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How many of the following descriptions can you relate to right now?
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The afternoon light is beginning to change. |
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Words like "routine," "schedule" and "bedtime" are slowly working their way back into your daily vocabulary. |
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Your kids no longer light up at the prospect of going swimming. |
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You feel an unexplainable urge to buy a fresh package of No. 2 pencils -- for yourself, not your kids! |
If you answered "yes" three or more times, it can mean only one thing -- it's back-to-school time! This year, spend an hour or less in your craft room and wow your child's new teacher with an easy-to-make surprise.
In This Newsletter
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In this newsletter, you'll get a fresh batch of ideas for making back-to-school teacher gifts. You'll meet paper crafter Robin Ide and learn what she likes to wear while crafting. You'll also get a bonus brainstorming exercise. Plus, to help you make the most of your child's memories, you'll get step-by-step instructions to make a School Days Journal.
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Amy's Top 5 Quick & Easy Teacher Gifts
Though back-to-school time brings with it a hefty to-do list, I guarantee that the ideas I have shared below are not only fun to make, but they are quick, too. Most gifts can be easily made in under an hour.
| 1) |
Game Cards -- This is a project that is fun for your kids to help make. You can either make a crossword puzzle card or a word search card. For both cards, you will need:
-- Graph paper (either use store-bought or click here to download a printable PDF)
-- A ruler
-- A pencil
-- Card stock and decorative paper
-- An envelope
-- Markers and embellishments as desired
For both cards, use graph paper to create a standard puzzle grid and use questions or words that are based around your school (colors, mascot, etc.). Once the puzzle is done, cut it out, mount it first onto decorative paper and then onto a folded piece of card stock for the card base. You can either present the card individually, or create a set of four and tie them together with ribbon. Decorate the envelopes as desired. |
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Bag of Tags -- I love giving tags because not only are they are easy to make, but because the ideas for them are limitless. I created these two different types of tags in less than an hour. Choose the type of tag you want to make and then create variations to make a gift set. Toss them into a bag, and you have a gift that is both pretty and useful!
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Tag Set #1 |
For this tag set, I used the following supplies:
-- Close to my Heart products: Decorative paper from the Boom-Di-Ada paper pack, markers from the Autumn Garden Exclusive Inks Market Set, and Ticket For All Seasons stamps
-- Delaney trims from Making Memories
-- Hole punch and adhesive
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Tag Set #2 |
For this tag set, I used the following supplies:
-- Fieldhouse Chipboard from American Crafts
-- Animal Crackers trims from Making Memories
-- Card stock
-- Hole punch, circle punchand adhesive
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| 3) |
Apple Stationery --- Create a stationery gift set with apples as the subject. Here are a few ideas for creating your apple designs:
-- Have your kids draw a batch of apples using crayons or colored pencils.
-- Cut an apple in half and also into slices, and stamp onto card stock using ink or paper paint.
-- Use a favorite apple stamp and then color it in with watercolor pencils.
-- Cut magazine pages, card stock or decorative paper into a bunch of tiny pieces and paste them in place to create an apple shape.
-- Use fabric to appliqué apple slices onto a card-stock base. |
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Decorative Clipboard -- It truly doesn't get any easier (from start to finish, this project can be completed in less than 30 minutes) -- or cuter -- than this! I used a standard 6'' x 9'' clipboard and cut a piece of decorative paper to fit. After I adhered the paper in place, I cut a paper strip and then adhered it horizontally to the center of the board. I glued a piece of decorative ribbon to the top and a trio of epoxy embellishments to the bottom.
I used the following supplies:
-- Decorative paper from Close to my Heart's Boom-Di-Ada paper pack
-- Animal Crackers epoxy shapes and trims from Making Memories |
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Monogrammed Book Bag -- What teacher wouldn't appreciate a personalized book bag? You can find canvas craft bags at most craft stores, but another good source is the company BagWorks. You can shop their Web site for bags in a variety of sizes and styles.
Once you've chosen the perfect bag, add the teacher's monogram in a variety of ways:
-- Use pretty fabric to appliqué the monogram onto the bag.
-- Embroider the monogram using a sewing machine and bright, colorful thread.
-- Use ribbon to shape the letters and then adhere in place using fabric glue. Once dry, sew a decorative stitch down the center of the ribbon for an extra touch. |
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Reader Spotlight: Take Five
NAME: Robin Ide
AGE: 55
HOMETOWN: Niagara Falls
FAVORITE CRAFT: Card Making/Scrapbooking
| 1) |
What time of day are you at your creative best?
Early on weekend mornings -- I do my best work in my pj's! |
| 2) |
How do you get into a creative zone? Are there certain mood-setting items (music, food, etc.) that help put you in a creative frame of mind?
Not really. I feel inspired browsing on the Internet and sharing ideas with others. A shopping trip to a scrapbook store is great, too. |
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How do you squeeze crafting into your busy life?
It's much easier now that the kids are all on their own. My husband is always encouraging me to make time because he knows how much I enjoy it. |
| 4) |
What are you working on now?
A scrapbook for my grand daughter who turns one next month. |
| 5) |
What three tools could you not live without?
My freestanding craft light, Creative Memories paper trimmer and my rotary cutter. |
This could be you! Please fill out my easy feedback form if you'd like to be the featured reader in an upcoming e-letter. Put "Take Five" in the subject line of your e-mail.
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Bonus Brainstorming Exercise!
Heading back to school is a magical time for kids, whether they're attending kindergarten for the first time or wrapping up their college education. Take a few minutes to sit down with your child or grandchild and talk about your own back-to-school memories. Use these questions as prompts for yourself:
- What is the earliest grade you can remember being at school?
- What did your favorite backpack look like?
- What was your favorite class in junior high?
- What was your favorite school lunch?
Now, use the answers to these questions (your own answers and your child's answers) to create a School Days journal, write a story, make a scrapbook page and more!
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School Days Journal Free Project
Create a colorful place to store all of your child's school-time memories. Click here for instructions to make the School Days Journal project.
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