Feast of Trumpets

And יהוה spoke to Moses saying "Speak to the Children of Israel saying, in the seventh month. on the first day of the month, you will have a Sabbath (Feast of Trumpets), a memorial of the blowing of trumpets, a sacred convocation. Leviticus 23: 23-24 (The Messianic Alef Tav Scriptures)

You may know this day as Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, but it is good to go back and remember YHVH's original purpose for observing this day. It's a call to examine ourselves over the next ten days known as The Ten Days of Awe leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and repent of the sins in our lives. I realize I may be preaching to the choir but this is for those of you who may be new to this walk and just learning. This is my 5th year of observing the Feast Days and tonight I'll go outside, sound my shofar and start to consider my ways.

And so....Chag Samaech Dear Ones!

A Different Kind Of Stencil

I'm still trying to get back into a regular schedule for my blog post so please keep checking back. Because of a neighbor situation I've recently moved my studio into a different area of the house. Now that I'm pretty much settled in I've started looking for interesting ideas to share with my readers.

Recently I've notice a flurry of YouTube videos showing how to make hot glue stencils. I just had to give it a try.

I used a translucent silicon ipad cover from the dollar store that a friend gave me as a work surface. It's also been suggested to use a silicon baking sheet or freezer or parchment paper for a work surface. I would suggest any surface that won't melt from the hot glue that said glue can be easily peeled off after it's cooled.

Then I drew some shapes with a black sharpie on scrap paper that I placed under the silicon ipad cover. It isn't necessary to use a pattern but for me it was a lot more accurate that it could have been otherwise. With my glue gun well heated I drew the shapes carefully with the hot glue.

I peeled the shapes off of the surface, placed them on card stock and sprayed them with some paint. This was the result.

This was only an experiment but I can see that stencils can be made that are not readily available commercially. I especially like the idea of using words spelled in cursive. My brain gears are clicking away as I think of how I can use this idea. Maybe on an art quilt or hand stenciled fabric for a garment. Ah, the possibilities!

I hope you'll try this technique yourself. But for now I'll just say:

I'm Back!

I'm back although I didn't really go anywhere. Basically I found myself running out of steam for this blog. I had exhausted the ideas I had to share with my readers along with dealing with family issues that kept me distracted. I apologize dear ones but I needed to take the time to 'chill' for a while so I could bring you something fresh.

When I started this blog it was with the idea that there are other like-minded creative types coming into the Hebrew roots walk. I've had a difficult time searching out more Hebrew themed craft materials, especially linking Judah and Ephraim. Instead of just showing you what I've done I will be introducing some ideas in future posts to make your own (semi)raw materials to use and projects to use them on. Also I've been prompted to add more substance to my posts in the way of encouraging Scripture and maybe tidbits of what I've learned. This is a scary step for me. I may stumble and fall on my face sometimes but  I'm looking forward to the future and sharing with you dear ones.

Recently I viewed a YouTube video in which a crafter was painting flowers on white ceramic tile purchased from a home improvement store. She used Folkart brand enamel from the craft store but, since I had stained glass paint left from my last project,  I used what I already had. The tile cost all of 32 cents. What a bargain! I love it when my crafting costs so little. These tiles came in two sizes 4 square inches and 6 square inches. The larger of the two cost approximately 46 cents.

I started my project with making a simple stencil out of heavy paper. I used a soft lead pencil to trace my stencil onto the tile. I had to take care in this step because the pencil mark could be wiped off very easily. You could also transfer your pattern with graphite transfer paper. The outline of my motif  was applied and then the motif was filled in with the paint. I then freehand painted stripes on the tile.

Folkart Enamels or stained glass paint could be used.

The finished tile is a little bit folk-artsy but I like it. This could be used for a coaster (put cork or felt buttons on the backside first) or displayed using a small plate or picture frame stand.

A Pesach Project

I'm still working on adding more to my Pesach tablescape. This week I fashioned a three-panel display. It would work well on my table and also fit in as a display with other Pesach decorations.

First I cut three identically sized foam board panels. I covered the panels with glitter impregnated felt that I had in my stash of supplies after I trimmed the edges with narrow ribbon. I spaced the panels a short distance from each other on the felt in anticipation of using the felt as a hinge  between the panels. Since the felt pieces weren't long enough to place on one side of the three panels, I glued two panels to the first piece of felt and a piece of felt to the third panel. I flipped the panels over and proceeded to do just opposite on the backside of the panels. I know this is possibly confusing for my readers to understand but in essence what I did was create a hinged three-panel display.

Next:

  Once the three panels were assembled into one unit the fun part began. I drew number stencils in reverse representing the year on the back of glittered canvas. I cut them out and glued them to the middle panels.

Then fancy ribbon was applied on each panel and the appropriate words were a added with dimensional glitter paint. The backside of my display is identical to the front so it can be view on both sides when placed on a table.

The project I posted last week of the candle holders went perfectly with my panels. I'll be adding these items to last year's projects on my Pesach table this year. My collection is growing.

Getting Ready For Passover

The cleaning has begun this week. The first room is my studio and supplies closet. If I wait until the week before Pesach I can barely get the kitchen done so I'm attempting an early start. Maybe I can get the whole house clean in time this year.

I've been brainstorming what projects to share leading up to Pesach. (Still brainstorming...LOL) This week's presentation is a set of candle holders for my Pesach table. A friend had gifted me with a kit of stained glass paint and I purchased two glass votive candle holders at a local $ store. I decided to use votive candle holders instead of regular taper holders to save my tablecloth from dripping wax as the candles burned.

First I drew my designs on paper. Actually I reused patterns I had previously used in other projects. I prepared the glass as per directions. Then I taped my designs inside of the candle holders.

My designs were outlined with the 'fake' lead that came with the kit.

Next I proceeded to apply the paint, not an easy task. Because the glass is rounded, the paint kept migrating and pooling at the sides of the design. I was concerned that it would spill over and run down the glass.

Here is my finished project.

I placed the letter Shin and a dove on each votive. This gives the choice of a different orientation to place them on the table.

Looking Towards Spring

I wasn't sure if I would be posting again before Purim so I didn't have another Purim inspired project planned. However I have been working on a new flag for my garden. Since snow is still on the ground and the garden is still asleep I'll have to wait to hang this in the garden.

I made the flag from outdoor canvas left over from making last year's flag. The Hebrew prayer stencil was designed by Jessica Sporn and can be purchased at http://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-s/1846.htm   For those of you who can't read Hebrew (Don't feel bad, I'm not even at the Dick and Jane level yet) this is the priestly blessings from Numbers 6: 24-26
               May YHVH bless you and keep you
               May YHVH cause His face to shine upon you
               and be gracious to you
               May YHVH lift up His face towards you and give you peace.
This stencil was rather expensive compared to all the other stencils in my collection but it was perfect for my project. I also plan to use it on other creations. If anyone wants to purchase one but it may be too expensive for you (it costs almost as much for shipping as the purchase price) consider sharing the cost with another crafter.
To fill out more of the space on the flag I added the same Menorah stencil I used on my candle jar snuggy in a past post. That stencil can be found at http://www.craftcuts.com/menorah-stencil.html
I'm not affiliated in any way with these sources but I just wanted to share them with you.
The flower vine stencil was one purchased at a local craft store.

I can't leave the glitter alone and I embellished the candle flames with glitter glue. Time with tell if the glitter will survive the summer weather.

Now I really can't wait for spring so I can hang my flag out where it will greet my visitors.
              

More Hamantashan

As I indicated in my last post I'm still on a Hamantashan kick. After making fridge magnets in the shape of that famous cookie the quilter in me rose to the surface and I thought why not incorporated the idea into a table runner of sorts. The photos following will show my progress.

First I decided on the size I wanted. I drew a circle about 8 inches in diameter on cardstock. After cutting it out, I traced it on the backside of the fabrics I chose. 

Next I placed two layers of my fabric rights sides together, cut the circles out leaving some selvage. I sewed the cutouts slowly to keep them accurate.

I trimmed the selvage and clipped it for ease.

Next I pulled two layers apart and carefully clipped one layer with an opening big enough to turn the shape right side out. Don't worry. this cut in the fabric will be hidden.

I took another piece of cardstock and measured a equal sided triangle out, then cut it out to use and my fold pattern. After tracing around it, I used those lines as fold lines and ironed them to make them more pronounced.

I took each 'cookie', matched the fold lines together with another 'cookie' and sewed down the fold line. Each cookie was sown onto the previous one until the row of cookies was the length I desired. Next I made another triangle pattern slightly smaller to use for the 'filling' of the cookie. These filling pieces were cut out and bound to each cookie with Heat and Bond. As you can see in the following picture the cut I made to turn my cookies right side out is covered by the filling.

The following pictures show how each cookie in the assembly was folded and sewn down. If you have ever made the cathedral window block, you will see this is a similar technique .

 The grand finale! My Hamantashan cookie runner.

Lately I'm been interested in making narrow table runners but I think that this one would have benefited from adding another row of  'cookies'.  However I used what was in my stash and I only had enough fabric to make one row.

This was just an idea that I will be using as a take off to pursue in the future.

Purim will take next week before my next post so I wish you all a Happy Purim! Get those niosemakers out and have at it! Love you all. See you next week!

Hamantashan In Magnet Form

After a bout with creative block, the continuing paperwork for my departed dad and the bone-chilling temperatures that refuse to leave, I have finally gotten back into working on things to post on my blogs.

With Purim rushing towards us, I have come up with more related ideas. My first endeavor is a set of Hamantashan refrigerator magnets made out of Sculpey clay. First I rolled out a piece of clay to my desired thickness. After deciding on what size I wanted my magnets to be, I used a circle templet to mark the clay and cut it out carefully with a sharp craft knife. I then folded the edges over just like making the cookie. Into the 275 degree oven they went for 20 minutes. I let them cool and painted them with craft paints. To make the 'cookie filling' I squeezed copper colored glitter glue into the filling area. After the glue dried I glued magnets on the backs. One word of advice: Use a heavier magnet on these because of the weight. I used lighter magnet material and will have to go back and glue on heavier ones. With light weight magnets I'm afraid my hamantashan will fly off the fridge when I open the door!

A close up so you can see the 'filling'.

There are many recipes for Hamantashan on the internet. Last year I tried to make a batch but they would hold together for me. They came out of the oven looking pretty limp but still tasted good.  This year I'm using a different recipe for my cookies. Try, try again!

I'll be continuing on this theme for next week...a table runner with hamantashan shapes.

Bagelicious

It seems that everyone who sews and/or quilts has a piece of fabric that they admired so much it's hard to cut into that fabric to create something from. That is true of myself although I admit I have a hard time with more than one selection of fabric that I can't bear to use because I like it so much. This week's project is based on that very idea. I purchased a half yard of this fabric last year and couldn't figure what to do with it. I've been fighting a cold and I decided that I needed something simple this week to share so it was back to an old standby and I had to cut into it....OW! One cannot have too many potholders so potholders it was. Besides I was wearing out the old ones or at least trying to.

I still have quite a bit left of this fabric and now I probably have too many ideas for the remainder of it. A basket to hold warm bagels? Hot mats for the table? Then there is always more potholders for gifts. Hmmmm...the possibilities are endless.

Have a blessed Shabbat dear ones.

A Little Reminder

After going through my crafting supplies and formatting an idea for this week, off I went to the local craft store. I found wooden letters that would suit my purpose along with a wood plaque. Instead of spelling my chosen word in Hebrew I chose English. I wanted to make sure the message on this plaque would 'hit me in the face' every time I saw it and I would obey it's direction.

What word did I choose?  PRAY!  Can't get more direct than that. I find I get busy with every day distractions and I need all the reminders to pray that I can get. (I also set my timer 3 times a day to make those prayers happen.) I'm placing this plaque on a narrow wall space next to my studio door at eye level.

These are the components for my plaque. The plaque was unfinished and the letters were painted black. I had to prime the letters so they would take the finished coat of metallic craft paint. The plaque had 2 coats of paint and an eyelet to hang it by was attached to the top. I glued the letters onto the plaque and trimmed it with metallic ribbon.

Dabbling In A Little Time

I thought it was time (pun intended) to learn how to read the clock in Hebrew.  I had an old clock to experiment on and experiment I did.

I forget to take a picture of said clock before the experiment started but this clock is almost identical to  my victim.

First I taped off the glass to protect it during painting then I painted a base coat of craft acrylic paint on that poor battered clock.

That followed with an acrylic paint wash of the finish coat. I was going to put more coats of the color I chose but I rather liked the effect with just the first coat. The tape was removed from the glass and I continued.

Next came wood discs that would show the Hebrew letters to be painted, first with a flat base coat  and then with a transparent metallic paint.

I then painted the appropriate Hebrew letters on each disc to add to my clock.

I carefully glued each letter onto the frame of the clock.

And....the big reveal....

Now I can get used to seeing the numbers on my clock with the Hebrew letters.