I have one stamp club member who is Jewish. I felt very badly that she sat out of all my holiday clubs and classes that took place in October and November.
I learned that Chanukah (Hanukkah) starts this year on the Hebrew calendar date of December 25 Kislev. I thought, while I was sending out Christmas cards a Chanukah card would be appropriate to send to let her know I was thinking of her. Unfortunately, Stampin' Up! isn't big on Chanukah stamps but I was determined to figure something out.
I looked online to see how Menorahs were made and figured I could probably create one using the Layering Oval Framelit Dies and Silver Foil. It took some trimming and maneuvering to get them to line up but I'm pretty pleased with my ingenuity. The candles were stamped using part of the bow from the Wondrous Wreath stamp set. I hand cut them and glued them in place. I then needed a flame for each candle. I looked over my punches and found the Tree Builder Punch had the perfect little leaf shape that was just the right size. I punched 8 flames out of Gold Foil and attached each one with a Stampin' Dimensional to the top of each candle. I used a sentiment from the Star of Light stamp set on inside that I thought would be appropriate, May your season be peaceful, your New Year be bright.
I was aware that Chanukah lasted for 8 days because when I was a child I had a friend who was Jewish and I always thought it was neat that she would receive a small gift each day. There are apparently conflicting feelings about mixing Chanukah with the Christian tradition of Christmas gift giving but there is a basis for it. If you're interested in knowing more, check out this LINK.
I was in a local store and spotted the Mensch on a Bench chocolate bar. I saw Neal Hoffman, the creator of Mensch, on Shark Tank several years ago when he pitched his idea to the sharks after his son kept asking for an Elf on the Shelf. Lori Grenier made the investment in Moshe, as the Mensch is affectionately known and the rest as they say, is history. I wondered if I could make a fun presentation for this sweet idea.
I had already designed packaging for some Chippey the Elf's hot chocolate packets so I thought why not do the same for Moshe.
For Chippey's box, cut a piece of cardstock 7" x 7 1/2" Real Red cardstock. Score along the 7 1/2" side at 3 1/8", 3 5/8", 6 3/4", and 7 1/4". Along the 7" side score at 6 1/2". Fold on all the score lines and cut the short end (1/2" bottom) up to the horizontal score line. Cut off the little 1/4" square on the bottom end. Use Tear and Tape or another strong adhesive along the 1/4" seam and create the box. Place score tape on one of the bottom flaps to the inside. Fold in short end pieces and fold over bottom flaps to seal the box.
I used the Jolly Friends elf stamp to create the Chippey.
For Moshe's box, I cut Pacific Point cardstock 7 1/2" x 7" and scored the 7 1/2" side at 3 1/8", 3 5/8", 6 3/4", and 7 1/4". The 7" side was scored at 6 1/2". Follow the same assembly process as Chippey's box.
I used the Jolly Friends Santa to create Moshe. I cut the smallest oval in Basic Black from the Layering Oval Framelits for the brim of his hat. Using my Paper Trimmer, I cut about a 1 1/2" slice into the brim so I could slide Moshe's (Santa's) head into it. I cut a 1" square from Basic Black, rounded the corners of one end with the Project Life Corner Rounder and attached it to the back for the top of the hat. I cut the next to the smallest oval from Not Quite Navy cardstock for his body and wrapped a piece of White Organza Ribbon around his neck. The background paper is from the Regals Designer Series Paper Stack. I thought the words would be appropriate like thankful, embrace life, my friend, inspire, etc.
I hope my friend will like her card and that she'll return in January for some new projects. As for Moshe, I think I'll save him for when I have a need for chocolate - which can be most days!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Happy Christmas and Shalom!
