Yagel and Renne

When my son and his girlfriend asked me to make them a sign with their names on for the front door of their student apartment, little did I know that the piece I came up with would become one of my most popular designs! I have cut this piece quite a number of times this year, making the occasional tiny change to the design to suit the brief.

In August a customer thought my design would make a lovely baby gift for some newborn twins. She knew that the final piece would be bigger than my original creation since she wanted to include not only the new babies' names but also their date of birth.

She sent me a photo from the joint Simchat bat and brit milah to show me the different shades of greens and beige that the family had worn at the ceremony. "I think these are the colours she [the new mum] likes" my customer wrote.

My final piece measured 25 × 20 cm. It features the twin babies' names, Yagel and Renne, written in Hebrew, with their birth date displayed below. The name Yagel means "to rejoice," while Renne means "melody" or "song." Together, the names express a beautiful harmony of joy and song.

My customer was thrilled with the piece, first writing: "Thank you, it’s beautiful," and later adding "The papercut you created for Rivka was really appreciated. She was so touched."

* This post has been shared on Craft Schooling Sunday, Happiness is Homemade, Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) and Tuesday Turn About.

A Family Picture

Galia's mum wanted a very special card for her daughter's 30th birthday but it had to be made at the last minute. A new addition to the family, a baby boy, was born not long before her 30th birthday. Mum (grandma) wanted me to wait until the baby arrived before I made the card.

Once he had made his appearance, I was able to create the family picture. I showed Galia holding her baby son. Her husband has his arm around their two year old daughter, while Ollie the dog makes an appearance too.

Happy 30th Birthday Galia.

* This post has been shared on Tuesday Turn About, Creative Muster Link-Up and Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop.

Theo Jonah

My sister's eldest daughter has two little girls, Lottie Ruby and Sadie Eve. I made each girl a personalised papercut picture for their bedrooms when they were born. So, when my sister's youngest daughter gave birth to a baby boy back in March, I decided to make a papercut picture for him too.

I created a piece which displays the baby's name, Theo Jonah, in the centre and his Hebrew name, Boaz Yonah, below it. His birth date and the time of his birth is at the top of the piece, whilst his birth weight is at the bottom. My previous papercuts had a bear and a fox on them. This time I added an elephant, a little bird and stars.

Many Jewish people observe the custom of giving their children both English and Hebrew first names - the former for everyday life, the latter for religious purposes. The Hebrew name is used when the child is called to read the Torah at their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, at their wedding, in the writing of a get (a Jewish bill of divorce), and for funeral ceremonies. Their use on these occasions is customary.

Theo's Hebrew name, Boaz, is a boy's name of Hebrew origin, translating to "strength." Boaz is a prominent figure in the Book of Ruth, with Boaz being the second husband of Ruth. Boaz had a reputation for extending a special kindness to Ruth, ensuring that she was protected and well-treated.

The name Yonah derives from the Hebrew word "Yonah," meaning "dove," sharing ties with the prophet Jonah, who was a leading figure in the Book of Jonah. As legend has it, Jonah was swallowed by a whale, after G-d caused his ship to sink, and then was tossed up onto dry land after three days and nights. Sailors traditionally use the name Jonah to personify someone who brings bad luck but, in this case, Yonah will be known as Jonah in English, after my dear mum Joan.

* This post has been shared on Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things.

Sadie Eve

I became a great-aunt in 2020 when my sister's eldest daughter gave birth to her first child Lottie Ruby. I made a piece of artwork for the nursery back then so, when Lottie's sister Sadie Eve arrived in August 2023, of course I had to make something for her bedroom too.

Once again I created a piece which displayed the baby's name near the top and her Hebrew name, Michal Perach, below it. Many Jewish people observe the custom of giving their children both English and Hebrew first names - the former for everyday life, the latter for religious purposes. Although Jewish law does not insist on Hebrew names for such rituals as being called up to the Torah, or for Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, and funeral ceremonies, their use on these occasions is customary.
Sadie's Hebrew name, Michal, is a diminutive of Michael, a Hebrew name meaning "Who is like God?" Biblical Michal was King Saul's daughter and first wife of David, who later became king, first of Judah, then of all Israel.

Perach means flower.

Sadie's birth date and the time of her birth is at the top of the piece, whilst her birth weight is at the bottom. When I checked with my sister what colour Sadie's bedroom was, I was told sage green and pale pink. With that in mind, I added a fox, one of my signature little birds and flowers to the piece, imagining a woodland theme.

My niece was very happy to receive the framed picture. "It's absolutely beautiful. It looks so cute in her room. It matches perfectly." she told me.

* This post has been shared on The Good. The Random. The Fun., Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) and Karin’s Kottage Linky Party.