Friday, April 15, 2016

A Crafty Arab Blogspot is moving

A Crafty Arab Blogspot is moving

I've finally decided to be serious about blogging and will be moving A Crafty Arab to Wordpress over the next few weeks.

If you are looking for a personal blog post, please visit SaharaTulip, where I'll be moving my non craft posts, such as my travels and raising little ones.

If you are looking for a craft blog post, please stay tuned as I work on my new website.

In the meantime, join me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for updates.

Monday, April 11, 2016

K-cup Fez Hat Treat Holder Tutorial

K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
When we were on vacation, I noticed our rental home had a Keurig coffee machine. This new gadget comes with little white cups full of flavoring of coffee or tea that you add to the machine to make a drink.

After using one of the tea cups, I noticed that the top of the cup had a hole in it.

A little light bulb went off in my head and I came up with this cute Fez* hat to hold a treat for an Eid* party. When we got home, I asked my local Buy Nothing community to save me their extras since we don't have a coffee machine.

If you have a machine, what better way to recycle these cups instead of throwing them away!?!

(A Fez hat is a felt headdress that is in the shape of a truncated cone. Eid is the Arabic word for festival or holiday)

Supplies
Prewrapped candy
Paintbrush
Red paint
Scissors
Embroidery thread
Popsicle stick
Used K-cups
Glue
Circle punch outs
Gold ribbon
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Paint the outside of the Kcup with red paint.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

While that is drying, make your tassel. 

Start by winding the embroidery thread around the popsicle stick a few times and cut it off.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Gently take off the small circle you just made and tie one end. Put your scissors on the opposite end of where you just tied and cut the circle in half.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Take another string and tie a knot at the top, right under your tied thread, to keep your tassel going downward. Cut off extra thread.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Your tassel is done.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Place the tassle in the Kcup and add a dot of glue on the inside to hold it into place.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Add a piece of candy inside. Because this is a used cup and there is glue at the top holding the tassel, I would only recommend putting in previously wrapped candy only.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Glue your cardstock cover to hold the candy. I used a circle design that says Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid in Arabic) I had already made for my Eid money envelopes. To make this, I simply stamped my design on paper and cut it out with a hole punch. You can also just cut out a regular small circle out of cardstock that is the size of your K-cup.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Your Fez treat hat is ready to give out to kids. They can simply break the seal to get to the candy.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

You can also try wearing it on your head but it's most likely too small. Instead, you can make this Egyptian Fez Party Hat that might be a better fit.
K-cup Fez Hat Treat Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

To enjoy more crafts from the Arab world, be sure to check out
Lebanese Cedar Bead Tree Tutorial
PomPom Kuwaiti Flag Tutorial
Clothespin Debke Dancers Tutorial

More can also be found on the A Crafty Arab Pinterest board, the Crafty Arab League.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Eid Puff Banner Tutorial

Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
The girls and I love making our own pom poms and sometimes we also like to create crafts with ready make pom poms.

We bought a super size bag of them recently and came up with this fun tutorial to share with you to make you own puffy Eid banner.

The word Eid is Arabic for a festive or religious day. For example, it is used to for Eid Al Fitr, which commemorates the end of Ramadan, or Eid Al Abu, which is Father's Day, or even Eid Mīlād, which is Christmas.

We used just the word Eid so we can put it up for either Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha. We can even put it up for Eid Al Umm (Mother's Day) or even a birthday. So many possibilities.

Supplies
E I D letter printouts
Scissors
Xacto
Spray paint
Newspaper
Hot glue gun
Pom poms
Hole punch
Twine
Cardboard
Not in photo - Pencil & Ruler
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Cut out the letters E I and D from the computer printouts and trace them on the cardboard. We have a lot of cardboard left over, since my living room looked like this about a month ago.
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Use the Xacto to cut out the letters. Use a ruler to help with the straight edges if you wish.
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Spray paint the letters.
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Hole punch two holes in the top of each letter.
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
String your twine through the holes and tie it into place in the back of the letter.
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Start adding the pom poms and keep them in place with the hot glue.
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
We just randomly added the puff balls to your letters. Don't worry about gaps since you have the pretty silver color underneath. Here are our finished letters close up.
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
Once you are done, hang your letters someplace on the wall (but indoors)!
Eid Puff Banner Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
If you enjoyed this Eid Puff Banner Tutorial, be sure to check out our other banners -
Oil Pastel Resist Crescent Moon and Star Banner
Green Mawlid Decorations {Free Banner}
Ramadan Banner Tutorial
Eid Cake Banner Tutorial
Mosque Banner Tutorial
Green Eid Decorations {Free Printables}
Star banner

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Felt Flower Pin Video

I've been trying to figure out how to make videos for Instagram.  I took my photos from the Felt Flower Pin Tutorial yesterday and turned it into this, via VivaVideo.



I'd love to hear feedback.  In the past, I've only made videos that highlight the 30 Day Ramadan Crafty Challenge:
Video for 2015 Ramadan Crafty Challenge

To see other A Crafty Arab videos, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. This video will also be here if your flash isn't working for you.



Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Felt Flower Pin Tutorial

Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab
This past weekend I attended Women's Wellness Weekend at Camp Orkila.

I had some free time and took a class on felted flowers. I photographed the process to share below.

The steps were so easy, and the supplies are only a few, that you can make these felt flower pins in little time.  Make them for girl scout swaps! Use them as a fundraiser! Hand them out at the next Eid party! So many options.

Supplies
Felt
Needle
Thread
Scissors
Button - in main photo
Pinback - in last photo
Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Start by cutting out five felt circles. Mine were about the size of falafel.
Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Fold each circle in half and cut across to create half moons.
Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Thread your needle and sew across the bottom of one half moon. About the 2/3 point, add a second half moon and sew them togheter.
Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Finish off all 10 pieces.
Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Pull the thread to gather the felt.
Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

Sew the middle together and add a vintage button as in the main photo. Sew a pinback to the back.
Felt Flower Pin Tutorial by A Crafty Arab

If you enjoyed this tutorial, check out other flower ideas like the Eid Puff Flowers or Arabic Newspaper Hairclip. If you'd like to make another pin, be sure to try the Couscous Heart Pin or these Flower SWAPs.

I'm going to go make falafel because now I can't stop thinking about them.

Enjoy!

Friday, March 25, 2016

5 ways to teach Arab children cultural pride

5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
The Arab community is very large, encompassing 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, a region called MENA.

Each of these countries in MENA has its own traditional customs, clothing, and religion. Some have histories full of colonization, while others have had their fill of dictators.

While MENA is full of beauty, intelligence, history, smells, and people, what ties them all together is language.

The Arabic language is one of the most beautiful to hear and speak.  It not only binds us to each other but also to our grandparents, with the lands they loved so much.

Arabs have always had wanderlust and have made many countries in the world their homes.  One of those is the United States of America, when an Arab first arrived in 1528.

In an election year, the American biased media has bombarded the public with negative press about Arabs.  Below are 5 ways to teach Arab children to be have cultural pride in their heritage. This post does contain affiliate links.

The media loves to lump the Arabs with the Islamic religion, no matter if they happen to be Christian, Jewish, Buddhist or Bahá'í.  If you were to believe the right wing television news, all Arabs are responsible for 9/11, the conflict in Israel, creating Daesh, blah, blah, blah (three words made famous by an Arab).  They are confused with the Sikhs, spoken to in Spanish when they are in California, and have GO HOME spray painted on their cars.

Show children this educational book on Arabs and their positive and long contribution to American history.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
Years ago it would have been hard to imagine, but in today's politically charged reality, children are becoming victims at school.  Schools that should be safe places where children are taught tolerance and respect.

Enough, I say. Show children that it takes all kinds of people to make a society, just like it takes all kinds of apples.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
I hope you enjoy the 5 ways that I wanted to show my daughters to be proud of about our community. I want to teach them that it's important to be proud of roots, because they ground you.

xxx

1. Arab Food 
Hospitality is big to Arabs.  Big.

It's common practice that you must refuse any food three times before your hostess leaves you alone.
Would you like another helping of couscous?  No thank you.  Would you like another helping of couscous?  No thank you.  Would you like another helping of couscous?  No thank you.

Arab food is the best cuisine in the world.  The MENA world is known for spices, grains, sauces, hummus (an Arabic word that means crushed chickpeas) and desserts.

On this blog, I've posted a number of Arab food recipes you can try with your own children.
Shakshuka
Hot Algerian Lasagna
Lebanese Lentil Soup
Libyan Sharmoula
Palestinian Spinach and Lentil Soup
Egyptian Tomato and Chickpea Soup
Libyan Mubatan
BaklaWa Pops
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
More can be found on Yummy Arabic Food.

This is a favorite Arabic cookbook that is manageable with kids. The illustrations are eye pleasing and the font is easy for them to read.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab

2. Arab Music
Most Arabs love music.

Arabic beat is characterized by an emphasis on melody and rhythm, as opposed to harmony. I tell my daughters to compare it to American jazz. Many first heard of MENA music when it hit main stream as Sting performed with Cheb Mami, a raï performer from Algeria, in his song Desert Rose.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab

There are many more modern day Arab musicians. Arab traditional music has been around since the times of the crusades.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
Many musical instruments were first invented in the MENA. For example, the oud is the modern day ancestor of the guitar.  
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
While most Arabs are not fans of bellydance, many Arab countries have traditional dance customs. In the North Africa, the tahtib is performed, while in Levant it is the dabke.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
A great way to introduce Arabic music to young children is nursery rhymes.   I highly recommend Layli Layli by Sana’ Mouasher
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab

3. Arab Education
Arab's dedication to education spans centuries, having been the inventors of universities and papyrus, a predecessor to paper.

Enter most Arab homes and you will find books in every room. Among the minority groups in American, Arabs tend to be the highest educated.

You can find 99 books for children to learn more about the Arabs in the MENA on this list.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
My company produced an Arabic Alphabet Animals poster that would be a welcome addition to any nursery or children's playroom.  The animals and letters are fun, colorful and playful, giving children a sense of joy to look at them. This past year a new Arabic colors poster also debuted.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab

4. Arab Crafts
Creating a craft together is a great way to learn about a new country.  Check out these Arab League countries crafts.

Arabs have been crafting together for thousands of years.  Pick up these books to read about the painted walls of Sa’dah, Yemen or the intricate delicate details of embroidery in Palestine.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
Check out Crafty Arab printables that celebrate the MENA culture, including coloring pages in Arabic.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
 
5.  Arab Art
There are so many amazing Arab artists in the MENA history.  Check out a few Crafty Arab Artists.

Arab men and women have always felt the need to document their experiences in paint, clay, illustrations, fabric, bronze, and hundreds of other mediums.  In 1994, the National Museum of Women put out a beautiful catalog to go with the ground breaking Forces Of Change exhibit that focused on contemporary Arab art.  
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
Museum walls can be great inspiration of our past. But if you want to teach children how to think outside the box, check out this book on Arab Spring graffiti to show them how to look for art in the world around them.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab

Have some fun with children by creating art using Arabic letters. Start with this fun tutorial on Arabic Initial String Art.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab

xxx

Arab children should be taught self love, and how to take pride in the language that binds them to history. This pride will help manifest as an umbrella to deflect the negativity that is raining around them.
5 Ways to teach Arab children cultural pride by A Crafty Arab
Be sure to follow A Crafty Arab on Pinterest for updates on the MENA culture.
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