Crafty Arab Tutorial

Arabesque Paper Lantern {Printable}

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I remember lanterns, called fanous in Arabic, being a big part of my life as a child in Libya.

 

We would bring them out for every Eid, the Arabic word for holiday, in our home, but they were always hanging in the souk, or open markets.  They were also all over the mosques sprinkled throughout the cities and permanently mounted in the alleyways of old parts of town.

 

I first posted a simple paper lantern tutorial seven years ago and have since put them on cards, (twice!) made them holey and even used ice to create them.  My daughter puts them in her hair, we have made them out of foil and even used them to count.

 

Today I made a free printable with a lantern design to download. It is on black and white but you can print it on any color or printed card stock. I also added three optional arabesque cutouts, on the side, if you do not have the special window punch below.  You can add an electric tea light inside the lantern once it is complete, but please do make sure to check it for heat. Never leave unattended candles, of any kind, around children.

 

Supplies

Friskas Everywhere Window punch
Glue
Scissors
Optional – metal ring & hole punch & bakers twine

Print out the download below and cut out the two lantern shapes on the solid lines. Both will be glued together to crate four sides.

Once cut, fold the lantern in half, so that only the flap is showing. This is a good time to make sure your tops are nice and even.

Use the Everywhere Window punch to add two cut outs to the lantern sides. Try to position the window in the middle of the lantern.  You can also trace and cut one of the shapes on the side of the printable or write Eid Mubarak, Blessed Eid in Arabic, on the sides.

Fold over all the dotted lines and glue the two pieces to each other by attaching the flaps.

Make more.

 

Optional – Arabesque Paper Lantern Mobile

Use the hole punch to create two holes at the top of the lantern, on opposite sides.

Tie the baker’s twine through the holes, tie it off and tie the other end of the string to a metal ring.

Download the Arabesque Paper Lanterns Printable.

If you would like to make more lanterns, please visit

Ramadan Perler Beads Lantern {Tutorial}

Lantern Money Holders {Tutorial} Guest Post

 

Stop by A Crafty Arab on Pinterest to see more fun tutorials.


Kaab’a Candy Party Treat {Tutorial}

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I made these Kaab’a inspired candy party sweet treats, over the weekend, for the kids that are taking part in our Arab Cultural Camp.

 

As we are go through our daily activities, we will be learning about Middle East and North African holidays, celebrated by Arabs. One I want to talk about is Eid Al Adha, coming up on August 30th. A central ritual that occurs is the pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, to see the Kaab’a.

 

Our last day of camp involves going to the art museum, so I came up with these sweet treats to take with us on the bus. They will not take up much space, I can discuss the Kaab’a and the best part is that there will be nothing to throw away: the kids can refill the tube with other treasures.

 

The tubes I found had silver lids, so I turned them black with paint I was sent as a Plaid Ambassador. Be sure to clean the paint nozzle after each use and these stencil sprays will last a long time.  What I love about them is they take up so little storage but hold so much paint.

 

Supplies

Black candy
Black spray paint
Plastic tubes
Gold coins

My daughter helped spray paint the lids. We left the box outside in the sun but put a plastic tray over it to keep out bugs and dust.While the lids were drying, we filled a tube with the chocolate candy till it was 2/3rds of the way up. Then we added two gold coins, and filled the rest of the tube with more candy.

Once the lids dried, I slipped them on and the Kaab’a inspired candy treats were ready for our on the go day.

To see other Kaab’a inspired crafts, visit

Kaab’a Gum Party Favor {Tutorial}

Light Ray Kaab’a Oil Resist {Tutorial} Guest Blog

 

Stop by A Crafty Arab on Pinterest to see more fun DIY tutorials that teach about the Arab world.

Arabesque Cardboard Roll Vase {Tutorial}

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We made this arabesque cardboard roll vase after having a lot of cardboard rolls left over from our Ramadan wreath. It’s a great way to recycle all that cardboard into a fun kid’s craft.

 

When we were making the wreath, my daughter was playing around with other designs and came up with some fun shapes. She made a comment that the design looked a little like the designs she saw in Morocco last year. I was so happy she recognized the arabesque shape and brought out the rolls again for her this weekend to play with them again.

 

She came up with this vase cover to liven up our glass flower vase we use in the kitchen. She used paints I received as my role as Plaid Ambassador that shift colors in the light.

 

I’m looking forward to giving her more cardboard rolls in the future to see what else she creates. This a great way to recycle all that cardboard and save it from a landfill. I enjoy allowing her free time to be creative while getting her problem solving skills (how high is the vase? how will the sides stay while the glue sticks?) juices flowing.

 

Supplies

Scissors
Cardboard roll
Glue
Paint
Paintbrush
Washi tape (optional)

My daughter cut the cardboard rolls into stripes that were about half an inch wide. She painted them inside and out and left them outside to dry.

After the little pieces were dried, she glued four of them together in matching colors.

She then took the new shapes and glued them to other shapes.

She added more shapes until the design was the same height as the kitchen vase. She then started to glue the four sides to each other.

Pro tip: she said it was easier to glue two sides together first and to use washi tape or another type of tape that will not damage the paint. But only is a few spots as it’s hard to remove after it dries.

Once the sides had dried she slipped the glass vase inside the cardboard roll vase.

The great part is that I can set it out as decor, but when the flower need to be changed or the vase needs to be washed, I can just lift it right out. She said she can make more to match different holiday themes or room decor colors.

 

I am looking forward to walking into my kitchen tomorrow and seeing this beautiful decor on my table, handmade by my daughter to brighten up our home.  If you also enjoy seeing more children’s creative around you, visit

Arabic Letter Rose Door Decor {Tutorial}

Arabesque Window Cling {Tutorial}

 

Be sure to stop by A Crafty Arab on Pinterst to see more arabesque tutorials.