creative jewish mom

Happiness Is A Jar Full Of Tiny Origami Paper Stars

I truly wish it were that simple, don't you? Truthfully, it really can be, and for starters it is all about putting things in perspective, being happy with your lot, and recognizing the need to be grateful for all the good you do have, not to mention for every moment and every morning that you wake up, as nothing is certain! On the other hand making tiny paper stars might come easily to some of us, while to others making a jar full of these would be torture. And that my friends is sort of like happiness: easy to come by for some and really difficult to achieve for others, sadly enough. And in case you are wondering, I do mean a deep sense of fulfillment as well as joyful moments, and hopefully some exhilarating ones as well, as true happiness is a combination of all of the above, and then some.

So, while it may sound a bit cliche, happiness can truly be a jar of origami stars, that put a smile on your face every time you look at them, that add that just perfect cute factor to your day, that brought together your family in an activity, or that became a sweet baby mobile for a new mommy. Right now that jar of stars that has been sitting on our dining room table for a few weeks now is just exactly what it is, a jar of paper stars that I made one at a time, and I love it! The combination of colors, the joyfulness of it, and the fact that it is not trying to be anything other than what it is.

Ah yes, so maybe that is another key to happiness, being true to who we are? In my case I am being true to who I am by writing this post in the first place, and by actually displaying this jar of stars front and center in my home. Do I need others to understand anything about this jar? No, loud and clear, no, on the other hand if you are reading this you likely do understand, and our mutual understanding across the seas creates global happiness, which is quite a significant thing to think about. I am rambling, so please don't think about it too much, just get yourself some quilling paper and make yourself a little jar of happiness, and then spread it!

A DIY Birthday Crown For Every Age

In our home a birthday just isn't a birthday without a birthday crown! Well, except for my birthday, as I have yet to make one for myself! As it turns out, these colorful and very simply birthday crowns, that can truly be made in around ten minutes if need be, are great photo props, and of course you can always take a few photos after the party at some point, just as long as the birthday girl/boy/man/woman agrees to wear the crown! If you really want to go all out, you can also make crowns for everyone, with the birthday crown being just a big bigger and maybe more decorated, and by putting the crowns at every place setting at the table the party decor is also greatly enhanced. Plus, once everyone puts on their crown it really does feel like a party! I did this once with toilet paper tube crowns, and of course that was quite silly and lots of fun, so do give the idea of crowns all around a try, regardless of which crowns you choose. Okay, lets make a simple DIY birthday crown, shall we?

Simple DIY Polka Dot Balloons

Looking for a super simple way to transform inexpensive helium balloons in to something special for a party? Polka dot balloons are so simple to make and can be made with a wide variety of materials, so keep this in mind next time you are thinking about how to enhance the party decor you've just whipped up for a special someone! I made these pastel polka dot balloons for my daughter's 18th birthday a few weeks ago and they really did look amazing, especially given the minimal time investment. And just by the way, a few helium balloons tied to a base of some kind can make a wonderful and very cost conscious centerpiece for a wide variety of occassions, especially for example bar mitzvah centerpieces, bat mitzvah centerpieces, family reunion centerpieces, brit milah centerpieces and more of course. I was looking for an airy bright look so I choose white balloons, but you can certainly go with a dark colored balloon and white or metallic polka dots, which could look festive and sophisticated and downright amazing! Okay, lets delve into polka dot balloons just a bit deeper.....

Simple Cloud Cake Toppers Are Cute For Any Occasion!

I am rushing to post this cloud cake topper DIY as tonight is the beginning of the 9 day mournign period on the Jewish calendar, and we certainly won't be throwing any parties.That said I wanted to post this now as a message to all those who might be trying their hand at illustration or painting: save anything you do on heavy paper, you can cut it up and use it in a pinch! As I was trying to pull together a whole display of fun party decor for my daughter's 18th birthday, I spied a small pile of illustrations I'd made two plus years ago, and realized that the little gouche cloud illustration would be perfect to cut up and use on her cake, and phew, it came together really quickly with sweet as can be results. I also used some watercolor strawberry paintings we'd done together years ago, so really, save those art projects, they don't take up much space, and who knows, maybe you, like me, will be pressed for time and needing something to cut up and transformi into a cake topper! Actually come to think of it, if I hadn't already cut up the watercolor strawberry and used it in a centerpiece, that would have been a really adorable cake topper too! I think I may just repost that tutorial next. Okay, lets take a closer look at these cute cloud cake toppers that would be perfect for just about any occasion that warrants a cake and a message!

And I just realized that this could also be a post about how to make a quick cake stand, like the one you see here, so keep on reading for that!

5 Minute Paper Cake Toppers Using Your Old Art

Today is my daughter's 18th birthday, and so after 18 years of raising her and throwing birthday parties with lots of homemade decorations and cute DIY cakes I got it together rather at the last minute and pulled off a really cute birthday surprise complete with lots of recycling crafts that I can't wait to share. The thing is, tonight is the beginning of a very sad 9 day mourning period on the Jewish calendar, so while I'm posting the DIY birthday cake decorations today, I think the rest will have to wait until after T'isha B'av so that my blog reflects what is actually going on in our minds and hearts during this time. My daughter was fortunate to have been born on the last day of the month of Tammuz, when throwing a birthday party (without music) is still allowed, so phew for her!

Now, lets get down to business! I have always made paper cake toppers using illustrations and cut paper with skewers or toothpicks, so why stop now? My daughter is now the baker in the house, and while she thought of baking her own cake, she didn't have time, so I sent my son up to the bakery to buy one, so that I could spend my time on the decorations! Things were a bit pressed for time, and when I had completed everything, whoops, what about the cake? I almost thought of not decorating the cake, but banished that thought and instead whipped up some five minute cloud cake decorations using a gouche cloud illustration I had on hand from two years ago!

The lesson here is, don't throw away all those art experiments or practice sheets, you can always cut them up to make cake decorations! And boy was I happy at the moment I realized I could just cut out some of the painted clouds, write a few words on them and voila, a cute cake topper was born! Okay, lets take a look at the gouche art I used (or something similar, actually) and get to work!

Simple Balloon Cactus Is Perfect Anytime!

This balloon cactus party centerpiece idea is truly a keeper, and I will very likely be making many many more of these simple balloon cacti in the future. I tend to need ideas that can be made for 8 to 10 tables, on a budget, and this is perfect! I can't take credit for this idea, but I can take credit for using egg cartons to make the cactus flowers, which I just love! I made these cactus balloons for my son's birthday party this past shabbat, and since the parsha of the week was bamidbar (which means "in the dessert") well, the cactus theme was just perfect! The truth was I was in a big hurry and we happen to have lots of cactus themed items in our house, so I rounded all of them up to fill the table and dining room with festive items in keeping with the theme. Ah yes, and all the decorations had to be things that I could quickly assemble or bring into the room Friday night after everyone had left the house to go to the synagogue, as we have a custom of making the birthday a "surprise".  Phew, another festive birthday accomplished, with all the usual fixings! Okay, lets learn how to whip up these festive cactus balloon centerpieces, and with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot quickly approaching (Thursday night) this might be something to make for that as well, perfect infact!

Just one little warning, some folks will think that these are chickens, but just ignore them as they are obviously cacti! (Though I can't wait to make some chickens too.......)

Simple Cake Topper Banner In A Pinch!

Wow, what a week, five girls in my daughter's class got engaged, and our heads are spinning! (Not to worry Mom, your granddaughter isn't getting engaged anytime soon, as far as we know, but the future is approaching quickly!) When after 3 engagements, the fourth engagement was between the son and daughter of two old friends of mine, we nearly fainted, but there was no time for that, as once the announcement is made there are many preparations that need to happen for the official evening celebration. And now with the Corona restrictions folks are having what we call a "vort" (an announcement) and the actual engagement party (in Israel often done in a wedding hall with many guests, a small version of the wedding to come) on the same night, at the house of the bride. Fortunately the bride has many friends in her class and neighbors all pitch in to make the event happen, which of course includes a fancy desert bar.

Our kitchen became a bakery with sugar and flour and chocolate flying as my daughter worked at top speed to produce many beautiful deserts. Another friend ran to the store to buy some of the necessities as my daughter got to work, and I volunteered to whip up some cupcake toppers and a cake topper. I don't usually print cake toppers, but my homemade versions wouldn't be suitable for an occasion like this, so introducing my first ever printed cake topper! Of course the topper was just the topper, the little two-tiered cake was just as sweet as can be.

How To Plan A Virtual Birthday Party, Invitation And All!

As you may know, birthday parties are one of my favorite ways to show loved ones how special they are, and are a great opportunity to get those creative gears turning, especially when it comes to original decorations and simple yet festive cakes. Now that most of us are staying home and practicing social distancing, one can still throw a memorable birthday party, just with a new twist, a virtual birthday party! The party hosts could even be in a different location from the honoree, amazing! The other really nice thing about a virtual birthday party is that you can invite as many people as you like and certainly friends and family that would not normally attend because of geographical distance. So no reason to be sad, this may just be the birthday party of a lifetime! And if we are fortunate to see a speedy end to the Corona virus epidemic before the date of your planned party, the locals can always come to your house, nothing lost only gained, as this year you included loved ones from afar!

For those folks who do not have a computer in their home, or possibly do not have a computer for family use, this idea can still work! Follow all the non-virtual ideas and then connect on the phone via conference call. Ask all the party participants to take photos and send them to you, and wonderful memories will also be made! Okay, lets get started, as depending on when that upcoming birthday is, and where all your invitees live, near or far (?) time might be of the essence!

A Gorgeous Candy Topped Engagement Cake

Want to make a really stunning cake that will surely bring oohs and aahs all around? The candy and cookies topped cake trend is just the thing, especially for folks like me who do not want to spend hours on a cake! And one could surely buy an iced cake, even a high cheese cake from the grocery store and simply decorate the top. "Simply" meaning assuming you have an assortment of really great looking candy and cookies, which, if we in our somewhat remote Northern Israel location can purchase at the store, you surely can!

Before I continue, let me just say, I did not bake and decorate this cake, but my teen daughter did, with a friend, together with the friend's semi-professional cake baking sister. My daughter's school had been cancelled but we hadn't started taking the strictest measures to prevent the spread of the Corona virus, so when daughter asked to go to a friend's house to learn how to ice a fancy cake I said yes, after all my daughter loves making desserts and this was an opportunity to learn something new. And, the cake they were to make was to give to friend for her engagement party dessert table that same week. In the end the engagement party was cancelled, but my daughter delivered the cake to her friend just the same, an amazing act of kindess at a time like this.

Of course before that cake went out the door we (myself and daughter who is delving into photography a bit) took some photos to share with you! Now sure would be a great time to learn some new skills in the kitchen, whether it be fancy cake decorating (my daughter) or possibly setting up a way to make our own sprouts (me), right?

DIY Origami Crane Mobile To Welcome Spring

After sharing with you my photos of cranes migrating over Northern Israel I realized that origami cranes are a perfect craft right now, so I've dusted off my origami crane mobile from 8 years ago to present to you once again! While most of the origami I've done lately has been giant origami to use as wall decor for Purim (giant origami clowns here, giant origami birds here), or table decor for a birthday party, (giant origami stand up giraffes, here) making origami cranes using actual origami paper is just so very satisfying, and the results are truly delightful. Add an extra dose of cuteness by including some pom poms and voila, an amazing mobile or wall hanging is born!

With so many folks finding themselves unexpectedly at home, together with the kids, due to the Corona virus, learning a new skill that takes time and patience is a great way to pass the time, rather than listening to too much news and just zoning out in a state of worry. So why not fold as many paper cranes as possible, string them together and make a cheerful mobile? Okay, lets do it!