Equipping Catholic Families

I Spy…August Saints!

August 1, 2012 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

At the beginning of July, I began a new feature….the monthly I Spy…the Saints!
series of photo collages made with a scanner!

Check out I Spy…July!
Check out DIY Photo Collage with a Scanner for tips on this technique
Check out I Spy…Holy Coins! made from sacramentals in Joseph’s room

Filed Under: DIY Crafts, I Spy the Saints, Saints

Faux Stained Glass and Crayon Batik

July 27, 2012 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

I just love Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom. It’s an awesome site! Suzy has a great writing style and my kind of sense of humor and she posts wonderful crafts with awesome photographs that inspire me. Suzy has just released her first E-Book: Suzy’s Majestic Peacock EBook Pattern. Here’s what Suzy has to say about it! The Faux Stained Glass Peacock tutorial has been published for nearly a year now and is one of my most popular posts. The peacock is also my most requested pattern. This pattern book not only contains the pattern for the Majestic Peacock, but instructions for two complete projects using that pattern and ideas for seven other projects! Honored to be asked and happy to review her first in a series of pattern ebooks, I received my very own pdf of the Ebook Pattern. I love the awesome pictures and the straight forward instructions. She uses techniques that look really fun to do, with or without the kids and as seen in the pictures…they yield awesome, professional results! Both the Faux Stained Glass and the Quilted Table Runner projects are well explained and come with an excellent peacock pattern to try out awesome craft techniques including painted stained glass, batik with crayons, quilting, applique, fabric jewels and ideas for even more! I can’t wait to try these techniques…particularly the faux stained glass and the crayon batique…but I may come up with a few new patterns, tailored to Equipping Catholic Families. This Ebook is well worth the cost…even if just for the step-by-step instructions of the techniques! I think these craft techniques will lend themselves perfectly to some patterns I’m working on …

with the Saints

Filed Under: Printables

Incredible handmade scapulars!

July 23, 2012 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

I just love it when people combine their passion for the Catholic Faith AND crafts. Check out these awesome hand-sewn scapulars! These look exquisite…look at the detail!

Check out Sew Sacramental, Sew Sacramental on Facebook or theSew Sacramental Etsy Shop. Sorry, Stephanie, if you get too many orders! =)

Filed Under: Reviews, Sacraments

Snakes & Ladders: Converted to Catholic!

July 20, 2012 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Snakes & Ladders is not only a good family game with plenty of counting practice for the younger ones, it can teach life lessons as well. Slowly plodding along the path of life, we experience blessings and graces that give us a boost, as well as struggles and challenges that test our character. I dug out our family game of Snakes and Ladders. It’s 3D and even has little round place holders…that are unfortunately just a touch too small to hold the little wooden painted people. The little figures do fit on top though, just like they did in Trouble: Converted 2 Catholic! Once again, I just enjoy the thought of players choosing from family figures or holy heroes to mark their journey in the game. and of course…it’s always nice to have some trusted friends cheering us on from the sidelines. =)

I am a wife, Mom of 5+ kids, a designer, an architecture school survivor, an author and a crafter and I think it’s cool to be Catholic! Check out the Arma Dei Shoppe for solid Catholic, fun teaching tools and gifts to celebrate and teach the Catholic Faith and subscribe to Equipping Catholic Families for family-building and Faith-centred crafts! read more...for Equipping Catholic Families!

Filed Under: converted 2 Catholic, Saints, wooden painted saints

Trouble: Converted 2 Catholic!

July 15, 2012 by Monica McConkey 5 Comments

We are the Church! We identify those who have gone before us, both relatives and well-known Saints as the Church Triumphant (in Heaven) and we are the Militant (pilgrims on Earth). (CCC954) Recognizing that even the Saints had their setbacks and struggles, we too are on our Journey to Heaven. Imagine the board game of Trouble as that Journey…walking side by side with our heroes, the Saints! Blessed by intercession with the saints, we Catholics can walk the walk, in the company of the Saints!

Painted wooden dolls come in handy for the most common of board games! Why not allow ourselves to build our Dream Team of Saints for our playing pieces.

Conveniently, I have painted both members of our immediate family, and some of our favorite Saints. See Painted Peg People .

I think that the painted wooden dolls lend themselves perfectly to how we can learn from the Saints, seek their intercession and foster the desire to grow in holiness!

Spiderman is cool and so is Superman, but aren’t the Saints our ultimate heroes?

Filed Under: converted 2 Catholic

Feast Days & Holidays: Review

July 13, 2012 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

Feast Days & Holidays by Joan Marie Arbogast
Published by Pauline Books & Media, Boston, 2012.
Available at The Catholic Company

261 b&w pages include 6-10 key saints or holidays for each month in a (8.5″x11″) wire coil bound book.

Filed Under: Liturgical Calendar Crafts, Reviews

St Benedict Holy Medal with free printable

July 11, 2012 by Monica McConkey 3 Comments

Happy Feast Day of St Benedict!

I think that the St Benedict medal is my favorite holy medal. I have many versions of it, including a beautiful gold crucifix, with the medal embedded in it. It’s a powerful sacramental and I’ve carried it with me or worn it during some monumental and stressful moments!

Filed Under: Saints

Converted 2 Catholic: Checkers!

July 10, 2012 by Monica McConkey 3 Comments

So excited to convert 2 Catholic…CHECKERS! With my newly painted wooden peg dolls, the kids can customize their team of family members and favorite patron saints!

Two options for play! Mixed teams of family members and saints (Begin the draft process at the start of the game, taking turns to select family members and saints for each team) OR

Family

Filed Under: converted 2 Catholic

Painted Peg People

July 8, 2012 by Monica McConkey 5 Comments

I have been wanting to paint these little wooden peg dolls for a while.

Filed Under: converted 2 Catholic, Saints

Catholic Crafts for Summer!

July 4, 2012 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

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NEW RELEASE:

Expanded Catechism Catcher 2.0 (printed version: $14 + shipping) printable version: $12

This paper craft kit includes =&11=& different themed =&12=& including Mysteries of the Rosary, Mysteries of Faith, Stations, Sins & Sorrows, Old Testament, New Testament and Rules to Live By, along with permission to photocopy for a whole family or classroom!

Expanded Catechism Cube 2.0 (printed version: $14 + shipping) printable version: $12 This paper craft kit includes TWELVE different templates to choose from for your custom Catechism Cube, including newly added…Mysteries of Faith, Precepts of the Church, Works of Mercy, Mysteries of the Rosary, the Nicene Creed and Stations of the Cross, along with permission to photocopy for a whole family or classroom!

Filed Under: Arma Dei Shoppe