.................Shayla Stamps

Yes Virginia, Jewish Stamps do exist!

2008-12-17T21:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a peak of a portion of my Jewish themed rubber stamp collection... If you'd like to know what a particular stamp is let me know in comments and I can reply if I have the information so you can track it down

:

Making 5 Jewish stamps from 1

2008-12-17T20:19:00.001-08:00

Well, technically I bought 3 stamps, but they are all the same design.

This stamp was one of the $1.00 stamps by Studio G bought from Michaels.

This is not the first stamp that I have done this to, so I'll post the rest later for ideas.

What I did is left the first original stamp untouched, and cut apart the other 2 leaving me with a total of 5 stamps (I could have 6 if I wanted the outer circle).

This allows me to freely stamp without having to mask! All for $3.00.

How's that for Jewish stamping on a budget :)

Hanukkah, Chanukkah, Chanukah, Hanukah - Rubber Stamping Tips

2008-12-13T01:06:00.000-08:00

(Updated and re-posted on 12/13/08)

This is another time of year that cards are given, but probably not as frequently as you think.

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of re-dedication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev (which means that it is NOT on the same day every year and it doesn't always happen close to Christmas - make sure to check your calendars).

Hanukkah also can be spelled in many ways. Don't be afraid that you've misspelled it...

Chanukkah
Chanukah
Hanukkah
Hanukah
Hanuka
Chanuka

No matter how you spell it, Hanukkah traditions stay the same.

It is also known as:

The Festival of Lights
The Feast of Dedication
The Feast of the Maccabees

Hanukkah is probably the best known Jewish holiday because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and Jews too) think of this holiday as the "Jewish Christmas" and have adopted many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar.

The only true symbol of this holiday is the lighting of the Menorah. The candles are set in a Hanukiyah, better known as a Menorah, which is the Hebrew word meaning "candelabra." A Hanukiyah has nine candles: one for each night, plus a shamus (servant) at a different height to symbolize the difference from the other candles. (This is a nice note if you are stamping cards with candle stamps - you would stamp 9 total and shift one at a different height). The menorah is usually placed outside of the doorway on the left side (when entering) opposite the mezuzah. If this is not possible, it can be placed on a window sill facing a public street, providing the sill is not more than twenty-nine feet above street level (no point if you live in a high-rise and no one can see it right?). If neither of these are possible, the Menorah can be placed on a table inside the house.

Contrary to popular belief Hanukkah is not an important religious holiday. Hanukkah is not even mentioned in Jewish scripture as the story is related in the book of Maccabbees, which Jews do not accept as scripture.

Another tradition of Hanukkah is the Dreidel Game - dreidels are marked with four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimmel, Hey and Shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham", which means "a great miracle happened there", referring to the miracle of the oil. (I'm sure you can find the story online if you wanted ) Most people play for matchsticks, pennies, M&Ms or chocolate coins - so there's a few ideas for your stamping. Dreidels were first used during the rule of Antiochus before the Maccabees' revolt. During this time, it was forbidden to study the Torah. Anyone studying the Torah would keep a dreidel handy and would then pull out a dreidel and pretend to be playing whenever soldiers investigated

Dreidel is played by placing coins (or some other object) into a pot. Then, each player spins the dreidel and one of four things happen, depending on what side the Driedel lands on:

Shin means you lose your coins.
Nun means nothing happens. You neither get coins, nor lose coins.
Hay means you take half the pot.
Gimmel means you get the whole pot.

===================================================

Some ideas for stamping cards during the Hanukkah season:

Star of davids (AKA Magen Davids)
Dreidels
Menorah
candles (birthday candles will do! Just make sure you use 9 total)
winter scenes are acceptable since this is usually the time of year that Hanukkah happens depending on your area of the world (at least it does for me in the US).
coins (gelt for dreidel games)
wrapped presents (I find blue and silver colored images work nicely, since presents are usually given on each night)

No Jewish stamps? That's okay - a simple "Seasons Greetings" will do - trust me - you don't have to go out and buy a Jewish stamp set just because your new neighbors who moved in are Jewish. Just please no "Merry Christmas" - although it is appreciated by most.

Colors

Silver and Blue, but you can incorporate any color really - there aren't any rules here..

Some sample sentiments are:

Happy Hanukkah
Eat, Light and Be Merry
Dreidle Dreidle Dreidle, we made you out of clay... and when it's dry and ready. With dreidel I shall play....
Light the Menorah, and Spin the Dreidel!
8 great nights!
The menorah lights are shining, the holiday season is here. Let's have a party, dance the hora and cheer!
Wishing you a joyous Festival of Lights!
No matter how you spell it...Happy Hanukkah!
Wishing you eight whole days of love and happiness
Come and take a spin (for a dreidel card)
Nes Gadol Hayah Sham (Means: A Graet Miracle Happened There)
Nes Gadol Hayah Poh (Means: A Great Miracle Happened Here (Isreal))
Nes Gadol Chai Poh (Means: A Great Miracle is Alive Here)
Nun, Gimel Hay, Shin (The characters on the Dreidel)
Yitromeyn libeynu, tshovav nafsheynu, b'hadlakat neyr shel chanukkah (Means: May our hearts be lifted and spirits refreshed as we light the Chanukah candles)

Some sample stamps and companies to get you started:

Stampin Up has 4 or 5 Hanukah sets (check ebay if you can't get them from your demo!)
CTMH also has a few Hanukkah sets (also check ebay if your demo can't get them for you)
Ruth's Jewish stamps also carries a large selection
Hevea Art Stamps also has a nice selection
Zum Gali Gali also has a few stamps!
Stamping Bella - home of the "Bellas". Check out the Menorah Bella and other great Hanukkah Stamps

Eight Crazy Penguins?

2008-12-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

Trying for a little Jewish humor (and probably failing miserably) - introducing Eight Crazy Penguins. The inside of the card has an additional penguin resembling the Shamash candle. (Don't know what a Shamash is? Ready my Hanukkah Stamping Primer HERE)

I may eventually modify the penguin arms to hold a candle.. or maybe one of the penguins hold a menorah - but I have to find either a punch or stamp that would work...

The Butterfly Project

2008-12-10T22:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.hmh.org/minisite/butterfly/index.html

1,500,000 innocent children parished in the Holocaust.

In an effort to remember them, Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting
1.5 million handmade butterflies.

The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2012, for all to remember.

As of Summer 2008, we have already collected an estimated 400,000 butterflies.

Please facilitate the
“I Never Saw Another Butterfly” activity and create as many handmade arts-and-crafts butterflies as possible. This project may be completed by all ages as individuals or groups.

Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.
Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but two-dimensional submissions are preferred.
Glitter should not be used.
Food products (cereal, macaroni, candy, marshmallows or other perishables) also should not be used.
If possible, e-mail a photograph of your butterflies, to butterflyproject@hmh.org.

Please send or bring your butterflies to the Museum by June 30, 2011, with the following information included:

Your name,
Your organization or school,
Your address,
Your e-mail address, and
The total number of butterflies sent.

Mail or bring your butterflies to:

Holocaust Museum Houston
Butterfly Project
Education Department
5401 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004
USA

For questions or additional information, please e-mail butterflyproject@hmh.org.

Rosh Hashana Card

2008-11-28T23:54:00.000-08:00

Ok... so I'm a little early to post this one.
Seasonal Tree stamps are from Whispers/Sugarloaf stamps (one of my favorite stamp companies that no longer exists - they are sort of Inque Boutique now but the original wood mount stamps are no more).

The numbers are also by Whispers/Sugaroaf Stamps. Inks are by CTMH.

Enjoy!

3-D Hanukkah Card #3

2008-11-28T23:51:00.000-08:00

Another easy to make Hanukkah Card.

I used "Postage Stamp" stamp from All Night Media then I used an alphabet stamp set to stamp the letters. The Star of David is from an unknown stamp company. I used foam mount to make the stamps pop up a bit from the card.

Come join me on Flicker - Jewish Cards group

2008-11-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

I've created a new group on Flickr.com for Jewish Cards called "Jewish Cards"

This is for all Jewish themed cards that are hand crafted (stamped, drawn, painted or other).

Please join me by adding your cards to the group

More info at http://www.flickr.com/groups/957093@N21/

Once there are new members, I'll post the flicker group here and rotate the images for everyone to see.

Every Occasion Card

2008-11-28T20:01:00.001-08:00

This is an all-occasion card I created using the standard rainbow colors. I stamped each image 1/2 inch apart from the next and bordered it in black cardstock. I left the bottom blank since I can quickly chose any random saying (like Mazel Tov, or L'Shana Tovah) and make up a quick card to give to someone. You could even use this style for a quick Happy Birthday card.

I used Close to My Heart inks in the Spring color selection; Cranberry, Sunny Yellow, Orange, Clover Meadow, Pansy Purple and Star Spangled Blue.

I hope you enjoy! (I did realize the last purple star is a little off.. oh well.. it's handmade...)

Hanukkah Card #2

2008-11-28T19:55:00.001-08:00

Another simple card to make. I used a stamp from Stampin Up's Right at Home set. Although my photography skills are lacking, I can assure you that in the windows are tiny hand drawn Chanukiahs that are lit.

My preference for modifying line drawn stamps like this is the Staedtler Pigment Liner 4 packs. It comes with a .3, .5, .7 and 1.0 sized pens. They are archival safe and acid free. They are also waterproof on paper which is the reason I use Stazon. I can blend and I don't get any smudged lines.

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Hanukah Card #1

2008-11-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

This was a very simple card to make. I used

#90202 Dreidel by Stamps Happen and cut out the individual Dreidels stamped on colored cardstock.
#2210E Hapy Hanukkah by PaperSalon

Hope you enjoy!

Hanukkah Cards

2008-11-28T13:08:00.000-08:00

I'm back

2008-11-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

It certainly has been one busy year for me - sadly not all of it very good. But I have not forgotten about this blog and hope that going forward I can post more updates to it like I want. I've also added a sister blog that i'll post more about soon as well for my Jewish Polymer Clay art.

I have a few ATC's that I am planning on uploading soon as well as a few more cards I've done. So keep a look out on new posts coming soon.

I also want to thank everyone as it seems you have been busy since our last count of 1000 users - we now have reached over 3000 users.

1000 visitors!

2008-01-14T13:14:00.000-08:00

I just want to say thank you to all my recent visitors - we've reached 1000 hits!

I have a few updates in the works coming, so be sure to check back soon.

Blog Candy! WINNER ANNOUNCED

2008-01-02T19:05:00.000-08:00

Lynn Anne - send me an email with you address and I'll get your package out in the next week. shayla dot anthony at gmail dot com.

Everyone else is doing it - so why not me?

I happen to have a stash of Jewish stamps that I have up for grabs during my blog candy challenge. My blog is pretty small still, and there aren't that many visitors yet. So I am going to pick a random date and comment from that date between now (December 2nd) and January 1st 2008 and that person will win my stash!

Leave a comment anywhere on this site under any post and your entered - just please make sure I have a way to reach you via the comment you have posted (if your login doesn't give me a way to reply to you).

I will give the person 15 days to claim that award if they are unreachable, and if not I will choose another winner.

Happy Holidays clear stamps from Studio G

Pomegranate from Faithmeadow stamps

Peace from Studio G

Hapy Hanukkah from D.O.T.S (JRL Designs)

Star of David from Candadian Maple Collection

Chanukia from Canadian Maple Collection

L'Chaim stamp from Sugar Loaf

Blue assorted ribbon from Making Memories

Gold and Silver Stickles

How I'll decide... I thought about this ahead of time (and inquiring minds now want to know) - how to be fair and select someone really random. I have a 30 sided dice that I will be using to select the date. Since I posted on Dec 2nd and there are 31 days in December - the #1 on the dice will be for December 31st posts. Once the date is selected, then I will roll again for the comment on that blog date - no comments posted, then I will select another date, and continue until I have a winner.

Bat Mitzvah Card

2007-12-08T19:43:00.000-08:00

I made this Bat Mitzvah pocket card from the same tutorial from the Hanukkah Card in my previous post.

I'm not happy with how the Mazel Tov images stamped, but I figured I'd post this anyway in case it gave someone ideas.

When you pull the pocket card insert out it says "Congratulations on your Bat Mitzvah".

I only used one Stampin Up! set on this card - Hebrew Holidays which is retiring now.

Hanukkah Pocket Card

2007-12-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a Hanukkah Pocket card I put together tonight. There is a great tutorial out on SplitCoastStampers that shows you how to make these very easy cards. You can find that tutorial here if you are interested.

I used two Stampin Up! Hanukkah sets, Festival Fun and Hebrew Holidays for this pocket card.

The ink is Timber Brown Stazon ink. I'm a HUGE Stazon ink fan, and anytime I can use it for outline stamping, I do. The ink doesn't smear (unless your using copic markers) and is crisp and clear every time. I do have re-inkers and re-ink my black pad religiously, but so far I have not had to do so with the other colors.

Enjoy!

Stamp identification

2007-12-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

I just received a package of Jewish stamps that I won in an auction, and there is a stamp in there that doesn't have any company name indexed on it. I was wondering if anyone out there knows the company?

My Hanukkah Cards for 2007

2007-12-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

Here's my 2007 Hanukkah Cards. The windows are made from Sizzix dies (I chopped the curvy top off). I usually put transparancy sheets beind the windows to look like glass, but we just moved a few months ago, and I can't find them :(

The stamps are from Stampin Up! called Festival Fun. I do believe this set is retired, but you can usually find it on Ebay every so often.

Have A "Beary" Happy Hanukkah

2007-12-01T14:38:00.001-08:00

Bear Stamp is by Anita's. Lettering was cut from my Cricut George cartridge.

I don't consider this card yet finished - it's missing a lot... but it's one that I'll put away for a while and come back to it... and then maybe I might know what to add...

Stampin Up! Hebrew Holidays - Retiring!

2007-12-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

So what does this mean?

This means that the new Stampin UP Catalog will most likely have another Judaica themed stamp set in the new catalog. What does that mean for you? You won't be able to get it (easily) after the set is gone.

If you don't know what the Stampin Up! Hebrew Holidays set is visit this link here and go to page 47.

For examples to use this set, see the SplitCoastStampers Gallery here.

Jewish Card Challenge - Pink Ribbon Cards

2007-11-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

Hi There!

I want to challenge you to think of ways of creating Jewish themed cards outside of traditional themed cards you would normally see.

My first challenge to you came from a website I found that has a great idea - http://www.pinkribbongifts.com/products.php?prod=64 Jewish Themed Star of David Cards with the Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness..

If you take the challenge, please feel free to respond on the comments section with a link to your card post.

Another Hanukkah ATC

2007-11-20T23:01:00.001-08:00

Another ATC made from the ever-so-popular Studio G Dollar Stamps...

Hanukkah ATC

2007-11-19T14:05:00.001-08:00

I have to say that I am disappointed in the Hanukkah Clear Studio G Stamp Set I found at Jo-Anns. They could have at least said Happy Hanukkah instead of Happy Holidays considering this is the ONLY hanukkah set they have...

Anyway... here it is. I hope you enjoy :)

The 7 species and stamping

2007-11-18T16:45:00.000-08:00

The Seven Species

The Seven Species (Hebrew: שבעת המינים, Shiv'at Ha-Minim) are seven types of fruits and grains enumerated in the hebrew bible as being special products of the Land of Isreal.

Having these fruit availble in rubber allows you to stamp many different items for Jewish stamping. You can stamp regular cards, or scrapbooking pages, or even make your own Mizrach signs.

The seven species are:

Olives: More than any other fruit, the olive symbolizes this continuity. The gnarled barks of the ancient olive trees on Israel’s terraced hillsides seem to exude a wisdom accumulated from witnessing centuries of human history. In ancient times, olive oil was used to cook, to light lamps and as soap and skin conditioner. Today, the olive remains a popular food and its golden oil is a coveted commodity. Moreover, olive oil has become more popular since the discovery that it lowers cholesterol. Olive wood, with light and dark grains, is popular for small decorative items, while the olive branch persists as a symbol of peace.

Olive stamps are harder to find (usually you'll find them in a martini), but you can use circles if you can't find a real olive stamp...

Stazon - Olive Green Ink Pad
Olive Branch Wood Mounted Stamp - Printworks #C2141

Grapes: During the parched heat of the late summer, the grapevines lend the countryside a welcome rich green hue as the vines bear their fruit. Wine has always been an integral part of the rituals of Judaism, as in the "kiddush" blessing on Sabbath and holidays. In ancient times, grapes were also used for seasoning and in vinegars. Today wine is a major industry, and over the past decade high-quality kosher wines have become widespread while nearly 100 "boutique" wineries have sprung up. Moreover, because grapes, especially dark grapes, are rich in iron, the fruit is recommended to ward off heart disease. Stuffed with meat and rice, the leaves of the vine make a popular dish.

Grape stamps are easy to find. You can also use leaf stamps and circle stamps if you don't have any.

PSX Large Grape Cluster - PSX (retired) K1783

Wheat: With a cool and wet winter followed by a dry spring, Israel’s climate is ideal for wheat growing. Today the northern Negev is the bread basket of Israel. In winter the fields around Kiryat Gat are a rich green, turning a glorious golden color in the late spring before the harvest begins during the festival of Shavuot. In biblical times as today, bread was the staple of the local diet. The modern Israeli supermarket bulges with a choice of local breads like halla and pita as well as imported concepts like the baguette and standard sliced loaf.

Wheat stamps are harder to find. As soon as I get the chance I'll look up the names of the ones I have and list them here.

Stamp and Go Wild Wheat

Barley: In biblical times barley was the poor-man’s staple - eaten as porridge and barley cakes. Cattle and other livestock were also fed barley. Today, the grain has become a marginal culinary ingredient used in soups and stews. Barley’s most common modern use in Israel is as the basic ingredient for beer, sold locally in bottles and cans and served in pubs from the barrel.

Barley stamps are harder to find. As soon as I get the chance I'll look up the names of the ones I have and list them here.

Figs: The fig tree — with its distinctive leaves, used as clothes by Adam and Eve - is a ubiquitous part of the Israeli landscape. In biblical times the fig was eaten fresh or as a seasoning, in addition to being used to make honey and alcohol. The fig itself, ripe in midsummer, is today an expensive delicacy. In fact it is best eaten straight from the tree in the late afternoon after being baked naturally by the sun. Dried figs covered in sugar are also a popular item.

Fig stamps are harder to find. As soon as I get the chance I'll look up the names of the ones I have and list them here.

Dates: Date palms are only found in the hotter inland rift valley. In biblical times they grew in the Jordan Valley, but with modern irrigation techniques the palms have also taken root near the Dead Sea and further south in the Arava. In the biblical era dates were made into honey, and many believe the notion of the "land flowing with milk and honey" actually referred to date honey. Today, dates are a popular sweet snack before or after meals and fetch premium prices for export to Europe.

Date stamps are harder to find. As soon as I get the chance I'll look up the names of the ones I have and list them here.

Pomegranates: Pomegranate trees are prevalent in Israeli gardens. The tree with its rich green leaves and red flowers becomes heavy with fruit for Rosh Hashanah (New Year) The plump red fruits are often plucked to decorate the succa during the feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles). In biblical times the pomegranate was used for making wine and seasonings in addition to its function as a dye. Then, too, it was appreciated for its aesthetic qualities, particularly the crown near the stem. Tradition has it that a pomegranate has 613 seeds to represent the 613 commandments in the Torah (five books of Moses). Today the pomegranate is traditionally eaten on the New Year although rarely otherwise, and occasionally used for flavoring in cooking.

Although you can find them, you do have to search a little bit. I'll list mine as soon as I can.

Pomegranate paper from Stampin Up!
Pomegranate ink pad from Stampin Up!

Jewish Crafts & Hiddur Mitzvah

2007-11-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

Hiddur Mitzvah: (lit. “enhancement of the mitzvah” or
"beautification of the mitzvah); enhancement or meticulous observance of a mitzvah (divine commandment) beyond the formal demands of the law.

For observant Jews, the Hebrew word mitzvah literally means commandment, but in the Jewish tradition, it has also come to mean blessing or good deed. Hiddur means to make beautiful. The concept, then, of hiddur mitzvah can be interpreted as beautifying those objects that are used in rituals.

More about Hiddur Mitzvah:

www.yutorah.org/_shiurim/Hiddur Mitzvah.html

MyJewishLearning.com - Holidays: Holiday Art

The Value of Hiddur Mitzvah Bnai Keshet

Jewish ATC's & Trading Tagz

2007-11-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

I spent a little time yesterday creating some Jewish ATC's and a frew Trading Tagz for trade.. hope you enjoy!

Flicker: Jewish Crafts Group

2007-11-10T17:34:00.001-08:00

I just got this message circulated through email from "Raspberry Hamentashen"....

============================

To share a photo with the Jewish Crafts photo pool:
1. Upload the photo to your Flickr account.
2. Add a title to your photo.
3. Add a description of the project.
4. Add the tag phrase "Jewish Crafts" (in quotation marks).
5. Add other tags of your choosing to describe your project.
6. Go to the Jewish Crafts photo pool http://www.flickr.com/groups/jewishcrafts/
7. If you are not a member, please join the group.
8. Go the the photo you wish to share. Click on the "Send to Group"button above your photo to add it to the Jewish Crafts group.
9. Share your photos with other groups on Flickr, too, and spread theword about Jewish crafts.

Recently discovered "Jewish" themed stamps..

2007-11-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

When all the stores start to put out their Christmas goodies, it's time to search for Hanukkah items!

I'll list what I find, where I find it and for how much I found it for, that can be used for Jewish Stamping... If you find anything useful please post and let us know!

JoAnn's

Studio G - Menorah Stamp - $1.00 - barcode 858237000146
Studio G - Peace Dove - $1.00 - barcode 858237000146
Studio G - Peace on Earth - $1.00 - barcode 858237000146
Inkadinkado - Peace Dove Stamp 6670K - $7.00 (approx) - barcode 725718966706
Stuido G Clear Stamp - Happy Holidays VS4195 - $1.00 - barcode 858237000139

Michaels

Studio G - Presents Tower - #1.00 - barcode 729632043307
Studio G - Peace & Dove - $1.00 - barcode 729632043307
Studio G - Celebrate! - $1.00 - barcode 729632003189 (leftover from previous bins of Studio G stamps) (Great for Hanukah or Bar/Bat Mitzvah's or other occasion)
Studio G - Happy New Year - $1.00 - barcode 858237000146 (Perfect for Rosh Hashana)

Yom Kippur Rubber Stamping Tips

2007-11-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

Yom Kippur:

This is the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar. It is definatley not a jewish holiday to send cards.

Most Jews spend the day in synagogue and pray to be written in the book of life for another year (see Rosh Hashana).

Tu B'Shevat Rubber Stamping Tips

2007-11-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Tu B'Shevat

Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, is a holiday also known as the New Year for Trees. Tu B'Shevat is the new year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. See Lev. 19:23-25, which states that fruit from trees may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year's fruit is for G-d, and after that, you can eat the fruit.

There are very few customs or observances related to this holiday but I happen to like it mainly because of my attraction to trees and nature. One custom is to eat a new fruit on this day. Some people plant trees. A lot of Jewish children go around collecting money for trees for Israel at this time of year.

Some ideas for rubber stamping are:

Trees
Flowers
Fruits

Some common sentiments for the day are:

Plant a tree
Leviticus 19:24-25
Proverbs 11:30

Passover Rubber Stamping Tips

2007-11-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Passover/Pesach

Of all the Jewish holidays, Pesach is the one most commonly observed, even by otherwise non-observant Jews. Pesach begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. Passover marks the start of a few agricultural holidays, but the primary observances of Passover is related to the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery. "Pesach" comes from the Hebrew root Peh-Samech-Chet , meaning to pass through or to pass over. It refers to the fact that G-d "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt.

Here's some ideas to get you stamping your very own Passover cards:

matzoh stamps, (square stamps with little dots to look like matzoh)
seder plates (round plates with round sections for each of the food types for passover seder). You can use circle shaped stamps for this.
Any of the plagues - usually frogs just because they're so darn cute on cards. I can think of a SU! set that has frogs...
Grapes/Grapevines
Other Fruit (generic for most holidays)
A "Passover" word stamp, or combination of letters to spell P-A-S-S-O-V-E-R

Some common sentiments are:

Happy Passover
Pasover Blessings
A wish for you at Passover...
Wishing you joy at Passover

More info about Passover and some card ideas at Hallmark.com -http://pressroom.hallmark.com/passover.html

Using Christian Rubber Stamps for Jewish Themed Cards

2007-11-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Keep in mind that when your stamping Jewish - anything is fair game.

There are a few good companies out there that have a decent selection of Jewish themed stamps, but you have to admit that ther isn't the selection we'd like to have. This is where you just have to be creative.

For a while now, I've been searching the Christian Rubber Stamp websites for stamps I could use with my cards. You can find bibilical passages (psalms, proverbs, etc), biblical fruits (grapes, pomegranates, etc), and other appropriate stamps. (Keep in mind if they contain the word G-D, that most Jews keep to the thought that the page cannot be simply thrown away, and has to be "disposed" of properly - thus why some synagogues have huge storage areas for old prayer books etc - they aren't thrown away).

Here are some links to get you started:

Biblical Impressions - http://www.biblicalstamps.com/
Faith Meadow = http://www.faithmeadow.com/
Catholic Rubber Stamps - http://www.catholicrubberstamps.com/ - more Catholic, than Christian - but there are a few that could be used.
Verses Rubber Stamps - http://www.versesrubberstamps.com/

I hope this helps you in your journey. Please let me know if it does or if you have additional comments.

Purim Rubber Stamping Tips

2007-11-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Purim

This holiday is known playfully as the "Jewish Halloween" although has completely different meanings. The Jewish Halloween reference comes because kids and adults both get dressed up in costumes for this holiday.

Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Adar, which is usually in March. The primary commandment for Purim is to listen to the reading of the book of Esther. The book of Esther is commonly known as the "Megillah" which means scroll. It is customary to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle gragers (noise makers) whenever the name of Haman is mentioned during the service. The purpose of this custom is to blot out the name of Haman.We are also commanded to eat, drink and be merry. A person is required to drink until he cannot tell the difference between cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordecai - though opinions differ from person to person how drunk that is. (A person certainly should not become so drunk that he might violate other commandments or get seriously ill). Recovering alcoholics or others who might suffer serious harm from alcohol are of course exempt from this obligation).

In addition, we are commanded to send out gifts of food or drink, and to make gifts to charity. It is also customary to hold carnival like celebrations on Purim, to perform theater, plays and parodies, etc.

To give you a list of things you could stamp:

Scrolls
Esther (pretty women)
Hamentashen (triangular cookies)
clowns and circus
graggers or noise makers
Masks (similar to mardi gras masks)
Some halloween stamps may be appropriate, but I think avoiding gouls, ghosts, monsters, etc may be a good idea.

Some common sentiments

Happy Purim

Some stamp sets and companies to get you started!

Ruth's Jewish stamps also carries a large selection
Hevea Art Stamps
Zum Gali Gali

Some ideas for cards from other crafters:

http://www.highlightskids.com/Express/Crafts/Holidays/C0301_purimCard.asp

Rosh Hashana Stamping Tips

2007-11-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

Rosh Hashana - The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of the Jewish calendar month of Tishri. The rituals used as a part of this 'feast of trumpets', or the feast of shofar, is a festive feast. It is a Minhag (custom) during the New Year season featuring sweet foods is a symbol of our desire for a sweet year.

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." According to the Talmud, the Jewish scripture, symbolic acts are performed as a good omen, and also as an expression of prayer that the New Year brings good for all.

The common greeting at this time is L'shanah tovah ("for a good year"). This is a shortening of "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" (or to women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi"), which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."

A popular practice of the holiday is Tashlish (or known as "casting off"). We walk to a flowing water supply, such as a creek or river on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins.

Another practice is to eat apples dipped in honey to symbolize our wish for a sweet new year. After the appropriate blessing on the apple, it is added: "May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year." These foods are eaten as "simanim," "good omens," of success and happiness for the coming year.

If your Rosh Hashana (New Years) cards arrive late, most people are happy if a card gets to them any time before Yom Kippur!

This is usually the time of year that we give cards rather than the winter holiday season.

Some ideas for cardmaking for Rosh Hashana:

There are a few ways that people spell the holiday:

Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashanna
Rosh Hashanah

To give you some examples of cards for Rosh Hashanna, you can stamp using

Apples
Honey, or honey pots
Bees or Beehives
water/river scenes
star of davids

Here is a listing of Rubber Stamp sets and companies that can provide sets that would be appropriate:

Stampin Up! Decorative Country Apple
Ruth's Jewish Stamps has a ton of Rosh Hashana Stamps and other Jewish Stamps
Hevea Art Stamps also has a lot of Rosh Hashana and other Jewish Stamps

Some example sentiments:

Wishing you a year of health and happiness
Thinking of you on Rosh Hashana
Shana Tova (or Shana Tovah, L'Shana Tova)
May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life
Make it wiht a mighty blow... L'Shanah Tovah!
Y'hee ratzon Hashem sheh-tichadesh alainu shana tovah oomtookah. "May it be your will Hashem that you renew for us a good and sweet year."

Hanukkah Window Card

2007-09-02T16:49:00.001-07:00

This is an old card, created with SU! Stamps and a window die that I have for my Sizzix machine.

Shalom Card 2

2007-09-02T16:46:00.001-07:00

I masked off the peace portion of this stamp from Ruth's Jewish Stamps, and used my Grape Border stamps from Rubber Stamp Tapistry and ink pads from Whispers.

Mini 3x3 Rimon Card

2007-09-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

I used Blazing Red Stazon on tan colored cardstock, and tinted some of the cardstock with the stazon pad.

L'Shana Tovah

2007-09-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

A new creation, just in time to mail :)

Faiths Garden - PG-01 (Pomegranate)

See-D's Ransom Alphabet

Stazon Blazing Red

Stazon Olive Green

Mazel Tov! With Stampin Up!

2007-04-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

I created this card a while back after ordering the Definately Decorative Grapes set on ebay. Ebay is such a wonderful place :)

I also stamped Mazel Tov from another Stampin Up! set that I purchased online. Can you guess from where ? EBAY!

I used whispers ink pads, which I absolutely love when they are new - they seem to dry out quickly for me.

Its a quick simple card - maybe one day I'll redo the card and add in some embossing powder, to make it a little more creative. For now I'm posting for the rest of the WWW stamp peeps for inspiration.

Shalom!

2007-03-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

I made this Shalom/Peace card a few months back. The Shalom stamp comes from a great Jewish stamp company called Ruth's Jewish Stamps (http://www.ruthsjewishstamps.com). The Peace stamp came from one of my Stampin Up! sets I bought off of e-crack, err... Ebay.

I ended up masking off part of the Shalom stamp to just have the hebrew lettering. It's a very simple yet elegant card I think, that could be used for all kinds of occasions.