creative jewish mom

Pine Cone Pineapples Are The Perfect Summer Craft!

 

I have taken this craft out of the archives and dusted it off as it is a great partner to my pine cone animals post. Plus it truly is one of the cutest nature crafts ever, right? And pineapples can be any color, not just yellow as long as you have a few yellow ones in the bunch. Best of all, you'll hopefully have to take a nature walk to collect the pinecones, so enjoy!

I have been wanting to make pinecone pineapples for a few months now, and even painted the pinecones yellow before Passover, and finally found the time to give this fantastic summer craft, that would be a perfect summer camp craft a try. And wow, the results are so adorable you'll want to make a whole bunch, I know I do! You can use your pineapple pinecones as decorations for part of a tropical party, or as whiimsical decorations any time. Line up a few on a shelf and you'll smile every time you see them, or hang some mobile style. And of course if you want to be a little bit different, how about hanging some pineapple pinecones in your succah? Succot is among other things, a fall harvest festival, and in Israel that means pomegranites and dates, but it could certainly mean pineapples as well, right?

Regardless of whether you have a plan for your pinecone pineapples, gather some pinecones and get crafting, I'm sure a great idea will come to you. If not simply display them on a little shelf which is where mine are sitting right now, looking as cute as ever! Best of all, once you get the hang of how to make these, you really could whip up quite a few, even as fun Bar or Bat Mitzvah, birthday or wedding centerpieces, so lets get crafting! (Note: If you do plan on making a large quantity, I would paint them by dipping them into a large container of paint, so much easier!)

Create On An Index Card For 2 Months This Summer!

I have to admit, I did not know that there have been thousands of creative people creating on index cards every year for the months of June and July, each year. Of course when it started 11 years ago I can imagine it was not thousands, but today it is, and WOW! I am familiar with the idea of creating on index cards, or index card size, I just didn't know it was "thing" that I could participate in. Just as I was wondering what might keep my creative practice running once I finish my 100 oil pastels, (9 to go!) voila, this opportunity comes along. At first I thought, no way, you are too busy. But then I realized that by adapting a simple style, I could infact do an index card a day, and it could be great! With three days now under my belt I am so very very happy I committed to this 61 day challenge, and while I'll be sharing with you here from time to time, the daily peeks will be on my instagram @sara.rivka.dahan.

The challenge is called Index Card A Day, and the home base is right here. There is a Facebook group one can join for a fee, though I don't really have time for that, so I'm sharing on Instagram and making connections with fellow participants there. You do what works for you, maybe a family challenge with no social media? Maybe a challenge with a friend? There are no rules about what to put on the index card, so sky is the limit! I was even thinking about doing little sculptures, but then the illustration style I'm currently doing won out, plus it is much quicker!

I really think that an index card creativity challenge would be a great thing to do with the kids this summer, and at the end you can make a book, or do the second side next year! Daily creating is an amazing thing to fit in anyone's day, believe me, you'll end up doing it every year!

DIY Cardboard Playhouse With An Upcycled Box!

Looking for a fun project to keep the little ones busy this summer? Collect some huge appliance or furniture boxes, collapse them and set aside for that window of time when a great project is just what is needed to keep the little ones excited and engaged! Who doesn't love a playhouse, especially one you can decorate yourself, and in fact spend days decorating, best of all! While the example here is shown in a closet, this idea can also be done in a wide doorway, or even in a corner, just make sure the keep safety and adult accessibility in mind! One can even make this freestanding by attaching the house to something on the back, which will enable it to safely stand up, like two empty bleach bottles filled with water and tightly sealed, or carboard boxes. One can also make walls, but that gets a bit more complicated and the likely hood of everything staying upright is on the slim side! So take my advice make just the facade of the house this time and enjoy!

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!

Milk Carton Houses With Graffiti Hearts!

I really can't count the times I've planned to make milk carton houses, nor how many milk cartons I have packed away in the basement for those dream projects, but I can report to have taken one tiny step forward with these milk carton heart graffiti wall houses! I realize it sounds like I've never made milk carton houses, silly me, I certainly have, twice, milk carton house planter, and doodled millk carton houses. I've been all about hearts lately, and while the hearts I've been painting haven't exactly been graffiti hearts, lets just pretend they are, and certainly when painted on a milk carton house they can be! And of course there are many leaves shaped like hearts, so cover a milk carton with green hearts and you've got a wall of ivy or a garden. Add a few small house details and a whole row of houses is born! This is such a fun project for any age, and I recommend painting a bunch of milk cartons to have on hand, as in general painting on 3D objects is great for developing a creative eye, and for adding something fresh to your crafting or creative practice!  Ah yes, and with the Jewish new year for the trees coming next week, include a few almond blooms, or a blooming fruit tree and include this in your holiday decor. Either way, it feels like Spring, so it works for Tu B'Shevat! Okay, lets get started, shall we? I almost forgot, check out all of my milk carton crafts for lots more inspiration, and to plan ahead, meaning batch prepare some milk cartons for future crafts!

Pine Cone Owl Craft With An Artful Twist

Since this week has been all about owls and owl crafts and painted owls, I just had to try making a pine cone owl because pine cones are the perfect shape, right? Not to mention that natural look of belly feathers! Of course I couldn't just whip out the felt and copy someone else's owl pine cone, I had to come up with something just a bit original, realistically because i have no idea where my felt is at the moment, nor if I have anything more than brown and green.....So introducing a pine cone owl with an artful twist, meaning some painted paper scraps and a few little doodads to make it truly original. And while you are at it, make a bunch in all sizes and look into making a whole range of forest creatures such as foxes, porcupines/hedge hogs, mice and more. But first things first, lets make a pine cone owl. And if you are lucky enough to have access to those giant pine cones I grew up with, well make a giant pine cone owl!

Easy Garden Craft Projects For Kids

Fall is here and with cooler temperatures, now is a great time to spend more time outdoors! We will be spending 7 days in our Succah, which is part of the Jewish holiday of Succot, starting this Friday night, so that certainly qualifies as "outdoors!" There are so many ways to develop crafting/art skills, as well as gardening know-how with creative projects that can include anything from more complicated mosaics to very simple pots for cuttings using milk cartons. Right now those who celebrate succot are busy with succah decorations, which in many cases are similar to garden crafts, so this post can be inspiration for just about anyone right about now.

Getting creative and creating things for the garden or any outdoor area, as well as the succah, is an especially fun activity, as kids love showing off their efforts to all those who might pass by! From simple drawings, paintings, or even small woodworking craft projects for kids, any hands-on activity has a lot of benefits and gives your kids a break from screen time. And for those who are home-schooling, getting outside and doing activities away from the computer is crucial for mental health and overall well being. So get outside and make something while the weather permits! Here are some ideas to get you started, so no excuses, plus you can take the mess outdoors as well, enjoy! Now if you'll excuse me, my succah needs some attention!

 

Summer Camp Crafts: Havdalah Candle Craft From Old Candles

Remember the story about the huge bag of unsightly old candles that accidentally ended up at our house, and how I decided to make upcycled candles? Well dear readers here is confirmation that indeed there are no accidents, as that bag of candles that was destined for the garbage (in any one else's house, and almost ours as well!) became festive striped havdalah candles. (We use the havdalah candle on Saturday night when Shabbat is over to usher in the new week, and it needs to have two or more wicks.) I almost can't believe it myself, and the gorgeous array of candles that we created have been decorating the top of our piano for the last week or so, just waiting for their moment in the spotlight. I'll admit, I did do several versions of this craft, some more complicated than others, and for the time being I'm sharing the most simple version as it is a perfect summer camp craft to do right now, preferably outdoors! So gather the supplies (if you don't have any old candles hanging around, maybe do a candle drive in the neighborhood or among friends and family, I'm sure there are folks out there who have some hiding in the cabinet waiting for their turn in the spotlght!) Okay, lets get crafting!

Ink Blob Figures Creative Exercise For Any Age

With the never-ending school vacation possibly coming to an end within a few weeks here in Northern Israel, I am reminded that now is the time to seize the precious moments with my teens and try to fit in a few more creative activities! We actually created these fun and creative ink blob exercises, (which is a similar exercise to the paint blob pictures here) courtesy of a free video from Carla Sonheim, before Passover, but only now had the time to photograph them. They are truly a perfect example of a creative activity that can be done relatively quickly, or not, and the results can be used in many ways. We did our activity on brown paper bags, because that is the brown paper I had on hand, and now I'm thinking it would be great to use them for a collage project, or a collage project in a journal. Or, how about, as I'd originally planned, making a poster using all the results from various family members? Certainly a memorable piece of art to treasure in years to come! Though truthfully this ink blob exercise is best done with no plans whatsoever, just enjoy the creative process and let that lead you down the wonderful road of creativity! Okay, lets do it!

Paint Blob Creative Drawing Exercise For All Ages!

Now is a great time to invest in creatiivity, and one of the best ways is to start with short exercises that build interest and confidence and most importantly really drive home the message that creativity is NOT about perfection. So if you dream of being an artist, or you think someone else in your family might have what it takes, (I can't believe I'm saying this) stop crafting and start making art! What? Yes indeed my friends, because most crafting is about the result, and lets face it, everyone likes nice results, right? Art on the other hand is generally much more process oriented and therefore generally not about perfection, well at least for most of us, today. Okay, enough blabbing, I think you've got it? Get the family together everyday and do a short creative exercise that might take less than an hour or even just half an hour, and you'll be so happy you did. Two of my kids and I had a nice time with this one, and can't wait to do more!

I saw this paint blob exercise on sketchbook revival, a free 2 week program, so check it out now! This specific exercise was courtesy of Carla Sonheim, who also has her own website full of online art courses as well as some really great little creative exercises (for kids but really for all ages) which are free. Carla has a really lovely and unique style which is totally refreshing and not trend driven, so again take a look, NOW!

If you don't have time to look through all fourteen videos on sketchbook revival, just quickly take a peek and see what interests you. There is a huge variety of content, from lettering to painting, and while I never quite understood the art journal practice, it is finally sinking in, and I can't wait to start an art journal after Passover, using all the new things I've learned. Okay, lets take a look at the results of our first creative exercise!