creative jewish mom

DIY Bouquet From Paper Flowers And Quilling

It has been quite a few years since I delved into quilling, and thought I'd give it a try with my students to make some lovely paper bouquets for the upcoming Jewish holiday of Shavuot. I decided to combine paper flowers with quilling for the best results, as quilling requires a level of acuracy that many 11 year olds don't quite have. That said, with this piece as an example, the boys have actually created lovely bouquets, with quite a bit of help (sigh).

The main thing, I've realized, is that they feel proud of what they've made and have learned something in the progress. If they feel unable to arrange the flowers, okay, so be it, I'm there to make sure it goes right and that the end result will be a success. There are so many important areas of growth for kids who engage in crafts, and it isn't always just about them doing it all themselves, especially for those lacking confidence. Of course anything requiring drawing must be done with their hand, otherwise it looks like I did it, and with each project there is a give and take. Children who aren't happy with the end result, and don't receive good honest feedback at home might be inclined to quit, so forcing the idea of "do it all yourself" might not always be the best route. Proceed gently and when you do things for the child get them to at least try themselves first, or help make any design decisions.

Okay, back to the specifics of this project! I introduced the boys to the idea of quilling with the purple stalk flowers and various leaves and the rest of the flowers were made with simple paper flower techniques that can be done in felt as well. Okay, lets do it!

Cross Stitch on Cardboard Apple Craft

Pulling this one out of the archives from a mere two years ago, and now it is making me want to embroider, help!

I followed my own advice about making some cross stitch apple crafts (check out my first cross stitch apple craft here) for Rosh Hashana, and last night in the wee hours of the morning I made my son a birthday card featuring a slightly different cross stitch apple, and this time on cereal box cardboard. I'm happy with the results and wish I had time to do some more icons for Rosh HaShana, hmmm, maybe I do have the time? You'll be the first to see the results if I do, but in the mean time, think about how you can take this idea and use it for your upcoming celebration, whether it be a Fall birthday, a teacher appreciation gift, or, Rosh HaShana of course, coming up this Sunday night! Ah yes, and traditionally, the Jewish new year is the time to give cards, so if you need a special one, this could be perfect! Okay, time is of the essence, lets learn how I made this!

Apple Card Rosh HaShana Jewish New Year's Cards

Reposting this from 3 years ago and silly me, just realized that of course my son's birthday is coming up again so time to make him a card, like right now! You on the other hand may have a few days?

One of my sweet sons has a 17th birthday tomorrow, just two days shy of Rosh HaShana, and this year, unlike previous years when the men and boys travel out of town for the holiday leaving us women to bask in the freedom of just being women, ahhhh, but never mind, that is not happening this year, or so it seems, which means that for the first time in about ten years I have the chance to make a proper birthday party for my son on his actual birthday! Not all the family will have arrived back home from their various schools, but at least I can decorate!

Just in time for my birthday decor needs, my friend Amanda Evanston posted a video on her Facebook page showing how to make some artful cakes, in preparation for the opening of her private Facebook group, (to let in another batch of members, which only happens twice a year) so check out the video here, and consider treating yourself to a membership in her Insider's Group, totally amazing, and the biggest comitment you'll need to make is for a month, so given all the videos now available there, nothing lost. This is not a paid post, just spreading good news about something that could really change your art game, if you are up for it!

Okay, back to Rosh HaShana apple cake and birthday cake, which could in fact be one and the same as Rosh HaShana is the world's birthday, at least on the Jewish calendar, but available for all to celebrate, so feel free to join in! There will be honey cake and apples dipped in honey and dates and pomegranites and carrots and beets and pumpkin and leek and maybe even a fish head if you are lucky. (I just mentioned the symbolic foods we eat on the holiday.....we also eat several course festive meals and everyone listens to the blowing of the shofar, this year on Sunday only.)

Once again, I am going off on a tangent and you might like to paint some festive apples or a birthday cake, right? Okay, let's do it........

End Of Summer Thank You Card With Hand Lettering

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, which is sometimes true, and so I'm very happy to report once again, that my daughter also loves creativity and does hand lettering effortlessly! And while this card looks like brush markers, whoops, I forgot that on the trip we only had watercolors, so this is true brush lettering, then defined with a black pen! My mother "Bubbie" was gifted this thank you card on the last day of our wonderful visit, and of course she loved it! My youngest son saw what my daughter was doing and also painted a card, which was just totally heartwarming! So friends, pray that your kids will love creativity too, and make sure that they get exposure to a range of crafts so they can find something they love and perfect it! And at the end of the day if they just aren't interested, so be it, it just isn't in everyone's genes! Maybe music?

Embroidered Apple On Cardboard Rosh HaShana Card Craft

I followed my own advice about making some cross stitch apple crafts (check out my first cross stitch apple craft here) for Rosh Hashana, and last night in the wee hours of the morning I made my son a birthday card featuring a slightly different cross stitch apple, and this time on cereal box cardboard. I'm happy with the results and wish I had time to do some more icons for Rosh HaShana, hmmm, maybe I do have the time? You'll be the first to see the results if I do, but in the mean time, think about how you can take this idea and use it for your upcoming celebration, whether it be a Fall birthday, a teacher appreciation gift, or, Rosh HaShana of course, coming up this Sunday night! Ah yes, and traditionally, the Jewish new year is the time to give cards, so if you need a special one, this could be perfect! Okay, time is of the essence, lets learn how I made this!

Whimsical Bear Portraits Make Perfect Party Decor!

As you may realize, I have been delving into drawing and painting and sketchbooking and art journaling more than actual crafts this past year, but that does not mean that our house is suddenly lacking festive decorations, infact just the opposite. Because dear friends, brightly colored or whimsical paintings, whether on paper or in my case milk cartons and boxes make really wonderful party decor, come on by and take a look! These fun bear portraits are now part of my kitchen gallery shelves display, and I even taped a few to boxes so they can stand up. They would make amazing gift tags (they work up quickly, and the quicker the better!) or adorable greating cards, or once you get the hang of it, why not a huge portrait on your front door for Purim? Yes, Purim is coming up in a week, yikes, and a painting session to create some whimsical bears is certainly in order! Give your bears some added accessories, like the ones I've shown or maybe even a crown, or a birthday cake or a little bird? To give credit where credit is due, this idea is from Cottonwood Artistry, on instagram here, who actually posted an amazing how-to video on a private Facebook group, and I'm hoping she'll share it with the world, in which case I'll let you know! Okay, lets take a closer look......

Simple Doodle Trees Painting For Tu B'Shevat

Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year for fruit bearing trees is this coming Wednesday night, so now is the time to make some simple tree-themed crafts to fill your home with joy! We are fortunate to live in Israel where we witness the blooming of the very first fruit tree, the almond tree, right around the holiday, so the holiday is especially anticipated. This first sign of spring in the dead of winter is something very special. and certainly brings great joy to those of us who are paying attention. Of course school children celebrate this event and there is a song in hebrew about the blooming of the almond trees, but it is something special for every age. I generally photography the blooming almond trees each year, so stay tuned for that. In the mean time, lets get started with tree themed crafts by making a simple doodle tree painting, that you can enjoy just for the sake of creating something, or use as a sign, or even cut out the trees to make a garland, or napkin rings, or place cards for your Tu B'Shevat seder! Okay, time is of the essence, lets get started!

DIY Paint Splatter Paper For Holiday Crafting!

With Chanukah and gift giving season quickly approaching, now is a great time to have some fun making your own decorative paper for crafting! And while you are covering blank sheets of watercolor paper or mixed media paper with layers of colorful and messy drops, splatters and patterns, you may just learn a thing or two about abstract painting, and how colors work with one another, not to mention that putting paint to paper without a plan can be just downright relaxing and enjoyable! There are so many ways to use artful and vibrant painted paper like the sheets I've made here, and the main thing is not to get too hung up on how you'll use the paper, just make it and then based on the results the inspiration will come, hopefully. If not, you can always consult me for tips, and of course project ideas, which I'll be posting here, now that the topic is at hand. I already have one little project idea with the colorful square piece, now underway, which I'll share with you next, assuming it is shareable! Okay, lets get into the supplies you'll need and some tips for avoiding a huge mess!

Apple Cake Cards For Rosh HaShana, Or Someone's Birthday, Or Both?

One of my sweet sons has a 17th birthday tomorrow, just two days shy of Rosh HaShana, and this year, unlike previous years when the men and boys travel out of town for the holiday leaving us women to bask in the freedom of just being women, ahhhh, but never mind, that is not happening this year, or so it seems, which means that for the first time in about ten years I have the chance to make a proper birthday party for my son on his actual birthday! Not all the family will have arrived back home from their various schools, but at least I can decorate!

Just in time for my birthday decor needs, my friend Amanda Evanston posted a video on her Facebook page showing how to make some artful cakes, in preparation for the opening of her private Facebook group, (to let in another batch of members, which only happens twice a year) so check out the video here, and consider treating yourself to a membership in her Insider's Group, totally amazing, and the biggest comitment you'll need to make is for a month, so given all the videos now available there, nothing lost. This is not a paid post, just spreading good news about something that could really change your art game, if you are up for it!

Okay, back to Rosh HaShana apple cake and birthday cake, which could in fact be one and the same as Rosh HaShana is the world's birthday, at least on the Jewish calendar, but available for all to celebrate, so feel free to join in! There will be honey cake and apples dipped in honey and dates and pomegranites and carrots and beets and pumpkin and leek and maybe even a fish head if you are lucky. (I just mentioned the symbolic foods we eat on the holiday.....we also eat several course festive meals and everyone listens to the blowing of the shofar, this year on Sunday only.)

Once again, I am going off on a tangent and you might like to paint some festive apples or a birthday cake, right? Okay, let's do it........

Ice Cream Cone Gift Tags From A Recycled Ice Cream Cone Box!

Ice cream cone gift tags from an ice cream cone box are just the cutest and one of the quickest recycling crafts ever! As I was trying to clear out all the recycling items that I hoard, including a lovely pink ice cream cone box from a certain Israeli brand, the idea struck and within minutes, voila, two ice cream cone gift tags were born! And oh so relevant as my daughter whipped up an amazing cake that I'll be sharing next, (meaning there were some very photogenic cookies and candies to style the photo) making this week birthday week! In general I love saving graphics from boxes, especially vintage ones, and in the past I've cut up cardboard vegetable crates to make a set of play vegetables for kids, though once you start looking at boxes, don't just toss them, get creative. And of course most boxes can be turned inside out, decorated and used as gift boxes! I will admit I have a growing collection of tiny pharmacy and cosmetic boxes that I'm storing flat and will become a project, but am happy to have found a use for this larger ice cream cone box! Okay, I'm thinking that this is pretty self explanatory, but I'll be happy to give a list of supplies in case you are wondering about that cute striped string or anything else. Keep on reading!