Dreidel Garland and Decor


Remember that lovely image I posted from BHG.com of the dreidel garland? Well, I set out to make it for my home. If you love these patterns, you can also just print and cut them out on heavy card stock. I wanted to use different colors, so here is my version. First, download and make a template from the printable by The Party Dress:


Then you will need all sorts of colored card stock. Trace the template, fold the tabs, and assemble. It's best to trace with a pencil on the back side of the paper, making sure you use a ruler to mark the fold lines, too. Press down enough with the pencil to make an indentation in your thick card stock. This will  make the paper fold just where you want it to.  


Use double stick tape or hot glue to assemble.


Make a bunch! Next you will need to make the stem of the dreidel. I used a square balsa wood dowel and cut it with an x-acto. 


Now get a large upholstery needle and some cotton string. Knot before and after each dreidel. You will need a delicate touch in poking through so you don't crush your dreidels! I found twisting the needle with a 
little pressure was enough to poke a hole.



Hooray!



I'm also super proud of my arrangement for the mantle:

Nature-Inspired Menorahs

You simply must check out these nature-inspired ideas by Lucia at The Magnifying Glass
And you can make them all too!

Rock Menorah:


Shell and Sand Menorah:

Shell Menorah:

Hanukkah Gift Wrap

I thought I'd share an alternate and pretty solution for Hanukkah gift wrap. Boy do I love those chocolate coins (especially the dark chocolate ones). They also make a terrific embellishment. The kids will love having edible bows, trust me!



Happy Wrapping!

Hanukkah Love


As I mentioned yesterday, I've been feeling less than inspired with what to do for Hanukkah and frustrated by my limited options. This quickly turned around, however, when I browsed Pinterest, Etsy, and the great wide open web. There are a ton! There are some fabulous ideas out there! I had to share all my favorites!


1. Star Deco Kit--Blues by Polli
2. Scalloped Hanukkah Garland by ElisabethNicole
3. A terrific dreidel pouch idea at marthastewart.com
4. Dreidel Garland on BHG.com

And in case you want to make those dreidels head over to The Party Dress for a printable by Kelly:


Did someone say mobile? I did! Try this wonderful dreidel mobile idea by Sara at Creative Jewish Mom:


This is still the most beautiful menorah I've ever seen, and it's at West Elm:


                                            These donuts and marbleized cookies are making me hungry!


1. "Glittered" Sufganiyot at marthastewart.com
2. Marbleized Cookies by Catherine at Homemade Lemon Cake

Lowe's actually had a terrific idea for an abstract Jewish star project in a lovely gold motif:


Here are some more great finds on Etsy. I think the wooden window hanger would also make a lovely trivet for your holiday table:


1. Hanukkah ornament of folded paper by Bold Folds
2. Printable Chevron Hanukkah Card by The Fussy Designer
3. Hanukkah Wooden Window Hanger by JC's Wood Creations
4. Hanukkah Wall Art by Sweet Lex

And finally, who says we can't have a tree? Some people prefer to call them a Hanukkah bush, which I never really understood. Why are we calling a tree a bush? Anyhow, the Tree of Life is a very common symbol in Judaism. There is even a lovely prayer in each Jewish service: 

"It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it and all of its supporters are happy."


1.Ornament by Creationsbyjbd:
2. Hannukah Bush credited to Anne's Gift Cottage (sold out)

And those are my favorites. I was really quite pleasantly surprised with all the inspiration from Martha Stewart. And now I'm off for the rest of the week to meet up with family. Have a great weekend.

Etsy Crush: Nature-Inspired

Check out these beautiful things inspired by the greatest muse of all: nature!


1. Branch Earrings with Golden Pods by Thalassa Jewelry
2. Natural Bark Journal by Tanya Sova
3. Wearable Planter Pin by Wearable Planter
4. Leather Feather Earrings by TZain


Craft It Up: Block Printing

I've been under the weather lately. You'd think I'd be glued to my computer, but I've been more of a couch potato. Anyhow, I had to share this terrific idea for block printing with, you guessed it, yarn! This project was created as part of a guest blogger series by the talented Stephanie of Modern Parents Messy Kids, and her full tutorial is found at Whip Up.


The best ideas really are the most simple. They're not just for kids, either. The best ideas are ageless!


Art Basel 2011

Hi creatives! Did you have a wonderful weekend? I spent mine visiting Art Basel, a huge art festival that takes Miami Beach by storm each year. Art Basel consists of "more than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa...showcasing works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries." It's an overwhelming and incredible experience, and this was the third year I was lucky enough to go.


Here are some of my favorites:

1. Untitled by Barry McGee, 2011, paint on panel in 20 parts, Cheim & Reid Gallery
2. Girl, Girl on a Globe by Yinka Shonibare, 2009, dutch wax printed cotton textile and globe, James Cohan Gallery
3. Empty Voices by Octavio Schipper, 2011, acoustic foam and cast bronze shapes, Anita Schwartz Gallery
4. Seal Box by Alan Shields, 1984-85, watercolor, thread on handmade paper, Greenberg Van Doren Gallery

I was so excited to finally see a piece by Yinka Shonibare. I've been a major fan for years. There were so many others that they all sort of blur together. I am hoping at some point this subterfuge in my head will steady and stop, and then I can sift through all I saw and show you more. This year was truly fantastic!

Etsy Crush: Geometric

I am loving all this geometric-inspired art, jewelry, sculptures, and home decor I've seen lately!
I wish I could show them all, but here are my favorites.


1. Togl . Print by Twamies
2. Modern Neon Christmas Tree Decorations Ornaments by Sketch.inc
3. Geometric Necklace Neon Arrows and Stripes, leather by Boo and Boo Factory
4. You Rock card, gocco screen printed by Rank and File


And while we are into tip top shapes (bad joke, I know), 
check out this nifty DIY Paper Gemstone project by Kate at Minieco.co.uk:



Templates included! Have a geometric weekend!

Lace Bowl and Votive

I love this glowing votive bowl of lace made by Meg at Spirello.


Google didn't translate the page so well, but I believe she made it with lace doilies (not the paper kind), some fabric stiffener, and a balloon. Simply saturate the doilies with the stiffener, lay them on a balloon, allow to completely dry, pop the balloon, and you now have a beautiful bowl and votive for the holidays!