Fruitful Fusion: May 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009

just wip-ping through!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I have three projects that I'm alternating between. One is getting a little boring but needs to be finished off soon. The other two are also needed in the next few days so I really need to get them done.

Here's one ...

Is it obvious what it is?

And two ...

You can guess what this is going to become, right?

And finally three ...

Do you want to take a guess?

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

'eid in algeria

Previously posted on the other blog.

It's been a long time since I've posted anything as I've been away, and upon returning our internet connection hasn't been so good. I hope everyone had a good Eid ul Adha and made the most of 'Ashoora too (time flies)! As for my being abroad, I will in sha Allah post some journal entries of my trip:

29th December 2006 - 9th Dhul Hijjah 1427

We are in the land of home-made couscous and freshly baked breads of various types. We are in a land that is proud of its olive oil and Deglet Nour dates. And what a treat it is to break the fast with one of those. We are in Algeria.
Having made our first and previous trip to Algiers (the capital city) in the summer, I really wasn't expecting the cold to be this cold! Maybe I've been spoilt by the Jeddah heat! Now that the worst of my 'flu is over Alhamdulillah, I'm looking forward to making the most of the rest of our time here. Today we watched the hujjaaj gathering at 'Arafah, on TV, and then leaving to go to Muzdalifah after Maghrib. As my mother-in-law reminisced her time there a few years ago, I too privately missed being there as I was last year. What a wonderful experience it is. May Allah accept the Hajj of the pilgrims.
The children had an exciting time today as they had gone with their father, grandfather and uncle to buy 2 sheep (definitely not an everyday occurrence for them). They had been waiting for the sheep for days and they know full well what will happen tomorrow in accordance with the sunnah of our Messenger in sha Allah.

30th December 2006 - 10th Dhul Hijjah 1427

Today I can say "Been there. Done that," as far as udh-hiya goes. We started off the day by going to the mosque a little while after Fajr. It was a usual Muslim affair. But, having experienced the Eid prayer in the slightly snobby Rawdah district of Jeddah and amongst my reserved British sisters, this was different. There I was with my 2 daughters, a complete stranger in this country but I was greeted by many of the women with their traditional "Saha 'Eidkum" and "taqabal Allahu minna wa minkum".

Upon returning home and greeting the rest of the family, preparations were made to begin the slaughtering. This was a completely new experience for me and the kids. It was a humbling one too. All sorts of thoughts came to my mind: the following of the tradition of the Prophet Ibrahim; adherence to the sunnah of the Messenger and thoughts of life and death.

31st December 2006 - 11th Dhul Hijjah 1427

Yesterday we ate liver for lunch and that was ok. But, for dinner my mum-in-law had prepared bouzellouf. This is a local delicacy and is eaten on the 1st day of 'Eid ul Adha. I ended up eating the delicious veggies from the day before, because bouzellouf is a dish made of the head of the sheep. I just couldn't!

We visited family members and ate more Algerian specialities. I like rishta. It's a bit like thin tagliatelle and is steamed in a kiskaas (couscousiere) and eaten with a sauce like that of couscous. The great thing about Algerian meals is that they always have salad and fruit. And the fruit in season now is oranges (really good for me and my cold). I must add that the bread is really good here too. The home-made bread is nice. There's kisra which if made with less yeast is a thin, slightly hard bread usually made with semolina (like most Algerian breads). It's made with olive oil and is great with soup. Matlou' is a soft, thicker bread and is another favourite amongst my in-laws. Infact, even the shop-bought bread is really good. The French bread beats Tesco hands down! And the croissants and pain au chocolat are really something else. Aside from bread what else does Algeria have to offer? Well, the olive oil is really good. It doesn't smell like the ones I'd had before and the taste is really different too. They sprinkle it over some really light, soft pastry leaves with a little sugar for breakfast.

Ok, aside from FOOD what else does Algeria have to offer? My impression so far is that Algeria is slightly closed off to the rest of the world compared with Jeddah and the UK. Some Algerians have been abroad but generally people are not so aware of how others live in rest of the world. Having said that, I have seen most Algerians to be extremely welcoming and hospitable and very keen to talk to me when they realize that I'm not Algerian. There is a lot of warmth amongst the people masha Allah even though many live in difficult conditions. To look at, the people are quite mixed up (!) Sometimes I feel like I'm walking down a street in London, with all the different types of clothing not to mention the various types of hijab. Most people look like the Muslims in the UK. Other times it seems as though I'm in the France of yesteryear. This is more due to the streets and architecture. It's as though the French left and everything has stayed the way they left it, but without much development. There are some nice parks and gardens in the city centre and there is a lot more character to this city then there is in Saudi or in the Emirates.

4th January 2007 - 15th Dhul Hijjah 1427

I went to visit a Berber friend of mine today. She and her family were so welcoming masha Allah. I had a nice time chitchatting and we had a lovely meal of couscous and Mtouem (meatballs and olives). We then went to Bouchaoui Forest. We went on horse and pony rides. Many families gather there in the fresh forest air, sipping tea and coffee while children run around and play. The kids loved hiding behind the trees. From there we went on to Sidi Fredj. This is a favourite holiday spot in the summer, by the sea with hotels and restaurants around it. We managed to get in a short but fun boat ride.

5th January 2007 - 16th Dhul Hijjah 1427

This morning we made our way to the mountains of Chreea (Sharee’ah). We drove out of Algiers and in to a city called Blida (Bulayda). From there we hit the mountain road up to Chreea. For anyone that’s been from Jeddah to Taif up the Hada Road, this was a bit like that, but much safer and much more scenic. From the escarpment you get beautiful views of Blida and all along the way there are houses and even a mosque. The roads seem to be heavily guarded all over Algeria, by soldiers and gendarmerie, with check points all over.

We stopped at one of the plateaus where there was a mosque for us to pray jumu’ah. From the structure of the building, I’m pretty sure it was built as a church by the French. After a little picnic lunch and absorbed beautiful views of the city below us. The air was so fresh and exhilarating. Masha Allah. We then had a nice walk around, going up the mountain and along the foresty pathways, where many come to do the same and also to go biking. They have little shops and cafes and an old cable car track. Unfortunately, this has been closed for a while now due terrorist attacks in the mid 90s. We had a wonderful day masha Allah!

6th January 2007 - 17th Dhul Hijjah 1427

We headed off early today as well going west of Algiers to the town of Tipaza. Tipaza is also by the sea and home to various ancient Roman ruins. It is more of a holiday location with streets of hotels, cafés and restaurants. After lunch we drove further west to Chenoa Plage. Standing at the roadside, we had tree-covered mountains behind us and the beach below us. The sea-air here was amazing. The kids played in the sand a bit. It was too cold to contemplate wading in the sea! But it was nice type of breezy!

9th January 2007 - 20th Dhul Hijjah 1427

I saw a bit more Alger Centre (Algiers Centre) this time than I had on my first trip. They had a light thing going on the way they do in Central London for Christmas, but on a smaller scale. There were a few small parks where one could sit and relax a bit, but the streets were just like what you’d expect in any other capital city. Busy. Nearer the office buildings the streets are filled with people going to and from work and the other streets are filled with shoppers. I was looking for traditional souvenirs to take back with me, but most items were just too expensive for what they were. Most traditional items were very similar to what you would fine in the souqs of Jeddah or the bazaars of Pakistan but at a much higher price. I put that down to the shops being in the city centre.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

crocheted mini-basket

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As the kids ran around me playing, I was fiddling around with the ends of my fluorescent coloured yarn and started off making a granny square.

And working up the sides (back loops only for the first round up).

I introduced the other colours and ended up with ...

... which I can roll down for a shallower mini-basket.

cal 2009: hint of spring

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

And here's another May square. This one is made of lots of shells.

Hint of Spring:

cal 2009: victorian dream

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Did you notice something green in that jar jacket post? You did? Well, here it is, another square for the CAL.

VicD1

This is the Victorian Dream square, a 12" square for May. It's a bit lacey but I think I like it.

VicD2

jar jackets

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

For some time now, I've been wanting to make some Crocheted Jar Jackets. I have quite a few glass jars lying around, so when I saw this over at Attic24, I thought it was a great idea. A particular little mayonaise jar had been washed and dried and ready for a while. But I had put off the making of these little lovelies. Why? For when I'm bored with all my other WIPs of course!

jarjacket1

jarjacket2

Sumea's got some beautiful knitted ones too!

Monday, May 25, 2009

doilies are "in"?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Since learning to crochet, I seem to notice it everywhere. Things I wouldn't have noticed otherwise are brought to the forefront of my attention. I even stop and feel garments and examine patterns and stitches. I've had to stop myself from reaching out and having a touchy-feely of strangers' scarves. I'm seeing crochet EVERYWHERE.

I noticed this throw at a house-sale. I dyed it with tea and now use it as a table cloth.

crochtablecloth

It's popping up everywhere I tell you, even in the back of my wardrobe!

crochtop

I recently noticed that the chocolate shop Patchi (here in Jeddah) has this big doily pattern in its shop window. It's very similar to something I saw on Apartment Therapy a while ago.

mag

Then, I got really excited when I noticed this over at Bahraini Diva's blog.

doily rug

The rug caught my eye, but even the stools look crocheted!

a granny square ... by me!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I've always loved my baby's little trainers!

They were a gift from my uncle. I love the size of them and most of all the colours. My little man recently outgrew them. Somehow, when ordering some yarn a few months ago, I picked out these ...

traineryarn

I've been playing around with them and I've come up with this...

trelliscorner

I think it's called "Trellis Square". Yes. I think that's what I'll call it. It's a 6" square. Yes, I have "gone metric". But since granny squares are still categorised in their Imperial measurements, the conformist in me says, "it's a 6 inch square"! I've used Rowan Cashcotton.

DSCN0103

What do you think? You like? Shall I put up a pattern? Do let me know how it makes you feel!

cal 2009: april square

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

To start off my CAL posts, I'll show you my most recent square.

It's actually the April 6" square which I managed to get done in May! The thing about this square is that it's made up of triple crochets (US) or double trebles (UK). Whatever you call them, they're longer stitches. I actually thought that I wouldn't like crocheting this square. But I did! It works up really quickly and I wouldn't mind doing some more for a future project.

Here's the pattern.

crochet-a-long 2009

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I've made a few attempts so far at crocheting large items like throws and blankets but I get bored easily. So I saw this crochet-a-long (CAL) on Ravelry, I thought it would be a great way for me to:

Try out different square patterns
Use up a lot of the yarn Hubby had picked up at a car boot sale on our summer holidays (some serious stash-busting)!
AND end up with a lovely blanket in the end

In addition to the above, I've also looked in to and learnt about different joining methods and different stitches and techniques too. There are usually two 12" squares and one 6" square picked out for everyone to crochet each month. It's up to you which ones you do (if any). The great thing is you get to pick other people's brains if something's not working for you or if you're just not sure what a pattern means. I'm not up-to-date on my squares but I will post what I've done in no particular order. My thoughts are that most of my squares will be bright and I'll join them all up with black. I'm not sure if I'll end up with one big and one small blanket or just one BIG blanket! I'll decide once they're all done in sha Allah.

abaaya bag

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

This an exact re-post from my other blog.

When womenfolk go out in Saudi Arabia, most of us wear an abaaya. It has many other names depending on where (in the world) it is being referred to and is a cross between a cloak and a coat worn over one's usual clothes. But this post isn't about abaayas, their different styles or why they are worn.

Many social gatherings here are gender-segregated so upon entering a party/wedding/get-together there is the initial "dis-robing" of the abaaya and other bits. Depending on the layout of the room or home I've just entered, I've often been caught with my abaaya half-on half-off while having to greet someone. And then there's the matter of finding somewhere to put baby (if I have one with me!) so that I can take my abaaya off. Of course, for women who have been doing this all of their adult lives, they've got it down to a tee. They will very gracefully enter a room and have their abaaya off, hair and make-up perfect in such a flash that you'd think they walked in like that. I, on the other hand, often find myself in a position where I fumble around with everything. After clumsily ending up with it all in a heap in my arms, I'm faced with another problem. I don't know what to do with it while I "powder my nose" and for the rest of time I'm there! I'd attempt to fold it all up neatly for a start. Then place the abaaya roll strategically where it will be easy to find when it's time to go. Wedding halls have cloakrooms and attendants for this task and will hand you a numbered tag to identify your gear. The organised hostesses have bags and markers for this very ordeal. But when you go to certain places there is an unspoken rule: "It's your abaaya. You look after it!" So I decided to put my basic crochet skills to use and made this:

Folded up like this, it fits nicely in to a handbag.

See?

And when it's not folded up, it looks like this:

It's a delightful little shopping bag (The Three Dozen Apple Bag by Laughing Purple Goldfish) that I have added a pretty flower to and used as my Abaaya Bag!