creative jewish mom

Crayon Resist DIY Hanukkah Gift Packaging & Gift Tags!

A few weeks ago I was in need of a little mindless art project, you know something quick and easy, and that could of course work as a Hanukkah craft in some way....and then I remembered crayon resist! Ah yes, I could really get into a little doodling with crayons just about now. It's so simple with great results: draw with crayons on a heavy sheet of white paper, and paint over your design with water colors. Lovely! And you can also try this idea with just a white crayon or even a candle for more mysterious results that kids will love!

Use your sheets of crayon resist artwork for gift tags, greeting cards, envelopes, or gift wrap for tiny packages. And if you happen to have any white boxes hanging around, so go ahead and do crayon resist artwork on them as well, and you'll have some ready made arftful gift packaging ready to go!

More Hanukkah Crafting With Buttons!

 

Hanukkah crafting with buttons is a great project for the whole family....okay in my family it was just mom in the wee hours of the morning, trying out an idea that had been kicking around since last year, but I kept imagining that my kids were doing it with me! (Does that count?) Using wire to weave the buttons together is quite simple and the wire is very forgiving— cut it here, cut it there, it still works wonderfully well. You can make little ornaments to hang where ever you please, to give as gifts, or to use a present toppers for that little added touch of handmade. And of course you don't have to go with the wire, you can also do button mosaics on cardboard silhouettes, which would be great for the very little ones.

Now I must admit I had dreams of some gorgeous etherial Chanukah photo which artfully presented these little button creations, but since that has yet to become reality, and time is of the essence right now, I present them to you as is. Do use your own imagination as to how wonderful they could be in your home!

Supplies: Buttons and wire. I used some gold jewelry making wire, but I had to weave it back through to add the necessary strength, so I'd recommend something easy enough to bend but not too thin....though on the other hand the the thin wire works well as far as weaving it through the holes multiple times....so two weights would be the best, but as usual just use what you have, if you have!

How To: There's no right way to go about weaving buttons together with wire, so just improvise! I would recommend twisting the buttons around once on themselves at the joints between the buttons where possible, this gives added strength....though it did result in the wire breaking a few times, so work with the wire a bit loosely so that you'll have extra room to twist. Enjoy!

Introducing Parsha Parenting: Invaluable Lessons In Parenting.

Surprise! I really thought that Eydl Reznik would only be contributing a monthly parenting column, the first of which I published last week here, but as it turns out, she's also going to be guest writing here, together with Elana Trachtman, once a week with short posts about Parenting from the Parsha (the weekly chapter of the Torah). Is there any parent out there that doesn't need to hone their parenting skills? Join the club and join me in welcoming Eydl and Elana!

An Introduction To Parsha Parenting: Part 1: Vayishlach

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by on one of my favorite days. And guess what, last week's party had some really fantastic contributions, that I'm so proud to be able to share with you all here! By the way, one little helpful note to you my crafty blogger friends: I noticed that the majority of you do not change the titles of your photos as labeled by your camera. Big mistake! Give your photos good key word titles so that they can be located in google searches! For example, a reader from Seattle "accidently" found my site because she did a google search for Moroccan Tajine pots....and one of my correctly labeled photos came up....got it?
Okay, now back to the good stuff! Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your amazing projects, and here's the inspiring features from last week: 

I just "met" Sara from Akko (Israel) for the first time, and just love these suede flower bracelets. Nice and flat...a refreshingly elegant look after all the rolled and ragged flowers that we all love. And isn't this felt applique house piece just wonderful? I just love all of check out girl's felt projects, definitely worth a look!

And leave it up to my buddy Aunt Peaches to upcycle a plastic pumpkin into this gorgeous decoupaged pumpkin vase, and then fill it with an arrangement of straws! And don't you just love this photo on the right? Gorgeous! These tiny crocheted frames from lola nova are so simple to make and would make amazing gifts.....I made something similar a while back, here, but hers are just so much nicer, oh well.....can't win every time

I just love this little sleeping beauty "black apple" doll, from punkin pattern, made from the well-known "black apple" doll pattern, check it out if you'd like to make this as a gift for someone special. And Michele of michele made me isn't making flowers anymore apparently, but that doesn't mean she's not busy! She made these sweet little houses from a tissue box, and is having a challenge to see how many houses you can make from one box.....I'd love to join in on the fun, but don't think I've got the time right now....plus if I had a tissue box anywhere in site I'd probably have to crochet a cover for it, so stay tuned for that too!

Lilla A. Design came up with the great candlelabra made from pipe fittings! And I just love this rolled magazine page mirror from fleeting thing, inspired by something that she saw at Urban Outfitters in the US, but couldn't put in her suitcase for the trip back home to Geneva Switzerland...great job!

I know you think this pillow from mm scraps shoppe is embroidered, but guess what it's not! was inspired by a pillow from Pottery Barn and figured out that with some glue and textured yarn she could mimic the look of embroidery. I think she did an amazing job! We seem to be in the PB knock-off business today, since these candles are just that as well. Can't Stop Making Things figured out how to make these.  The secrets? First of all did you know you can feed tissue paper through your printer by taping it to another sheet of paper (totally invaluable info, don't you think? ohhhhh the possibilities!) and by using a heat gun you can melt the candle so that the tissue paper adheres to the candle! I don't own a heat gun, but I'm sure there's another way to apply heat.....any ideas out there?

Okay folks, that's it for the features— I feel like I've just completed a year in art school or something, so many great ideas here, don't you think? And now, it's time to share yet another round of creativity

Hannukah Is Coming! Plan Now, So You'll Have Time To Craft Later!

Yikes, Hanukkah is just around the corner and there's so many things I wanted to do this year! I'd say it's wise to make a list and start checking things off to avoid last minute stress, and of course so that you'll have some extra time for all those Hanukkah craft projects you'd just love to do. Forget the last minute rushing around, bring in the holiday in a joyful relaxed way....we can all do it!

Above and beyond, the most important thing about Hanukkah is the menorah (chanukiah), so lets think about that now and we'll already have one thing to cross of the list. Does your menorah still have wax left on it from last year? Boil up some water and clean it? Does the silver one need polishing? Enlist a family member to take care of that now. Do you know where you'll be lighting your menorah? Have a special little table (we do)? How will you be covering that table? Need multiple menorahs for several family members to light? Take stock of everything you'll need, and make the necessary purchases now! Put them aside in a special box designated for Hanukkah and you'll feel yourself getting more relaxed already.

Don't you love the mat in the photo I used? A friend in Los Angeles started manufacturing the Menorah Mate matt, to have the blessings on hand when you need them most, and to protect delicate surfaces. A huge improvement over the tin foil look, and a nice idea that would also make a great gift (maybe packaged together with some other items for Hanukkah....) from menorahmate.com

I've often heard bloggers say that blogging is therapy for them. I can't say that's usually the case, but all of a sudden I'm feeling much better about the fact that Hannukah is coming, soon! Tighten your seat belts because we've got some serious crafting to do!

Hanukkah Craft: Make Festive Holiday Garlands From Buttons And Beads!

Isn't this sweet? And yes, you're right, it doesn't necessarily say Hanukkah craft, but in my book that's just fine! Decorating for any holiday doesn't have to be about the expected imagery and symbols....the real point is to create a festive and joyful astmosphere, however you choose to do it. And simple garlands made by crocheting a chain stitch, which incorporates beads and buttons, are great, especially if you happen to have all of these things on hand, which I certainly do! (I don't mean to say that I won't be crafting using dreidels and menorahs, just that you shouldn't feel that you have to!)

Handmade Holiday: Crochet Striped Pouches For Gelt and Gifts!

 

If you happen to be paying attention I guess you've already figured out that I got bitten by the crochet bug! Sorry about that for those of you who don't crochet, but maybe you'll learn and join in on the fun? You are really missing out, believe me! And it's definitely a lot easier than learning to ski or play the piano I'd say....plus you can practice any time....in the car, in line, during a commute on the train.....and then, instead of practicing during those times, you'll eventually be able to crochet something!

Take An Extra 30% Off Clearance at Fabric.com!

I don't know about you, but this is the type of sale that I wait for at fabric.com. An extra 30% off clearance, wow. Take a look and you just might find a really really great deal— perfect timing for holiday gift giving. And hey, you could even give a gift of fabric if you don't have the time or ability to make something, any sewer/crafter would love that! And I just took a peek, and shhhh there's still some yardage of Anna Maria Horner's Drawing Room, medium weight (not quilting weight, which is lighter) for only $3.18, after the 30% off. Now that is a steal. The full retail price is $19.99!  Run, I think I just might beat you to it......update: I couldn't resist, I bought some for myself, enough for the free shipping, and it will be waiting for me in the US....can't wait!

Use code "CLEAR30" at Fabric.com and get an additional 30% off our clearance section! Offer valid through 11/15/10.

Handmade Holiday: Simple Crocheted Washcloths...Pure Luxury!

Crocheted washcloths? Really? Yes! And in any case, if you think I've crossed the line into crafting insanity, well I can't take credit for this now popular idea of crocheting washcloths and dishcloths from 100% cotton yarn. I'll have to admit, I was a bit sceptical myself! But the more crocheted washcloths I saw, the more I realized that there must be something to it. Suddenly I found myself itching to crochet some washcloths, but without any of the right type of cotton yarn in my neck of the woods I was stumped. That is until livyahyarn.com's wonderful Lion Brand cotton yarn sale in Israel, and here you have it! A crafter's dream come true.

Handmade Holiday: Make A Beautiful & Simple Rosette With Crocheted Trim!

Isn't this sweet? If you know how to crochet (and I really hope you do!) you can whip up a bunch of these rosettes in no time from just a piece of crocheted trim that you can make yourself. They look great attached to a ready made headband, as a pin, or even a napkin ring. And I think they're a bit of fresh air after all the fabric flowers we've been seeing everywhere, and maybe just a bit more elegant .....?