my creative space - a mix of crafts

It has been a busy work week and we have relatives visiting, so carving in time for "luxuries" has been difficult. 

Nevertheless, we got to have a peek at the Quilting and Artisan Fair held at The Quilting Arts Studio. What an amazing place! 

They made room for some trocheted goodies too! 
I'll tell you more about it soon in sha Allah.

We also had a quick trip to Madinah. 

 I loved seeing the roof slide open above me as I walked through the mosque.

I finished the Virago shawl on our 4 hour road journey. 

And I hooked up some hexagons too to send off to Dubai!

Three are trocheted, two are your usual acrylic yarn and one is made out of paper! 

And oh, google reader says it's retiring in July! What to do! Any suggestions on a good reader I can use? 

More creative spaces here! 

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my creative space - in the papers!!!

On Wednesday, I came home from work, to a message from Diana saying that the Arab News, one of the two English language newspapers of Saudi Arabia, had published an article about the Trochet project! They gave the project a whole page! I had to see it for myself and sure enough, there it was, a whole page on the project! What a surprise! I'm so happy for everyone involved, especially the ladies that have been crocheting the items. And I'm so pleased that I could be a part of this before I leave this lovely city.

Do check out more creative spaces here. 

Have YOU had any surprises?

ETA: I forgot to link up to the online article! It's right here!

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7. makes you think - traditions

It was Eid almost two weeks ago. Our families (both mine and my husband's) are in different parts of the world. We come from different cultures, with different traditions, and this got me thinking. There are Eid traditions that I remember from my childhood, like going to the outdoor prayer in the morning, visiting relatives and being gifted with money (Eidee or Eidiyyah). Being in the UK, we got used to sending money to other countries to have the sacrificial animal (udh-hiyah) slaughtered and distributed to the poor. Hailing from North Africa, my husband is used to personally taking care of this. Very personally. Meaning, in the garden or the driveway of the family home! This year, he didn't miss out on this tradition (albeit at the abattoir) and I was more interested in the wool (I didn't get any) than the meat but I realised that we have formed our family unit based on a combination of traditions. Some that we need to hold on to and some we can let go of and being proud of our own identities and allowing our children to see that. Some traditions deal with major issues and some deal with daily, mundane ones. But a religious holiday made me think more about this. We've adopted some of the other's traditions without even realising it and then we've started our own too. Subhan Allah! It's amazing!    

Old traditions:

Slaughtering an animal and distributing a third of it to the poor. This is an Islamic tradition.

Going to the Eid prayer after sunrise.

Greeting each other after the prayer. In my family, the tradition is to hug an "Eid Mubarak" to the right, then the left, then the right! In my husband's family, the "Saha Aidkoum" greeting consists of kissing the right cheek, then the left, then the right again and then the left again! 

Putting henna on. In Algeria, my girls were a bit shocked to have blobs of henna put on their palms while they were sleeping as they're so used to the intricate Asian designs. My sister-in-law has spoilt us too!

Wearing special clothes and gifting children with money.

My daughter was given this bag of goodies at the mosque.

Having traditional sweets. I'm used to the burfis and traditional Indian or Pakistani sweets. 

via

My husband is used to the traditional Algerian ones. 

Going out somewhere different, like a park, the Corniche to try and see some fireworks. I do like the idea of having a family meal at home but this Eid we decided to go out just for dessert! 

New traditions:

Having a fancy breakfast of a combination of traditional food, like Algerian Baghrir or sweets and South Asian Sevia, or just modern day treats, like Cinnamon Rolls 

and Mushroom and Onion Biscuits which is what we went for this year. 

Giving gifts sometimes instead of money. Even small gifts!

Treasure Hunt! My brother usually sets one up and the kids just love it! Well, he once created a very cryptic one for the adults which we had lots of fun with! It seems to have become a bit of a tradition and so I made sure there was one for them this Eid.

Spending time on Skype! Oh yes! This is the best way for us to see and talk and laugh with all of our loved ones across the globe!

Don't you love forming new traditions along the way? I wonder if I can come up with some creative ones!

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my creative space - trying

Yes, I couldn't keep up with blogtoberfest. But it's ok. I tried. I enjoyed. I learnt.

This week, while I was knitting an amari shawl I ran out of yarn! What's new, eh? I don't want to go and get some more. And it breaks my heart to frog it ...

... but I started another one anyway! I have missed leisurely crochet, but since my crochet and plastic escapades began, I've turned to knitting for comfort crafting!

Of course there is more plastic on the scene as we have a few other ideas coming along!

My head has been occupied with a lot lately, so I've been taking pleasure from the simple things in my life that can often get overlooked.

Yes, the first Marks and Spencers food hall I've seen in Jeddah. It's teeny but it's there!

Window shopping with my family.

Letting the girls take over the kitchen. 

Going for walks. 

Today I stepped out with my 9 year old son. It was one-to-one time and much needed. With four children and now homeschooling them, they tend to get lumped together all too often. 

I loved that we could talk about Hajj, as today is a special day, being the main day of Hajj, when pilgrims gather in Arafah, near Makkah. 

I loved that he could talk my ear off about football and I have to catch myself when I've said "hmm" too often and actually engage with him on his favourite topic. 

I savour these moments with each of my children ma sha Allah.

While my energy levels are a bit low, all manners of zestiness are at a trough too, today is a special day for us of reflection, fasting, supplication, worship, charity, goodness, preparations for a simple meal today and celebration of 'Eid al Adha, stemming from the traditions of Prophet Abraham (Ibraheem 'alayhis salaam) tomorrow.

I wish you all well and Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid).

Check out more creative spaces here and #amonthof #mycreativespace! Will I or won't I? 

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my creative space - this week ...

... started in Madinah, a city four hours north of Jeddah, where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to.

The climate there is hotter and drier than Jeddah.

And it was probably our last trip there before we leave!

Later in the week, I met up with a lovely young lady, who has some great ideas on giving back to the community ma sha Allah! 

We spent the morning discussing a few things that I'd love to tell you about. It has something to do with recycling plastic bags, crochet and impoverished women. Are you in Jeddah, like to crochet and think you'd like to get involved? Let me know and I'll fill you in!

I've also spent time with friends and family. At times I've felt that I was "catching up" and then realisation dawned on me that I might not see these beautiful people again. Living in foreign countries, moving to foreign countries, this is how it goes. I can't imagine how I will feel when my parents leave on Thursday after living in Saudi Arabia for 23 years! So I will deal with that first and then my own move. There is a lot going on in my head. But yes, JenMuna, Anne and Kate, it will be an adventure, with lots of new things to learn and experience in sha Allah. I am looking forward to that.

While walking around and taking it all in, I spotted these

Contemporary, Arabic artwork on sale.

Finally, two things before I leave, to spend a bit more time with my family and friends. 

Tracy Ann has included one of my patterns here. There are some lovely crochet bag patterns there! It's an honour. Thank you Tracy Ann!

And that funny shaped spoon thing I asked about last time?

Yes, a spoon holder! Well done, A New Wife! You got that right!

Check out some great creative spaces here.

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my creative space - Thuwal

We celebrated 'Eid after a month of fasting. We spent time with loved ones, and we spent time resting after a busy month. 

And then we took our visiting family members to the beach! Thuwal is an hour away and this unusually designed mosque sits by the beach. Before we started splashing in the sea, I had to grab some shots  of it! And since I have definitely been a leap frogger when it comes to crafting, switching between various crochet and knit projects, I resort to sharing my phone photography with you! 

I think this mosque is beautiful!

The interior is like most other mosques.

But this view took me to Andalusian Spain, ma sha Allah!

I love that the architects weren't afraid to take a traditional building and go so contemporary with it.

Lots more creative spaces here!

* Thank you, jazakum Allahu khayr for the comments about my cousin. I really appreciate it. He has improved a lot with regard to his upper body alhamdulillah, but the lower body remains immobile. 

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the weekend ...

in Saudi Arabia is on Thursday and Friday. Last weekend was an action-packed one, spent with loved ones, in an Istiraha*.

We wanted to have one last Istiraha trip before going our separate ways. Yes, this year seems like it's going to be all change!

But the weekend, it was about family fun.

Lots of sunning it up.

Relay races, water polo and crazy dives!

Badminton and a barbecue. Next to the barbecue is a pit with a lid that seals it, for cooking traditional Saudi dishes, like Mandi, where a whole lamb would be cooked with spiced rice. The bottom of the pit held planks of wood, ready for some coal and a huge pot of culinary delights!

Ma sha Allah.

I'm so grateful for the weekend, for family and my time in this city. No flights booked yet, but a move is on the horizon in sha Allah.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend whichever days it falls on!

*Istirahas (literally resthouses) are quite popular here. They are often rented out to house large numbers of guests for events or for family weekends or short holidays. The settings are always private and most contain swimming pools.

posted from Bloggeroid

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my creative space

... was in the kitchen, cooking up some roast chicken and apple crumble for dinner at my Mum's.

It might not be very creative but while spending time in the kitchen, I've been inspired to use some hessian burlap, for a project!

Still boring? I will have to be excused. This week was pretty much all go, as it started with a trip to Yanbu, continued with some graphic design work and ended with entertaining guests.


So shall I show you Yanbu then to make up for things a bit?


It's a small, coastal city about 3 to 4 hours drive from Jeddah.  

We had a little pit-stop at a local park.

And then spent the day at the beach.

A make-shift barbecue!

We were fortunate enough to enjoy lovely hotel facilities too ma sha Allah!

The view as we left the city. 

Pipes and tanks full of oil ready to be shipped off to the rest of the world!

We decided to be a little adventurous and stray from the highway, after checking that we had enough fuel!

We ended up here.

It was a lovely break from the highway drive.

After another stop, this time in Thuwal for a fish dinner, we arrived home at night, exhausted but refreshed. Alhamdulillah for this beautiful earth and wonderful companionship.


More creative spaces here!

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