creative jewish mom

DIY Paper Pomegranite On A Branch Craft

I have to admit, this is one of the cutest crafts I've done lately, and I just can't wait to make more! Perfect for Rosh HaShana, and then bring your pomegranite branches into the succah! Use them to fill vases, or make garlands for the table or to hang overhead, on LED lighting or on rings hung horizontally.......or how about as part of a placecard/napkin ring? However you choose to use this idea, make a bunch as they are truly adorable. The traditional green and red is fun, but how about neutral colors or something unexpected? Okay, lets get started........

Recycled Icecream Cone Box Birthday Garland!

I hope you will never throw out another food box with photos on it again, as cut-outs make the most adorable garlands, especially when the kids cut out the items and decorate them! This ice cream cone birthday garland for a beloved five year old was made together with him, though admittedly I did most of the work, but he did a great job making some abstract cherries and cutting out the cones! The black and white striped t-shirt yarn adds to the whole look, though of course black and white polka dot ribbon would also be great. So friends, recycle those food boxes with photos on them and make fun crafts. Boxes of cereal with collage of pom poms  and sequins could be great, hmmm, gotta do that! Get creative with this one and enjoy!

DIY Hiking And Camping Theme Birthday Cake

Have a friend or family member that loves hiking and climbing mountains? I have just the DIY hiking and camping theme cake decor idea for you, and truly it is quite a quick one, phew. My daughter just spent two weeks in the Western USA as a counselor for a hiking camp, that included Yosemite, The Grand Canyon, Brice Canyon and more, and so the cake for her birthday yesterday just had to reflect the amazing experience she had! Google line drawings for anything you'd like to include on the cake, and then draw them using the reference, or trace them, even right off your monitor if you need to. The idea of posting a flag at the top of a mountain could work for many occasions, so even if you don't have any birthdays coming up, keep this idea in mind!

Modular Origami Starbursts Make Perfect Succah Decorations!

Yes, you are reading correctly, modular origami starburts make great succah decorations, and now is the perfect stress-free time to delve into all kinds of paper crafts that can then be neatly saved and hung in the succah in a few months! I taught a group of 10 to 12 year old boys how to make these yesterday, and while it was difficult for some, others breezed right on through and took home something that looks like mine, though not quite as perfect, but still wonderful! I taught them that after we make something that we love, we feel joy from it and we should say ahhhhh! This was a new concept to them, but the boy who worked diligently at the table next to me did just that when he crossed the finish line! So friends, if you craft with children, don't forget to teach them to feel the tangible satisfaction and joy!

Origami is such a vast world with so many options from beginning to advanced, and I especially love the modular origami projects that start to seem like lego of sorts! Keep on reading for tips for making this modular origami starburst that looks great anytime!

Watercolor Fruit Cut-Outs Birthday Bouquet

Looking for a cute fruit themed birthday centerpiece or artful bouquet for any occasion? How about painting some watercolor mosaic fruit, cutting them out and using them to make a festive bouquet? Really so simple with wonderful results, and you can certainly make quite a few for an event, and make each item two-sided so the watercolor fruit bouquet can sit in the middle of a table.

Are you convinced? Keep on reading for tips on how to make this fun bouquet, and one major benefit is that you can make it weeks ahead, and save most of the elements for future use, even as cake toppers!

DIY Colorful Floral Border Doodle For Cards, Journals, Signs and More!

Years ago I got into floral doodles via some tutorials for bullet journal art and it was so much fun, and a great introduction to the world of journaling and sketchbook practices. Since then I've been working on refining my art skills and while doing lots of drawing, not like the floral borders you see here, and wow, was this ever enjoyable and fun, with great results, and, I might add so very simple compared to trying to paint the landscapes I'm dreaming of! If this doesn't seem "simple" to you, not to worry, practice, practice and more practice and soon you can draw flower doodles in your dreams! Want some basic instructions for this? Keep on reading.....

When Life Gives You Lemons Fun Birthday Cake

I've been painting lots of faceted watercolor fruit lately, like watercolor mosaic strawberries, for example, so when it came time to make some birthday decor and a birthday cake for my son, it seemed like a no-brainer to continue with the fruit theme, and lemons came to mind! A glass of lemonade and a pitcher might be an unusual theme for a birthday cake, but around here anything goes, and honestly I love the results, of the decor that is, the cake doesn't look great at all in these photos taken quickly before shabbat! Not to worry, my classic always loved chocolate cake recipe with a glaze and sprinkles on top does the job just fine, and the time spent on the cake decorations is time well spent, as you can save them or use them in another way. Okay, ready to make your own creative birthday cake using the lemonade theme, or any theme you dream of? Lets get started......

Fun Lemon And Lemonade Theme Cake And Cupcake Toppers

When you've spent years and years and years making simple birthday cakes topped with homemade decorations, anything is game really, and so no one batted an eye as to why I'd choose a lemonade theme for these cake toppers, and even the guests didn't ask any questions. (Ah yes, now I remember, I told them I had no idea what the connection is other than that we love lemons.) Truthfully I've been painting lots of watercolor fruit lately, and once I'd added a lemon to the mix, well lemonade just seemed like the natural fit, and I have to say, I think this is truly adorable and I think from now on I'll do drink themed decorations for this son's birthday cakes in the future! Want to make some too, whether for a cake, or cupcakes or both, keep on reading, it is so simple you'll just have to give it a try!

Watercolor Strawberries Festive Garland For Every Occasion!

The festive Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which includes lots of cheese and milk dishes (not eaten at the same meal as meat) also might include strawberries and summer fruit, as it just goes together, and strawberries are just festive. Of course crafted watercolor mosaic strawberries are even more festive than the real thing, and you can whip up a fun holiday garland quite quickly. I can't tell you how this garland brightened up this door in my kitchen, so do give it a try! And if you don't have time today to make this garland, no problem, it is great for just about any summer occasion you can think of, or even just because! Okay, lets make a watercolor strawberry garland, or two?

Watercolor Mosaic Strawberries To Cut Out For Crafting

One of the cutest things I've made lately, and so very simple......introducing watercolor mosaic strawberries, to whip up in basket's full, just in time for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot! These watercolor strawberries require only the simplest supplies, and the results are so fun. Use them on garlands, as cake toppers, as napkin rings or gift tags, or stick some into a houseplant for fun holiday or summer decor. And watercolors are truly a wonderful medium, that can be used for so many craft projects, so give it a try!