Looking back at 2014 and Looking forward...

 2015 is off to a flying start but of course looking back is so necessary. Last year was incredibly busy  for me. Mr S took a contract working in India and I found myself really struggling to make my work life balance work with the kids. I would be a wreck by Friday and while I love what I do I knew things had to change for this to work for me. 

We ran the first ever Sewing Camp which was amazing, I really got a feel for teaching in a different atmosphere, a completely different vibe. We traveled a lot which was amazing, India and my block printing adventure :)which I blogged about, seeing the Taj Mahal. Sri Lanka, to see family and attend weddings then Disney in Florida which was amazing and really allowed us all to spend quality time together. I met my old college friends, got to meet their kids and had a wonderful time with my cousins and family, people I did not know growing up. I got to meet some incredible people, visit the most amazing places and see some wonderful things. What a year... 

I listed all my goals for 2015, something I am sure all of us do and I found that growing Seams So Easy and my personal sewing were on the agenda. Knowing what did not work for me last year really helped shape my choices and so I hired an admin person to help me with all the nitty gritty work that is so necessary but takes up too much of my time. I have also started the process of hiring teachers and looking at new schools and other venues. The list is endless but once this is all done I would have made the changes I need to make this work for me.. There are plans for an Easter Sewing Camp with a wonderful host of projects and new sewing, dyeing and quilting ideas...so here's to 2015 being an amazing year for all of us...

Taj Mahal and Agra...

Mr S is working in Mumbai on a project and I used the opportunity to visit this amazing place. I remember coming to Mumbai when I was pregnant with Master A which seems like a life time ago. I do remember feeling that it was a special place even then. This time we visited Agra and Taj Mahal which is simply amazing to see.

This is the view from the Agra fort of the TM. Shah Jehan built the Taj Mahal at the request of his dying wife. He built a monument that has survived over time. The marble is luminescent and seems to glow in the moonlight. The work decorating he Taj is all done out of precious stones, cut and inlaid into flowers and this is why it took as long as it did to construct. The structure is perfectly symmetrical in every aspect except the two tombs which are different sizes. This was the view he had, taken from his balcony. I found this view and aspect the best.

One of the entrance arches which has carved inlaid work at the top and over the door. 

Impressive when you realize that the marble is carved to size and the precious stones cut to fit exactly, no grout at all :) 

View of the side enterace

Master and Miss were very good considering how hot it was, even at 6 pm! 

The Islamic star and diamond motifs are all over the monument, the ceilings, the fretwork and the floor. 

The Agra fort was also an amazing place to visit. I honestly enjoyed it more than I did the Taj Mahal, the amazing carvings and fun playful nature of a lived in fort is wonderful. The Indian Army still occupies part of the fort and therefore only 15% of it can be seen. I found myself simply enjoying the views and the amazing rooms. 

Amazing place to visit. i wish I had more time and it was a different time of year as the 36 degree dry heat was very tiring.. I am very glad though that I had the time to make this amazing trip.