Did you know you can sew and embroider paper?

These Purim tags are simple but the texture makes them so cool!

Last year, right before schools were cancelled we had Purim. Remember that?

Had I known things were about to be flipped upside down, I might not have been sitting and stitching paper for an article for a local newspaper. But I was. Because I didn’t know that I should be stockpiling content for my own blogs because “work” is about to be a foreign concept.

The good news is, had I not been doing this last year, I wouldn’t have been able to share with you this year. I simply wouldn’t have had the capacity to do this from scratch.

I originally created this for a print newspaper so I didn’t make a template. I did, however, use my Cricut to cut the base tags (I offer alternatives below). I decided to add a template now, since it’s the kind of project that’s much easier to create that way.

The instructions are shown without the template, so I added instructions for using them on the templates themselves.

I created SVG templates too – those you’ll simply cut directly from the cardstock you’ll be stitching. You’ll want to place your chosen dotted design over your tag, and attach so that it cuts the holes in the right spot.

Note: the SVG can be made bigger but the spacing and proportions are fixed. The original size is pretty tight (how I like it) and the holes it makes are very small – really enough that you don’t need to use force when poking it.

I recommend cutting or printing a practice tag so that you can gauge how bit you’d like it.

Otherwise use the non-dotted design, attach, and draw it on the back of your tag (mirrored) or with erasable media. Punch by hand.

The easiest way to stitch paper is using a simple backward stitch. This is a simple in and out, only you’re making your stitches backward so that you can use the same holes to make a solid line.

The result is a beautiful, handcrafted look that has texture and is unfussy!

When designing these gift tags, make sure to leave space (on the front or the back) to write a “from” message.

Alternatively, ou can glue another layer of the same tag outline to the back to make a smooth (no stitching) layer for writing.

What you need to make stitched gift tags:

• Card Stock
• Scissors
• Pencil and eraser
• Embroidery floss
• An embroidery needle
• Recommended: paper piercing tool
• Recommended: self-healing mat
• Optional: A large (around 2 inch) and small circle hole punch, tag-shaped hole punches, or pre-cut plain gift tags
• Optional: paper clips
• Optional: Cricut or similar household die-cutting machine
• Optional: the template – download using the form below

How to Make Purim Tags:

1. Cut out your tags. If you’re not sure about making the shape on your own, you can use pre-made tags, a tag-shaped punch, or even a large circle hole punch. Or use the free template above.

2. Draw your shape. Keep it simple! It doesn’t have to be Purim themed but that’s part of the fun! If using the template, cut roughly around the image you want to use. Clip or tape it on top of the cut tag instead.

3. Moving along your image, pierce holes. If using the template, you can just punch right through the template. I recommend working on a protected surface, such as a self-healing mat, so you’re not tempted to hold your tag with your fingers behind where you’re piercing!

The exact distance between holes doesn’t matter as much as staying consistent with your spacing does. Even then it doesn’t have to be perfect!

Don’t forget to erase your pencil design before proceeding.

4. Thread your needle and pull it from back to front through your first hole.

Leave a 1 inch tail in the back. When you create your first stitches, you’ll make sure to “catch” this thread in your back stitches.

5. Make one stitch, and then, catching your back thread, thread it from back to front in the next hole.

6. Thread it back through the hole where your previous stitch ended.

7. Keep on stitching this way – starting your stitch back-to-front from the next unused hole, and then returning front-to-back through the last used hole.

8. Don’t worry about how your back looks. If you need to skip around a little to complete stitches, that’s fine. Complete your first color.

9. To finish off your color, flip your tag over, and thread through a few of your stitches. Trim.

10. Finish off your piece with your second color the same way you did the first.

11. If you want, you can back your piece with an identical or contrasting blank tag to hide the stitching, and to give you more surface to write on.

Write your name – or print simple stickers on clear sticker paper if you’re not confident with your lettering skills. 

You can stitch text too! Just treat each side like one stitch and try to convert any curves into a series of shorter lines.

The post Sewing Paper Purim Tags Craft + Free Printable Template appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

With limited time and endless need for ideas, I wanted to make sure I shared with you a Rosh Hashanah craft that’s versatile in how you can use it when you’re done. I also wanted something that wasn’t just for the kids or grown-ups.

Origami is a classic craft that’s inexpensive and, once mastered, accessible to a huge variety of age groups. The only ones it’s NOT for is the youngest. For them, these coloring pages might be a better bet.

First, master the art of making an origami apple (these are fantastic for back to school too!)
Then, make origami pomegranates (below). The final step, if you want, is to turn it into a fun garland to decorate your home.

The origami pomegranates and apples are made using two pieces each – it’s just much easier than elaborate folds! Both start with a hexagon. On the apple, I made a simple origami leaf as a topper and for the pomegranate, a simple few-step origami crown from scaled-down squares does the trick.

I used plain colored copy paper to make this since the octagon requires a rectangle to start with. You can go a little fancier with cool printed origami paper – just make sure it’s big enough so you get the right size when you scale your square down to a rectangle.

What you need for this Rosh Hashanah Craft:

• 8.5×11 red paper
• Small red square about 2×2 inches. Mine was made from copy paper by folding up the bottom corner and cutting off the top to measure a square. I then cut my square into four equal parts.
• Recommended: bone folder
• Glue – I used dimensional adhesive but really any glue would do (glue dots, tacky glue, hot glue). School glue might just need to be held in place until it sets.

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How to make this Rosh Hashanah Craft

Watch the video or scroll down for photo instructions:

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A post shared by Inspiring Jewish Motherhood (@inspiringjewishmotherhood) on Aug 16, 2020 at 8:53am PDT

Origami Hexagon

1. Place your paper vertically on your work surface. Fold it the long way, crease, and unfold to mark the center.

2. Fold from right and left to your center mark and crease.

3. Fold your bottom left corner to the center and then open the right flap.

4. Fold up the bottom right corner, so that it meets the center, using your previous folds as your guides. Refold the right flap.

5. Fold up the bottom right so that your bottom left side meets the left side and the bottom right corner meets the center. Unfold. Use this fold as a guide to fold the top of your paper down, angling towards the left.

6. Fold the top left down along the fold mark that’s already there. Fold that left bit inward to the center. Tuck that little bit of overlap into the pocket that was formed by previous folds. Your origami hexagon is complete!

Origami Crown

1. Fold your square on the diagonal to form a triangle.

2. Fold your triangle in half the wide way to mark the center and unfold Fold the right corner down to the bottom corner, repeat with the left to form a diamond. Unfold.

3. If you’re working upside down like I was (oops!) flip it right side up now. Fold up your right and left corners to the fold you marked in the previous step.

4. You can either secure the folds from the previous step, or invert them so that they stay in place on their own (tuck them in so that they sit between the two layers of the original triangle).

Assembling it into an Origami Pomegranate

Attach the crown to a corner of the hexagon to complete your origami pomegranate. I made the flat side of my origami the front because I liked how it went better with the crown, but you can use either side.

Assembling your Rosh Hashanah Craft and how to use it

There are many ways you can finish off your Rosh Hashanah craft:

1. To turn it into a garland, simply tape a string along the backs of alternating pomegranates and apples. Use a strong tape or hot glue to reinforce.
2. To turn these into place cards, simply hand letter names on the flat surface of the pomegranates. Read up on some brush lettering tips and tricks here.
3. Turn these into cards! Hand letter or use stickers to write Shanah Tovah on the pomegranates. Glue them onto a card base and write your message inside.

Got anything else to do with this Rosh Hashanah craft? Comment below!

Want to make your Tishrei prep easier, your holiday table more beautiful, and your kids’ happier and busier? Get the printable Tishrei bundle today for 65% off the full value! It’s full of loads of planners, coloring pages, sukkah decor, as well as cool table decorations and place cards!

The post Rosh Hashanah Craft – Origami Pomegranates! appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

Last year, my husband and I decided to craft some gorgeous wine bottle charms/necklaces as a hostess gift for my parents. Since the Seder tends to mean loads of wine bottle swapping, it’s fun to have something to dress them up – something that’s easy to pull off the empty bottle and stick onto the next full one!

I originally designed these grape cluster bottle necklaces as part of a mock packaging design for a wine bottle duo gift set I created when I was studying graphic design (about eight years ago I think!)

I recreated it with Passover in mind.

To make these, I switched between Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls in grape colors. The pearls are a bit more grape-like and the crystals have a sparkly elegance. These high end beads give it next level class, but you can make them with regular beads too.

What you need to make DIY wine bottle charms:

• Beads – approximately 6mm
• 20 gauge wire
• Headpins
• Cable Chain
• Jewelry making pliers (round nose, chain nose, flush cutters)

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How to make beaded grape clusters:

1. To make a single grape dangle: thread a bead onto a headpin.

3. Trim to about 8mm above the bead. You can measure this using an 8mm bead or just eyeball it.

4. Bend your wire back at the top of the bead.

5. Starting at the tip of the wire, curve it to form a loop.

6. To form your cluster: Attach your first bead at the bottom link of your chain. I worked with my chain still attached to the roll/main package.

7. Continue building upward on your chain, starting with a thinner grape at the base, and getting fuller as you go up. Don’t worry about how many you put on – just go with your gut!

8. Create your vine: Start by making a loop like you did with your beads.

9. cut off about an inch and a half of wire. Coil it loosely (don’t try to make it even).

10. Attach this at the top of your grape cluster.

You should now have a grape cluster still attached to your mail chain.

11. Measure how long you need your chain to be so that it sits comfortably around the neck of your bottle, with a little drape. Open the link at that point.

12. And then close it at a link around the top of your cluster to form your necklace.

Your DIY wine charms are complete! Simply slide it over the top of the bottle to use!

Hang one from a bottle – or even two!

They slide on and off easily for smooth bottle-switching.

The post DIY Wine Bottle Charms appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

Every week, without fail, I find myself frantically searching for my calendar to determine what time Shabbat starts and ends. I check multiple times before Shabbat, because I never remember, and then as it nears the end of Shabbat, I start to check again. Sometimes, I don’t have a calendar on hand and check online, which I obviously can’t do on Shabbat.

I wanted a way to display Shabbat candle-lighting times without sacrificing on my decor. My apartment isn’t much, but I do have it nicely decorated, with my living room in shades of blue, and I wanted a craft to reflect the decor and match the room. But I didn’t really have a specific idea in mind, so I pushed it to the back burner.

While on vacation in Virginia, the answer to my dilemma fell into my lap. I was in Target’s Dollar Spot and came across this large, kitschy chalkboard plaque, complete with a hanging string. I instantly knew this was what I wanted to create my Shabbat candle-lighting sign with.

The best part is the chalkboard finish- it makes it super easy to erase and fill in the new times every week.

In order to simplify this craft as much as possible, I created a template (download below) to cut out and paint in on your chalkboard plaque. No guessing size or whether or not your letters are properly spaced. Just print, cut and get to crafting!

What you need to make the Shabbat Candle-Lighting Sign

• the template (optional); download and print the template below to help guide you in cutting out the word שבת and a pair of candlesticks
• hanging chalkboard plaque; I got mine for three dollars at the Dollar Spot in Target, but you can use any kind you’d like. Mine measures approximately 11″x14″.
• craft knife
• self healing cutting mat
• ruler
• acrylic paint; I used an aqua color shifting metallic paint for the letters, and gold acrylic paint for the candlesticks.
• 1″ foam paint brush
• masking tape or painters tape
• chalk in the color of your choice

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Download the Shabbat Candle-Lighting Sign Template here:

How to download it for free: Just enter $0 in the price field. You’re welcome to enter more – as of now, any optional donations are going directly to help us pay hosting and other running costs.

How to make the Shabbat Candle-Lighting Sign

1. Using your craft knife and cutting mat, carefully cut out the letters and candlesticks from the template, making sure that the rest of the page stays intact. Do this slowly to ensure you don’t tear the paper. I printed and cut using regular paper, but if you’d like something sturdier, you can use cardstock.

2. When your template is properly cut, measure the center of the chalkboard plaque, and mark it with a pencil. Measure one third of the way down from the top of the plaque and position the שבת template in the top center of the plaque.

3. Lightly tape the template in place on the chalkboard plaque.

4. Pour a little paint on a plastic paint or palette, and, using your foam brush, lightly paint the inside of the letters.

5. Allow to dry for a few minutes and repeat with a second coat of paint.

6. Allow to dry for a few minutes and repeat with a third coat of paint. If you are using a color shifting metallic paint, like I did, you can try to bring out more of the color and texture by dabbing the third coat on instead of stroking it.

7. Allow to dry for at least one hour then remove the template.

8. Position the cut-out candlesticks template on the lower left of the plaque, one slightly taller than the other.

9. Lightly tape the template in place on the chalkboard plaque.

10. Paint the candlesticks in the same manner as the letters and allow to dry fully.

11. Write out what time Shabbat starts and ends this week with chalk and hang your Shabbat Candle-Lighting Sign in a visible spot!

How will you personalize this Shabbat Candle-Lighting Sign to make it your own? Comment below!

The post Shabbat Candle-Lighting Sign appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

While I am not the crafter on this blog (that’s Menucha’s department), I do have some crafty genes. And my favorite kind of craft is a DIY silk flower centerpiece such as this one. In fact, I make a new one for Shavuos every year.

DIY silk flower centerpieces are a great way to customize your Yom Tov table. I like them for a few reasons. Firstly, this floral arrangement won’t die over a three day holiday. You can also pick exactly which kind of colors and flowers you want to work with in order to get the perfect look.

It will also look beautiful on display anywhere in your home after Shavuos is over. In fact, I’ve used the same DIY silk flower centerpiece on both my Shavuos table and my Sukkos table!

I placed a larger wooden base under my floral arrangement, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have one or can’t find one. It just completes the look and displays beautifully on a set table.

There are a few main criteria for crafting your DIY silk flower centerpiece. The first is your color scheme. The general rule of thumb is to pick no more than three complementing colors. You can go with monochrome and a pop of accent color, or three colors that work well together that are just vibrant and springy, much like I chose for this arrangement.

Secondly, I like to pick a focal point and start off center. If you check out our Instagram highlights, you can see the video tutorial on how I made this DIY silk flower centerpiece and watch exactly how I did it.

The third, and last point, is your effort level. The great thing about a faux floral arrangement is that there are little tricks to use as you go along so that you don’t have to overwork yourself. For example, I use a moss pack under my flowers so that I don’t need every single centimeter covered with flowers. Additionally, I used a styro-foam base. While I did use glue gun to adhere my flowers for extra stability, the styro-foam will hold the flowers on its own, the centerpiece just won’t last as long.

The most important thing is to make it your own. The instructions below are just a springboard for inspiration to craft your own magnificent DIY silk flower centerpiece. Pick your own colors, your own sizes and add a butterfly if it makes you happy!

Note: I linked the materials I used in the list below, but I’ve had better luck finding high quality silk flowers in local craft stores, like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

What you need to make a DIY Silk Flower Centerpiece

• wood base, at least one inch larger than your styro-foam base on all sides (optional)
• styro-foam base, approximately 6″x11″, no more than 1″ in height. Cut to size if necessary.
• glue gun
• wire cutters
• scissors
• moss pack
• artificial flowers in assortment of your choice. I find it better to buy these in-store so you can truly see the quality and color. You will need 1 large focal flower, 4-6 accent flowers, and filler flowers for the remainder.
• T-pins (optional; they are very helpful if you are using moss sheets to cover your styro-foam base)

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How to make a DIY Silk Flower Centerpiece

1. Using the focal flower as a guide (without adhering it to the base), cover your styro-foam base with moss. If using moss sheets, secure with T-pins until ready to glue. Use glue gun to secure moss to base.
2. Insert the focal flower into the base. Use glue gun to secure.
3. Insert the accent flowers around the focal flower. Use glue gun to secure.
4. Fill in the remainder of the base with filler flowers. You can keep some moss exposed (as pictured) or cover the entire base with flowers. If using more than one color, make sure to keep the color flowing throughout the whole arrangement. Use glue gun to secure.
5. If keeping moss exposed, layer more moss (with glue gun) on top, so that no styo-foam shows.
6. Place on wood base. (I did not adhere mine to the wood base, but you can do so using E6000 craft glue.)

Do you like real flower arrangements on your Shavuot table or is crafting one more up your alley? Let us know in the comments!

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The post DIY Silk Flower Centerpiece for your Shavuot Table appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

While my son WILL finally be starting preschool soon and learning about the holidays there, I wanted to continue my “tradition” of making him DIY toys for the holidays. I made him a seder plate for Passover, a Purim playset, and a fun Menorah he can “light” himself.

I want to do more for Rosh Hashanah but I do need a bit more time (maybe once school finally starts!!). For now, I made him a fun “dip the apple in the honey” set, to go with every preschooler’s favorite song…

M really loves this Rosh Hashanah toy – it has that fine motor aspect that he really loves. I can’t say this came out as well as I might have liked, but the idea is there. I guess I was really too rushed, but you can do better than me!

The apple on this Rosh Hashanah toy is attached so that it doesn’t get lost. You can coordinate the threads to make a neater look, or keep your stitch consistent. You an stuff the apple like I did or leave it flat. Either way, I’m sure your child will love it!

What you need to make this Rosh Hashanah toy:

• Felt
• A teensy bit of poly-fil stuffing
• Fabric + detail scissors
• Embroidery thread
• An embroidery needle
• Something to mark with (a chalk marker, permanent marker…)

How to make a DIY felt Rosh Hashanah toy:

1. Make the shape of an apple (I know, mine is more like a tomato… but my toddler recognizes it!)

2. Cut it out and trace it to make another.

3. Using the apple as your guide for sizing, make the shape of a honey pot.

4. Make two of them and cut a slit the size of your apple in one.

5. Trace the top/rim of your pot on yellow felt, and cut a slit in the same spot as on the pot.

You should have the following felt cutout pieces: 2 pots – one with a slit, a yellow top for the pot, and two apples.

6. Start stitching the two halves of your apple together.

7. When you are almost done, fill it with stuffing and finish sewing it up.

8. Double knot your thread when you are done, and don’t trim it.

9. Create a few knots with about 1cm between them along the remaining thread. Do this until you are satisfied with the length that the apple will hang.

10. Start stitching the bottom of your yellow “honey” onto the front of the pot as pictured. I did a running stitch for that bottom part.

This is what the back looks like:

11. Next, stitch around the slit, attaching the front of the pot to the yellow “honey” and sealing it off.

12. Start stitching the front and back together along the top of the pot.

Continue around the whole edge.

This is what the back looks like:

Finish it off and you have a fun Rosh Hashanah toy that allows your toddler to dip the apple in the honey!

What a great way to involve children in the holidays hands-on!!

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This post was originally published on Moms & Crafters.

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