Teacher Gift: Note Holder

Hi there friends,
Today, I'm continuing with Teacher gifts & today's project is super easy!
Here it is:

With a pocket caddy in the back:

for sticky notes or other goodies :)

I bought this at Mike's for 50 cents. 

I painted it & then simply covered it with DP.

Now, it's ready for embellies!

 You could also make a ladybug or butterfly with it :) This gave me an idea for what to do with those SU! wooden blocks I've been hoarding storing for a project like this. (I've been unmounting my stamps for almost a year & have several blocks I didn't want to throw away.) I found some 12 gauge wire at Mikes & decided I would make more of these. I simply drilled 2 holes at the top curled the wire just like this one, used my glue gun to secure the wire in the holes. & that's it!

Did you notice what was in the caddy? Well, that was a sneaky peek at today's item going into the blog candy bag! I mean every good teacher must have a great pair of scissors & these are GREAT!!!

They're perfect for detail cutting. Don't forget to leave a comment for each teacher gift project for more chances to win!

Tomorrow I start with my school kiddos, but guess what I'm doing the night before??? Uh huh, just like last year, I'm going to a rock concert!!! Woooo- seeing the same band as last time too :) Don't worry, I'll be bright eyed & bushy-tailed for my brand new kiddos ;)

Thanks for peeking today!
Gotta Go ~Rock on ;)

Cardabilities Sketch 10 DT Reveal

Hi friends,
My Hello Kitty wall clock shows today is the 30th of August, which means it's time for another fab Cardabilities sketch reaveal!

Karen Lancaster is bringing us Sketch #10:

Here's my card:

 This was a fun card to make :) I finally played with the Innoscents Flower 2 stamp set from Heartfelt Creations. These are the ones where the stamps coordinate with the Nesties. I stamped each one on vellum & heat embossed with gold powder, then cut them out & layered with dimensionals. There are 3 layers (3 different sized stamps). The sentiment (which is one of my fav of all time) is from Amy R's Butterfly set. I framed it with Labels 4 Nesties & ran my Krylon Gold leaf pen around the edges. I punched a few butterflies out of vellum & added the pearls.

Here are the innies:

Kept it pretty simple since there's so much going on on the outside. I dotted the middles of each little butterfly with my Viva Decor Pearl pen.
Remember to link your creation to the Cardabilities blog so we can come take a peek & leave ya some luv :) & please stop by to check out the DT's amazing cards that will have you feeling sketchspired!

Thanks so much for peeking today! Teacher gifts will resume this week :)
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: Innoscents Flower 2- Heartfelt Creations, Butterflies- Amy R (All that Scraps)
Ink: Creamy Caramel- SU!, Creamy Brown- Colorbox
Paper: Linen Closet- DCWV, Rustic White- PTI, Vellum
Accs: Labels 4 Nesties, Pearls- ZVA, butterfly punches- Martha Stewart, Krylon Gold Leaf Pen, Viva Decor Pearl Pen- Cream, butterfly embellie

DT- YMH meets Sketchy Thursday

Hi Ya friends,
YMH is sponsoring the Sketchy Thursdays Challenge Blog this week & our DT was invited to play along with their sketch.
Here it is:

Here's my Layout:

When I first saw this sketch I thought "Whoa, that's a lot of circle elements." then I pulled out this beautiful Prima paper called Strawberry Kisses- Daydream. I noticed that those glorious blooms were pretty much in the right place to go along with the sketch so I went with it :) Tucked in there (as part of the circle elements) are my 2 boys when they were little- tear, tear. And those pics definitely have a story to tell and it goes with my title. The journaling happens to also be part of the title. It reads: "Only my boys can make me mad and MAKE ME SMILE in the same sentence!"- and it's so true!!!

I used my Gypsy & Cricut to weld & cut out the title. I used Rose leaves & Prima flowers as photo corners. I also decided to print out my pics in Black & white so they would stand out from all the vivid colors & design of the page. Don't look, but I messed up while I was writing the journaling :( ... you didn't click to look at my mistake did you??? Don't make me start handing out some detentions! ;) Uuuuugh, I hate it when that happens :(

Quickly, The top photo: that's Jordan "trying" on my sunglasses. He said, "I'm cool, Mommy!" and then was taking them off & snapped one of the sides off. Then he said, "Oh... not cool" ---> I can laugh about that NOW :)

The pic below is my now 16 year old, who stopped to let me take this pic while "posing" for the camera (something he never did), then turns around, jumps off the stairs (he's standing on), TRIPS, busts his lip open ---> ER here we come for more stitches! This kid sent me on many ER trips, let me tell you! I think they were ready to assign me a parking spot! Thankfully, he hasn't been as clumsy as he's gotten older.

If you'd like to play along with this sketch, here's the fab prize you could win:

It's a Halloween 12x12 layout kit with 6 sheets of double sided paper, 2 sheets of stickers, die cuts and a yard of ribbon. PLUS you'll get 2 Hallowhimsy snag 'em stamps and a bottle of Pomegranate Fall 2010 Glimmer Mist. You've got til September 1st, so get crafting! Be sure to check out the rest of the DT's awesome takes on this sketch at the YMH Blog.
If you'd like any of these products, be sure to check them out at the YMH Store.

Thanks for peeking today & have a fab weekend!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop-August

Hi friends,
Today I'm participating in:

The challenge this month was to use a paper bag. Great challenge cuz being a teacher, I use paper bags a lot! Now, if you're here for Teacher Appreciation ideas for this week, you 'll want to stick around. Today, I'm sharing one of my fav ways to use lunch bags- as a treat pocket.
Here's the completed project:

This is soooooo quick, inexpensive, & easy!!! This treat bag holds a bag of popcorn & a pull-out tag for a message of encouragement on the first day of school. Tell me that won't start your year off with an A+!!! Hee Hee :)

Here's how quick & easy it is to do:
Step 1: get a paper bag. I used a colored one to save on time & paper to embellish it.

Step 2: Fold it to the desired length of your pocket.

Step 3: Add adhesive to the very edges to create the pocket. Place your intended treat there to make sure it will fit. Add a piece of DP enough to cover the bag, but you don't need to go all the way down (it won't be seen anyway- save your paper!)

Step 4: Remove liner, fold to adhere pocket. Embellish the front pocket & add the tag that tucks into the bag. I used a 1 3/8 circle punch to punch out the apple I stamped from Teacher's Apple Set & the red layer with 1 1/2 circle punch. I did the same thing to the other side :) & punched a half hole for the apple to fit into when you tuck it in.

Step 5: There is no step 5 cuz you're done! How easy peasy was that, right!
Enjoy your creation! You can tuck any treat that will fit- not just popcorn :)

Thanks for hopping by today! I hope you like this idea & that you'll give it a try! I'm so excited to get even more paper bag ideas :) Yaaaay!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: Teacher's Apple -PTI
Ink: Real Red, Kiwi Kiss- SU!
Paper: Beautiful Blooms DP -PTI, White CS, Gold Foil CS
Accs: Fancy Tags- Spellbinders, circle punches- EK Success, Scor-Tape, red lunch bag- Target, ribbon- Christmas Trim

Welcome Back (pack), Teacher!

Hi friends,
This is Day #2 of Teacher Gifts!  Today, I have a project I really like :) I call it...
Welcome Back (pack), Teacher!
Here it is:

A little back story:
A while back, SCS had a tutorial for a cuute backpack so I had to give it a try, but there was a problem... I soon realized that the backpack was tiny & a lot of work- something I didn't see me doing anytime soon. :( Then a friend revamped her own version & I liked that it was much bigger, but there was a problem... It took a lot of cutting & measuring :( sooo I looked at that little backpack & it hit me! The backpack could be made by using a regular bag! That cut down on a lot of the work! :) So you can make this back pack with any size bag you have. You'll see another example soon ;)

I used my Cricut designed on my Gypsy to create all of the elements of this backpack.
---> updated: I used a 12 x 24 mat to maximize the size. For the bag, I used Once Upon A Princess cart. I deleted (hide/contour) the pointy edges at the top so it would give me a straight edge bag.    The flap is from Home Décor cart (I chose the scalloped circle twice & removed (hide/contour) the scallops from one- (that left me with one scalloped circle & one regular circle for layering.)  The apple is from Create-a-Critter.

Download GYPSY cut file from ---> HERE
 
Here's a comparison of the original backpack from SCS & this one:

Here are a couple more peeks of it:

The backpack is 7 3/4" tall, 6 1/2" wide, & 3 1/4" deep. It also has a functional pocket on the front.

Here's a peek of what's inside:

Some first day of school goodies to get the teacher through the day. I know I would LUUUUUV to get something like this on the first day! It would come in so handy to grab some yummy munchies while running around all day. The first day is quite hectic & busy!

Here's another little treat you may have noticed:

Every teacher needs a pencil- especially if it's made of... CANDY!
I saw this cuuuute idea in this month's Creating Keepsakes mag (while I was standing in line at the store) & thought it would be the *perfect* addition to my back pack :) and best of all it's super easy to make! They used Rolos but I used Mentos instead (less temptation ;). I *had* a video tut for you, but You Tube & I are not playing nicely right now :( grrrrrr.

Here are the written directions for now:
1) Cut yellow CS at 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" Use scoring tool to score lines lengthwise to give it a more realistic look.
2) Use decorative scissors (pinking edge) on one short end & wrap CS around candy. Use very strong adhesive to secure it. (Scor-tape)
3) To create the eraser top, cut a strip of pink CS at 3/8" x 3 1/2" & wrap at the top of pencil. use a circle punch to punch a circle to cover the candy wrapper at the top of the pencil. The 3/4" punch worked for me.
4) Adhere a strip of silver foil CS (or aluminum foil) where the yellow & pink CS meet.
5) For the pencil point, use glue dots to adhere a Hershey kiss.

This really was so easy & fun to make! I also made a crayon following the same basic steps.

Today's next teacher goodie going into the bag is:

an 8 x 8 Grade School Stack :) I luuuuv this collection for teacher & school gifts. The papers are perfect! I used it for today's project afterall :)

Thanks so much for peeking today! I am soooooo sorry (and sad) my videos have not been available to you- after all, they did take A LOT of work & the whole point was to make it easier for you to see how the projects are done.

I have decided that I'm going to be holding off on the rest of the projects until next week. Sorry if that is disappointing to my wonderful friends, out there. I want to be sure I can get this all straightened out before spending more time on it, KWIM? I have 2 posts (not for this) that I already have ready to go for Wed & Thursday, though.

Thanks for your patience & Big Hugs!

Teacher's Table Trio Companion

Hi friends,
Today begins teacher gifts week at the blog-o! This is Day #1 & today's project is:

Teacher's Table Trio Companion

I made this to go with this trio box I made last year that I've had on my desk all year: (luuuv)

Here's the companion:

I have to admit that I'm not done embellishing it, sorry :( but you'll definitely get an idea of what it's about. It has a bottom drawer, a post it note holder (that you can make for regular post it notes or the pop-up kind), a calendar easel, pencil holder, and supply caddy. I think this will be a great addition to the Table Trio that will not take up too much space on my desk, and will be really handy to have :)
Here's a peek from the side:

And a peek from the back:

I've got a video tut going through the YouTube inner workings, so as soon as it's ready, I'll post it here. IT'S FINALLY UPLOADED!!! 
Hope you enjoy:


Here are the measurements:

Pencil Holder:
CS: 4 3/4 x 11"
Score: (4 3/4" side) 3/4" on 2 sides
(11" side) 1/4", 1", 3", 3 3/4", 7 3/4"

Post It Notes:
CS: 5 1/4" x 6 1/4"
Score: (5 1/4" side) 1" on 2 sides
(6 1/4" side) 1", 4 1/4", 5 1/4"

Drawer:
CS: 5 1/4" x 6 1/4"
Score: all sides 1"

Drawer Sleeve:
CS: 5 3/8" x 9 1/2"
Score: (5 1/4" side) 1" on 2 sides
(9 1/2" side) 4 1/4", 5 1/4"

Caddy Box:
CS: 5" x 5 3/8"
Score: (5" side) 2", 3"
(5 3/8" side) 1" on 2 sides

You can send it alone & let the teacher fill it with her/his own goodies or send it along filled with goodies to get started :)

I created & printed the calendar sheets & cut them up to attach them to a basic easel.

Download Calendars here:
2010 Calendar

2011 Calendar

This has several components, but it is not hard to do. You can also add more drawers to the bottom for more goodie space.

Aaaaand because I'm nearing 100,000 hits to my blog (Good Googly Moogly!!!) I thought I'd give away some of my fav teacher goodies! I'll be revealing one of the items each project day. On the last day of projects, I will list the whole prize package! Today, the Teacher goodie going in the bag will be:

TGF Teacher Anya Rubber Stamp- luuuuuv her! She's the cutest ;)
All you have to do is leave a comment for all the back to school projects this week- simple, right! I'll remind you at each project post so you don't miss your chance to win some of my fav teacher things!

If You Tube is not cooperating, I will just post photo tuts- so I hope no one minds too much. Also please let me know which team you're on: Team Video tut or Team Photo tut- which do you prefer? & why? Is either one OK with you? That will help a lot!

Thanks so much for peeking & thanks for being so patient :)
Gotta Go!

Teacher Gifts In Review

Hi ya friends,
This week will be a busy, busy, busy week at the blog-o. I have lots to share & hope you come by to check it all out! But for today, I wanted to start Teacher gifts week with a review of the Teacher Gifts from last year. Remember that each project includes a tutorial of how to make it for yourself. Click on the title, & it will take you to that project :)

Teacher Gift #1:
Teacher's Table Trio


Teacher Gift #2
A Teacher's Lanyard
Teacher Gift #3
It's a Pointer, Sister!



Teacher Gift #4
Teacher's Boo Boo Box


Teacher Gift #5
K.I.S.S!   Keep It Safe & Secure


That was so last year! This year brings more new ideas that I hope you like & that get you closer to starting the year off with an A+ :) aaaaand there's going to be a fun, special surprise that I didn't do last year.... shhhhhh. Until tomorrow... ;)
Thanks for peeking!

News & DT Call

Hi friends,
Just wanted to share a couple of newsbits with ya:

1) Cardabilities is having a DT call for new designers for a 6 month term.
Do you have a passion for cardmaking?
Do you love sketches?
Then send in your application!
You can find all the deets---> HERE.

2) Martha Stewart Test tubes are in!!!
I just saw that both Mike's & JoAnn's are carrying them. Remember last year I used them to make this fun project:

ya know I stocked up to mix it up again this year- they're so fun! So grab your coupons & grab them while you can :)

YMH DT Post- Notes for Dani Embellies

Heloooo friends,
Today I wanted to share the magnetic embellies to go with the note board I shared last week. Here's the board again:

I made a total of 4 magnetic embellies. I added a magnet disc to the backs of each one:

Here they are one at a time:

For this one, I made a bow & added a rose to the center that I had sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Tiger Lily- easy peasy!

Here's #2:

I used an old punch I had to punch "hi" & punched that out with a scallop punch. For a fun look, I added flame dew drops to each scallop- easy peasy!

Next up is #3:

I cut a strip from the same paper I used for my board (Prima Urban Cosmos-Village) & made a fan fold flower to which a I added a button decked out with a Prima Berry crystal and mini pearls around it. Easy peasy!

Last but not least is #4:

I used an alabaster round petal flower (gorgeous!) which I also sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist then added Stickles to the edges for more sparkle :)  I def will be getting more of these as they are a perfect size for cards & layouts.

So here's a group shot:

All very different embellies, but were a snap to make! I hope Dani has lots of fun with her new memo/note board!

Don't forget to pick up all these goodies at YMH and because Kristina's computer is wonky right now, (until the end of August) you get 25% off your purchases! Just type in the coupon code: FOLLOWER at check out.

Thanks so much for peeking today! I've been a busy little bee behind the scenes because next week is that time of the year around the blog-o ---> For the Teacher Gifts!!! I've got 5 brand new projects for simple, inexpensive, yet uber fab gifts for those of you that want to start the year off with an A+ ;) The countdown begins Sunday, so I can't wait to see ya then!
Gotta Go!