creative jewish mom

Simple Crocheted Flower Pattern Using The Popcorn Stitch

The almond trees are now in bloom here in Northern Isreal, so it is a great time to whip up some simple little crocheted flowers that can be used in so many ways for spring crafting. Now let me tell you, this little 2 row flower is no ordinary crocheted flower as it is puffy, on account of the popcorn stitch which is used to form the petals, and since I used chunky yarn, these little guys have a depth of around 1/2", which means they make perfect appliques for all kinds of decorative accessories such as pillows, wall hangings, garlands, you name it!

Looking for a stash buster project, this just may be it! These little puffy flowers work up quickly, and of course are a great take-along project. So grab all those little left overs and be sure to put a hook and some small balls of yarn in your bag for using up all those spare moments here and there! Speaking from experience I'd say with these flowers the more the merrier and come to think of it they would look fantastic randomly placed across a coverlet or bedspread, with some areas tightly packed and some with lots of space around them. Sounds dreamy, so lets get started!

Simple Origami Fruit Is The Perfect Last Minute Tu B'Shevat Craft

I'm really not sure how Tu B'Shevat managed to sneak up on me just like that, but that aside, with the holiday coming tomorrow night now would be the time to whip up a few fun crafts and then run to the store and buy as many kinds of fruit (and nuts) as you possibly can to truly celebrate in style! It isn't about quantity but about variety, so go for it! And speaking of variety, with this simple origami fruit craft you really can make a variety of fruit! Think orange paper for an orange, yellow paper for a lemon, green and red paper for apples, and purple paper for a plum!

Now, if you need a quick centerpiece, or something large to hang, go ahead and use the largest paper you can find to make fruit that really make a statement. Solid color wrapping paper might also work if it is thick enough, or simply double it up.

Crocheted Hearts Wall Hanging From The Archives

How about making a crocheted hearts wall hanging to remind someone that you love them? I made this crocheted hearts and leaves wall hanging using a real branch, to hang in my daughter's room four yeas ago, and while it did sag just a bit towards the end of its run, all in all it was a huge success. Now we are in the process of redecorating my daughter's room, so the wall hanging has come down, but it is still such a wonderful project that I thought I'd share it with you again!

I did spend some time working up some more of these cherry blossom popcorn stitch hearts in new colors, (check them out here, with an additional row too) and I may just remake the wall hanging using those, we'll just have to see how it goes! I've also developed a few crocheted leaves inspired by this one, so stay tuned for that as well, and let me know if you give this project a try!

Crocheted Cherry Blossom Heart Is Super Sweet!

It is now the Jewish month of Shevat, so dear friends it is certainly time to start thinking about crafts for Tu B'Shevat, the holiday which celebrates the new year for the trees. Yes, really, trees have a new year's too, isn't that amazing?  While much of the Western World celebrates the tree in December, we do it around February, just as winter is coming to an end and the very first stirrings of spring and re-birth are happening. The first blossoms in Israel (which happens around Tu B'Shevat give or take) are those of the almond tree, whose blossoms are very much like cherry blossoms, so I'd say this sweet crocheted cherry blossom center heart qualifies as a craft for Tu B'Shevat! And of course, you can never have too many hearts!

For those of you who have been hanging around Creative Jewish Mom long enough, you may recognize this heart, as I used it to make a crocheted hearts wall hanging four years ago. The wall hanging doesn't match my teenage daughter's new room decor, but the pattern is still great, so I'm creating with it once again, with a few changes of course!

DIY: Rope Wrapped Spoon For Your Rustic Fall Table Or Boho Wall Hanging

As I'm sure you can relate, once one comes upon a simple DIY with great results, such as my rope wrapped apples, the tendency is to see how else to use the new technique, right? So my friends, I now present to you the rope wrapped wooden spoon, a fun DIY craft that just might add a special touch, or even a humorous touch to your Fall tablescape, or your beachy kitchen decor, or maybe as a great gift topper for the cooks in your life? You could also use your rope wrapped spoon as a rod to hang a kitchen sign or sorts, use them in multiples for a boho macrame inspired wall hanging, maybe with tassels, or even better, come up with your own great use for this interesting object!

And if you start wrapping the whole house in rope, well, I'd love the see the results! In the mean time, here's how I wrapped my wooden spoon with rope:

DIY: Rope Wrapped Apples Look Great Year Round

If you are looking for a quick craft to add some cozy rustic charm to your home, this dear readers might just do the trick. These DIY rope covered apples are so simple to make that you can surely whip up a whole bowl full in an hour or so. Of course if you start calling all your friends to tell them about this great craft you found, well that may just increase your crafting time, so I'd say craft and then tell! Or in this case, Pin, if you would be so kind?

Rope, in this case the thinnest one I could find at my local hardware store, is great for making things that have that rustic feeling I'm craving this fall, and really can be used for so many things. I have made a crocheted rope heart, as well as a knit rope pot holder with this same cotton two ply chord/rope, and it really is exactly the right thickness for wrapping small to medium sized items.

Ready to get wrapping? Here we go.......................

The DIY Five Minute Paper Plate Clock

Who wouldn't want to make this fun DIY paper plate clock, especially since it takes just five minutes? True you'll need to have the clock mechanism and a favorite paper plate on hand, but the rest is quite simply one of my very favorite projects. Add a touch of Fall color to your home, or a little something unexpected for a very small investment, and you can always change the plate when your heart desires! And now you have a great excuse to buy some cute paper plates, or a way to use up a few plates that are hanging around with no purpose in site, ready?

Recycled Magazine Page Feathers

Feathers are such a lovely thing to make out of paper, and with Yom Kippur in just two days, and Succot following four days after that, well there is no time like the present than to whip up some great recycled magazine page feathers yourself! Jewish holidays aside, they'd also look just lovely in a baby's room if done in pastel colors, and in a child's room done in brights. Make a really big one and frame it for some gorgeous wall art! (Just thought of that, gotta try it, just wish i had an oblong frame........)

On Yom Kippur we liken ourselves to angels as much as possible, and feathers are certainly a great symbol for that, right? Tape a few feathers on your door, or anywhere, just use removable tape, and then mount those feathers to some thick cardboard, or even put them in a frame as a lovely decoration for the succah! Of course they'd also look great hanging from a hoop, dream catcher style, or strung as a garland, so make a bunch!

They really are so simple to make, so lets get started, shall we?

Simple DIY Wooden Letter Wall Art

I just love this rustic wooden "heart" wall art that was hanging over a bed in one of our vacation rentals in the Adirondacks a few weeks ago. This would be lovely in a baby's room, as part of the decor at a DIY country style wedding, or sheva brachas, or for any event really, customized of course! So, while I didn't make this, I can certainly see how it was made, and it is great inspiration to use in so many ways. Spell out a child's name, a favorite place, or even another word like hope, smile, dream, enjoy.........or even a funny word that refers to a family joke. All you need are some letters and a low wooden box or square tray, and you're good to go! I actually have been saving some chess boards that look just like this, and now I know what to do with them......now where exactly are those chess boards, hmmm. (This week I am hard at work cleaning out my craft room, so I'm sure they'll show up soon!)

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!