Growing Up Creative

How a sewing machine works

If you have been wondering how the sewing machine works, I found this great little animation that describes just that, I hope it helps.

tali

How-to make New Year cards ANYONE can make

Sending a New Year card is a wonderful tradition. Regardless if it’s a hallmark card, a virtual card or a home made card, it is indeed a great way to catch-up with family and friends. I must say though, that there is something very special about a home-made Rosh Hashanah card. Although it takes a little extra effort to make them, and cleaning up is no fun either, the bonus of spending the time together as a family making the cards is priceless, not to mention the money you save and  how much more personal your cards are.

Here is how we are making our cards this year;
It all begun with Ori who started painting with her entire body instead of using her brush to paint pomegranates….and we just followed her lead. This is a method that anyone can use, no matter how old or how skilled they are.

We are having fun making them, I hope you will too.

You will need:
Bristol board (heavy weight paper)
Tempera paint (washable)
Whole puncher in a shape of a dove, pomegranate, apple or any other Jewish motive that comes to mind
Scissors
Drawing tools
Envelopes
Glitter (for the brave ones)
Glue

This is how:

Part 1: Make the colored sheet of paper

1. Set up a table (preferably outside) covered with some newspaper.
2. Spread the sheets of heavy weight paper
3. Squirt some paint on the page
4. Smear
5. Add paint as your smearing progresses.
6. Set aside to dry.

Suggestion:
You may use a stick to draw in the paint while it is wet.





Part 2: Make the cards

1. Cut the sheet of paper so they fit the envelope size you chose. You can keep them one sided like a postcard, or fold them like a card.
2. Punch a shaped whole on the front of the card
3. Decorate with colored pencils or markers
4. Spread some glue and sprinkle some glitter
5. Add some blessing for the year to come

 
This is how you write Shana Tova (good year) in Hebrew:
 
Leak, stamp and send away…..


Happy New Year
tali

See more ways of making New Year cards here:
Shana Tova cards featuring the pomegranate

How to - apple stamps and glitter greeting cards

# 8 How-to make a tote bag out of an old (I ♥ NY) t-shirt

I ♥ NY ….
I used to say that one of the best things about living in Boston is the proximity to NYC.
One of my favorite things to do was to take the first bus to the city, walk from the central bus station on 42nd all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge via Union Square, the Flatiron building, and ABC Carpeting (one of my favorite stores). Then, Take the last bus going back; recharged with energy that lasted for at least another month. 

Now, the closest I can get to the flatiron building is by staring at my over sized IKEA print hanging in my bedroom. 

I love the logo - I ♥ NY
This brilliant logo was designed by Milton Glaser, and it has been used since the mid 70’s to promote tourism in New York (city and state). For some odd reason, my girls have four  I ♥ NY t-shirts, So it was no problem to spare one and turn it into a tote bag. This project was made by Zoe, her first project using a sewing machine; make her Ima proud….

This is how you (or your child) can make a tote bag out of an old t-shirt:

You will need:
An old t-shirt (dah..)
Scissors
Sewing machine or needle and thread

How to:

1. Fold the t-shirt in 2
2. Trim the neckline
3. Trim the sleeves turning the t-shirt into a tang top
4. Turn the t-shirt inside out
5. Fold the shirt so the side seam is in the middle 
6. Stitch the bottom, use zigzag if you have it, or hand stitch.
7. Lay the bottom of the shirt flat, Stitch the corners of, make your miters even and perpendicular to the side and bottom seams, (stitching the miter will give volume to the bag)
8. Turn it right side out

And, TADA

Thoughts and variations:

• This is a great project for beginners like Zoe (7)
• Can be used as a gift wrap instead of paper
• Use large t-shirts to make eco friendly grocery bags
  
  I am linking this post to Craft Schooling Sunday