Bunny Love

I know...

I haven't blogged for quite some time; been super-busy with various things... but I'm back!!

[This isn't an art/craft-related blog; although food is considered to be a form of art]

Salma was recently introduced to eggs (It wasn't recommended before she had turned a year old)... Well, turns out she very much enjoys them =)

So after a long day at work yesterday, I prepared this yummy bunny-shaped egg for my little one (in attempts to create something fun and make up for the time I spend away from her)...

I actually managed to get her interest and was very impressed at her delicate technique in eating the eggs: She started off by removing the mouth (a cucumber slice) and eating it.

She then removed both eyes (one at a time: olives) and ate those too. But the funniest bit was when she attacked the bunny's face and crumbled it to pieces!!

I'm glad she enjoyed it... so did I!

R.I.P. bunny - bon appétit Salma =)

Our Lucky One

Salma’s Birthday Celebration /
18th June 2010

My little Salma had turned one on 14th June 2010; but since it was a Monday, we decided to postpone the official birthday celebration till Friday, 18th June 2010.

As mentioned in an earlier blog, I had a lot of preparation to do… choosing the theme, designing a logo/slogan, and applying it throughout! I decided to go for “our lucky one” also read as “our ducky one”. This was inspired by Salma’s nickname “battuta” literally translating to “little duckling” in English; hence, the duck theme!

I designed the invitation and sent it across to our family...

I then bought all the rubber ducks I could possibly find for decoration purposes… I had them all over the house…

And since I LOVE polka dots (especially red and white ones); I decided to add a touch of polka to the theme; complementing my actual home colours (red and white)… they worked flawlessly together…

I got Salma this lovely outfit that fit into the theme perfectly!

And a close family friend crochet those gorgeous shoes just for her!

I designed pins for everyone to put on; they all said “our lucky one”; except Salma’s which said “the lucky one”…

I also designed t-shirts for Ahmed and myself!

Not only that, I also customized water bottles…

My mum baked those yummy red velvet oreo cupcakes and I decorated them (all by myself!!)

I did these mini duck-shaped galaxy cakes…

And of course, I ordered a lovely duck-shaped cake (notice the red polka ribbon on its neck)! It tasted great!

I even designed and produced the wrapping paper to complement the theme…

I embroidered this customized duck-shaped hot water bottle cover with her birth details…

I then chose these cute mini-shot glasses and printed on them the logo I made; filling them up with red and yellow candy and wrapping them with a little red polka dot ribbon…

My wonderful husband and gorgeous daughter bought me the most beautiful flower bouquet (that ALSO worked with the theme!!)

And of course, this day would have not been perfect without our lovely family… Thank you for being part of our every day... We love you… xx

Suad, Hiba, AbdelRahman: you are always on our minds!!

My New Thing

I very much enjoy jewelry-making, as it brings along this certain contentment to see the results of my crafting…

As a matter of fact, when I get into something, it becomes my new thing… what I mean is that I obsess over trying out its various techniques, styles and designs until I reach the point of perfection… or boredom!

So… I recently designed a bracelet using twine threads and red beads of different colour tones and sizes (applying the macramé technique)…

This bracelet would definitely funkify a casual outfit (I don’t think that’s even a word… but you get the point, no?)!

Little Gingerbread Man

On June 3rd 2010, my best friend had her first newborn, Mohammad – an adorable baby boy…

Photo Courtesy of Reem Abu Sharekh ©

Earlier, I had prepared this little customized gift; I embroidered a gingerbread man that goes perfectly with Mohammad’s nursery theme and colours.

Below are some elements from the nursery…

Photo Courtesy of Mamas & Papas ©

I was just waiting to add his birth details: name, date, time, weight and length (as shown below).

I then framed it and plan to give it to Noor (my best friend) as soon as I get to visit her (hopefully soon!).

Can't wait to meet you Baby Moe! Welcome to the World!

Made with Love,
Noor

Baby Bloom

20 Baby Girl Favours for Deema's Baby Shower /
Deadline, 10th June 2010

Deema's closest friends are throwing her a Baby Shower on Saturday, June 12th; and I was asked to design 20 favours (she's expecting a baby girl)!

The mom-to-be loves candles and her friends want a pink theme representing that it's a baby girl. So, I started to brainstorm ideas that would fit their request.

I decided to include roses in a way or another because the June birth flower is the Rose! I found these gorgeous rose-scented/rose-shaped pink candles and placed them on matching flower-shaped holders. I then added pink pompoms and a leaf-shaped tag that said "Deema's Baby Shower - 12th June 2010".

The favours turned out wonderfully; perfect for the occassion!

I can only end this by wishing the mom-to-be, Deema, a very easy and painless delivery. May Allah bless her with a cute and healthy baby girl.

Macramé: The Art of Knotting

I have no previous professional jewelry-making experience; but I developed this sudden interest to explore the art of jewelry-making. Hence, I started going through numerous books and websites that portrayed different jewelry designs and techniques.

While researching, I got extremely attracted to macramé, also known as the art of knotting [read more below]. I was fascinated by the ability to diversely combine material while blending in macramé and different jewelry-making techniques. I therefore decided to try my luck at designing my first piece of macramé jewelry (see below).

This choker was created using the overhand knot and the square knot (with alternating filters) resulting in a flawless knot sequence. These knots melt down into the design, making the shells stand out. I got inspired by the summer, sand and beach and chose to go for a combination of shells with aqua-coloured beads; the star-shaped pendant was the cherry on top, completing the design so it looks perfect.

I very much enjoyed crafting this choker and didn’t expect the result to look this pretty (I can't but be proud of myself - I did exceed my expectations).

The choker makes a wonderful accessory this season, completing any summer outfit while making a nice design statement.

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More on Macramé

Macramé has been around for many years, centuries even. It first originated with 13th Century Arab weavers where they made nets and decorated fabric edges with excess yarn and thread. The word macramé is derived from the Arabic migramah (مقرمة), believed to mean “striped towel”, “ornamental fringe” or “embroidered veil”.

The art of macramé was then spread across the rest of the World through trade, travel and conquers; it was most popular in the Victorian Era. The macramé trend faded for sometime but regained its popularity for making furnishing items, clothes and even jewelry.

Something Old, Something New

Something Borrowed, Something Blue
And a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe

Hend, my colleague from work, is getting married in a few days; so we, at the office, decided to prepare something special to celebrate the occasion; hence, I designed and crafted this box to package her gift…

Hend & Rashid, best wishes on your wedding. May you have half of the most beautiful things in the world.

The other half I’ll leave for me.

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More on the Saying:

Something Old, Something New
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
And a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe

I did some research on the saying. Turns out this is a very old English saying which portrays good-luck for the bride if she carries all of those items on her wedding day. This tradition began in the Victorian era.

Something Old represents the bride’s link with the past; honoring her own family.

Something New represents the bride’s hope and optimism for a happy future and a successful married life; symbolizing the new union with her husband.

Something Borrowed represents an item from family or friends which should pass on good fortune to the bride and her life ahead, reminding her that she can always depend on them.

Something Blue represents love, purity and fidelity. Blue was a popular colour associated to weddings; this has been supported with old proverbs; such as "Marry in blue, lover be true".

Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe represents wealth and financial security; especially when put in the bride's left shoe.

Hope you found this as interesting as I did!