Hi everyone, welcome to a new blog from Lakers! This blog will be about creative activities you can try out at home. There is also a little bit about the natural world as well. We hope you enjoy it!
February
In Irish tradition, we welcome back Spring at this time of year. Although February can be one of the coldest months of the year, it starts to get a little brighter, and you might see some plants starting to grow. The first day of February is called “Lá Fhéile Bríde” in Irish. This means The Feast Day of Brigid, or St. Brigid, one of the patron Saints of Ireland. To celebrate her feast day, and this special time of year, people used to make small crosses to hang in their homes. They made them out of Rushes which are a type of plant with long, thin, bendy leaves. Rushes grow in many wetland areas around Ireland. It’s also possible to make these crosses from other materials like paper straws, strips of cardboard or even pipe cleaners!
If you would like to try making your own St. Brigid’s cross, look at the pictures below and follow the instructions 😊
Art Activity:
Materials needed-
9 Paper straws or pipe cleaners. Thin strips of cardboard are also fine.
4 Elastic bands or small hair ties.
Making the Cross-
a) Materials
Fold seven of the straws in half and keep one straight.
b) Step 1
Put the straight straw on a flat surface. We will call this straw “Straw 1”. Pick up a folded straw.
We will call this new straw “Straw 2”. Put Straw 2 around Straw 1.
c) Step 2
Pick up a folded straw. We will call this new straw “Straw 3”. Put Straw 3 around Straw 2.
d) Step 3
Pick up another folded straw. We will call this new straw “Straw 4”. Put Straw 4 around Straw 3.
e) Step 4
Continue putting a new folded straw around the last straw you added to the cross.
f) Step 5
When you have used all of your straws, tie the ends with a hair tie or elastic band.
You can download a copy of the blog which has more detailed instructions by clicking on the link here Spring – February 1st
Out and About:
If you are out walking this week have a look for Snowdrops and Daffodils that are beginning to poke their heads out from under the frosty ground. If you are near to farmland you might catch a glimpse of new-born lambs! They will be sheltering from the cold by staying close to their mother’s warm, woolly fleece. Remember to wrap up warm yourself 😊
Photo Opportunity:
Take a photo of any Spring plants that you see and send it to us here in Lakers. You can also send in pictures of your crosses if you make one.
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