creative jewish mom

My Travels To The Ukraine

In light of all the absurd and very disturbing things happening right now in the Ukraine, and the fact that it looks like my beloved city of Kyiv is about to captured by the Russians, I thought I'd point out that I have been 3 times and have shared quite a few photos of my favorite locations which I recommend reading here. The Jewish people have a 1,000 plus year history in the Ukraine, my grandfather was from Kyiv, and we remember the tragedies of many pograms that wiped out tens of thousands even before the mass massacre of the unbelievable number of 1 million jews, just in the Ukraine. I am very sad to report that that was possible because of the the great participation and willingness by many Ukranians to help the Nazis. So it is true, there are so many mixed emotions when visiting a place that has both hugely rich Jewish history, and unfathomable tragedy. Today I send my prayers to all those in the Ukraine, because human life is precious.

In case you missed the link to my posts on the Ukraine, it is right here.

How To Start A Daily Art Practice (That Sticks!)

Ever heard of a daily art practice? Wondering why you should consider one? Wondering if you can actually do it? A little voice is telling you that you should do it? Okay, so lets take a look at all these questions! I have now had enough experience over the last year with my "daily object" series that I think I can shed some light on the topic and give you a few valuable tips. And, as someone who is relatively new to the idea, and who has also only started creating in a journal/sketchbook since 2020, but has continued to do so, I think I can still remember all the little nuances that might be helpful for you! A daily art practice is an amazing way to make art, and exploration of art and creativity a part of your life without going crazy, and while still making progress and honing skills, so keep on reading!

A Festive 3-D Paper Star To Make Now For The Succah!

I have been wanting to make some paper 3-D stars like this one for years, and now I am truly inspired, just in time for Succos! Succos? Isn't that in a few months you might ask? Well yes, but as I always say, August is the perfect time for making succah decorations, so lets get to it!

Paper stars like this one, are often referred to as "snowflakes" and used for the December holidays, but when created in bright colors like this one, it does not remind me of a snowflake whatsoever, right? This lovely star was made with 5 sections, which I love, as well as one I just saw with 7 sections, though 6 sections works as well, so you decide! This version was assembled using a stapler, which I also think is the way to go, rather than tape, though again, you decide. And lastly, one could try this very same idea with felt, (or starched fabric?) which I think I may just have to try myself. And by the way, I did not create this paper star, rather it was hanging in an airbnb rental we enjoyed in Harduf, a kibbutz in the lower Galil. The house was full of wonderful crafts that I'm hoping to share, just waiting for approval from the homeowner and whether she wants to remain anonymous, or not. In the mean time though, since this star can even be made with instructions from Wiki How, I'm going ahead and sharing it. Plus, friends, time is of the essence to get those succah decorations made in August!

Craft Schooling Sunday Is Taking A Break, See You Next Week!

Thanks so much for dropping by. Today we are observing the holiday of the 9th of Av, a 25 hour fast and a day of mourning and yearning for our temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed 2,000 years ago. Of course it isn't the physical temple that we are missing, but everything that goes with it.....

So as you can imagine, today is not the kind of day for a party of any kind, even a virtual linky one. All the very best, and hope to see you next week!

Remembering Jerusalem Crafts For Tisha B'Av

The period of mourning for Jerusalem that is referred to as "The Nine Days" on the Jewish calendar is well underway and this year The Ninth of Av, the culmination of this period, actually falls on shabbat but will be observed on Sunday. Lets add some meaning to this important time with some creative crafts! For those of us who live in Israel, and for whom the idea of Jerusalem is real, the crafts are a great reminder that while it is summer vacation (my boys are actually still in school until the end of this week ) and a time to unwind from the pressures of the school year, we mustn't forget that it still a time for reflection. For those living outside of Israel, I'd say filling the house with crafts for the nine days is crucial to stress its importance.......so let's get crafting. Below you'll find more than enough links to keep you busy for the few days, no problem!

6 Tips To Help Your AC Unit Blend With Your Interior Decor

If you live in a climate with hot summers, then air conditioning units are certainly something you are familiar with. While of course many homes and offices have central air conditioning, this is not always the budget friendly or practical solution for cooling a space, nor possible if the space is a rental. So hello to individual AC units, whether they be wall mounted or are placed in a window come the hot summer months. Many people choose air conditioning from Design Air or other reputable brands to both cool and heat their homes, and air conditioners available in today's market are a better than ever for residential and commercial purposes. Therefore, the only choice we have in many cases is to figure out how to make that wall mounted unit stick out just a bit less!

If you are like me, and love to put a lot of effort into designing and decorating your home, these AC units are huge eyesores, and you can't help but think about what the options might be, or dream about getting rid of them altogether! The reality is, we do need, and are grateful for, the AC, but isn't there a way to minimize that sore thumb feeling and help them stick out just a bit less?

The answer is yes! Let me help you with a few simple tips, so keep on reading!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday! We are now in the period on the Jewish calendar called "the 9 days" which is a period of great mourning (no music, no festivities, no eating meat or drinking wine, no haircuts or buying new clothes, no decorating your house......) leading up to the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, the 9th of Av, the day in which both Holy Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. Sooooooo, we can certainly get together for this blog "party" but I'll keep it low key......And now for the features from last week's party, for the first time ever I suddenly would love to make some faux stained glass! Enjoy, well know you, whatever feels appropriate!

6 Outside The Box Party Ideas For Your Kid's Birthday

Birthday parties are a great time to get family and friends together to celebrate your child turning one year older, and to celebrate your child in a way that shows them how truly proud you are of them. When throwing a birthday party for your kids, there are two ways to go. Either you decide that every year you'll do a classic birthday party at home, inviting their friends over for the afternoon, playing games and eating cake, or, maybe you'll decide to go the route of making it as memorable as possible, or somewhere in between (my choice.) Birthdays are an opportunity to create lasting loving memories for your child, so do make an effort! Today there are countless unique ways that you can celebrate your child’s birthday, and a memorable birthday party does not have to mean a big budget, you just need to think outside the box!

Let’s take a look at some “outside of the box” birthday party ideas for your child’s next birthday.

DIY Fruity Birthday Number Centerpiece

Mazel tov to my wonderful daughter, whose birthday is today! A big phew, because tonight we enter the somber period of the 9 days, on the Jewish calender, and if she had been born just one day later I would not have been able to make her festive birthday parties until 10 days later! For the past four years or so I have been making birthday numbers, which I use in a vase either on the table, or on the sideboard, though they'd be great anywhere. Sometimes I've made numbers in black and white, and then I've reused them for her younger brothers, though this year, since she loves fruit, I'm going colorful and fruity. And I just realized that she'd really enjoy a bunch of fruit themed life advice quotes, so I'll be making a bunch of those somehow as birthday decor at well. Ah yes, and then there's the chandelier to decorate, and bake the cake, or at least prepare the cake toppers, she is the baker, hmmm. Okay, I'm in a huge rush, with sleepover guests arriving unexpectedly, along with everything else, so lets get to it!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! Take advantage of all things summer to delve into some crafts, whether old favorites or trying something new! Think of projects to take along on summer trips or outings, things that you can do in the car, at the cabin, or even as guests in someone's home, or a hotel room. Life is so much fuller when you add creativity to the mix! Enjoy the features from last week's party!

Canna Blooms In My Container Garden

In the middle of July, both red leafed and green leafed Canna blooms in my container garden in Northern Israel! Okay, not a dense collection of blooms, but rather just a few, but I'll take it! And I'm really loving the height of the red leafed Canna this year, fabulous! I have noticed that Canna is a favorite around the world as a container plant for planters within a city, because the leaves are so large it makes a great "thriller" meaning dramatic and tall element in a planter with other types of plants that are "fillers" and "spillers" and it is also easy to propogate meaning for all that bang, it is likely not so expensive and so cities can buy huge quantities to fill all kinds of planters and park beds. I always wonder whether the tubers are dug up and saved to make more plants, or just tossed? In my neck of the woods, the Canna does die back in the winter, but comes back each spring with beautiful new leaves and eventually flowers, either bright red, or yellow, as you can see here. So do consider adding some Canna to your life, after all who can't use some thrillers in the form of lovely plants?