creative jewish mom

Slice Of Life: Fresh Almonds By The Bag Full!

While some of you are picking cherries and strawberries, one of our local summer harvests happens to be almonds! And when my husband sees farmers selling these green mesh bag-fulls by the side of the road, he just goes crazy! Why? Eating these freshly picked untouched nuts is something he remembers from his childhood, and another one of his family's food traditions I'd never heard of! Have you?

I have to admit, they're actually quite interesting, and of course reminiscent of almond milk type drinks. I'm happy to say this this year my husband only brought home one bag, as they go bad quickly, even before I can figure out what to do with them! In case you are wondering, the hard shell that you recognize in an Almond is actually inside the fleshy/fuzzy green exterior! Any interesting summer (winter for those of you down under) harvests in your neck of the woods?

Knit With Rags And Make A Rustic Table Runner, Or Two, Or Three!

I really honestly can't believe I made this! Mostly because this was a result of absolutely no planning on my part, I just started knitting! I didn't decide how much of each color, I pretty much just made balls of "yarn" from pillow cases, and each band of color represents a pillow case. Even that little pink and white striped setion was a happy accident due to a pattern on the fabric! I know you're going to run to your linen closet right now and check out your pillow case collection right? Go for it, you won't be sorry!  The resulting knit is nice and thick and textured and yet cozy at the same time. Perfect for summer outdoor accessories! See my previous post here about knitting with sheets and great time saving tips for cutting pillowcases and comforter covers. Though if you'd like to make a table runner, I'd advise doing 3 stitches on each end in garter stitch (knit every row) for a much nicer finish— my  edges rolled under a bit so you can't see them, but I wish they looked neater!

As with all the projects I've been doing with rags lately, this one is so great I really think you'll be hooked, even if you don't love knitting! I'm currently in the middle of a second strip like this one, and hoping to finish it for a gift for my daughter's birthday on Sunday  (you'll just have to wait and see what it's going to be!)

So crafty friends,  if you've got a pile of this (above left) then while you're relaxing this summer, you can make this (above right). And if you don't know how to knit, so then learn! Basic knitting and with large needles (#17) like the ones I've used is really  quite simple. I'm quite sure that there are tons of videos on youtube that will teach you everything you need to know.

Happy crafting and please do let me know if you knit something with rags, I'd love to see it! And feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section, I read each and every one. and if you'd be so kind, please click on the stumble it button to help share this with others!

 

 

How To Crochet A Granny Hexigon Baby Surprise Sweater!

 

You too can make the sweetest and easiest baby sweater on earth! I was so excited to discover this pattern that I ran to the store, bought some yarn and started crocheting! Three sweaters later I still have the stomach to make more. And for me to make multiples of anything is quite rare, so this means it really is fun and relatively quick.

The pattern that I used can be found here, though as you'll notice my version looks a bit different as I did not follow the pattern as far as cuffs and trim. I'll add that info to this post shortly, or simply take a look at the photos, and you can probably figure it out, or make up your own version! Also the choice of yarn makes a big difference in the outcome, and since I wanted to make sweaters that could be worn in the summer I choose cotton and I love the results.

You Can Knit With Sheets!

I don't know about you, but for me the idea of knitting with sheets is just downright exciting! And look at the gorgeous results! My excitement may have something to do with the fact that I've just finished crocheting a nice sized rug from sheets, (I'll be sharing that soon) and was in the need of something just a bit different!

So yesterday when I was watching the kids in our small blow up pool, I grabbed my large #17 knitting needles and some left over yarn made from sheets. I used 1" wide fabric strips, but you can certainly go narrower and use smaller needles. Though because the rags have raw edges, I wouldn't recommend going much narrower than 3/4" because of unraveling.

I really don't know what this will be, possibly a pillow cover or a bathmat (though the idea of stepping all over it just seems a bit silly). The only limitations with knitting as opposed to crocheting are of course that the size of your project is dependent on the length of your needles!

Now if you can find giant circular needles, or even make some yourself, then you're all set! The large knitting needles I have are hollow inside, so affixing a plastic covered wire between the two needles shouldn't be that difficult. Just keep in mind that a very large rug would be very heavy to work with, and you would definitely benefit by sitting at a table and resting the work on the table.

For information on how to turn sheets into yarn, see my previous post here.

I would advise doing a test run before you start ripping up your sheets, as far as the appropriate width of "yarn" for your given needle size. And do take note, you'll need lots of sheets! (Just the lavender band on this sample was a whole pillow case!) but I'm sure your family and friends will be more than happy to empty out their linen closets when they see what gorgeous things you're making! Enjoy, and let me know how it goes!

 

More Life-Sized Cardboard Silhouettes!

When my five year old saw what his sister did yesterday here, he was anxious to make his own life sized body silhouette! Smart boy, I can't blame him! While his sister's artistic abilities allowed her to make a more literal painted copy of herself, I just love his abstract version!

Before running out to a friend's house, he sat his likeness down on the couch, and every time I walk in the room I have to laugh! So do give this project a try, and a reader just suggested making paper clothes for these silhouettes, a wonderful idea for the day after perhaps. All the best!

Make Life-Sized Cardboard Silhouettes And Paint Them!

Isn't this great? I have to thank Jean of The Artful Parent and her post here, for the inspiration. Jean has taught me so much about doing art with kids, and how to be much simpler in regards to creating with young ones! I'm so glad I got my act together before it was too late.

As you may have noticed here on the blog, I'm now dedicating much more time to doing projects with my kids, and I'm seeing amazing results in their attitudes towards art! So I highly recommend it!

My daughter just loved this project, and we now have her likeness hanging in the kitchen. It's so wonderful. I'm hoping the other little ones will join in the fun too!

You'll Need:

• a large piece of cardboard, most likely from a cardboard box that you open up
• kid's craft paint
• a good pair of scissors

How To:

1. Have your child lie down on the piece of cardboard and loosely trace around them
2. Fix your tracing where necessary, and cut out the silhouette.
3. Give your child paint and even collage materials, if he/she desires, and encourage them to paint themselves!
4. Hang in a prominent place for all to enjoy!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Hi Everybody, thanks so much for stopping by! Another week has passed and it's time to take a look at what some of you have been up to! Last week there were quite a few new faces at the party, which is so exciting, and the size of the party grew just a bit. I'll have to start thinking about offering some refreshments! I know you'll enjoy the featured projects from last week, so here they are! Thanks so much to all of you who participated, picking the favorites is so difficult!

Isn't this do it yourself photo board by yesterday on Tuesday, plarn bag by my recycled bags and giant blocks by filth wizardry just great?

Wouldn't you like to recycle some cans and make gorgeous crayon containers like Heidi over at the kundin family? Or borrow a t-shirt from your husband's closet and remake it into something fabulous like Selina from sisters 4 say more is more? (He'll never recognize it!)

 

And if you're lucky enough to have an amazing cherry tree like birdcrafts  in your backyard, you can pick those sweet red fruits and make this delicious and simple dessert.

And just look at this fold up travel house and a barn too, from Serving Pink Lemonade! Wow!

I know, it's not Pesach, but this stuffed Mazto man is welcome anytime! And Amanda's paper plate owl sure is cute!

This super cute turtle cake by sew can do is actually something most of us could make, since it's not fondant! And I just love these note cards that Camille Dawn over at motherlode made that recycle your kid's artwork!

Create A World With Modeling Clay!

Isn't this just the sweetest? My almost 8 yr old daughter arrived home with this little masterpiece the other day, and you can imagine, I was beaming from ear to ear! And it was her idea, and yes, all her friends tried to copy her, who in their right mind wouldn't? Look at those little slippers next to the bed, awhhh. And that cute rug, and someone relaxing on the couch! (That wouldn't be me......)

This mini work of art actually arrived home without walls, and I was already swooning, but when she showed me she'd made walls too, wow! I helped her glue them on with a hot glue gun, and then I ran to take these photos to share with you!

So why not set aside some time this summer for sculpting with modeling clay. Add some recycled cardboard, a yogurt container, a toilet paper roll to the equation and encourage kids to create their own little world. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

And that cute rug? Well she apparently has rugs on the brain since her mother has been occupying the dining room table with a somewhat large crocheted one (from sheets!) for the past week or so! I'll be sharing that with you next week, so do drop by!

Make Cottage-Style Rag Balls From Up-Cycled Sheets. (And Then Use Them!)

 

These rag balls are made of 100% rags. No styrofoam ball inserts here, because you see, these are not purely decorative, they're also really useful! A few generations back women saved every bit of fabric and often kept them in the form of rag balls. The rags from the balls were then used for making braided rugs, knitted rugs and possibly crocheted rugs, among other things.

Today most of us don't have to worry about saving small bits of fabric because of it's preciousness, but we love the idea of up-cycling and recycling, and not being wasteful, especially when it comes to crafting. So the rag balls of yore are now suddenly very much in keeping with the "green" trend of today! And even if you don't knit or crochet, I'm sure you'll find so many ways to use your strips of rags!

These balls, made from one twin sized comforter cover that had faded in the sun (but the inside was still the original color, thus the beautiful shades), are about the size of small canteloupes or large grapefruits. I don't know about you, but I'd love to have a basket next to the couch just filled to the brim with these! There's just one problem, I don't think they'd last long around here! These beauties have already been crocheted into the center of my first round rag rug! (Which I can't wait to share with you, I just finished it.....and yes, my fingers are a bit sore!)

You'll Need:

• old sheets, comforter covers, pillow cases and even yardage
• good scissors or a rotary cutter (optional)

How To:

1. Cut 1" wide strips by either tearing or cutting, and wrap them to form a ball. To form one continuous string, you can sew the strips together on a sewing machine, or join them as described here.
2. To make one continuous string from a pillowcase or comforter cover, follow the directions for making yarn from a t-shirt, here. Take a few minutes to figure this trick out, you'll be glad you did!

• If you really truly know that you'll never actually use your rag balls, so go ahead and wrap some fabric scraps around styrofoam balls and enjoy this touch of the past. It's okay, but just know that the real thing could also be used for carpet bowling, juggling, or entertaining little visitors!