creative jewish mom

Painted Rock Garden Project For Rosh HaShana!

Yes, it is certainly true, you won't likely find any other painted rock projects in the Rosh HaShana crafts category anywhere except here. And yes dear readers that is because here at CJM creativity is the name of the game, which means we needn't be constricted by standard ideas when it comes to making projects for specific holidays! So yes, apples and honey, carrots and fish, and shofars do represent Rosh HaShana, but then again so does a rock garden filled with hopes and dreams and prayers for the new year! 

So, while I did not create this lovely rock garden, rather photographed it in the Bunker HIll neighborhood of Boston, at the Harvard Kent School, I have now realized that rock gardens are amazing anytime, meaning, namely really truly one can make a rock garden for every occassion and write messages on the rocks that correspond to ideas at hand. I do wish I had time to make my own rainbow colored rock garden right about now.......I'd write little messages to my children and husband, and brothers around the world, and say thanks to my mother for being so wonderful. I'd pick some key words that represent how I'd like the New Year to look, as well as goals and wishes and goodness all around. Then I'd use my little rock garden as a reminder of sorts throughout the year! Come to think of it, one could really do the same thing in a bowl for the coffee table, right? Or if the messages are private, so stuff a whole bunch in a jar and put it on a high shelf where you can enjoy the colors without having to share the thoughts? Ah yes, painted rocks can be so many things other than paper weights!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! The Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShana, is in just two weeks, so now is the time to get cracking on Jewish New Year's cards, special symbolic dishes for the holiday and maybe some decorations to get everyone in the mood? Hmmm, truthfully, Rosh HaShana is the "day of judgement" well 2 days actually, so we are not talking about festive party decorations, but rather things to remind us of the importance of the holiday, and to urge us to pray for good things for ourselves, for our families and for all mankind. So while fish and apples, and bees and carrots and pomegranates might seem cute, they truly have a much deeper symbolism for the Jewish New Year that we strive to teach to our children, and remember ourselves! So, lets use that creativity to create meaning in our lives, and the features from last week's party are a great place to start! I've also included some contributions from previous parties that occurred while I was on vacation, so enjoy those too!

Såpnejlika Soapwort Flowers Bloom In Varmdo Sweden

One of the many delights of our travels in Sweden were all the lovely flowers in bloom and especially many that were new to me. Suddenly all the Swedish flower prints and wallpaper that i love made sense! So of course I have many many photographs of all the lovely flowers in bloom that I hope to use as inspiration for my own floral prints, and to inspire you as well, either to grow some or to paint some!

For starters, on our first stop in Sweden in Ramsdalen, in the Archipelagos of Stockholm, there was a large patch of lovely pinkish white flowers on long stalks that made quite a lovely impression in front of our rental cottage, and seemed to be quite hardy. I was very curious to know what these flowers were, so when my own little search failed I emailed the kind owner and they also had to do their own search, which was fortunately successful! These flowers are Sapnejlika, Soapwort, a name that comes from the traditional use of the leaves of the plant as a gentle nature soap! Sure wish I had know that while we were there, I would have tried it! Soapwort might be a great choice for your garden, but do read more about this species before actually committing to it, as it is unfortunately an invasive plant, which on the other hand is why it is doing so well in this spot!

A Refreshing Summer Swim In Varmdo, Sweden

This past July my husband, teen daughter and I were blessed with the opportunity to spend 2.5 weeks in Sweden, something I've beed dreaming of for years! As it turns out, this "lay over" on our way to the USA made my ticket even less expensive than the tickets of my boys, who joined us in the USA, so this vacation was truly a gift. If you live in Israel and go home to visit family in the USA, take advantage of the chance to see the wonders of nature in Scandanavia, for starters, you won't regret it, especially in July or August, when Swedish summer is in full swing, ahhhhhhh.

So what can I tell you about Sweden? I loved it, every minute. And since summer is short, really only 2 months, the Swedes know how to enjoy it. For generations families have been going to their summer cottages (some families have one on a lake, one on the ocean.....) for weeks or even months each summer, and with 41 days mandatory vacation, taking a month off in the summer is truly part of life! Now I don't feel guilty about my own 5 week summer vacation, if the Swedes can do it so can I! Ah yes and those twice daily coffee breaks, also up my alley, as is the whole aesthetic, the recycling, the love of nature, and Wasa crisp bread galore!

I'm going to share my travels with your chronologically, so we'll start with our first stop in Sweden, a lovely little 1950's cottage in the archipelagos of Stockholm, but reachable by car and actually only 40 minutes or so outside the city. We went straight to Ramsdalen, which is in a region called Varmdo, from the airport and discovered a lovely area with the best swimming ever. Care to take a dip?

Wooden Fish and Whale Shaped Signs Are Inspiration For Jewish Holiday Crafts!

One of my favorite things about beach towns and rustic vacation destinations is fun signs, and this year I spotted a few great ones during our week in Onset Massachusetts in the Cape Cod area. (More on that in a few weeks, after my Sweden recap!) It occurred to me that a fish shaped sign could be great for Rosh HaShana, and a whale shaped sign is perfect for the Succah, we actually have some Succah whale art, so this is just another fun idea. And of course, this is just inspiration, meaning, look at the photos and if they speak to you, let your mind wander to some fish themed craft of your own. Or simply take the inspiration somewhat literally and make your own using cardboard, and then add the message that suits the occasion. Then again, maybe you have a wood shop and can whip up the wood shapes as easily as cutting cardboard, and if so, good for you!

One of the lovely things about creativity, and allowing your creative mind to speak is that we can find inspiration in so many places, we just have to keep our eyes open! Here's a few more photos, enjoy and let those creative gears turn.

Folk Art Doodle Apple Cards Or Gift Tags

Now is the time of year for all things apple related, because Rosh HaShana is approaching and the apple is one of the symbols for the Jewish New Year, not to mention Fall of course. It might be hard to believe that once upon a time apples were seasonal fruit, but yes indeed, and therefore they were given a great deal more respect I might add. So lets shower those apples with some attention and cover them with folk art doodles! This idea popped into my head, and while the original thought was a painting, using markers is much quicker (for most of us) and a great way to whip up a bunch of apple gift tags, cards for Rosh HaShana, or to use on a festive garland — in the house for Rosh HaShana, and then in the succah! Because of the doodles you'll need to draw to fill in these apples, this becomes truly addictive, I have to say, but then again, who can't use a relaxing activity that also has a use? I say bring on the folk art apples, at least a bushel!

Giant And Elegant Origami Apples Are Perfect For Any Fall Occasion

Origami apples are so simple to make and are the perfect craft to whip up right now! Fill a basket with them to use as a centerpiece, use them as place cards, hang them mobile style or make a bunch and scatter them around the house. (Or save this idea and gift a whole basket full to your teacher!) The best part is they look great everywhere and any where, and would make cute little Rosh HaShana gifts as well. Attach a tag that is a card and you'll surely warm the hearts of all your recipients! I used these very apples as apple centerpieces for a Rosh Chodesh party, and then a neighbor borrowed them as centerpieces for a Brit, and depending on the colors you choose they can look elegant or playful, or both. So take my advice and get crafting dear friends, the Jewish New year is in less than 3 weeks, with Succos to follow so a barrel of origami apples will serve you well, promise! And yes, you can of course make these in a smaller size and in a variety of colors to represent a wide range of fruit, as I've done here with my origami fruit, cute as can be!

Welcome Back To Craft Schooling Sunday!

After a nice summer break, Craft Schooling Sunday is back, and it is great to reconnect with you all! Thanks so much for joining me here. September, which this year coincides with the Jewsih month of Elul is a month full of possibilities, and after an amazing summer vacation, with so much inspiration and of course lots of photos to share, I am dreaming of crafty succah decorations and handmade Rosh HaShana presents and cards for the neighbors. Just hoping there will be time for it all, as any moment the pace is going to pick up and then, hold on folks! With that in mind I have decided against that momentary whim of hand printing some new fabric panels for the Succah, instead I will embelish the light fixtures I made last year and go with my original plan which is to make a bunch of sunburst mirror decorations from all the plastic techina containers I've been collecting all year! That together with everything else we already have will hopefully do the trick.......?

I did not end up painting as much as I'd hoped on my vacation, so I've got that creative itch that just needs to be satisfied, and the features from the last party in July, which I'm posting here now are so much fun. I nearly ordered a soap mold and supplies to make some hexigon bee soaps for Rosh HaShana but then I realized that most folks may not even use them, so better to save the $$ and paint some nice cards. Okay, enough of my babble, lets get this party started!

Purple Cone flowers Bloom In Sweden

With Fall just around the corner, you may not be thinking about your garden, unless of course you live in Australia or the Southern Hemispere, or Florida or Southern California, then again, if you love gardening anytime is a good time to plan the blooms you'd like to grow! So, dear readers, most of us know about cone flowers, or Echinacea, but sometimes a reminder is a great thing, so let me remind you, these flowers look amazing, especially a whole bunch of them, and they are drought resistant and just all around great. They do seem to attract a lot of bees though, so keep that in mind.

I took these photos on our recent trip to Sweden (lots and lots more about that to come) at one of the cottages we rented, and there was a nice bed of cone flowers encircling a tall flag pole in the middle of a huge lawn. The scale of the cone flowers (they are largish) was perfect and the splash of color was just lovely. So do give it some thought, and I will as well! Many years ago I did add some cone flower seeds to my container garden with little success, so maybe next time I need to start them in flats, I have a good feeling next year is the time, can't wait! And now, enjoy the rest of my photos, which are great inspiration for some floral paintings as well, note to self!

Tips For A Stress-Free And Fun Family Road Trip

It’s no surprise that Israel has already seen a record number of nearly two million tourists since the beginning of 2019. With breathtaking national parks, stunning beaches, archaeological sites, city and rural delights, there’s something for everyone vacationing in the Jewish state. With the Jewish holiday season coming up, now might just be the time to think about hitting the road in the Holy Land! Of course plenty of planning is required for a trip to Israel, though you'll be richly rewarded with a unique bonding experience as a family unit. With everything from making the decision whether to travel for example, to Rosh HaNikra at the Lebanese Border or to Tel Aviv, and managing to keep the peace while traveling, here’s some essential advice to help you get the maximum benefits of your trip while sparing the headaches.