creative jewish mom

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Last week's party was full of fabulous inspiration from South Africa, India, Jakarta, Israel, Hungary, Switzerland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Portugal, The United States, The United Kingdom, and maybe more places around the world that I didn't catch. Thanks so much to everyone for joining me here, and these were just some of the projects that inspired me from last week's party:

A fun crocheted granny square pattern from my rose valley, and a sweet crocheted flower bookmark pattern from lacy crochet.

An amazing swiss roll cake with decorated sides from Winnie, and fabulous cookie sticks from life at the zoo.

 

Fun decoupage picnic pail from mod podge rocks, and fun crocheted stars from repeat crafter me.

Super cute lil strawberry hat DIY from sew can do,  and an adorable rainbow striped crocheted elephant from kookiez.

Fab crocheted ball keychain pattern from teszek veszek, make a bunch! 

Fun decoupaged camp gifts from altered artworks, and a fun vintage stuffed bird from happy in red. 

A reminder about Se7en's wonderfully simple drawing a project, and owl painted rocks from red ted art. 

Sewing anyone? A super cute summer dress from sew can do, and a great way to dress up a shirt from daffy's dream.

 

Two great recyling crafts: a garland made from milk jug plastic from crafty journal, and a wonderful drink mix container cuff from Mich in LA.

Cooking Beets, Beans And Brown Rice In A Pressure Cooker!

As a child I remember my mother cooking artichokes in a pressure cooker, oh and maybe corned beef, but that was about it as far as my knowledge of pressure cookers. Fast forward to today.....I am a busy mother who often cooks for a crowd, and I often ask other women for cooking tips as there are so many ways that one can make healthful meals for one's family without stressing out!

Introducing dear readers, the pressure cooker! A very wise woman by the name of Rebettzin Yehudit Tzivia Kenig, of blessed memory, always gave young brides the gift of a pressure cooker so that as she liked to say "the pressure will stay in the pot!" Because as you may well know, sometimes the pressure of preparing a homecooked meal that needs to be ready for the family at a certain time can be a bit stressful at the end of, or in the middle of a busy day!

Pressure cookers quite simply allow one to cook things at a fraction of the time. My family loves beets, which I serve hot out of the pot, or slice to make Moroccan beet salad. Gone are the days of waiting for hours for the beets to cook in a regular pot, they're now ready in about 40 minute once the pot reaches full pressure. Just be sure to cook the beets whole so as not to loose all of their juices into the water....did that once and almost gave up on the idea, thankfully tried it again with whole beets and with great success!

This week I also tried cooking brown rice in the pressure cooker with great success, and I regularly cook many kinds of beans as well. There are many charts online that will tell you how long each food type needs to be cooked, so I'll let the experts provide the details. 

Pressure cookers come in a variety of sizes, depending on your needs, and do invest in a quality stainless steel pot, you won't regret it!

Giant Crocheted Doily Rug, Crocheted By The Sea......

Isn't the idea of making a crocheted giant doily rug by the sea just heavenly? You might jump to the conclusion that my postings here have been more sparse as that's what I've been up to, but no, this ahhh moment is brought to us by a reader Anneke from South Africa, who has been so generous (and busy) in allowing me to share some of her fabulous crochet projects, this one as you know by now, using my crocheted giant doily rug.

Today Is The Seventeenth Of Tammuz

Today is the 17th of Tammuz, a solemn day on the Jewish calendar which includes fasting for many and is the beginning of a period known as the three weeks, which lead up to the most solemn day of the year, Tisha B'Av. During this period we are in mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and on this day, we commemorate the penetration of the walls of Jerusalem, as you can see in the coloring page my 8 year old brought home from school.

I have to admit, I got a bit confused thinking that I always crochet around this coloring page, which is the same year after year, but in fact, in previous years I have actually crocheted around a coloring page marking the Tenth of Tevet, also a fast day and also connected to the destruction of the Holy Temple, but not the same, silly me.

Nonetheless, on a day when we aren't doing any projects since my boys would rather be out building a treehouse understandably, and my daughter is at gymastics, I had to do something to share the importance of this day with you. It's true, crocheting around a piece of paper may be a bit trite, but that's really all I have time for at the moment, so please accept my humble effort with the knowledge that I am not in any way mocking the holiday, rather attempting to embue it with importance.

That said, crocheting an edging on paper is a great way to make signs or cards for festive occasions like parties, graduations, or just about any time. Or you could even make some place mats on laminated plastic! Here are the basic instructions to get you started, though of course there's no limit to the edging one can crochet, enjoy!

You'll Need:

• a picture or piece of paper/cardboard to crochet around
• a hole punch
• a crochet hook and yarn that will fit through the hole

How To: Punch holes around the perimeter of your piece of paper and crochet as follows:

Round 1: Attach yarn through first hole, and single crochet into hole. Chain stitch until you reach the next hole, and then single crochet into that hole. At each corner, single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, and continue around. Join to first single crochet with a slip stitch.

Round 2: Chain 3 and 3dc in  ch space. *ch 1 and 4 dc in next ch space. Repeat from * around, at corners 1ch space make 3dc.

Tissue Paper And Cupcake Liner Collage For Kids

Last night before dinner I finally had the brain power to pull out just a few supplies and set two of my kids up with a tissue paper and cupcake liner collage craft. We've taken a little break from the crafting on account of my busy schedule, but it's been too long and the kids can't wait for more tissue paper crafts!

Collage is always a great crafting activity for all ages, and the results all depend on the materials. Sometimes it's nice to give kids a huge range of items to choose from, and in some cases, as in this project, a limited number of supplies is also a great exercise in creativity.

Aren't these works of art on my sideboard just lovely? I think I'll leave them there for awhile, or at least until the next project happens!

You'll Need:

• golden cardboard trays, sold at baking supplies stores, ours are upcycled from some platters of Moroccan pastries 
• tissue paper
• cupcake liners with patterns or colors, or plain
• white glue

How To: I told my kids that using the tissue paper and cupcake liners they should make a design on the gold platters. I showed them how to crumple up the tissue paper and dip it into the glue to create little tissue paper balls, and then I left them alone to create as every mother should do at least some of the time. Enjoy!

 

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday! Last week's party welcomed contributors from France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, The Netherlands, Denmark, Macedonia, Muldavia, Turkey, Israel, The United States, The United Kingdom, Australia, and Jakarta! There were some very inspiring projects as always, and a few that I'm adding to my list of crafts to do this summer:

Rosi, my Italian blogging friend with a unique style and creativity that I haven't seen elsewhere is back with this fantastic ship in a recycled soda bottle craft. A great thing to do with boys who, at least in my family, tend to be a bit more selective when it comes to crafting interest.

 Craftiments made some gorgeous acrylic paint sun prints, and this baby quilt from the gingerbread house is adorable, and with just enough applique to make it interesting and special.

 Ginx craft is still at it with her adorable knit fairies, and love this inventive washi tape cake stand from mod podge rocks.

 A sweet button bracelet from spoonful of crafts, and DIY beaded earings from jewelry making journal

Homemade at my place shows us how to make her popular yarn butterflies in a larger size, and sew can do has a great tutorial for appique on knit fabric.

These crocheted hearts (with pattern) from aduo scriptum are perfect year round and love this brown yet colorful granny pillow from Lanas de Ana. That's it for the features, not it's time to gather some more inspiration!

A Drawing Every Day (Or So) Summer Series For Kids

 Getting kids to draw on a regular basis helps them develop drawing confidence, motor skills and even communication skills that are invaluable even in adulthood. Children that don't draw or get too frustrated to draw because they are perfectionists or lack confidence are loosing out by not developing that part of their brain that orchestrates the amazing triangle between hand, eye and brain, to produce drawings. Heavy duty, I know, but how else can I stress the importance of drawing?

That said I won't pretend that I've been the greatest at getting my kids to draw, even in light of the above, because sometimes life gets busy and we get off track. Which is why I was so thrilled when I saw this "drawing a day" project over at Se7en, that got us back on track. We haven't been able to follow it on a daily basis, but I'm shooting for three to four times a week, and so far so good. 

See this drawing of kitchen utensils? It's hard to believe, but this drawing was done by the very same child who drew the keys just a few days later! I'm happy to say that I witnessed that little light that went off in the brain of my just eight year old, in which his drawing ability shot ahead by years when I explained to him how to look at something and draw it. He sat down with eraser and pencil in hand, and some keys, and diligently worked on his drawing, even sneaking off after dinner to finish it. One proud mama, and so very happy that on account of my perseverence I was able to help my youngest make a great leap forward.

One last thing — don't beat yourself up for not being more involved in your children's creative development, just start, commit to taking baby steps and all will be well!

Make The Perfect Summer Getaway With Outdoor Curtains!

Check out my latest article over on houzz.com and get some practical tips for enhancing your summer with outdoor curtains as well as what to consider when purchasing outdoor curtains. Click on the photo below to go directly to the article, and please leave me a comment there with your questions or queries, I'd love to hear from you!

Super Quick Summer Decor With Paper Lanterns

Some colorful paper lantern balls are now bobbing in the wind in our entrance courtyard, and this quick little ode to summer took all of ten minutes to implement. Of course I had the lanterns on hand, and they were even assembled, so really all I had to do was grab some yarn and scissors and a chair. 

But even if you do have to pick some up in your travels or even order some on line, it doesn't get much simpler than this, and with fabulous results. 

Paper lanterns like these as well as my favorite accordian fold chinese lanterns, always make great instant party decor, so plan accordingly and make sure to have some on hand to whip out for super quick party decor or to quite simply celebrate summer!

 

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, the international linky party with contributors from around the world, last week from: Australia, Jakarta, South Africa, The United States, Guatemala, The United Kingdom, Portugal, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, France, Hungary, Macedonia, Greece, Italy, and Israel! There were so many wonderful projects, thanks to you all! And now, for the projects I found most inspiring, or in some cases, whose photographs were the most compelling (hint, hint, anyone interested in setting some goals to improve our photography skills? I'm with you, been putting that off for too long!) Whoops, lest I digress, back to those features:

Two of the sweetest pincushions ever: a daisy granny square crocheted pin cushion from little things blogged, and a sweet quilted pin cushion from HGK.

Anne Marie crocheted a fabulous granny blanket, and Chris in De Haak went well beyond amazing by finishing her crocheted masterpiece, wow.

Red Ted Art made this super cute post it note monster pinata, and Ginx craft knit this little cuddly monster of sorts, called Zingy.

Lanas de Ana knitted a really nice shawl, and teszek veszek crocheted what looks like a doily but is really a shawl...when you're not wearing it use it as a coverup for a little cafe table!

I just love these colorful thank you tags from HGK, and a fun way to recycle vintage slide holders from mitte hem ar min borg.

A great nature weaving craft from craftiments, and family, home and life shared a delicious iced tea recipe, perfect for sipping on while the kids are weaving with leaves and flowers!

That's all for now, what have you been up to the first two weeks of official summer (up North, that is!)?