creative jewish mom

When Your Kids Outgrow Your DIY Costumes

Photo Above: Just to clarify, this is a costume my son threw together himself last year, with bits and pieces, it is a Moroccan Sherrif clown!

Purim is in another month and it is time to get going with the costumes! DIY costumes have been something that I've spent a lot of time and effort creating over the years, and guess what, I can now use that time for some other creative pursuits, as my kids have outgrown my DIY costumes! An end of a sweet era I must say, on the other hand I'll get a bit more sleep on those nights before the Jewish holiday of Purim! It isn't that they don't want to dress up at all, it is just that they want to be like everyone else their age who just throws together a few fun accessories. There is no Purim costume day at school, and the idea of costumes is downplayed once kids become teenagers. (Purim is a day of extreme fun, but also a very very holy day, a very interesting mix that is sometimes a challenge to remember......) Of course I do help neighbors with costumes, but the pressure is off, yippee! Or waaaah, where did the years go? Fortunately I have all the pictures of my best efforts on this blog in the DIY costumes category, and it is s fun to look back at the photos over the years.

And guess what, my kids do just fine without my help at this point, as you can see by my 12 year old son's Moroccan sherrif clown getup from last year. And truthfully I needn't be too sad, the next generation of grandchildren will be happy to have some DIY costumes, I'm sure, and in the meantime I've got tons of little neighbors........then again I think I'll embrace this new period and start doing some of the things I never had time for, like illustration and painting and hey, what about that craft book series?

Giant Watercolor Lollipop Costume Prop Or Party Centerpiece

Need a giant lollipop for a costume or maybe a whole bunch to use as centerpieces for a birthday party or even a bat mitzvah? I just made this one for my daughter to use as a prop in a play that was part of her graduation from 8th grade ceremony, and it looks even better from far away! It is true, the results are not what I'd call "perfect" but with all the perfect looking crafts being churned out these days courtesy of cutting machines and ready-cut everything, I'd say it is time to get a little bit imperfect, now and then. Ready to make some giant lollipops? Lets get started!

DIY Rubik's Cube Costume That Is More Than Just A Cube!

Purim is a Jewish holiday that involves costumes, at least for younger kids, and this year I had a great time making m youngest a rubik's cube costume that actually turns, as opposed to a static cube, as well as a fun piece of cake pinata costume for my daughter. On Purim afternoon as we headed to a friend's home for a huge and festive Purim meal I was blessed with amazing lighting which enabled me to take some nice photos of the costumes in a historic alley just above our home. My only regret is that the beard and mustache that my some wore with this costume the day before has disappeared.....so bit it, just do keep in mind that some fun facial hair looks great with this costume, as does round glasses and even a crazy Einstein-like wig. I also saw a clever rubik's cube costume in which the  girl was dressed in a traditional Hungarian style dress with a rubik's cube on her head......here in Israel it is a called a "Hungarian cube" so everyone gets the costume, and it was quite good! In the USA I highly doubt that people know where Mr. Rubik was from, so that would be an educational costume!

This rubik's cube costume was a six or seven hour endeavor, but the results speak for themselves, and afterwards the costume can become a giant rubik's cube to hang in a child's room (with the addition of a bottom panel, or not.....) If cutting a bunch of squares all the same size doesn't phase you, this might be up your alley! Lets get started.

Piece Of Cake Pinata Costume!

A piece of cake pinata style costume is cuter than can be, and today my daughter wore her mommy-made extravaganza to school for their Purim costume party. Yes, a cake pinata this size is lots of work, but the results are so adorable that I have no regrets. There are so many ways to go with this costume, and admittedly she could have worn a birthday hat or something on her head, but in the end the twisted braided hair style (that my daughter did herself!) and lots of makeup made the costume complete. Want to make something like this yourself? I'll be happy to show you how, lets get started!

Spaghetti And Meatballs DIY Costume

And now for the last of our Purim costume creativity for this year: presenting a spaghetti and meatballs DIY costume, hold the sauce! My dear eleven year old is somewhat on the particular side and nearing the age when many boys choose not to dress up more than possibly a funny hat, so it took a bit of convincing to even get him to agree to wear a costume. With some help from his teacher (who said the boys must come in a costume to a little party at his house) I had possibly one of the last opportunities to create a unique costume for this sweet boy, and while I really didn't have much of a plan, rather than the idea "spaghetti and meatballs", I fortunately pulled it off! Admittedly here in Israel people really don't identify with "spaghetti and meatballs" and some people apparently thought the balls were falafel!

Paper Mache Meatballs For A Spaghetti And Meatballs Costume

Knowing how to make great looking paper mache meatballs is just one of those things every crafter should have up their sleeve, because you just never know what life will bring! And once the secret gets out that you're kind of crafty, the phone starts to ring with all kinds of requests......take my word for it! And what better way to do acts of kindness?

A Fisherman Costume For $5 Plus Some Creativity!

Like my little deep sea fisherman costume, as opposed to a fly fisherman costume? Truthfully I'm happy with the results, though many many people kept asking my son what he was dressed up as. For Americans, or at least adults, the beard and pipe are enough of a hint, right?

This year I have a new sewing machine, so I was able to sew a necklace of little stuffed fish, as well as some bigger stuffed fish to put in the bucket, and the slicker pants as well! I went in search of some appropriate fabric at the hardware store, and found this black woven "jute" which was only $1 a meter! The only problem is that once you cut it, it totally unravels, so next time I'd chalk the outline of the pattern and sew around that before cutting, lesson learned!

A Paper Doll Costume Inspired By Victorian Era Paper Dolls

This year's Purim costume for my twelve year old daughter, a paper doll costume, finally came to fruition in the wee hours of the morning, just in time for her to wear it to school today for the school Purim festivities! It is true, there were quite a few girls who sadly did not know what paper dolls are, and even one adult, but the costume was nonetheless a great success, and fortunately still intact for wearing on Wednesday for the actual Purim festivities!

Bookworm Costume To Whip Up In One Night!

Last Purim my now eleven year old son agreed to dress up in a homemade bookworm costume, which is perfect for him as he truly eats books. We even have to limit his reading time if you can believe that! While I found very little good inspiration on the internet, I was fortunately able to come up with my own version which was super cute and relatively easy!

Crocheted Lacy Cape For Girls For A Costume Or Special Outfit!

A lacy crocheted cape could be the greatest gift for a little girl in your life, or possibly even part of a fun costume for someone near and dear, which is how this little cape was born! Last Purim as we brainstormed over costume ideas we came up with the idea of canary, creativejewishmom style of course. Meaning with lots of color and handmade details and some stretching of our abilities as well!