creative jewish mom

Hanukkah Dreidel Craft Using Corrugated Cardboard!

Now is the time to get serious as far as Chanukah crafting goes, but doesn't necessarily mean you  have to run out and buy a bunch of supplies — try using recycled cardboard and anything else you might already have on hand! Corrugated cardboard (used with the ridges running vertically) makes a great base and I actually love the contrast between the shiny contact paper and sparkly craft foam and the rough cardboard. And sometimes crafting with supplies that aren't too precious actually allows one to be more creative.

As you can see I cut a little metallic medallion using the technique one uses to make paper snowflakes, though you can of course use paint or any combination of crafting supplies to decorate your dreidels. Make a bunch and hang them vertically or horizontally or use them as giant gift tags!

Happy Hanukkah crafting!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday! Thanks so much for joining me here for this crafty international get together! And now for the features from last week's party: above, felt so cute (formerly Japan, now USA) made some amazing things, including these place cards, (with a peacock feather inspired color theme) for her daughter's bat mitzvah celebration which was made while still living in Tokyo!

Love this book page flower with a coffee filter center from artistic endeavors (USA), and this crocheted necklace from the little treasures (Macedonia)

A crocheted cat neck pillow from chris in de haak (The Netherlands) and a fun crocheted pouch with a fabric flap from muscetta 4 (Italy)

Crocheted eyeglass straps from homemade at my place (Mozambique) are lots of fun and very handy!

Crocheted minion hand warmers from my home is my castle (Sweden) are just adorable, as are these little crocheted baby booties from anna simple crochet (Portugal.)

Little crayon dreidels from birkat chaverim (USA) are right on schedule and eye love knots (USA) has a great tutorial for a simple way to change yarn color.

Pomegranite white chocolate bark from fitness food diva  (USA) looks amazing and would be fantastic with a beaded "snowman" bag tie from or even some beaded snowman earrings from moms and crafters (USA.) 

Winnie's layered blondie ganache cake looks amazing, and love the idea of these pie "shots", namely a way to taste a variety of pies at a holiday gathering, from homemade interest. That is it for the features, what have you been up to?

Make Fun Chanukah Cards With Washi Tape!

Making Hanukkah crafts with washi tape is really so much fun, and so I now present you with homemade Hanukkah cards decorated with washi tape! Of course they'll look great together with some washi tape gift tags as well, or you could even combine the two to make a festive holiday banner!

My favorite design of the three cards I made this morning is hands down the dreidel, but please try to come up with some ideas yourself, as that is what creativity is all about, right?

And while I wish I could say that this craft would be great for young kids, (and that would be the case with simple stripes), but forming the dreidel and the star of David requires some acquiracy and the use of a craft knife. Not to worry, more crafts on the way that little kids will be able to do with your help!

You'll Need:

• card stock
• washi tape, preferably true washi tape which like masking tape is paper based and can be easily lifted off the paper without damaging the paper
• a craft knife and scissors
• a black marker for adding small dots to represent flames

How To:

While I did these designs by eye, one could lightly mark your design on the paper with a pencil. Take note however that some washi tape is rather transparent, so any dark pencil lines would been seen through tape. Lay pieces of washi tape on your card to define the shapes you wish to make. Trim corners and edges with an exacto knife once you are happy with your design. Hmmm, I really could have made an in progress photo for you, hopefully you get the idea?

Try to steer clear of adding to many details and let the washi tape colors and patterns steal the show. Enjoy!

Make Fun Chanukah Gift Tags With Washi Tape!

Chanukah is coming and I've got a bunch of chanukah craft ideas using Washi tape, starting with these sweet little washi tape gift tags — perfect for adorning your holiday gifts, or even using as napkin rings or hung here and there! So now you have a great excuse to go out and buy some of that washi tape you've been wanting, as I'll help you put it all to good use, promise!

And if you see some washi tape with horizontal stripes (I bought this one at Staples, it is 3M brand), don't pass it up as it is oh so perfect for making little rows of candles! Other patterns can be simply cut into driedel shapes, and thin washi tape can be used to make menorahs. The pink flames were made by adhering a piece of washi tape and then cutting out the flame shape and removing the excess, maybe a bit too time consumiung for a craft this size, but couldn't think of another way to cut out tiny flames using washi tape!

You'll Need: Washi Tape, a black marker, white cardstock, string or ribbon.

Enjoy!

Crocheted Triangular Granny Scarf To Whip Up For Gift Giving!

In need of a gift from the heart for a friend, I decided to whip up a triangular granny scarf/shawl in colors that she loves, as she admired the one I made for myself! I made this in two nights or so, and had so much fun crocheting it that I think I need to make another for myself, and maybe one for my daughter as well.