As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

My apologizes for not updating my blog, I've been very busy lately but I had to put up a new swap for Ramadaan/Eid! Not only do sisters email to ask, but I love the idea of giving a gift to a sister I've never met in hopes her Eid will be a little more sweeter!



Details of swap: This year it's not going to be very complicated. The only requirement is it must be a minimum of $15.

Participants allowed: International (females only). The more sisters you invite the better the swap usually is.

Ages allowed: All ages.

Cost Range: There is no limit and there should be no expectations on either side.

Sign up due date: Thursday July 11, 2013
Partners will be emailed to you on: Sunday July 14, 2013
Gift must be mailed out by: So she can receive it in time for Eid.

To participant leave a comment under this post: include your email address, and 5 things you really like.

(If for whatever reason you prefer not to leave your email - contact me at amtullah79@yahoo.ca - but still leave a comment on this post about the 5 things you like)

Labels: ramadaan, swaps

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
Ramadaan Mubarak everyone!

Making Eid cards is (was) the last thing on my Eid to-do list - I didn't want to do any Eid related things during Ramadaan, so happy I got everything completed in time, alhumduliLlah.

So our Eid has a Jungle Book theme to it. I use a theme every Eid, because it makes it easy for me to decorate. The kids are so excited about this years plans! Insha'Allah it all goes well.

Labels: paper, ramadaan

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

The summer issue of SAKYNA Magazine features a tutorial done by me, on how to make an Eid Banner! Please check it out, and support the mag.


I've also made an extra banner in fabric for a lucky winner, insha'Allah.



I had so much fun making it, and love how the fabric fades from one color to another.

What you have to do to grab your chance to win: let others know about this giveaway either on your blog, facebook page, pinterest page or tweeter - then leave the link in the comment box.

Tada! ..that's it... Wednesday, July 25th I'll announce the winner.





For those who would like to do the tutorial (in the magazine), I'm including a download here for the lettering:
Lettering For Eid Banner

Labels: giveaways, ramadaan, sewing, tutorials

As-salaamu'alaykumwa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu
 

Insha'Allah this will be my Ramadaan sale!

Check out: Sketched Soul

The coupon code is valid until Eid, but the children's abayas/thobes will only be listed until the end of the month, this is the last of the stock.

Please let others know.
Jazakum'Allahu khair.

Labels: ramadaan, sites

In 2006 (yes my blog is old - so am I).... I did a post on a Ramadaan Surprise box. I had used the tutorial from a site which showed a simple box with sections, and I decided it would look cool as a masjid. Anyway, the tutorial link no longer works and I've had so many requests.. I decided to re-do the whole thing for YOU! - you're welcome *grin*

 
Here is the PDF file, if for some reason you can not download it, email me and I'll send you a copy.

It's not a 'simple' craft... so if you decide to make it - you really love your child *cheesy grin*
 

They are different things you can fill the box with. 
This particular box is for three children. One child is only 2 years old, so I’ve put a candy in for her, and she'll learn the numbers (30 days) and it'll give Ramadaan that specialness it deserves.
The other two children will get a candy as well as a piece of paper where they will write their charity
(sadaqa) for the day - in hopes they will learn about giving, and realize how much they can accomplish in a month.

Other options:
- add small (loot bag type) toys
- add a date for each day
- add a short hadith to read each day
- add a short sentence about Ramadaan (i.e: Allah gave us the Qur'an in Ramadaan).

If you have any other ideas, please share.
AND feel free to show me how you're surprise box turned out, I would LOVE to see it.

Labels: crafts, ramadaan, tutorials

Bows! A wonderful way to make a plain gift look extra special.
I love how simple it is to make your own. The beauty is you can use SO many different things to make one..and they all look interesting - newspapers, magazines, maps, wrapping paper, ribbon, felt, etc.


I have two print outs to make it even easier.
- "Eid Mubarak" print out
- "With Love" print out

Labels: crafts, paper, ramadaan, tutorials

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

Ha.. I know, I know.. I'm way behind on posting a Ramadaan activity this year. Well... that's because I have no more nephews to teach, however a wonderful sister reminded me that they are still other children out there that would like to do something fun this Ramadaan. So here it is... my giant Ramadaan Dua' Book!


The purpose of this book:
- To teach children how to 'reflect' on the blessings Allah has bestowed upon us. It's something we (adults) should be doing - so encourage them from now to make it part of their lives.
- One of the best prayers a person can make is "AlhumduliLlah".
- Make Ramadaan fun, and give them a sense of how special it is.



Most of the instructions (on how to assemble this book) are on the pdf file.

Ramadaan Dua' Book PDF

After making the book, you'll need to print out 30 pages of the 'alhumduliLlah' page (last page on pdf) - and secure them in the book using the fastners you glued in.

Print out the "Reflective words" - place a word plus a small toy (balloon, date, candy, stickers, etc.) in each cylinder, cover with tissue paper and a rubber band, and stick a number on (provided on pdf).

Each day the child will poke a hole through the right day (example, 3rd fast - so number three), read the 'reflective word' - and think about what he/she is thankful for that relates with that word. Then write about it, and / or draw a picture of it.

Not much to it, but it'll definitely teach them to 'see' how much they have, and insha'Allah appreciate it.

Labels: crafts, paper, ramadaan

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Yaaay, I'm finally done! Phew... alright, I must admit.. I rushed to get this project done so that others have enough time to copy it before Ramadaan... and well, I've taken a few short cuts.

If you are a regular reader of my blog (jazak'Allahu khair) you'll know that every Ramadaan I have a project for my nephews (now 5 and 3.5 years old) that not only teaches them a thing or two, but it's designed to make Ramadaan something to look forward to. And yes, they really do look forward to it, in addition to all the other exciting things happening in Ramadaan. (Like cranky people who need food.. I'm kidding.)


This is the 'Cave of Hira', where Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) received his first revelation. Insha'Allah I'd like to focus on the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) this whole month. The cave will be filled with goodies (like stickers, balloons, candy, etc.) as well as a hadith (attached to the goodie). Each hadith is in the shape of a palm tree leaf, and once we learn the hadith, we'll stick it up in our scenery (ie: for the lesson plan).

We'll be reading "Goodnight Stories from the life of the Prophet Mohammad", published by Goodword. It has 23 short chapters, which is wonderful, because we can read one each day and do a lesson after each (skipping weekends).


I used a larger box, because I need it for two boys. Cut the front flaps off.. this will be the cave entrance.


This is not the right way of doing paper mache, but it's the method I use when in a rush..it's great! Scrunch up paper and tape it down with white masking tape (green might show through). Try and picture how you would want the cave to end up looking, and just add paper where needed. Make sure to add some in the front (where you cut the flaps, over lapping the sides, bottom, etc.


Add a little water, white (pva/craft) glue, and some brown acrylic paint together. Cut strips of paper towel, and cover the entire cave. This makes the structure stronger, you'll use less paint (next step), and gives it a better finish.


Once it's dry, using a darker acrylic brown paint (you can thin it down with a little water), cover the entire cave. Don't do a good job.. yes you read right. It will give a more realistic look. You are done at this point.

I added a little more glue to the paint and sprinkled some sand over. The palm trees can be made with whatever you have around the house. I used green fabric (with wire stuck under each leaf to angle it right) and branches I found outside. (As far as I know, there were no palm trees near the real cave.. but mine needs some life! - and now the kids know you don't only get coconuts on palm trees.) Make sure everything is dry.. add your goodies.

Caves done by others:

Sister Sonia

Jazaki'Allahu khair for sharing.

Labels: crafts, paper, ramadaan

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

It feels like we just celebrated Eid, and here is.. Ramadaan around the corner once again, alhumduliLlah. Last year I had made a Ramadaan Surprise Box for my nephews, which they absolutely loved! I really recommend making something of this nature for your child(ren) or others you may know. This year I decided to make them something similiar.

I love the story of Prophet Nuh (alayhis salaam), and insha'Allah this little ark will be a means for the boys to learn more about him.

Ark Tutorial

A day or two before Ramadaan begins I'll read them the story of Prophet Nuh written by Saniyasnain Khan available at Goodword Books (in this series), and do a little lesson about it.




The box is for two boys, so it's divided in the center. Each side is filled with different little items, like stickers, candy, balloons, a ball, other toys, etc. I found a lot of things at Party Packagers, and the Dollar Store (this is in Canada). Suggestions for places in the States are welcome, for the sake of other readers. On the side of the ark is a little calendar, each day they pull a page off, read the little blurb and each pick out a toy from their ark door. The 'blurb' is a mixture of information about Ramadaan, Eid and Prophet Nuh (alayhis salaam).

The actual constructing of the ark was very easy. The main box that holds the candy/toys is a jumbo cereal box. The 'wood' is drawer liner you can by at any kitchen or dollar store. The animals are finger puppets and the roof/stairs are sticks from my back yard.

For other Ramadaan box ideas, check out Ummlayla's blog. She made a wonderful fabric one last year, and has a different one planned for this year, insha'Allah, which I look forward to reading about.

Labels: crafts, paper, ramadaan

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

After bumping into The Egyptian's Wife post on the wonderful Ramadaan Surprise Box she made for her dear children, I decided to try one out for my nephews, Abdullah and Umar.

An excellent tutorial can be found at Islamic Parenting.
A few tips I'd like to share: If you cut the squares out with a utility knife you get a nice clean edge, use double sided tape to make your own stickers to fit your theme if you can't find stickers you like, and to fit my theme I just painted my box instead of using wrapping paper.

Although they are both young, (3 years old and 1.5 years old) I hope it would still be a means of them to learn a little about Ramadaan and make it a special month for them, as it is for us insha'Allah.



I decided to make the box look like a masjid since it is something Abdullah is familiar with and loves. Each box is filled with dates, a written message, and a little something, like lollipops, prayer beads, mini toys, lip balm (they love lip balm), and other things they like. The last two days have balloons and streamers in, which they can decorate the house with, for Eid insha'Allah.

Here are a few of the written messages I used that Abdullah should be able to understand. But you can change them to suit the age.

:: Muslims fast in Ramadaan.
:: After Ramadaan we celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
:: We should make lots of dua' in Ramadaan.
:: It is good to give money in Ramadaan to the poor people.
:: On Eid day we say, "Eid Mubarak!" to everyone, which means "Have a blessed Eid!"
:: In Ramadaan we should pray "laa'ilaha illallah" a lot.
:: When we break our fast it is called 'Iftar'.
:: When we break our fast we should say "Thank you" to Allah for giving us food to break our fast.
:: Allah gave us the Qur'an in Ramadaan.

If anyone else decides to make one, let me know all about it! I'd love to see pictures of it, and hear any ideas you might have.


While on the topic of Masjids, I am hoping to paint one for my parents, insha'Allah. Help me out here, what painting would be more appealing to you, a Masjid that already exists, or a totally different Masjid? I look forward to any feedback, insha'Allah.

NOTE: above tutorial link no longer works... please visit this page: Ramadaan Surprise Masjid

Labels: crafts, paper, ramadaan