creative jewish mom

A Last Minute Project For L'Ag B'Omer!

Are you ready? The festive day of L'Ag B'Omer starts on motzei Shabbos (Saturday night) so I thought I'd share this cute project my almost 5 year old brought home from school today. I know you might be thinking it looks like one of the characters from Where The Wild Things Are, but I can assure you it's a bonfire!

But actually, now that I think about it, maybe in fact Maurice Sendak was channeling L'Ag B'Omer with his monsters! He was Jewish after all.... though I have a feeling he did not know about this special day. (I've written a little bit about it here.) Mom bloggers just weren't around then to educate the world about all the important stuff! Ha ha! (Or rather LOL seems to be the appropriate phrase these days.....)

Lest I digress.... if you happen to have some black paper and scraps of fire colored anything (even pages from magazines would be great) so sit the little ones down for a creative bonfire collage session. Think about possibly using aluminum foil for the fire shape or at least incorporating some foil into the collage, and how about some real sticks as an alternative to popsicle sticks?

And if L'Ag B'Omer is not a part of your life, so maybe you could use this project to do a collage of a volcano
and teach your kids a little bit about what happened in Iceland recently! Or if the volcano topic seems a bit too much for your bunch, so how about a beautiful fiery collage shaped like the sun? 

Cupcake Liner Flowers: Gorgeous!

 

Gorgeous right? These carnation look-alikes made from cupcake liners are fantastic, even more so in person! And you can whip up a bunch of bouquets in very little time (and for very little cost!) once you get the hang of it. They're delicate and romantic with a tongue in cheek craftyness. And they would make great centerpieces anytime, but especially for a DIY wedding, a bridal or baby shower, and of course Shavuos! 

And I just love the idea of using these floral stamens for the little all white flowers, so sweet.....can't quite believe I made these. Mind you the idea itself is not mine, but I played around with a variety of techniques before coming up with what I think results in the nicest flowers.

You'll Need:

• cupcake liners in three graduating sizes (small, medium, large) You could certainly try using colored and patterned liners for this project, but there's something really nice about creating with just the basic creme liners! (And my local store only had creme and blue striped ones......)
• floral wire, around 22 gauge (you can also use pipe cleaners but use floral wire for this one!)
• red craft paint
• floral stamens (even available in Israel at basic craft stores!)

How To:

1. The large flowers are made from 9 total liners, 3 large, 3 medium and 3 small. the small flowers are made from 8 liners, all size small.
2. Stack the liners according to size, one inside the next.
3. With a very large needle, or something else sharp, like possibly a toothpick, poke a hole at the edge of the small liner, such that the hole goes all the way through all the layers. Make sure to keep holding your liners together after you poke the hole!
4. Thread a piece of floral wire through the first hole, and poke a second hole opposite the first on the inside bottom edge of the liner. the point is that the holes should be about 1 inch apart.
5. Thread your floral wire down through the second hole, and if you will be using floral stamens, insert them now under the wire. (You could also try using tiny piece of ribbon in place of the stamens!)
6. Pull the wire as tightly as possible without tearing the paper and fold the whole flower into a half moon shape.
7. Now, to shape your flower you'll have to play around a bit, separating the layers from one another while folding them up and towards the center. You may also want to crumple the paper a bit or fold the edges back as you rotate the flower.
8. To add subtle colored detail to your flower, dip a dense sponge in a small amount of paint and dab the edges. Alternatively you can use water color paint to add color to the whole flower, just go light on the paint!
9. I just can't stop gushing about this project and I've got at least another two projects in the works using cupcake liners (one for kids, and more flowers) so stay tuned!

Use A Cookie Cutter To Make Bird-Shaped Cakes!

Did you realize that you can use cookie cutters to cut cute little cakes in any shape your heart desires? And if you're an expert with the frosting (which I am not) you could really make some gorgeous little treats! Just make sure your cake isn't too high and you are in business. Yes, there are lots of scraps left over, but I'm saving mine in the freezer to make some kind of trifle with cream......something I've never done but I know my husband will just love.

In my case one has to work with what ever is available, so I used a ducky cookie cutter that I happened to have, to create these cakes that are supposed to be doves, as in the dove that Noach (Noah) sent out from the ark to search for dry land! My six year old has a party in school today to honor their completion of studying the Torah portion of Noach, and he really really wanted me to make a cake for the party. So since I told him that making a cake in the shape of an ark was really not within my realm of abilities (and he wouldn't settle for a cake with a paper ark on top) we fortunately came up with this idea! Phew!

You'll Need:

• a basic chocolate cake recipe like mine here
  
• white frosting
• dried apricots for the wing and beak: Open each apricot, check for bugs and cut each half-round in half for a wing. cut small triangular beak shapes from a separate half-round piece.
• pretzel sticks for the tail
• small round candies for the eye
• a tray of some kind, I used a plastic one and covered it metallic gold contact paper for lack of something else more colorful, but given a choice I'd use something light blue.....

Enjoy this idea for making themed individual cakes for any occasion!

P.S: I have a confession to make. I really really wanted to cover these sweet birdie cakes in fondant icing, and even did all the research, as well as making my own sugar syrup as a replacement for corn syrup! Then reality kicked in and I realized that three (more like four!) in the morning is not the time to start trying to make fondant icing when you've never even attempted such a thing! So the good news is, that I used regular old butter (margarine) cream frosting! And the truth is, that had I sent my son to school this morning with fondant covered birdies, well that would have been a bit much, and really not fair to the other mothers who wouldn't even think of doing individual cakes, regardless of the type of frosting. Very considerate of me right? That is not to say that I've given up on my fondant dreams.......

And in case you're interested, I did a really cute Noah's Ark craft project a while back that you can check out here.

Sit Down With the Kids And Make Some Cards For Spring! (Shavuos? Mother's Day?)

Mommy's Creation: My first attempt at embroidery on paper, lots of fun!

I sat down the other day and did an impromptu art project together with two of my kids! And of course I'm happy to share the results with you, since this is a great project for all ages and abilities. I cut out lots of petal shaped felt pieces and provided the kids with folded cards, glue, a box of buttons and some yarn. Here's what they came up with:

Aren't these just the cutest? My almost 8 yr old daughter did the one on the left, and my almost 5 yr old son did the one on the right. I just love seeing their personalities reflected in their art!

You'll Need:

• felt
• buttons
• yarn
• thick needle with eye big enough for yarn
• card stock

How To:

Pretty self explanatory, just some notes about the embroidery:

1. When embroidering on paper, unlike fabric there is no room for making mistakes since a hole is a hole!
2. So plan ahead and make your holes before you start embroidering. Also, you really can't see what you're doing from the back, so there's no way to know where to come up through the paper with your needle unless you've either made holes or marked them with indentations.
3. I used both yarn (green) and embroidery floss (orange) and I love the contrast between the two weights.
4. With embroidered cards you'll want to work on a flat piece of card stock (or two pieces, like mine, namely a white square glued onto a pink square) and then glue your artwork to the card after you've completed the embroidery. Because the embroidered card had some dimension it can't lie flat, (which is actually a plus!) so I used hot glue to affix it to the card.

Enjoy, and keep in touch!

Crochet Sweet Flower Pin Cushions (For Shavuos, For Mom? For A Teacher? To Use For a Baby Mobile, Without the Pins?)

Aren't these sweet? You could use them in so many cute ways beyond pin cushions of course! Like a sweet baby mobile for starters, or a sachet filled with something sweet smelling?

Those of you who are paying attention can now discern that I've got a bit of a crocheting bug lately. (Nothing major yet, just a few small projects here and there, though I'm dreaming of something really big and recycled, and if it comes to reality, of course you'll be amongst the first to know!)

Projects like these pin cushions are what make crocheting a great craft to learn if you don't already know how! I just loved how they turned out, and when I stuck the pins in the middle it was one of those ooh and aahh moments! And they're pretty quick to whip up, so you could even make a whole bunch of them for a great party favor for a crafty get together!

You can find the original pattern on bhg.com here, but I've rewritten it for you without the standard crochet abbreviations, and added my two cents!

Crocheted Flower Pin Cushion

Gauge and hook size or type of yarn really don't matter with this project. Just make sure to choose a hook size such that your crocheting is tight— gaping holes and stuffing don't go well together!

Mix and match colors as you see fit. Make a solid flower, or one with a different colored center, or one side solid and the other side two colored!

CENTER CIRCLE (you'll need two for each pin cushion)

To start chain 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, mark beginning of round with stitch marker.

Rnd 2: Work 2 single crochet in each single crochet around - for a total of 12 single crochet.

Rnd 3: Work 2 single crochet in each single crochet around - for a total of 24 single crochet.

Rnd 4: Single crochet in each single crochet around.

Rnd 5: *Single crochet in next single crochet, 2 single crochet in next single crochet; repeat from * around - for a total of 36 single crochet. Fasten off.

PETALS

Rnd 1: Place centers on top of one another, with wrongs sides facing in. Line up the stitches and with color of your choice, join the 2 centers with a round of single crochet worked through both thicknesses. Stuff with fiberfill or the recycled stuffing of your choice before completing round and closing hole. There should be a total of  36 stitches around. (I actually use clean stockings and tights that have seen better days as stuffing! Just don't use dark blue or black as a stuffing for a light colored yarn as the stuffing will show!)

Rnd 2: *Skip next stitch, 5 double crochet  in next stitch, skip next stitch, slip  stitch in next st; rep from * around - for a total of 9 petals; fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

You did it! Now just imagine, with some thick rope you could use this same pattern to make an adorable little area rug, really! I'm always dreaming of crocheting with rope, just haven't gotten to it yet, maybe because I just don't have a good source of rope in my neck of the woods? But if you do, go for it! And be sure to fill me in on the details!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

If not for this party I think the weeks might just pass by without my even noticing! Why does time fly so fast especially when you need more of it in order to even attempt to fit something creative in to your busy schedule? The good news is that once again we've got some great projects from last week to keep us on our toes, and I can't wait to see what you all have been up to!

Thanks to all of you who linked up last week, I appreciate each and every one of you! And now for some highlights:

Isn't this pink birthday chair from snowybliss the greatest? And littlepumpkingrace did a super job adding some fun cuffs to her cute sweater into something fabulous!

I just love this stack of burp clothes from creationcorner, wouldn't any new mom?  And the headband (top right) by kojodesigns is the perfect touch for the tutu outfit they made. And this lace flower headband by servingpinklemonade is so simple yet lovely!

Did you know that you can turn a regular record in to a funky bowl by using the heat of your oven? And if you want to  you can even paint it and use it as a planter! Homemademamas shows you how!

 Isn't it amazing that Vanessa from sewcakemake knew that she'd make a dress from this bargain shirt she spotted at Old Navy? And I just love craftsbyAmanda's toilet paper tube giraffe!

I just love this machine applique tutorial from sewmamasew and these covered bird houses from onmysideoftheroom are wonderful anytime. And last but not least, this doily art from tatertotsandjello is such a nice idea for preserving family heirlooms or creating some new ones!

And now, let the party begin! Please link back with a text link or button, and feel free to link to a few projects it you'd like to! Thanks for coming, can't wait to see what you've been up to this week.

© 2009-2010 Inlinkz.com |

On The Banks Of The Jordan River: An Idyllic Picnic Spot!

During our family outings this Pesach, we finally got a little bit acquainted with the Upper Galil, in the far north of our beautiful country. And I'm happy to say that areas that were once totally unknown are now like familiar friends. Like this gorgeous spot on the banks of the Yarden (Jordan) River which we enjoyed on not one but two holiday afternoons!

There's nothing like some water, a little shade and a flat clean place to spread out your blanket! I'm sure you know that, so for those of you who live in the Galil or will be traveling here, I'd be happy to point you in the right direction!

Find this old green bridge "Gesher Joseph" on a road heading east towards Kfar Bloom, (a right turn just before Kiryat Shemona), and you're there! This park is on the east side of the bridge, but there's parking just before the bridge, and on the parking lot side of the river you can bar-b-que and even pitch a tent, but you won't have any grass, so take your pick!

The water was gorgeous but certainly not tempting for most of us. Though there was one teenage boy who just couldn't resist ......

We had such an amazing time that the guard had to kick us out at park closing time! So we said goodbye to this lovely spot just as the sun was setting over the Manara mountain range.

We hope to be back on the banks of the Jordan again, sometime soon! There's nothing quite like it.

Crafting with Sticks: A Bonfire Ready For L'Ag B'Omer!

For those of you who might be wondering, L'Ag B'Omer is a very exciting holiday here in Israel and especially for those of us who live up north and can easily make the trip to Meron. What, where, who? It's like this: l'ag stands for the hebrew letters lamed and gimmel, which stands for the number 33. So L'Ag B'Omer is the 33rd day of the Omer,( the 49 day period between the 2nd night of Passover and the holiday of Shavuos.) The Omer is a period of semi mourning on the Jewish calender, EXCEPT for the 33rd day, because on that day our very great Holy sage, Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai was born and years later, left this world. And his contribution to this world was so great, that on this day we exit our state of mourning and we celebrate!

On the night of the 33rd, large bonfires are lit around the country to signify the great light of the day. Many children spend weeks collecting wood in all forms to help make their neighborhood bonfire the biggest! L'Ag B'omer is the traditional day for giving haircuts to three year old boys, and it is especially wonderful to do the haircut at the burial sight of Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai, in Meron. The celebrating at the gravesite in Meron is a 24 hour plus affair, and many arrive days in advance to camp out in the woods nearby. Roads are closed except for buses, and tens of thousands of people arrive from all over the country and all over the world to come and join in this joyous event! Just writing about it is getting me excited!  (This year L'Ag B'Omer will be on Saturday night May 1st until Sunday May 2nd at sundown.)

And now about this project!

You'll Need:

• sticks (take a hike and collect some!)
• a cardboard base (I used a round recycled piece of cardboard from a frozen pizza - gasp! yes I buy those sometimes
• modeling clay
• small wooden cubes or even small stones would be great!
• white glue
• a piece of string
• some wine cork people, from this project

How To:

I think this one is pretty self explanatory, just I found that using clumps of modeling clay helps to anchor the  sticks as the kids are assembling the structure. Glue the modeling clay to the base, and glue the sticks to the clay.

Oh, and what about the fire you ask? Well we've still got another week before we need to light this, so honestly i just haven't figured that part out yet! My husband and a friend of his both independently suggested using a fan to blow bits of paper around! A manly idea I guess, but a bit too complicated for me! I was thinking more along the lines of aluminum foil and orange and yellow tissue paper! 

And if you've got some sticks left over, so why not try my fun sticks and yarn project here. Enjoy!

Another Crocheted Floral Hot Pad: The Third Time Is The Charm!

Yes, dear readers I have now officially made three of these floral hot pads which given my long list of projects in waiting must mean that this is just too much fun! Or it may just mean that I couldn't bear the thought of only presenting those gray versions from yesterday that I just didn't care for 100%. BUT when I realized that this might just be fantastic felted, so I broke out the vintage 70's wool from my mother's stash and got to work. And I have to say, I like this one the best of all, not just the colors, but the way in which the color changes enhance the design. In this version, I used the dark orange for the center and the first two rows, switched to the light orange for three rows, and then back to the dark orange for the final two rows. See my original post here, and do take careful note of my additions if you'd like yours to look like mine!

And just for fun, here's a photo of the wool I used. Anyone from California remember Kress? Can you believe the wool only cost $1.09?

And now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to throw this creation into a hot load of laundry once or twice and then into the dryer to seal the deal (the felting that is!) Can't wait to see the results! See ya soon!

I'm sharing this project over at funkyjunkinteriors linking party.

Fun and Sculptural Modeling Clay Artwork That The Kids Can Make Themselves!

 

After the heaviness of the previous post, I thought something cheerful might be nice. And thanks to my almost eight year old daughter (and her teacher) I have this interesting project to share with you! I should say that I'm normally not in favor of these "paint by number" type of school projects where every student does the same project, so I'm sharing this with you in the hopes that you'll use this idea in a creative way that will encourage artistic exploration as opposed to perfection.

That said, encouraging a child to draw something, outlining it in black marker and then creating a piece of art with modeling clay could be a great project. For those in the family who simply won't want to draw a picture, so you could give them a line drawing you've copied from somewhere, but do encourage them to fill in the drawing with lots of types of shapes. And, this project certainly isn't for one sitting, it's something to work on over the course of a week or so, since it's the details that make it interesting!

You'll Need:

• Modeling clay (plastelina)
• White Glue or Modge Podge
• A simple black and white line drawing (that the kids have drawn or you've copied)
• A piece of bristol or heavy weight cardboard to use as a backing for the picture
• A little patience!

How To:

1. Glue line drawing to board, making sure paper is well adhered
2. Apply glue or modgge podge to small areas with a brush or finger, and start filling in the drawing with small pieces of modeling clay. Clay can be smudged with fingers, or applied in small balls or strips (as seen in photo above), creating a thin layer of color. 
3. Once entire drawing has been filled in, check to make sure there aren't any areas with modeling clay that's applied too heavily, as the weight could make the picture buckle.
4. Brush a coat of slightly diluted white glue (with water) or modge podge, over the entire picture.
5. Once dry hang and enjoy!