Wednesday, December 29, 2010

December Sketch

For December, the design team has been working with this sketch by Jana Eubanks. Since this is December, we all have plenty of Hannukah photos to scrap. This sketch uses 3 photos, although it is always possible to use more or less.

Lisa Spiegel created this layout with each of her daughters lighting the Hannukah candles on the fourth night. I love how she hand-cut the big 8 and the presents.


Maya Oren-Dahan also decided to showcase candle-lighting photos, hers are from the 8th night. I love the way she captured so many flames in her photos.





In this layout, Mimi Klien documented the hand decorated sugar cookies that she baked and decorated with her family.




They say the way to a man's heart is through is stomach. This was definitely true for my 9 year old when I decided to make Donuts, for the first time ever. He was quite fond of the donuts and his mother this Hannukah. I used the sketch to remember this culinary adventure.

I hope this sketch inspires you to scrap some of you Hannukah photos. Please share your work by leaving a comment.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Beat the boredom blues with Crafting Jewish Style

Here are some fun crafting ideas to do with the kids over vacation and/ or snow day .(We're expecting lots of snow here very soon...) It's a great way to spend some time together and is answer to the "Mom, I'm bored..." refrain that we all hear when the kids are off from school for an extended period of time.

These crafts are great because they basically are made from supplies that are usually available in most homes! I love that you can reuse and recycle everyday containers into beautiful desk accessories, and it gives the kids a chance to (re)decorate their rooms.






Desk Set

If your desk is stuck, like mine, in a perpetual state of messiness then this desk set is just the project for you. Finally you’ll have a neat way to store the pens, pencils, papers, and other junk that seems to multiply and take over your desk space. With such gorgeous looking organizing accessories that you’ve crafted yourself, out of basic household items that you have on hand, you’ll be tempted to keep everything in its place- I’m certainly hoping that will happen to me!

What you will need:

Assorted clean metal, cardboard or plastic containers
Scrapbooking or wrapping paper
Ruler and pencil
Scissors
Mod Podge
Foam brush
X-acto knife
Trim
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Label stickers
Marker

How to do it:

1.Measure the height and width of each container and mark the measurements, plus a 1/2”, with a pencil onto the back of the paper. Cut out the measured paper.
2.Use the foam brush to apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the outside of the container. Stick the paper onto the surface of the container, overlapping where necessary. Smooth out any air bubbles with your fingers.
3.Brush another thin coat of Mod Podge on top of the paper. Let dry.
4.Use an X- acto knife to trim any excess paper form the top and/or bottom of the container.
5.Cut a piece of decorative trim to fit around the top circumference of the container and attach with a hot glue gun.
6.Label the container by writing the name of the item(s) on a label sticker and affixing it to the front of the container.

Estimated time: ½ hour




Bulletin Board and Pushpins

Keep all your important papers, pictures and fun stuff, tacked up for easy access and on display on a funky bulletin board made out of an embellished picture frame! It’s a great addition to your desk set.
Maximize your time by crafting the push pins while the bulletin board dries. The marble push pins are adorable for a change, you can easily make them into magnets by attaching very strong circular magnets instead of push pins.

What you will need:

Embellished picture frame
8½”x 11 sheet foam core board
Roll of corkboard material
Craft knife- x-acto knife
Ruler and pencil
Craft glue
Acrylic paint in the colors of your choice
2” wide foam
Scissor or circle puncher
Flat pushpins
Silicone glue- E6000

How to do it:

1.Take the back off of the picture frame and place out of crafting area.Measure the picture opening of your picture frame. Mark the measurements onto the foam core and cut out the foam core rectangle with sharp scissors or an x-acto knife.
2.Unroll the cork board material on a flat surface. Place the foam core on top and use a ruler and pencil to trace the foam core rectangle onto the cork. Cut out the traced cork rectangle.
3.Spread craft glue onto the foam core and glue the cork on top. Smooth the cork down with your fingers so that there are no air bubbles. If the cork curls upward then place some heavy books on top while drying. Let dry 1-2 hours.
4.Use a foam brush to paint the cork the color of your choice. Let dry.
5.Place the cork covered foam core into the picture frame opening.
Reassemble the picture frame.
For the pushpins:
1.Place the flat marble on to the back of the patterned paper.
2.Trace the around the marble with a pencil. Cut out the paper with a scissor or a
round punch.
3. Squeeze some glue on to a scrap of paper. Use a toothpick to place a
small amount of the glue onto the paper circle and place the marble down on top of the paper. Push out the air bubbles with your fingers and let the glue dry.
4. Glue the pushpin to the flat part of the marble and let dry.

Estimated time: 1 hour Drying time: 2-4 hours






Candy Pillow

Dress up your bed with pillows that look good enough to eat!

What you will need:
Fabric remnant
Pinking sheers
Needle and thread or use sewing machine
2 rubber bands or narrow pony holders
Poyester fiberfill or bolster pillow
3 yards 1/4” -3/8” wide polyester grosgrain ribbon in assorted colors
Wooden dowels and clothespins or metal alligator clips
Cookie sheet or large baking pan
Aluminum foil

How to do it:

1.If using fiberfill, use pinking sheers to cut the fabric in a rectangle approximately 21"x24". If using a bolster pillow, cut the fabric 6-8 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the pillow.
2.Fold the fabric in half, widthwise, so that the right side (printed side) is facing inwards.
3.Use a needle and thread or a sewing machine to sew the two sides together along the entire width of the fabric. It should look like a long tube when you are done.
4.Turn the tube right side in. Grasp one end of the tube in one hand and use your other hand to wrap a rubber band tightly around that end, approximately 6” into the tube.
5.Stuff the fiberfill into the open end of the tube making sure to pack it in well and that it is not lumpy. Leave 6” at the end of the tube not stuffed. (If you are using a bolster pillow stuff it into the fabric tube and continue with step 6.
6.To close the open end, wrap a rubber band tightly where the fiberfill ends and fluff the fabric out.
7.Preheat your oven to 250*. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
8.Cut 1 yard lengths of grosgrain ribbon. For each ribbon curl: Clip one end of the ribbon to the dowel with a clothespin. Wind the ribbon tightly around the dowel making sure not to overlap the ribbon and clip the end of the ribbon to the dowel to secure. Repeat for other colors.
9.Place the ribbon wrapped dowels on the cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn off oven and let cool before removing dowels.
10.Unwrap ribbon from dowels (if the curl is not tight then rewrap return to oven and bake for another 10 minutes) and cut each ribbon curl in half. Tie the curls around the rubber bands making sure to completely cover the rubber bands.

Estimated time:1 hour Bake time: 20 minutes

Hannukah Layout

Directions:
1. Cut the large eight from the 8 Nights paper, using it as a corner embellishment on the One to Eight paper (solid side). Adhere only the left side of the eight for now.
2. Adhere two 4x6" photos to a white photo mat.
3. Tuck photos under the large eight, as shown.
4. Trace openings on the eight onto a lined library card or lined patterned paper. Adhere behind the openings on the eight. Tuck small tags and embellishments in, as desired.
5. Adhere remainder of eight to the page and sew around the perimeter.
6. Add remaining layers and embellishments (journaling spots, stickers, photo turns, rub-ons, etc).
7. Add journaling strips to bottom of page.

I used eight 8s on this page. Can you find them all? :)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Hanukkah Scrapbooking Tips

Now that Hanukkah is over, and you have loads of beautiful memories to be recorded, it's time to start thinking about how you want to organize your photos and what topics you want to focus on.

1. Create a collage. One of the easiest ways to get a lot of photos on a page, without making it look cluttered, is to make a collage. Collages allow you to combine various shots from an event without focusing on one particular aspect of the holiday or gathering. A 4x6 collage, for example, can have four 2x3 photos on it. The combination of sizes is endless (and you can certainly mix-and-match photo sizes, as well as mix landscape and portrait photos). A photo editing program, like Photoshop Elements, is one way to easily create a collage. Once you're done you can either print at home or use an online service.

2. Document family traditions. Holidays are the perfect time to focus on family traditions. Think about what your family does to carry on traditions that have been passed down through the generations (do you use your great-grandmother's menorah?) or what traditions your own family has created (maybe a special game or book you like to read).

3. Don't forget the food. Food is always important. LOL! What recipes do you make year after year? Did you try any new ones this year? How do you like to eat your latkes (with sour cream, applesauce or both? My father adamantly declares that there is no other way than to eat them with sour cream, LOL! ) What one food says "Hanukkah" to you?

4. Detail shots. I hope you were able to get some special shots during the holiday. These types of photos deserve to shine on a page of their own. Consider turning your favorite to black-and-white for a classic, timeless look. Maybe you have a picture of the menorah lighting, a playful game of dreidel or a collection of some kind (my father has a wonderful collection of Hanukkiah). When it comes time to creating the look of candlelight/flames on your page, you can cut or punch a heart and cut it in half. You could also use sparkling gems, rhinestones or glitter.

5. It wouldn't be a holiday without friends and family. Scrapbook about who you spend the holiday with. Do you always get together with family? Do you celebrate on multiple nights? Do friends attend your holiday gathering or do you go to a friend's home? Don't forget to include this part of your celebration.

I hope I've given you some ideas and ways to organize your thoughts and photos. Now it's time to get scrapping. :)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Crafting Jewish Style Hanukkah Grand Giveaway Winner


Hanukkah is over and what a beautiful holiday it was! Gotta get back on the diet! (I feel like I've consumed a year's worth of latkes and donuts!)
Yes, we have a winner (generated by Random.org)!! Deb Long has won our Grand Giveaway! Please contact us for prize delivery information.

Don't forget to send us your holiday (and any day) memory layouts, cards, and/or papercrafts to be included in our post-holiday roundup that is coming soon.

Thanks for Sharing your Hanukkah Holiday experiences with Crafting Jewish Style!

Shabbat Shalom!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Latkes anyone?

Tonight we will light the last Hanukkah candle. Another Festival of Lights will end, leaving us with happy memories, gifts, menorahs to clean and ..... pictures. Of course! If you are like me, your will find on your memory card endless pictures of candles, menorahs, hands, dreidels, donuts, latkes and more candles. Time to scrap at lest some of those pictures and capture those happy memories.

Latkes are big in our house. I like them with sour cream (my girls ate them one year with sugar, but don't tell anyone!) . I decided that latkes deserve a layout on their own. Those are from last year. This year latkes are still on my memory card but surprisingly they look just the same.

I wanted to use the numbers paper from my Hanukkah kit but the colors were too bold. I solved this by layering 2 sheets of vellum on top of the paper and stitching around. I added white punched scallop border (reminds me of sour cream) and layered it on top of light teal scallop border. Few white pearls and journaling strips and my layout is done!


All paper here, except the vellum, are from Crafting Jewish Style Hanukkah kit!

How do you like your latkes? Please share! Don't forget - you still have a chance to enter into the big prize drawing just by leaving a comment.

Monday, December 6, 2010

CRAFTING JEWISH STYLE WISHES YOU A HAPPY HANNUKAH!!

Happy Chanukah to everyone!For those of you who want to know more about the holiday or need help with the blessings go here for some great info.

We have a winner for the party package from The Frog Prince Paperie generated by Random.org!! Lisa is our winner! We are so excited! (Lisa is an extremely talented crafter. Check out her Hannukah decorations here.)Please contact us to claim your prize! We hope you get to use it over the holiday, and take pictures to share with us. We will be picking our Grand Giveaway winner soon-don't forget to leave a comment in order to be entered.

It is wonderful to light the Hanukkah candles every night. I love having out all the menorahs and dreidels. We, of course, had latkes last night for dinner. We fried the traditional potato latkes, but I hear its a brave new world in latke land... all sorts of new flavor combos and exotic toppings are emerging....Move over potato latkes and apple sauce and sour cream, here come mimosa latkes!

Check out the recipes over here for a Asian inspired Hanukkah meal.

Kosher.com has a fab Indian Hanukkah menu

and The Kosher Gourmet will fill all you Kosher Holiday recipe needs.

have you tried out any exotic latke recipes?



We have been seeing Crafting Jewish Style products showcased all over in all different mediums.

Check out these cupcake wrappers using our Happy Hannukah paper:




Keshet Shenkar did a stunning Chanukah album on Write Click Scrapbook here's a sneak peak, but you must check out the whole album. Yum!



Finally, check out what our design team members, Lisa and Lisa,and follower, Irit have been up to at Scrapstreet.com.

Show us how you have been using Crafting Jewish Style products and we will include you in our Hannukah roundup!

Hanukkah Layouts

One of the great things about Hanukkah from a scrappy perspective is that we get so many chances to take the perfect photograph. We get 8 nights of candle lighting as well as multiple nights of gift giving and eating the traditional foods. I try to take pictures of my sons lighting the menorah each night, and then scrap the best few. This year, I was pleased with thse photos from the first night. I used the Hannukah kit for this layout, which was inspired by a sketch challenge over at scrapbook.com, which used a sketch from pencillines.




Maya has also created a Hannukah layout from a sketch, she found hers at Tuesday Trio, a site which has both Hebrew and English.




I find sketches are a great inspiration and help me try new things on my layouts.

We hope you are all having a great Hanukkah and check back often as our Hanukkah winner will be posted shortly.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Crafting Jewish Style Day 8 of our Hanukkah Crafts Roundup


Hanukkah begins tonight and we, at Crafting Jewish Style, are so excited! Our 8 crazy nights posts have been so much fun! We love reading all your responses. There is still time to enter our giveaways. If your hosting a party, than The Frog Prince Paperie giveaway is a must-have.

Wouldn't it be fun to use this...



And this...


for some fun holiday decorations at your Hanukkah party! They're yours, if you win our giveaway,so leave a comment.


If you need some more inspiration, then we hope you win this...

...along with the other prizes that are part of our Grand Giveaway!

HAPPY HANUKKAH!



Don't forget we are offering a 10% discount on all orders @ Crafting Jewish Style. Use coupon code "happy hannukah". The Frog Prince Paperie is also offering the Hanukkah set at discount.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day 7- Hanukkah Photo Tips

Welcome to Day 7!  Today I will be sharing my tips for better Hanukkah Pictures!

1) My first tip for you would be to turn off the flash!
Let the lights of the candles illuminate your subjects.  You will have to turn up your ISO and hold very steady but this is the most dramatic way to improve your Hanukkah photos

2) Try capturing a reflection of the candles for even more glow:
It sets a VERY subtle mood to photograph this setting. :) We like to light our Hanukkiahs in the window and I love the look of the reflection.

3) Put the candles in focus, not the people:
Here you get the feel for the child lighting the candles as her hand is in the frame, but we can see it is the third night of Hanukkah and the focus is on the candles.

4) Try a different angle to get a feel for the evening:
On this night we are at our large family party. Each family brings a Hanukkiah to light and I wanted to capture everyone's Hanukkiahs as we were lighting them.

5) Don't forget to capture the fun in action!!
We love a good game of dreidel!

6) Don't forget to take pictures of the decor:

Again, turning off the flash is the best tip here...and lastly, but certainly not least!

7) Photograph the FUN!!
It's always fun to capture a true and honest expression of joy!!

Hope you are enjoying our 8 Days of Hanukkah so far...please let us know in the comments section how you capture the best Hanukkah memories with your camera for your chance to win a prize!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Day 6: Hanukkah Books

Welcome to Day 6 of our 8 crazy days of Hanukkah! I'm here today to share a couple of our favorite Hanukkah books (and I hope you'll share your family favorites too).


For the younger set (and for introducing the basics of the holiday to older children), we like Harriet Ziefert's lift-the-flap story called "What is Hanukkah?" This book answers questions like why we light candles, play dreidel, eat latkes, and exchange gifts as well as presenting the history of the holiday in an easy-to-understand way. It follows a boy named Josh, and his family, as they ready for the holiday and every page features a flap with additional text or illustrations.

Fran Manushkin's book, "Latkes and Applesauce", starts off like a fairytale — "It happened long ago in a village far away..." and follows the Menashe family as their village is hit with a terrible blizzard and they realize there will be no apples for applesauce or potatoes for latkes. A stray dog and cat help them realize the miracle of the holiday and find a way to bring apples and potatoes to the family's home just in time. At the end of the book there is a historical account of Hanukkah as well as a latke recipe and directions for playing the dreidel game.


Last on my list today (but definitely not least) are two books by Linda Glaser — "The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes" and "Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah". The first book starts on the last night of Hanukkah when Rachel's mother discovers she doesn't have enough potatoes to make latkes for all of their guests. Rachel is sent next door to Mrs. Greenberg's house to borrow some potatoes and what ensues is a sweet story of friendship and caring. Mrs. Greenberg and Rachel appear again in "Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah". This time the pair attempts to make latkes in Mrs. Greenberg's sparkling clean kitchen. It turns out to be a really messy job and exhausts poor Mrs. Greenberg. Mrs. Greenberg, who lives on her own, soon learns that it is a wonderful mess, not a terrible one.

We're always looking for new books to read so please let me know what your favorite Hanukkah story is. Share your ideas and you'll be entered into the grand prize drawing.

Happy Hanukkah to you all!


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Dayh 5: Kosher Wines

With Hannukah coming up, there will be a lot of opportunities to bring house gifts and entertain guests. During Jewish holidays, I always choose to bring kosher wines, both to respect the holiday and support the kosher winegrowers. Kosher wine has come a long way from the square bottles that our parents drank. There are now wineries making kosher wines all over the world: Israel, California, France, South Africa, Portugal, and other places. Here are a few that we have enjoyed recently.

We discovered this Sforno Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel last Passover. We enjoyed it so much we went back to the store to stock up before they sold out.














I discovered this Red by W when I was shopping for High Holiday wines. This red blend from Weinstock vineyards is surprisingly inexpensive and very drinkable for the price. At under $10, this is a great choice for a casual family dinner at home, and since it's kosher it's perfect for a Shabbos dinner as well.














If you are into numerology and want to bring a special house gift, this Hai wine from Israel is perfect, and enjoyable to drink too.
















Finally, if you're not able to drink alcohol, too young, or just not interested, there are still ways to enjoy the festivities of kosher wine at the holidays. We often serve the Kedem kosher sparkling grape juice which comes in a variety of grapes, such as the Merlot shown here. This festive beverage looks beautiful and is really tasty.










For the 5th day of our 8 crazy nights, we want to know what you think about kosher wines. What is your favorite kosher beverage? Share your suggestions here for a chance to be entered in the Hanukkah grand prize drawing.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Day 4: Homemade Hanukkah Menorahs

Welcome to the day 4 of our Hanukkah celebration! Hope your Shabbat was a peaceful one.
Today we will talk about Hanukkah Menorahs or as we say in Hebrew - Hanukkiah. Lightning the Menorah is the highlight of Hanukkah and that's why they are so important. You can find some very simple ones and you can find some gorgeous Menorahs designed by artists. But you also can make a Menorah at home. Nothing puts you in the holiday mood like working on your own Menorah!

You can start with baby food jar Menorah or blocks Menorah. There are plenty of tutorials for making Menorah from wooden blocks including an adorable blocks Menorah from Creative Jewish Mom and this cute Menorah from Hadasah Young Women website

Image by Hadassah Young Women


Another cute and simple version uses glass tea light holders and tissue paper. You can find a detailed tutorial by Diane Gilleland for Craftzine here

Mazo Ball Soup shares lots of great Hanukkah crafts including clay Menorah. Another great clay Menorah with instructions can be found at FamilyFun.com

Image by FamilyFun.com

If a trip to hardware store is on your agenda you can make this dazzling Menorah from a piece of wood and few nuts.
Image by MarthaStewart.com

Or you can make this cool industrial looking Menorah from pipe fittings!

If you want to be more artistic, Inna's Creations has few detailed posts on how to make gorgeous menorahs from clay. Check this adorable Menorah with bugs and flowers, or houses Menorah, or even flying saucer Menorah! I think my favorite is this jags Menorah - so easy and so cute.

Do you have any special homemade menorah? Or maybe you are inspired by one of the tutorials and want to make one this year. Please share! We would love to hear your ideas and see your creations! Remember all comments are entered into two prize drawings!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Day 3-A New Tradition:Tzedakah Night

Welcome to Day 3 of our 8 Days of Hanukkah!!
Several years ago we decided that on the night when we have our family best friends over for Hanukkah we were not going to exchange gifts.  Our children have so much already and really, the joy on that night is being together, lighting all the children's Hanukkiahs together, playing dreidel...
 and enjoying the act of giving.  On that night, each of our children selected an animal to "adopt" from World Wildlife Fund for one of their friends.  The kids LOVED doing this and each year since we have selected a new Charity to focus on...from the Binky Patrol where we made blankets, to collecting stuff for a local dog adoption agency that needed supplies to this year...well, sky's the limit!!  We will be making our own Tzedakah boxes to keep the giving all year round and see how much the kids collect over the course of a year- to be donated to a new Charity nex year!
Here is a great resource for blank Tzedakah Cans..I will be ordering from here for my Tzedakah Night Party; http://www.tjssc.com/pc-2064-41-tzedakah-boxes-arts-craft-project-for-decorating-10.aspx and we will be decorating them with the colorful and fun Hanukkah papers from Crafting Jewish Style.

Many other families are doing the same and I encourage you to consider giving up a night of presents for your own children and bring the focus of GIVING and TZEDAKAH back into the holiday for your family.
Some other worthy tzedakah causes to get you started:


MAZON, the ongoing Jewish battle against hunger.

Heifer International gives kids a fun way to send cows, goats and chickens to impoverished villages around the world.

Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, a way to say thanks to Righteous Gentiles who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust.

MooreMart is a civilian-based effort to send care packages, school supplies and sports equipment to American soldiers bonding with children in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Friends of the IDF gives Israeli soldiers a pizza, soft drinks, coffee, Bamba, and just a sense that strangers care about them and their mission.

88 Bikes spreads happiness one kid at a time, one bike at a time, to orphanages around the world.



My Charity Water

So what do you think of this new tradition?  Let us know in the comments for your chance to win a prize!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Day 2: Let the Hanukkah Games Begin!


When you think of Hanukkah games, is the dreidel game the first (and maybe the only) holiday game that comes to mind? We have quite a collection of dreidels in our family...plain wooden ones, colorful wooden ones, plastic, musical, and even bubble-blowing. Aside from the traditional dreidel game, we like to see who can keep theirs spinning the longest.

With a bit of creativity, and online searching, you can come up with a lot of other games and ideas.

Matching Game: You can find a fun one here or you can make your own using scrapbooking supplies you already have on hand. Cut 12-16 cards out of cardstock (about 3" x 5"), cover one side of each card with patterned paper (all the same). For the other side of the cards, you can use holiday-related photos, stickers or words. Try words like latke, Maccabees, menorah, dreidel, gelt, miracle, candle, etc. Be sure to make two of each word you choose so you'll have a set to match. :)

Pin the Hay on the Dreidel: For this game, cut a large dreidel shape out of construction paper, cardstock or butcher paper. Tape it to the wall. Next, print out a letter you would see on a dreidel, cut it out and have kids try to tape it onto the dreidel while they are blindfolded.

Candle Game: This is a game my daughter (now nine) came up with years ago. Place a piece of Hanukkah gelt or a coin in front of the menorah candle you think is going to burn out first (or last). The person who makes the correct guess or comes closest gets a small prize or gets to eat their piece of gelt.

Make it a "Scent"-sational Holiday: This game uses all of your senses. Have kids either say or make a list of holiday items related to each of our senses (touch=dreidel, sound=singing a song, smell=latkes cooking, taste=gelt, sight=candles flickering, etc.)

Web Sites: If online games are more your style, here are a couple of sites to check out:

Build your own Hanukkiah here.
Try your hand at Hanukkah tic-tac-toe here.
Take a look here for more games and puzzles and also here.

What games do you play with your family? Comment here and you'll be entered into the grand prize drawing. Happy Hanukkah!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Crafting Jewish Style Hannukah Party Giveaway from The Frog Prince Paperie!





Great news! We are so excited to inform you all that the Frog Prince Paperie is hosting a Hanukkah Giveaway at Crafting Jewish Style!

The free giveaway will include a package of pdf files to print and craft:

"Happy Hanukkah" banner with 7x10 inch panels
2 inch circles for cupcake toppers that can do double duty as vase decoration, napkin ring holders, favor tags, stickers, etc.
Four (4) pages of cupcake wraps that includes files for stripes, light blue, dark blue and a star of david print 4 inch circles in 2 designs
Gift labels in 5 designs
Eight (8) Milk Carton Boxes - a different design for each day of celebration!
Three (3) dreidel boxes perfect for little treats
Food labels (in jpg) in four (4) designs
And she will aso include free personalization with a family name of the 2 inch circles! Aren't they gorgeous? I love them all! :)





We will be posting more about this incredible offer soon. Let us know how would you use these adorable products. All comments will be entered in this giveaway and the Crafting Jewish Style giveaway. We'd love to hear from you!

Crafting Jewish Style 8 Day and Nights of Hannukah Fun and Crafts!

Hannukah is almost here and we at Crafting Jewish Style are so excited!
Hannukah is a wonderful time to get together with family to celebrate, and of course to eat yummy Hannukah food! Traditional Hannukah foods are usually fried in oil, to highlight the miracle of the menorah's oil lasting for eight days. Traditionally, latkes (fried potato pancakes)and sufganiot (Israeli jelly doughnuts) are eaten. Here are 2 great recipes for both.

● ■ ● ● ■ ● ● ■ ● potato latkes with applesauce ● ■ ● ● ■ ● ● ■ ●



These latkes are so yummy they are usually devoured as soon as they are ready and may never make it to the table! Serve with flavored applesauce — prepare it in advance so that the latkes will be hot when served. This recipe is from Crafting Jewish: Fun Holiday Crafts and Party Ideas for the Whole Family, used by permission.


Potato Latkes Ingredients:
- 4 potatoes
- 1 small onion
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons matzo meal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- vegetable oil
Strawberry Applesauce Ingredients:
- 16-ounce bag frozen strawberries
- 32-ounce jar applesauce
How to do it:
1. Use the vegetable peeler to peel the potatoes; place them into cold water in a large mixing bowl. With a knife, peel the onion and place it into the bowl.
2. Crack the eggs into the small bowl and stir them with the whisk.
3. Use the large hole attachment on your food processor to shred the potatoes and onion. Transfer to a mixing bowl. If using a box grater, grate the potatoes and onion over the mixing bowl against the large holes.
4. Take large scoops of potato mixture in your hands and squeeze out as much liquid as possible into the sink. Place the squeezed potato mixture into a mixing bowl.
5. Add the eggs, matzo meal, salt, and pepper to the potatoes and onions and mix with a wooden spoon until combined.
6. Pour about an inch of oil into the frying pan and place the frying pan over medium to high heat. Allow the oil to become very hot.
7. Ladle about a half-ladle of the mixture into the pan. Flatten with a fork and ladle in 3 to 5 more latkes. Do not place too close together. Fry for about 5 minutes; then flip with the pancake turner and fry for 2 minutes, until crispy but still soft on the inside.
8. Place 1–2 paper towels on a serving plate and transfer the fried latkes to the plate. Serve immediately.
9. For strawberry applesauce: Place strawberries into a large microwave-safe bowl; microwave for 4–6 minutes, until mushy and juicy. Add the applesauce to the bowl and mix well with a spatula.
Estimated prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 7 – 10 minutes per batch
Parve • Yield: 8 – 10 latkes

■ ● ● ■ ● ● ■ ● sufganiot ● ■ ● ● ■ ● ● ■ ●



In Israel, around Chanukah time, it seems that sufganiot (doughnuts), are sold on every street corner. These delicacies are traditionally filled with jelly, but dulce de leche (caramel sauce) or custard filling taste yummy too. Nothing can compare to the taste of home-made doughnuts! Since there is hot oil involved, this project definitely requires adult supervision and involvement.

This recipe is from What’s Cooking: A Unique Collection of Kosher Recipes, used by permission.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup warm water (105°-115°F)
- 2 (¼-oz.) packets dry yeast
- ¾ cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon
- 1½ cups milk, soy milk, or rice milk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
- 5-6 cups flour, plus more for pastry board
- 4 cups oil
- 1-2 cups confectioners' sugar, optional
- optional fillings: jelly, dulce de leche (caramel sauce), purchased custard filling
How to do it:
1. Place the warm water into the mixer bowl. Sprinkle the yeast and the one tablespoon sugar over the water. Let stand for 5-10 minutes or until the yeast mixture becomes foamy and bubbly.
2. Add the milk, sugar, salt, eggs, butter, and 2 cups flour. Mix on a low speed for a few minutes.
3. Beat in the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for approximately 5 minutes or until the dough feels smooth and elastic.
4. Cover the dough with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Sprinkle a counter or pastry board with a light coating of flour. Place the dough onto the floured surface and use a rolling pin to gently roll the dough to a ½" thickness.
6. Use the cookie cutter or the opening of the drinking glass to cut the dough into circles. Let rise again until doubled in size, approximately ½-hour. Re-roll scraps and cut more circles.
7. While the doughnut rounds are rising, clip a deep-frying thermometer to the side of the pot. Place 4 cups of oil into the pot and heat on medium-high heat until the temperature measures 375°F on the deep-frying thermometer.
8. Cover a platter with paper towels and set aside.
9. Carefully slide 4 doughnut rounds into the hot oil, using a slotted spoon or flat spatula. Let fry for about 40 seconds–1 minute, or until they rise to the surface of the oil. Turn over with the slotted spoon and fry for another 40 seconds–1 minute, or until golden brown.
10. Remove the doughnuts from the oil and place on prepared platter.
11. Use the sugar sifter to sift the confectioners' sugar over the warm doughnuts.
Optional: Make a small slit in the side of each doughnut with a knife. Insert the jelly or other filling with a tablespoon. Or, fill a pastry bag with your filling of choice and insert the tip of the pastry bag into the opening. Pipe 1 tablespoon of filling into each doughnut.
Estimated prep time: 1 hour
Rising time: 1½ – 2 hours
Dairy or Parve • Yield: approximately 4 dozen sufganiot


Share your favorite recipes with us and tell us how you celebrate! Every comment will be entered into the 2 Hannukah giveways going on right now!
Wouldn't these doughnuts look great with the Hannukah Picks, from the giveaway, stuck inside? Yummy!!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Card Sketch

with the eye on the coming holiday, we decided to dedicate all our cards to Channukah.

A card by Lisa Spiegel:


A card by Maya:




A card by Louise:


Cards by Nili:



Get inspired and make your own cards. We would love to see what you come up with, so don't forget to link your cards to this blog post.

Happy Channukah!