Happy St. Patrick's Day

I decided to get the nephews together for a traditional green breakfast today.  It was so fun to see them all dressed in their green garb.  Since it was planned so last minute, I just threw together some simple little hats to get everyone in the spirit.

To make these hats, I just cut black cardstock into a slightly angled shape.  I cut the letters, shamrock and buckle on my silhouette and then glittered the buckle. I cut a separate rim and attached it to the back of the hat, then folded it up to create a 3-D Rim.  Then I stapled a strip of cardstock to the back and wrapped it around to fit each child's head.  So simple and fun and I was able to use supplies from my stash, so it didn't cost me a thing! They loved wearing them.

Of course we had to enjoy green waffles and eggs with bacon! A St. Patty's traditional breakfast.

Overall, it was a great way to start out a LUCKY Day!  Hope you all have lots of Luck and Love coming your way today!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I decided to get the nephews together for a traditional green breakfast today.  It was so fun to see them all dressed in their green garb.  Since it was planned so last minute, I just threw together some simple little hats to get everyone in the spirit.

To make these hats, I just cut black cardstock into a slightly angled shape.  I cut the letters, shamrock and buckle on my silhouette and then glittered the buckle. I cut a separate rim and attached it to the back of the hat, then folded it up to create a 3-D Rim.  Then I stapled a strip of cardstock to the back and wrapped it around to fit each child's head.  So simple and fun and I was able to use supplies from my stash, so it didn't cost me a thing! They loved wearing them.

Of course we had to enjoy green waffles and eggs with bacon! A St. Patty's traditional breakfast.

Overall, it was a great way to start out a LUCKY Day!  Hope you all have lots of Luck and Love coming your way today!

A Little Lucky Treat

I thought these little leprechaun hats were a darling but super simple treat to make for St. Patty's day tomorrow. These cute little yummies came from www.twigglebox.blogspot.com.  She also has a simple little leprechaun craft for kids if you are looking for an idea. They are so quick and easy, I just had to share the pictures and instructions with you.

Supplies:

-Real Chocolate or Chocolate chips if you want to simplify

-Large Marshmallows

-Round Chocolate Covered Cookies

-Green Licorice, cut in 1/2 lengthwise (twizzler makes green)

-Small Yellow Candies (I used M&M, or Reeces)

-Small Shamrock Sprinkle or toothpick or confetti (optional)

Melt the Chocolate  or Chocolate Chips in microwave at 40% power, stirring at 30 second intervals. Use a toothpick or skewer to dip the marshmallows in melted chocolate, and place in center of cookie. Wrap licorice around base of marshmallow, and cut to fit. Place small drop of chocolate on back of yellow candy, and secure to seam of licorice. Add shamrock sprinkle.  If you are using a toothpick or confetti piece, be sure to remove before eating (especially with young children).

A Little Lucky Treat

I thought these little leprechaun hats were a darling but super simple treat to make for St. Patty's day tomorrow. These cute little yummies came from www.twigglebox.blogspot.com.  She also has a simple little leprechaun craft for kids if you are looking for an idea. They are so quick and easy, I just had to share the pictures and instructions with you.

Supplies:

-Real Chocolate or Chocolate chips if you want to simplify

-Large Marshmallows

-Round Chocolate Covered Cookies

-Green Licorice, cut in 1/2 lengthwise (twizzler makes green)

-Small Yellow Candies (I used M&M, or Reeces)

-Small Shamrock Sprinkle or toothpick or confetti (optional)

Melt the Chocolate  or Chocolate Chips in microwave at 40% power, stirring at 30 second intervals. Use a toothpick or skewer to dip the marshmallows in melted chocolate, and place in center of cookie. Wrap licorice around base of marshmallow, and cut to fit. Place small drop of chocolate on back of yellow candy, and secure to seam of licorice. Add shamrock sprinkle.  If you are using a toothpick or confetti piece, be sure to remove before eating (especially with young children).

Classic Symbols of St. Patrick's Day ~ Part two ~ Shamrocks, Four-Leaf Clovers, and "The Luck of the Irish"

Shamrocks

The shamrock, which is a registered trademark of Ireland, is a three-leaf plant from the clover family. There are three main varieties of clover considered to be true shamrocks that grow in Europe, they are: 1. Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium),  2. White Clover (Trifolium repens) and 3. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense). There are other clover-like plants that are sometimes used as shamrocks such as the Oxalis acetosella, which is not from the clover family at all but rather from the Wood Sorell family.

At the risk of becoming repetitious, in discussing shamrocks I feel the need to mention one more time the link between St. Patrick and the shamrock. You will recall that St. Patrick is a patron saint of Ireland, known for converting mass numbers of the Irish people from paganism to Christianity. Beginning in 1726,  the story arose that while teaching Christianity to the Irish people St. Patrick displayed a shamrock to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, stating that just as the three leaflets of the clover were united by a single stalk so the three beings of the Trinity combine to form the Godhead. Some people question the authenticity of this story since it did not surface until 1,200 years after St. Patrick's death and there was no mention of it in his personal writings. Whether the story has it's roots in St. Patrick or not, the Irish Catholic people still consider the shamrock to be a symbol of the Holy Trinity and it has become a symbol of Ireland.

According to Wikipedia, "Queen Victoria decreed over a hundred years ago that soldiers from Ireland should wear a sprig of shamrock in recognition of Fellow Irish soldiers who had fought bravely in the Boer war, a tradition continued by British Army soldiers from both the north and the south of Ireland following partition in 1921."  

Four-Leaf Clovers

The four-leaf clover is a universal symbol of good luck. It may be disheartening for some to learn that because of the correlation between the Trinity and the three-leaf shamrock the four-leaf clover cannot be considered a shamrock.  

It is believed that the tradition of the four-leaf clover as being lucky dates back to pre-Christian Celtic beliefs. Druid Priests considered the four-leaf clover to be a charm against evil spirits. It is said that the four leaves stand for faith, hope, love, and luck.

It is estimated that the ratio of three leaf clovers to four leaf clovers is 10,000 to one, so you can see how finding a four-leaf clover amidst a sea of three-leaf clovers could be considered a very special thing and a stroke of good luck. Here are 25 Four Leaf Clover Facts you may like to learn about.

The Luck of the Irish

We've all heard the saying "The luck of the Irish". Some people would argue that this isn't necessarily speaking of good luck. Many people would say that the Irish people have had more than their fair share of tragedy, trouble, and strife and that they would not be considered a lucky people.

When I typed, "What are the origins of the saying "The luck of the Irish" into Google search I found a myriad of answers as to how this phrase came about. Some of which, as an American, I'm not too proud of.

• "Actually, as the Irish became more and more politically active, and as their contributions to the U.S. grew, it was a way to pass off all of their major accomplishments as "the luck of the Irish" instead of giving them due credit. It was a derogatory term, essentially." Answers.com

• From History News Network we read, "In truth, this term has a happier, if not altogether positive, American origin. During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth, for example, James Fair, James Flood, William O'Brien and John Mckay were collectively known as the "Silver Kings" after they hit the famed Comstock Lode. Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression "luck of the Irish" Of course, it carried with it a certain tone of derision, as if to say, only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains, could these fools succeed.

• Another thought comes from Fun Trivia.com , "The saying refers to the fact that the Irish people have come through such overwhelming adversity and have come out on top and kicking! It must be luck... or true perseverance." 

 Sources: Wikipedia  About.com 

Paula Deen's Easy Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe

I'm not afeared a cookin' somethin' fancy schmancy now and again, but the last time I tried to make traditional corned beef and cabbage, it left a whole heapin' lot to be desired, and that's why this St. Patrick's Day I'll be making my tried and true favorite recipe for corned beef and cabbage, and that comes from the lovely Miss Paula Deen aka Mrs. Michael Groover.

You can find Paula Deen's Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe here at the Food Network, along with a video of her in action.

You should really try it, unlessen you're afeared a corned beef in a can. :0) My family loves this dish!

Shamrock Brooches

Here's what you'll need:

Green felt

Scraps of green fabric

Dritz Fray Check

Green embroidery floss

Small amount of polyester stuffing

Button for embellishing

1 1/2 inch Bar Pin

Shamrock Template

Heart Template (reduce this down to 75% and use the heart that is one in from the top right hand corner)

1. Cut two shamrocks out of green felt.
2. Cut three hearts out of green fabric.
3. Apply Dritz Fray Check around edges of hearts and allow to dry (5-10 minutes).
4. Tape hearts into place on one of the felt shamrocks using pieces of double sided scotch tape on the undersides of the hearts. Using three strands of green embroidery floss, stitch a straight stitch around each heart.
5. Place the shamrocks together, right sides out, and using three strands of green embroidery floss, sew around the shamrocks using a blanket stitch, leaving about an inch open on the bottom for stuffing, but keeping your strand of floss attached to continue sewing after stuffing.
6. Stuff lightly with a small amount of polyester stuffing (I actually just cut up a few cotton balls - tee hee).
7. Continue using a blanket stitch to sew the opening closed.
8. Sew a cute button onto the center of the shamrock, sewing through all layers.
9. Whip stitch a bar pin onto the back of the brooch horizontally. (I think it might work best to have the clasp at the top). And it's ready to wear!

This brooch is a little on the largish size, measuring 3 1/4" x 3", which is okay for me 'cause I'm a little on the largish size too. If that seems too big for you, just reduce the shamrock template down to 75% and the heart template down to 50 %.

I've crashed the following Linky Parties. :0)
Check them out to see tons of cute ideas!
A Holiday Haven
somewhat simple 
Skip To My Lou

Pom-Pom Necklaces for St. Patrick's Day

A Story From My Past
Years ago, when I had 7 little munchkins running around and I was, at times, a frazzled, stressed-out mom, it was inevitable that on St. Patrick's Day morning we would wake to discover that there were at least two of our sons who didn't own a stitch of clothing containing the color green, and then panic would set in! "What am I going to do to save these little guys from being pinched and taunted all day long?" I thought of keeping them home from school but knew that wasn't the answer. Usually, I just had them wear one of their brothers t-shirts, but I know there was one year that I cut out squares of green construction paper and safety-pinned them to their shirts, it saved them from the pinching but certainly not the taunting (I know, you're thinking, "Mother of the Year", right?) Luckily, my sons survived their mother and are happy young adults with a healthy fear of St. Patrick's Day. :0)

Pom-Pom Necklaces

Here is a fun craft idea that you could do with your daughters or granddaughters that would give them something cute to wear on St. Patrick's Day. It took maybe 15- 20 minutes to make. I love the glitter pom-poms and at first had made the entire necklace of glitter pom-poms, but when I forced my 18 yr. old son to try on the necklace for me he said it itched the tarnation out of his neck, so I decided to use plain pom-poms around the neck edge to make it softer.

Here's what you'll need:
30 - 3/4 in. green glitter pom-poms
  9 - 3/4 in. white glitter pom-poms
12 - 3/4 in. regular green pom-poms
  6 - 3/4 in. regular white pom-poms
Stretchable Jewelry Cord - (I used Stretch Magic from Michael's Craftstore)

This necklace is 38" long, you could certainly make yours shorter if you'd like.

You simply thread about 45" of stretchable cording into an embroidery needle and string the pom-poms onto the cording. The glitter pom-poms are more dense than the regular pom-poms so they're a little harder to go through, ease them gently down the cording, and then tie a good knot at the end. Voila! Cute and fun!

These may be too "girly" for your sons to wear, so be sure you check their closets long before St. Patty's Day to make sure they have something to wear. I also saw a fun idea at JoAnn Fabrics, they had laced a pair of shoes with super cute green ribbon. So there's another idea for you. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Please don't allow children under 3 to wear this necklace as it may pose a choking hazard.

I've crashed the following Linky Parties. :0)
Check them out to see tons of cute ideas!
A Holiday Haven

somewhat simple 

Skip To My Lou

St. Patty's Day Tags- Free Download

Today I have been creating little bits o' luck for a few friends and neighbors for St. Patty's.  I thought it would be fun to play up the "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" saying with mint green chapstick and green chewing gum.

Just simply purchase your gum and chapstick, print out my free download on cardstock, cut out the tags and tie them on. Of course, you can always use a little ink and bling to spice them up if you would like!

To download the FREE file, just click here.  The download is a two page document, one with the lips already on the tag and one where you can cut them out and put them on as an embellishment.  Just print the page that you would like.

Here is a sample of the most basic tag you can do.  The lips are pre-printed on and all I did was ink around the edge and tie it on with a ribbon.

The next step would be printing out the page with the separate lips and cutting them out.  I added a little bit of diamond glaze to these lips to give them a little more pop!  I attached them with pop dots.

To create the more intricate tag you can follow these steps:

I cut lips using my Silhouette cutter, but you could also hand cut the lips provided on page two of the download.

I used a brown cat's eye ink pad to distress the edges of the lips as well as the tags.

Add a little diamond glaze to the lips to give them a glossy, wet finish. Be sure to allow the glaze to dry well before applying to your tag.

I added a little bling to the large shamrock.

You can make your lips stand out more by adhering them with pop dots.

I also added a background piece of green patterned paper to the tag. (Cut to 1.75X3.25 and round two corners)

Tie onto your gum or lip gloss with coordinating ribbon and ooh-la! You have an adorable little Bit O' Luck to share with a friend.

St. Patty's Day Tags- Free Download

Today I have been creating little bits o' luck for a few friends and neighbors for St. Patty's.  I thought it would be fun to play up the "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" saying with mint green chapstick and green chewing gum.

Just simply purchase your gum and chapstick, print out my free download on cardstock, cut out the tags and tie them on. Of course, you can always use a little ink and bling to spice them up if you would like!

To download the FREE file, just click here.  The download is a two page document, one with the lips already on the tag and one where you can cut them out and put them on as an embellishment.  Just print the page that you would like.

Here is a sample of the most basic tag you can do.  The lips are pre-printed on and all I did was ink around the edge and tie it on with a ribbon.

The next step would be printing out the page with the separate lips and cutting them out.  I added a little bit of diamond glaze to these lips to give them a little more pop!  I attached them with pop dots.

To create the more intricate tag you can follow these steps:

I cut lips using my Silhouette cutter, but you could also hand cut the lips provided on page two of the download.

I used a brown cat's eye ink pad to distress the edges of the lips as well as the tags.

Add a little diamond glaze to the lips to give them a glossy, wet finish. Be sure to allow the glaze to dry well before applying to your tag.

I added a little bling to the large shamrock.

You can make your lips stand out more by adhering them with pop dots.

I also added a background piece of green patterned paper to the tag. (Cut to 1.75X3.25 and round two corners)

Tie onto your gum or lip gloss with coordinating ribbon and ooh-la! You have an adorable little Bit O' Luck to share with a friend.

Classic Symbols of St. Patrick's Day ~ Part One

The Wearing of the Green

The Irish have a saying that goes, "There are only two kinds of people in the world. The Irish and those who wish they were." Well, for one day a year we are all given license to be Irish if that's what our wee little hearts desire.

We, in America, have a funny way of taking holidays from other countries and "making them our own" by combining long standing traditions with a few new-fangled ideas and twists of our own. St. Patrick's Day is no exception.   

Although green is the widely accepted color of Ireland the Irish do not go in for the "everything green" on St. Patrick's Day the way we Americans do. We figure that along with adding to the fun of St. Patrick's Day, wearing green helps to make us just a little more Irish, if only for one day.

As most Americans know, if you are caught on St. Patty's day not wearing green your epidermis is in great peril of being pinched. The tradition of pinching non-green wearing people was a game begun by American school children in the early 1700's. Tradition holds that Leprechaun's, who are wee little creatures of fairy persuasion, are not particularly fond of humans and that they derive great pleasure from pinching a non-suspecting human whenever they get the chance, but anyone who wears green becomes instantly invisible to the Leprechauns and thus will not be pinched. 

Why Green?   

There are several reasons why green is considered the color of St. Patrick's Day. But first, did you know that the original color associated with St. Patrick was blue? Find out why here. 

The color green became the color of St. Patrick's Day in the 1700's. 

First, we know that Ireland is referred to as "The Emerald Isle" because of it's lush, green landscape. 

Secondly, the Irish flag consists of three colors: green, on the left side - which represents the Catholic population, orange, on the right side - which represents the Protestant population, and white, in the middle - which represents peace between the two groups. Since St. Patrick's Day is a Catholic feast day it is represented by the color green.  

Lastly, as we learned in an earlier post, the story is told that St. Patrick, who lived during the 4th century, taught the concept of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people through the use of a shamrock, and in actuality, the phrase "wearing of the green" refers to a time during the 1798 Rebellion when men would wear a shamrock on their hat or coat to signify their support of the rebellion which, in some cases, was punishable by hanging.

And on that note. . . we see that there are several symbolic meanings behind the color green for St. Patrick's Day. . . and now you know.

Sources: Wikipedia  Christian Science Monitor  Answers.com

DIY St. Patrick's Day Crafts

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching and methinks it is time to start making preparations. Here are some cute St. Patrick's Day printables and craft ideas from around the web that just might make you green with envy :0)

St. Patrick's Day Party Circles

from TomKatStudio.blogspot.com

Lucky Pillow Box

from GoodGravyDesigns.blogspot.com

Shamrock Pins 

from LivingSensesHome.com

Subway Art Print 

from TodaysFabulousFinds.blogspot.com

Rainbow Cookies

from MunchkinMunchies.blogspot.com

So fun!

Cool Paper Rainbow Garland

from minieco.co.uk 

St. Patrick's Day Banner

from Holiday-Crafts-and-Creations.com