creative jewish mom

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! With Chanukah starting this Thursday night I have many loose ends to tie up, as well as some birthday decorations to make, big time. And with my teen daughter now away at school, the baking has falen back in my plate, and so a birthday cake has to fit into the plans as well. Of course the cake topper will be my usual flags or maybe some big numbers, (or origami 3D stars) depending on how the other decorations fly! I also have to make some wall hangings from all the chanukah origami I whipped up last week, so wishing you all a wonderful week of holiday crafting, now is the time! Need some DIY holiday gift ideas, take a look at the features, and why not knit a scarf, crochet a stuffie, or make some soap? Enjoy!

Origami Star Of David In 3 Minutes!

If you are folding some origami dreidels then you might just want an origami star of david or 20, to make a Chanukah garland or mobile. I looked into all the ways that one can make an origami star of david, and even stopped part way through the 15 minute folding adventure, as I need origami elements that can be made fairly quickly. So presenting the three minute origami star of David, that can really be made in 3 minutes, once you get the folding sequence down pat. Now, I do have to say, that while I am generally not interested in promoting creative activities that require perfection, origami unfortunately does require perfection, the more the better, otherwise your stars will not be lovely, (as some of mine are not if you look closely) just saying. So, put on your perfectionist hat, just for this and this only, and get folding! I made these stars from 12cm x 12cm paper, which results in a star that is 6cm wide, cute for a small garland, or a gift topper or place card, but I'd recommend going larger if you want decorations that will make a statement. Okay, lets get started!

3D Paper Stars With 8 Points

Yesterday I shared with you my first go at origami dreidels, and today we are moving up the paper folding notch and making 3D paper stars using the same origami paper, so that the origami dreidels and the paper stars can work together in a garland or holiday wall hanging! (Yet to materialize, but hoping it will soon!) Constructing these 8 pointed paper stars was also a first for me, though I've had my eye on something similar for years, and I'm happy to say that they are really quite simple to make and can be made in a huge variety of sizes. I actually made a large one from a sample of wall paper, and it is beyond gorgeous (so never turn down old books of wall paper samples!) though possibly looks a little too similar to decorations one might see for xmas, so I think I will not be sharing that here. Instead I am sharing colorful stars that look perfect for Chanukah, as despite the commercial association in the USA of blue and silver for Chanukah, that has no basis whatsoever. Chanukah is all about joy and light, and I while I love blue, a single color certainly can't express all the wonderful qualities of our 8 night holiday! And just saying, an 8 pointed star, which is all about the number eight connects to the eight nights of Chanukah, and to the miracle of Chanukah as the number 8 means all things beyond the laws of nature, meaning generally miracles! Okay, lets make as many 3D 8 pointed stars as we can, as they look great scattered here or regardless of how you choose to use them!

Origami Dreidel Craft For Chanukah

Origami dreidels are simple to make and can be used in so many fun ways, for example for Chanukah garlands, Chanukah place cards, Chanukah greeting cards, Chanukah cake/doughnut toppers, and even as Chanukah gift tags! So get started today making origami dreidels in a range of colors/patterns and sizes to fill your home with holiday cheer! I have altered the traditional dreidel instructions to make an origami dreidel that I think is a bit more pleasing to the eye, and I've indicated that extra step in the instructions that I've compiled. While you can of course choose to make solid colored dreidels, they look just so much cuter with the simple addition of a little cut paper star or cut out of some kind, take my word for it! While I had not planned on origami for Chanukah, it just sort of happened, and now I'm going to town with origami, this week, so stay tuned for that, and make sure to have some light weight colored paper on hand, either origami paper or wrapping paper, because you are going to need it! Okay, lets get started!

DIY Stand Up Chanukah Menorah Digital Download Is Perfect Right Now!

With Hanukkah starting on the night of December 10th, which is early on the gregorian calendar, now is the time to set aside some time for some serious crafting! To make the most of your time and get off to a roaring start, I'd recommend purchasing one or two of my Hanukkah digital craft kits to make your life just a bit easier! Plus the results are just too adorable, with so many options to make these digital kits kid friendly as well.

I'll admit, I still have bunch of these cardboard menorahs that I made last year as centerpieces for a large Hanukkah party, and if packed away nicely, they certainly can be used for a few years! Now is crunch time for me, as not only do I have comitments for work outside this lovely blog, and a husband and family to care for, as well as a bunch of guests each week, ah yes and a garden to tend to, I really want to fill the house with something new this year. Of course these stand up menorahs look great and I'll certainly be including some in my home......maybe with a twist like made from fabric, stiffened that is!

Now of course, you don't have to go crazy like I do, but certainly filling the house with as many decorations as you can is always a great idea, and generally speaking quantity over quality is the way to go, which is where my hanukkah digital craft kits will certainly come in handy, just saying.

DIY Driedel Mobile Craft Kit To Download

If you start to see photos of my classic nesting dreidel mobile here on CJM that must mean that Hanukkah is coming! So yes indeed, with Hanukkah coming in less than2 weeks, yikes, I suggest  getting busy with decorating your home, your classroom or workplace with an extra dose of color. My nesting dreidel digital craft kit is the perfect place to start, and you can use the pages in so many fun ways beyond mobiles! Make garlands, place mats, gift wrap, gift tags, or even use the dreidels to decoupage on the bottom of some glass plates or trays! Yes, you are right, I need to try that myself, will do!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! Winter is here in Northern Israel, with lots of wonderful rain for which we are always grateful, especially after a period of draught, that was concerning, but now, let it rain! The wonderful 8 night holiday of Chanukah starts on December 10, which means it is in less than two weeks, so time to get crafting! Funny enough a family friend just gifted me a whole trunk full of antique brass items he'd picked up over the years, and some of them are Turkish coffee pots, very decorative and interesting, and at the same time perfect for Chanukah. One of the symbols of Chanukah is the jug of oil, so just about any pitcher/jug works for me, so this year our Chanukah decorations are middle eastern Chanukah with lots of brass and gold meets winter wonderland! So while I had thought I'd be taking out some of the decorations from last year, that no longer works with my new theme, so new decorations it will be, but not too much left to do, except for some garlands of gold splattered dreidels and stars, and likely more stars in a range of metalics, to give that starry night Chanukah look that I love! Okay, I hope everyone is well, lets get crafting, but first pick up a little inspiration from the features from last week's party:

Hello Prague: The Stunning Views From Petrin Tower

Continuing my tales of 9 glorious days in Prague a full year plus ago, introducing the tiny Eiffel Tower replica called the Petrin Tower. Prague is a city with red roof tops and architectural delights galore, not to mention a winding river that runs right through it, so views of the city are stunning, and Petrin Tower is yet another amazing place to enjoy those views, don't miss it! We actually walked to Petrin Tower from the Prague Castle, but if you want to do that first check out the distances, as the rest of my travel group were not all that happy with me for shlepping them by foot. Whlle I enjoyed walking the spiral staircase to the top, and enjoying the views along the way, there is an elevator for those not looking for some exercise! After your visit to Petrin Tower you can take the funicular down the hill, just MAKE SURE TO STAMP YOUR TICKETS IN THE MACHINE after purchasing them, as there is guard at the end that checks the tickets, to get hefty fines from unknowing tourists, sigh. We learned our lesson on that one! Okay, lets take a look at the gorgeous Prague views from this mini Eiffel!

Amazing Home Decor Ideas That Will Take Your Breath Away

When thinking about home decorating ideas, words like flair and creativity immediately come to mind. While those two words are an integral part of home décor, many people would be surprised to know a certain degree of science is involved. (Interestingly enough, I have a master's degree in Interior Design and it is an MS, Master of Science, truly!) There are a set of "rules" that many professional designers follow based on specific interior design principles and elements, then again some designs are all about breaking the rules. When it comes to function, which is a truly important part of design, the rules should be followed as they allow for the space to be used with ease and with safety in mind.

Function aside, if what you are looking for is to change your home's overall feeling, any design or décor update, whether large or small, can make a significant difference. It is true, 2020 has been a tough year, and not everyone has the means to start redecorating their home, however, with just a little time a small budget, and a few home décor ideas, you can give your home a fresh look to enjoy for the holidays and into the new year. Time is of the essence, lets get started!

A Painted Dove In A Starry Sky For Chanukah

Chanukah is coming in about 2 weeks, so it is surely time to get crafting for this light filled holiday! And guess what folks, this year I realized that the dove is totally a fantastic symbol for Chanukah, and it is time to claim it as a decorative item to go along with dreidels and chanukiahs, yes indeed! And why is that you may ask? Well first of all, the traditional dove (who was sent from the ark by Noah) carries an olive branch in his beak, which of course relates to Chanukah, but lo and behold it goes way beyond that, are you ready for this?

I was so excited and happy to learn that there is a Jewish tradition that Noah (we call him Noach) squeezed the oil from the very olive brought by the dove, gave the vial to his son Shem who entrusted it to Avraham. From Avraham it was passed it along throughout the generations until King David hid it in the Beis HaMikdash, the Holy Temple, waiting until the time for which it was destined.This vial was  the miracle vial of oil the Maccabees used to light the Menorah and rededicate the Temple. This is the vial of pure olive oil that transcended the laws of nature and miraculously burned for eight days.

Amazing right? Okay, now go and paint some doves for Chanukah folks! Whether you choose to paint a dove with some ethnic folk art details like mine, or even something very simple, fill your sky with stars and include a chanukiah that lights up the night.