Sara In Akko

I've finally figured out the secret to working with the vegan sherling fabric, you just have to cut into it. I had a yard or so I just couldn't resist buying and I knew it was made to be tiny Baby Uggs. It looks like all babies this year will be getting matching bootie/mit/hat sets.

I've been trying to wait to post these until my children receive them this evening, but I just haven't got that sort of patience. The entire set was finished without the use of my sewing machine and some of the gifts were a LOOOOONG time in the making, so I just can't wait any longer to share!

My 2 and 4 year old like to play together and any gifts given need to be something that accommodates that.

If you're the kind of person that has carefully shopped for and already arranged all your family and friend's gifts just in time for tonight, the first night of Chanukah, you deserve a treat.

If you're the kind of woman who is still planning on piecing together what to get/make your loved ones for those lingering nights towards the end or hoping that they'll loose interest in eight nights of gifts, you deserve a break.

If you haven't already visited my Etsy store, drop in anytime today (December 1st) for a for a 1st night of Chanukah special.

Use this coupon code: 1STNIGHT2010 for a savings of 10% on all items.

Send this code on to anyone you'd like, I'll be happy to honor the discount for the general public. As I'm located in Israel, the sale starts from my 12:01 AM on December 1st but will last until 11:59 PM out on the West Coast. I like to get the most out of time differences.

"Happy Cha-noo-kah Day 1 Mawdie!"

These are only the first of many owl clips I have started crafting like crazy to get ready for the start of holiday gifting time. However, these are not the most exciting owl objects to be finished this week.

I wanted to get these posted before the evening gets away from me. Looking forward to sharing the owl pouch that will hold these clips for some of my favorite little girls.

Maybe I'm still hanging on to the tail end of the owl fad, but I just love little kids decorated with these cookie birds. More to come...

Like the Owl Purse I just finished!





Materials:
1 stained but salvageable child's T-shirt
1 fat quarter or other quilting weight cotton square
1 square of canvas or other heavy material for lining *(unless you enjoy playing with interfacing the canvas will keep the purse shape without too much hassle)
1 colorful shoelace or length of twill tape to coordinate
The basics- scissors, needle, thread, felt scraps for decorating

I can't tell you how excited I am that one of my Chanukah Crafts was featured on The Crafty Crow today. The Crafty Crow is a collection of' crafts for children and for a variety of ages.

This is a blog that I check regularly to see what sorts of amazing things other crafters have been up to and an essential place to stop over to if you are looking at a long holiday break with no idea what to do to keep the kiddies engaged and creative.

Check it out, its a great collective of ideas and innovation in the world of child imagination.


You might recognize some other prominent Jewish craft-sters also featured. What a great morning surprise.

You can see the original Color-fun and Counting Menorah HERE

Thanks to everyone who entered this weeks Chanukah Crayon Giveaway. While there were a ton of great ideas that I will save in my crafting bank for later the final project is a variation on an old favorite.



Much like the Dreidel Gelt Bag which can be seen here I stitched up a tinier version that takes up a quarter sheet of pre-cut felt for each student. This is the perfect size for a set of crayons and a Chanukah note from our family to the 31 kids in the preschool class. The tutorial for this simple project can be found in the link above.



What about our prize winners you ask. The random number generator from Random.org has told me the lucky winner is #5 Shalom. Thanks to everyone for entering. Our winner SHALOM should contact me this week to get me details on how to get your prize to you (you never left me an email).

See, I let my kids craft a little too.


I have my happy little Chanukah Goblins hard at work crafting their own Chanukah cards to send to family and friends.

As we all know a well planned for craft can keep little hands busy and out of trouble. Also, it seems that family and friends like the stuff kids make in a few minutes as much as the stuff mom spends hours thinking of how to craft.


These are simple white crayon on card-stock, greeting card messages that have been painted over with watercolors by my children, 4 and nearly 2. I prepared the super-simple designs and let the kids go wild with the paints. A heavy cardstock was perfect for this project because 2 is too little for watercolors and the result is a very damp but still usable card in the end.

REMINDER: There is still time to leave your comments for the Chanukah Giveaway HERE

As you may have gathered, Chanukah sneaks up on us so early this year. Really, shockingly early for those of us with a side by side Hebrew/English calender.

But for those of who also have a crafty need to make stuff and force it on others, this is no deterrent. My next Chanukah project comes out of the necessity to find an appropriate present to give to 31 preschoolers before their holiday break begins.


I also have a need to use up the many many 4-packs of crayons that I purchased this summer with the intent of placing in birthday treat bags, only to forget and leave them in the large pile on my craft shelf.

While last year's project included 30 Felt Driedel bags with homemade playdough, chanukah crayons, butterflies, bugs, origami animals and treats this year I am not undertaking a project of such a scale. Just a small gift from our family to the kids.

But what's a mom to craft when the only recognizable symbols of the holiday are Dreidels and Chanukiahs? And everyone knows that paper-cut jelly doughnuts rarely (never) turn out very well.

Any ideas?

Anyone who comments on this post is eligible to win some of these Chanukah Crayons, recycled crayons in fun Chanukah shapes. I'll choose one winner at random and ship them out in time for Chanukah, anywhere in the world. The set of crayons is a mix of 9 colors and shapes. Dreidels, Stars of David, Chanukiahs and more.

Rules:
Leave an idea for how to get rid of these packs crayons in a fun Chanukah-ish manner. The craft must be able to be completed with stuff I probably already have lying around my house (you can assume my craft scraps and supplies are extensive). Post as many ideas as you like but only one comment entry will count for the drawing. If I use your idea, I'll feature it and credit your brilliant idea. Comical if unrealistic ideas will be considered as well, I like to think big.

If you don't have an idea for what to do with all these crayons you can "follow" me and let me know in a comment.

Contests ends and winner will be drawn by November 18th. Or you could always buy your own set here on Etsy.

Feel free to write me if you have any questions but otherwise, comment with your ideas.

Just a quick glimpse of some suede projects I've been working on for a Chanukah Craft and Gift Bizarre in the Chicagoland area that I will be "appearing" in.

So without further ado...






Hopefully I'll have enough leftover suede to craft up some headbands and broaches as well. More to come soon.

Update: As for a few questions I've gotten about these cuffs, here's what they're made of. Layers of hand-cut suede, Austrian glass leaf beads and iridescent seed beads clustered in the center. The dark background behind the flower is a wide leather cuff bracelet. Although I rarely wear jewelry I like single pieces that make bold statements when I do.

How to get One: I currently can't make enough to keep them in stock. If you'd like your own suede cuff bracelet, contact me here or at ModaMama on Etsy and I'll set up a private listing.

I've seen those expensive Japanese fabric prints with the rows of adorable little Russian Matryoshkas . I've seen felt garland Matryoshkas and printable paper Matryoshkas. Matryoshka appliqued baby booties and unfolding Matryoshkas birthday cards.


As I yelled across the room at my husband just recently, "Have you seen all the freaking Matryoshkas on Etsy lately?" As a Russian born male, the cuteness of this recent craze is totally lost on him.
They are literally everywhere and while my children have their own authentic, aged wooden Matryoshkas and their newer pencil topper Matryoshkas, I thought I should at least try my hand with a modern twist to the very old Russian nesting doll.

Here's how to Make your own little Softie Matryoshka Doll set.

Materials:
1 One fat quarter of calico print or a large scrap (small pattern works well with this scale)
Large scrap thick muslin or plain canvas/quilting weight light solid (for face)
Embroidery thread in black and red/pink
Stuffing of your choice (I like dried beans or rice for these guys)
Basics(Paper, pencil, needle thread, scissors)

Instructions:

1. Create a set of three templates by outlining your Matryoshka shape onto paper and then decreasing the size incrementally for each following template. I searched online for "Matryoshkae Outlines" and "Coloring Page" but eventually free-handed it.

You can cut the face template circle by finding a round object the fits the largest doll body (a bottle cap or bottom of a paint bottle)

2. Cut out your 2 doll bodies of each template from your calico print.

3. Cut out 1 circle for each face of the three dolls.

4. Embroider face on one piece of doll body for each corresponding size. Stitch hair and the circumference of the face to secure to doll body.

5. Place two matching doll body pieces, right sides facing together. and stitch around, leaving the bottom edge open to fill.

6. Repeat steps 1-5 with other sized doll bodies and faces.

7. Enjoy your quick evening sewing project with nice results.

Notes on this project: I intended to let my four year old have these dolls, really I did. But it turns out that they are freaking adorable and she has lots of little dolls (who's fault could that be?)

I think I'll have to be gifting these.

This craft is borrowed directly from my mother. I can honestly say that I don't think she has any sort of crafty bone in her body, a statement I don't think she'd disagree with, so I can only assume that one of her crafty teacher friends lent her this go to Chaunkah gem sometime back in the 70's.

Our home was never heavy on the decorations but Chanukah did mean getting out our collection of Dreidels and these bags.

I've frequently used this project for classes of 3rd and 4th graders with much success and prepared these for a whole class of preschoolers with equally rave reviews. The key here is to paint everyone's name on their bag. It makes it individual and special.

In essence, the Dreidel Gelt Bag is quick and festive and can be completed by kids or by an adult as an afternoon activity or something to keep student's hands busy with crafting before going on holiday break.

Materials:
2 Sheets of felt squares, blue is kind of holiday-ish but I say go wild.
Glitter fabric paint or glue, any color you like
Embroidery thread and needle

Instructions:
1. Make single Dreidel template by folding felt in half. Calculate roughly half way down the open side and cut at an angle to bottom fold.

2. Next measure an inch or two from top center fold outward and cut a 2 inch vertical line, Cut from the bottom of this line straight out towards the open ends.

3. Trace onto the second piece to get two matching halves of your Driedel.

4. *Sew closed the bottom four ends.

5. Use glitter paint or glitter glue to add the Hebrew name of the recipient. Let dry.

6. Present finished bag to child filled with Chanukah goodies (Chocolate Gelt, Chanukah Crayons, etc...) and enjoy!

*Note:For a classroom activity for students to sew themselves, skip step 4 but continue to write the names of each student before presenting them with their project. I usually get the dull craft needles and pre-cut thread for each student to save time and aggravation in-class. Be ready to help younger students and often older ones who have never sewn before.


(This is my husband's Gelt bag, twice the of the kid's bags, but often worn as a hat for photos)

Although this is a quick holiday craft it began as last year's holiday craft, only to resurface now to be finished and shared.

To be fair, the children in our household have never set their eyes on this little Chanukah treasure. Therefore, it must be new.

Things I like about this project:
It is relatively quick (if you're the sort who finishes projects)
You can use virtually any scraps you have around the house
You don't need to sew if it isn't your cup of tea (Hurray for felt and glue)
I see this as the kind of decoration that's timeless, year after year, for celebrating.
but without further ado...

Craft your own Color and Counting Menorah Play Mat

Materials:
One large square of canvas or solid colored quilt weight fabric (at least 18"x18")
One large square of blue or contrasting felt or other heavy fabric
9 different colored pieces of usable scraps of felt
One square of yellow felt (for flames
Sew-on Hook-and-loop tape (you won't need much)
Basics (needle, thread, scissors, pencil etc...)

General Guidelines:
Prepare the base canvas by pressing and sewing the edges. Cut a rough Menorah shape out of your large piece of felt and sew the menorah flush to the bottom of your canvas. When completely secured, set entire piece aside, go get your felt scraps. Decided on a rough candle size you like, cut doubles for each of your 9 scrap colors, straight stitched around and stuffed each candle. Then cut out 18 tiny flame shapes to be doubled and make one flame per candle.

Take your Hook-and-loop tape and either sew or adhere to your canvas base where you would like your candles spaced.


Stick the play mat in your holiday box with your Dreidels and other Chanukah fixings and move on to your next holiday project. Enjoy!

The nice thing about living in Israel is that there are constant reminders of what holiday will sneak up on you next. The Fall is totally ruled by High Holidays and their endless strings of Holiday sandwiched between Shabbat and then another and another....



And although we've just taken down our Sukkah, my husband returned from the market the other day with the season's first sufganiot (Israel's best attempt at the doughnut). I was nearing distress over this sneak attack by Chanuka and it's greasy host of accompanying side dishes, but then I glanced at the calendar and noticed that it really is just a short six weeks until our next major holiday.

Here's my agenda for this holiday season, a rough outline that would be a miraculous Maccabian victory if I get through half.

Chanukah To Craft List
Colors and Counting Chanukiah (Menorah)
Dreidel Gelt Bags
Homemade Sufganiot (dare I try anything deep fried?)
Chanukah Crayons (Less dangerous than using a fryer)
Something of Juda Maccabi action hero variety
Something with a lion
Something New?

Oh and crafty gifts for all... oy, I really should think about some gifts.

Super. I'll start crafting now. I'll share projects as I go.