creative jewish mom

Seven Save the Date Card Ideas That Couples Need to Know About

Mazel Tov, you've set a date for you special occasion, whether it be a wedding, milestone anniversary or birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, or family reunion, just for example. Now is the time to let all your friends and family know about the upcoming event, and a wonderful and exciting way to do it is with save the date cards. With so many options and the ability to simply order cards online, there really is no reason not to go for it and order something to show your guests how much you care about including them!

Save the date cards are advisable to spread the word about the approaching event, and while traditionally used for weddings and fund raising events, why not use them for every important event? In this day and age, who doesn't love getting snail mail? Wondering what kind of save the date card is right for you? Lets delve into it a bit further, come on, that date is approaching, and I've got seven fun ideas to get those creative gears turning!

Origami Fruit For Tu B'Shevat!

Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year for fruit bearing trees is next Wednesday night, so now is a great time to get crafting with a fruit theme in mind! I've dusted off these origami fruit from the archives, as this is a favorite that I revisit year round, not just for Tu B'Shevat, but also for Rosh HaShana and Succot, in the form of apples! Of course, a cute centerpiece like this one, with origami fruit in a variety of festive colors will be just the theme to set a festive tone for this really special holiday, and of course if you'd prefer a mobile would be amazing as well. And then of course there's the idea of making giant origami fruit, which I have also done many times! So time is of the essence, so lets get started!

Crochet T-shirt Yarn Pears For Fun Home Decor

I have been living with these fun crocheted pears for a year and a half or so, and I can surely report they are just so very charming! And wouldn't a crocheted pear from t-shirt yarn be a great baby gift, it would look soooo cute in a baby's room, or just about anywhere. So with the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the new year for fruit baring trees, coming up in just a week, now is a great time to crochet fruit, and while you are at it, why not go with giant fruit!  Here is my original post:

I have been wanting to crochet a pear for ages, partly to go with my daughter's pirum parum poster, and partly because who can resist a crocheted pear? And who can resist a crocheted pear that is big enough to be a pillow or couch prop, certainly not me, and I am truly in love with the results of taking a regular crocheted pear pattern and using t-shirt yarn to make it something different altogether, yippee! So, as you can see, once you start crocheting pears from t-shirt yarn you really have to crochet at least three, as they look just so amazing together, right? I was crocheting that black pear on a car trip with my husband and he had no idea what I was up to, and only saw the results when I gave it to him as a chanukah present......of course he didn't appreciate my efforts, but that is okay, I didn't really crochet it for him, but rather as some fun decor for our bedroom or any little spot in the house in need of some giant fruit! Okay friends, lets get crocheting......

Milk Carton Houses With Graffiti Hearts!

I really can't count the times I've planned to make milk carton houses, nor how many milk cartons I have packed away in the basement for those dream projects, but I can report to have taken one tiny step forward with these milk carton heart graffiti wall houses! I realize it sounds like I've never made milk carton houses, silly me, I certainly have, twice, milk carton house planter, and doodled millk carton houses. I've been all about hearts lately, and while the hearts I've been painting haven't exactly been graffiti hearts, lets just pretend they are, and certainly when painted on a milk carton house they can be! And of course there are many leaves shaped like hearts, so cover a milk carton with green hearts and you've got a wall of ivy or a garden. Add a few small house details and a whole row of houses is born! This is such a fun project for any age, and I recommend painting a bunch of milk cartons to have on hand, as in general painting on 3D objects is great for developing a creative eye, and for adding something fresh to your crafting or creative practice!  Ah yes, and with the Jewish new year for the trees coming next week, include a few almond blooms, or a blooming fruit tree and include this in your holiday decor. Either way, it feels like Spring, so it works for Tu B'Shevat! Okay, lets get started, shall we? I almost forgot, check out all of my milk carton crafts for lots more inspiration, and to plan ahead, meaning batch prepare some milk cartons for future crafts!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! We finally got a good dose of rain and winter weather, better late than never, and are now in the Jewish month of Shevat, which includes the wonderful holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the new year for the fruit baring trees! Just as soon as I finish this post I'm going to dive into some fun and hopefully quickish paintings of trees in bloom, which I'll use as decorations for the holiday. Of course any number of crafty things could happen between now and Jan. 27th, so stay tuned for that, as hearts crafts meet fruit crafts! Last week's party was full of amazing creativity, and the features are packed with inspiration, so enjoy!

How To Sprout Mung Beans And Use Them In A Colorful Salad!

We are all relieved to say goodbye to 2020, though the silver lining is that is gave many of us the chance to try some new things, and for me one of those things is sprouting! Now that I've got a bit of experience under my belt, I just had to share with you our new family favorite, sprouted mung beans! They are packed with nutrients, truly delicious, and so simple to sprout that they've become a weekly staple in our home. They can be eaten raw, or cooked, though we enjoy them the most in a colorful mixed vegetable salad, perhaps with a bit of quinoa added! And to my great surprise, when I shared this salad with a few neighbors they (and their kids, gasp!) loved it so much they have jumped on the sprouting wagon as well! So get some mung beans and lets get started. One important note: sprouting in general can lead to growth of non-desirable bacteria, so if you are pregnant, or have health issues do cook the sprouts and/or sprout mostly in the fridge, which I'll mention below. Okay, ready?

Starting a Profitable Candle Making Business From Home - 8 Essential Steps

Ever made DIY candles with such great results that you had the little thought that maybe just maybe you ought to consider doing it as a small business? When we made the candles I've shared here, my husband immediately said "let's go into business!" I'll admit I have way too many projects happening to consider a candle making business right now, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested in learning how I could make it work. So I've gathered some tips that might be helpful, not just when considering starting a candle making business, but any creative side gig that done right may just become a full time endeavor!

If you are looking for ways to make your candle making business profitable, take a look at these eight essential steps I have for you, and take it from there! Start with a good marketing strategy to insure that your candle making can be successful money wise, as a part-time income source, or even something more. And the good news is that it doesn’t cost much to make candles, and it’s widely known that the profit margin is also considered to be better than many other consumer products. A smart and small budget is all you need to initiate your candle-making business for starters. Candles, while a mainstay in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, have become popular worldwide, as decorative accents, and as a simple way to add scent to any room. 

Ready to learn the essential tips to help you kick start your super successful candle making business? Let’s get started, shall we.........?

A Peek In My Sketchbook: Mini Hearts Galore

It is true the mini painted hearts are taking over and who can complain? While working on my mini painted hearts painting, I also started experimenting in my sketchbook as well, as while it may seem that just painting hearts has its limitations, there are in fact so many ways to go! While I did labor for hours to get the mini hearts painting just so, when things started to look not so great in my sketchbook I opted to use the hearts pattern as a background, and thus the pear of hearts was born! I have now filled an additional four pages with all kinds of hearts, so let me tell you, it is addictive, but certainly not harmful unless it takes you into the wee hours on the morning, who me? Okay, keep on reading to see a bit more.....

Mini Graffiti Hearts Painting To Spread The Love

Now is a great time to spread the love by painting tiny hearts galore! And while it is true that folks are thinking about hearts as February approaches, hearts are great anytime, and who couldn't use a little extra love right about now?  A mini hearts painting that could also become a mix of hearts to look more like a graffiti hearts painting is a great project to do over the course of a few days, and perfect for beginners. And, if you feel like painting something to give as a gift, this idea done on small canvases would also look great. I'll admit, it is more difficult that it looks, but the great thing about acrylic paint is that if you're not happy with the outcome, use that as the under layer for another painting! Start your painting by writing your heart's desire on the first layer, or fill it with wishes or prayers for a loved one, and paint away. With each heart send some love to the person for whom you are painting this, and your painting will truly be more than just a pattern, it will be a work of art literally filled with love! Okay, you will need to practive painting little hearts, but once the muscle memory in your hand kicks in, it is just a matter of diligence! Let's get started!

Tiny Painted Hearts Recycled Gift Box!

My love for recycling crafts has now officially married my newish love for painting, and this tiny painted hearts gift box is the proof!  It is true, I have been painting recycled gift boxes for a good few months now, you can see the abstract vases box here, and loose abstract flowers here, a large floral painting on a box here, and winter mittens here, and the fun painted apples here. Honestly I have been using them as holiday and kitchen art gallery decor rather than actual gift giving, as there is just something so lovely about stacked boxes adorned with artful paintings and patterns! Plus they fit nicely on my picture ledge art gallery of sorts, and provide a creative outlet that could be used, though I'd have to make multiples in order to part with them at this point. So what can I tell you, painting on boxes is just oh so satisfying! A box painted with layers of hearts like this one is so cheerful and looks great as part of a vignette, or placed just about anywhere. If your box is strong enough you can place a rectangular piece of glass on top and use it as a dessert platter on a dessert bar, or how about putting a vase in the box and using the box as a vase, now that just might work! Okay, convinced? Lets make a tiny hearts painted gift box!