. It measures 8.0″ x 3.0″ with a depth of 2.0″. Next time I will make it a little longer for my Tombow markers.

Life in Black & White – Simple 365 Set 16

I took black and white photos over a year. Time had rolled into October during this set. That is the time I can finally head outside after spending long months at home.

That year though, it was different. So all the photos are from around the home. Things that remind me to be happy. Greens from the garden, art supplies (of course), little notes and cards that bookshops sent me with my orders, and so on.

I dabble with making fruit and herbal wine, so last of the mint got collected for a new batch of wine.

Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.

I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. That way I can relive my journey through the year via black and white photos, like in an old photo album.

These two are stylized paintings of my cats. My vet contacted me for a set of prints of these paintings that he wanted for his collection. In these photos I am preparing the prints for framing.

I really like the black and white versions of them. The contrast surprised me.

Outside The Lines

The Two Textures of Hot Press and Cold Press

Although I paint with almost everything under the sun, I am in love with watercolor. There are two kinds of watercolor papers – cold press (CP) and hot press (HP). The difference is mostly the texture, which makes the paper behave differently.

I mostly use the textured CP paper for my paintings. However, occasionally I reach for the smoother HP paper. I often found myself wondering: what is the real difference?!

So I set out to paint the same painting twice, side by side. Same colors applied the same exact way.

Painted on hot press paper

Because of the smoother surface, HP paper tends to be lighter and gentler. This paper can’t be overworked like CP paper. So it needs a more sure hand.

Paint sits more uniformly on the smooth surface, so it looks more even.

Painted on cold press paper

I work on very wet paper and I continuously layer my paints until I get the color intensity I’m looking for. CP paper is much hardier, so it is a much better choice for me.

The texture of the CP paper is a bit temperamental with paint. The ridges and valleys hold on to paint unevenly, resulting in a more unexpected yet dramatic look.

I got much sharper lines and edges on the HP paper. Because of the smoother surface, the paint does look a bit more brilliant. Although, I hasten to add, you really have to try to see the difference.

CP paper creates a much softer edge. The texture of the paper makes the colors look a bit mellower.

When I painted the face of the fairy, I had to be super mindful to avoid the wobble of the brush as it went over the rougher surface of the CP paper.

My Takeaway

CP paper – Hard-wearing, softer outlines, and temperamental with paint. The result is not always very predictable, but that is the nature of watercolor anyway.
HP paper – Gentler, sharper outlines, more predictable paint dispersion. I found it provides a bit more control. It also stays wet longer, even in our dry California climate.

I used Arches 100% cotton paper for these paintings.

Owl and The Autumn Fairy – At The Hollow

A Little Story

All summer I wait for the Orion constellation to show up in the night sky. The idea of the owl and the fairy came from that. Each of the four fairies come to visit their owl friend when they wake up at the beginning of each season. Here, the Autumn Fairy is very happy to find her friend at the Hollow. First of many visits.

It will be a while before I can step outside comfortably without having to worry about breathing. I am looking forward to the first sighting of my perpetual sky friend.

Until next time,
-Soma

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them. Hosts of linky parties – please grab a photo of your choice for your party. Thank you for hosting!

Little Stories – A Girl Who Loves Trees

Posted on May 27, 2026
by Soma Acharya
Bookmaking, Photography, Quilting, Sewing, The Girl And Her Cat

I walk and run amongst trees while foraging and collecting. At home, I spend time experimenting with the finds, as well as learning about tree lore. Much of what I am sharing today is from that world of mine – photos, quilting, pigment making, as well as another set of Simple365 b&w photos of my everyday life.

Simple 365 – Set 15

A set of Simple365 photos from a year of everyday black and white photos. Time had rolled into October during this set. That is the time I can finally head outside after spending long months at home.

That year though, it was different. So all the photos are from around the home. Things that remind me to be happy.

Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.

I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. That way I can relive my journey through the year via black and white photos, like in an old photo album.

Right around that time, I hurt my right hand so badly that I could not hold a pencil for more than 2 minutes. The thought of permanently losing the ability to draw made me afraid enough to start drawing using my left hand. I could do the large shapes, but no detail work. Thankfully, after much time and effort, I got the use of my right hand back.

Many, many months later, The Dragon and His Boy became a painting. By that time I had started making my own books.

This was the very first 3″ x 4″ book I made. This shade of green spoke to me of old lands with tree and dragon lore. The first painting of the Dragon and his Boy is special. I painted it with the inks I got for my birthday.

This little boy can befriend dragons very easily. While everyone else thinks he has special powers of making dragons listen to him, he would tell you that it is he who listens to them. Dragons always have such fascinating stories to tell.

I am never short of ideas when it comes to dragons and trees. Add a dragon to a tree and I came up with The Dragon And The Tree painting along with a little budding story in my head.

Read how I painted this one here –

The Dragon And The Tree

There is a beautiful rugged park where I live. I love going there for long walks that are interspersed with short runs. My park visits have come to a halt for now due to severe allergies. In the fall and winter months though, I make the most of my time there. This magnificent oak tree has always greeted me.

We had a few major winter storms here. When I visited afterward, I was very sad to see the fallen tree. Around here in the parks, we usually keep the trees where they fall so wildlife and plants can continue to grow around it. There is some comfort in that knowledge. The sky was full of dramatic light that day, and I couldn’t help but take of a photo of this tree. Still beautiful, but in a different way.

At home, I spend my time working with things that I collect during my time outside. After extensive experiments with making pigments from flowers, I turned my focus onto things that have tannin in them.

Our backyard redwood tree sheds cones very readily. I started off with using them to make pigment. Eventually, the experiments turned toward finding out effects of pH and iron on tannin-based pigments.

I also made pigments from dye that I had previously made using walnut husks from our black walnut tree. So now I have five beakers full of tannin-based pigments in the works. I am keeping notes of each step. I love to play and tinker.

I am also making major progress on my Garden Path quilt. I finished sewing all the blocks together, but then got stuck trying to find the “just right” fabric for the rest of the quilt.

I love Morris Brown designs, and was delighted when I found out that they are available as fabrics. The whole quilt was inspired by visiting gardens in England and Scotland. I couldn’t think of a more fitting set of fabrics to finish off my quilt.

I got honeysuckle for the border, oak for the back, and poppy for the binding. The backing is pieced, the batting has arrived, and I am ready to put it all together.

This painting of the Girl and Her Cat is from a book that is solely about their journey through a world of trees and flowers. I really love how close they are sitting together under that large tree, admiring the bluebells.

Trees have always created a place of solitude and comfort for me. I can’t imagine my life without them. I am just a girl who really loves her trees (and mountains. Preferably together). I hope you get to spend a little time with them regularly as well.

-Soma

P.S. I hurt my shoulder. My replies to the comments and visiting you back might be a bit delayed due to that. I apologize.

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them. Hosts of linky parties – please grab a photo of you choice for your party. Thank you for hosting!