Sara In Akko

I'm not sure what it is that compels me to make my kid's costume instead of buying them. It just goes against my DIY nature. Also, I'm fairly sure I never had a store bought costume in my lifetime.

So here's the princess dress made entirely out of T-shirts.

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!"

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.

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.