creative jewish mom

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!

Welcome To Craft Schooling Sunday!

 

Welcome to Craft Schooling Sunday, thanks so much for joining me here! The summer is just zooming by, and I'm hoping to get in my crocheting by the lake dreams realized in just a few weeks, can't wait! We are heading out for our yearly rondezvous with family in North America, so I'm now scrambling to come up with a bunch of content so I don't have to hang a "gone fishing" sign!

Fortunately I do have a ton of travel photos to share, and funny thing is, I have yet to share all the photos from last years vacation, but will be posting those over the next few weeks, just in time to share some more, hopefully equally as interesting as last years, fingers crossed! And now for the features from last week's party, really truly amazing creativity, enjoy.DIY decoupage side table from style safari, and this adorable pineapple zippered bag from flamingo toes.

DIY pom pom high heels from the style safari, fun and great looking wooden bead beach bracelets from howling at the moon.

Quick Crocheted Summer Basket Using T-Shirt Yarn

In the mood to crochet something that is so useful you'll want to make a whole bunch to use this summer? Whip up one of these quick crocheted summer baskets to use in your home or at the beach or just about anywhere, and believe me, you'll be so happy you did! Need a fun hostess gift or a way to welcome some house guests? Fill the basket with toiletries or something fun and you're good to go! And assuming you choose some baskets that are on the small side (like mine), you could easily use this idea to make great party favors, teacher appreciation gifts or even to make some great looking storage baskets for your home.

Lets get started, shall we?

Square Wreath With Felt Flowers Is Sweet Anytime!

The Jewish holiday of Shavuout starts tonight, and our door is decorated with this sweet little square wreath adorned with felt flowers! (A little disclaimer: door wreaths are decidedly un-Jewish if you delve into their origin, and I generally try not to use the word wreath, but for the sake of folks finding this post, well I just couldn't think of another word that would suffice.) Round floral wreaths are a symbol of military funerals and memorial day, so I went with a fun variation of a square wreath which actually reminds me of a trellis, perfect!

This project came about as I had a bunch of felt chrysanthemum flowers left over from my felt flower napkin ring project, and I have to say, I just love it! Change out the little banner (which reads chag sa-may-ach, with a gutteral ch that is, translated happy holiday) and this project could be perfect for so many occasions, or just as sweet as can be in a baby's room. Ready to whip up one of these square wreaths, using supplies that you likely have on hand (assuming you have a big bag of felt that needs using up, like I did, did, being the operative word, yippee!) let's get started.

DIY Snowglobes Using Recycled Jars

Okay dear readers, here is it, my daughter's current number one favorite craft, made by her, photographed by me, and of course encouraged by me as well! DIY snow globes using recycled jars has been on my mind for months, and I keep wanting to make them for specific holidays and just never get around to it. Fortunately my daughter got bitten by the creative bug and finally decided to put those baby food jars and that glycerin waiting patiently in the cabinet to good use. We are just thrilled with the results and just need to find some more subject material to make some more!

DIY snow globes can me made with recycled jars of any size, and if you want to make something for a toddler you could use a plastic spice bottle or some other plastic container. True the results won't be as gorgeous as glass, but certainly much safer!

You'll really only need a few simple supplies for this one, so let's get crafting!

Recycled Cardboard Tube Logs, A Fun Craft For Lag B'Omer!

Here's a fun recycled cardboard tube craft, in this case I used paper towel tubes, that is perfect just about any time really......though of course with the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer coming up, that is what I have made them for. Lag B'Omer involves bonfires, generally really huge ones in our neck of the woods, so all things log and campfire related are perfect. It is true, many Lag B'Omer bonfires are fueled by olive oil, or made from towers of crates and palettes and old furniture, but logs are just so much cuter, I'm sure you'll agree!

So lets make a bunch of cute logs, faux bois style, shall we? Oh, haven't heard of faux bois? That may just be a crafting faux pas, so lets get you up to steam. Faux bois means fake wood, namely anything with a wood grain pattern or made to look like branches, even sculpted. Are you with me? Now lets get crafting and doodling!

Toilet Paper Tube Butterfly Craft Plus Doodling Equals Fabulous!

Yesterday was Holocaust Remembrance Day, and it turns out that the butterfly is actually a symbol used in Holocaust Education (check out my previous post, here) and a yellow one turns out to be even more timely.......and so you see the craft that I was thinking was just too cheerful to post yesterday is actually right on time! Speaking of right on time, I'm so happy to present to you this toilet paper tube butterfly that is just so darn cute and makes a great project for all ages........make it a true work of art, or stick to patterns really seen on butterfly wings, you decide! Either way, no one will confuse your results with something made in nursery school with pipe cleaner antennae, not that I'm knocking that, just giving the toilet paper tube butterfly a higher ranking in the crafting world!

This guy has been sitting on my picture ledge in our kitchen table gallery, and he is just so much fun I hope to make some more, and maybe even a much larger one using a paper towel tube! Ready to get started? Okay, lets fly with this one........