creative jewish mom

Embroidered Pomegranite On Cardboard Ornament Craft

There is something just so very fun about embroidery on recycled materials, whether it be embroidery on styrofoam trays, or in this case on recycled cereal box cardboard! And while I did use traditional embroidery floss here, meaning whatever I had on hand, one can use yarn, string, plastic bag yarn (note to self) or t-shirt yarn, or anything really than can go through the eye of a needle or be poked through a hole!  Large scale embroidery or cross stitch can be a great way to make decorations or wall hangings or in this case a Shanah Tovah card that can then be used as an ornament in the succah. Do keep in mind that embroidery, whether traditionally sized or larger does take time, so don't try to pull this one off at the last minute, rather enjoy the process.

And friends, with Succot coming up in 10 days, now would be the time to get crafting, as there is nothing like filling your succah with creativity! As you can guess, in our family that would be my domain, so note to self as well! Okay, lets get started with this one, shall we?

DIY Brush Lettering And Watercolor Rosh HaShana Card Craft

Wishing everyone a Shanah Tovah U'Metuka! A new year filled with good health and success in all you do and of course filled with creativity and a big huge dose of kindness to all. The good news is that you can still make Rosh HaShanah cards to wish loved ones a wonderful new year, it is not too late! So get started today, put them in the mail if need be, and spread the love. Cards can be received even for the Succot holiday, don't stress out, just get to work! My lovely daughter made this card for me, and wow, I just wish she realized that she has so much talent, especially given that she does not spend any time at the moment doing art of any kind! Years ago I did print out some brush lettering sheets which she practiced, and that has served her well, and the rest, hmmm, just experimenting with little doodles and fields of either water color or watercolor pens, not quite sure. Also, not the long shape of this card, which is perfect for a greeting theme! The little stars? Yes, I folded them myself, and each one takes about 40 seconds once you get good at it, and uses quilling paper! Sure would be fun to include some lucky stars in the envelope, right?

5 DIY Floral Arrangements For The Fall Holiday Season

With the "high holiday" Jewish holiday season now at hand, together with the fall season, now is a wonderful time to create beautiful DIY fall floral arrangements. Some of the ideas I've presented here couldn't be simpler, and some take a bit more effort, but either way, you can make your holiday table something truly wonderful. While there is nothing like real flowers, artificial flowers sometimes are the only way to go especially if you'd like a floral arrangement in your Succah or many arrangements around the house for a festive feel. Or maybe that hanging floral arrangement over the table? (I'm dreaming of that!) Faux flowers can also be used as flower diffusers to give a nice scent to a bathroom. laundry room or bedroom, so do consider that as well. Okay, lets take a look at 5 wonderful ideas for DIY floral arrangements!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! With Rosh HaShana starting Sunday night, this is the last party of the Jewish year! Then we have just 2 weeks to enjoy the preparations for Succot, and all things succah related which is the time to get crafting! My succah decor is more or less ready, but I always love to add some paper decorations and maybe it is time for a painting or two? For now, the new year is coming, so enjoy the features and give some thought to how you'd like to enhance your life and the lives of others with creativity! Wishing you and yours a happy sweet New Year!

Embroidered Apple On Cardboard Rosh HaShana Card Craft

I followed my own advice about making some cross stitch apple crafts (check out my first cross stitch apple craft here) for Rosh Hashana, and last night in the wee hours of the morning I made my son a birthday card featuring a slightly different cross stitch apple, and this time on cereal box cardboard. I'm happy with the results and wish I had time to do some more icons for Rosh HaShana, hmmm, maybe I do have the time? You'll be the first to see the results if I do, but in the mean time, think about how you can take this idea and use it for your upcoming celebration, whether it be a Fall birthday, a teacher appreciation gift, or, Rosh HaShana of course, coming up this Sunday night! Ah yes, and traditionally, the Jewish new year is the time to give cards, so if you need a special one, this could be perfect! Okay, time is of the essence, lets learn how I made this!

Simple Cross Stitch Apple Recycling Craft

I have dusted off this project from my archives, as it is truly one of my all time favorites! And of course, one can also opt to do this cross stitch on a cereal box, a cardboard box, or even on a piece of fabric, the main thing is to go big! And this apple is just the beginning, collect styrofoam trays (from non-meat items) and have fun thinking of all the possibilities!I have a box with a bunch of trays in the basement, so if and when I get around to dreaming up some more cross stitch projects you'll be the first to know! I just got a big batch of embroidery thread that is calling my name, so you never know! Here's the old post that was written a week before Rosh HaShana, this time around we have more like a week and a half. Ah yes, and I've finally begun to realize that apples are a great symbol for the succah as well, so this craft can be enjoyed as decor indoors and then hung in the succah!

Here's a fun apple cross stitch craft that is fun for all ages, and is a recycling craft to boot! And with Rosh HaShana in less than a week, well a few of these cross stitch apples, that can be whipped up quite quickly would be a great way to welcome the new year! Not to mention of course that apple themed crafts are always perfect for teacher appreciation gifts and Fall. So gather your supplies, and if you don't have a recycled styrofoam tray on hand you could even use a piece of cardstock, a piece of foam core, or even a paper plate! Time is of the essence, so lets get crafting!

How To Braid Round Challahs Step By Step!

With Rosh HaShana coming Sunday night, now is a great time to bake traditional round braided challahs for the holiday, with raisins of course! I'd recommend half or entirely whole wheat/spelt myself, because that is what I prefer, but my family begs to differ, and so it goes.....the main thing is to spend your time baking bread, rather than making fancy deserts, as the holiday meals are truly all about the challah! And once you have this simple braid under your belt, the whole process will be a breeze, truly! I'll admit, when I'm pressed for time I have been know to use this braid during the year as well, as it goes so quickly and the loaves hold their shape without a bread pan. Happy Rosh HaShana preparations! Keep reading for my post from 2011, which I've added below......

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! With Rosh HaShana in just one week, now is the time to get busy with all things relevant to ushering the Jewish New Year, which is everything from decor and new year's cards and gifts to of course holiday meals, which feature symbolic foods, round challahs with raisins and all things sweet for a sweet new year! Rushing myself to get a number of things accomplished before the end of the Jewish year, so wishing you an amazing last week of the Jewish year, and enjoy the features!

A Visit to Mount Turan In The Lower Galilee, Northern Israel

A week ago my husband, daughter and I went away for Shabbos, a last goodbye to summer, and another opportunity to explore places we've never been. I rented a small "tzimmer" in the village of Mitzpe Netofa, just a 40 minute drive from home, and when we arrived I could not help but notice cars climbing the small mountain which comprised our view. So, while there was still time before shabbat, we took a drive to the top of Mount Turan, and enjoyed stunning views and a new to us place! It turns out that there are hiking trails and biking trails, so keep that in mind, and the road itself has been recently renovated and you can learn about the different approaches here. We took the route that starts just before the gate to Mitzpe Netofa, but I now realize there are several ways to get to Mount Turan, so maybe next time we'll try a different route! The Mount Turan Scenic Route has been somewhat recently paved in large sections, rendering it accessible to vehicles, and worth a visit as the route provides a wonderful view of the stunning landscapes of the Lower Galilee. Keep on reading for more info and lots of photos.....

Jujube Fruit Ripens Just In Time For Rosh HaShana!

Ever heard of Jujube? Not to worry, the name sounds familiar to me, but I certainly could not have told you what it was, let alone identify it growing on a tree until last Friday! We spent a lovely shabbat in Mitzpe Netofa in Northern Israel, and fortunately the owner gave us a little tour of all the fruit trees in the garden, and mentioned that Jews from Persia (like himself) have the custom to eat Jujube on Rosh HaShana! So of course I had to do some research, including finding out what this fruit is called in English, and wow, so very interesting! Keep on reading to learn about this interesting fruit tree whose cousin has been cultivated in China for 4,000 years!