Jennifer Perkins is a kitsch enthusiast and lover of gluing stuff to stuff living in Austin, TX. 

She has worked with brands like Michaels, HGTV, Amazon, Hulu and more creating creative content.  

Through the years she has hosted 2 different craft TV shows, authored 5 books and been profiled everywhere from Country Living to CNN. 

Travel and art journaling are her two main passions and she has taught countless students how to make their own junk journals, create unique papers and use unexpected found items in their works.  

Jennifer loves teaching around the United States and is now planning to take the crafty show on the road to India with Creative Arts Safaris.  

Arrive to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive - day or night. 

There is no programme on Arrivals Day - our guests come from all over the world.

Sightseeing Delhi and gently easing our way into India. 

Lakshmi Narayan Temple- you always visit the Gods before a new undertaking and this temple, built by the Industrialist Birla in the 1930’s has a lovely feel. To the left of the main temple is a small description of the significance of the sacred swastika, it is an important Hindu symbol which is good to grasp at the outset as you see it everywhere and it can be a shock for Westerners (and the true depth of perversion of the Nazi’s use of it can be understood).

Raj Ghat- to pay our respects at the cremation site of Gandhi, the beloved hero of India. xx  

And a chance for people watching.

Old Delhi — a deep dive into the city’s  heart. We’ll explore the magnificent Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site built for Emperor Shah Jahan by the master architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori — the same genius behind the Taj Mahal.

Lunch will be at a beautifully renovated mansion tucked into the laneways of Chandni Chowk, fortified with delicious food we will explore the haberdashery bazaar and the secong hand book market looking for inspiration and materials to use.

Jennifer will host an introductory session this afternoon.

Tonight, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner to celebrate the journey ahead and the creative adventures we’ll share

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Off to Agra this morning to visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, the ‘jewel box’ of Mughal architecture. 

This afternoon we’ll enjoy a session with Jennifer in the hotel garden.

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Early morning today - off to visit the Taj Mahal before the crowds arrive.

Then heading to Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve.

We'll arrive in time for an afternoon safari, we can't promise to see a tiger but we have often beenn lucky over the years and it is always fun to try.

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Just in case you want to go again we have an early morning jeep safaris booked to look for tigers.

We return for breakfast at our Safari Camp and then on the road to Jaipur.

Coming into Jaipur we pass Sanganir Village, a great place to stop to visit a paper factory - they turn fabric offcouts from the textile industry into handmade paper.

Jennifer was excited at the idea of supplies!

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Get ready for it - we are hitting the Main Bazaar in Jaipur - are they ready for it? 

haberdashery, bling, bibs and bobs, what will you find?

Lunch at the Anokhi Cafe and a quicj visit to beautiful Nila House before we head back to the hotel and workshop time with Jen.

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We will arrive in Pushkar in time for lunch and an afternoon to explore the Market - Pushkar is relaxed and calls for you to poke around and explore.

Join Jen at our hotel to work on your notebooks in the afternoon.

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In the mornig we will visit The Stitching Project, the wooden blocks you designed in the lead up to the tour will be ready and waiting.

Particiapte in a block print workshop,  plunder the offcuts pile, there will be silk offcuts, sari braid and naturally dyed khadi fabrics to rummage and learn how a small workshop works.

Lunch with team before we haad off to Japiur for the evening.

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Off to Anokhi Museum of Blockprint in a beautiful, restored Haveli/Mansion.

Nearby is an Escher-like Stepwell to check out.

We have a beautiful spot to stay for the night, in a restored Fort.

There is time to explore, relax by the pool and finish your workshop with Jennifer

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Late checkout, some places you don't want to leave.

Then up to Delhi, afternoon free.

Farewell Dinner - let's share a dinner together and celebrate new friendships, a stimulating workshop and travels through exotic Rajasthani India.

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Departures from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India

We'll drop you to your flight any time night or day.

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Materials List and Preparations - stay tuned.

You will recive instructions upon booking in to design a wooden block [size 15 x 15cm / 6 in x 6 in] it will bhe carved and ready for you to collect and use at The Stitching Project and then take home with you.

Physical Fitness for Sightseeing 

This adventure is crafted for enthusiastic, active travellers with a good general level of health and mobility.

To make the most of your experience, you’ll need to be comfortable walking for 3–4 hours a day — sometimes over uneven ground, up hills, and climbing a few flights of stairs.

You may also find yourself getting in and out of local transport and navigating the occasional over-the-bath shower.

If you enjoy a bit of daily movement and love discovering new places on foot, you’ll thrive on this tour.

Just a friendly heads-up: we need to walk at an average pace - it will not be suitable for those who prefer a slow pace or need frequent rest stops.

Etiquette

• Be mindful when taking photos, especially in temples, on the ghats, or in private spaces. Always consider how you’d feel with a camera in your face. 

• That said, many Indian people love a good selfie—say hello, ask politely, show them the photo, and then ask if you can take one of them. Works a charm.

• Learning a few local courtesies in the language of the region is always appreciated.

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Food

Food is a huge part of culture, and we’re there to try it all. For group meals, we usually order a range of dishes to share, exploring local specialties as we go.

Indian food is cooked from scratch with fresh ingredients, so it’s usually easy to keep track of what’s in your meal. Manufactured products (soy milk, faux meats, etc.) aren’t common.

• Vegetarian – very easy

• Vegan – possible, but a little more challenging

• Chilli-free – not really possible, but we can order mild

• Onion/garlic-free – tricky

• Wheat-free – generally easy

Remember, for Indian cooks “no chilli” feels like “please don’t breathe”—but they’ll do their best!

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Health

Drink only filtered or bottled water—never from the tap, even for brushing your teeth.

Stay hydrated: aim for at least 2 litres of water a day. You’ll feel better and be less likely to get a wobbly tummy.

• See your doctor or a travel medicine specialist before you leave.

• Bring enough medications for the whole trip plus copies of your prescriptions.

• Menstrual products: tampons can be hard to find; pads are readily available.

And don’t forget bug spray.

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Money

• KNOW YOUR CARD PIN—ATMs will not accept tap.

• There are ATMs everywhere, and it’s easy to withdraw cash once you have your PIN.

Tell your bank you’re travelling so they don’t block your card for “unusual activity.”

• Travel cards can be handy, but check they work before you leave. Many guests have had good luck with Wise cards.

Have a backup card tucked away in your suitcase.

• Cash is good as a backup but can be tricky to exchange at a fair rate—ask at the hotel desk.

• Credit cards: less widely accepted, and sometimes incur extra fees.

Currency: Indian Rupee.

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Shopping

There will be treasures! Shopping supports the local economy.

If you know you’re interested in something (carpets, spices, textiles), do a little research—knowing prices back home helps.

Bargaining is the norm in markets. If you’re not experienced, Google a few tips and go in with a smile.

NGOs and social enterprises are usually fixed-price.

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Suitcase

A medium normal-sized suitcase plus a fold-up soft bag for extras works best. Big cases are hard to manoeuvre on the bus.

Recommended size for a medium suitcase:

60–70 cm (H) × 40–50 cm (W) × 25–30 cm (D)

or 24–28" × 16–20" × 10–12"

It’s not easy to buy decent luggage at the last minute on the road.

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Weather

Days are warm; mornings and evenings can be cool. Layers are your friend. A cardigan and socks are often appreciated.

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Power

Power is 240V. European two-pin adaptors are most useful.

The older Indian three-prong plugs are now rarely seen.

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Clothing

Lightweight, loose layers are ideal. Three or four outfits are usually enough, and you’ll find plenty to buy along the way.

A scarf is always useful—for cool air-con, temple visits, modesty, sun protection.

For temples, mosques, and other religious sites, wear long trousers or a mid-calf skirt and bring a scarf to cover your head if needed. Otherwise they’ll lend you a cover-up… and it’s usually a polyester sack!

Aim for modest tops: no cleavage. Midriff is surprisingly fine—just look at the aunties in saris!

Leave expensive jewellery at home.

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Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes—sneakers or well-strapped sandals—are essential. Footpaths can be uneven and you’ll be too busy looking around to watch every step.

A pair of rubber thongs/flip-flops is great for bathrooms.

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Laundry

Any two-night stay is a perfect time to send laundry out. Indian laundry is a joy—washed and ironed, and I’ve never lost a thing.

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Fitness

We get on and off the minibus every day. Markets, monuments, and towns all beg to be explored.

You should be comfortable walking for an hour or two, and expect some steps.

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• Begging

In general, please don’t encourage begging. Avoid giving lollies, pens, or treats to children—it creates a begging mentality. If you’d like to donate items, we can pass them to a school.

• There’s no pension system: giving a few coins to an elderly or disabled person is a kind and appreciated gesture.

• If you love interacting with kids, a friendly chat, joke, or shared moment is far better than a gift.

• OR bring a bubble blower - bubbles floating through the air are a universal language of joy.

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Tipping

Tipping is customary. Keep small notes handy:

• 20–50 INR for small services (bags, room service, laundry delivery)

• Around 100 INR for guides, performers, or street photo models

Please also set something aside for our driver - they keep us safe on the roads.

As a guide, think US$2–3 per person per day. Often a group volunteer organises a thank-you at the end of the trip.

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Environment

Tread lightly: conserve water and electricity, and carry your rubbish out where possible.

Say NO to plastic.

Please bring a cloth shopping bag.