Summer Gift

For my son's preschool teacher, I decided to give a "summer bucket".  This was a lot of fun and can be used for anyone- birthdays, thank yous, or just for fun!

I used an empty laffy taffy box and poked holes in the side to tie ribbon through.  Then I used my Dotty For You paper pack from CTMH to make a border around the bucket.  I used several layers of paper and cloth flowers with a jeweled brad for the center. 

Then for the most important part- the gifts!  I added flip-flops, sunscreen chapstick, bubbles in the shape of a Popsicle, paddle ball game, nail polish, kool-aid packets, chalk, and cazoos.  She has kids so I thought this would be fun for everyone.  And then I edited this lady's fish saying to say, "Congratulations!  It's o"fish"ally summer!" and stapled it to a sweedish fish bag and added that to the bucket.

Hopefully she has a great summer! 

Thanks Teacher!

It is now the last week of school and time to show your teachers just how grateful you are to them for all they do!  Here's a gift I came up with after realizing Monday that school is ending Friday- yikes!

I used Florentine paper pack to make a cute border around this little paint can I picked up from Lowes.  I cut out a square to put in the middle since the paper doesn't go completely around the can- there is a gap between the ends.  Then I used the Thanks stamp set for the middle.  I used the color ready seam binding ribbon to make a pleated ribbon all the way around the can.  [Do you know how to pleat ribbon?  Hmmm.. how to explain.  You glue dot the end of the ribbon down, then you add another glue dot about 1" away and glue the ribbon down there.  Put a glue dot ON TOP of the ribbon in the same spot you just glued the ribbon down then fold the excess ribbon down onto the glue dot making a pleat.  Add a glue dot 1" away and glue down the ribbon then put the glue dot ON TOP of the ribbon and fold over- repeat as many times as you need.  Needs pictures huh?  If I find a good tutorial online I'll post a link.]

For the lid of the can I cut a 3" circle of the Florentine paper then added a bow using the seam binding ribbon.  I added a really cute charm and then filled the can with some chocolately goodness.

After I was done I realized the can was too shiny for the paper so I sponged some brown staz on ink to the can to distress (if I were you I would do it before hand).  You have to use the staz on because the can is metal and normal stamp pads ink will only work on paper.

I hope she likes this tin!  I am so thankful for the teachers in my kids life because without them I'd have to learn a lot more patience ;) No really they're great!

Take Out Favor Box Workshop

What's for dinner?  How about some take out?

But a take out box wouldn't be complete without...

Fortune cookies!!

Join me Tuesday, June 19th for this workshop (only $2!) where we will use the Dotty For You paper pack *my favorite!* and the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to make this adorable take out box and 5 fortune cookies!  So much fun to make and so much fun to give!  

Insert exclamations of gratitude into the fortune cookies while we're making them and you have a gift for that special friend who has been there for you through thick and thin.

Contact me to sign up!  See the workshops tab for more info on this and other workshops.

Want to know how I made the fortune cookies?  It's a little tricky, but this website has really good instructions (I tried using other websites' instructions but couldn't get them to work).  Click THIS link to get step by step instructions.  I used 3" circles cut out with the cricut- size really didn't seem to matter.

Graduation Card

Graduation parties are coming and going, and what do grads want?  MONEY of course!  Here's a clever way of giving them the dough...

I stamped the dot background from the Diverse Backgrounds stamp set with Black ink and then stamped the sentiment from the Bravo stamp set using Holiday Red ink pad on paper, inked them, and cut them out.  I glued the background to the card and attached the sentiment with 3D Foam Tape.  I glued some retired black pleated ribbon to the side with Liquid Glass.  I tied a few rolled bills with Tulip ribbon, adding a small strip of scratch cardstock to the back of the roll (so that the glue dot doesn't ruin the money) before tying.  Then I attached the money roll to the card with extra heavy duty glue dots.  

Wha-la!  Perfect card for the new grad. 

Sneek Peak

Workshop up ahead!  I LOVE decorating for a birthday party- here is a birthday banner that was so much fun to make:

I used the SPRAY PENS from CTMH and had fun creating the unique designs on the banners which I cut out using my cricut and the ART PHILOSOPHY cartridge. 

I'll do this as a workshop coming soon!  I'll have everything pre-cut and after you've learned how to use the spray pens you'll get to take one home to play with.  And there will be bonus scrapbook layouts included!  This workshop will be TONS of fun! 

Keep your eye on this website for the date and price that I will post later.  You won't want to miss this!

Graduation Time!

The end of the school year is coming up and what better way to remember this past school year than with Close to my Heart?

Isn't this a cute card?  This is from this blog (she's the founder of CTMH).  This is made by printing 2 pictures: one in color and one in black and white.  You cut the color one to make your subject pop! and tape to cardstock.  I love how they used Foundry Binder Clips and Grey Bakers Twine to add a cute "school" touch to the card.  What creative people there are out there!  I am so glad there are so many creative people for me to steal their ideas from so everyone thinks I'm super. 

Speaking of end of the year: my grad can/ teacher appreciation can workshop is coming up!  Let me know if you are interested in making one for yourself!