How to Make Eid ul-Fitr Cards

Eid ul-Fitr is the Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Its timing is based on a lunar calendar, so the date changes from year to year. The celebration, however, is always festive, involving such things as family meals, gift giving and new clothes. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, and giving greeting cards has become part of the tradition. With a few supplies and simple techniques, you can create your own Eid ul-Fitr cards to share with friends who celebrate this holiday.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Card stock
• Scissors
• White crayon
• Stencils (optional)
• Waxed paper
• Watercolor paints
• Cup of water
• Craft paint brush
• Image of a mosque
• Pencil
• Clear-drying gel glue
• Rhinestones or craft gems

Pastel Painted Cards

1. Take a piece of white card stock. Cut it if necessary, and fold it in half to create a card.

2. On the cover of the card, draw some shapes and lines with a white crayon. You might draw a crescent moon and stars or use stencils to make elaborate patterns. You can also write a greeting, such as "Happy Eid ul-Fitr."

3. Hold the card up to the light occasionally to see how your design is coming along. Because the wax is white on white paper, it is hard to see. But when the light catches it, you'll see that the waxed lines and images are shiny.

4. Place two or three layers of waxed paper inside the card to keep paint from bleeding through.

5. Dip a paint brush into the cup of water. Swirl it onto the watercolor paint color of your choice until the water is tinted with the color.

6. Paint over the cover of the card, right over the crayon marks. The white crayon marks will prevent the paint from soaking into those areas, so they will remain white for a beautiful design.

7. Use one color or blend several colors if you desire, to cover the entire front of the card.

8. Allow the card to dry. Remove the waxed paper and write your message inside.

Mosque in the Twilight Sky Scene

9. Take a piece of rainbow-colored card stock with deep colors that remind you of a sunset. Fold it in half and cut it to the size you want.

10. Look through magazines or coloring books for images of a mosque, or use the one in the resources listed here. Cut out the shape of the mosque, so you have a template.

11. Place your mosque template on black, dark-colored or gold card stock. Trace around it carefully with a pencil. Cut out the shape.

12. Glue the shape to the cover of your card. If your shape is larger than the card, trim around the bottom and sides to make the edges even with the card. What you want to create is a beautiful skyline.

13. Place a few dabs of clear-drying gel craft glue above the mosque shape. Place a small craft gem or rhinestone onto each dab of glue.

14. Allow the glue to dry. Write your message inside.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't need professional watercolor paint kits. The watercolor paint boxes sold with art and school supplies for children do nicely.

References

• Zainabi Magazine: Cool Crafts
• Muslim Holiday Cards

Resources

• Mosque Coloring Page