Arts & Crafts on the Compound

 

Arts & Crafts

Shaving Foam Fabric Dyeing

Living life as an expat is all about GRATITUDE and ATTITUDE . You have to embrace and accept  where you are not fight it and find fault with everything. The key to remember is why you are here. Usually it is for the money to enable the future to be more secure.  Some people it is for the travel. Whatever it is you need a goal to look to. I feel very privileged to be here. To have the opportunity to grow and learn about the culture, meet other people and enjoy new experiences and travel.   I find it difficult to cope with people who constantly put down or complain about their life here. It is very draining and not uplifting at all. I tend to avoid such people. Life is too short. My life purpose is to uplift and help those who are in genuine need.

Time is flying by here on our Compound. Some weeks you wonder where the time goes. What with bus trips to and fro to the Malls and Souks.

and then

Arts and Crafts

Our compound has a lot of young woman with small children. It can be very hard for young mums without their extended family. Expat life in a compound can seem very daunting to new comers. They can get overwhelmed with everything. I wanted to do something to help them. So I decided to set up an Arts and Crafts morning to allow them to get together to form friendships and chat while doing projects. I asked my friend Chris if she would like to help. She has a wealth of information and skill in Art quilts and sewing. Chris has also done teaching.

Together we have created a place for women to teach, share and learn new skills with their Arts and Crafts. We have a lovely group of women that come along. They are all positive and happy in disposition. All different nationalities. Some come every week, others a few times depending on what is going on in their lives and on the compound. There is always something going on somewhere for those that want to go.Some of the women bring in their own Arts & Crafts projects that they are working on. Some come from other compounds, where they have felt lonely and in need of company. Then there are some that come for a cuppa, cake and a chat. So we like to think that the girls can drop in even if they don’t like arts and crafts. Its like being in a family. We all support each other.

Doing things with your hands is very rewarding. It also gives one a sense of achievement and is very therapeutic. It helps us to relax. Arts and Crafts also gets the grey matter working.

Some of the ladies have been wonderful at sharing their skills with the other women. One lady in particular is very experienced at crochet. She has taught many of the girls to crochet. Another has taught some how to knit. Chris has taught her skills in Art Quilting, felting …  Another lady has showed us how to weave. Since being here I have taken advantage of the fact that I am not able to work. I have been sharing some of my skills as well as learning new Arts and Crafts. Felting, quilting, paper-crafts, origami, weaving.

The girls have done some wonderful work. It is so lovely to see the smile on their faces when they have completed a project.

A special thanks to Mr Shukri for his support with Coffee,Tea, Milk and water and the use of the Club House.
I especially want to thank Chris for her support and friendship. She has taught me a lot.

Here is a snapshot of some of the beautiful work the women have done.

 

Arts & Crafts

79 Comments

  • Fouzia haider says:
    30/12/2021 at 1:28 am

    Salam, I’m a art n craft, and graphics, animation, video production ,teacher..I’m multimedia artist…if anyone wanna learn contact me….

    Reply
  • Reem Mahassni says:
    22/11/2021 at 9:48 am

    i want to join too, i am a female

    Reply
  • Rabia says:
    28/05/2021 at 8:26 pm

    Please let me know is there any classes to learn knitting ,crochet etc for girls ,,,as my daughter is very interested to learn it …her age is 8 . …please give me contact number or address if there is a any facility to learn knitting ….

    Reply
    • Butterflies & Rainbows says:
      30/05/2021 at 3:02 pm

      Hi Rabia,
      I am sorry I do not know of any place that does knitting. I know that there is an arts and crafts shop on the second floor in Sultan Mall. They use to do different classes there. You could try there and ask if they know anyone who would teach.

      Perhaps you can contact the following facebook site. They may know someone who is willing to teach her.
      https://www.facebook.com/artncraftstudio/?fref=photo
      hope this helps.
      Lyn

      Reply
  • DUMINDU says:
    05/04/2022 at 5:23 am

    Hi where can hi buy waterproof inkjet film in Jeddah please ?

    Reply
  • Azba says:
    19/03/2022 at 11:30 pm

    Wow! Amazing! Where is this conducted?

    Reply
  • Şengül says:
    13/02/2022 at 2:08 am

    Hi everyone,it is just fantastik i would like to join Your grup to plase mail me,

    Reply
  • Hiba says:
    10/02/2022 at 12:09 pm

    Hi!

    I am Hiba. I love this initative of yours. 🙂 I love crafting and sewing as well, but haven’t found good places yet to find fabric, felt etc.
    Can you help me out?

    Reply
  • Nardeen says:
    29/12/2021 at 12:42 pm

    Hi,
    My name is Nardeen, I just moved back to Jeddah after living in the United States. I love Art work especially crocheting, I really connected with your blog. I would like to stay positive and not to be dragged in to negative environment. My dream is to learn the art of quilting. I took an introductory class in the US on sewing but couldn’t continue with school work.

    I would like to join.

    Can you please, contact me at my e-mail.

    Sincerely,
    Nardeen Bakheet.

    Reply
  • gihaan says:
    09/11/2021 at 11:57 am

    Hi my name is Alima from jeddah, i am working as an establishes art teacher in an international school and i was thinking of taking a step to start selling my piece of art. It would be helpful if anyone can give me a head start http://www.facebook.com/alimasama663/. you can check my art work here. there are more which have not been uploaded yet.
    thank you .

    Reply
  • gihaan says:
    09/11/2021 at 11:50 am

    Hi i am alima from jeddah and have been working for quite some time as an established art teacher in an international school. i wanted to take it to the next level and start selling my art work . Is there any possible way to help me start ?www.facebook.com/alimasama663/ you can check my work here . Theres more to be uploaded.
    thank you .

    Reply
    • Butterflies & Rainbows says:
      24/11/2021 at 5:09 pm

      Hi Gihaan,
      I went to your facebook page you do some lovely art work. May I suggest you try Safaye from Darat Safeya BinZagr art centre for some suggestions of what to do. Here is her website. http://www.daratsb.com/main_e1.htm
      -Lyn

      Reply
  • Mahalakshmi says:
    20/10/2021 at 9:00 am

    Hi Butterflies & Rainbows,

    Just came across your site, it’s awesome loaded with lots of useful information. Congrats for your works and and thanks for sharing! I’m new to Jeddah, Could you please tell me where do we get good fabrics for quilting and making dresses.

    Kindly let me know, it would be of great help! Thanks a lot 🙂

    Happy Sewing 🙂

    Reply
  • Farah says:
    12/08/2021 at 4:13 am

    Hi, i love doing art and crafts. Esp. Plushies made of felt fabrics. Can you please tell me where in jeddah i can find good quality felts. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Loma shamayleh says:
    31/05/2021 at 7:03 pm

    Hello, I would like to ask if you have the arts and crafts classes anytime soon, thanks.

    Reply
  • um thamir says:
    14/05/2022 at 11:11 am

    Please can u tell me about quality fabric shop and cotton batting , slso what is your facebook group thank you . I m female in jeddah

    Reply
  • Monica says:
    11/04/2022 at 12:36 pm

    Hello there Butterflies & rainbows I was wondering if you know where can I get scrapbook supplies and tools?

    Reply
    • Butterflies & Rainbows says:
      14/04/2022 at 11:51 am

      Hi Monica,
      Any of the stationery shops will have supplies as well as Jarir Bookstore.
      http://www.jarir.com/storelocator?region=Saudi+Arabia&city=Jeddah

      or souq Al Shatte at the stationery shop behind the souq.
      http://yp.theemiratesnetwork.com/map/Saudi_Arabia/Jeddah/Souk_Al_Shatea_26848.html

      Hope this helps. - Lyn

      Reply
  • Anonymous says:
    04/04/2022 at 4:15 pm

    plz advise as to wich souks i can find fabrics !thnx

    Reply
  • Sally Bolton says:
    15/03/2022 at 1:32 am

    Hi. Am also in Jeddah and looking for decent quilting fabrics and where to buy scrapbooking supplies if you know of anywhere. Would be very grateful for any information you could pass on. Thanks. Sally

    Reply
  • sam says:
    19/02/2022 at 9:36 am

    Hi I m looking for felt material in jeddah if anyone hv any idea whr to purchase felt n quilting material pls let me know

    Reply
  • ayesha amin says:
    04/02/2022 at 10:21 pm

    hi…I’ll be moving to jeddah shortly and am looking forward to join this fabulous group of ppl for activities. I have visited before but all I did ws shop n eat. could u pls alsontell me which compound do u conduct all these activities? I’d like to find lodgings nearby. thanks

    Reply
  • Noor Ahmed says:
    13/01/2022 at 9:41 pm

    Hi I would like to join weave work and basket making classes if possible. Could you send me the details too? I am a female btw.

    Reply
  • Almira Meunier says:
    12/12/2021 at 10:06 pm

    Hello Butterfly and Rainbows,
    I came to Jeddah one week ago. I love quilting and currently on memory quilt project. I am looking for good quality fabrics. Today I spent with my husband the whole afternoon in Indian souk searching for fabrics as someone told him that there’s plenty, but I came back home disappointed.
    I would like to ask you if there’s somewhere a fabric store in Jeddah, I also would like to join your quilting group.
    Thank you in advance,
    Almira

    Reply
  • Nauseen Ahmad says:
    27/10/2021 at 12:20 pm

    hello,
    I am interested in joining your group. Where do you do this? which compound? Please can you share details with me on my mail id? Thanks

    Reply
  • Rabeea says:
    23/10/2021 at 8:57 am

    Hi i want to know details please. Thank u

    Reply
  • wija neil says:
    10/10/2021 at 5:37 am

    yes I live in Jeddah (sharbatly village) I would like to learn how to do art quilt. Thank you

    Reply
  • New in Jeddah says:
    05/10/2021 at 10:50 am

    Hi, I am new in Jeddah, KSA (6 weeks) and love it so far. But, I ‘m looking for activities other than shopping and eating. 🙂 I came across your blog and would love to get involved with your creative group. I am an artist and educator interested in learning, teaching, and sharing. And of course making new friends with similar interests. Hope to hear from you. TZ

    Reply
    • Butterflies & Rainbows says:
      05/10/2021 at 11:11 am

      Hi TZ, I will send you an email. Lyn

      Reply
    • Anjuman says:
      23/11/2021 at 1:35 pm

      Hii
      I could not find yr email I’d , so writing here, I have been living in Jeddah since last decade and fed up of shopping n eating out. I want to do something constrictive for a change. I am very good at hand embroidery, crochet and knitting.
      After going through yr site, am very much interested to join you. Can you please give me yr details. Thanks n waiting for yr reply.

      Reply
  • naheed says:
    21/08/2021 at 3:16 pm

    Hi, I am soon shifting Inshallah to Saudi city khaladeyah, jeddah with a daughter who is 5 and one who is 13 and a son who is 12. All anxious to be busy with some fun activity. Saw your post and looks like a lot of fun. Could you please send me some more details. I would be interested in joining. Thank you.

    Reply
  • Allie Yates says:
    16/07/2021 at 2:47 pm

    What a great idea, I would love to join

    Reply
  • Meagan says:
    24/06/2021 at 6:00 pm

    Hi 🙂

    I really enjoyed reading your article. I would love to meet some like-minded ladies and learn some new skills in the process..over a cup of coffee. I am from South Africa and I’ve been here for about three months.

    Reply
  • Irene Sloan says:
    12/06/2021 at 11:18 am

    Hi. I arrived in jeddah about 6 months ago. I am Malaysian and my husband is British. I like what you wrote (intro) and am keen to meet and get to know ladies with such fun and positive attitude!

    Kindly email me with contact details.

    Thanks and regards
    Irene

    Reply
  • randomerscloud says:
    07/06/2021 at 2:43 am

    Hi I live in jeddah, I am art fanatic- would love to join is it possible? [email protected]

    Reply
  • Natishia says:
    01/06/2021 at 8:56 am

    Hi, we are planning to move to Jeddah in one and a half month. Is there anyone I can email to ask some questions like where to live (search for house), I would like to be close to activities since woman can’t drive, what to bring any other things. I would like to hear from someone experienced. My husband got job in Jeddah and we are planning to move. W are coming from South Africa. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Butterflies & Rainbows says:
      06/06/2021 at 1:49 pm

      Hi there, You can look at https://www.internations.org/
      This is a community of expats all over the world. look up activity groups in Jeddahg. There is a Women’s group that you can join if you become a member. I was the previous Consul and founder of the group. Expat blog is another good avenue to explore. Then there is Jeddah Blog. This should be very helpful to you.

      Reply
  • Wija says:
    31/05/2021 at 10:13 pm

    How to join? I am a female who loves about art & craft, patchwork & quilting

    Reply
  • reem Elgawish says:
    06/05/2022 at 1:37 pm

    I want to join

    Reply

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