7 DIY Lenten Crafts & Books ~ Wreaths, Crown of Thorns, Mercy Crosses, Crucifixion Art, Books~ Artful Friday Lenten Blog Carnival {with linky}

Cherished family rituals, parish events, beloved books, scripture reading
 and my own deep reflections, written and pondered
 related to the liturgical season of Lent,
 fill my thoughts, my to-do lists and my plan book
 as we enter this holy 40 day stretch.
Here, in QT form, is a collection of a number of our family
 Lenten memories,
activities and resources.



~ 1 ~
Crucifixion Art

Last year during Holy Week, my kids made these
lovely paintings.




Here's all you need in terms of supplies~
You already have everything in the house! 



The super easy,  how- to is right here.:

Enjoy  painting while you read one of our Lenten book  picks below!

~ 2 ~
Lenten Wreaths

Here's a  simple, no -frills but extremely lovely decoration to remind and instill  

in us all to 

"PRAY, FAST, GIVE ALMS" 

which I found at A Blessed Journey

and adapted for our use.

Above, are the items needed to create the wreath.

 Again, all were purchased at The Dollar Tree. 

As you can see, you start with a

simple wreath (about 10 inches in diameter), purple ribbon
 (  I picked up dark and light  shades for my kids to choose.) and purple card stock.

About to wrap the ribbon around wreath:

Adding letters to the card stock "mini banners."

I love the "Sticko" brand. 

And here, affixing the card stock "mini banners" so they 

hang from the center.

And hanging from the door inside of our most lived in room,

so that we can enjoy it often:

~ 3 ~
 Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Crosses

                    We began with simple foam cross cut outs as well as a package of 
 foam-y flower stickers. :

Easy and time saving during a busy week.   
Both items obtained at The Dollar Tree. 
 Love The Dollar Tree, don't you? 
                                              

The kids glued a cross on each of two  pieces of pastel card stock. 
They then  wrote key words  from the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, after an in depth discussion of ways that, as a family, we could endeavor to accomplish as many of  the Works as possible during Lent. 

And of course, during Ordinary Time as well.

 There's a great explanation of the Works of Mercy at this site. 

Every time they/we accomplish a Work of Mercy,
 they'll stick a flower on the cross;
 by Easter, hopefully, the crosses will be covered!

Not an artistically challenging project for either of my kids, as they are 11 and almost 14, BUT the faith and  the service meaning behind the project is, of course, of utmost import and will serve as a tangible  and visual reminder of living the way of the Cross this season.

                                                               
                                                      


~ 4 ~
Play Dough Crown of Thorns



 Step 1: Create 3 strands with any colors of play dough.

Step 2: Braid 

                                                            
                                                         Step 3: Form crown

                                                    Step 4: Add "thorns"  (toothpicks)

Completed crowns:

                                                 

We'll be removing "thorns," representative of our sacrifices, symbolically easing Christ's suffering  by doing so, throughout these 45 days.  Since Lent has only been  underway for a couple of days now;  there's still time do this with your kids if you have not as of yet. ~:) 


~ 5 ~
Books we've come to live in and love during Lent


Amon's Adventure
 continues the story began during Advent 
with the same beloved characters
 in Tabitha's Travels 
Jotham's Journey
and
Bartholomew's Passage.




This is a family favorite that sweeps us back to the time surrounding
Jesus's Crucifixion and provide a front row seat people,
the events, the circumstances, the injustices, the betrayals and the loyalties.




~ 6 ~
Our favorite Bible

The Fireside Catholic Youth Bible

I've mentioned this Bible numerous times here in liturgical season activity
(it's also well read and refereed to during advent as we create our Jesse Tree )

 We read also very frequently the  Concise Bible History 
 to clarify and to reinforce settings,
Biblical figures.





~ 7 ~
Resurrection Eggs

A dozen bright and colorful plastic eggs, each containing an item 
which symbolizes Jesus's life, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension
are perfect for every age. 
Honestly, my kids' level of understanding at their ages is beyond the
symbolism conveyed through each;
yet each time we sit and talk "Lent,"
they still enjoy the discovery
 within each egg as well as reading the 
corresponding scripture verses in our Bible.  
Symbols include a purple cloth, a piece of wood representing the cross, 
dice, coins and of course one empty egg representative of the resurrection.




Please visit Jen's for more QTs!


~ Also, friends a reflection of mine
 on the Lenten season, giving up and failing: 
The Dark Night of the Soul:
Why a Failing Lent Really Isn't

For my previous "Artful Friday" posts, 

you might like to click below.....

They're all here if you'd like to dust off something from the archives:

Study of van Gogh

Wisdom from a Violin Master

Everything You Need for a  Cezanne Study

The Arts in Our Homeschool This Week

 ( knitting, winter crafts, the theater and piano)

 Lenten, Valentine and Papal Crafts

Mercy Crosses, Lenten wreaths, Rosary Making, Music Lessons

Strings, Keys, Sketches

Strings for the Beginner

Yeats, Joyce and Watercolor with a Little Vivaldi Thrown in!

Crucifixion Paintings

A Few Resources on the Great Composers

Let's Have Some Elizabethan Fun!

Forever West: Caricatures and Street Performers on The Wharf

Autumn Tree Art

Violin School: Ode to Joy

The Art of Giving:

A Parade of Artwork for the Impoverished of Honduras

Orchestra Concert and  Fools for Christ Christmas Skit: 

Violin Resources for Fun, Classical Study and Christmas Solos!

Costumes and Monsters and Raggedy Doctors, Oh My! 
Sewing Fun for Kids!

Light up the Night with a Paper Lantern:
Doctor Who Torch!

Valentine and Snowy Craft, Books, Games

Robert Frost Unit Study:
Poetry Notebooks, Rhyme Scheme Lessons,
Glitter Stopping by Woods Snowy Bottle, 
The Road Not Taken Collage,
Make Your Own Snowflakes and More

And, my son's popular  guest posts on crafting rocket balloons,

 both of which include instructional videos:

How to Make a Balloon Dog

and

Shaping Balloons: A How-To 

I hope you get a chance to click over and enjoy one of his posts!

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Until next time,

~Chris

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