As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Did you know over 100,000 marine animals die every year from plastic entanglement! Why this doesn't bother so many people in the world (Muslims especially), I can't understand... because if it did, 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags wouldn't be used each year!! It does a lot more damage than just kill, but most of us are well aware of that. And yet.. we still use them.

“Whoever kills [even] a sparrow without good reason, Allah (God) will question him about it on the Day of Resurrection.” -Ahmed

Anyway today I came across an excellent site which I'd like to share with you. Morsbags.com. It's a step in making a difference, please check it out. It has lots of ways to get involved, including an easy to follow video on how to make fabric bags.. and we have lots of crafty (your favourite word Gulnarita) sisters around, masha'Allah. Maybe you can make a few for yourself, a few extra for people you know.. and even some to give those you don't know.

I've added a 'Pod' under Sketched Soul Bags, everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in. I'll keep a tally there of how many 'we' make, insha'Allah.

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We only love what we understand. We only understand what we are taught." -Babia Dioum Senegalese Ecologist

Labels: reflection, sites

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Forgive me for the delayed picture. Look at all the lovely gifts I received from my wonderful swap partner. Jazak'Allah Amira.. I loveeeeeee everything!! (recipe books make me very happy, and an 'international' one.. well, I don't think I know the right word to describe it...'ecstatic'?


Contents include: A black apron, which I will definitely make good use of. A gorgeous book, which looks too precious to write in. A pretty dragonfly pin in my favourite colour!! Some cute hot chili pepper napkins. A set of handmade invitations.. which gives me a lovely excuse to through a party! *I wish you lived closer Amira*. Some cranberry jalapeno jelly (tastes awesome... did you make it??) And a cookbook! "Mezze, a culinary journey of discovery" I already have my eyes set on a few recipes to make. Oh, and a beautiful handmade Eid card..which is not in the picture (but on my fireplace mantel).

Much thanks to all my dear sisters who participated in the Accessorize My Hobby Swap. It's truly a pleasure hosting a swap for such creative and loving sisters.

While on the topic... how many sisters who have participated in previous swaps, keep in touch with any of their swap partners??

Labels: love, swaps

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Way back in June (I can't believe it was so long ago), I mentioned a little about our (mine, and my cousins) Crazy Creation swap. We each exchanged a list of 10 items (or similar) and had to come up with something using all of the items. We decided to exchange our gifts on Eid, ahh.. and what a wonderful and fun way to spend Eid!

I had a blast working on mine, and was just as excited to see what Fatima would come up with. Well here it is people...

This is what I made for her:



I had to use:
1) some wire - it's not in the picture.. but was a chain with wire and beads hanging from the zipper
2) 2 circles - the dot on the "i", and in the letter "W"
3) at least 1 safety pin - the zipper tab has a safety pin in, (ie. if the zipper fails, you have a 'safety' pin on hand)
4) some calligraphy - the word "chained water" is stenciled down the side of the skirt
5) a reflection - in the word "water", 'ater' is shown as a reflection
6) some ribbon - is used to attach the zipper tab (holding the safety pin) to the zipper
7) time - this is a mermaid style skirt, used in 1901
8) some glass - the beads stuck on the words are glass beads
9) at least 1 leaf - in the letter "W" there are leave designs
10) some powder - the skirt is made using 'powder green' fabric


This is what Fatima made for me:



She had to use:
1) something from nature - the frog cupcake! (isn't he cute)
2) analogous colours -the frosting used to decorate the cupcakes.. the colour is just gorgeous!
3) tribal motif - on the stand, there is the tribal design drawn on
4) a spice - the frog nose has cinnamon on
5) leather - it's used on the stand as decoration
6) something made in China - every item used to make this was from China
7) a battery - a little battery was used to hold up the sign on top saying Eid Mubarak
8) a pyramid - the masterpiece itself is in the shape of a pyramid
9) death - currents/raisins, used as the frogs eyes (this was such a good idea!!) (ie. they represent death.. as in a grape is alive.. and once 'dead' it's a raisin)
10) glass - the beads used on the stand as decoration

Masha'Allah, it's wonderful.. and her idea still makes me so happy, because I would have never thought of making something edible!

Insha'Allah we have plans for another swap, and will exchange gift on Eid-ul-Adha.

Would you like to join us?? If you are really interested, you need to find someone who lives near you, who is willing to participate as your exchange partner (so..no mailing gifts, because that means you have to take that into consideration).. and then you will have to email me at amtullah79@yahoo.ca with your name and your exchange partners email and name..and I'll email you both with further details.

Labels: art, crafts, swaps

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Eid Mubarak! (that's for Saturday to all my local brothers and sisters) I don't know when the rest of you are celebrating, but would love to hear about it!

I pray you have a wonderful Eid, and insha'Allah we get to see another Ramadaan! Eat a cookie (or two) for me.


For all my dear sisters who participated in the Accessorize My Hobby Swap, jazak'Allah! The swap was a success because of YOU... (yes, you!). May Allah Most High reward you for your good intentions, and show your kindness as you have shown to others. Ameen. I hope we get to see you in future swaps, insha'Allah.


Most of the pictures from the swap are up. I'm missing two. One of them is what's in my box! One of the pretty boxes at the top has my name on it! I thought I'd wait for Eid to open it, insha'Allah.. so keep checking the album for updates.

Labels: love, swaps

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

It's been a while... busy Ramadaan, alhumduliLlah. But I didn't forget to get a Ramadaan cookie in for any of those avid Eid bakers. Hazelnut Squares is probably the easiest recipe I have posted. Generally bar cookies are easy, and this only uses four ingredients.

Tasty indeed! Butter makes everything taste good..hehe They taste even better with a mug of hot chocolate, hazelnut and chocolate..can't go wrong!!



Makes 24 (depends on size you cut it)

1 cup (8 oz/16 tblsp) butter
1/4 cup (2oz/4 tblsp/57g) sugar
1 1/4 cup (10oz/284g) flour
1/4 cup (2oz/4 tblsp/57g) rice flour (grind rice grains)
1/2 cup (4oz/8 tblsp/114g) hazelnuts - grounded
24 whole hazelnuts

:: Cream butter and sugar until just combined.
:: Stir in flours and ground hazelnuts.
:: Spread dough in 13"x9" pan (which is lined with foil).
:: Mark into 24 squares with knife.
:: Place whole hazelnuts in centre of each square.
:: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30-40 minutes (until light golden brown).
:: Cut square again while hot.
:: Remove from pan once cool.

Labels: recipes