Two Crafts and a Cake for Today's Feast

This morning, on the Feast of the Holy Cross, the boys awoke to a new and shining symbol of our faith:

This started out as an entirely different and more complicated craft, lol. I had thought the boys could make stained glass panels to place in each pane of glass, forming a cross shape as shown above. This would be done by sandwiching (many) bits of torn tissue paper between (several) sheets of clear contact paper, cut to fit this multi-paned door. But then, early this morning, as I was guestimating just how long it would take to make enough panels, I discovered that we were completely out of contact paper!

So that changed everything. Instead, I surprised the boys by taping full sheets of tissue in each pane (in a few autumn shades) and as they woke up the morning sun was just flooding through ...

What day is it? Crackerjack asked, sensing something was afoot.

I sprung it upon them that today was the Feast of the Holy Cross and then they knew one thing for sure: there would be cake. ;)

But next, we worked on a new family handprint cross. We made one last year on this day, but I thought it would be nice to update it with fresh paper and current hand sizes.

Last year we chose construction paper in signature colors; this year I chose scrapbooking paper in shades and themes that fit personalities:

From left to right: white posterboard for the cross base, an evergreen print for Bill, yellow gingham for me, a science theme for Bookworm, navy blue stars for Earlybird and a "cool" tie-dye pattern for Crackerjack (he chose this over fireworks).

Next I cut out a new cross base, and taped it together:

And then each of us had our hands traced on our select papers. Here the prints are all cut out and ready to apply to the cross:

You might notice EB found it hard to keep his hands still.

And here is our family handprint cross for the new year!

I like how it looks with all the patterns and, for good measure, I added a red gingham heart to the center. I also like the overall message: all hands to heaven or perhaps, many hands, one heart!

So naturally, there had to be cake. Here is the cross-shaped cake pan and the variety of sprinkles all ready to go:

And finally, here we have, freshly baked and cooled, our frosted and decorated cake. (Duncan Hines cake mix, homemade buttercream frosting, India tree sprinkles):

(That's supposed to be a heart in the center!)

Well, I hope you all have a happy weekend! Enjoy the September weather wherever you are, and hold those dear little hands (and hearts) closely!

Comments

[michele]

thanks for letting us show your post on fair day! I love all your ideas -- your cross and cake turned out lovely, thanks Dawn!

[Crisanne]

I love your family hands cross. And the windows look beautiful. Good thinking on your feet!

[Lisa]

So inspiring! Love your blog!

[Cheryl]

Great ideas for next year. I'm saving them. Thanks!

[mel]

That's so neat and easy to do! I think we will do that, a little belated. I have been a big slacker with planning liturgical year stuff for the fall this year....

[Carole ... in the Heartland ... soon Wales]

I love your window cross! It looks so great with the sun (son) shining through it. And your hands cross is awesome! I am adding these ideas to my September folder. Thanks so much.

[KC]

Your cross looks beautiful! I love the scrapbook paper themes.

[Patty]

Hands! I mean hands cross! Not hearts! LOL

[Patty]

Beautiful crafts, Dawn. I'm saving the hearts cross craft for next year! My guy picked out the 'cool' tie dye paper to do a Valentine's Day 'restless hearts' craft several months ago. Too funny!

[Kira]

What wonderful ideas! Such a lovely way for your boys to wake up as well.

[Ruth]

Beautiful crafts. I love the stained glass cross. I hope you had a blessed day.