Voting Muslim Pin Sets

Voting Muslim Pin Sets by A Crafty Arab

I usually don't get into politics on this page. But I'm making an exception this time.

This election is very important time for Muslims. It is crucial that we get out the vote.

Among all the presidential candidates that are up for election this year, only one has refused to go to AIPEC. That fact that he is Jewish was not lost on the American public.

This event have never occurred in our history and I think it is very telling of the kind of leadership we need right now. One not controlled by bankers or outside countries.

That is why I have just created these Voting Muslim Pins that are available in my Zibbet shop.  Every set includes six pins and can be mailed to anywhere in the world.

100% of the profits will go to the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

My daughters have this week off from school because it's our Spring Break.

As with any chance I get, I seek water by trying to find a rental house on the beach or with a hot tub.   I was able to find one of those requirement in a house on the water on Whidby Island, my husband's favorite Pacific Northwest island. It was again on Beverly Beach and was adorable. But tiny.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

Despite it's size, it was perfect for making puzzles together.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We built a fire every night (and even in the morning).

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

 We went down to the beach using the secret garden entrance.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We spent hours playing on the fort we found last year. Surprisingly, it was exactly like we'd left it.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We also spent a whole day at the Skatgit Valley Tulip Festival looking at beautiful tulips.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We checked on the process of the mural at Tulip Town. This was started in 2003 and covers the entire inside of the barn. Still not done!

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We cooked all our own meals, including delicious crepes. Except for one diner experience that was very interesting. It was a local joint and we got to hear all the local gossip. Since no electronics are allowed at our table, in our home or at restaurants, while we waited on our food, my youngest built a beach home for her father.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We went shopping in town, found a fabulous olive oil store and a great bookstore. We are not looking forward to Spring Break being over and taking the short ferry ride home to get back to reality.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

I just got home from my trip to Orcas Island for the Camp Orkila Women's Wellness Weekend.

I was asked to teach two quilling classes on Saturday.

I left early Friday morning, getting to the Anacortes Ship Harbor with plenty of time to hang out at the beach and collect sea shells.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Soon I was on the ferry, the Hyak, and a few short hours later we pulled onto Orcas Island.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

From there I spent my afternoon enjoying some alone time on the Island. I went to the grocery store to grab lunch, then took it to the beach, listening to the waves.  After a few more hours of reading and shopping, I checked into Camp Orkila and had a delicious salmon dinner in the lodge.

Once dinner was over, I took a felt flower class, made new friends by a warm fire and headed back up to the Guest House.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day and I needed a good night's sleep. I enjoyed the sunset from the view on the porch that is in the main title photo above.

The next morning, I biked uphill to the yoga studio and woke up my muscles.  Then it was off to a quick breakfast before my two classes started.  Pretty soon the library tables were covered in quilling materials.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

I had some fantastic students who seemed to enjoy the class and learning a new art form.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Once my classes were over, I went into town because I had heard there was going to be a Shakespeare Festival.  I'm not that into his plays, but I am in love with all the costumes from that time period. Of course the town locals did not disappoint. Many came out in full beautiful garb.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

There was a town fool.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

And this amazing creation, make of all paper. The crown, collar, arms, hands, everywhere you look, paper art.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

With such grandeur in clothing, of course there would also be grandeur in the chariot, also made of paper.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

I enjoyed walking around the booths and listening to the music on the stage before heading back to camp for cookie baking.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Then ziplinging.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Followed by a bike ride to the craft studio to learn about Nepalese prayer flags and how to make them. Naturally, I added an Arabesque flair to mine.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Finally it was dinner time, followed by a loud, laughter filled game of bingo.  I won a tiny journal notebook that I can't wait to use.

A few women attending the camp had brought paper lanterns to light off the beach in celebration of a birthday. They had extras and asked others to join them. I decided to write the Arabic word for peace, Salam, on mine. It was quite magical to light them one by one and watch them float in the air at 10:30 at night.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

I was very happy and tired at this point and headed back to the Guest Hours to build a fire and enjoy the sounds of the woods as I drifted off to sleep.

On Sunday I woke up early to pack and be ready to catch the noon ferry off the island. I had a long and slow breakfast, talking to many more new friends before enjoying a soothing massage.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Once my body was relaxed and ready to get back into the car, I wrote down a few of my favorite quotes from the inspiration board.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Since I had packed earlier, I managed to spend a little more time reading on the Guest House back porch, my favorite spot in camp.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

Enjoying the quietness of camp (most people had already left at this point) and the view.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

I sadly finally said goodbye to all the beautiful nature that surrounds the camp and headed back to civilization.

Women's Wellness Weekend - Spring 2016 by A Crafty Arab

If you'd like to attend the next Women's Wellness Weekend, call the Seattle YMCA camping services today and sign up!  See you in the fall.

Happy April Fool's Day! (2016)

Today is April Fool's Day here in the United States.  It is a very silly holiday to celebrate, a day full of pranks and tricks.

I have to travel in a little bit for a teaching job, but before I left I made sure to leave some brownies for the girls to enjoy while I was gone.  Oops, it looks like the one in the top right corner didn't come out right.

Happy April Fool's Day! (2016) by A Crafty Arab

Get it?  Brown Es.  Hehe.

Of course they made sure to get me back.  There were things with sharp teeth left in the fridget out of sight.

Happy April Fool's Day! (2016) by A Crafty Arab

Fresh calamari was placed in the freezer as an alternate to the macaroons.

Happy April Fool's Day! (2016) by A Crafty Arab

 The water sprout in the sink was rubberbanded.

Happy April Fool's Day! (2016) by A Crafty Arab

Green food coloring was added to the milk.

Happy April Fool's Day! (2016) by A Crafty Arab

And a fake egg, made with borex and yellow paint, was offered as "an on the go" breakfast.

Happy April Fool's Day! (2016) by A Crafty Arab

As long as the tricks stay clean and non personal, I let me girls indulge in this day to have a little fun.  Check out these posts for how we have celebrated in the past.

(Not) Disney Frozen Cereal

Happy April Fool's Day! (2014)