creative jewish mom

Simple Rustic "Love" Embroidery With Gingham

There is something about this little rustic country-style "love" embroidery that is so sweet, and yet made with minimal effort, so of course I just had to share it with you. I think this would make a perfect new baby gift, or look great as part of the decor at a country-style wedding. And of course it would be great anytime to spread the love!

While this exact little work of art looked perfect in the all wood Adirondack Victorian cabin where we had the pleasure of spending four days and nights, this might not work for everyone. Speaking of everyone, that would include me as well, since our home is more Morocco meets Scandinavia, and gingham might look a bit out of place. But not to worry, one can certainly use this idea, just do keep the rustic nature of it, namely the simple embroidery done on muslin or linen, the antique style frame hung with a scrap of fabric, the little buttons......

I didn't make this, but if I were to make something similar this is how I would do it........let's get started!

Rustic Wire And Fabric Flower Craft

I saw this idea for making a rustic wire and fabric flower sculpture with a wine cork base on our travels just a few weeks ago, and I just had to share it with you! The idea of stitching fabric scraps onto a wire shape can be used in so many ways, to make flat ornaments for a wall hanging or mobile or to get a bit adventurous and go for something with dimension. I love the looseness of the results, and a flower sculpture like this one is not only a perfect summer craft, but also would be great moving into fall.

As far as taking this idea as a project for kids, I think it would be a fabulous way to introduce the idea of abstract sculpture. Give kids some easily bendable wire, and at least four wine corks, and have them make a three dimensional wire doodle.......sounds great to me! To add color glue or sew little scraps of fabric or colored paper to some of the resulting shapes.

Sorry, lest I digress, back to the specifics of this sweet little flower.......

Goodbye Summer, Hello Jewish Holiday Crafting!

Above: A fun cross stitch apple craft to introduce embroidery, or to just whip up a fun decoration that is perfect for fall, Rosh HaShana, and even the Succah!

My head is spinning and the jet lag is still stubbornly hanging in there, and just accessing my dear blog has been a major endeavor on account of a new and very strict internet filter that I had to install on my computer in accordance with new school rules, phew. But here I am, back to say hello to you all, and really eager to get crafting, as Rosh HaShana is just around the corner, and then many more holidays to follow. 

Our five weeks in Canada and the United States were fabulous, and of course I will slowly start to show you lots of photos, hopefully before next summer, which is what happened this year! And on account of that very strict internet filter which has my hands tied more than just a bit at the moment (and will likely be the case unless I use my computer out of the home), I won't be wasting any precious time, you know, reading about creativity rather than actually getting creative, which means more time to actually post and get moving with all those dreams!

I hope everyone had a wonderful relaxing summer, and that you are ready to get rolling, as Fall crafting and Jewish holiday crafts are just the beginming......hold on tight my friends and lets make great use of our time, during this busy crafty period of the year, shall we?

Ah yes, and that sweet apple cross stitch craft from last year is a great way to get started, I think I may just take my own advice, and you already know that I have a whole stack of styrofoam trays just ready and waiting......not easy being a pack rat, but if you can actually access some of that great junk you've saved it can be a good thing!

 

Crocheted Lacy Toddler Sweater Works Up Quickly

Crocheting for little ones is a great way to satisfy that need to crochet something without going overboard time -wise or yarn wise! And when you make something like this crocheted lacy toddler sweater the size doesn't have to be exact, as a garment like this can be worn several ways, namely on the small side as a bolero, or on the larger side as a sweater. And so, that my friends is how the double crochet placket, neckline and border were born! And really, as long as you have some finished measurements to go by, you really can play around and invent your own sweaters, be brave!

Crocheted Top-Down Toddler Dress With A Lacy Skirt

One of the most pleasurable things to crochet is clothing for babies and toddlers, as garments can be made relatively quickly and the results are truly adorable. Lacy crocheted items for babies is something that could truly be useful and appreciated especially for a special occasion......and one could even crochet gorgeous little flower girl dresses, or at least shrugs or sweaters for a bunch of little darlings. Now, of course most of us use patterns to crochet, but I am now here to encourage you to crochet custom made garments by simply using the measurements of the child! It is true, there may be a few spots where you have to add a stitch or two that would normally not appear in a commercial pattern but I promise, no one will notice! And that dear readers is how this sweet little dress came about....... a sketch with some measurements taken from an existing garment, and a crochet diagram for inspiration, and voila!

Ready to take the plunge and design something yourself for a someone special in your life? Lets get started......

Best Of Craft Schooling Sunday: Sewing Projects

 

 

 

Craft Schooling Sunday is taking a summer break until September 2nd, so I now present to you, "The Best Of Craft Schooling Sunday"some really inspiring round-ups of crafts that were contributed to the party over the last year, that will appear here each week in place of the regular party. So get your crafting belts on, because I've got some serious inspiration to share with you here!

Have a wonderful creative summer, and looking forward to reconnecting in September!

Today's features are all more or less in the category of sewing, which you can delve into any time....I know after vacationing on the East Coast in the USA that I'm feeling like sewing some quilts......who knows maybe it will really happen. 

 

A too cute for words appliqued feather dishtowel from flamingo toes, and love this little floral texas printable from busy being Jennifer, I need to do this with the map of Israel!

Fun embroidery hoop art from flamingo toes, and vintage sheets patchwork pillows from busy being Jennifer.

Best Of Craft Schooling Sunday: Embroidery & More.......

 

 

 

Craft Schooling Sunday is taking a summer break until September 2nd, so I now present to you, "The Best Of Craft Schooling Sunday"some really inspiring round-ups of crafts that were contributed to the party over the last year, that will appear here each week in place of the regular party. So get your crafting belts on, because I've got some serious inspiration to share with you here!

Have a wonderful creative summer, and looking forward to reconnecting in September!

Today's features are all more or less in the category of embroidery, which you can still delve into, go for it! 

 An embroidered cross stitch on wood pendant from the crafty blog stalker, and embroidered lavender pouches from Ginx Craft.

A bird feeder from a recycled martinelli's bottle from lolly jane, and a fun ambroidery with applique hoop art from handmade by Amalia

The most adorable knit llama ever, from Ginx craft, and a sweet hot air balloon applique embroidery hoop art from flamingo toes.

Best Of Craft Schooling Sunday: Crafts For Kids

 

 

 

Craft Schooling Sunday is taking a summer break until September 2nd, so I now present to you, "The Best Of Craft Schooling Sunday"some really inspiring round-ups of crafts that were contributed to the party over the last year, that will appear here each week in place of the regular party. So get your crafting belts on, because I've got some serious inspiration to share with you here!

Have a wonderful creative summer, and looking forward to reconnecting in September!

Today's features are all more or less in the category of Crafts For Kids, which you can still delve into, go for it!

 

A super toilet paper tube cars craft from there's just one mommy, and fun painted beer bottles embellished for the 4th of July from growing up gabel.

 

Coffee filter tie dyed snowflakes from there' s just one mommy, and a wonderful wood slice garland from and a wonderful wood slice garland from my life from home.

A Visit To The Cannonsville Reservoir In New York State

I am writing this from a special little spot on a river in the Adirondack mountains in New York state, and what can I tell you? I LOVE New York state........so much amazing countryside, so many fantastic mountains, rivers, lakes and more, And then of course there is New York City......which I'll be visiting with my daughter after we send my husband and the boys home to Israel. Now that my daughter is fiveteen we can have a special time exploring art museums and revisiting my favorite little spots in the city which I once called home. But lest I digress, I did want to share with you these photos from last year's vacation in NY state, which took us to a holiday rental, a lovely old farm, just up the road from the Cannonsville Reservoir.........

Book Sandwich Cookies For Your Next Siddur Party, Book Club Or Graduation!

eWhile I can't take credit for making these adorable little book sandwich cookies, I did take the photo, and I am going to share with you how I think they were made, so that counts for something, right? And of course, just for the record, these "book" sandwich cookies are actually meant to represent a prayer book, a siddur, as this was a dessert bar celebrating the "siddur party" the very special event which takes place in Jewish schools generally at the end of first grade, when the kids have learned to read and are ready to receive their first prayer book.

So whether your specnial occasion is a graduatiom day  book signing, a book club party, a book themed birthday party, a siddur party, or even a library fundraiser, these book sandwich cookies are sure to please, and I've got some tips for making them.

And I just realized one could use these for Rosh HaShana as well, since we say "may you be inscribed in the book of life", how is that for a fun Jewish New Year's treat?