creative jewish mom

Personalized Gift Ideas To Give Your Sustainable Friend

Giving gifts is a wonderful way to show you care, and it is well worth the time and effort to get it right, as a gift that is truly personal is the very best way to go. It is true, sometimes it is the thought that has to count as we don't know the person well enough to be totally on target, but if that is the case I'd say go with sustainable and eco conscious gifts, as you really can't go too wrong with lovely wooden brushes and handmade soap, or an interesting market bag! Have some friends and family or even coworkers that would appreciate sustainable gifts? Keep on reading so that you'll have a bunch of good ideas up your sleeve when you need them!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! Phew, after a very busy Purim holiday on Friday that went straight into shabbat, we are all exhausted, but had a wonderful action packed holiday. Friday afternoon is generally a time to prepare for shabbat in a hopefully relaxed stress free way, and some are even able to take a nap, as they have done most of the prep work on Thursday. This year, it was as if shabbat wasn't going to come, and those of us in charge had to steer the ship in that direction by trying to clean up and do all the usual preparations while the rest of the folks were oblivious! So be it, on the other side of lots of wine and treats we are all feeling a bit sluggish, but hey, with Passover in just one month tomorrow starts Spring cleaning! And I think this year I'm going to do a little bit each day in my studio, as it is a wreck.....and then hopefully I'll cross the finish line with an organized space for creativity! Speaking of creativity, the features from last week's party are inspiring, with something for everyone. So yes, get that Spring cleaning underway, but leave some time for creativity!

A Mixed Media Peacock Painting For Purim!

When Purim is at the doorstep and there is so much to do, and yet this year with no crowd to host the pressure to do it all is somewhat reduced, so you paint a peacock, because it reminds you of royalty and castles and castle gardens, which certainly could be connected to Purim! Okay, that does not mean that there is not loads of bags of groceries and all kinds of preparations to do, but hey, when you are on a mission to be an artist, you know one that actually sells their art, well you have to show up and make art, lots of it, even when Purim is calling.....

And friends, this is clearly not a highly detailed 20 plus hour painting, I did this in a few hours or so.....and I already had the under-painting on hand, keep reading to see what it is!

DIY Carrot Gift Tags For Purim!

The pressure is on folks, with Purim happening tomorrow night, and that means I must fit in a few creative projects, because otherwise the holiday just wouldn't feel right, to me that it, I don't think anyone will notice. Thanks to the large plastic bag pom poms on our living room now for months, well the house looks like it is ready for a party anytime, phew! That said, the mishloach manot, gifts of food for neighbors and friends and teachers (I'm done with that!) and folks we need for acknowledge or give thanks to, does need to happen! For the past two years I've given everyone a really nice selection of homemade Moroccan salads, but this year it feels like a bit too much, so I'm going the healthy route with a large quinoa mixed veggie salad, some spelt rolls and maybe some corriander pesto. Since the them is "healthy" and I have some adobrable little rabbit shaped plastic bags for the rolls, I figured a carrot gift tag fits the bill. Not quite sure how this all will come together, I'm running to the store right now, as I can't exactly put salad in recycled oatmeal containers, can I. No, not even in a plastic bag inside the oatmeal container, that sounds weird as well. Wishing everyone joyful holiday preparations, and please, no perfection, just simcha!

And on that note of perfection, this is actually one of the first times that I've actually planned ahead with the gift tag before the gift, there were plenty of years when I made a gorgeous gift basket but forgot about the importance of the tag. Just sayin' everything in its time!

Cutest Ever Clown Cake Or Cupcake Topper Craft!

DIY clown cake toppers that could also be adorable cupcake toppers are not only perfect for a circus theme birthday, but also Purim, coming up this week! And these were actually made from stuffed paper hearts, left over from another occasion, so it is also a recycling craft! Lets face it, presentation is everything, so if you need a cake, don't worry about spending hours on icing, make something you know is delicious and then top it with simple icing and the cutest clown cake toppers ever, and you've got a winner!

I have actually pulled this craft out of the archives to share with you, as this Purim is looking a little bit different this year, and since my house looks like Purim year round, there isn't too much pressure to decorate. Okay, I will whip up some new things of course, but not until later this week, when there may not be time to share them. Okay, lets learn how to make these adorable cake toppers!

A Giant Origami Clown Dressed Up As A Bird, For Purim!

I am reposting this because it is one of my all time favorites, and really festive. Plus you can use wrapping paper that you have hanging around, and it is the perfect size to put on your front door. Enjoy, and excuse me while I go figure out what decorations to make this year? Truthfully, the house is already decorated with lots of plastic bag pom poms and all my winter crafting, so it already looks like Purim, but there are a few things I'd like to fit in, on the other hand the art is calling!

A giant origami clown makes a great decoration for the front door especially for the Jewish month of Adar and the holiday of Purim, and also of course anytime you're expecting guests for a festive occassion of any kind! And just in case you were wondering, my clown also happens to either be a bird dressed like a clown, or a clown dressed like a bird, you decide! Or maybe I could just eliminate the beak and it would be a giant origami clown angel? And can you guess what those ready-made wings were made from? Keep reading for the answer!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here !his is week is going to be packed with getting ready for Purim, which starts on Thursday night. There are of course some decorations I want to make but since Purim will be happening on a much smaller scale this year, and my house already looks quite festive, there really isn't too much pressure......the gifts of food for neighbors do need to be made however, and with Purim happening right before shabbat, giving something that can be enjoyed on the shabbat table is especially nice.  I don't know if I have the time this year to make the selection of Moroccan salads that I spoiled everyone with in previous years, we will just have to see how the week unfolds! So, there is no time like the present to share with you all the wonderful features from last week's party, enjoy!

How to Connect With Your Mother As An Adult

Mothers are our everything growing up, but many unfortunately find the relationship strained in adulthood. Maybe you've just gotten so busy with your own family that you've lost touch, or perhaps you two always had differences, and not seeing eye-to-eye as an adolescent only caused you to drift further when you become a full-fledged adult. No matter what the reason, wanting to connect with your mom is a wonderful thing, and there are ways you can do it that feels comfortable and natural to the both of you.

Keep in mind that if you've been distanced for a while, it might be awkward in the early stages of rebuilding your relationship. Don't let this deter you; stay open to the idea of building a close bond and don't shy away from moments of vulnerability. These are the moments that generally bring us closest to others.

Keep on reading to learn four tips to get you started, there is no time like the present, so lets do this!

New Life for Your Old House: 5 Easy Restoration Tips

Have you always dreamed of owning a historic old house, whether it be a farmhouse, a craftsman cottage, or a stone house in an exotic European location? Or maybe it's a cottage in Northern Sweden that you can buy for a small sum, or a historic storefront in a small American town? This dream can become a reality, but one must be very very realistic about what is actually involved, and this dream can cost a pretty penny and possibly a few headaches plus. It might make more sense to simply take advantage of all the great airbnb rentals out there, but if you really want a place of your own, so do educate yourself before embarking on the journey!Restoring an old house is not an easy task, and there are many things to think about. Does the roof need replacing? Where to start first, from the basement or from the top floor? Regardless of possible challenges you may face, there are some universal guidelines that you should follow. In this article you will find five easy-to-follow tips that will help you as you navigate the project of making the old house of your dreams into a livable home. Wishing you all the best!

DIY Cardboard Castle Centerpiece

A fun DIY castle centerpiece made from recyclables is truly up my alley, and so this project from the past is still one of my very favorites. Come to think of it, this castle centerpiece is really a quick project, so what am I waiting for.....with Purim in just a week now would be the time to whip up a new one! If you know me, well then I certainly have a shoebox and various cardboard tubes hanging out just waiting to be used, so no excuses really except that life is very busy at the moment. 

Now as far as you dear reader are concerned, a colorful castle crafted by mom or the kids or both, could be a fantastic centerpiece for the Purim sueda (meal). There's so many ways to go with this one as far as materials and size. And if you don't need a centerpiece so how about a castle mishloach manos? Just build your castle on the lid of  the shoe box and voila! I think I may just have to use that idea myself, for the kid's teachers that is, who deserve something really special, and are expecting something creative! I guess that's the price one pays when you don't hide your crafty ways! (Note: I have yet to actually try this, so if you do, please send photos!)

Okay, shall we make a fun castle to grace our party table, Purim, birthday party or castle themed event? Lets get started.......