Teacher Appreciation Gift Set

For those of you in St.Louis, my craft project can be seen in today's St.Louis Post Dispatch in the Home & Away section page H6.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Set

The Craft Mom: Julia Sandvoss

Over the years I’ve made quite a few teacher gifts. During that time I have gained a reputation at my kids school for my crafty gifts. Many a teacher has remarked to me how much they “liked” a gift I had given to a fellow teacher. (I wonder if that was a hint?!lol) 

During the school year I’ve visited my son’s school on many occasions. And each time I walk through the halls, I notice the teachers classroom doors and the area around them. Some of the teachers decorate outside their doors with benches and knick knacks…while others not quite so fun. 

I started thinking of a way I could make a craft to decorate the classroom door and give a personal welcome to all those who enter. A wreath seemed like the perfect solution!(and can be changed out for holidays, or if they’re a baseball fan, love the beach…you get the idea!) Once I made the wreath it provided the inspiration and theme for the other gifts! Make one…make all…you and your child will soon the the talk of the school!

Wreath, Tote, Clipboard & Candy Jar

Supplies:

Glue Art Glue Glider Pro Extreme Adhesive and PermaTac

Glue Arts Accent It All Vinyl
Glue Arts Extreme Adhesive Squares & Micro Squares
Glue Arts 3D Combo Pack
Cricut Expresssion
Cricut Forever Young Cartridge

Makin The Grad Cartridge

My Little Shoebox Sew Cut Paper Collection
Jenni Bowlin Paper
Bazzill Cardstock
Styrofoam Wreath
Mini Clip Board & Glass Jar
Colorbox Chalk Inks
May Arts Ribbon
Felt, Fabric, Buttons

Circle Punches

Wreath

1) First wrap the wreath with ribbon covering the entire wreath. Use a straight pin or adhesive square to adhere ribbon on backside of wreath.

2) Next select your papers and cut out your flower shapes. I used sizes ranging from 3 ¾ inches to 4 ¾ inches. Varying as I went to give me some different sizes to work with. Once I had cut my flower out I inked the edges with Colorbox Chalk Inks. The color doesn’t need to match the paper exactly but just offer enough color to give some shading to the papers.

3) After inking it’s time to build the flowers. I used 23 flowers and 21 small punched circles. I simply layered the flowers, changing them around until I liked the color combinations. Once I had settled on how I liked them, I started adhering them together using GlueArts Glue Glider Pro PermaTac Adhesive to assure good adhesion. On some pieces I cut a square from the U Cut It foam sheet to pop up a flower layer for added dimension. To adhere the buttons I used the 3d Raisen’s for a strong hold and height.

3) Once the flowers were glued together I then adhered them to the wreath again using my Glue Glider Pro with PermaTac. I selected a few flowers, I cut some additional squares from the U Cut It Foam and added that underneath to raise them up off the wreath.  

4) After you’ve added the flowers you can personalize the wreath or just leave it as is. I handcut a banner and inked the edges. Then I used the Makin the Grade cartridge and cut our teachers name in a 2 1.4 inch size. I lightly inked the letters and glued those to the banner. The banner will tuck easily into the flowers. So it could even be changed out to say Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Welcome etc. Last I added a ribbon and finished it off with a bow. It’s ready for gift giving and will look fantastic on my son’s teacher’s door!

Candy Jar

1) I knew I would work with the same flowers for the jar as I did for the wreath, just on a smaller scale. I selected sizes ranging from 2 to 3 just depending on the flower. Once all the flowers were cut out, I worked the same as with the paper flowers. I built and layered the flowers to try out different combinations until I got it just right. (or how I liked it!)

2) Once I knew I liked the flower I removed the backing paper and adhered the vinyl layers together. After the flowers were complete I added them around the center of the glass jar layering them together as I worked around. The flowers encircle the jar so it’s pretty from any angle. 

Mini Clip Board

1) First I cut my papers to fit the clipboard. Inked the edges and then adhered the background papers to the clipboard using my Glue Glider Pro PermaTac cartridge. Next I added some of my leftover vinyl flowers. I used my Extreme Adhesive Squares to add the buttons to the flower center.

2) I then popped on Microsoft Word and just typed up a simple “to do” list. Printed out a few and trimmed to fit onto the clipboard. I then added one large vinyl flower that is not sticky as it’s backed with cardstock. Used a clip to attach it to the clipboard and you’ve got a fun to do list that can be changed out to fit any need!

Tote Bag

1) Once again I wanted everything to match so I grabbed an assortment of wool and acrylic felt along with some fabric I had on hand. I am a paper piecer by heart so I took my leftover paper flowers and used those as a template for my cuts. I simply hand traced a few of the flowers onto the backside of my felt and fabric and cute those out. Then I again played with layering the flowers until I got them just how I liked.

2) Next I added a quick hand stitch through the centers of each flower. Now it’s time to iron. I used my Glue Glider Pro with Fabric Bond to add a strip of Fabric Bond adhesive to the back of the flowers and ribbons. I pressed each one onto the bag with a warm iron ensuring a good bond has been made.   

3) I tied a ribbon onto the bag handle. On the bottom of one ribbon end I added another flower. For this flower I cut two of the same bottom layer. Add a flower onto the backside of the ribbon.  I neatly stitched again though the center and through the ribbon to ensure it will not fall off the ribbon.

Keep in mind…the wreath, candy jar and clipboard are all kid friendly crafts! Let them help you cut and make the flowers! 

For more information about Cricut visit http://www.cricut.com/default.aspx. 

For more information about GlueArts www.gluearts.com or www.gluearts.blogspot.com for ideas and ways to use GlueArts adhesives!

Teacher Appreciation Day

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!!!!

Today I am happy to be able to share a sneak peek of a special project I worked on for the Cricut Circle Blog.

Cricut has a very unique blog called the Cricut Circle Blog. It's only open to members of the blog and I was invited to Guest Design. What an honor. Really! For more information about the Cricut Circle Blog just click here:

http://www.cricut.com/circle/sign.up.aspx

I have to say there are some amazing amazing crafters out there...AMAZING...so this meant alot to me. And it also meant I could showcase a bit of my love for my Cricut Expression and GlueArts!

The project will soon be seen in full detail with all the instructions on my blog soon. {I write for the St.Louis Post Dispatch and my editor asked to run the craft!} So just sit tight...you'll be able to see it all very soon!

A special shout out today to all the amazing teachers and people who have helped me and my children over the years!! You're wonderful!!   Mrs. Bayer, Mrs. Kinder, Mrs.Morton, Ms. O'Kane, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Wein and the many many many people who have helped my sweet Parker over the years!!

Three Valentine Crafts for those Upcoming Parties!

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Over the years as a classroom mom, I've heard many a parent stress over having to be "crafty." The thought of coming up with a craft for their student's class is incredibly stressful. For some, it's a competition to see whose kids made the best craft.

When deciding on a craft, I like to make projects that are a keepsake, not something that the day after Valentine's Day, winds up in the recycle bin. I love the crafts that I can display and show off in the years to come. Here are three ideas that can be adapted for kids of all ages, and yes, parents of all types (even those who say they aren't crafty).

LOVE YOU Wood Photo Frame

Project Supplies

• K & Co. "Smooch" papers, die cuts and sticker collection

• Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro Perma Tac, 3D Combo Pac and Extreme Adhesive Squares

• Wood frame (purchased at Michael's)

• Echo Park "Little Girl" craft papers

• May Arts ribbons

• Colorbox Chalk Inks: Warm Red, Rose Pink

• Heart punches (various sizes and shapes)

Step 1 • Turn the frame over and remove the center heart insert. Trace the frame onto paper. Cut out. Use the Glue Glider and adhere the paper onto frame or let the kids paint the frame.

Step 2 • Add some fun papers. Let the kids punch the edges or use decorative edge scissors, add ribbons, punched hearts, diecuts, felt hearts, anything goes. Consider giving the students stickers to personalize the frames with their names or "I love you."

Step 3 • Have the students cut out pictures of themselves. Use the heart insert to trace the shape onto another paper. Cut out heart and glue picture to paper. Insert in back of frame.

If possible see if you can get permission from the teacher to stop in a day or two before the party to take pictures of the students. Or ask if the teacher will do that and e-mail you the photos to print out.

Candy Heart Box

Project Supplies

• K & Co. "Kelly Panacci Valentine" papers, diecuts and embellishment collection

• Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro PermaTac, 3D Combo Pac and Extreme Adhesive Mini Squares Candy heart box (find these for $1 or less at many stores with chocolates inside)

• Felt and felt hearts (found at Michael's)

• The Twinery Baker's Twine (thetwinery.com)

•Colorbox Chalk Inks: Warm Red, Rose Pink

• Rhinestone gems

• Heart punches (various sizes and shapes)

Step 1 • Remove the lid from the candy box (resist eating the chocolates). Trace the lid shape onto a piece of paper. Cut out the heart shape. If you have an older group of students, have them cut an additional heart from felt. Then let them stitch the paper to the felt heart using craft floss. Sew one side to the other side leaving the top of the heart open to create a pocket. For younger students, glue the paper to felt or eliminate the felt layer. Adhere heart onto candy lid using the Glue Glider Pro.

Step 2 • Once the heart is glued to the candy box lid, let the kids have fun decorating it with felt hearts, heart punch shapes, Valentine die cuts, stickers, gems and more.

Step 3 • Create a small Valentine to insert into the pocket. Or include a purchased Valentine.

Acrylic Flower Picture Frame

Project Supplies

• Glue Arts Glue Accent It All Vinyl: Tickle Me Pink, Razzle Dazzle Red, Goin Green (GlueArts.com)

• Acrylic frame (find these for $1 or less at many stores)

• Sizzix Big Shot: Bigz Flower and Frame Dies (Sizzix.com)

• Heart punches (various sizes and shapes)

Step 1 • This craft can be made in a variety of ways. I chose vinyl that I die cut using a Sizzix die-cut system. The vinyl peels off the backing paper and clings to the frame. I can change it out or even remove the vinyl for a new design if I choose. I added a 2 1/2-by-4 inch photo on a coordinating piece of paper and slipped the picture behind the frame. If you do not have access to a die-cut machine or vinyl, round up your other room parents to see what kind of tools they have for you to use. Most crafters have an assortment of scissors, punches and yes ... die-cut machines.

Step 2 • Pick up some felt or craft papers, and let the students cut their designs. Add punched shapes, stickers and other fun Valentine embellishments to add on the frame and decorate as they choose. This frame took just minutes to make and will be a favorite for years to come.

Sweet Stamped Valentine Suckers

More Valentine crafts you ask?

Yes...it seems like we've been on a non stop Valentine crafting spurt! Which isn't all that terrible! After all I'm a huge fan of pink...and when you add in candy to the mix...even better for my sweet tooth!

This craft is one that appeared in last year's St.Louis Post Dispatch Lifestyle section. I geared it more to kids...that they could essentially make the mailbox and with help stamp the absolutely adorable images and make the suckers too!






Supplies:
K & Company Ka-Zoo Papers (available at www.scrapbook.com)
K & Company Ka-Zoo Monkey Chipbox
PaperTrey Ink Tiny Treats: Valentine Acrylic Stamps
Paper Trey Stamper’s Select White Cardstock
PaperTrey Ink Sweet Blush & Hibiscus Burst Ribbon
Paper Trey Large Heart Tin with Clear Top
Marvy Mega Scallop Circle Punch
Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro Adhesive & Ribbon Adhesive
Fiskars Scallop Border Punch
Red Mailbox, Shiny Mini Heart, Striped & Red Stitched Ribbons (available at your local Michael’s Craft Stores)
COPIC Sketch Markers (email me if you'd like the colors I used)
Colorbox Chalk Inks (available at your local Michael’s Craft Stores)
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Squares

Tin
1) First select the papers and chipboard pieces to decorate the outside of the heart. Cut a strip of paper for the outer edge of tin. Use border punch for a fun edge. Adhere to tin. Next use Ribbon Adhesive an add colorful ribbon to tin.
2) Cut a 7 inch strip from the striped ribbon and adhere across top of tin. Punch a scalloped circle and add chipboard pieces to the circle and adhere to ribbon. Add additional hearts and other chipboard embellishment. Pop some up items with foam adhesive for added dimension.

Suckers
3) Stamp the background stamp from the Tiny Treats onto white cardstock. Select additional images and sentiments. Stamp those onto background image. Color images with Copic Sketch Markers. Punch out the stamped image using the Mega Scallop Circle Punch.
1) Punch additional scallop circles from the coordinating papers. Run a strip on adhesive onto backside of stamped image…adhere to sucker. Add adhesive to second punched circle and adhere to backside of sucker. Finish off with a cute ribbon tied to the stem of the sucker.

Mailbox
5) Select the paper and chipboard pieces from the K & Company Ka- Zoo collection. Cut a piece of paper to fit onto side of mailbox. Ink edges and adhere to box. Add additional hearts, chipboard pieces and embellishments to complete the mailbox.
6) Cut a coordinating piece of paper for the front of the box. Add coordinating chipboard pieces. Add some sweet valentines to the box for your sweethearts!

Tips: If you’re not a stamper, cut images out from the Ka-Zoo paper collection and adhere to punched pieces.
Got a sweet tooth?! Adhere toothpicks to the backside of the punched circle, place in cupcakes and use as cupcake decorations!

And mailboxes aren’t just for Valentine’s Day! Keep these in a special spot in your house and “raise the flag” when there’s something inside for your children! Perhaps a note wishing them good luck on a test, or thinking of you!


Keep browsing the blog if you're looking for more Valentine's crafts and crafts for kids for Valentine's Day. I'm on Show Me  St.Louis this week so look for more craft ideas for Valentine's Day starting this Wednesday!! And I have some fun projects in next weekend's Post Dispatch,

Revisiting Valentine Crafts!

It's that time of year...time to get ready to leave soon for CHA.

My to do list doesn't seem to ever end. Prepping make n takes, organizing what needs to get packed, what to pack and the crucial question...what to wear! ugh

Not my favorite topic when I'm pale, a tad bit heavier then I'd like to be {okay alot...}and well it's winter where I live. Winter...so how do you alter your wardrobe when it's springy there...but when I come back home...very very cold. Just a bit tricky and funny as I realized I've never flown anywhere in the middle of winter. Where on earth do you put your coat when you fly? I definitely don't want it on for 5 hours.

Since I'm working on some new Valentine crafts for the Post...these will be crafts that you Mom's can take and make at all those Valentine parties, and I'm working on some items for Glue Arts..I can't show anything just yet.

So I'm reposting some of last year's crafts to get us ready...this one I completely LOVE LOVE LOVE! {hope you do too!}

Valentine Take Out Box & Fortune Cookies

Fortune Cookies


I'll admit...I've got a thing for them. And not so much the cookie although I eat them. I enjoy the suprise of the message that awaits inside the cookie.


I've even saved some of the messages and keep them on my desk..I liked this one:


Past experience. He who never makes mistakes never did anything that's worthy!


Your love of life can carry you through any circumstance.


and my fave...


Treasure what you have!
For my craft I made for the St. Louis Post I really wanted to make a fortune cookie box with messages. I really liked this one...although it did take a bit of playing to figure out the cookies and how to get them to sit just right without opening too much! And the new Papertrey Ink stamps were PERFECT for the messages!! I hope you agree!!








Here's a link to the online article


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/homedecor/story/65D3EBD05BCD5FA1862576C700578941?OpenDocument


PaperTrey Ink Simple Valentine Papers (available at www.papertreyink.com)
PaperTrey Ink Tiny Treats: Valentine Acrylic Stamps
Paper Trey Ink Simple Valentine Acrylic Stamps
Paper Trey Stamper’s Select White Cardstock
PaperTrey Ink Sweet Blush Ribbon
Red Chinese Take Out Box & Red Stripe Ribbon from Michael’s
Heidi Grace Heart Accent
Fiskars Heart Punch and Scallop Border Punch
Marvy Mega Scallop Circle Punch
Colorbox Chalk Inks (available at your local Michael’s Craft Stores)
Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro Adhesive & Glue Arts Ribbon Adhesive
Making Memories Slice Die Cut System Basics 1 Cartridge

Box 
1) Select papers to decorate the outside of the box. Cut to fit side. Adhere to box. Stitch by hand or by machine down the middle of a length of a 8 inch length of ribbon. Pull on the end strings to softly gather the ribbon.
2) Next stamp the sweet background stamp from the Tiny Treats and add the heart and sentiment stamps. Punch out the stamped image using the Mega Scallop Circle Punch. Ink edges and add Heidi Grace heart embellishment.
3) Use Ribbon Adhesive to add gathered ribbon to box. This will make a soft stem. Then add foam pop dots to the backside of punched piece and adhere to box side. Add additional heart punches and pop with foam adhesive.

Paper Fortune Cookies 
1) First select the papers that you would like to use for the cookies. Then hand cut or use a die cut machine to cut several 3 ½ inch to 4 inch circles. The size you chose for the circle will determine the size of the cookie.
2) Next fold the circle in half. Do not make a hard crease along the middle but leave this as a soft fold pressing the circle together at the outer edge. Apply a small strip of adhesive to the inside of the circle at the outer edge. Press edges together to adhere.
3) Grasp the middle of the center of the fold and push this inward toward the outer edge of the circle. It can help to place your finger inside the soft fold to help guide the circle to fold and crease like a cookie.
4) If you prefer the cookie to stay tightly pressed together…you will need to add some adhesive to the inner pressed fold to make it hold. Otherwise they look fine with a fold and not tightly closed. Practice with a piece of play paper before you begin to see how much you need to crease and fold to get the look you like.

Fortunes 
5) Next select the stamps and messages you like. Work with a printer style paper that is light weight. Stamp the messages and hearts onto the paper working across the straight edge of the paper repeating your stamps. Then cut long strips of the stamped fortunes.
6) Once you have your fortunes stamped and cut, slide them into the cookies. It’s fun to leave an edge peeking out of the end for the recipient to pull. Stamp some extra fortunes to tuck into the box!
7) Add a little paper shred or additional fortunes and tuck the cookies into the box! Consider adding some real fortune cookies to the box along with the paper cookies!
Tips: If you’re not a stamper, you can handwrite the messages or even type them on your computer and print out strips.


Make larger cookies and attach small treats or gifts to the end of the fortune to be pulled out for a fun surprise.


This is a great gift for your sweetheart and children too! Just change up the messages and look to fit whom the gift is for! 

See you soon!

Noel Wood Block Holiday Letters

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Spread a little holiday cheer with these easy to make and easy to give NOEL Holiday Blocks. These blocks were purchased at Hobby Lobby with NOEL already printed on them; however, they were a bit blah. And in a glittery, bright and cheery holiday season, they were calling for a new look.

Letter blocks can be decorated with holiday papers and embellishments to serve as a special reminder of this time of the year. Or perhaps change the words to Joy or Love or consider making these a personalized gift and decorate with the receiver's name. They also make a great gift for a teen, or boy or girl with their first name, or even for a sorority or fraternity. The options are endless when you look past the basic block.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

• Making Memories Noel papers, diecuts, stickers and felt poinsettia flower*

• Making Memories Falala papers, pin

• Shabby Chic Crafts (shabbychiccrafts.com) Christmas Daily Album Journaling Kit II

• Glue Arts Glue Glider Pro Perma Tac, 3D Combo Pac and Extreme Adhesive Squares*

• Wood letter cubes (purchased at Hobby Lobby)

• Bazzill cardstock

• KaiserCraft pearls

• Colorbox Chalk Inks: warm red, lime pastel, moss green

• EK Success lattice chain border punch

• Circle punch

• Stickles glitter: Christmas red

• Making Memories Slice Design Cordless Cutter Machine and Noel design card

*You can find these supplies at For Keeps Sake Scrapbook Store, 4530 Lemay Ferry Road.

Step 1 • Start by selecting your papers and embellishments. It's fine to mix and match papers from different manufacturers or even different year's holiday lines. Cut four squares of various papers 2 3/4 inches by 2 3/4 inches.

Step 2 • Using the slice cutter machine, cut out the "NOEL" letters in a 3-inch size. You can also hand cut or even use a large alphabet sticker or chipboard for these. Ink the letter edges and set aside.

Step 3 • For the "N" block select the background paper and ink the edge of the Shabby Chic Crafts "Joy" flashcard along with the paper. Adhere the flashcard to the paper, layer a punched circle with the Christmas bottle cap diecut. Ink the edges of diecut and adhere to the paper using Glue Glider Pro with Perma Tac for good adhesion. Next adhere the letter "N." Cut a small square of the U Cut It Foam and adhere the Vintage Christmas Tag Stamp diecut to the Joy tag. This creates a dimensional diecut. Finish off with felt poinsettia using the Extreme Adhesive Squares. Add a rhinestone to the center of the flower. Tuck in decorative pin behind stamp diecut.

Step 4 • For the "O" block, select the background paper and adhere to the block. Punch a strip of paper using the lattice edger punch. Use the Making Memories Slice and Noel design card to cut a decorative frame and circle. Ink edges and adhere the punch strip with the frame and circle layered on top. Next cut a circle from the U Cut It Foam and adhere the 3D Christmas greeting diecut to the block. This creates a dimensional diecut. Add glitter to the holly berries on the diecut. Pop up the holly leaves on the diecut.

Step 5 • For the "E" block select the background paper and adhere to block. Use the Slice and Noel design card to diecut a frame and holly berry. Ink the edges and adhere to the background paper using the Glue Glider Pro. Then add the Vintage Christmas Tag Stamp diecut to frame. Cut thin strips and squares from the U Cut It foam. Place these onto the backside of the letter "E." Adhere to diecut. Add word stickers and a pearl embellishment. Use the Stickles glitter and apply glitter to the holly berries on the diecut. Adhere using a small square of the U Cut It Foam to give it dimension.

Step 6 • For the final block, once again select the background and adhere to the block. Cut a smaller piece of holiday paper and ink edges. Select the Shabby Chic Crafts "Cheer" flashcard, ink the edges and adhere both to background paper. Next cut a small rectangle from the U Cut It Foam and adhere the Making Memories Noel glitter diecut to the block. Adhere the letter "L" to the diecut. Last step is to hand cut the poinsettia from the Making Memories paper (or use another felt flower). Use the Extreme Adhesive Squares to attach the poinsettia and finish off with a pearl embellishment.