Crafting at Kamikaze

Another crafty Saturday morning with Kuwait Crafters at yet another new cafe.

The interesting thing about this complex is that it is made out of shipping containers.

There were 7 of us this morning, crocheting, knitting and cross-stitching.

The cafe gave us complementary cookies which was a nice surprise.

And Zhraa gifted everyone with a sweet little crocheted pumpkin. 

So cute with their twiggy little stems.

We really liked the decor of the cafe and the fact that there was lots of natural light.

Susanna finished off her Fair Isle knitted fisherman's kep with a tassel.

Such amazing knitwork.

She also recently attended a KTAA workshop where she learned Japanese folded patchwork.

I'm terrible at sewing but this might be something I could actually do.

Yesterday I tried the tulip stitch so that's what I'm working on using different cotton yarns.

 Have a few ideas of what I can do with this pattern.

(The souvenir fridge magnet was a gift from another member from her summer travels.)

Have a good Saturday,

Fiber Arts at Sadu House

A month ago I attended the first meeting of the new season of Kuwait Textile Art Association (KTAA).

Meetings take place at Bait Al Sadu (Sadu House), an old Kuwaiti home that has been turned into a cultural center and museum aimed at preserving and telling the history of traditional Bedouin weaving.

I've blogged about it many times before as it is one of my favorite places to visit in Kuwait.

No matter how many times I am there, I always find something unique and new and interesting.  While some aspects of the space remain the same, its function and outreach has evolved so much over the years and continues to grow and change.

It's been about 10 years since I was a member of KTAA so of course lots of new faces though some familiar ones, too.  There was quite a large number in attendance.  First we went around the room and introduced ourselves and then it was time for some of last year's members to show off their summer projects.

There's a huge quilting community; and, of course, knitting, crochet, embroidery/cross-stitch and even some macrame.

Meetings are every Wednesday alternating between sewing/quilting and fiber arts.  My friend, Aruna, and I have decided that we will go twice a month to the fiber arts meetings so last week was our first official meet-up with the group.

Tables were set up with the pattern and everyone brought their own yarn for the project which was a shell stitch square.

Our instructor for the day showed off the beautiful blanket she made using the pattern which was absolutely incredible..

I really love how using the cream color on the chain rows defines the shells and gives a nice outline.

Everyone set to work starting the pattern.

I'm not great at reading diagrams but this one was easy once I figured out all the symbols.

There was also another show-and-tell for anyone who had recently finished a project they wanted to share.

This was my start on the square while there.

Some people will make a baby blanket.  Some may just do a small square and leave it at that.

I've decided I will make a pillow cover.  (Note: the color in the photo above looks much more creamy because of the protective cover that is over the courtyard where we were sitting.)

This is my progress so far.

For now, I'll leave you with more scenes from Sadu House.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Morning at Magnet

A quick stop this morning at a park I've never been to and then I picked up Aruna for our drawing date.

 We enjoyed falafel and avocado toast and then did some quick drawings.

I basically just slapped something on the page loosely based on a photo I took in Sofia, Bulgaria last month, while Aruna had to finish her zentangle heart once she got home.

School traffic has started up again and I try to avoid being stuck in it at all costs.

She surprised me with gifts.

A small macrame wallhanging purchased at a workshop she recently attended.

And the biggest surprise of all was a watercolor that she painted of me based on a photo taken last month at one of our Kuwait Crafters meet-ups.

Awhile back she asked for a picture of Jingles so that's basically what I expected to find.  You can imagine my surprise when I opened the packaging to find me inside.  :)

Happy Tuesday!

Statues, Sculptures and the Story of a Hedgehog

The Statue of Sveta Sofia (Saint Sofia) has stood over the city of Sofia, Bulgaria since 2000.  (A  statue of Lenin had been erected there in 1966 but was pulled down in 1991.)  Her crown symbolizes power and in her hands are a wreath for glory and an owl for wisdom.

There were lots of statues dotted around the city, but unfortunately I don't know the history of most of them.

This one outside the Ethnographic Museum is of renowned Bulgarian writer and playwright Yordan Radichkov (1929-2004).

And these two are father and son, the Slaveikovs, both poets

I also really loved seeing such beautiful sculptural architecture as we walked the city.

Another sculpture we passed many times was of men and animals but I can't seem to find any information on it.

I left a heart and the next time we passed by it was gone.

On our second day, we were sitting outside having lunch on Vitosha Boulevard, the main commercial street in Sofia.

A statue of Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov is at one end and from the other direction you can see Vitosha Mountain in the background.

I noticed a guy walking by with a carton of stuffed animals that he was trying to sell.  You could tell he had some challenges but he just slowly walked along and didn't bother anyone.  We had already experienced many beggars in Sofia, old and young, but this guy was different and something about him just stuck with me.  

The next day was super hot and while wandering the streets, we came across him again.  He was waiting in line for a drink of water and my heart really went out to him.  At first my husband wanted to give him money but then wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do.  I watched the guy's face as he very lovingly and carefully held his carton of stuffed animals while he took a long drink of water.  My husband had continued walking so I ran after him and said that if he didn't feel right just giving him money, then we needed to buy a stuffed animal.

I honestly don't even remember what other stuffed animals he had.  There may have been one or two other choices, but I went for this cute little guy.

Isn't he the sweetest?

I swear, the guy was over the moon that we wanted to buy one of his stuffed animals.  It cost the equivalent of about $12 and was totally worth it because the smile on his face was priceless.

Wishing you a sweet September!