creative jewish mom

A Festive Painted Llama For The Eighth Night Of Chanukah!

Happy 8th night of Chanukah! The brightest and lightest and most joy filled night of this 8 day holiday, that isn't necessarily connected to a whimsical llama, but why not? I am happy to share with you that I somehow managed to squeeze in two paintings of whimsical llamas, a chanukah miracle in itself, the first is with a Chanukah menorah, but I just took it down as the main photo of this post, as the second one is much better, at least to my eye. (You can see the first try, in my sketchbook if you keep on reading.) Despite a very busy holiday, phew, I got in a tiny bit of creativity, and it certainly did/does give me joy, so don't forget to find some moments for yourself! I learned how to paint a llama in this artfully loose style from my friend Amanda Evanston in her Insider's Club, which I do recommend if you want to up your art game! I painted the first in my sketchbook, and the second, here, on paper to gift as art for kid's rooms or use as cards for any occasion, though truthfully when one is trying to get better at painting the best thing is to paint for the sake of painting, not worrying about what it will be used for! (And that is the great thing about creating in a sketchbook, where you are recording a journey.) If you make 10 or even 20 not so great llamas painted with acrylic paint on watercolor paper, you can always paint over them when you are trying your hand at florals, believe me this is how I roll, often with three paintings on any given sheet of paper!

An Abstract Floral Painting On A Recycled Box

Since I shared with you some artful painted gift boxes made from upcycled boxes of all kinds, that have been adding cheer to our home this Chanukah, I just had to include this painted floral gift box that I actually made quite a few months ago. It is not part of the holiday decor, but may just see the light come Spring. That does not mean however that you should not paint flowers in bright colors on gift boxes NOW, as it is a great way to practice painting, a great way to paint without too much pressure, and a great way to force yourself to paint quickly and loosely. After all who would invest hours on a painted gift box? (Well, me maybe, but please don't!) Okay, lets take a closer look at this floral painted gift box!

Artful Painted Giftboxes From Recycled Food Boxes

I have to say, there is something so very very satisfying about making a painting on a recycled cardboard food box! And this year whimsical painted boxes, on the small side, are a big part of my Chanukah/winter decorating! The themes are not specifically Chanukah, which means I can keep on using them until Purim, phew, because I'm really enjoying the fun play of color and artful pattern, and there is no pressure for them to be "art" as after all they are boxes! The top box with the flowers in bottles is based on a bottlescapes lesson from Amanda Evanston in her Insider's Group, the middle box is quite simply splattered paint, which is the first step in my graffiti mittens giftbox, and the bottom box was previously shared here. So friends, make a mix of fun painted boxes and then stack them and display them, (mine are on gallery shelves in the kitchen) and I promise, you'll just want to keep them. That said make a bunch more to actually use for gift giving and spreading joy! Lets, take a closer look!

Craft Schooling Sunday Is Taking A Holiday Break, Resumes Jan 2nd/3rd

Thanks so much for stopping by, and wishing you a very very happy and light filled Chanukah! Craft Schooling Sunday is taking its annual December break and looking forward to reconnecting in 2021. May you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Origami Dove For Chanukah

Chanukah starts tomorrow night, and I am running behind with my plans for origami decorations, but I did manage to make a few origami doves with olive branches to share with you, and hopefully my plans for an origami wall hanging, origami cake toppers (for a birthday tomorrow night on the 1st night of Chanukah) and an origami garland or two will materialize tonight. I am actually thinking that this origami dove would be great done in my giant origami style, so stay tuned for that, which seems much more likely than a wall hanging, hmmmm. Origami is a great craft for all ages, and it is something one can introduce to children from a fairly young age, and as they mature they can tackle more difficult folds. There isn't anything quite like the pleasure of succesfully completing an origami animal, or an origami dreidel, or even an origami star of david, so grab some paper and lets get folding!

DIY Fabric Dreidel Wall Hanging With Stencilled Numbers

I am dusting off this DIY fabric dreidel wall hanging as it still looks great, and is a perfect craft to make and save for years to come. Enjoy, and if you don't quite have time for it this year, keepi it in mind for next year, or even make it during Chanukah, who says everything needs to be ready by the first night? Ready for a Hanukkah craft with amazing results that isn't actually all that difficult? How about making my 8 Nights Dreidel Wall Hanging, and patting yourself on the back afterwards? You can find the complete tutorial right here on Houzz.com Please support me by taking a look and leaving a comment there, pretty please!

Simple Crochet Projects for Hanukkah!

Above: A beloved upcycled t-shirt yarn bowl that we use to hold a huge collection of dreidels.

Crochet projects for Hanukkah? Of course, because as you all know, I love to crochet, and so crocheting is often a big part of my hanukkah crafting! With the holiday approaching quite quickly I thought I'd share some crochet projects from the archives to get you started, as the time is now! Last year I made little gift baskets crocheted using hardware store string with a chain stitch on top of that to strengthen the whole thing....which I have yet to share, but maybe later in the week? Fortunately for me I somehow had the forethought to do all my Chanukah gift bag crocheting last January, now just gotta find that box somewhere! Wishing you all a wonderful and light filled Chanukah filled with creativity and joy, now go get that crochet hook and get to work!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! With Chanukah starting this Thursday night I have many loose ends to tie up, as well as some birthday decorations to make, big time. And with my teen daughter now away at school, the baking has falen back in my plate, and so a birthday cake has to fit into the plans as well. Of course the cake topper will be my usual flags or maybe some big numbers, (or origami 3D stars) depending on how the other decorations fly! I also have to make some wall hangings from all the chanukah origami I whipped up last week, so wishing you all a wonderful week of holiday crafting, now is the time! Need some DIY holiday gift ideas, take a look at the features, and why not knit a scarf, crochet a stuffie, or make some soap? Enjoy!

Origami Star Of David In 3 Minutes!

If you are folding some origami dreidels then you might just want an origami star of david or 20, to make a Chanukah garland or mobile. I looked into all the ways that one can make an origami star of david, and even stopped part way through the 15 minute folding adventure, as I need origami elements that can be made fairly quickly. So presenting the three minute origami star of David, that can really be made in 3 minutes, once you get the folding sequence down pat. Now, I do have to say, that while I am generally not interested in promoting creative activities that require perfection, origami unfortunately does require perfection, the more the better, otherwise your stars will not be lovely, (as some of mine are not if you look closely) just saying. So, put on your perfectionist hat, just for this and this only, and get folding! I made these stars from 12cm x 12cm paper, which results in a star that is 6cm wide, cute for a small garland, or a gift topper or place card, but I'd recommend going larger if you want decorations that will make a statement. Okay, lets get started!

3D Paper Stars With 8 Points

Yesterday I shared with you my first go at origami dreidels, and today we are moving up the paper folding notch and making 3D paper stars using the same origami paper, so that the origami dreidels and the paper stars can work together in a garland or holiday wall hanging! (Yet to materialize, but hoping it will soon!) Constructing these 8 pointed paper stars was also a first for me, though I've had my eye on something similar for years, and I'm happy to say that they are really quite simple to make and can be made in a huge variety of sizes. I actually made a large one from a sample of wall paper, and it is beyond gorgeous (so never turn down old books of wall paper samples!) though possibly looks a little too similar to decorations one might see for xmas, so I think I will not be sharing that here. Instead I am sharing colorful stars that look perfect for Chanukah, as despite the commercial association in the USA of blue and silver for Chanukah, that has no basis whatsoever. Chanukah is all about joy and light, and I while I love blue, a single color certainly can't express all the wonderful qualities of our 8 night holiday! And just saying, an 8 pointed star, which is all about the number eight connects to the eight nights of Chanukah, and to the miracle of Chanukah as the number 8 means all things beyond the laws of nature, meaning generally miracles! Okay, lets make as many 3D 8 pointed stars as we can, as they look great scattered here or regardless of how you choose to use them!