As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I while back I had showed you the envelopes I designed for someones wedding. And here is the guestbook! It's SUCH an awesome idea, unlike a regular book! I designed this based on how many guest are invited, so a smaller wedding would be a smaller frame and less leaves (well smaller tree). This is printed on canvas. It's a 30"x40" frame, with a 2" depth.

....contact me (amtullah79@yahoo.ca) if you are interested in having me design one. It's completely customized, to fit the color scheme too, etc.


This is on the canvas, before it's signed. Sharpie Ultra Fine markers work the best, I tested a few!!



After the guests signed.



Close up of part of the illustration. It has a hadith at the bottom.

Labels: art, ideas

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Few weeks ago I had a 'bridal shower' - okay it was more like a just a party for my cousin, and made this cake!

Few reasons why I'm sharing it:
- I looks TOTALLY awesome inside, I mean LOOK at it - (excuse the not so good photography)
- You'll definitely impress all your guest - including yourself..haha
- It's really easy to make
- You can use other colors to match your theme
- It tastes pretty good
- Did I mention how cool it looks?


This is NOT my recipe, I've just copy and pasted it here for convenience. The YouTube clip shows how to make it. Makes 8" cake.

• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cups vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
Combine above in mixer, until mixed well.

• 4 eggs
Add eggs one at a time - mixing on low in between.

• 1 cup milk
Slowly add milk, mix until completely combined.

• white, pink, and black gel paste
• vanilla buttercream
• black fondant
• pink buttercream
• Wilton tip 1A

*white colouring is optional (I did not use it)

Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350F/170F.

Divide batter into three different bowls.
One bowl having half of the batter (white colour)
The other two have a quarter each (one black, one pink).

Spray two 8" pans and line bottom with parchment paper.

Place four tablespoons of white batter into the center of each pan. Then, directly into the middle of the white batter, place two tablespoons of black batter. Directly into the centre of the black batter, place two tablespoons of pink batter. Repeat cycle.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or toothpick test.
Once cake is cooled, cover in white buttercream, black fondant strips, and pink buttercream beads at base with Wilton 1A tip.

Labels: ideas, recipes

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I would like to share a FaceBook group with you. This is a group started by ME, for moms in Durham Region (including Scarborough)...in Ontario (Canada). The idea, or hope is to get moms together in this area where we can hold different events or activities for children.

Ideas I'd like to one day do with the group:
- Costume (dress-up) party (this will be end of Feb/2013)
- Picnics
- Soccer or football games
- Arts and Crafts days- Hiking/bird watching
- Eid parties
- Children's craft fair

Please share any ideas or experience you have with groups like this.


FaceBook: Muslim Moms in Durham Region


This mailing list is for event notifications.

Labels: ideas

My a little overdue post on Eid!
Insha'Allah I hope you all enjoyed Eid and had a wonderful Ramadaan. What you are doing today will tell you how good your Ramadaan went. Are you a better person today than you were in June?

Those that read my blog know I have a theme every Eid, to make my job easier when it comes to decorating. This year we did "The Jungle Book" - but the old one, the kids haven't watched the Disney version.


The Eid banner I made that was featured in Sakyna magazine with a tutorial.


Bageerah the panther being silly. This is what nine year olds do best! Tabarak'Allah.


I managed to purchase a 'jungle' background from the States..which saved me SO much work. It's huge and covered the family room walls. We added green streamers (in different shades) to represent vines.


 Mowgli chocolate cake! Not too complicated. Using only a 12" round cake.


 Of course we had to have some animals  (besides me being Shere khan). Here is Kaa the snake.


We also made some vines using this awesome tutorial, "Jungle Vines" - the only change I made was to use the large leaf/compost bags because I wanted them really long. From one bag we managed to get approximately 13 vines.


Hathi the elephant. The 'grass' is just cardboard painted. Leave a flap at the bottom (so a box cut in the right shape works well). Paint it all dark green, add a few highlights with light green. Simple, and can be placed around the room for the 'animals' to hide behind.


 Bagheera and Akela the wolf. The costumes are very simple to make if you have some sewing skills. Pants (with a tail), and make a shirt with a hood to add on ears  (or try something like this for the hood: "Wild Things Hat" ).


I made crocodile pies too - which were very yummy. With just a hotdog filling (hotdogs cut in pieces plus herb & garlic cream cheese), which kids love. This image is NOT mine, and I have no idea who to give credit to. But I did use their idea, and thank you to whoever you are. I used raisins for the eyes. 



....and there you have it! There were other things but I didn't take enough pictures - this should give some ideas to anyone who plans a similar party.

Labels: ideas, paper, ramadaan

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Fabric bookmarks!!!
I should really be doing other things, like working through my never ending list of "needs to be done right away" stuff! Anyway, I really love the idea of fabric bookmarks, so I was testing it out. They didn't turn out exactly what I had in mind.. so I'll have to go back to the 'drawing board', but still pretty in their own way.



I'm hoping to get them perfect so I can add them to peoples purchases when they shop at my etsy or zibbet store.

What's everyone else working on? Let me know, or share your blog link so I can check it out :)

Labels: ideas, sewing

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Here is my official list of projects to do. I have papers all over my desk with urls and ideas I'd like to try...but I think keeping a list here will make my life easier, and more likely motivate me to actually do them.............you may want to join me!
I will be updating the list regularly - adding more, and crossing out what is done (hopefully).
Sewing Projects:
Fabric Dollhouse
Clear Toy Storage Bags
Boy Pants     -  (completed link)
Pajama Eater
2d Character Softie
Hair Scrunchies
Princess Pavillion Tent
Arabic Fabric Book
Ironing Board Cover - (completed link)
Mowgli, Bagheera & Akela Costume -(completed link)
Rag Doll
Chef Hat
Art Case
Mail Holder
Football Thobes - (completed link)
Tinkerbell Costume
Cowboy Costume - (completed link)
Cinderella Dress
Back With Buckets
Puppet Theater
Carrot House

Crochet Projects:
Football Kufi (skull cap) - (completed link)
Crochet Doll
Seven Petal Flower
African Flower Purse
Bunny

Craft Projects:
Magnetic Paper Dolls
Fabric Labels
Jungle Theme Eid Cards - (completed link)
Vines - (completed link)
Eid Banner - (completed link)
Cool Book Shelf
Popsicle Bracelets
Stamp making
Subway Art
Ribbon Bookmarks
Mural for orphanage
City painting

Kids Activities to try with my nephews:
Islamic Play using paperclip pics
Shadow puppets
Jungle Book Diorama
Batik Letters
Shower Curtain Village
Carton Wallet

Food:
Unicorn Poop
Banana Ice-Cream
Watermelon Shark
Dutch Apple Pie-lettes

Future Swaps:
Ramadaan Girly Swap (June)
Children's Card Swap (June)
Crafty Supply Swap
Lil' & Big Book Swap
Survival Swap
Hijab & Accessory Swap
Alif, Baa, Ta Swap

Children's Competitions
Qur'an Art Competition - winner link
Qur'an Chef Competition

Labels: ideas, reflection

As-salamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

My dear readers, I need to pick your brain, please.

Can you please help me with some fundraising ideas! Yes.. Farhana needs money.. haha. Ideas can be from fundraisers you've attended, or organized or just think it'll be a really cool idea to try. Low budget, high budget.. anything!

I hope my comments are not as short as this post!

Labels: ideas

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

How about we do a little sharing, shall we..
What is your favourite sandwich?? (no .. "what *this restaurant* serves" please, unless you tell us exactly what is in it.)



I suppose this could be a little 'boring', but there is nothing like a cheese (real cheese.. non of the processed stuff) and tomato sandwich.. yummmmmmy! You must, must sprinkle salt and pepper on the tomatoes (it's not natural to eat them any other way), and if you really want to indulge.. butter is most welcome. Oh..on anything whole wheat.

Okay my dear readers.. I look forward to your feedback.

A pointless post? oh nooo.. I wouldn't dare!, it will actually help me with a sandwich project to help those who are not so well-to-do, insha'Allah. So share!

Labels: ideas

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Here is a not-so beneficial post for you..hehe
But I need some help with ideas, if you can please share your thoughts.

I'm looking for what words, sayings and/or images you'd like (buy) on clothing/accessories. More specific, on bags.

No.. you have no copyrights over what you post..hehe

I actually need it for bags (and maybe clothing) that will insha'Allah be sold, and all profits will go to charity.

Jazak'Allah.

Labels: ideas

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

After finally taking a little time to actually sort through all my recipes and getting most of them into a binder, I've decided to re-sort and write them out on recipe cards, because they seem like they'll last longer, and recipe cards look pretty! But now I'm not sure, because I have a lot or recipes... *that's going to be one huge box!* and some recipes are really long.


How do the rest of you sisters organize your recipes? Please let me know.. and any pro's and con's you find.. because I don't ever want to do this again :)

Labels: ideas, recipes

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Well well.. look what I have been busy making. Hijab pins!! A little time consuming, but pretty in any scarf :) The purple one (which looks black in the picture - sorry for the bad picture, you'd be amazed how much they shy away from the camera *modest pins..hehe*) is for my sister, and I think I shall keep the pink one. I have made a good number of them to date but have only kept one for myself so far.. they make great gifts, because they are practical and anything handmade is good.. right? (I know some people are shaking their head.. wait till I send you a handmade lint keeper :P ..hehe)


If sisters would like a hijab pin, I'd be happy to make one for you, I only ask that you donate some money to The Muslimah Centre of Pattani (Thailand).

:: Name of organisation: The Muslimah Centre of Pattani
:: Address: 45 Moo 1, Bana subdistrict, Mueng District, Pattani 94000
:: Contact person: Mrs Maryam Samoh
:: Tel: (073) 333-837
:: Savings Account: 2670615844, Bangkok Bank, Pattani branch.

Email me (amtullah79@yahoo.ca) if you would like one, and what colour, etc.

Labels: ideas, jewelry

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Well.. hum.. my attempt to put the Unity Mural together didn't work out so well. I know I'm not that great at math.. but this is pathetic!.. my calculation for something went somewhere..hehe. Insha'Allah tomorrow I shall give it another try. I am definitely going to try and get it as perfect as I can, especially since so many sisters have put so much time and effort into each beautiful canvas square, and are patiently waiting to see the outcome. Jazak'Allah Khayr for your patience.

While we are on about murals, has anyone tried painting a mural on canvas? I'd be very interested in hearing about it, please and thank you. Insha'Allah I shall tell you how things go tomorrow..

On a happier note, is there a bigger compliment than someone actually offering to buy a 'creation'!!..nooo there is not. A sister made my day when she asked if she could purchase my floral bag. (Thank you)

Ahh.. the joy of making things is endless I tell ya!!... even after it goes to someone else, it's a happy memory *smile*

Labels: ideas