Last Minute Ideas for St. Patrick's Day

Jello Shamrock

Tomorrow, March 17th is St. Patrick's Day. If you haven't made any plans yet, here are a few ideas to help you celebrate the holiday.

Leprechaun Cake Trap by Not Martha - I'm surprising the kids with this cake tomorrow. I hope it comes out looking as good as Megan's cake.

Upcycled Clover Leaf Lei by Simple AS That - Make this with items you already have at home.

Free Party Printables at Living Locurto - Designed by A Blissful Nest - Decorate the house at night and say leprechauns did it.

Shamrock Macarons with Baileys Chocolate Ganache by Raspberri Cupcakes - For a St. Patty's Day Challenge

Clover Barrette by Paper & Ink - Make something green to wear so you don't get pinched!

Kid Craft: Paper Rainbow

I designed this paper rainbow with the purpose of using it for a place card on St. Patrick's Day. I've found that my youngest is more enthusiastic about setting the table when she can make the place cards, fold the napkins in cute shapes and pick out a centerpiece (usually a toy). It makes the entire process fun and hopefully she learns where the utensils go in the process.

In case you just want to use these rainbows for a craft project, I made two templates. A smaller size for the place cards and a larger size for a craft or centerpiece. Decorate them anyway you want. For example, add some glitter the rainbow or glue cotton balls to the clouds to make them fluffy.

Small Rainbow Template

Large Rainbow Template

Click on image, right click, copy, save, print. The small rainbow template is designed to fit on a 8.5" x 11" portrait. The large rainbow is designed to fit on a 11" x 8.5" landscape.

Cut out on solid lines. Cut on dotted lines. Attach clouds (refer to picture). No glue is needed.

Craft: Kirigami Shamrock Decorations

Now that Girl's Day is over with, my attention has been focused on St. Patrick's Day. I've been brainstorming new crafts and trying to think of new ways to make the holiday fun but simple. In the past we've stuck to the basics, green clothes, a corned beef and cabbage dinner, and green milk for the kids. This year I decided to change things up and make a few simple decorations, kirigami shamrocks. They will be perfect to use as doilies and decorations to hang on the windows.

Supplies:
Green Paper (6 inch square): light weight paper works best such as origami paper
Scissors

Fold a six inch square piece of paper according to instructions above. Use template to draw the shamrock or freehand it.
Click, right click, copy, save, and print template. Trace shamrock onto your folded triangle (should measure 3" x 3") Cut out shamrock on dotted lines only. Unfold.

If you don't have origami paper on hand, try a page from a magazine.

Recipe: Shamrock Chips

I always like to prepare a snack for the kids when they get home from school and for the holidays I like to make something extra special. So in honor of St. Patrick's Day, I came up with these shamrock chips. The chips are quick and easy to make, perfect for St. Patty's parties.

Shamrock Chip Recipe

Ingredients:
Cooking Spray
Salt for taste
Spinach tortilla wraps

With shamrock cookie cutter, cut out as many shamrocks as possible from tortillas. I was able to get about 7 shamrocks per tortilla.

*Sometimes the cookie cutter will not cut all the way through the tortilla. To get a better cut, push the cookie cutter down firmly and move the entire tortilla back and forth while pressing. For those stubborn edges that will not cut, use cooking scissors.

*Save scraps to sprinkle on soups and salads.

Place on baking sheet. Spray shamrocks with cooking oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake at 375 degrees for about 7 - 10 minutes. Check often, they burn quickly.

Serve with your favorite dip.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Craft: Shamrock Pin

Today I felt like making something to wear for St. Patrick's Day (March 17th). After all, I am one eighth Irish. This shamrock pin is nice and simple, not to fussy. It's also quick, easy and inexpensive to make. The kind of thing that's perfect to make for a large group.

*I know this is technically not a shamrock, it's a four leaf clover. I just like the way "shamrock pin" sounds rather than "four leaf clover pin".

Supplies:
Four leaf clover punch or Shamrock punch
Scissors
Glue
Rhinestone brads - can be found at the craft store or you can make your own
Green paper in assorted shades and prints

1. Punch out one shamrock on a print paper.

2. Glue onto a different colored paper. Cut out leaving a small edge of the second paper showing.

3. Repeat step two so you have three layers.


4. Punch a whole in the center of the shamrock. Add decorative brad.

Place the brad prongs in a button hole and open to secure on the shirt. You could also fold the prongs over the collar of the shirt. Kind of like those metal badges you get at museums.

Thumb Print Four Leaf Clovers

We've been crafting fields of four leaf clovers around here. A green stamp pad or paint is all that's needed to keep little hands busy.

Craft Project: Four Leaf Clover Card

Let me first say that I'm feeling a little guilty about posting a St. Patrick's Day craft right after a Hinamatsuri post. It just seems wrong, like when the stores stock Christmas products before Halloween. But this is what I made today so this is what I'll share.

This simple St. Patrick's Day card is made from card stock, glue and junk mail. That's it. It's an easy, inexpensive, and quick card to make.

Supplies:
Card Stock
Junk Mail Flyers - card stock weight preferred
Four leaf clover hole punch
Scissors
Glue

1. Punch out 9 clovers in shades of green from advertising flyers, magazines, etc.

2. Cut card stock to 11" x 5.5". Fold in half. Round corners with scissors or a corner punch.

3. Lay out clovers on card. Glue in place. Done.