DIY Paper Fish Craft

Assalamu Alaikum everyone!

For today's post we thought we would share a craft, as we haven't done one in a while. It's a very easy and simple DIY so let's get started!

For this craft you will need:

Card (plain and patterned)

Double sided tape or glue

Scissors

Pencil

White pen (optional)

Step 1: Take a sheet of plain card (we used black as it makes the patterned cards stand out more), and draw the shape of your fish then cut it out.

Step 2: Now cut out strips of whatever coloured patterned card you like. (We chose different shades of blue and beige, because we thought of the ocean and sand).

Step 3: Place them in the order you like best. Make sure they are long enough to cover the fish!

Step 4: Tape/glue them onto the back of the card. Make sure to cover the fish completely.

Step 5: Turn the card round, right side up, and this next step is optional. We felt it looked too dull so we went in with a white pen and added a few dots and wavy lines, and it looked much better masha'Allah!

And there you have it! A simple craft for everyone to enjoy. We hope you liked it and that you try it out sometime, insha'Allah.

Well that is all for this week, until next Friday, insha'Allah.

Love and wasalaam,



Vegan Fudge Recipe

Assalamu Alaikum!

Maryam here again! Today's post is a quick and easy recipe that I love making, and it's a no-bake too. So let's jump right in!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond butter (or any nut butter of your choice)

1/6 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled

1/8 cup cocoa powder

1/8 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Method:

Mix the nut butter well until smooth and creamy.

Add the coconut oil...

... and the cocoa powder.

Combine the maple syrup, salt and vanilla extract.

The mixture should be thick and smooth by now.

Spread evenly into a freeze-friendly, six inch round container. Freeze for at least two hours.

Cut and serve. Yum, masha'Allah! 

I like to store the extra in the freezer but you can leave it in the fridge for a softer fudge.

Well I hope you like it and you give it a go. I've also tried it with peanut butter which is also nice, however almond butter is my favourite. Enjoy, insha'Allah!

Love and wasalaam,

Maryam



Random Journal Pages

Assalamu Alaikum everyone!

It's Maryam here again this week and I thought I'd share with you some random pages from my journal.

Hanifah made me this journal a couple years ago, and I use it as a Qur'an/Dua'a/Hadith journal. I have shared some pages before but I've recently added a few more spreads, or "half" spreads, to my collection so I hope you like them, insha'Allah!

(You can click on the pictures for a closer look)

I hope you liked looking through the pages and that you feel inspired to pick up a pen, or set of colours, and put them to work on a blank piece of paper.

Until next time, insha'Allah.

Love,

Maryam



Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

Assalamu Alaikum everyone!

Maryam here this week, and I finally have a new recipe for you to try! Earlier this week I made this yummy, six layered chocolate cake with a creamy frosting, and masha'Allah it was a big hit! So without further delay... here's the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa powder

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. espresso powder/instant coffee

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Frosting:

3/4 cup butter (softened to room temperature)

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Method:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a deep 9 inch square tin by buttering and then lightly flouring the bottom and sides.

Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and instant coffee until combined.

Step 3: In a measuring jug or bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract.

Step 4: Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and mix until well combined. The batter should be very thick.

Step 5: Bit by bit, add the boiling water to the batter, making sure to mix well between every pause. By now the batter should be thin and runny.

Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45 - 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 - 20 minutes.

Step 7: Now prepare the frosting! In the bowl of your electric mixer, whisk together the softened butter and cocoa powder (make sure you sieve the cocoa to get rid of any lumps) until creamy.

Step 8: Add icing sugar and milk to cocoa mixture by adding 1 cup of sugar to 2 tablespoons of milk. After each addition of sugar and milk, make sure to beat the frosting well until it is smooth. Repeat until all the ingredients have been combined.

Add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth.

(If frosting is too dry add more milk, if too wet add more sugar)

Step 9: Cut and frost you cake! Now with this step you can do whatever you like. You can just frost the top and sides of the cake. Or you can cut the cake horizontally and frost the middle, top and sides. Or you can do like I did and cut the cake down the middle, give each half three horizontal layers and stack them all up to have a six layered chocolate cake!

Lol! I had an end piece... my sixth layer got stolen! ;)

I hope you liked this recipe. It is without a doubt the best chocolate cake I've ever made, so I hope you give it a go someday.

Until next Friday, insha'Allah!

Love and wasalaam,

Maryam