My first day teaching crochet

I was addressed as the crochet teacher today. The class was a great success mashaallah. I had 3 practical students and as many on lookers. I am very happy to say the students were very keen and we worked through a lot in 1 /1/2 hours.
1) holding the hook
2) holding the yarn
3) slip knot
4) making a foundation chain
5) Counting the stitches
6) Slip Stitch (2 types)
7) Double Crochet

My students have now started scarf's as their first WIP's using double crochet.

I thought to take pictures but became so engrossed , i forgot next lesson i promise.

A very positive and productive day alhamduilah.

Haiti Devistated

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has suffered a number of recent disasters, including four hurricanes and storms in 2008 that killed hundreds.

I urge you to donate if you have not already, so much sadness and destruction for theses people.

Muslim Mamma has details of Aid agencies here This could have easily have been you. We just don't know when do we? Images i saw of bodies piled up reminded me of the holocaust. A country in need truly.


"All of a sudden everything was just falling apart ... there was no place to hide"

seasonal in pictures

It's cold outside..............

NOt so nice

I was blessed enough to dine out this week and i tried another local eatery that boasted Chinese food as well as Asian. The décor was lovely and soothing with neon alternate lights flashing gently. The food was not very nice too spicy , the Chinese food was not authentic much to my disappointment and the loud flat screen blaring B4U music didn't help. Why do these Desi places always have to ruin it with a flat screen blasting out Bollywood? I also dislike when they serve drinks in a restaurant in a can and sauces in there bottles, it really lowers the tone. This i expect at a fast food outlet but not a waiter service restaurant. The French have this service mastered , really they have to be the best at this. Anyhow have a look at my pictures , the Grilled panner dish was lovely.

crochet WIP

Now i have been forced by my 8year old to finish her Hex's cushion. I am not allowed to start another piece until i have done so , so she demands ( i have manged a few sneaky projects here and there). Now the hex's i have fallen out with and could not no more but then i fell back in again and felt quite happy making them. Now joining them had become a chore ! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is one frustrating piece of work but when you look at the results, it's worth it really don't you think ? Not quite finished but nearly there!

It was really a clear out of WIP some dating as far back as Dec 2008 opps.


Remember this? I had a look thorough my blog post and no i didn't blog it. So why would you remember?

It was to be my first ever Afghan and i had to make 99 squares but i gave up at 15 and made it into a bag instead. At least that project is not lingering on!


I used an old tub of hot chocolate and made it into a charity collection box for my home and used my special yarn to cover it. I really like this glittery yarn fused with black as i have done here.

A small book sox for my books that get grubby in my hand bag , i sewed some beads on to the flap and used Velcro fastenings.


This is a felt flag my daughter aged 8 made


Can you guess which country ?

A scarf for dh (my first ever craft for him and he actually asked me yesterday ''where is my scarf?'')and i am hoping to make a skull cap to match it but now i feel the scarf is to thin in width , what do you think?

and finally ta daa...........................My first ever crocheted mittens , thank you Lucy


I have only made one at the moment and am working on the other.

The pattern is here and very easy i must add, go on give it a try you know you want too!

Iam here but not in the mood

I have been around just not in the mood to post ...i can't and don't feel like forcing out a post! Its nice to collect my thoughts and blog, a meaningful post. Not to mention i have been busy in the real world not allowing me time for the cyber world.

My oven has finally given up on me after 13 faithful years of service, i feel lost with out it. Even while on its last flames it has not given up on me giving some heat in fact too much heat . So i have been doing what i call blast baking. It's better than no baking at all, it just mean it will get intense heat and cook uneven very quickly. Here are some things i made, edible i may add alhamduilah.


I discovered some lovely new flours by an organic company , spelt flour, barely corn flour and rye. I must say i am totally converted they are great and even better on my stomach as i am not handling wheat for a long time now.

I tryed to make some coconut biscuits but i went a little wrong somewhere and they were more like scones but yummy all the same. I was inspired from here


While on the topic of food , a friend of mine has introduced me to here family remedy for colds and general unwell being.............one sip of this and you will be awake if not anything else. A very powerful infusion with instant results mashaAllah!

Ginger and lemon. You boil up the ginger which has been peeled and cut into cubes for about 20 mins reducing it to a simmer. Adding sliced lemon at the end for about 5 mins. Sweeten with honey. Enjoy and get well soon!

Updates

I have not been feeling to well recently a seemly tummy bug it would seem. This has kept me way. This week i have a sudden influx of Hijamah clients alhamduilah so they are all headed here end of the week , i do hope the predicted big freeze will allow this as it's the last sunnah day and some are coming from across town.

My daughters cushion is coming along nicely as you saw in the previous pictures but i will tell you this its so fiddly that i have lost heart and am having to really push myself and start again to finish it. I have come t the conclusion that i am not cut out for multiple colour change projects. I have agreed not to begin anything new until i finish this very project , its torture i tell you . Confessing i have sneaked in two quick fix projects.

Saturday last i was asked to help out at a fund raiser for HUGS but i could not find their link online to show you. Turn out was poor sadly but we still raised a fair amount and blessing is from Allah. So i am happy for the families of that will receive the funds.

I have been offered a job..something that came along but i am very excited about as its doing something i enjoy.yes cooking, crochet and chatting. I have been asked by a Women's Support Group (Beyond Borders) to join their committee and come on board as senior management. There are no wages but i am more than happy to help on a part time basis voluntary. I am looking forward to the new experience and the challenges it will bring for me. My first class starts on Monday and i will be teaching crochet to women.............so anyone in the East London area free 11am-2pm on a Monday do come and join me.


Seasonal hol's are officially over and all my children went back this week to school. The home is so quiet and i feel quite sad to be alone again as do enjoy the company of my children. Nevertheless i have many tasks to sieve through today , cooking, shopping, banking, housework, studying and i am hoping some me time within all this inshaallah. There is a predicted big freeze heading to Britain infact its already arrived in the North of England, i want to get enough veg for food over this period so i do not need to venture out to labourious chores while the roads are slippery with dangerous ice. Well i better get started , take care all and have a great week.

I have been listen to this talk ,

that a fellow blogger put up on her FB, it is how i have been feeling so much so recently , living in a consumer society really gets me down , with the amount of waste esp over the seasonal period just passeed.

Time Never Stands Still

I have been on a bit of a cyber break really............not been to enthusiastic about coming on the PC. I get like that sometimes feel the need to get away for a bit and sit it out.
Just popped in to share my past weeks in pictures.


Catching up with my WIP