creative jewish mom

Going to a Kid’s Birthday Party: Which Gift to Buy?

Above: Every gift becomes more amazing when placed in a fun DIY gift box, more info here.

Have you been invited to a birthday party for a friends’ child? If so you may be wondering what present to bring? I love to give something handmade together with a purchased item to make it as personal as can be, and since I have kids of all ages in my life choosing something everyone will enjoy is part of the fun. If you are facing difficulties however, not to worry, I'm sharing some ideas here to help you out!

And just by the way, if there are siblings in the picture you might like to remember them as well with some small prizes or a small gift to avoid anyone feeling left out. Gift bags filled with an assortment of inexpensive prizes from the dollar store are a budget friendly and fun way to go. I just did that for a four year old and she was so excited she insisted on going to sleep with all the prizes beside her. She didn't even notice what her seven year old brother received! 

7 Ways To Make DIY Gift Wrap: Fun For All Ages!

 

With Chanukah on the distant horizon, as well as gift giving season for many, it is nonetheless quickly approaching, so now is a great time to get those creative gears spinning with some fun projects to save for the future: DIY wrapping paper! The fun part about creating your own wrapping paper is that it is fun for all ages, and seeing little ones light up later on when their creations have been used to wrap gifts is just too precious to miss! DIY gift wrap is also a great way to practice some painting skills, or become familiar with all the fun ways one can print shapes, namely with potatos, sponges, kitchen tools, leaves, you name it! Ah yes, and then there is doodling and exploring the wide variety of art supplies with which to make  DIY wrapping paper, whether it be watercolor paint, acrylic paint, simple kid's craft paint, stamp pads, or markers! Lets take a look at the seven ways we've made DIY gift wrap over the past ten years or so, and enjoy. After your wrapping paper had dried, roll it up, put it in a safe place and use as needed!

Crocheted Newborn Baby Bear Hat And Booties

Looking for a quick crocheted gift for a new baby? Look no further, this is it, simple and adorable and the kind of crochet project to whip up in numbers! These quick crocheted booties can be customized to your liking (I added the picot trim and later and ankle tie so they'll stay on) and the hat is adorable as is, but go to town if you so desire! Crochet this newborn hat and booties set in any color, and the results will warm the hearts of the new parents, guaranteed! So lets get crocheting, as little handmade gifts like these are always great to have on hand, even if there is no newborn on the horizon. Charity gifts for newborns are also a great way to add joy to the world, so give that a thought as well.

Crocheted Newborn Quick Baby Booties

Crocheted booties are the perfect little gift to show your love when a new baby graces your family, circle of friends, or community. (This would be a great charity pattern as well!) And once you've got the pattern down, you can surely crochet these in the car on the way to visit the newborn, or in my case, on the way to the brit! Well not these exact booties, but I have been know to crochet an entire sweater in the car, mind you I had a few hours. Crocheted booties are a fun little gift, a great way to add a homemade touch to a large gift, and something one can make to use up little odds and ends of yarn as they take very little! After I took these photos I did add a crocheted tie, which I threaded through the ankle, very useful so the booties will stay on baby's foot, and not get lost. Happy crocheting and mazel tov!

Crocheted Flower Mobile Is Perfect For Every Occasion

A few months ago I shared my crocheted t-shirt yarn flowers, and guess what, I actually put them to use as birthday party mobile that phased nicely into Tu B'Shevat decorations, that are now phasing into Purim decorations! So for the past few months a pink crocheted flower mobile has been hanging over our dining room table, and some of the numerous guests have commented how lovely it looks, not realizing that it was actually a seasonal decoration. The great thing about this crocheted mobile is that you can hang the strands from a light fixture, as I have done, or simply attach them to a hoop. And once you crochet the flowers, assembling this spring blossom mobile is oh so simple, gotta love that! This would also be a perfect baby mobile.......wedding photo backdrop, bat mitzvah backdrop, you name it! And the individual crocheted glower garlands would look lovely hanging from a tree or really just about anywhere, just a few or a huge amount, you decide. Get a huge bunch of friends together, get lots of skeins of t-shirt yarn, and you can have yourself a great party backdrop that can then be repurposed into baby mobiles for the whole world, or floral lampshades, or one could even sew these flowers onto a blanket. Okay, enough babbling, lets whip up a crocheted flower mobile!

DIY Cardboard Roosters That Can Stand Up

Ever thought about using some recycled cardboard to make some fun cardboard roosters? Truthfully, I hadn't either, but after making a black rooster and a white rooster, well I just want to make some more. I made them to use as stage props in a school play, but they'd look great in a child's room, or even in your kitchen, so have some fun and make a cardboard rooster, or two or three! Assuming you have a bit of paint on hand the rest of the supplies are basically free, so this is a budget friendly craft project as well......ah yes, and with the Jewish holiday of Purim coming, well filling the house with roosters and chickens could be quite festive, and certainly sure to bring a laugh. Okay, lets get started.......

Simple Crocheted Cactus In Bloom

It is true I may have missed the boat when it comes to the crocheted cactus trend, as I actually started this cactus back in July 2017, but truthfully after finally completing my first crocheted cactus and enjoying it a bit in my dining room, I think this is a trend that is worth keeping around. And if you follow my tutorial for making this crocheted cactus, you'll realize that this is actually a quick and simple crocheted cactus, and oh so simple to whip up! Better yet, whip up a whole collection and you'll be so happy you did, no water or light needed for you new garden, just some crocheting! And the great thing about this pattern is that you can use it to make cacti of all sizes, tall, wide, short, you name it! Okay, lets get crocheting!

Crocheted T-Shirt Yarn Pears

I have been wanting to crochet a pear for ages, partly to go with my daughter's pirum parum poster, and partly because who can resist a crocheted pear? And who can resist a crocheted pear that is big enough to be a pillow or couch prop, certainly not me, and I am truly in love with the results of taking a regular crocheted pear pattern and using t-shirt yarn to make it something different altogether, yippee! So, as you can see, once you start crocheting pears from t-shirt yarn you really have to crochet at least three, as they look just so amazing together, right? I was crocheting that black pear on a car trip with my husband and he had no idea what I was up to, and only saw the results when I gave it to him as a chanukah present......of course he didn't appreciate my efforts, but that is okay, I didn't really crochet it for him, but rather as some fun decor for our bedroom or any little spot in the house in need of some giant fruit! Okay friends, lets get crocheting......

Yom Kippur Craft Using Last Year's Calendar!

I am reposting this from last year, as it is just too great to pass by, and as a reminder to myself to make another with my 2018 calender!

I'll be the first to admit, crafts for Yom Kippur are rarely something I've had time for, as the holiday occurs just four days before Succot, for which I am crafting up a storm. That said, this year I am mending my ways and trying to post at least a few simple ideas for the holiday, as after all, every holiday deserves crafts right? This year I decided to try out some simple recycling craft techniques by creating a few things for Yom Kippur, and I'll be using those same techniques for Succah decorations as well. That is the plan anyway, but I just never know how things will go, as you know once the creative gears get turning, well there is no stopping them!

We are now at the beginning of the new Jewish year, so that means that recycling last year's calendar is not only perfect because well, obviously that calendar is no longer of use, but also because we are now in the period in which we making amends for all the things that didn't go so well last year, as well as giving thanks for all the things that did go well. The completion of a year, and the beginning of new one certainly means that using that old calendar for any recycling craft is meaninful and practical!

Ready to get started? Here we go:

Crocheted Flower Pillow With Applique

Here is the perfect home decor item to bring spring into your home, introducing the crocheted flower applique pillow. Hmm, or maybe it is called the pillow with crocheted flower applique, not quite sure, but in any case this one is a winner and I'm so happy that I've actually managed to complete a project that is going to great use in my home! Oh, and of course there isn't really a greater stash buster than this as you can mix and match as many colors as your little heart desires!

I don't know about you, but I'm a bit wary of crocheted pillows as far as wear and tear, not to mention the time involved, so this idea of crocheting flowers and then using them as applique on a woven pillow cover is just perfect. The pillow won't loose its shape and this can be quick or not so quick, depending on the size of your pillow and how many flowers you decide to crochet. Ah yes, and while you are at it, do take advantage of the fact that this is applique, and be sure to use some flowers with lots of depth, like these, as that really truly makes the pillow special.

I've been wanting to try this idea for years with a simple crocheted doily applique, but somehow this one snuck in at the head of the line, and I'm not arguing! Keep reading for some useful tips, and lets get crocheting!