creative jewish mom

A DIY Paper Plant That Is Simply Lovely: Agave!

Paper plants are all the rage, and understandably so as they are so simple to make and look amazing. Not to mention great for those who don't have time to take care of the real thing! i happen to have a virtual jungle both indoors and out, but I still appreciate the paper plant idea for its whimsy. There are a lot of folk out there making paper cactuses, but I think I'm the first to make a paper agave. Though many (mostly Australians, where agaves grow in droves) have success growing them in water indoors, the agave is really an outdoor plant, so a paper one certainly is a good idea!

I whipped this one up in literally ten minutes, and now you can too, with my simple directions!

Giant Watercolor Lollipop Costume Prop Or Party Centerpiece

Need a giant lollipop for a costume or maybe a whole bunch to use as centerpieces for a birthday party or even a bat mitzvah? I just made this one for my daughter to use as a prop in a play that was part of her graduation from 8th grade ceremony, and it looks even better from far away! It is true, the results are not what I'd call "perfect" but with all the perfect looking crafts being churned out these days courtesy of cutting machines and ready-cut everything, I'd say it is time to get a little bit imperfect, now and then. Ready to make some giant lollipops? Lets get started!

Cereal Box Magazine Holders DIY

I've been wanting to make some recycled cereal box magazine holders for years, and at long last I found a little window of time to give it a try. And I have to say, I just love the results, and this is the perfect way to freshen up your desk area or bookcase, and to use up some pieces of wrapping paper, wall paper, contact paper or even fabric that you just love and don't know how to use! Once you get the hang of it, this DIY is so simple the only thing you'll be lacking is enough cereal boxes! So let's get crafting:

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday!

 

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday! Last week's party was full of truly amazing contributions from crafters and DIYers from around the world, that picking and editing the features was really quite a job. There were so many more projects that I could have included but in the name of tight editing and creating a certain flow within the features I just couldn't show you everything. Not to mention that I am generally preparing this post on Thursday and Friday, my busiest days of the week, so there just isn't any more time left, and my stove is calling me........

Wishing you all a wonderful summer, and while you are keeping cool, pick up a crafting project! Almost forgot, thanks so much for joining me here! And now for the features from last week's party:

Decoupaged popsicle stick bracelets from sparkle living, and a mini strawberry biscuit quilt from flamingo toes.

 

A fabulous applique with embroidery on patchwork felt from handmade by Amalia, and wonderful animal shaped sponges from the crafty blog stalker.

Red Canna In Bloom In My Container Garden!

 

This morning I stepped outside and was welcomed by this stunning Red Canna flower, wow, right? I had planned to write something about creativity and the connection to gardening and appreciating the natural beauty in the world around us, but my time is running out. What I really want to say is my life just wouldn't be the same if I weren't surrounded by pots of living, breathing and sometimes blooming plants, and it somehow compensates for the fact that I'm not living on that huge plot of land with endless fields and pastures......truthfully where would I find the time for that in any case?

Red Canna, as well as yellow canna with green leaves make up a large part of my summer container garden, and they just keep going year after year with minimal upkeep. They die back in the winter and come back each spring, which is such a delight! And today I realized that they are also great inspiration for a vibrant patterned watercolor. What do I mean? Keep reading to see how amazing these blooms are close up.....

Giant Origami Giraffe DIY

Remember the giraffe themed birthday party that I threw for my 11 year old son? Well, while I shared with you a bunch of giraffe birthday crafts, I didn't actually get around to sharing the biggest giraffe statement of them all: giant origami giraffes snacking on branches with paper leaves! I have to say, these giraffes just make everyone smile, and once you get the hang of how to fold them, they are really a fantastic addition to any party, whether it be a birthday party, a baby shower, or you name it! These giraffes were actually a huge centerpiece on the birthday table, as those branches are simply hung from our dining room chandelier! Giant giraffe origami anyone? Lets get crafting!

Ceramic Plates And Trays Made By Kids

Yesterday at the student's show at the ceramics studio that my 12 year old son and I visit every week (for some quality creative time together) we were very inspired by a show of all the student's work. I only had time to capture a small portion of the wonderful creativity to share with you here, though I'm hoping that just a few posts will be enough to get those of you for whom this might be relevant to the ceramic studio, (with your kids, or without) as working with clay is a wonderful way to enliven creativity, build skills and confidence too!

And of course, while kiln fired ceramics like these truly produce the best results, don't let lack of access to that level of ceramics hold you back. Many wonderful projects can be made with air drying clay or even clay that can be fired in your oven! Not to mention polymer clay crafts of course, which is great for small projects, and of course simple modeling clay crafts are fun too!

Kids Rethink The Traditional Tzedaka Box!

Today there was a student show at the ceramic studio where my son and I spend time together creating with clay each week, and I just had to share with you some of the fantastic work we saw. For starters I just love the ceramic tzedaka (charity) boxes that kids made (that would also make fabulous ceramic banks as well) after the teacher gave them the assignment to make a tzedaka box in any shape they desired. I don't know if I would have thought of a vase of flowers tzedaka box, or an apple tzedaka box, or even a tea cup tzedaka box. There was even a fantastic clay spray bottle tzedaka box, which I didn't get a chance to photograph. The tzedaka box is a fixture in every traditional Jewish home, and in every synagogue, but they are usually boxes, possibly lovely boxes, but boxes just the same, so I am totally in awe of the creativity! 

At the show we truly witnessed what a wonderful medium ceramics in general can be for expressing and developing creativity, and my two kids who do not (yet) go with Mommy to the ceramics studio were really quite jealous. So I guess I have a few more years of creating with clay to look forward to. Hmmmm, maybe I should make a set of dishes then, right?

Welcome Back To Craft Schooling Sunday

 

 

Welcome back to Craft Schooling Sunday! Last week I took a little break from the party as we were celebrating the beautiful Jewish holiday of Shavuot with family and friends, and I was 100% unplugged, so it didn't seem right to be hosting a virtual party during that time, right?. So after a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends and the traditional cheesecake (and subsequent need to collapse for a day or two) I am now back at the blogging wheel, and can't wait to show you the amazing features from two weeks ago. Summer is the perfect time to get those creative gears spinning, so lets get crafting shall we?

A crocheted amigurumi dog from Anne Marie haak blog, and some wonderful squares from a recent crochet along from elsie pop.

Crocheted edged embroidery hoop from busy being Jennifer, and a fun granny blanket from chris in de haak.

Hoya Vine In Bloom

When my Hoya vine blooms with clusters of pink waxy flowers it is truly exciting! Truthfully, for the first few years after purchasing this plant, it didn't bloom at all, and I didin't even know that it had the capacity to bloom, funny enough. But after producing a bloom or two, the plant has become an even more proliferous bloomer with each succesive year, and it is such a joy to watch the tiny buds develop into these stunning flowers, especially on a plant that doesn't even seem to be known for its flowers! 

It is true, my hoya lives outside in a sheltered and shady spot most of the year (except for near freezing temps when it is brought indoors) so it may be happier than many of the Hoya houseplants one sees in interior photos now that plants are all the rage. But I'm sure if given a bright spot, and well cared for, you can get your Hoya to bloom too!