Friday, February 28, 2014

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 )
Product Details
 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:

 ( knitting, winter crafts, the theater and piano)



And, my son's popular  guest posts on crafting rocket balloons,
 both of which include instructional videos:
I hope you get a chance to click over and enjoy one of his posts!


Thank you for spending some of your precious time today
here at my home on the web! 

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This post contains amazon affiliate links....
If you are shopping at  amazon and Target
why not consider clicking through my link
In this way, I will receive a small commission on the purchase.....
at no cost to you.
THANK YOU!

Until next time,

~Chris




Sunday, February 23, 2014

Sponsored Giveaway ~ Lilla Rose Hair Clip!


Welcome friends~!
Well, as a homeschooling mom of boys,
I'm caught up, as are all  boy-Moms, 
in all things
action adventure,  curriculum, Doctor Who, 
hoops, mitts, shin guards and well,
 based on my blog's title.... sports and  travel effects!
And I never blog about 
style, fashion and accessories.

So, when my friend, Dusty, mentioned that her friend,
Allison, a Lilla Rose consultant, 
was sponsoring an  opportunity for bloggers to
enjoy, review and give away one of the company's well known and
well loved accessories, I jumped at it!
When I communicated with Allison , I told her that I'd love 
to offer  a beautiful hair clip right here on 
my blog to you, my readers.
But that just boring old me would be "modelling" the piece!
To my delight, Allison was great with that and told me to go right ahead
 and choose a clip to wear and talk up!
Awesome!
I went shopping on Allison's page and here's what I chose:

 Isn't it gorgeous??
This is the Lilla Rose
 "Scrollwork Heart Antique Brass" flexi clip
( # 6-0256) 
 Lovely, no??
The details given to the decorative part of the flexi clip,
as well as the  attachment, are just perfect. 
The quaint little accessory holds firmly and gives this tired,
typically sweatshirt wearing, stay at home,. homeschool mom
a real boost whenever it's worn!

 I really wish I chose a clip with more contrast against my hair.....oh well....
But here's  a shot my son took so you can get a bit more of 
an idea about the clip's "look" while being worn.
Now if I ran out to do errands and got two compliments
 from complete strangers on my hair clip ( I kid you not)...
seriously, you know these accessories are  super unique!

Now, when you click  to Allison's page to shop, you'll notice an array of styles.
And believe me, it's a tough choice.
Each one is prettier than the next!
Once you decide on your style,
You absolutely should go  enjoy clicking over to her page ....
Because, let's face it, perusing curriculum, office supplies 
and accessories is in every homeschool mom's  blood, right?
Now go take a break for yourself and enjoy shopping!
But come back for the awesome giveaway details!
Here are some lovely offerings you'll find over at Allison's~

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~ The Giveaway ~
Allison is kind enough to offer this giveaway for.....
are you ready....
any Lilla Rose item $16 or under!!
Really.
How sweet is that?

Any item $16 or under!
Here's how you can  enter this phenomenal giveaway
for a chance to win  your own Lilla Rose clip:

Let's keep this simple and easy, ok?
1. On thenrafflecopter at this post's end,
you need only like my blog's facebook page 
and
Allison's Lilla Rose Independent Consultant facebook page.

2. Enter between Monday 2/24 and Monday 3/3.

3. Please leave a comment to just say hi and let me know you stopped by to enter!

That's it.
Really.
No crazy copying and pasting of tweet url and such.
Just easy as pie.
Good luck!
Now go do some clicking  at the rafflecopter
and then more shopping around 
at Allison's page for fun!
After all, if you're lucky enough to win, 
you need to know what to choose!
And if you don't win, 
you'll likely want to treat yourself 
or choose a lovely clip as a gift for someone special!

Friends, as always,  thank you for stopping over and 
spending some of your precious time here at my home on the web!

Don't forget to subscribe to Campfires and Cleats
 by scrolling to the subscribe button at the  top left sidebar.
I'd love to stay in touch regularly.

Until next time,

~Chris




a Rafflecopter giveaway