What I wore for eid 2016

So here it finally is -my post for what I wore on eid. I have to say this year I was incredibly impressed with my finding! 

I had a bigger budget this time round so I went to few different places to really get my moneys worth but unfortunately some places are complete rip offs! Having gone to a shop I would never normally go into I found the prettiest outfit in such a beautiful colour too. With lots of zardosi work too. Embellished from top to bottom it was unbelievable. They quoted me £250 but I was able to bring it down to £185. I believe the shop was called Mehreen next to Barclays in Green street.
I really I wish I had gone in there sooner, I’ll definitely be revisiting to increase my collection of Asian wear.
 

I literally threw together my bangle set on Eid day.. ok maybe not literally but it did take me 20mins and I didn’t even purchase any new ones. But not bad ey? Still managed a nice heavy bunch.

So I hope you like the look guys we have a special addition to Crystal Crafts. I will be letting you all know on next months page, can’t wait! See you then :)

Papercraft: Quilling

Most people know me for my embroidery but what many dont pay attention to is my love for paper crafts...I studied textiles and I just love different textures, dimentions, colour and the way it all comes together to create magnificient pieces of eye candy

I obviously havent been in education for a very long time and secondary was literally a decade ago so I'm a little clueless how the curiculum works nowadays, but when I was studying for GCSEs I didnt realise that the amount of things I could've done in my sketchbook. We were always taught to make collages with tissue paper but honestly theres just so much more to it.Once I started college I started to discover more and more techniques and to be honest I'm still learning..

I only discovered quilling at the age of 18, and not even by teachers but my sister...(yup thats right we are a family of artistic individuals).. there are so many ways you can bring your art to life using this technique. Quilling is created using strips of paper and a handy tool with a slit on it so you can pop your paper on and just twirl. I genuinely tried to avoid flowers, I swear! But oh my god look! Its just so pretty

All of these images are taken from google and flowers aren't the only kind of inspiration you will literally find all kinds of things from scenary to maybe your favourite cartoon characters. But its a great technique to mix in if your trying to create something you drew yourself.

You could buy a whole starter kit but heres what I believe is the cheapest way to start:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wide-Groove-Slotted-Paper-Quilling-Pen-Origami-Winder-Tool-Kit-DIY-Craft-New-/252303502849?hash=item3abe75ee01:g:6coAAOSwll1W1AOJ

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quilling-paper-2mm-3mm-5mm-10mm-175-strips-450mm-long-/282130302662?var=&hash=item41b046c6c6:m:m7EGfCxDjsMJ6J4IYwZer7Q

And a tutorial for beginners
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wULr0mYYr8c

I might comeback to update this oneday when I find a 2page spread of flower I once did inspired by picasso..unfortunately all my old college sketchbooks are up in the attic. So if I get a hold of it again...

Enjoy xx

Papercraft: Quilling

Most people know me for my embroidery but what many dont pay attention to is my love for paper crafts...I studied textiles and I just love different textures, dimentions, colour and the way it all comes together to create magnificient pieces of eye candy

I obviously havent been in education for a very long time and secondary was literally a decade ago so I'm a little clueless how the curiculum works nowadays, but when I was studying for GCSEs I didnt realise that the amount of things I could've done in my sketchbook. We were always taught to make collages with tissue paper but honestly theres just so much more to it.Once I started college I started to discover more and more techniques and to be honest I'm still learning..

I only discovered quilling at the age of 18, and not even by teachers but my sister...(yup thats right we are a family of artistic individuals).. there are so many ways you can bring your art to life using this technique. Quilling is created using strips of paper and a handy tool with a slit on it so you can pop your paper on and just twirl. I genuinely tried to avoid flowers, I swear! But oh my god look! Its just so pretty

All of these images are taken from google and flowers aren't the only kind of inspiration you will literally find all kinds of things from scenary to maybe your favourite cartoon characters. But its a great technique to mix in if your trying to create something you drew yourself.

You could buy a whole starter kit but heres what I believe is the cheapest way to start:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wide-Groove-Slotted-Paper-Quilling-Pen-Origami-Winder-Tool-Kit-DIY-Craft-New-/252303502849?hash=item3abe75ee01:g:6coAAOSwll1W1AOJ

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quilling-paper-2mm-3mm-5mm-10mm-175-strips-450mm-long-/282130302662?var=&hash=item41b046c6c6:m:m7EGfCxDjsMJ6J4IYwZer7Q

And a tutorial for beginners
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wULr0mYYr8c

I might comeback to update this oneday when I find a 2page spread of flower I once did inspired by picasso..unfortunately all my old college sketchbooks are up in the attic. So if I get a hold of it again...

Enjoy xx

Eid ul Fitr 2016

While it may feel like eid was like forever ago, its actually only been a few weeks. I couldnt get this post ready on time, my 10month old keeping me busy! So anyways heres another outfit I've put together. I dont know about anyone else but lately (unless you can afford the big bucks)
So anyway when I was doing my eid outfit I was having the toughest time finding a unique outfit on budget but I have to say, I was very impressed by what Sidhus in Whitechapel was offering. I loved many outfits but heres the one I went for
all the outfits in green street are starting to feel like a clone of each other, and clever manufacturers have discovered a trick where they put on plenty of iron on stones ALL OVER the outfits to make consumers feel like they're getting their moneys worth. Well I'm sorry to say guys incase you haven't figured it out yet... complete rip off! You're far better off paying for less work that has been crafted well than lots of work that will inevitably, well not stay put I guess...

Our first proper eid together and me being me I got my daughter dresses to match. Black plain dresses which I added embroidery to myself

Like I've mentioned before I havent need to add bangles to my collection in ages so I grabbed what I already had and heres my outcome.. I quite like it, what do you think?

I couldnt get a decent enough image of baby girls beautiful outfit, will upload a vid tomorrow on snapchat find me we're under crystalcraftssc

I will upload her outfit on here possibly tuesday. Till then buh-bye xx

Remove henna sooner

Now what most people actually want to know is how to darken a henna stain but sometimes it actually helps to know how to get rid of the henna stain. I had my henna party one week before my wedding day so I was in desperate need to get rid of the first application in time to have it re applied for the big day. The obvious way was ofcourse soaking my hand in water - which I did for couple of hours I tried to scrub with liquid and it slightly lightened it but didnt help as much as I had hoped.
I had a manicure done and as I was getting rid of the nail varnish I realised the henna stain had lightened by 3-4 shades and was left with a faint mark. I couldnt fully get rid of it to be honest but fast forward a year a friend of mine told me a method which would have been simpler! I have yet to try it so I will come back to update this post but contact lens solution swiped with cotton ball 2-3 times should do the trick.

After having a search on the internet (which I wish I had checked sooner :[ ) heres some other methods I found :

Make a paste of baking soda powder mixed with lemon. Apply on your hands to remove the Mehndi colour. However, this paste can make your hands dry and rough. Take some chlorine in a small bowl and add some hot water to it. Dip your hands in this solution for 2 to 3 minutes. You will witness some irritation and itchiness but it will vanish soon and will help fade the mehendi as well. 

Toothpaste can also be a great help in removing tattoo. Apply toothpaste on the areas from where you wish to remove the mehendi and when it dries, rub your hands to remove the colour. 

Sweat  also aids in removing these stubborn stains. So start exercising, especially aerobic exercise which will cause perspiration and will fade henna stains. Activities that result heavy sweating will aid in the removal of dead skin which will eventually remove the tattoo stains. So you can even opt for other activities like jogging, for example or other sport activities.

Finally if you have sensitive skin olive oil will help fade the mark off your skin.

Since I havent tried all these methods myself I suggest trying a small patch if you do decide to test it yourself. All skin types are different so what may work for me may not work for others and vice versa please feel free to suggest your own methods if you have a different suggestion other than stated above xx

Ramadan 2016

Ramadan mubarak guys 

I'm going to try and keep this post very short as the next part basically speaks for itself.

"Assalamu alaikum
My name is Aamilah and I am nearly 2 years old. I would like to raise lots and lots of money to provide Iftar to our needy Palestininan brothers and sisters in the last ten days of Ramadan Insha Allah. I will be travelling to Jerusalem later this Ramadan with my mummy and daddy where we will be handing out Iftar with our own hands during the odd nights, Insha Allah.
Some of the money we hope to raise will also go towards a new madrasah which is located near masjid Al Aqsa. And I can assure you that 100% of  your donations will be spent on those causes and nothing else, Insha Allah.
We are taking Zakah and Sadaqah. Please remember to mention Zakah when donating online, this will ensure your Zakah is spent correctly. If you would like to pay by cash or bank transfer, please get in touch with my daddy and if you are a lady, please get in touch with my mummy.
Please please! donate lots and lots of money and help me raise as much as possible so our Ummah in Palestine can do Iftar like we are.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AamilahY

May Allah bless you all :))
"He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward."
(Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh)
"The best charity is that given in Ramadan."
(Sunan at-Tirmidhee)"

This is from someone I know personally and a very dear friend of mine infact. The best part (for me) is 100% of your donations will reach the Palestinians in sha allaah and with it beng the month of ramadan your rewards will be far greater. So please donate generously

2016 summer colour trends

Its been a while now since red and navy have taken over in Bengali weddings to the point where if you go to green street every bridal shop knows to keep samples with those colours available.. frankly I've never been a fan so its quite the relief when I say theres some new colours in trend!!
I hadnt actually noticed until I was planning a project in lilac and had it pointed out to me that lilac hasnt been in fashion for years yet ironicly enough all of a sudden my instagram explore page was just jammed with different tones of lilacs.













But anyway I noticed a few other pastel colours no need to mention blue I think we all know what an impact Frozen has had these past couple of years!
I decided to check the indian colour trend for this summer (I dont usually do that! I know its apalling my old fashion teachers would be turning their heads if they knew gasp emoticon ) but in my defence the Bengali community is a bit behind they tend to follow fashion as it trickles down and not at the first glance!

Lilac isnt the only colour and its not liked by everyone but to be honest I think theres a shade for everyone you just have to be open to the idea its definately got a sence of elegance to it. Although its a bit like pearls you can either go very wrong or very right with it. All about how you choose to use it. So many elegant pastel shades in this summer, which one will you choose