creative jewish mom

Golden Fig Leaf Garland

Golden fig leaf garlands, or golden leaf garlands of any kind of leaf are simple to whip up and look amazing. I choose to use fig and olive leaves for this garland to represent 2 of the 7 holy species, but you can of course do what works for you! Golden monstera leaves would look amazing as home decor, or party decor or in a child's room, right? But right now, of course we need to think about the succah and this is a relatively quick craft with great results, so get some heavy weight gold paper, or light weight gold cardboard, or some cereal box cardboard that you'll paint, and get to work! That empty wall in your succah could use a few of these garlands, and voila, you'll be so happy you spent the extra effort! Okay, lets do this! (Please excuse the grainy photos, this craft is from way back in 2013, when my photograph skills were less developed!)

Upcycled Calender Starburst Wall Decor, For the Succah?

I just fingered last year's calender and thought I'd save it as scrap paper. What is happening to me? Scrap paper, no, craft paper! Hmmm, I guess that is what happens when you start to focus on art rather than craft, but not to worry, I've straightened myself out and am now thinking origami with the old calender, phew. So, I am reposting this because it is a goodie!

I'll be the first to admit, crafts for Yom Kippur are rarely something I've had time for, as the holiday occurs just four days before Succot, for which I am crafting up a storm. That said, this year I am mending my ways and trying to post at least a few simple ideas for the holiday, as after all, every holiday deserves crafts right? This year I decided to try out some simple recycling craft techniques by creating a few things for Yom Kippur, and I'll be using those same techniques for Succah decorations as well. That is the plan anyway, but I just never know how things will go, as you know once the creative gears get turning, well there is no stopping them!

We are now at the beginning of the new Jewish year, so that means that recycling last year's calendar is not only perfect because well, obviously that calendar is no longer of use, but also because we are now in the period in which we making amends for all the things that didn't go so well last year, as well as giving thanks for all the things that did go well. The completion of a year, and the beginning of new one certainly means that using that old calendar for any recycling craft is meaninful and practical!

Ready to get started? Here we go:

Nature Crafts For The Succah!

The wonderful Jewish holiday of Succot is on our doorstep, and quickly sneaking up on us, so there is no time like the present to delve into Succah decorations! I very fortunately came across these dried pomegranite branches a few weeks ago in Meron, and to husband's chagrin filled the trunk with them! Of course they look gorgeous as is, but the leaves make a huge mess, and my succah is Moroccan style elegantish, so I'll be doing something with these branches, like painting them gold and leaving the pomegranites as is. Hmmm, but how exactly will they become succah wall art? Your guess is a good as mine, but offering you these photos as inspiration for your own succah decor adventures. It is true, I am no stranger to collecting sticks and branches and making things from them, so I've decided that this week we'll delve into nature crafts for the succah! In the mean time, keep on reading for some links to previous succah crafts using branches and twigs and even some leaves! Take a deep breath and let's get started! (Yes, I know, so much to do, but it will all get done, promise!)

Giant Origami Apples Holiday or Shabbat Decor!

I am reposting this giant origami apples tutorial because it is just to wonderful not to share again. Make apples to enjoy for Rosh HaShana and use as succah decorations as well! So simple and while you are at it, make a whole giant bushel full!

Origami apples are so simple to make and are the perfect craft to whip up right now! Fill a basket with them to use as a centerpiece, use them as place cards, hang them mobile style or make a bunch and scatter them around the house. (Or save this idea and gift a whole basket full to your teacher!) The best part is they look great everywhere and any where, and would make cute little Rosh HaShana gifts as well. Attach a tag that is a card and you'll surely warm the hearts of all your recipients! I used these very apples as apple centerpieces for a Rosh Chodesh party, and then a neighbor borrowed them as centerpieces for a Brit, and depending on the colors you choose they can look elegant or playful, or both. So take my advice and get crafting dear friends, the Jewish New year is in less than 3 weeks, with Succos to follow so a barrel of origami apples will serve you well, promise! And yes, you can of course make these in a smaller size and in a variety of colors to represent a wide range of fruit, as I've done here with my origami fruit, cute as can be!

A Festive Painted Cut-Out Bouquet For The Front Door!

The Jewish holiday of Shavuot starts on Sunday night, and our front door is ready! I just love painting flowers and cutting them out, as with the water color poppies cut outs, and am also really pleasantly surprised by how wonderful a bouquet of painted flowers can be as well, especially when you free it from the confines of the paper! Of course a bouquet of flowers drawn and then painted, like this one, is all about planning, and execution, so after all that effort, you will want to use it again and again, or even hang it somewhere in a frame, and you should! The more flowers the better, and painted ones add so much joy where ever they are hung! There is still time to make something similar for Shavuot, so get started, loose a little bit of sleep over it if necessary (that is the type I am, don't do if it is isn't you!) and most of all, have a wonderful holiday! Okay, lets get some more info regardng how this paper bouquet was created, shall we?

Paper Leaves On Real Branches Looks Amazing!

I came up with this simple idea six years ago for my son's birthday just before Shavuot, and I still love it, so I'm dusting it off to share with you as a fabulous last minute craft that includes a nature walk to collect the sticks! Enjoy. Here is what I wrote back then, this year Shavuot is on Sunday night.

Paper leaves on real branches is a super quick craft that results in some fun decorations that can be used for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot or really anytime! I actually made these branches as part of the giraffe birthday party that I'm still in the middle of sharing with you all, though I did have in mind that they would be also be great for Shavuot, in which we decorate our homes with greenery to celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, which was  very green and lush.

With shavuot staring Saturday night, right after shabbat ends, many of us are now preparing for two days of holidays, so I'm sure glad to already have made these fun branches which are currently hanging from the chandelier over the dining room table. (Those who observe shabbat outside of israel are now preparing for a three day holiday, as Shavuot is two days outside of Israel, and I'm sure those of you to whom this applies wish you had some of these branches already to go, right?

What I'm really trying to say is that a super quick craft like this one is the perfect thing to tackle right now, so lets get to it!

DIY Cardboard Graffiti Vase For Spring!

Now that I have a few fun DIY cereal box vases which I think will be fun for Passover, maybe I can get started with the cleaning. Well, not just yet, I need to make some more! The idea of whipping up an artful vase using cereal box cardboard (or heavy weight paper) is just so delighful that you'll want to give this a try. This is a great idea for budget centerpieces, or for making a huge decorative vase for a desert table or buffet, and the possibilities are endless. Choose to do a cardboard vase with drips and splatters or go for a something simple and colorful, or even a few bold black brush strokes looks amazing. There is a product on the market which is really great printed paper vases, and I was reminded of this from a wonderful version that I featured on Craft Schooling Sunday in January, keep reading to see that version!

3D Paper Stars With 8 Points

Yesterday I shared with you my first go at origami dreidels, and today we are moving up the paper folding notch and making 3D paper stars using the same origami paper, so that the origami dreidels and the paper stars can work together in a garland or holiday wall hanging! (Yet to materialize, but hoping it will soon!) Constructing these 8 pointed paper stars was also a first for me, though I've had my eye on something similar for years, and I'm happy to say that they are really quite simple to make and can be made in a huge variety of sizes. I actually made a large one from a sample of wall paper, and it is beyond gorgeous (so never turn down old books of wall paper samples!) though possibly looks a little too similar to decorations one might see for xmas, so I think I will not be sharing that here. Instead I am sharing colorful stars that look perfect for Chanukah, as despite the commercial association in the USA of blue and silver for Chanukah, that has no basis whatsoever. Chanukah is all about joy and light, and I while I love blue, a single color certainly can't express all the wonderful qualities of our 8 night holiday! And just saying, an 8 pointed star, which is all about the number eight connects to the eight nights of Chanukah, and to the miracle of Chanukah as the number 8 means all things beyond the laws of nature, meaning generally miracles! Okay, lets make as many 3D 8 pointed stars as we can, as they look great scattered here or regardless of how you choose to use them!

Goodbye To Our Morocco Meets Recycling Crafts Succah, Until Next Year.......

Today is the last day of the Jewish holiday of Succot, here in Israel, where we celebrate the holiday for 7 lovely days. Elsewhere the holiday is 8 days. While I am always a bit sad to say goodbye to the succah, we actually can't take it apart until Saturday night/Sunday as the holiday goes right into another holiday, called Simchat Torah. Our succah is constructed in the entrance courtyard of our home, so truthfully I still get to enjoy it for another day or so. While this year has been a quiet and restful holiday, I somehow did not find time to photograph my succah properly! I did of course take photos of all the crafts that I wanted to share with you, and last night I quickly took a few more, so I now present to the world my Morocco meets recycling craft Succah! Yes indeed, many succahs do look alike, decorated with crafts kids make in school and traditional posters, but that certainly need not be the case, and of course is not the case here at CJM central! Okay, lets take a peek inside!

Super Simple Fall Centerpiece With Painted Faux Apples

If you happen to have a bunch of blank apples made for crafting, just waiting for their turn in the spotlight, as I did, paint them in your favorite colors, add some white details with a paint pen, place them in a footed glass bowl, and voila, a fun Fall, Rosh HaShana, Succot, or even Tu B'Shevat centerpiece is born! Ah yes, and this would make a fun teacher appreciation gift as well! Truthfully apples painted in your favorite colors can be used any time to bring joy into your home, so while I did make this for our series of Jewish holidays in the Fall, it would look great any time. And in case you may have noticed, the more the better! Want to make something like this for your table? Lets take a close look.......