Monday, March 29, 2010

Happy Passover

Have a happy Passover! Chag Sameach to all!


original layout by CJS designer, Carly Blaiss

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Passover Card


Here's a stunning Passover card that Rachel M. whipped up using the Passover papers, a die cut matzo and Passover stickers. This would be great to give to someone celebrating Passover or as a menu cover for the seder.
Notice how she threaded the skinny strip sticker through the bookplate sticker-love that technique. It mimics ribbon but without the hassle. Stickers are great for quick cards.
Now it's on to Passover cooking! Have a happy and healthy Passover!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Crafting Jewish Passover Crafts






Here are three lovely, quick Passover crafts from Rivky Koenig's popular book Crafting Jewish -on sale now at Crafting Jewish Style!


Afikomen bag


Quick! Hide the afikomen! At the seder, it's traditional for a piece of the middle matzah, called the afikomen, to be hidden by either the head of the Seder or by the children participating. In either case, when the matzo is found or returned, the children receive (or are promised) a gift. This is all done in good spirits, to keep the children interested in the seder until the end, when the afikomen is eaten. Hide the afikomen in this beautiful bag that can be crafted to match your seder pillow — and let the fun begin!


What you will need:
1/4-yard polar fleece (we used the leftover fabric from the pillow on page 170)
tape measure
pencil
pinking shears
needle and thread
sharp scissors
26" length of 1/2-wide ribbon
2 tassels
sequins or rhinestones, optional
craft or fabric glue, optional


How to do it:

1. Measure and mark a 9"x22" rectangle on the back of the fleece. Cut out with pinking shears.
2. Fold the fleece in the middle, lengthwise, with the right side facing in. (If you are using fleece without a pattern, there is no right or wrong side; just make sure that the pencil marks are on the outside.) It should form a 9"x11" pouch.
3. With the needle and thread, or sewing machine, stitch the fleece together to form a pouch, leaving the top open.
4. Fold the top of the fleece pouch down so that there is a 1" cuff around the top.
5. Use your sharp scissors to cut 1/4"-deep slits into the fold of the cuff, cutting through both layers at the same time. Cut 9 slits spaced 1" apart around the top of the pouch. Unfold the cuff.
6. Turn the pouch right-side-out. Thread the ribbon through the slits. Knot a tassel to each of the ribbon ends.


Optional: Decorate the front of the bag by gluing on rhinestones and/or sequins with craft glue or fabric glue.


Estimated time: 30 minutes – 45 minutes


Matzo tray


On Pesach there is always a stack of matzot on the table during the holiday meals. This etched-glass matzo tray is a beautiful holder for the matzot everyone loves to eat.
Please note all the precautions listed on the bottle of etching cream before using it. Always wear gloves when you're handling the etching cream, wear an old shirt or apron, and work in a well-ventilated room. Be sure to store the etching cream away from small children.



What you will need:
large round or square glass plate or charger
contact paper or printer sticker paper, or die-cut sticker letters and design (we used the Provo Craft Cricut machine)
permanent marker
scissors
disposable gloves
etching cream, such as Armour Etch
1"-wide foam paintbrush
paper towels


How to do it:

1. Photocopy the matzo word template and design (page 262) onto the printer sticker paper. Or, photocopy the template onto regular paper, cut out the letters and design, and trace the cut-outs with a permanent marker onto contact paper. Or, use die-cut sticker letters and design.
2. Carefully cut out the letters and design so that the edges are smooth, and arrange on the front of the plate. When you are satisfied with the layout, peel off the backing and rub the cut-out letters and design onto the plate so hat they stick firmly. Smooth out any air bubbles with your fingers.
3. Put on the disposable gloves. Following the instructions on the bottle of etching cream, brush a thick coat of etching cream onto the entire front of the plate, covering the letters and design completely. Let set for five minutes.
4. Wearing the gloves, wash the plate under running water to remove the Armour Etch from the plate, and peel off all the stickers. Make sure there is no trace of etching cream left on the plate. Be sure to wear gloves when washing the paintbrush, as well, or discard brush without washing.
5. Dry the plate with paper towels.


Note: Hand-wash only.Estimated time: 45 minutes


Matching game with the Plagues


The plagues with which the Egyptians were punished because they would not allow the Jews to leave Egypt are called the makot. This fun matching game will help children remember the names of the plagues as well as what happened to the Egyptians during that time.
This game is quick and easy to make as well as to play. Laminating the cards will make them more durable; this can be done at a local copy shop.


What you will need:
3 (8 1/2"x11") sheets white cardstock or thick paper
3 (12"x12") sheets colored cardstock or scrapbook paper
scissors
markers
glue stick


How to do it:

1. Fold one sheet of white paper in half. Then fold the paper in half and then in half again. Unfold the paper. The folds will have divided the paper into 8 equal rectangles.
2. Repeat step one with the other two papers. Cut out the rectangles; you will only need 20, so there will be four extra.
3. Draw a picture of a different plague on ten of the rectangles or download a clip art picture from your computer and glue to rectangles.
4. Write or print the Hebrew and English names of each plague on the other ten rectangles.
5. Fold the 12"x12" papers in the same manner that you did the white paper. Cut out the colored rectangles.
6. Center each white rectangle on each colored rectangle and glue into place, centering the white rectangles so that a colored border is visible.


Optional: Have the cards laminated at a copy shop or office center. Punch a hole in the top right corner of each card and place on a metal ring for storage.


Note: The makot cards pictured here were made using color copies of illustrations in the

ArtScroll Children's Haggadah; used with permission.


Estimated time: 45 minutes

Passover place cards




Rachel M., one of our wonderful designers, crafted these beautiful place cards using the "mod matzo" paper and, for an added fun accent, punched out images from the "retro seder plate". I love the way she combined the front and back of the mod matzo paper for a clean, elegant look.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Crafting Jewish Style-New Design Ideas




While many of us are in the throes of pre-Passover preparation, one of our new design team members was so excited to receive our Rosh Hashanah line that she immediately started designing a "Sweet New Year" mini book. Here's a sneak peak of Carly Blaiss' work. Carly is a member of our design team and you'll be seeing more of her designs in the coming days.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Rosh Hashanah and Hannukah Papers Have Arrived!

We are so excited the Rosh Hashanah and Passover collections are finally here! After waiting for a long time the papers have come in and they are gorgeous! According to Rivky, it was quite comical when an 18 wheeler truck pulled up to her house to deliver the goods. Apparently, the shipping company wasn't told that it was delivering to a residential address and not a warehouse equipped with a loading dock. The driver didn't have the ability to get the pallets off the truck and into the garage. Back went the truck and the order was resent the next day on a much smaller truck. On attempt number two, the new driver wasn't too agreeable to placing the pallets loaded with 500lbs of paper in the garage. After much negotiation he was able to back the truck up the driveway, unload the 3 pallets and place them in the garage. One parking spot lost to the "cause"!

The papers are stunning! We all oohed and ahhed over the great color, design and weight of the paper. We cant wait to start crafting with it, but first comes the hard work-getting out the orders. We have all been busy packaging the papers, stickers and kits and many of the stores should have it in stock very soon.

We are also hearing great feedback from our customers about the Passover line-keep the good word coming. We love hearing from you. Send us samples of your work to post on our upcoming gallery.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Crafting Jewish Style-Passover kit Crafting Jewish book giveaway!


Great news! Our friend Sara Rivka over at Creative Jewish Mom is hosting a giveaway of the Crafting Jewish book and a Crafting Jewish Style Passover 12x12 kit. Check out her blog, it is full of beautiful projects, and enter for a chance to win! Don't forget to send us pictures of projects you've made using Crafting Jewish as your inspiration.

Crafting Jewish Style-send us your work

I know that I've been kind of behind in posting- but getting Crafting Jewish Style off the ground is keeping all of us sooo busy. Filling all the orders from the CHA Show, mailing them out, receiving inventory, calling contacts, designing and fine tuning the site is taking up all of our time. However, it is super fun and exciting to talk with the people we met at the show and hear their feedback when they receive our product line. We are working on putting together our online gallery, so send us any samples of your layouts or other crafts using Crafting Jewish Style papers and embellishments-we'd love to post them.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

CRAFTING JEWISH STYLE-PASSOVER DESIGNS


Passover is right around the corner only 3 more weeks to go! With that in mind we have some fun new designs and ideas for your Passover projects and decorating. Use the "mod Matzo" paper to make fun name tags for your seder guests. Wrap a cylinder vase with the family together paper, tie on a bow and plunk in some flowers for a fresh floral arrangement. Or craft a pretty Passover banners using an assortment of papers, ribbons and embellishments.