creative jewish mom

Price Tag Sticker Gift Wrap

You can create some fun gift wrap with neon price tag stickers! Just apply them in the patterns of your dreams to brown paper wrapped packages and enjoy! Of course some little gift tags would look great too!

Note: these stickers can either be very sticky or not so sticky. If yours are of the not so sticky variety, you might want to go over your finished piece with a coat of mod podge or a mix of white glue and water to ensure that the stickers won't start peeling of in a moist environment.

 And thanks so much to Design Sponge for featuring my price tag sticker DIY here!

Fostering Thoughtfulness: Little Gifts For Friends Back Home

Appreciation and gratefulness are certainly two of the most important traits that every parent should make great efforts to foster in their children. Certainly we have all come across adults who are lacking these, and it is truly sad —without appreciation and gratefulness a person cannot fully enjoy life or reach his potential in this world. Enough said.

On our recent trip to Amsterdam, a trip that most of my daughter's friends here will never have the opportunity to make themselves, I thought that it would be a nice gesture to remember those back home with a little souvenir from our travels. We bought many pairs of tiny ceramic dutch shoes, and my daughter wrapped them and made a cute little note for each of her friends in the neighborhood, wishing them a very happy new year. 

And speaking of a happy new year, wishing you a wonderful remainder of Succos! Today we will start preparing for the holiday of Simchat Torah, which starts tomorrow night in Israel, and Thursday night elsewhere. We will be leaving our Succahs (always sad for me!) and returning to our homes to celebrate the gift of the Torah, as well as marking the beginning of the yearly cycle of it's reading. All the best!

Simple DIY Gift Tag For Rosh HaShanah Gift Giving

You can make simple and sweet scalloped circle gift tags in just seconds. Okay readers, it doesn't get much simpler than this, that is if you own a scalloped circle craft punch!  Certainly a great little trick to have up your sleeve when you decide to give a little unplanned gift and have to use whatever you have on hand. If you're like me, you might find yourself deciding to give the gift of a small home baked challah to a new neighbor late Friday afternoon? (And yes, I know I owe you all a tutorial on how to braid perfect round challahs, coming soon in time for Rosh HaShanah....since little round challahs like this one make the perfect holiday gift!)

How To: Fold a piece of colored paper, I used regular laser paper weight. Stick the folded edge into your punch about 7/8 of the way. Punch and voila, a cute little card was created. Now punch a hole in the top, attach a ribbon and you're on your way to creative and thoughtful gift giving in a pinch! Okay, you're right you do need a little forethought for this one, namely to bake that little challah, but how about keeping some in your freezer for moments like this? Give it some thought, I will too!

Tie Dyed Tissue Paper

Here's a great craft activity that you're gonna love! Large sheets of tissue paper are folded into little triangles, the corners are dipped into full strength food coloring and voila! All you need besides these basic supplies is just a little patience, and you can make some gorgeous tie dyed papers to use as gift wrap or for other craft projects.

And, actually after we tried this project, we had some bowls of food coloring left over, which is how yesterday's crystal ice castle with salt idea was born! Two fun projects to do in one day!

I first saw this project on Land of Nod's new blog here, and their results are beautiful! You might also like to check out the original tutorial here, for some slightly different results, and for instructions on how to fold the paper to obtain the pattern that you see here.

Three tips that you might want to consider: don't use sheets that are too large or the dye will not saturate the whole sheet, secondly, you really don't need the rubber bands, and thirdly, open only partly while wet or the paper will most likely tear. Enjoy!

Cupcake Liner Flower Gift Topper

Cupcake liner flowers are simple to make and can be the perfect gift toppers, especially since you may just have everything you need on hand! And now that it's spring, which means wedding season is coming up, as are days to honor mom and teachers, you may just want to make a bunch of cupcake liner flowers to have on hand, you'll definitely find so many creative ways to use them!

You'll Need:

• cupcake liner flower tutorial
• cupcake liners, medium sized, creme and metallic silver
• floral stamens in pretty pastel colors
• flower wire, or pipe cleaners

How To:
Follow tutorial, though don't worry if your cupcake liners are all the same size, mine were this time! Tie a wide ribbon around your gift, and tie a knot. Cut the ends of the ribbon like mine, and wrap the wires of the cupcake liner flowers around the knot. That's it! Wow, your present looks amazing.

Note: I do think that these cupcake liner flowers look their best when paired with plain brown paper wrapping, corrugated craft cardboard wrapping, or a plain paper of some kind. I first wrapped my gift in a cute store bought patterned baby paper, but it just didn't do justice to the cupcake liner flowers, so to my husband's dismay, I started all over again with the corrugated cardboard, ahhhh much better!

A Treasure Chest Gift Box From Recycled Plastic Containers!

Recycle those plastic containers that often hold sprouts or other fruits and vegetables, and make adorable gift boxes in just a few steps! I came up with this idea because we've been eating lots of sprouts lately, including soy bean sprouts (among others) that come in plastic containers like these. And of course I just couldn't throw them out! At the least I thought my kids could use them for making mishloach manot for their friends, but then this fun idea came along, and now I can't wait to make some more! And of course you could use this same idea to make a container from any two plastic boxes, no matter what the dimensions. And if your boxes are clear, so wrap your gifts or treats in some colorful tissue paper that compliments the colors of felt you've chosen. And you could make yours look a little bit more treasure chest like, and get some pirates to deliver them for you on Purim! And if you like my cute painted fruit, you can learn more about them here.

You'll Need:

• recycled plastic produce containers, or even a shoe box could be great too!
• felt
• fabric puff paint, in two colors to compliment the felt colors you'll use
• velcro strips or dots
• freezer paper (for making multiples)
• a hot glue gun

How To:

1. Cut felt "straps" to the width and length necessary for the size of your box
2. Hot glue straps to box such that box opens hinge style according to photo above
3. Now design your buckle, taking into consideration the width of the strap, and hot glue it to your strap. Note: I just discovered another great use for freezer paper! Draw your buckle on the computer, fill a whole page with them (to make multiple treasure chests) and print directly onto the freezer paper by running a sheet through your printer! (make sure waxed side is the side that won't be printed on) Then simply iron freezer paper to your felt and cut out your buckles. So easy with great results!
4. Add details with fabric puff paint. This can also be done before you attach your felt to the box, and would be a good idea if you're making multiples, since it's preferable for the paint to dry in a flat position. Set aside to dry, overnight is recommended, and keep away from little hands as this point!
5. Design a luggage tag (for your greeting) to attach to the handle, or a little pirates map would be great too!
6. Fill with something fun and make your friends happy!

 

Recycle Cardboard Boxes & Kids Can Make Adorable Gift Packages!

Been saving those cereal and cracker boxes? Now is the time to use them to make super sweet gift packages for Purim mishloach manot, or for any occasion— who wouldn't love to receive a gift packaged in one of these great works of art? And the kids will feel so proud of themselves, you they may even be able to make a ton of these. Then all that's left for you to do is glue the boxes closed, add a ribbon handle, and something wonderful inside, and voila!

You'll Need

• recycled boxes from cereal, crackers etc
• acrylic craft paint, or any good quality paint that can be used for printing (namely not runny)
• paint markers or permanent markers
• circle sponge stamp (mine have handles) for kid's crafts, or carve a potato
• a hot glue gun
• wide ribbon

How To:

1. Open boxes at seam carefully. Lie flat and get the kids to work decorating them by either printing with a circular sponge, or by painting simple pictures
2. Once paint has dried, give kids markers to add details to their paintings and faces to their circles
3. For rectangular food box, add handle before you glue it together!
4. Glue side seam of box together with hot glue, followed by the bottom.
5. For cereal box "bag" shape, fold flaps down into box and glue in place. (just thought of this, it hides the cereal box graphics a bit!)
6. Punch holes in top of cereal box for ribbon handles. Use a little hot glue to secure ribbon to box just above the hole, and under the knot on the outside so it will lie flat.
7. Fill with healthy treats or wonderful handmade presents (Don't anyone get nervous, this is the goal, not reality most of the time, well except for the healthy part, which one really can do—I'll be giving whole wheat pitas and salads for Purim this year...)
8. Have fun and send me photos of your kid's creations! Oh and by the way, if you have a chance do pick up any of the drawing books by Ed Emberly, most kids really love them. (I know I did, though for some mysterious reason, my kids have yet to realize how wonderful they are! ) Some of the faces on the circle packages were inspired by one of his books.

Oh and one more thing. Painting pictures is actually quite difficult for many kids (and me too), so for those who are perfectionist types and don't enjoy painting because their pictures look like blobs, the idea of adding details with paint markers (or permanent markers) afterwards may help them loosen up a bit and enjoy painting! Here's to helping our kids enjoy the creative process!

Creative Recycled Packaging Ideas: A Round-Up For Purim From The Archives!

Yes, Purim is coming so I thought I'd get a start by showing you some of  my favorites from last year. These ideas can all be used for Mishloach Manot, the gifts of food we give to friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers etc. on Purim. And of course they can also be used as gift packaging or party favor packaging any time! Enjoy.

Recycled cereal box packages are my favorite! (With more ideas to come this year, so save them!)

Recycled plastic plate purses are the perfect packaging for the little fashionistas in your life!

Recycled baby formula can packages are a gift in themselves! If you don't have a baby or one that drinks formula, I'm sure you can get a friend or neighbor to save them for you!

Recycled soda bottle packages look great, and are simple to make.

That's all for now, I'll be back with some new ideas for this year any day now. In the meantime, take a deep breath, there's still plenty of time to make this Purim memorable for your family. And I'm here with you, so feel free to drop me a line with any questions!

The Cutest Ever Hanukkah Gift Wrap!

I can't tell you why exactly, but this Hanukkah gift wrap makes my heart sing! I think it's the combination of colors, the bold shapes, and the aqua and red, that I'm just in love with at the moment, and not to mention the cuteness of the pom pom.....oh and to top it off, this is for Chanukah!

Those of you who've been paying attention may recognize this pattern as my Nesting Dreidel Mobile, and yes, you're right. When you purchase the pdf file from my Etsy shop, you can also use the pages as adorable gift wrap. Need to wrap a Chanukah gift for someone with exquisite taste, a client whom you'd like to honor, a special someone, the in-laws? So run to my Etsy store and you'll not only have some great gift wrap to print right out of your computer, you'll have some almost instant Hanukkah decorations as well. 

You'll Need:

• 2 pages of page 3 of Nesting Dreidel Mobile
• double sided tape
• red grosgrain ribbon
• aqua yarn to make a pom pom

How To:

Depending on the shape and size of your gift, join the two sheets you've printed out on either the short or long side, by overlapping slightly and joining with double stick tape. Make nice folds at both ends, and cover the seam of your wrapping paper with ribbon. Add a pom pom, and that's it!

Make Gorgeous Party Favors With Recycled Tubes!

Hi friends, been saving those tubes? I really hope so, because this little craft idea is so simple and looks absolutely stunning— to use as actual party favors or even for decoration! I love the look of European vintage party decorations, and someday I may even try my hand at making "crackers" (the tube shaped party favors that one cracks open to reveal a treat or prize) but until then I'm just as pleased as punch with how these came out. You just need the right combination of colors with a little texture and a little bit of shine, and you'll have yourself a winner too.

You'll Need:

• recycled toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes, or tape 2 toilet paper tubes together for large size
• crepe paper
• sheer crafting "fabric" with a bit of sparkle (I got mine at the art supply store, in Israel they are now selling disposable table runners on a roll made from a similar material
• metallic curling ribbon, metallic flat ribbon
• paper doilies, round and rectangular
• silver cord, and other bits of matching ribbon
• double stick tape (preferable for neatness, but not absolutely necessary)
• pinking shears, if you have some or can borrow some!

How To:

1. Fill tube with treats or prizes
2. Wrap tube in crepe paper, and then a second time wth either a doily or sheer sparkly fabric. Carefully adhere with double stick tape. The crepe paper tears easily so put a piece of double stick tape on the roll, or remove paper from both sides of tape to use with crepe paper.
3. Tie at top and bottom with silver curling ribbon, and embellish mid section with ribbon or cord. I cut some of the metallic ribbon with pinking shears (top tube) and can't wait to use this idea again!
4. Trim top and bottom with pinking shears.
5. Have a party and serve up a platter of these gorgeous favors, or put one at each place setting. Watch the guest's mouths drop open when they see what you've prepared!