Teacher's Lunchbox

Hi friends,
Today I have another idea for Teacher appreciation. I absolutely luuuv this one :)
Here it is:
A Teacher's Lunchbox

It is modeled after a kid's lunchbox. It's decorated with a globe, pencil (where you could add the teacher's name for personalization), and a 3D paper airplane.

Here's a peek from the side:

Now for what's inside :)

coke, chips ahoy, & kettle corn popcorn... yes, please :)

 or for a more health conscious choice: water, granola bar, & very berry hibiscus drink mix (yum!)

 Fill it with anything you'd like: treats for the tummy or treats for the classroom- like school supplies. We're always in need of those.

And if you think that schools provide supplies we need for the classroom... think again. In my department, for example, we got ZERO supplies this year. Not even a box of staples. I even had to purchase my own LCD projector & doc camera because they didn't have one for me this year (it was given to another teacher in a more "important" department.) And so that expense came out of my own pocket :(  and no, it isn't entirely tax-deductable and with my tax situation that doesn't really help. grrrrr

So if you want to make one of these lunchboxes:

feel free to send it to me! ;)

The lunchbox is another cuuuute svg file from svgcuts called Miss Baker's Classroom found---> HERE.

Thanks for peeking & for letting me vent a bit ;)
Gotta go!

You're the caramel apple of my eye

Hi friends,
I'm back today with a second idea for teacher gifts.
I'm a sucker for apple stuff- maybe it's that teacher thing, so of course, I haaaad to make something apple cutesy :)
Here it is:

 This is an apple-shaped box. I embossed the bottom wedges with the alphabet embossing folder & wished I would have done the top too- I really like how it looks (although it's hard to tell in this pic.)
Clearly the summer has done nothing for my photog skills...

 This sweet apple is even yummier on the inside:

I filled it with an entire bag of caramel apple Werther's candies :) This box is a very nice size for filling with goodies or school supplies. This is another svg file from svgcuts.com. This project comes from the Miss Baker's Classroom collection which can be found---> Here.

A little update: My craft room is finally in order, my oldest is off to a good start in college and my little one is making a good transition to middle school. This year we started a month earlier in my district so my summer vacation was ever so short. I'm teaching my fav class to teach- Spanish 1 (yaaay!) and my least fav class to teach- the AP prep class :(  boo. Ah well, both keep me busy in different ways: Spanish 1 with bouncy, flouncy, pouncy freshmen (they suck the life out of me- energy wise!) and 4 Honors takes a lot of preparation, but after 17 years I still luuuv what I do.

Well, that's it for today. I'll be back with more...
Gotta Go!

Thermos be a TEACHER in tha house!

Hi ya crafty friends,
Yes, it's me---> finally! It's been a buuuuusy past 3 months, and I have missed visiting my blog friends, but I'm finally able to share some crafty concoctions & will be able to visit my crafty blog pals again!

I know that Back to School time has come & gone, but rest assured that teachers welcome & appreciate your gifts anyday of the week... and twice on Friday! So I'm here to give you some more ideas for making your way to an A+ year :)

I haven't had a lot of time to work on crafts, so all of the projects I will share this week were pretty easy to make.

So the first project I'd like to share, I call... Teacher's Thermos.
Here it is:

 Soooo, do my embellies give you a clue about what's inside??? Hmmm... let's see... the tag reads, You're a "souper" teacher and there's a little spoon hanging from it...

No more suspense. Here's what's inside:

 A cup of soup & a pack of oyster crackers. This would be souper for that quick lunch teachers usually have time for.  That's an appetizer spoon, so not really for using, although you could....

How 'bout another idea! Here's another thermos I made with a different theme and for a High School teacher.
The tag reads, You "perk" up learning.

 Did you notice the arrow pointing to "Spanish?" Woo Woo! Perfect paper for HS, don't ya think?

Here's what's inside:

 It's got a coffee packet, a variety of sugar packets, creamers, and a stirrer (you could totally add a cookie to make it more complete.)
These would be perfect to send with your kiddo the day after Back to School Night. You could enclose a little note about how you appreciate the extra time they were at school preparing for a great night for parents and being there into the evening. That will get you some extra credit points, let me tell ya ;)

The thermos measure 7 1/4" tall. I created them with an svg file from the Camp Smore collection from svgcuts. This project could be easily adapted even if you don't have access to cutting svg files. Stay tuned...

You can buy this file at svgcuts---> Here.

I've got more ideas coming this week! Hope that you'll find something to inspire you!
Gotta Go!

Rack 'em

Hi ya friends,
I wanted to share a couple of projects that I hadn't had the chance to share yet. My son's graduation party went well. I made lots of the decorations myself, but because I was under a time crunch, I didn't have a chance to take pics before the party. Well, they all grew legs & walked away with party-goers & all I was able to hold on to was one of the projects I made. Hee :)
Here it is:

 It's a grad cap treat box :)
Here it is open:

 This was one of the cute projects from the Graduation Day SVG file from svgcuts.com. I made 5 of these & was only able to snag one LOL. Well, I'm glad everyone liked them enough to want to take one home :) Like this one, they were filled with candy or chocolates.

The next project I made for the boys to give to Dad for his birthday:

 This is the coolest pool table, let me tell ya! :) It is a really nice size too. On the top, there's a 3D pool cue & the balls are popped with foam tape. My youngest son really wanted to play with it :)
 Here's a peek at some of the side detail:

 Here's the box open:

This is also another svg file called The Green Room. I just love this one. It's got lots of guy projects & cards. I put his card, some beef jerky, & a gift card inside it :)

I've had loads of questions about what I used to cut these files, so here's the scoop:
I use my Cricut Expression to cut the files using the Sure Cuts A Lot 2 program. I had purchased the SCAL 2 program before Provo Craft sued the makers of SCAL. After the lawsuit, they were not allowed to sell SCAL that could be used with the Cricut. Now you can only purchase SCAL 3 which is NOT compatible with Cricut. Fortunately, I had already purchased the SCAL 2 before all the uglyness went down. It's a real shame because the SCAL program is (kick myself) super easy to use. So for now, this totally works for me. The more I use the svg files, the more I think that once my cricut goes, I'll be heading to the Cameo.

Some more news: I'll be taking the summer off from blogging. Lots of changes on the home front... again...but I knew it was coming. Once we're settled, I hope to be back to sharing my crazy concoctions. Wishing you a great summer and lovely crafternoons!
Until we craft again...

A Teacher's Pencil

Hi ya friends,
Ok, so it's been crazy busy as my little one went through his Promotion ceremony on Tuesday & my oldest went through Graduation on Wednesday night. Tear, tear, they're growing up! So tomorrow is the promotion/graduation party at my house & it's been crazy getting everything in order! If you have a HS senior on the horizon SAVE YOUR MONEY cuz it's an EXPENSIVE year! LOL!

Ok, so I thought I would share the end of the year gift my little one gave to his teacher. Because I was so pressed for time I didn't come up with anything too over the top, but I still think it was super cute (not to mention that everyone was oohing & ahhing when I brought it in- he he he ;)

Here it is:

 It's a pencil-shaped box! I also included a little matching card that held a gift card inside.
Here's how the box opens:

  It's made up of 2 parts: the pencil and the eraser which are both empty so you can fill it with goodies & stuff :)

I also made one for his 4th grade teacher cuz I just luv her! She's the best :)

I personalized them with my Xyron Design Runner. I've had it for such a long time, but hadn't even opened it. Sad, I know :( ... and it's so cool & easy to use.

I also made myself a "sample"

This pencil is only one of the six different cute as can possibly be projects from SVGcuts.com. It is called School Days SVG Kit. Yes, I finally broke down & used the Sure Cuts a Lot 2  (SCAL) program I bought like a year ago AND HAD NEVER USED!!! I just thought it would be complicated & difficult to figure out how to use, but I am kicking myself super hard right now cuz it could not have been any easier!!! In less than 5 minutes I was cutting away---> seriously!!! My blog pal, Patti Lee, was the one to turn me on to them. She made the cuuuuutest projects & I was so hesitant to give it a go. DUMB! DUMB! Well, now you'll be seeing more, let me tell ya!  Plus, SVGcuts.com has an assembly video tutorial for each of the projects to show you how to put it together. I found it super helpful.

Some final deets: The papers are from A Boy's Life collection from Echo Park. Stamps: Teacher's Apple-PTI, Blue Skies- Verve and Chalkboard-Stampendous. This box is 8" tall & about 3.25" wide. Great size :)

Anyhoo, thanks for peeking in today. :) I've got loads to do before tomorrow, so...
Gotta Go!

Happy Father's Day

Hello there friends,
Happy Father's Day to all dads & grandpas. Today, I'm sharing the Father's Day card the boys gave Dad today.
Here it is:

I used the Masculine Graphic T-shirt Die-namics & stamp set from MFT.  It's awesome for knocking out those guy cards :) I also used the Mini-banner Day set & stamped "Happy Dad's Day" & the sentiment comes from the Essential Sentiments set also MFT. The papers are from the Sasparilla collection from October Afternoon.

I used this week's MFT sketch (turned upside down :)

Thanks for peeking!
Gotta Go!

Bring on the Piñata!!!

Hi ya friends!
I'm aliiiiiiiive!!!
That was an extra long hiatus from the blog, but I was super busy with end of the year school stuff, but now it's FINALLY done! I am sooooo happy it's summer vacation (although it will be shorter since this year our district is starting a month earlier :(  I'm still a bit busy making plans for my oldest son's graduation festivities and some other things going on, but today I come to share some other festive news:
This girl has a birthday today!

Yes, Thirty muffled-cough-muffled-cough-cough years ago, on this day, a 12 pound girl was born. This is one of my fav pics from my 2nd birthday. As you can see, I started cutting into the cake before my mom was ready for me to and so my mom yelled,"Karli!" and I said "whaaaat???"  When people look at my baby pics, they say I haven't changed much- maybe it's the double chin, chubby cheeks, or the huge cake in front of me, or maybe me being just a little mischievous ;)

So what are my plans today? Well, I've dropped several hints that I want to go to Medieval Times. I told the boys & made sure hubby "overheard" me when I was talking to a "friend" on the phone about how I reeeeally wanted to go to Medieval Times since I've never been there before. But, we'll see where they take me...

So what are my crafty plans? Well, I do have some teacher gifts, grad gifts, & dad gifts I'm working on. So I'll be sharing those soon.

Well friends, thanks so much for peeking & go have some cake & ice cream on me today!
Tootles!