Didn't we just celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr? And now it will be Eid-ul-Adha! Time has certainly flown by and just like that, Dhu'l-Hijjah is upon us, In Sha Allah. I've enjoyed having my Ramadan décor up for the past few months. I probably should switch them out to reflect Eid-ul-Adha.
With Eid just a few weeks away, and the 10 days of Dhu'l-Hijjah approaching fast, here are some of my top design picks that reflect the journey of Hajj. I'm sure these will make wonderful décor for your home and make great gifts for the Hajji and Hajjah in your circle of family and friends. Also, look out for our Tips to help you reap the rewards of the 10 days of Hajj!
TALBIYAH
This design holds a special memory when my sister longed to make the pilgrimage to Hajj. She didn't have the means to go at that time, so I made this for her with the intention that one day she'd make the journey. SubhanaAllah, in less then a year the doors of Hajj opened and she was on her way to Mecca!
It's a simple design of the Talbiyah that is recited repeatedly upon donning the Ihram with the Talbiyah circling around Allah in a continues loop.
The Talbiyah translates to- “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, laa shareeka lak. Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner".
TIP- Lets reap the rewards of the 10 days of Hajj, by remembering Allah with extra extra Dhikr.
A wooden free standing display of the holy Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca. This is beautifully detailed with arches, domes and minarets as seen at the Holy Kabaa. Lift up the top of the Kabaa to reveal a trinket box to store your prayer beads or use it as Zakat / Sadqa box, or gift this with some Eid money inside.
TIP- We may not have the means to make pilgrimage this year due to COVID, we can certainly give extra charity and distribute meat to the those in need.
These designs take me back to when I was sitting in front of the Kabaa with my family. I recall the many stories of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and his family members. The story of Prophet Ibrahim (as) is greatly associated with Hajj, building the Kabaa, the well of zamzam' and sacrificing a ram are just a few to mention.
Prophet Ibrahim's (as) dua is written in Arabic and English - My Lord, make me one who establishes regular prayer and also from my offspring, Our Lord, and accept my Prayer 14:40
TIP- Forgo the movie night with your family and replace it with the story telling of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) with the rituals of Hajj.
ESSENCES OF ISLAM
Sometimes a visual reminder helps tremendously. The 'Essence of Islam' decal pulls together inspirational words that are meaningful to Islamic beliefs in a fun, graphical design for the family to enjoy. With reminders to pray, recite the Quran, fast, give charity and much more.
TIP- Let's make an extra effort to increase our recitation of the Quran, Pray extra, fast the 9 days of Hajj and to strive for Taqwa (conscious of Allah) during the 10 days of Dhu'l-Hijjah.
EID DECOR
And lastly, don't forget to decorate your home with some fun Eid designs. The designs range from Eid wall decals to wood art pieces that will make your Eid-ul-Adha special.
Do you have any family tradition and tips to share for the 10 days of Dhu'l-Hijjah? If so, I'd love to hear them. Please leave a comment below.
Jazzak'Allah,
I have a few family and friends who are clueless about choosing complimentary art pieces for their home prayer room. I say to them, ''it's really not that hard" and I get a blank look back. If this sounds like you, I'm here to help. Here are three different styles for one room with the most popular designs that work well for your prayer room.
Style 1- Prophet Ibrahim's Prayer
Jazzak'Allah
Over that last year, with the whole family at home (due to quarantine), we've been blessed to pray in congregation at our home. Alhamdulillah! We huddle between furniture, in our main bedroom, finding the best possible position. Like most families, we don't have a dedicated prayer room, so we make do. If this sounds all too familiar, here's some inspirational ideas to make your prayer space more spiritual and less like an after thought.
Creating Your Prayer Sanctuary
It's simple to create a prayer sanctuary. Most of the items can be found around your home. I'd recommend using different textures and materials to bring interest and delight to your space. Here's my simple prayer corner. It's by the window overlooking the garden.
A woven basket brings softness to your space creating an easy way to store the over flow of extra prayer mats and hijabs. I picked this up from Target for less then $20. Simply roll your prayer mats and hijabs and pop it in for a neat and tidy look.
Consider evoking your senses with your favorite scented candle. I used the geometric cube for added drama to house the candle. Don't forget some nature with a potted plant. You can't go wrong with this Snake Plant. It's low maintenance and easy to care for.
Grab your Quran and your favorite Dua books. Stacking your books gives variation of height. Don't forget about your prayer beads too. Since I tend to have an over flow of may beads, a beautiful container holds them well.
And lastly, the all needed reminder for Salah, a Qibla Arrow. You can place this on tiled or hardwood floor, your walls or your ceiling. In my case, since I have carpet, it made sense to place the arrow by the collection.
Voila, and here's the overall vignette! Everything's within easy reach. Light a candle, grab your Quran and connect to Allah in the peace of your home.
Do you have a prayer space, or have a dedicated prayer room? If so I'd love hear how you created your sanctuary. Please leave a comment below!
Jazzak'Allah
Fawzia xox
Your support of small businesses like mine is what keeps me going. All the products you see at Simply Impressions are proudly made in the USA. I appreciate your patronage and thank you for telling your friends and family about my work is a text section.
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I'm excited to share what's been happening. I recently submitted an art piece at my local art gallery. It’s part of a collection called Modern Masterpieces. This is the first time I've submitted work outside the Muslim community with an Islamic theme. So naturally, I was thrilled that it was chosen. Alhamdulillah!
I call this "Enter With Peace". It's a memorable moment of my first trip abroad as a student visiting Mexico City. I created this for the entrance to my home inspired by Mexican motifs, colors, and the architect Luis Barragan’s work called Satellite Towers. The towers sit at the entrance to Mexico city, acting as a gateway to the city, just like this art piece is a gateway to my home.
The Arabic text reads Salaam and mimics the linear tall towers and angles found in the sculptural Satellite Towers. The artwork is handcrafted in wood, with laser cut details.
The rug above was purchased during my visit to Mexico. I pulled the color scheme from the rug, using navy blue, red and natural wood finish.
This is the famous Satellite Towers By Luis Barragan. With 5 varying heights that sails tall over at the entrance to the city.
And here is the gallery shot! If you're local to Austin, Texas, do pop into the Round Rock Art Gallery to see all the local artwork along with my piece.
I'm so happy to share my adventures with you. This truly is an achievement and win for us all by introducing Islamic art in public spaces. Creating art with a purpose, by capturing memories, is a beautiful way of creating meaningful art. Do you have a special memory, perhaps a feeling, a thought, a person or a place that you want to capture? If so, leave a comment below or email me back with your memorable moments!
Jazzak'Allah
Fawzia xox
Your support of small businesses like mine is what keeps me going. All the products you see at Simply Impressions are proudly made in the USA. I appreciate your patronage and thank you for telling your friends and family about my work.
]]>Less then a week and Eid will be here In Sha Allah. Yipee. I'm so excited! Are you? I just finished prepping for Eid, and here's what I I've been up to. I'm sure you'll get some inspiration and ideas to implement in your home.
Eid Treats For All
I've been busy getting gifts and treats ready for family. I grabbed the Mini Mosque to use as a tray to store special treats for my children. They truly deserved this for fasting in Ramadan. I certainly packed the Mini Mosque with their favorite treats, watch the video above to see how much.
TIP- Not only is the Mini Mosque an interactive toy for children, it can be used for holding, gifts, books, and even a tray for snacks. When you are done, pack it away. It easily comes apart to store away flat, saving you a ton of space!
On to more treats! This time I pulled out some clean lined glass vases. They are simple in appearance making it a perfect canvas to deck out with vinyl decals. Going with the geometric theme, I designed and placed some decals on the out side of the vases. Pop in some cookies, nuts, chips, and voila, festive looking treats for all to enjoy.
TIP- I used glossy white vinyl since it has stronger adhesive, the vinyl can also withstand cleaning! You can place the decals on any glass surface, such as pitchers, bowl, vases, even your windows and doors. When you are ready for a change, simple peal off the vinyl for something new.
Eid Gift Giving
Here are some elegant gifting ideas that everyone will adore and use for years to come. I used the small Geometric Cube, which contains a rolled up scarf (Hijab), beautiful bottle of Oud Perfume, and a Tasbih (Prayer beads). The large Geometric Cube with the star contains a rolled up prayer mat along with Tasbih. And lets not forget the children, a wooden Kabaa, that contains Eid money. Watch the video above to see how it all came together!
TIP- The geometric cubes are so versatile. You can pop in a battery operated candle and watch the pattern dance. Store your prayer beads in them, or keep it simple, and gift someone dates or cookies inside. What ever you do, it surely will be as beautiful gesture.
How is your Eid prep going? Any tips? Leave a comment below and don't forget to tag #simplyimpressions across social media with your creations.
Jazzak'Allah and Happy Eid!
Fawzia xox
Your support of small businesses like mine is what keeps me going. All the products you see at Simply Impressions are proudly made in the USA. I appreciate your patronage and thank you for telling your friends and family about my work.
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I'm so excited, Ramadan is just a few days away InshaAllah. This will be our second Ramadan in quarantine, and although we are not hosting Iftar gatherings with friends, I'll be create lasting memories with my family with 30 days of beautiful family dinners, with the remembrances of Allah (SWT).
If your on a tight budget, it's simple to create a beautiful table display. Simply layering your table with dishes, placing linens, flatware, tumbles/stemware can elevate your table décor. To take it up a notch, I added some of my favorite items found at Simply Impressions for a festive Ramadan vibe.
Here are helpful reminders to read our Dua at the time eating and fasting. Above are two table top plaques with duas on either side. One plaque has the dua's for fasting, and the other has the dua's for eating.
If you're hosting a small Iftar gathering, consider gifting your guest a beautiful ornament that can be added to their Ramadan décor.
TIP- A delightful way to create that Ramadan vibe is to use a geometric ornament as a decorative coaster!
The Ramadan Mubarak sign makes for a beautiful centerpiece on your table or mantel. I've designed this in different sizes and finishes for you to match your home décor. For added ambience, layer your table, place a candle (battery operated preferred) in the geometric cube.
TIP- When styling your table, layer it up with different heights. Place the Ramadan Mubarak at the front with a taller item behind.
Do you love cake? Who doesn't! Top your cake with our Ramadan and Eid Mubarak cake topper. When you're done eating, place the topper in a vase to display.
TIP- Use a small flower vase, glass jar or even a cup. Simply fill it with some rice or coffee beans and pop in the cake topper for a beautiful center piece. For added charm, wrap your favorite ribbon around the vase.
I hope I've inspired you to create 30 days of beautiful dining. I'm sure you'll create lasting memories with your loved ones. Share your ideas across social media with #Simplyimpressions. Do you have any tips? If so, I'll love to hear about them when you leave a comment below.
JazzahKhallah
Fawzia xox
Your support of small businesses like mine is what keeps me going. All the products you see at Simply Impressions are proudly made in the USA. I appreciate your patronage and thank you for telling your friends and family about my work.
]]>Lets talk about those awkward spaces, you know, those arched niches, dead spaces and empty corners in your home. Ever wondered what to do with them and how to make them look beautiful? Well read on, I've got some good looking solution and tips.
Dead Space Stair Case
I've have a lonely space by the stairs that becomes a catch all for keys, wallets and facemasks. It's quite unsightly. Not to mention the wall isn't tall enough to place art on. The solution, a large vinyl back drop of moon and stars, with twinkling string lights. And to hide away those bits and bobs, place a tray behind a Ramadan wooden masjid. A festive solution to daily problems.
TIP- With a wall like this, consider using geometric decals, go bold with color and pattern.
That Strange Niche
We all have one, a small arched niche for small moments of display. But what function does it serve? In this case it's a hidden Sadkah/Zakkat box in the design of the Holy Kabbah. Slide off the top and drop in some money.
TIP- You don't have to use the Kabbah as a money box, write down 30 Duas to read daily during Ramadan, or reward your children for fasting with treats inside.
Carve Out A Sanctuary For Prayer
TIP- Surround your prayer space with items that have meaning and bring joy to your heart. I used a dresser in my bed room, stacked with curated items to use during Ramadan.
Lets Not Forget Our Children
We had so much fun making the Lego Ramadan sign. Installing the vinyl tree on the wall with the names of the Prophets. It was an afternoon of family bonding. The Mini Mosque is also the perfect size for the Lego characters who like to pray Salah in the Masjid. How fun!
TIP- The Mini Mosque can also be used to store small gifts, and treats you'll see in the video below.
So now you know how to avoid those unsightly spaces. Hiding a tray behind some art along with functioning purpose in your niche are simple design solves. I'll also look forward to seeing your created sanctuary and tag #simplyimpressions across social media. Did you have any tips? If so, I'll love to hear about them when you leave a comment below.
In next week's blog post, I'll dive in to Iftar table displays! Don't miss it.
JazzahKhallah
Fawzia xox
PS: Did you spot Mr. Mochi, the cat?
Your support of small businesses like mine is what keeps me going. All the products you see at Simply Impressions are proudly made in the USA. I appreciate your patronage and thank you for telling your friends and family about my work
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This week I'll take you through my Living room and Kitchen with valuable design tips and inspiration. I've got several ideas for you to get your home Ramadan ready.
For the last year or so, I've been obsessed with art deco. I created an Art deco themed Ramadan pennant banner. I used black cardstock for the base with gold embellishments, and of course no banner is complete with out the help vinyl decals with the words 'Ramadan Mubarak'
TIP- If you get stuck on how to make a pennant banner, check out this link- How To Make Eid / Ramadan Pennant Banners. It's a great family craft, with step by step instruction on how to make a one of a kind banner that perfectly ties into your home décor.
What's Your Focal Point?
Most living rooms will have a focal point such as a fireplaces, armoire or in my case a gallery wall with a buffet table. The table makes for an ever changing scene that tells a story. This one, as you can see, tells a story 'We are celebrating Ramadan'. Here I used Ramadan Mosque Decoration and to center it all, a Ramadan Mubarak Cutout.
TIP- If you have a buffet table, or something similar try creating your own vignettes, don't be afraid to switch the scene out for different occasions and seasons. Doing this will give your living room a renewed fresh look .
Don't Forget Your Coffee Table!
Let's not forget to style the coffee table too! The geometric cubes can be used all year round, not just for Ramadan. Pop in a battery operated candle and you've got beautiful ambient lighting with geometric shadows dancing around.
TIP- Objects grouped together have a greater presences. Rather than placing a single cube, consider using a collection of 3 or 5.
Count Down Ramadan With A Lunar Calendar
Help's at hand with the interactive calendar. This Calendar is ideal to hang in your kitchen and where you hang out the most with your family. Each disk has a moon phase that corresponds to the day you're fasting and when you're done, simply flip over the disk to reveal a star.
TIP- Make this truly customizable with your home décor by color coordinating the vinyl on the moon phases and stars to match your homes color scheme.
Its Functional too! Iftar, Suhur Timer & Ramadan Duas
Even your kitchen could do with some Ramadan love, but hang on, this is also beneficial! A lantern with the Dua upon fasting, and Dua upon breaking fast. This hangs at the entrance to my kitchen, with easy to read Arabic text, translation and transliteration, so everyone in the house can benefit.
Ramadan Tracker
Lets not forget the interactive lantern with essential times for Suhur and Iftar. Simply use a dry erase marker and write down the times, then erase and rewrite for the next day. And when Eid rolls round, simply flip over the lantern to reveal Eid Mubarak!
TIP- If you haven't guessed already, I love using odd numbers. With these lanterns you can arrange them in any order to your pleasing. Simply pop them on your wall with tape, or a push pin, and enjoy the days of Ramadan.
Next week I'll move into the those awkward spaces along with helpful tips to creating that much needed private reading nook for the whole family to enjoy.
Hopefully, you'll find inspiration from the various designs in today's blog post. I would love to see how you'll decorate your home this Ramadan. Share your creations across social media with #simplyimpressions and leave a comment bellow.
Jazzah Khallah
Fawzia xox
PS Free shipping on USA orders over $100
Your support of small businesses like mine is what keeps me going. All the products you see at Simply Impressions are proudly made in the USA. I appreciate your patronage and thank you for telling your friends and family about my work.
]]>Can you believe it? Ramadan is right around the corner. I spent last weekend putting up decorations around the house. It looks so festive, and the excitement of Ramadan is building in my home.
I started decorating when my now two teenagers were babies. My mission was to create a festive home like those found in Muslim countries, paired with my unique flair. Check out some of the pictures below. Hopefully, it's an inspiration for you to make your home festive this Ramadan.
Front Door Décor
Here is my front door, I used a store bought wreath and paired it with a Ramadan Mubarak wreath finished in metallic silver.
TIP- Change out the center décor for different occasions. When Ramadan is over, simply pop the Ramadan Mubarak wreath and replace it with Eid Mubarak. Here I used the cake topper as the display.
Hall Way Décor
These DIY craft packs make an interesting display on my hallway console table. It makes for a great group activity, creating memories with family and friends.
TIP- When styling a collection of objects/ chachkies, keep varying heights with similar colors. Always keep to an odd number of objects, such as 3 and 5.
Check out this video on how to make the wooden Ramadan plaque.
Now lets move on to the the dining area!
This years color theme, if you haven't guessed already, is gold and silver. I used some geometric ornaments that come in packs of 3, moon and stars ornaments that come in a pack of 5, and for some variation, I used the moon & mosque that come in a pack of 3. All these ornaments come with clear acrylic string for you to hang around your home.
TIP- Want to change out the color scheme? Simply spray paint over the existing décor for a fresh new look.
My dining room is a relatively empty space with a dining table and chairs. This was a perfect back drop to go large in display. Here I used a Large Geometric Moon & Star to center the display along with a home made garland as a back drop to the Teardrop Ramadan Mubarak Ornaments. Lastly, utilizing the chair rail, I placed a large graphic text with Ramadan & Eid Mubarak to ground and balance the whole design.
TIP- If you have limited décor items, rather than creating small vignettes of decoration, consider bunching the majority of your décor to one main area. This will give the illusion a well decorated space.
Hopefully, you'll find inspiration from the various designs in today's blog post. Next week, I'll show you around the living room with some handy tips.
I would love to see how you've decorated your home this Ramadan. Share your creations across social media with #simplyimpressions and leave a comment below.
Your support of small businesses like mine is what keeps me going. All the products you see at Simply Impressions are proudly made in the USA. I appreciate your patronage and thank you for telling your friends and family about my work.
JazakAllah
Fawzia xox
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This past year I've been blessed to work with with my local Masjid, ICBC (Islamic Center of Brushy Creek), in Cedar Park, Texas. I was commissioned to create artwork with the 99 names of Allah to wrap around the newly built mosque, along with the Ayat Kursi within the dome. Designing a space that pulls in the colors and patterns from the carpet, walls and light fixtures and architectural details.
I'm so thrilled to share some creation of my journey with you.
99 Names of Allah
This is the center panel that reads Allah, and sits opposite the Mihrab. Each of the blessed 99 names of Allah were individually laser cut, along with the base, borders, and Arabic text. All of it was then painted, varnished, glued together.
Each wall had different measurements resulting in different sides panels, the end results was a seamless run of artwork across the each wall.
Ayat Kursi
The artwork for the dome consists of the Ayat Kursi, picking up on the color scheme of blue and gold, for a cohesive look with the same border pattern used in the 99 names wooden panels. The artwork was customized to fit perfectly within the dome, with a perimeter of 49 feet. Now that's at lot of vinyl!
Here are a few images from installation to completion of the artwork in the dome.
It's truly a blessing and honor creating artwork for my local masjid. Being part of the design vision to completion, creating a tranquil and uplifting space for prayer, contemplation, and reflection space for my community.
Your referrals are one of the best compliments a small business owner like myself can receive. If you enjoyed reading about this, please take a moment and share it with your family and friends, local community schools, and masajid. I'm available to work with you on your community projects. No space is too big or too small! Simply leave a comment with your question or thoughts, or email us at info@simplyimpressions.com.
JazakAllah,
Fawzia Khawaja.
]]>At Simply Impressions we have curated quite a collection of Mosque / Masjid design that can be used all year round for home decor and of course as a center piece for Ramadan & Eid. Each design is meticulously thought out and designed for your home, and for the joy of family. We use sustainable Baltic Birch wood, that can be painted, stained or left as beautiful natural wood.
Here's an inspirational video (Click on the image below)
Imagine the delight of your children when you create a scene, a city of Mosques, with palm trees, the Holy Kaaba, the mountains with people, sheep and camels. Our interactive scene provide a creative display that children and adults will adore, fostering lasting love of our religion, and love of Allah (SWA).
Here we created a scene of the Holy Kaaba and its surrounding. A great way to teach our Deen through play. Create actions of Umrah and Hajj, using toys to preform Tawaf around the Kaaba, and preform Sa’i along the mountain.
The Kaaba is also a trinket box. Slide the lid to reveal the hidden storage. Store your prayer beads or if you refer use it as a Zakkat /Sadqa collection box all year round.
We have some free standing Mosques in two styles that come with either Ramadan Mubarak or Eid Mubarak. Place this on your mantel or table top, and for added drama place a light source behind and watch the mosque come to life.
Your children will adore our Mini Mosque. This comes with many accessories. Included are decals that read Allah and Muhammad, a geometric carpet, a Mirab, people, sheeps, camels, palm tress and water fountain. The whole Mosque is stored away in a personalized keep sake wooden box that is personalized for you. When your children aren't playing with the mini mosque, you can use it as a center piece with a wrapped gifts inside.
We hope you are inspired to create your very own scene!
Happy decorating!
Fawzia
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We also created Play-Doh where we rolled out the Play-doh and used a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the decorations. We still have them after all these years.
Fast forward to today, both my children are close to being teenagers now, Alhamdulillah. Decorating the home is an exciting family event for us now. I have built quite a collection over the years at Simply Impressions and I am quite excited to share our current display with you.
Since gold is the trending color for home decor this year, I have incorporated this trend in our Ramadan decor! I must admit, as a child I grew up with a lot of gold accents, gold picture frames, gold vases, etc., and I vouched never to repeat this decor style. Here I am with a collection painted in gold. Oh, how little did I know? :-)
To offset the gold and anchor the design, I created a Large Ramadan, Eid and Mubarak wooden cutout that is stained in walnut. This coordinates back to the design elements in the room.
To soften the hard edges, I made a fringe with similar color of gold, copper, silver, and gray. I also added 10 inch strips of wool tied to a longer string that spans across the wall. You can use any fabric or wool of any color that works with your room or style of decor. I recommend you incorporate colors from your rug, cushion, curtains, etc. since this is an accent color and it's easy to change it out for a fresh new look every year.
I then placed the Teardrop Ramadan, Eid, and Mubarak hanging ornament, and some Moons & Stars that are all in gold and silver. If you prefer, you can purchase the wooden ornaments unfinished to personalize the color scheme and match your home. All our wooden products can be repainted for fresh new look every year.
The wreaths are finished in a metallic gold and ready to hang, or place this in the center of a ready made wreath bought from your local art store. Display on your front door or in your home.
The Lunar Calendar helps your family count down the days of Ramadan with an accurate depiction of the the moon phases. On one side you have stars and flip over you have the moon phases with the corresponding day of fasting. This comes fully assembled. Simply pick your vinyl color of choice. When it arrives, just hang it for display.
For added drama, I placed candles within the Geometeric Decorative Cube. Watch the pattern dance as it projects on your walls from the flickering of the candle light. Very festive!
I hope this has inspired you to create your own memorable experience with decorating for Ramadan and Eid. We would love to see how your decorations turned out. join the conversation bellow!
Happy decorating!
Love
Fawzia
]]>The car decals are made of a specific type of glossy vinyl that's designed for outdoor use. The glossy vinyl can withstand all weather condition and has longevity. Impressive huh! There are two color choices, glossy white and glossy grey, and for a little sparkle we have metallic silver (glossy works the best followed by the metallic then matte).
With all the car decals, you have the choice to have your decal made reversed or regular. Reversed is ideal if you want to place your decal on the inside of the car to read on the outside.
Here are some of our popular car designs
And of course, no vehicle is complete with out a hanging ornament to displayed under the mirror. This design reads 'Allah' made of Baltic Birch wood and stained in pecan.
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Decor for your entryway.
]]>The entryway into our home is the first introduction to our personalty, warmth and hospitality. However, we often neglect these spaces. If you find your self in this situation, here are some designs that will brighten up your entryway, spread some peace, light and love to all.
Greetings Of Peace
A floral wreath made of wood that reads AsalaamAlaikum -- Peace be upon you. Place this on or around the entryway or front door to welcome your guests. Customize the color and size.
Dua For Entering & Leaving Your Home.
We all need that gentle reminder to recite our duas. Here is one for entering and leaving your home. Simply place this decal above or alongside the door way.
Surah Al Noor Ayat 36
An illuminating Ayat that translates
to: "(This lamp is found) in houses which Allah hath allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be remembered therein. Therein do offer praise to Him at morn and evening."(24:36).
Global Peace
A whimsical design and a personal favorite. Reads AsalaamAlaikum, Peace be upon you and a peace sign. Can you see it?
ASalaamAlaikum
For simpler and discreet greetings, choose a single design or choose several to gift them as party favors.
Jazakallah Khair,
Fawzia
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Helpful tips to choose the correct sized decal for your walls.
]]>It's giveaway time! We are giving away our Teardrop Shahada decal in black vinyl measuring 28w"x40h". Simply leave the comment 'Simply Ramadan' in the comment box below and we will randomly pick a winner on Sunday July 3rd, 2016. Don't forget to share this with family and friends!
Happy posting!
]]>We hope you are all having a blessed Ramadan. With Eid right around the corner, we have an amazing giveaway, with some of our most popular Eid wood cut out decoration.
Simple enter below with the word 'Blessed Eid' in the comment section. To gain additional entries simple head over to out Simply Impressions Instagram and Facebook page like, tag and share the post! Entry will close on Saturday 24th June, 2017 at 12 pm.
Happy Posting.
Simply Impressions.
PS. Look out for the 15% discount code.
]]>When it comes down to ancient writing art and style, you will be coming across names like Cuneiforms, Hieroglyphs, Islamic Calligraphy and several other names like them. Yet, very few of them survived the acid tests of time. If we take the good old saying “survival for the fittest” in concern, Islamic Calligraphy stands proudly on the top spot as it survived the ups and downs of time. Let’s have a quick look at its history to grasp the whole idea better.
A Glimpse of the History
If you look closely at the ancient civilizations and their forms of writing, you will find them very much dependent on pictures or figures. Unlike them, Islamic Calligraphy is focused on beautifying and strengthening the style of writing and turning it into a form of art. These are the aspects that have been skillfully accomplished by Islamic Calligraphy.
The history of this art goes back all the way to the Roman civilization. Yasin Hamid Safadi, the renowned author of a rejoiced book namely Islamic Calligraphy insists that, this form of art is a late bloomer even after being the second living one of the Roman Alphabet. He also refers to the main reasons behind this late blooming which are the nomadic nature of the Arabians and their high reliability in the oral form of communication.
The foundation of Islamic Calligraphy was laid during the sixth century when the renowned seven Odes namely Al-Muallaqat was written. Then these verses were removed from the Kaba Sharif during the 7th century. This is when the true journey of Calligraphy was triggered. The Holy verses from Al-Qur’an were welcomed in the Kaba Sharif. And as the acceptance of Islam speeded up, the acceptance of Arabic language took a hike also. Even when some of those nations went back to Pre-Islamic era again, they could not entirely separate from the Arabic alphabet. As a result, the journey of Islamic Calligraphy was and is still going strong.
The Trends over Time
Even if there had been writing styles like Madani, Hiri or Macci, the true Calligraphy began with the Kufi style. This style comes along with a very neat and clean style and a geometric touch with it. This is basically a horizontal style of Calligraphy and found in a renowned mosque in Tunisia and on coins from ancient times. There are a couple of descendants of this style which are known as the Andalusi and the Maghribi style of scribing. The flowering and the geometric, both of the Kufi styles are renowned for artistic writing.
Later the Cursive style took over from the Kufi style to scribe mainstream contents like documenting the Holy Qur’an. This style was introduced during the tenth century. This style has six subdivisions which are – the Nash, a very simple and slender version of Calligraphy, the Tulut with a highly energized and monumental touch to it, the Tawqi’, with an extended verticals under the lines, the Riqaa which can be easily called as the mini Tawqi’, the Muhaqqaq and It’s miniature, the Rihani.
Later on, many additions to Islamic Calligraphy have been added all over the world. The Nasta’liq, the Shikasteh, the Diwani, the Bihari, the Sini etc., are the most prominent ones of them. Yet, the topmost one is the Ruq’ah which is a definite upgrade from the Nash. Ruq’ah is the most widely spread and commonly known one of the Calligraphies.
Another form of Calligraphy is known as the Calligrams. If you walk into a calligraphy shop or if your browse online, you can see that there are some Calligraphies which are very distinctly designed as if they are not only some beautiful scribbles but also some patchwork of them. These are called the Calligrams. Calligrams have been very famous since the seventeenth century all over the world.
]]>Modern Islamic QR art
]]>Okay, we admit, perhaps cryptic is a bit of a stretch of the imagination. A better description may be modern Islamic QR art. That's right, art that plays on an emblem that we can spot all around us. In the grocery store, on product labels, on TV, and billboards. Everywhere. When we were thinking about a new decal piece to create that is modern, fun was a key operative word for us.
Looking at our existing catalog of original art pieces, we noticed an omission. We were missing some fun pieces that would fit in with a technology oriented society. All around us, more and more, we surround ourselves by objects that help us, distract us, and entertain us. All these objects coupled with furniture to cradle us as we go about using these items take away from some of the warmth in a space.
We can offset the chaos of a space to give it a more spiritual feel by incorporating Islamic Art. Traditionally, Islamic Art enlists the use of Calligraphy. It is beautiful to look at, timeless in its presence, and makes a space feel special. After all, Islamic Calligraphy uses phrases from the Qur'an, the divine revelation that inspires and guides. The history of Islamic Calligraphy can be found to go as far back as the 13th Century A.D. While almost all of the early versions of the Qur'an were written in the Kufic form, different styles evolved over time to enhance the way a brush stroke spells out each letter from the scripture.
While the Qur'an is unchanged and will remain so, expression of human emotion through art is ever changing and evolving. We are no different at Simply Impressions. We wanted to incorporate the way our world is changing and introduce art that is relevant and goes beyond what the naked eye can see. We wanted to create a piece that was tasteful and a conversation starter. We wanted a decal that let's you use that object with a camera lens attached to it which you never fail to utilize daily. Give you a reason to find that app you only open once in a while to quickly scan the QR art to instantly reveal the message that it's owner wants you see and satisfy that curiosity. Instant gratification.
Art, in general, asks the viewer a simple question, "What do you feel?" It causes passers by to pause, admire the lines, the curves, the use of language, and analyze the emotion evoked after looking at the final product. In its many forms, art is meant to drive the viewer to enjoy a moment away from their thoughts and consider the item in front of them. Our QR art is meant to showcase a modern object and yet reveal to the viewer a name or a phrase that is timeless and divine.
While traditional Islamic Calligraphy is immediately recognizable, the mystery of this QR art begs to be scanned. It asks the viewer to engage with the art and not just remain a passive participant. When placed in a room, it reminds us that art is not just enjoyable and pleasing to the eye, it can be obscure and relevant.
]]>Here is an easy project to do in 20 minutes or less.
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All you will need for this art project is a picture frame. We used an Ikea RIBBA frame.
You will also need masking or painters tape,squeegee or a credit card for application, and your favorite craft paper.
Flip over the frame to remove the backing and matting.
Take out the glass out of the frame and clean the surface from dust and marks.
Cut the decal down to fit the glass and rub over the surface of the decal to take out any air bubbles.
Now create a hinge by applying masking to the front side of the decal.
Fold the other half of the masking tape to stick to the glass underneath.
Flip the decal over along the the hinge and peel off the backing paper (this is the checkered paper)
Once the backing is removed you will be left with the sticky side of the vinyl and application tape.
Holding the far edge of the decal and application tape, fold over toward the glass and press down with the application squeegee.
Rub over the decal.
Remove the hinge.
Slowly peel off the application tape.
If you need to assemble the picture frame. You have the option to leave out the matting if your prefer.
Place the glass in the frame.
Place your favorite craft paper on top of the glass.
Put the backing of the frame on and flip over the frame.
Voila, you have created some simple and beautiful art.
Switch out the craft paper for a different look and feel.
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You don't need to be an artist to create your very own work of art. Simply follow these steps and you can create a personalized masterpiece.
]]>What you need:
Blank canvas, acrylic paint and paint brushes, these can be bought from your local art store. Disposable paper plate to use as your pallet for mixing colors, container for water used for watering down paint, and cleaning your brushes in between colors, Simply Impressions decals, and application squeegee (or a credit card).
Prep your canvas with a base color, we used green. Once the base is dry get creative, use different brushes and spatulas to create different effects. Have fun! Depending if you have watered down your paint or if you have layered it quite heavy, the drying time for acrylics will vary. Typically it will take a day for acrylic paint to dry but give yourself a least a few days before you install your decal.
Once the paint is dry you are ready to install your decal.
Rub the front and back of the decal with the application squeegee.
Peel away the backing paper, this is the checker paper, and discard.
You will be left with the sticky side of the transfer paper and vinyl art.
Now carefully place the decal on the canvas. You should be able to reposition the decal if needed, if so try not to press down on the decal until you are happy with the postion.
Once the decal is in the desired position gently press down and rub in a circular motion with your fingers.
Carefully peel back the transfer tape. TAKE YOUR TIME. Should the vinyl stay stuck to the transfer tape simply roll back onto the canvas, rub in a circular motion and then peel away. If needed tease the vinyl in place with the application squeegee.
Voila! You have created your very own masterpiece.
Display and enjoy your art!
Tips.
For a bold statement, consider using a large canvas. For painting, we recommend using acrylic paint as it dries fast and is water based. Avoid oil based paints as your decal may not stick. Your painted canvas will take a day to dry and for best results let it sit for a week before you install your decal. Acrylic paints do vary across the board. Results on installing and drying time will vary. Depending on your design style you can choose to use contrasting colors or colors in the same family as shown above. If you plan to make a busy back ground use a bold strong decal. If your painted canvas consists of similar tones then use a more detailed decal. After you have installed the vinyl onto your canvas, use a coat of varnish for that added durability; make sure your varnish is compatible with vinyl.
Share your creation with family and friends and gift them your very own masterpiece with a little help from Simply Impressions decals.
To find the ideal decal for your art project, explore the various designs we carry.
Have fun and get creative!
]]>When Maghrib prayer rolls round and it's time to break fast, reward your childs efforts with daily treats / gifts using our Ramadan Countdown Treat Boxes.
]]>Here is how to make you your Ramadan treat boxes.
What you will need- Ramadan Countdown Treat Boxes, enough treats / gifts to fill 30 boxes, application squeegee , ribbon, scissors and clear bags to contain your gifts if needed.
Cut your number decal into individual items.
Rub over the front of the decal with the application squeegee.
Rub over the back of the decal with the application squeegee then remove the backing paper (the checkered paper)
you will be left with the sticky side of the vinyl and application tape.
Position the decal on the treat box and peel away the transfer paper. The decal will be firmly stuck to the box.
Now assemble your box.
If you prefer you can place your treats in a decorative treat bag of your liking,
or simply place the treat straight into the box.
Secure the open side with Ribbon.
Place your treats inside the box, close the top and voila you have made your treat box.
Repeat for the remaining 29 decals.
Have fun displaying the boxes. Here we arranged the boxes in a single row beneath our Ramadan Pennant Banner
You can also display your treat boxes in a large circle around your Eid Gifts.
Or display your treat boxes on a cork pin board.
Here we stapled fabric on the back of a cork board, then pined the treat boxes to the front of the cork pin board.
Here is how to make Eid and Ramadan Pennant banner.
]]>What you will need, craft paper or card stock in your desired color (we used a standard sheet sized 11"x 8.5"), ribbon, whole punch, scissors or paper cutter, ruler, glue stick, a pen, application squeegee and pennant banner.
Use a ruler and divide and cut one sheet of card stock into the 6 equal parts,
measuring 3.6" x4.25" (this is your small card).
Divide and cut in a different color of card stock into 4 equal parts,
measuring 4.25"x 5.5" (this is you large accent card).
Take one letter of the decal and rub the front (transfer paper) with the application squeegee.
Then rub the backing paper (checkered side).
Peel away the backing paper (checkered side) and discard.
You should be left with the sticky side (the transfer paper and the vinyl).
Take the sticky side of the decal and place onto the small card, rub with the application squeegee.
Peel the transfer paper away. The vinyl will be firmly stuck to the card.
Repeat this for the remaining letters.
Flip over the small card which has the decal, and apply some glue.
Now flip back and place in the center of the large card. firmly pressing down.
On the top corners of the large card make two holes with the hole punch.
This will be for stringing the ribbon through. Repeat for the remaining letters.
String the ribbon through the holes and hang.
A beautiful festive centerpiece. Enjoy!
Tips-
Choose contrasting colors when placing the vinyl on the card. We used silver metallic vinyl against solid dark grey/brown cardstock, this helped with the legibility of the text .Two alternating shades of blue were used as the accent colors and everything was tied together with a blue and brown ribbon. The above sizes are just a guide, you can change the sizes and shapes of the cards to what best fits your décor and style.
]]>Simple way to create festive decoration using cookie cutters and Pay-Doh.
]]>What you will need, rolling pin, cookie cutters, Play-Doh, drinking straw, ribbon, baking tray lined with foil.
On a clean flat surface roll out the Pay-Doh to your desired thickness.
Place the cookie cutter on the Pay-Doh and press down to cut the shape.
Remove the excess Play-Doh.
Now remove the cookie cutter.
Use a drinking straw to make a hole - this will be for stringing the ribbon through later.
Now start decorating your shape, and have fun!
Place your decorations on a foiled lined baking tray and pop it into the oven at 200 F/ 93 C.
After a few hours and depending on the thickness of the decoration the Play-Doh will start to harden.
If you prefer you can also air dry your decorations.
Use some decorative ribbon to string and hang your decoration.
Voila, you have created your very own masterpiece!
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To Do list:
1. Have a printout of the Takbiraat available and ready for the morning of.
2. Don't forget to cancel any appointments or lessons on the day of Eid now...so as to avoid any confusion.
3. Make your trip to the halal market now, to avoid the flurry of tasks as Eid gets closer.
4. Don't forget to shop ahead of time for new clothes for Eid, there are a lot of online resources now if you prefer to wear ethnic clothes, but shipping can be a problem if you don't plan ahead of time.
5. Eid decorations are festive during Ramadan, but we rarely have time to decorate for the second Eid! Take your Eid decorations out now and put some thought into how you can change things up a bit. Don't forget to keep an eye out for ethnic holiday decor this season, and when they go on sale....grab them for next year! Our decals can be placed on glass jars and mirrors, and can be taken out for the holidays.
6. Add to your list people you usually forget such as teachers and neighours because we almost always seem to forget them until its too late, and end up buying something impersonal (hint: our Variety Packs make a wonderful gift)
7. Get your kids input on how they would like to spend Eid, the second and third days of Eid are a great way to do little things your kids will enjoy!
8. The night before Eid can be exciting for girls getting together to put on Henna....make it a fun night out. But don't forget to arrange something for the boys!
9. Take out your story books, or printouts on Eid ahead of time, so when Eid gets closer, you can whip them out easily and discuss the importance of Eid ul Adha with your kids!
Visit our products page to view our lovely decals and canvases which make wonderful gifts for friends and family.
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WE have some design tips for all of you who would like more ideas of how to decorate your space.
1. Use decals on a canvas.
You can paint any canvas picked up at your local art store a solid color, or if you are more adventurous with a abstract pattern. Let the paint dry for a couple of days, then place your decal on the canvas. Viola...you have an instant piece of affordable artwork that you can take with you anywhere. Or you may want to gift it to your friends!!
2. Contrast Light colored decal with a dark wall.
We absolutely LOVE white or maize colored decals on a deep, vivid wall color. The decal literally pops out at you.
3. Dark Gray is the new Black.
Intimidated by black? Not to worry, dark gray gives the appearance of black, but in a much more soft, subtle tone.
4. Need an Eid gift Idea?
Place decals on a mirror or glass vase. Our decals look oh so elegant on glass!
5. The power of the 3s. Want an even more contemporary look? Place 3 designs in a row for a sleek design.
6. Have any specific design questions? Our designer Fawzia would love to help, email us at info@simplyimpressions.com. Dont forget to attach a photo of your room to the email so that we can help you choose the best design for your space.
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In the meantime, I had been on the lookout for modern Islamic Art to finish off the job, but found that custom ordering a painting was very, very, expensive.
Islamic decals seemed to be the answer, but lo and behold they were nowhere to be found! We quickly set into action, and came up with a line of Islamic decals that we would want to see in our own homes.
We also realized that decals are also a perfect fit for Masajid and schools that would like to update their décor without hiring a world renowned Calligrapher to paint their walls.
I’ve found that decals are relatively inexpensive and can be removed at any time. They are fairly easy to apply and are durable. They are not at all tacky-looking, especially with the matte colors that we have chosen.
We are always looking for feedback to see what you would like to see us add to our portfolio. Hopefully, we’ll help in making modern Islamic Art more accessible for all of us!!
Hope you enjoy our products!!
Message from the Co-Founder,
Simply Impressions
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