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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Is Chanukah Early This Year?

If you think Chanukah is early this year, you are absolutely right.  And if you think Chanukah is the same time as always, you are also right!

How can both these statements be true?  It's because Jewish holidays are celebrated by the lunar calendar.  Chanukah is always the 25th of Kislev.  Because the lunar calendar has an extra leap MONTH every four years, compared to the secular calendar's extra DAY, the Jewish holidays fall at different times on the secular calendar.  

This year, we begin celebrating Chanukah on the evening of December 1st.  Is your menorah ready?  And equally important, is your furniture protected from the hot wax which will no doubt drip from the burning candles onto the tabletop?  In the "olden days," we placed pieces of foil under our beautiful menorahs.  Although now you can buy acrylic trays and vinyl placemats, they aren't very festive.  So, why not make one that is both festive and uniquely yours? 





Plain, inexpensive charger
Start with an inexpensive, plain silver charger.  (For some reason, it looks gold in this photo.)  I chose a pretty Amy Butler blue and taupe scrapbook paper, and cut a circle the same size as the charger center.  I decoupaged the inside center of the platter and the back of the paper, and adhered the paper to the charger.  

I then scoured my sticker file and picked out some shimmery black letters to spell "Happy Chanukah".  To personalize it, I spelled our family name and year established (our wedding year).   You can spell the names of your children, pets, or write anything you want.  This would also make a wonderful gift for Saba & Safta or your Bubbe and Zayte.  This is also a great project for your children to create for their own menorah.


Using azure and black Staz-on ink, I stamped flourishes and menorah designs on the outer edge of the charger.  I accented the flourishes with tiny silver bead rhinestones.  I also added a coordinating oval shape that I punched from the same paper.  It is hard to see it in the photo, but I added a sticker that reads "festival of lights", which I adhered on top of the oval.  Seal the entire charger with several coats of Mod Podge.  

Where are the candles?
 Here is the completed menorah plate, ready for the kindling of the candles.  
Now where did I put those candles?

Happy Chanukah!

I'm linked up to:



The Boardwalk Bragfest 

Thrilling Thursday at Paisley Passions





Krafty Kat



Thursday, November 4, 2010

Create Your Own Holiday Gifts & Favors


What?  December is just around the bend?  With 95-degree weather here in Los Angeles, it's difficult to believe that we are just a few short weeks away from Thanksgiving and the December holi-daze!  Well, the calendar doesn't fib, so just in time, here are some great ideas for creating handmade, personal gifts for the special people in your life.
Assortment of Chanukah Gifts and Favors

Candy-filled Treat Jar
embellished with ribbons, tag, stamps, flowers, label holder & more!

Set of Tile Coasters
and a beautiful Glass Holder for the Menorah Candles

Gelt-filled Favor Bags
Give Joy to your loved ones!

Blue & White Jelly Beans in Mini Glass Jar
And a silver dreidel charm!

Holiday Votive Holders
 
Cool Breeze-scented votive in glass holder

Festive Xmas Votive & Holder

This season, why not treat your family and friends to
handmade gifts you make yourself?

  It's easy and fun! 





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