creative jewish mom

I Am Now On Instagram, Please Follow Me!

Dear Readers, after many many years of holding back from engagement on Instagram, because I am not a smart phone user (I do all things blog etc. on the computer) I realized that if indeed my goal is to share the joy of creativity in general and Jewish crafts with the world, then one needs to figure out how to get to the world, in this case without necessarily letting the world in!

So please follow me @sara.rivka.dahan, right here, and on @creativejewishmom right here. The first account will be all things art related, namely painting and drawing and the second account will be crafts, jewish cooking and all things I share on this blog.

Quilled Leaf Sprigs Are Perfect For Shavuot!

I just couldn't resist sharing this craft from three years ago when I was delving into paper quilling. Now I'm thinking I really need to start doing art with kids again so I can put to use all those quilling supplies that are waiting to see the light of day! Enjoy!

Shavuos, the holiday of greenery is coming Sunday night, so why not start quilling some lovely leaves? Paper quilling isn't one of those crafts that you can whip up quickly, but it is oh so lovely, and can be done in spare moments just about anywhere, so give it a try! These little quilled leaf sprigs look so fabulous that I just couldn't stop! And since I have the excuse of recovering from our recent travels, well, I just kept making more and more.

I have seen that many quillers make large quantities of quilling elements that they keep in nice little divided boxes, so truthfully one could start making with no real plan. For me it is the making that satisfies that little voice,  and I can always come up with a plan later on, right? That would in any case be the more creative approach, so if you follow my example you've got my seal of approval.

Ready to get quilling?

A Festive Painted Cut-Out Bouquet For The Front Door!

The Jewish holiday of Shavuot starts on Sunday night, and our front door is ready! I just love painting flowers and cutting them out, as with the water color poppies cut outs, and am also really pleasantly surprised by how wonderful a bouquet of painted flowers can be as well, especially when you free it from the confines of the paper! Of course a bouquet of flowers drawn and then painted, like this one, is all about planning, and execution, so after all that effort, you will want to use it again and again, or even hang it somewhere in a frame, and you should! The more flowers the better, and painted ones add so much joy where ever they are hung! There is still time to make something similar for Shavuot, so get started, loose a little bit of sleep over it if necessary (that is the type I am, don't do if it is isn't you!) and most of all, have a wonderful holiday! Okay, lets get some more info regardng how this paper bouquet was created, shall we?

Paper Leaves On Real Branches Looks Amazing!

I came up with this simple idea six years ago for my son's birthday just before Shavuot, and I still love it, so I'm dusting it off to share with you as a fabulous last minute craft that includes a nature walk to collect the sticks! Enjoy. Here is what I wrote back then, this year Shavuot is on Sunday night.

Paper leaves on real branches is a super quick craft that results in some fun decorations that can be used for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot or really anytime! I actually made these branches as part of the giraffe birthday party that I'm still in the middle of sharing with you all, though I did have in mind that they would be also be great for Shavuot, in which we decorate our homes with greenery to celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, which was  very green and lush.

With shavuot staring Saturday night, right after shabbat ends, many of us are now preparing for two days of holidays, so I'm sure glad to already have made these fun branches which are currently hanging from the chandelier over the dining room table. (Those who observe shabbat outside of israel are now preparing for a three day holiday, as Shavuot is two days outside of Israel, and I'm sure those of you to whom this applies wish you had some of these branches already to go, right?

What I'm really trying to say is that a super quick craft like this one is the perfect thing to tackle right now, so lets get to it!

Simple Watercolor Leaves To Paint For Shavuot!

As you know, I love to create with a wide variety of media, and recently I've been devoting just a tiny pocket of time to filling my watercolor paper art journal with simple watercolor paintings. Check out my watercolor carrots, watercolor feathers and watercolor ferns. It is true, I'm loving the watercolor exploration as it is a relief from the intense oil pastel paintings I've been doing, though to create the kind of art I love with watercolors I'd need to combine them with acryla gouache and also get some liquid watercolors with intense colors, ah yes and huge pieces of watercolor paper! That said, my little travel watercolor palette is just so cute and fun to use, and there is something about the simplicity of watercolor that is just so very very wonderful, not to mention all the cool results one can achieve by letting the watercolors move where they like, on paper to which you've applied water first. And when the time comes to travel once again, I'm all set! Especially since I treated myself to some travel watercolor brushes, that come apart and form their own little protective case, lucky me!

Right now, as we approach the holiday of Shavuot for which we decorate our homes with greenery and flowers, decorating with watercolor paintings of greenery is certainly a wonderful way to go. So take a look at this layered watercolor leaves idea, do it on sheets of paper, and then hang them for wonderful and artful greenery! Keep on reading for a few helpful tips!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! It has been a very emotional week processing the tragedy of the 45 lives lost not far from our home, and very close to our hearts. Around 750 family members of the 45 spent the week sitting Shiva, the Jewish mourning period of 7 days, and I really felt and do feel that we are with them, and it is so very difficult. Each family is facing their particular challenge with great bravery and faith, and it is so very beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time, Shabbat is coming (I generally prepare this on Friday) and on Shabbat we make every effort not to be sad, so with that in mind, what can I say other than what I always say, which is crafting and creativity do make a difference and do contribute to the world, so make the time for yourself, your kids, the kids on your block....If I had the time right now I'd make a patchwork denim bowl with out a doubt, together with a bunch of other wonderful projects from the features, so lets take a look!

DIY Solutions For Common Plumbing Problems

Whether you own your own home, or are renting, plumbing problems such as a clogged toilet or dripping faucets are a part of life. Why wait for the plumber or potentially throw money at a problem that you can fix yourself? There are many tips and tricks to help with small plumbing problems that can avoid the frustration of having to wait for someone to fix it for you, and make you feel proud about stepping up and learning something about the inner workings of your home! And, don't forget the folks at your local hardware store are generally very knowledgeable and happy to help, so start there! There are four common issues that many folks run into at some point, and that are really quite simple to repair, so lets dive in, shall we?

Goodbye Pink Cyclamen, Thanks For Months Of Non-Stop Blooms!

I am a huge fan of cyclamen in bloom, especially since they are natives to Israel, blooming in the late winter. The blooming cyclamen is also a part of Israeli culture, which is why they fill the shops come December, and are irresistible, basically! And truthfully, given the return on your investment, next year be sure to treat yourself to a few! This particular plant, which my husband gave me during Chanukah, is just now at the end of its blooming cycle, meaning we enjoyed blooms like this for FIVE months, got that, FIVE months! The only thing that has yet to happen is a painting of them, look at those petals, wow! Not is the photo is the white cyclamen that was actually a plant from the year before, and rebloomed because it was a bulb......take note, there are bulb cyclamens and something that is not yet a bulb. Nuturing the non-bulb variety over the summer is not something I've succeeded at yet, but will try again with this plant. The bulb however, piece of cake! Okay, lets take a closer look at this blooming cyclamen, shall we?

Quick Mount Sinai Kid's Craft For Shavuos

I am busy working on my art, specifically a #make100oilpastels journey with 43 more to go, so the crafting for Shavuos may or may not happen.....in any case I still have all the wonderful cereal box cardboard vases filled with flowers from Passover. Of course I will likely at the last minute cut up a bunch of painted leaves to hang from the chandelier or decorate the table, but that won't happen until just before the holiday. With no little kids underfoot the need to build excitement for the holiday isn't exactly necessary so, that said, I've dusted this sweet project off to share once again, get to it!

Shavuos starts in less than two weeks and you may be looking for the the kind of project that  isn't too messy and that the kids can do on their own so that the adults can concentrate on all the tasks that need to be accomplished just because life is busy? Ah yes, and a craft that is fun for all ages is certainly in order as well, so I now present to you my tissue paper stand-up Har Sinai, which is a perfect decoration for Shavuot and quick to make. Little ones can certainly crumple up paper and dip it in glue, while older kids can make patterns with their little tissue paper balls, which could be great. Hmmmm, maybe next time?

Okay, lets get started!

Watercolor Fern Paintings For Shavuot!

I am taking this one out of the archives, as we could all use a simple yet great looking craft project right about now, right?There is something so accessible and wonderful about watercolors, so give them a try!

Shavuot the Jewish holiday that celebrates the receiving of the Torah starts in 2 weeks on the evening of May 16, so now is a great time to whip up some gorgeous watercolor leaf paintings and learn about practicing your brush strokes a win win crafting experience! As part of my creative journey I'm in the process of exploring creating with different media, including watercolor painting. It turns out that the first step is learning brush control, using a round brush, and leaves like the ones used in my fern illustrations are created with just one stroke. Pretty great I must admit, and so relaxing to paint. A friend was over the other day and she thought I had stamped all these little leaves! Of course there are so many designs one can make once you master the one stroke leaf, so give it a try and enjoy!

Is Life Insurance Something I Ought To Consider?

A recent tragedy in Israel on the Lag B’Omer holiday, in which 45 men and boys were killed, has left us with a broken heart for all the families affected. Over 750 people, spouses, parents, siblings and children of those taken are now sitting shiva, the 7 day Jewish mourning period. There are two sets of parents that lost more than one son, there are young mothers who have lost their husbands, there are mothers of many children who have lost their husband, and children who have lost fathers. Each and every story is painful and because we, the Jewish people, are one nation with one heart, we all feel the pain.

Of course organizations and individuals and even El Al airlines have stepped up to help the families who need help financially and otherwise, and Jewish communities always rally around those in need to do what they can. But there is always a limit to the help one can get from the outside, and with that in mind, many families with children may want to consider life insurance in order to feel that they’ve done their best to protect their family under every circumstance. Of course, that policy will never need to be cashed in hopefully, except at the end of a long fruitful life, but having life insurance does give parents and spouses a sense of security.

Interestingly, In Israel anyone with a mortgage is required to have life insurance that would cover the mortgage in the case of a death, so many people are covered in this aspect, and would be relieved of having to pay the mortgage on their property if say, one of the spouses looses their life. I don’t know if this exists in other countries, but it certainly has been a huge relief for many families. In many cases that policy is all that the family can afford, and if not for the law, they would not have taken out the policy to begin with.

Lets learn a little bit about the different kinds of life insurance policies available in the United States in order to really examine whether this is something worth considering. If you live outside the United States most of the information still applies, one just needs to be aware of laws regarding life insurance in their location.