creative jewish mom

A Painted Dove In A Starry Sky For Chanukah

Chanukah is coming in about 2 weeks, so it is surely time to get crafting for this light filled holiday! And guess what folks, this year I realized that the dove is totally a fantastic symbol for Chanukah, and it is time to claim it as a decorative item to go along with dreidels and chanukiahs, yes indeed! And why is that you may ask? Well first of all, the traditional dove (who was sent from the ark by Noah) carries an olive branch in his beak, which of course relates to Chanukah, but lo and behold it goes way beyond that, are you ready for this?

I was so excited and happy to learn that there is a Jewish tradition that Noah (we call him Noach) squeezed the oil from the very olive brought by the dove, gave the vial to his son Shem who entrusted it to Avraham. From Avraham it was passed it along throughout the generations until King David hid it in the Beis HaMikdash, the Holy Temple, waiting until the time for which it was destined.This vial was  the miracle vial of oil the Maccabees used to light the Menorah and rededicate the Temple. This is the vial of pure olive oil that transcended the laws of nature and miraculously burned for eight days.

Amazing right? Okay, now go and paint some doves for Chanukah folks! Whether you choose to paint a dove with some ethnic folk art details like mine, or even something very simple, fill your sky with stars and include a chanukiah that lights up the night.

Painted Knit MItten Winter Greeting Card Craft

Continuing with my fun artufl and a bit painterly winter clothing themed greeting cards that can also be mini works of art, presenting the kaleidoscope knit winter mitten! After painting an ugly Chanukah sweater, and a graffiti knit cap, mittens were certainly in order! First I painted a gift box with pom pom mittens, but then I saw a tiny bit of clip art in an ad, which lead to drawing mittens and hats with cables and a bit of knit detail in my sketchbook, here, and that led to this kaleidoscope knit mitten greeting card! Now you can't say I haven't been letting you in on what goes on around here, well sort of! Ah yes, and maybe I should also reveal that some of my clothes now have little bits of paint on them and are designated "painting clothes", sigh, par for the course! Okay, so put on some old clothes and lets get painting!

Graffiti Mittens Recycled Gift Box Craft

Ready to practice your painting and drawing skills and make the funnest winter themed gift box ever? What can I tell you, this one is a winner, not just the color combo, but the fun artful style, and the fact that it looks much more complicated than it really is! This winter clothes theme came about because I painted an ugly sweater for Chanukah, and then a graffiti ski cap, so mittens were a natural fit for my theme, and mittens with pom poms, is there anything cuter? So whether you follow my technique or not, do think about packaging your gifts this year in recycled containers that you've repurposed, or painted or made yourself, it makes gift giving that much more meaningful! Okay, lets get started!

A Fun Graffiti Ski Hat Holiday Craft Idea

After creating my DIY ugly holiday sweater gift card craft, I realized that I ought to try creating some other cozy winter wardrobe items using the same technique, and since my experiment was a success, I now present you with my DIY Graffiti Ski Hat holiday gift card that can certainly double as holiday decor, a gift tag, or a fun craft project to do with the whole family! I have to admit I just love how this graffiti ski hat turned out, and am quite surprised myself. Even the pom pom looks like I know what I'm doing illustration wise, and well, now I know how to paint a pom pom with success, but this was a first. I also realized that I just love the combination of pink, green and aqua, with white accents, and so looking at this graffiti ski hat just makes me happy! So dear readers, create some whimsical holiday cards this year, or top your presents with whimsical and artful gift tags, or paint some pieces of winter clothing because you feel like it and it makes you happy!

I will let you in on a little secret, I've actually already tried mittens using this same technique and color scheme, and they are as cute as can be, so I'm sold, Okay lets get crafty shall we?

DIY Ugly Holiday Sweater Cards To Make Now!

When I shared with you the splattered paint paper that I made to use for holiday crafting projects, I had no idea that I would be making an ugly holiday sweater card from my favorite piece! And that is one of the best parts of letting the art tell you what it wants to be, and the results of having a pile of abstract patterned paper to work with. I have been wanting to make an ugly chanukah sweater craft for a few years now, and last year while my holiday sweaters weren't ugly, they were HUGE, made from cardboard and pom poms and strung on a clothesline! So this year, since I am into the painting, the sweaters will hopefully be like this one, only quite a bit larger, and of course I'll let you in on all the fun that happens trying to make this idea reality!

In the mean time, with Chanukah roughly seven weeks away, now is a great time to make cards to send in the snail mail, as who wouldn't appreciate a little whimsical work of art to brighten their days right about now? So get out the paint and some heavy weight paper, or light weight cardboard, and lets make some fun and creative holiday sweater cards. Ready?

Wishing You A Very Happy Zot Chanukah!

After a very busy and festive week of Chanukah, I just had to share with you the lovely sight that is "zot Chanukah" namely the 8th night/day of the holiday. Tonight all 8 cups of oil were lit and we spent one last night gathered around the Chanukiah (menorah) singing and praying and eating a few little treats. My daughter fortunately decided to make latkes, which I didn't have time for as I was working today, and that was a great traditional addition to our last Chanukah meal. I also gave my daughter the recipe for our favourite Moroccan semolina soup, which she made for the first time and it was delicious and a perfect winter evening dish! I took these photos to share with you as tonight is the height of the holiday and I dare say the most important day. The word "zot" means "this" so literally the name of the 8th night/day of Chanukah is THIS IS CHANUKAH, meaning that the last day is filled to the brim with the true essence of the holiday: light and hope!

So dear readers, wishing you all a light filled Chanukah, and may the light of our menorahs light up the darkest corners of the world, which is surely needed right about now. 

Ah, and I almost forgot, the menorah seen here has a very special story which I know I posted here a few years back but I can't find it at the moment, sigh. I'll try to find it, promise. In the mean time, keep on reading to see the large Chanukiah that we light when saying the blessings. (Though this brass one has a special place in my heart.)

Drinking Straw Menorah Craft Is Beyond Adorable!

Hanukkah crafts made from plastic drinking straws are so much fun and a great way to recycle! I have already share with you my Hanukkah drinking straw wall hanging, or why not call it a Hanukkah mobile? And now, for one of the favourite results of playing around with drinking straws, I present to you the drinking straw menorah, with Q-tip to boot! This little menorah is cute as can be, and a great gift, so make a bunch. Kids can enjoy "lighting" a new candle each day of Hanukkah, while I on the other hand love seeing them with all the candles lit. This little menorah isn't large, but its cuteness makes up for that, and you can tuck one of these in every little corner of your home, or use it as a gift topper. So many ways to go, so lets get started!

Q-Tip Painted Brown Paper Bags For Gift Giving

Whether you want to use up or re-use some simple brown paper lunch bags, or even better, recycle larger brown paper. bags, you can create festive gift wrap or gift bags with the addition of some festive Q-tip painted patterns! I had planned to create a whole Q-tip painting primer with patterns and ideas, but since that has yet to happen, I now present you with Q-tip flowers and polka dots which is fun to create and looks amazing. One of the great things about painting with Q-tips is it is great for little hands as well, and really so much fun. Beware, you may want to Q-tip paint the whole house, though that could be great too! For starters lets hone our Q-tip painting skills with these fun gift bags!

Drinking Straw Hanukkah Wall Hanging Craft

Hanukkah which we call Chanukah actually, is quickly approaching, but there is still time to make a fun drinking straw wall hanging to add a very festive touch to your home! This week I have shared with you how to make drinking straw dreidels, drinking straw starbursts, drinking straw diamond starbursts, and now I present to you the finished product, yippee! After making the elements that I've listed, you can certainly figure out how to make the drinking straw menorah, right? Okay, these photos aren't the greatest, but I'm pressed for time with a million things going on, so they do the job for now. The main thing is, use this next week to fill your home with crafts that anticipate the joyful holiday of Chanukah! And take a look in my archives, that are busting at the seams for many many more ideas if plastic drinking straws aren't up your alley or you don't have any on hand. Okay, lets make this fun drinking straw wall hanging, shall we?

Drinking Straw Diamond Starburst Ornament

We are on a roll with the elements you'll need to assemble a fun Hanukkah wall hanging made from drinking straw ornaments, so far we've learned how to make a drinking straw dreidel and a drinking straw starburst, and I now introduce to you the "diamond starburst." When one is combining a bunch of elements together to make a wallhanging, a diamond shape is a great addition, and indeed this diamond starburst pulls together all the other elements, so do learn how to make it!

Now is the time to get crafting, and most folks have a few straws hanging around somewhere that could be used up, or of course recycled, so lets get started!