Varalakshmi Ammavaru Alankarana and DIY Flowers Backdrop 2022

 

This is that time of the year, Sravana Masam is here to keep us all busy with all the lovely festivals lined up until the end of November

For this year Varalakshmi Vratam, I chose pastels as my palette and decided to bring lots of subtle colors together to elevate my Ammavaru.

I wanted to keep the backdrop simple yet elegant.

DIY Flowers with Sola wood flowers and foam boards:

Sola wood Flowers: I bought all the below flowers for this DIY

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07BHFRDFF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08W4J3DH4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08W4JTWXR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08W4JTDXH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Foam Boards: I picked yellow for this DIY

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Canvas-Art-Surfaces/Foam-Board/Yellow-Foam-Board---20%22-x-30%22/p/101654

Gold Metallic Sheet for stems:

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Party-Baking/Gift-Wrap/Wrapping-Paper/Gold-Foil-Gift-Wrap/p/57751

Process:

Step 1: Draw an outline of flowers, buds, leaves and birds on the foam board

Step 2: Cut them using a hand knife in a shape

Step 3: Using hot glue gun, start sticking the flowers by mixing nice colors to give it a vibrant look

Step 4: After all the cutouts are ready with flowers stuck on them, draw an outline of stems on the foam board cut them in a shape and stick the gold metallic sheet on it.

Step 5: Now place the flowers buds on the stem and stick them, the birds can be scattered on the backdrop 

Step 6: How to stick them on panels: I used zip ties to secure them on the panels, but you can also try using twine or two sided gum tape.

TADA.. the customized DIY backdrop is ready, This can be done in different shapes and designs matching the theme of your decor, if you need a perfection in the design you can use a stencil instead of free hand drawing.

Diving into the details of the backdrop, I picked cream hydrangeas panels as a base, I used 20 panels which covered about 8X8 ft area which is most of the space behind the idol.

Cream Hydrangeas Panels: I bought them from tablecloth factory but amazon also has them

https://tableclothsfactory.com/products/11-sq-ft-4-panels-uv-protected-hydrangea-flower-wall-mat-backdrop-cream?variant=1529963151375

https://www.amazon.com/Enova-Home-Artificial-Hydrangea-Decoration/dp/B091PCXDCJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=1YJS8ZOJN0GLR&keywords=cream+hydrangea+artificial+flower+panels&qid=1660263280&sprefix=cream+hydrangea+artificial+flower+panels%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-4

Pink flowers on either sides of the panels: I bought them from Amazon India

https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/B08W9YG3FW?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Hanging Lotus: They are from Amazon India, if you are local you can try them at home center

https://www.amazon.in/Home-Centre-Corsica-Hanging-Standard/dp/B0922S8KZT/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B0922S8KZT&psc=1

Lotus Stands next to Ammavaru: Amazon India

https://www.amazon.in/AGAAS-ENTERPRISES-Decoration-Showpiece-Festival/dp/B082SX8RZ4/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=1AIS50HGF6HUO&keywords=lotus+stands+for+home+decoration&qid=1660268947&sprefix=lotus+stabd%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-7

Banana Leaves: Hobby Lobby

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Floral-Wedding/Flower-Stems/Banana-Leaf-Stem/p/80925074

The Gold Faux Leather Fabric on the steps:  Source: Joann

https://www.joann.com/keepsake-calico-cotton-fabric-shimmer-foil-white-gold/16951212.html 

Prabhavali:  Source: Amazon.in

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09BD2DC3W/?coliid=I3RU0KV4RF0UI6&colid=1VA1ADWJVQVAU&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Ammavaru Alankarna:

Everything I used to make the Ammavaru: 

1. Ammavaru Doll:  Source: Amazon.in

I bought mine from Amazon.in as it is convenient from me to select and purchase the one I want. If your family can shop for you, you can get these from Begum Bazaar Hyderabad or other novelty stores, for folks in the US you can buy them in temple novelty stores, most of them will have these dolls.

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07TJ62ZL2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

2. New Saree:  Source: Amazon.in

Believe it or not, even the saree I got was from Amazon.in, I just loved the color and decided that this is it and I'm buying it. Loved how the whole look turned out.

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B01LZZZ3VO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3. Ammavaru Face:  Source: DESI DIY

The most important of the whole set up I would say, bought this gorgeous buddha Ammavaru face from Divya, which comes with a pair of earrings, bottu (3 sizes) and mukkera(1 piece)

Contact: contactdesidiy@gmail.com

4. Ammavaru Crown

The ammavaru kereetam was from Amazon.in as well, I used rubber bands to fix it over the top , to give it a koppu shape I used bubble wrap and covered it with felt fabric, to cover the pink portion above the forehead I used a sparkly gold ribbon and wrapped it around.

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08V193TT4/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

5. Ammavaru Jewelry:  Source: Amazon.in

I used all my gold jewelry to do my ammavaru alankaranam except the thali, I bought the Thali Mangalasutra from Amazon.in.

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08F3PTVC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

6. Ammavaru Hands and Legs with accessories:  Source: Amazon.in

Since the saree covers the legs of the existing doll, I bought pair of both hands and legs, they ran a bit small, so I suggest browsing more to see if the one that you are planning to buy are big enough for your idol.

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07FYKH992/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Hands with Lotus and Legs with Stones are also from Amazon.in

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08WPXGJVB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09B7LRSMJ/?coliid=I21MXJHHASZ5AT&colid=1VA1ADWJVQVAU&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

7.  Ammavaru Jada:  Source: Amazon.in

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B01M4KRF6W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

8. Ammavaru Bhujalu:  Source: Amazon.in

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B099FGP4Y8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

9. Ammavaru Mala around the shoulders:  Source: Vivek Flowers

https://pin.it/3M3kNw6

https://vivekflowers.com/english/pooja-garland-pg-16.html