Wufoo Panda
Sunday, April 01, 2012
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I'm finally back to sewing, and thought I'd share something with you.
This is a dress for my niece who adores Kung Fu Panda (but pronounces it wufoo panda). She's 2 years old...(that's the dress size).


The dress pattern is from this site: ikatbag
I absolutely LOVE her blog, and just floored at how talented and creative she is. She's also nice enough to share a lot of her patterns and ideas.


Front of the dress.

Back of the dress. "Love"

Here is the pattern for the pandas. I cut them out in felt and just stitched them on. Simple enough, and I really dig the mix of felt with paint (bamboo)... I'll probably end up doing more using this idea.


Here is the pattern for the bamboo. Check this link for a tutorial: Stenciling
It's worth learning how to do it, I've done stenciling SO many times! I'll share other work I've done in future posts.
Happy sewing! If anyone tries this out, or even just makes the dress .. please share with ME! I love seeing what others are doing.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 3:19 PM | Permalink 7 comments
Spicy Grilled Chicken
Monday, March 26, 2012
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

This recipe is long over due...and since summer is close, I figured it might come in handy. I pretty much spend the whole summer eating bbq'd food, and this one is on the menu at least twice in a week.


Serves 5 (or just me..haha)

10 pieces of chicken
1 lemon - juiced
1 tsp black pepper
5 cloves garlic - minced
1" ginger root - minced
1 tsp red chili powder (or to taste)
1/2 tsp paprika
optional: sea salt to taste


Directions:
:: Wash chicken pieces, dry with paper towel, and cut two slits into them (so the marinade will go in).
:: Mix all ingredients together in shallow bowl and place chicken pieces in, coat thoroughly.
:: Allow to marinate in refrigerator for 2 hours at minimum (over night is better).
:: Before grilling add in clarified butter (or any oil you prefer).
:: Grill chicken on medium hot coals until browned (and juices run clear), turning and basting with any marinade that may be left in the bowl.

Happy bbq'n!! - eat for me :)

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posted by Sketched Soul at 11:32 AM | Permalink 2 comments
The Craft of Life
Thursday, March 08, 2012
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Some REALLY awesome news! SketchedSoul is featured in the March issue of "SISTERS" Magazine! Yaaay, alhumduliLlah. Written by Brooke Benoit! She did such an amazing job, masha'Allah.. really enjoyed the piece (not only 'cuz I was featured in..*grin*)When I first stumbled upon the burgeoning sisters’ craft niche in the Muslim blogosphere, my cynicism hijab must have been wrapped too tight. Why? I wondered. There are g-oodles of craft blogs, websites, online video tutorials and so on, why would the Muslimahs want to add to that clutter? And then I scrolled down – and it was love at first sight: a Muslimah-only international craft swap!

Farhana Faruq started her blog Sketched Soul way back in 2006, and it is one of the oldest of the Muslimah craft blogs on the Internet. Fresh onto her Canadian ISP, Farhana’s interests in creativity, encouraging sisterhood, sharing a love of reading, and her family’s various grassroots charity projects immediately showed through in her first few posts: “Surfing the net I realised there were a lot of people out there like me. Creative but broke. Wanting to give but not having enough. So Sketched Soul was born. It was (and still is) meant to be a means for creative (and the not-so-creative) people to come together and help with little projects that make a huge impact on the lives of those less fortunate. At the same time, the blog brings (mainly) sisters together through the different projects and swaps.”

A graphic designer with a love for fashion, Farhana’s sister-to-sister “swaps” and charitable “projects” have become a staple of her blog,but her compulsion to craft also keeps the blog filled with a wide range of tutorials and innovative art and craft suggestions, such as her Arabic calligraphy wedding cake topper, annual Ramadhan crafts, and a fabulous stencilling tutorial. This winter, between uploading photos of her recent hand-painted leopard-print skirt project and a headband tutorial, Farhana also synthesised her several years of e-community building know-how to help put together an international book drive for an orphanage her uncle has built in Zambia.

Educators and entrepreneurs have long known that fostering creativity and actively pursuing hobbies gives people the confidence to amass new skills, try new things, and therefore tend to be more successful in their endeavours and lives. While they’ve all had their fair share of admirers gush “Oh, I could never!”, longtime crafters know that actually folks really could – if not this, then maybe that. While someone may not have the patience or ambition to learn a particular craft, art-making processes, like all other things, can be learned and all learning begets more learning across different mediums. For these sisters who initially just wanted to chat stitches and knots, branching out and subsequently building up are re-occurring themes .

“An artist/artisan of sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery … and sometimes craft,” Sabina Taylor has over 30 years of experience in fibre arts as well as a multitude of other mediums she has mastered to incorporate into her work. Like all the bloggers, Sabina simply loves her craft; she is thankful to Allah I to have her talent and she has a drive to share both her appreciation and knowledge with others. Sabina first stepped away from her Kenmore and dye baths long enough to put up some blog entries on Slip Stitches and More when she was living overseas in the United Arab Emirates. What “began as an outlet while acclimatising to the Mideast” ultimately increased Sabina’s tech-skills online: “as I grew in SEO and pc/web knowledge I began to ‘get it’ and incorporate all this into my handmade business.”

Sabina’s modest blog has grown into a nice little brand for her with a YouTube channel, a few social network pages, and an Etsy shop. “The novice sewist” is still Sabina’s motivation and while the blog is a great showcase for her work, Sabina freely shares her decades of know-how with many tips and tutorials that can be especially beneficial to sisters, such as her videos of an easy caftan-making lesson and how to repurpose a butterfly abaya into a shoulder abaya. In turn, as someone who has benefited a great deal from da’wah and knowledge-based websites, Sabina has also expanded into a second blog which is Islam-based and she has had the opportunity to share plentiful information about the deen with her non-Muslim craft readers.

Erum in Pakistan has long been a compulsive crafter and wanted some way to record and maybe share all the projects she had done for her family, such as the fancy holiday dresses she makes and embellishes for her daughters. Her nephew suggested she get a blog and with little know-how, Arts Crafts N Hobbies was hesitantly started in 2010. Craft blogging has turned out to be an amazing experience for Erum who has met many talented and generous people all over the world: “The blog polished my creativity and has given me a chance to learn and try out so many new things.” While she continues to enhance her skills and expand her repertoire, Erum has also begun to dabble a little in selling her crafts locally.

Another seasoned blogger of several years, Ginger Davis, aka UmmLayla of the Crafty Muslimah blog [whoops! That's the Crunchy Mama blog!], posting from the American Midwest, just recently started a second craft-focused blog where she hopes to highlight her aim to make one project a week during 2012 with the goal of making herself a whole wardrobe. On her other blog, Ginger’s original Ramadhan crafts always garnered a lot of attention from readers searching for Islamic-related items unavailable commercially and for those who are more likely to do-it-yourself. Ginger tries to wear something handmade every day and by simply uploading pictures of projects she is already doing, “in the end maybe other people will be inspired to do the same.” Ginger loves the process of creating something from start to finish, beginning with the rawest of materials, figuring all the bits out, and finally arriving at the finished product. “If I could go from baby sheep to finished sweater, it would be fulfilling a dream of mine.” Sounds like someone has a lot of blocking and blogging to do!

If you are a crafty Muslimah – newbie or master – you can find like-minded souls, not only among the Muslimah craft blogosphere, but there are also e-groups budding up all over the Internet. If you don’t have time or access to quilting circles or beading classes in your area, you can still enjoy the camaraderie of other crafty sisters on Facebook, Yahoo, Flickr, and throughout Cyberville.

Brooke Benoit is an American artist who is home-educating her 5.5 children in Casablanca, Morocco. This year when people ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over her kids’ Ramadhan projects, she may begrudgingly admit that the brilliant ideas were not originally her own.

~~~

This article appears in the March 2012 issue of SISTERS Magazine.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 11:25 AM | Permalink 7 comments
Playtime
Friday, February 17, 2012
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I have a few new pictures to share of the wonderful children (tabarak'Allah) from the Zambian Orphanage.

Please join us on FaceBook where we have updated info: Zambian Orphanage
... and let others know.



The book drive is just amazing so far! AlhumduliLlah. Thank you everyone for your help, effort, prayers and support. May Allah reward you with the best in this world and in the next. Ameen.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 2:49 PM | Permalink 3 comments
Suleman's Pictures
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Brother Suleman visited the Zambian orphanage about a month ago. Here are a few pictures from his collection I'd like to share with you.

Two students reading/praying to each other.


This is one of the classrooms.... and the teacher.


Few of the students... all smiles, tabarak'Allah.


One of the day students. This orphanage is for boys, but during the day girls come for the school program as this is the only education they can get.



Please be sure to check out the Book Drive Page, if you're interested in helping us build a library for them.
Jazak'Allahu khair.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 7:45 AM | Permalink 6 comments
Grounded
Sunday, January 08, 2012
... another Illustration Friday!!
Topic is "grounded"!


Link
click to enlarge

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posted by Sketched Soul at 3:05 PM | Permalink 5 comments
Book Drive
Saturday, December 31, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

AlhumduliLlah, we are given another opportunity to help others.

This project is to collect much needed books for an orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
It's a project that's very close to my heart because it's located in an area where I grew up, because I love children, and because my uncle is the one running this orphanage. Although he's busy, and not very tech-savvy (okay, no at all), I'm determined to help as much as I can from my end (Canada).. and insha'Allah I hope you'll join me.



Details of project: Collect NEW and USED books. Islamic and secular books in all subjects. Ages 5 years old to College students.
Suggestions: Arts and Crafts, Trades, Math, Sciences, English, Arabic, Mechanics, Computers (current).

Book drive in YOUR area? The books will be shipped from Capitol Heights, Maryland. If you are able to collect books in your area and ship them either to Maryland (U.S.A), Toronto (Canada), or Zambia (Africa) please let us know, so I we can direct people to the closest contact.

How they will be delivered: Shipped from Maryland (U.S.A.) - IRHSCA
Accepting cash donations for shipping costs.


U.S.A. (Maryland):
IRHSCA
Atten: Book Drive
1 Chamber Avenue
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
U.S.A
Contact: irhsca@gmail.com


Canadian (Ontario):
Contact: amtullah79@yahoo.ca
Areas you can drop books off: Mississauga, Markham, Durham Region


U.K. (London):
Smart Ark Ltd
PO Box 61244
London N17 1AZ
UK
Contact: info@smartark.com


Africa (Zambia):
Makeni Institute Trust
P.O. Box 31721
Lusaka, Zambia
Africa



CUT OFF DATE for all books is March 1st, 2012
Please come together even if it's one book and donate to a worthy cause. Knowledge is a great gift, so please donate with good intentions!!


Makeni Institute Trust is a registered charitable organization: 7000000726808

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posted by Sketched Soul at 12:47 PM | Permalink 0 comments
Sisterhood
Thursday, December 29, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

The year is almost ending, and I've done a wonderful job of not keeping my blog up to date *lowers my head in shame*.. insha'Allah I'm hoping 2012 will be much better. I have a project on the way, and new tutorials and recipes I'd like to share, as well as more swapsssss! *everyone loves those*

Fortunately my sewing streak is still going - I've even surprised myself, usually it's off to the next project after a week. Here is a skirt I made. I've actually made a few in different colours but more or less the same style.


The front says "Sisterhood" in Arabic, this is my design and hand painted on by me. The back has it written in English. Would you have put a different word?


Please give me some feedback. Positive or negative (but constructive).

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posted by Sketched Soul at 3:53 PM | Permalink 5 comments
Headband Tutorial
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

... yup... I'm failing at this blogging thing!!! sorry people... I'll try and make a better effort in keeping it updated.

Lately I've been very busy sewing.. and would like to share a really cute tutorial with you. This is a for a headband, either for children or adults (looks good on both) and really easy to make!



You can find the written instructions here: http://www.madebymarzipan.com/ (under Betty Band) or watch the video below. Marzipan has lots of other great stuff to try.



Note: I did have to make the headband 1 inch smaller than directed (for a 22 month old) - so the "Child Size" on the website.




Alrighty people..I'll be back with more, insha'Allah!! :)

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posted by Sketched Soul at 1:19 PM | Permalink 7 comments
Arabic Wedding Topper
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I've been meaning to post this! I'm sorry it took me so long to those I promised pictures.

Anyway.. here it is! An Arabic wedding topper! I love the idea..it's definitely unique! Trust me when I say you can't find them anywhere else.. I looked!!! I made these for someone else. It took me approx. two weeks to complete, and I tried using just about every material I could get my hands on (gum paste, paper mache, plaster of paris, etc.). After the fourth try I came up with my own mix of mainly cardboard and clay.

AlhumduliLlah, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Not edible unfortunately, but solid!!

Close up of the letters. They still look nicer than the pics :)

This is on a red velvet cake!


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posted by Sketched Soul at 11:23 AM | Permalink 12 comments
Rainbow Eid Swap
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

My apologies for not posting or visiting your blog.

Every year we have an Eid gift swap/exchange. One intention is that sisters get to meet each other online and build a friendship that will insha'Allah last forever. It's been successful so far, alhumduliLlah.. so we're doing it again!

Have fun with it!!


Details of swap: Each participant will gift their partner. Think 'rainbow'.. go shop, mail the gift so they can receive it for Eid, and in between all this stay in touch (with them, not me).

Participants allowed: International (females only).

Ages allowed: All ages.

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

Rules:
1) Sent out gift- inform me and your swap partner.
2) Received gift - inform me and your swap partner.


Sign up due date: Thursday July 28, 2011
Partners will be emailed to you on: Sunday July 31, 2011
Gift must be mailed out by: So they get it for Eid (you do the math)


If you would like to participate, I will need to know the following information. (amtullah79@yahoo.ca) note: .ca NOT .com
Please email me the answers even if you have participated in a previous swap.


QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER
Name of swap: Rainbow Eid Swap
Blog/website url (if you have one):
Email address:
Your real name:
Mailing address:
Does your swap partner have your permission to post pics of your gift:
How did you hear about this swap:

Comments:



Participants to date:
- Hijabi Apprentice
- Yaney
- Umm Umar
- Rachelle
- Hafsa
- Kris
- Maria
- Shabana
- Zainab
- Hajar
- Haseeba
- Susan

Gift sent out are bold/color

Received:
- Shireen
- Shaalom2Salaam

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posted by Sketched Soul at 6:28 PM | Permalink 7 comments
Our Little Book Keepers
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I'd like share a wonderful project I learned about recently. I'm not part of the organizers but have a wonderful friend right there working as a volunteer.. so I KNOW it's legit. (You never know these days)... and insha'Allah I'll be taking part in this project.



IDEA? To send at the very least 211 books to children in rural villages in Sabah, Malaysia, by October 2011.


WHY?
1) To promote reading in villages.


HOW?
- Passing down your pre-loved books.
- Purchase books online and send them there.
- Telling absolutely anyone about this project.


FOR WHO?
1) Kindergarten: age 4-6yr old
2) Elementary: age 7-12yr old
*Books can be in both Malay or English


Anyone interested in contributing can email:
lilbookkeeper.borneo@raleighinternational.org.my

OR.. email my friend directly: hajar.alwi@gmail.com

Those on FaceBook can join: Our Little Book Keepers

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posted by Sketched Soul at 12:23 PM | Permalink 0 comments
Wisdom Of One Man
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

Just adding a little update on the Friday Hadiths!
AlhumduliLlah.. so far we have more than 150 subscribers... May Allah reward you all for your good intentions, and bless you with understanding. Ameen.

Those that don't know about it:
Every Friday... you receive a Hadith. The source of the Hadith is provided as well as a commentary to explain it.
Usually it's very short.. and something you can apply to your life right away.

Example: Dinner With Satan


Sisters interested in receiving teachings of the beloved Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam)
Email:
Subscribe Unsubscribe



Brothers interested in receiving teachings of the beloved Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam)
Email:

Subscribe Unsubscribe


Please share this post with others. Jazak'Allahu khair.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 11:55 AM | Permalink 0 comments
Gems!!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Here is a VERY over due update to the Gems Swapping!

Each name below will take you to a wonderful post and picture of what they received.
- Rolling Ruminations
- Handmade Beginnings
- Aaminah Al-Naksibendi


I enjoyed the swap (as always).. and am thankful to all the sisters who joined in to make it possible. Insha'Allah you all had fun, and were able to make a 'friend' - the kind you want to keep..haha :)

_____________________________

I received lots of lovely things from my swap partner Maryam. Okay.. it was beyond lovely..there was FUDGE in there!!! Which was sooooooo delicious. So is the lipbalm (delicious yes..) Two gorgeous hijabs.. in pink and purply tones. A beautiful flower pin, henna, itaar, OH.. and cook book of yummy salads... just perfect, insha'Allah I'll be using that for our summer bbq's!!!


Jazaki'Allahu khair Maryam! I love everything!! and insha'Allah I pray we can continue to be good friends :)

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posted by Sketched Soul at 9:58 AM | Permalink 0 comments
Do YOU have what it takes?
Monday, March 14, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I'd like to share a project.. an AWESOME project that Muslim Hands is running.


It's a ten day trek (June 13th - 23rd) to scale the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro!!!! C'mon, how cool is that!!! Like the trek isn't brilliant enough.. the money raised (from sponsors) will go towards maternity clinics, training of midwives, essential medicines and pre and post-natal care for expectant mothers.

Mount Kilimanjaro Trek Details

I'm so stoked with this project.
Sisters can participate.. however you need a mahram. Which is why I wouldn't be going.. BUT insha'Allah I hope I can sponsor someone. So if you have no plans on participating, but would like to sponsor someone.. PLEASE email me (amtullah79@yahoo.ca), we can do it together.

Spread the word!!


Update:
Okay.. I found someone to help... brother Mohammed Faris. If anyone is familiar with Productive Muslim.. he's the dude who runs it.

If you would like to help sponsor him please check out: Kilimanjaro Challenge

Jazak'Allahu khair :)

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posted by Sketched Soul at 1:37 PM | Permalink 0 comments
Sweater
Friday, February 11, 2011
... this weeks Illustration Friday theme is 'sweater'.
Not a most exciting topic.. but I'm pretty happy with how my illustration turned out!


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posted by Sketched Soul at 9:24 PM | Permalink 11 comments
Volcano Eruption
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I have a pretty cool craft to share with you! A volcano.. that erupts!

I enjoyed this one as much as the kids did. And they REALLY loved it...from the crafting right to it erupting.



Before the craft we learned a little about volcanoes (and the one in Japan had just been on news), we also did this word search, and learned the spelling of the words.

Word Search

And now the fun begins.


You'll need an empty water bottle (500 ml) and a jumbo cereal box (or any cardboard).
Cut the box in half. Using one half as the base, tape the bottle in the center.
Cut the other half of the box in four equal parts. Tape them around the bottle as shown in the picture.
This doesn't need to be neat, nor does it need all the gaps covered - it's just the skeleton of the mountain.



Mix some water and flour - to make a gravy-like paste. Don't make it to thick.
Cut strips of news paper. Dip each strip in the paste and cover the entire mountain (not the bottle top) with ONE layer or paper.
Scrunch balls of news paper, dip in flour-water mix and stick them on. Make it random, in size and position.
Cut strips of news paper and cover entire mountain with one layer or paper - to hold all those 'rocks' in place.



After the mountain dries, (ours took 2 days) paint it. We mixed different colors together.. and got a green-brown color. If you have sand or anything that resembles sand.. sprinkle that over the wet paint. We used crumbs.. because that's just what you do when it's winter here!



Once completely dry, cut the top off. Please make sure it's an adult does this. I just used a knife. The bigger hole will make it easier for kids to pour the liquid in (to make it erupt), and it looks better.



You'll need two measuring jugs (something with a spout to make pouring easy).
In one add:
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tsp baking soda
- few drops of dish washing liquid
- 1/2 tsp glitter (lava actually looks shiny - hence the glitter)
Mix thoroughly - or the baking soda stays at the bottom.



In the next jug add:
- 1 cup vinegar
- few drops red food coloring



This gets messy. So place a tray under your volcano to help with clean up.
First pour in the baking soda mix (mix it well before pouring in, so you get everything).
Pour in the vinegar mix. As soon as the vinegar hits the baking soda, it'll erupt.


Happy Crafting!!

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posted by Sketched Soul at 9:40 AM | Permalink 6 comments
Surrender
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
.... just adding my Illustration Friday picture! The topic this week is 'Surrender'



It's such a cool topic and I could have come up with a million ideas, but this was inspired by my very wonderful friend. She hates spiders, and nearly got run over by a zebra.. but she insists spiders are much more 'evil'..haha

As for the 8 eyes.. most spiders have 6 to 8 eyes.. just learned that! :)

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posted by Sketched Soul at 12:12 PM | Permalink 3 comments
Free Magazine For Muslim Children
Thursday, January 27, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu everyone,

Just thought I'd spread some lovely news.. this might make all you homeschooling mothers happy.
There is a magazine out for Muslim children (MiniMuslimeen) that I do illustrations for, and for a limited time they are giving away a free issue. It's only to the first 100 people as far as I know, SO... if you are interested in receiving your copy, just email them at: info@minimuslimeen.com

.... and then.. once you receive your copy..come back here and give me some (constructive) feedback on the illustrations done by me. My name will be on the ones I've done. Insha'Allah I can learn from what you have to say.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 3:16 PM | Permalink 4 comments
Gems Swapping
Friday, January 14, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

Those that understand Islam will be able to see all the beautiful things it has to offer. One of those gems (for me personally) is being able to greet a sister I've never met and feel like there's a place in my heart for her - even if I may never meet her again.



Intention of swap: To have as many sisters (young and old) as possible (around the world) to participate and spread the love. PLEASE encourage others to join.

Details of swap: Each participant will spend $5 to $10 on something(s) special for their partner. This should either be used on the item(s) or the supplies if you choose to send something handmade.

Participants allowed: International (females only).

Ages allowed: All ages.

Cost Range: $5 to $10. It's NOT about the money, however I've placed a price range so it's fair to everyone and minimizes any ill feelings between partners.

Rules:
1) Sent out gift- email me and your swap partner.
3) Email ME a pic of your gift so I can put it up.
2) Received gift - email me and your swap partner.


Sign up due date: Saturday January 29, 2011
Partners and list will be emailed to you on: Sunday January 30, 2011
Gift must be mailed out by: Monday February 21, 2011


If you would like to participate, I will need to know the following information. (amtullah79@yahoo.ca) note: .ca NOT .com
Please email me the answers even if you have participated in a previous swap.


QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER
Name of swap: Gems Swapping
Blog url (if you have one):
Email address:
Your real name:
Mailing address:
Do I and your swap partner have your permission to post pics of your gift:
Are you planning on making your gift?
Your age (or age range):
How did you hear about this swap:
Comments:




Participants to date:

- Fruitful Fusion - sent
- Aishah Hils - sent
- Ayesha N
- Aabida - sent
- Maria - sent
- Roving Soul - sent
- Hafsa - sent
- The Stolen Light -sent
- Nadi - sent
- Pebbly Shore - sent
- Ayesha I


Received:
- Shaloom2Salaam - sent
- Hijabi Apprentice - sent
- Maryam Umm Nuh - sent
- Handmade Beginnings - sent
- Tranquil Heart - sent
- Rolling Ruminations - sent
- Old Muslim Woman In The Shoe - sent
- Sketched Soul - sent
- Aaminah Al-Naksibendi - sent

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posted by Sketched Soul at 3:42 PM | Permalink 19 comments
"I'm Melting! Melting"
Saturday, January 01, 2011
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Today is the perfect day to post this.. with all the rain falling (in January!!)

The idea is not mine.. I saw it a while back some where, I don't know where... so I can't link back to it. They didn't say how to make it.. but this is how I made it - so you're stuck making it my way.

Everyone loved them - even if they are a little disturbing..haha

Recipe: is the same Roll-Out Cookie Dough I used for the butterflies.

Makes 26 (3" round cookies)

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla essence
2 3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (only if you used unsalted butter)

:: Cream the butter and sugar in a mixer.
:: Add the egg and vanilla - beat for another 2 mins.
:: Add the dry ingredients together - beat until dough is formed.
:: Do not refrigerate this dough!

:: Roll out to 1/8" thickness.
:: Cut out shapes, place on ungreased cookie tray.
:: Bake at 350F until edges are golden or 400F for 10-15 mins.
:: Once completely cool, decorate as desired.


Once your cookie is baked and cooled.. either place one large marshmellow towards one end, or a cluster or mini ones. I only had the mini ones for my hot chocolate. (You're on your own if they are not halaal).

Mix together some icing sugar and water. Don't add butter.. as you want it to dry harder. Pour over the marshmellow and cookie. Don't be neat about it either!



Time to decorate. I used whatever I had around the house. The eyes, mouth and arms are done with black frosting in an icing bag. Nose is a candy (Runts) cut in half. Buttons are flat sprinkles. Scarf is Fruit Roll-Up cut to size.

Voila.. enjoy.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 11:48 AM | Permalink 5 comments
Update
Thursday, December 30, 2010
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu
Contrary to what it may seem.. I'm still alive and around. I'm SO sorry for not updating my blog for a while now. Many people have asked me to continue.. and insha'Allah I hope to. And thank you to those who have continued to drop by, and left comments.. I will get to them!!

Here are a few things I hope to post about in the very near future:
- a new swap (around Jan/Feb)
- a project to help some orphan boys in Africa (I may go there in the summer, so this it the perfect opportunity to get things rolling)
- I've finally opened an Etsy store, and hope to get more things on there: Like custom (meaning my own designs) abayas, skirts, dolls, etc.
- new recipes! I already have a snowman one I'll post soon, insha'Allah
- crafts/activities for children, now that I have my nephews back to have fun with
- I have a request for Islamic book reviews, so I'll get to that too
- continue my Friday Hadith

.... and to read all those wonderful blogs I used to!

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posted by Sketched Soul at 8:40 AM | Permalink 11 comments
MY Basbousa Recipe
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Everyone has their own version - I should know, I've tested four so far.. but the family still likes this one which is a combination of others - so that makes it MINE *grin*

You are welcome to share your recipe.. so I can try it out!!


Makes approx. 35 pieces.

3/4 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 tsp orange/lemon zest

3/4 cup white flour
1 1/2 cup semolina
4 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Mix the wet (top 6) ingredients together. Mix the dry ingredients together. Combine both, and pour batter into a greased 9"x13" pyrex dish. Place almonds spaced so they'd be in the center of each square once cut.

Bake at 350F until golden.
Pour hot syrup on hot basbousa - allow to absorb, then cut into squares.


Syrup
1 3/4 cup sugar
3 tblsp honey
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup water
Stir over medium heat for 15 minutes. Pour over basbousa as soon as it comes out of the oven.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 11:23 AM | Permalink 9 comments
Equipment
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
This weeks topic for Illustration Friday is: Equipment

Our best equipment is our brain.. well, for most (some?) of us *grin*

I now know I need to work more on shading different textures (i.e. chrome, metal, etc.)

click to enlarge

If anyone is interested in drawing robots, check out 50 Robots to Draw and Paint by Keith Thompson. His work is pretty amazing! That's where my inspiration started.

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posted by Sketched Soul at 1:56 PM | Permalink 11 comments
Fearless
Friday, May 07, 2010
This weeks topic for Illustration Friday is "Fearless" - don't mess with the chef! He's actually a character I need for a children's magazine.

Anyway..this is my first time inking in Photoshop (usually I do everything in Illustrator) - It's so much easier to shade in Photoshop, I definitely enjoyed it!




click image to enlarge

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posted by Sketched Soul at 1:07 PM | Permalink 15 comments
Detective
Saturday, April 17, 2010
This is my first time taking part in Illustration Friday, hopefully it will motivate me to work on something every week - even if it's just a sketch.

This weeks topic is "Detective" - and here is my little detective.



click image to enlarge

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posted by Sketched Soul at 3:02 PM | Permalink 9 comments
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