the quilting and artisan fair

As I mentioned in my last post, two weeks ago I stopped in at the Quilting and Artisan Fair at the Quilting Arts Studio. The fair exhibited the work of local quilters and members of the quilting guild, which had me awestruck! 

There were amazing details and vibrant colour combinations. 

This one was made by a friend of mine.

Funds were raised for various charities via the sale of some products, a raffle and even a silent auction of these beautiful pieces. 

Local individuals had an opportunity to sell their handmade wares too.

There were cakes and beverages, of course!

And I won something! 

I met some really warm and wonderful ladies. Some had been quilting for years and others were beginners. They were from different parts of the globe, of various ages, yet came together to stitch, chat and share. One lady has said that the guild has even saved her marriage! Debra Dennis, the creative soul and proprietor of the studio saved a space for trocheted items to be displayed and took the time to chat with me about her ideas and thoughts on trocheted products! 

What an amazing little place! The studio itself, is jam packed with beautiful, high quality fabric that can be purchased and lovely items on display. 

This was my daughter's favourite: a miniature sewing room!

There are classes held at the Quilting Arts Studio. So if you are in Jeddah and have a love of all things quilting, you should check out their facebook page. 

Recently my days have been busy! Work was chaotic, my in laws came and went and now my parents are in town! Ma sha Allah! I'm looking forward to a little rest and relaxation and spending time with them. I have been keeping an eye on the Dubai Art Week Yarnbombing efforts on instagram though! Amazing stuff! Magda Sayeg is involved! And yes, I could spot some of my hexagons in amongst those pics!

More creative spaces here!

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currently loving ...

... working on this 

another northbound knitting pattern and THAT yarn!

the idea of this crochet retreat in Marrakech that I found out about at Crochet Concupiscence

A creative event in Jeddah!

this bag

this clever idea - Tashkeil is a local organisation and this infographic highlights how they help independent designers. You do have to have some knowledge of the Arabic script and the vowel system to fully appreciate the concept. To give you an idea, the red icon at the top is "fat-ha" which, in Arabic, gives the vowel sound similar to the "a" in "apple", obtained by the opening of the jaws. Here it is used to depict the opening of minds!

The seven habits of calmness

and cleaning out my inboxes! 

What are you in to these days?

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my creative space - at the courtyard

The Courtyard in Jeddah that is! Ogling at the trocheted products that have come together and are on display for all to see!

Yes, I have more photos but I don't want to spoil it too much for anyone who's planning to visit this week! But tell me something, do YOU expect trocheted projects to be priced in line with their fabric/stitched counterparts? Does the fact that it's not only the purchase of a product but the support of women in a society, the support of handmade goods, along with the recycling of waste plastic, affect your decision? Do share your views!  

And in case you haven't seen the videos yet, here they are again!

Collecting the bags ...



... and what happens next ...




A BIG shout out to Kathryn of Crochet Concupiscence, for always showing support for the project! Thank you!!!

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trochet news

Do you know the feeling when you see someone you used to baby sit years ago? You watched them as a kid and perhaps read stories to them. You played games with them and took them to the park. You had a role in nurturing their early days, albeit a small one. And then you see them a few years later, growing up, developing their own unique character, a little attitude, maybe. Do they even remember you? Probably not.  The trochet project is a bit like that. It started off as a "crazy" idea, I babysat parts of it, it's still early days but it's definitely growing up! 

• One of this region's top photographers, Mokhtar Chahine, has come on board and taken shots of some of the trocheted products.

• Diana has been interviewed on Rotana, where she describes how it all started and what it's all about (in Arabic).

• Recycling bins have been placed in different parts of Jeddah, aiming to collect 40,000 plastic bags! Check out the plastic bag counter!

• Trocheted items are being exhibited at The Courtyard (Khalidiyyah, on the corner of Rawdah Street and Prince Sultan Street) starting TODAY and running through to the end of next week! It's a lovely, little exhibit. Photos coming soon!!!

• UPDATED TO ADD: Have a look at the latest video!!! I LOVE it! And yes, that's our big, blue beanbag collecting the bags!

As I said, it's early days still, but I can see that this was an idea that someone had, just like ideas that you and I have, more often than we realise. She then went out and did whatever she needed to, to make it happen. Some people were brave enough to support and encourage the project. But she was determined and passionate about it anyway and even when things were rough, she didn't stay down too long, dusted herself off and carried on again ma sha Allah. And it doesn't stop there. Go ahead and like the trochet facebook page and follow along on twitter. Stay in touch, get involved and see what happens next. AND let's not allow negativity, both in ourselves and others, to snuff out our creative ideas! OK?

   

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trochet* introductory session!!!

Jeddah ladies, do join us! We want to get to know you and you can get to know us! We are of course, focusing on crocheting with plastic, but we want to know if you have any other ideas. You don't have to make a long-term commitment but if you can join in whenever you can, we'd love to know about it! Come along on Monday 5th November, from 5 to 6.30 pm at Geras! Bring yourself and a load of creativity!

Facebook Event

* trochet = trash + crochet!

Click on either map to enlarge

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local artists - head over heels

A one-woman play in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in English and Arabic! The first show is on Tuesday at Effat College. 

Here's the trailer and the facebook page for details.

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if you're in london ...

 ... join in the fun and fund-raising!  Organised by Emma for Hopeland Academy. 

You can click on the poster to enlarge it.

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charity craft fair - london

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craft bazaar

Last week we stopped by at a Craft Bazaar, here.  But it was no ordinary craft event.  Everything on sale was made by children with mental disabilities.

 

Visiting the centre was also a great opportunity to discuss disabilities with the kids.

They even had this on display.

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