March is almost here and St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner.
It is said that while trying to convert the Irish to Christianity, St. Patrick used shamrocks to explain the holy trinity. The leaves represented the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. What a lovely way to explain the trinity.
In contrast, a four-leaf clover is considered to be a lucky charm. While luck is hardly necessary when we have such a loving God, it is fun to lay on your tummy in a field of clover and do a search for the rare four-leaf clover.
Either way, shamrocks are synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. Here are two fun craft ideas to share with your kids.
COLORING FLOWERS
This is an old method of coloring flowers. The florists I talked to wanted to sell me floral spray (the new and fast way to color flowers) but that would defeat the fun and the learning that goes along with this method.
You’ll need:
- White flowers (carnations, baby’s breath, and roses work well)
- A vase
- Food coloring
- Water
- Scissors
Instructions:
Buy flowers from the grocery store or a florist (my florist gave me older roses for free!). Let them sit out of water for an hour or two (this makes them thirsty). Then put about ½ cup of water into the bottom of a jar or vase. Add a hefty spoonful of gel or liquid food coloring to the water. I used green for St. Patty’s Day. Make a fresh cut in the bottom of your flowers and place them in the colored water. Soon you’ll see the petals start to take on color. Remove them when you have achieved the hue you want. This is a fun project and teaches kids how flowers take up moisture.
PC: Ann Kirsten
FELT SHAMROCKS
You’ll need:
- Paper and a pen or pencil
- Green felt
- A needle and thread
- Scissors
- Double stick tape
PC: Ann Kirsten
Instructions:
Draw a quick pattern. It’s basically a heart with a straight bottom. (See below)
Stick a piece of double-stick tape onto the back of your pattern and press it onto a piece of green felt. You can repress it a number of times before you’ll need to add more tape. Cut out 3-4 petals, depending on whether you are making a shamrock or a four-leaf clover.
Once you have your pieces cut, sew a running stitch along the bottom.
PC: Ann Kirsten
Continue sewing the same running stitch on the bottom of all the leaves, connecting them together (leave a tail at both ends of the thread).
PC: Ann Kirsten
Pull the stitches tight and knot the thread together in the back.
Voila! A lovely shamrock or clover.
PC: Ann Kirsten
Use your thread ends to tie your shamrock onto a hairclip, or a stem, or whatever suits your fancy.
PC: Ann Kirsten
Experiment with other fabrics. Paint or embroider on the petals. Use your imagination to make these your very own.
PC: Ann Kirsten
Note: There are many myths surrounding Saint Patrick, but his story is quite remarkable without the myths. He was taken from his father’s house when he was 16 and carried into slavery in Ireland. He spent six years in slavery with only his faith to keep him going. He dreamed of a ship carrying him to freedom, so he escaped. His road to freedom was hard and included recapture, starvation, and other obstacles. He was finally reunited with his family. Years later, he received a letter that said the Irish people needed him. He returned to Ireland and began his ministry.
PIN THIS!
Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
