Crayon Resist Egg Painting

      This giant Easter Egg was crafted using a popular wax resist method. Young students learn to color with firm pressure onto drawing paper before painting a watery solution of colored paint over the surface of their wax colors. The paint will then leave traces of painted paper wherever the crayons have not been applied. The use of this method is very popular in grade school because it shows students how they can use several art materials in one lesson and also develops their eye-hand coordination.

Supply List:

• one large sheet of white construction paper
• bold crayon colors
• a water color tray
• scissors to cut out the egg with

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. On a large sheet of white construction paper, scribble with brilliant colored crayons. Encourage young students to press firmly on the paper as they work. 
2. Once the paper has been worked on thoroughly, show them how to dip a brush into darker versions of those same crayon colors. Wash the surfaces with watercolor and see their crayon scribbles turn into gems!
3. Cut out the nicest areas into large Easter egg shapes.

"Handy" Little Butterflies

A finished handy butterfly stapled to the 
bulletin board in my classroom.

       These little butterflies made with magic markers and construction paper sure come in handy when you need a quick way to decorate your classroom for spring! Little ones can also learn the parts of a butterfly while crafting their butterflies. 

       Students can learn about patterns and colors with this assignment. First they will need to fold a white sheet of paper in half twice and fill in each of the four spaces with patterns of shapes and colors of particular selection. After they have completed this step, students will then need to trace around their hands four times within each square of their designed paper. Cut these hands out to form the wings of your butterflies. I stapled their wings to some simple shapes of a butterfly's thorax cut from black construction paper. You can also add a few chenille stems for antennae. 

       My kindergarteners were so proud of their creations. What seems to be old-fashioned to us is  always entertaining to five year olds. It is one of the many blessings of being new to the world. Every little innocent thing holds some fascination for the very young. 

       Many of these butterflies did not make it to the bulletin board. My kindergarteners loved this butterfly craft so much, they tried to sneak their paper butterflies home! I saw them, however, stuffing their new friends into their backpacks before I could collect all of my bulletin board trim! I stapled the butterflies all over my display areas after students finished this art project. What an easy fun way to fill up bulletin boards!

Supply List:

• white drawing paper
• magic markers
• black construction paper
• white school glue or stapler
• one black chenille stem per butterfly

Left, color patterns on drawing paper. Center, trace around child hands for the wings. Right,
glue or staple on black butterfly body and black chenille stems for antenna.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fold a sheet of white drawing paper in half and then in half again. Unfold it; now your student will have four spaces to draw four different patterns with a set of magic markers.
2. Once students have completed their patterns, have them trace around their hands four times and cut out the four hand tracings to attach to their butterfly bodies.
3. Fold a small, narrow length of black construction paper in half and cut out a simple butterfly shaped body for it.
4. Glue or staple the handy wings to it. 
5. Cut one black chenille stem in half.
6. Twist one end on each half into a little ''c'' shaped loop.
7. Glue the opposite ends to the top of the handy butterfly to make antenna.

Make a Lenten Card Featuring Palms

Lenten cards in the traditional season's colors: purple and green.

       These cards for Lent feature simple, palm leaf motifs cut from green papers layered on top of both purple and beige patterned, acid free papers. The scripture and palm leaf graphic may be downloaded and printed from The Christian Clip Art Review for this card. Use the illustrations at this blog for non-profit, personal crafts only, if you are not fund raising for your church.

       The scripture reference reads, "And all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished. ....And they understood none of these things." Luke 18: 31-34

The following poem may be included with the card, it is in the public domain:

by S. D. Gardner

And this is life -- to-day we here abide,

Perchance to-morrow we must step aside,

We master not our own; no vain regret

Can change the path for us which God has 

set.

Then let our footsteps be toward the light,

With loving words and deeds make each day

bright.

Let charity progress to wider plan,

Lend gracious ear to creed of every man. 

A close-up look at the Palm Sunday themed card.

Make Christian Cross Cards

"And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me." 

 Matthew 10:38 

      This card illustrates classic, simple lines; a hand-crafted yet formal card excellent for announcements, “Thank You” notes or sentimental letters. I outlined this simple cross clip art with a metallic, silver ink pen. Then I pasted the cross to a variety of layered parchment papers, cutting each consecutive paper slightly larger with every new pasting.

Quotes:

• “The world takes us to a silver screen on which flickering images of passion and romance play, and as we watch, the world says, “This is love.” God takes us to the foot of a tree on which a naked and bloodied man hangs and says, “This is love.” Joshua Harris
• “We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love.” Peter Kreeft
• “Christ is sufficient. We do not need "support groups" for each and every separate tribulation. The most widely divergent sorrows may all be taken to the foot of the same old rugged cross and find there cleansing, peace, and joy.”  Elisabeth Elliot

Illustration:    The cross of Jesus Christ was to the Greeks foolishness and a stumbling-block of the Jews. They could not see its meaning; just as I have walked out on the porch of a north Georgia home two hours before day, and in the dim starlight I could see only the faint outline of mountain and hill. I could not tell what they were. It was an indistinct picture that had in it no meaning to me. I have gone back to my room and after a while have walked out on the porch again. The sun had risen on the scene and bathed hill and mountain and valley in a flood of light, and then I looked and saw hills and mountains and valleys and streams that mine eyes had never seen before.-- "Famous Stories of Sam P. Jones."

My Christian cross graphic with
 a crackled surface pattern.
Click on image to download
larger size.

Mission Quilts and Kits for Lutheran World Relief

         Every year Lutherans across the U.S. sew quilts and assemble kits of supplies that LWR sends to partners around the world that request them to meet the needs of people affected by poverty and disaster.

       Mission Quilts were one of the earliest forms of aid that Lutherans sent through LWR to reach out to people in other parts of the world. In 2016, LWR sent $14 million worth of quilts and kits to more than 576,000 people in 21 different countries.

• Get instructions for the making of quilts for Lutheran World Relief

      There are five kinds of LWR Kits:

1. LWR Personal Care Kits contain items like toothbrushes, wash cloths, and soap, intended to help a person or family maintain hygiene practices. 
2. LWR School Kits contain notebooks, pencils, erasers, a backpack, and other items to use for students to attend school. 
3. LWR Baby Care Kits contain T-shirts, cloth diapers, and other items to care for a baby. 
4. LWR Fabric Kits contain fabric, thread, and needles so that people can learn to sew, potentially to earn an income.
5. Covid 19 Defense Kits contain items like face masks, essential hygiene items and self care supplies.

       In 2013, LWR joined the United Nations Humanitarian Resource Depot, which allowed it to pre-position quilts and kits in depots across the world for rapid deployment after an emergency.