From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/cmethod1.html
Imbolc Traditions Page 2
How to make Bride's Bed
What you will need:
This is a fun craft to work on for any age. Cover all sides of the box with the green tissue paper. Cut the white tissue paper into 3-inch squares, enough to cover the inside of the box forming a cushion. Now the fun part, You decorate the outside of the box with symbols of spring and the Goddess as the bride. Possible decorations are flowers, sparkles, butterflies, glitter. The box represents the awakening earth. So, be as creative and extravagant as you want.
How to make St. Brighid's Cross
I am offering two different designs. The first method is really easy. The second method I would consider more traditional. I have made both types since I was a wee one.
NOTE: Rushes are the traditional material to be used. But, you can use corn, wheat, barley any kind of wild grasses. I remember making Brighid's cross when I was young. We used pipe cleaners. Pipe cleaners come in so many colors. Beautiful crosses can be made with them. Also, with method 1 you can used colored wool and straws to create lovely crosses.
Method 1
What you will need:
1. Secure two sticks together at right angles with tape or string
From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/cmethod1.html
2. Push wheat stock or whatever you have chosen to weave from center weave under the X and back up around again covering the tape. It also locks in your starting point. Now you begin to weave. Move wheat stock up around the first spoke. Moving the wheat stock under the left spoke then over the upper left spoke then curve back under it and continue in this manner until there is approximately 3 inches of stick left. See Diagrams.
From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/cmethod1.html
3. Tie off ends and tuck in. When you are finished it should look like a cross.
Method 2
What you will need:
1. Tie nine straws together at their ends.
From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/cmethod1.html
2. Spread them as shown with the tied end facing down (three in one direction and two each other direction.
From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/cmethod1.html
3. Fold the front straw of the three under the other two.
From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/cmethod1.html
4. Bring it up and over to be alongside the two at the next corner.
From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/cmethod1.html
Continue weaving the third straw under the other two. Then bringing it up over to be alongside the two straws next to it. Repeat this until you have gone around four times. Try to work in a clockwise direction.
From http://www.chalicecenter.com/imbolc.htm
5. Finish with tying off ends. When you are finished it should look something like this.
From http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5863/bcs.html#collection
I found this interesting picture on the web. I just had to share it with you. I have just shown you how to make #4 and #6. As you see they are the basic patterns that with a little creativity can develop into something much more.
Copyright (c) 2002 by author. All rights reserved. International copyright laws prohibit reproduction of or distribution of this page by any means whatsoever, electronic or otherwise, without first obtaining the written permissions of the copyright holders. We retain legal counsel to protect our copyrights.
