More Back-to-School Teacher Gift Ideas

     Hi Guys- this is part two of gift ideas for your kids' teachers. School will be here before you know it!

     This first idea is SUPER easy- all you do is get some extra large binder clips and cover them with decorative paper. Add a sticker and tie a ribbon to it, and you've got yourself a darling gift card and/or photo holder. This project is so affordable and easy, it would be good to use if you have to make several gifts.

Here are a few more ideas from gifts I've given over the years. . .

This gift card/ photo holder made from a wooden spool wrapped with school-themed paper would make a unique gift. Even after they use the gift card, they still have the spool for a photo holder. Here are directions for making these.

I featured these chocolate covered gummy bears here. Just dip gummy bears in melted chocolate (I used chocolate almond bark), let them cool, then place them in a baggie. You could label this, "It's sweet to be back at school!"

Here's another simple idea. Get a small bucket and fill it with candy and school supplies.

I covered these buckets with strips of map, but the gift would work with plain buckets as well.

     You can go here to see some of my other teacher gift ideas.

     If you don't have time to make anything, I don't think you could go wrong with a gift card. Starbucks, Sonic, or Barnes and Noble would surely make the teacher's day!

     Note: I am mentioning these gift ideas with a school theme, but they would work for any holiday.  

         -Imagine making a few of the binder clips with a Halloween theme and use them to display favorite photos from past Halloweens.

-The buckets would make cute "goody bags" for a birthday party.

 -The wooden spool photo holders would make great Christmas gifts for extended family or the

 girls at work.

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

     This post is linked to Happy Hour Projects, Shabby Creek Cottage, and

Thrifty Thursday #30

     Good morning!

     A friend once told me about a tip that she read stating that when you get something new, you should get rid of something you have. This keeps you from having too much. For the last month, I have been putting stuff to get rid of in a box - little things that are just sitting around that we no longer need. I took this box to the thrift store while I was out and about. Then I went in the thrift store to see what they had. And I picked up a few things. . . since I had just gotten rid of a box of stuff!:)

I found this pack of planks- I believe it was a shelf board that somebody cut up. These will make perfect canvases for a project I've been wanting to do. The edges are nice and straight and don't even need to be sanded. I got 5 of them for a quarter.

I was browsing and found this old muffin tin in the middle of a pile of plates. Only 50 cents. Isn't it a beauty?

There was something about the print on this container that called out to me. I was reluctant to claim it because I didn't want to spend $4 on it, but when I asked, the thrift store lady gave me a discount and let me get it for $3. It looks like it's covered in a bunch of foreign labels, but it's fabric. I'll use it to hold supplies in my craft room.

     I've started another box so as I'm cleaning and sorting, I can get rid of some more stuff. Isn't the saying, if you haven't used an item in a year (or  5 years) you don't need it anymore?

    Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

    This post is linked to Apron Thrift Girl.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this,

not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

Romans 14:13

Layout of the Week #24- Using School Photos On Your Layouts

     This week I am featuring back-to-school teacher gifts, so I thought I'd stick with the school theme for our Layout of the Week.
     I'm going to show you how to incorporate your child's school photo and class photo onto a layout. I actually use this layout to document every school year for my boys. Now they both have an album that takes them from kindergarten through fifth grade and for every year has their class photo, their school photo, and other random photos that I took at school throughout that year.

This is the layout we'll be creating. Yours will look a little different depending on what type of papers you choose.

You'll need:

one piece of 12"x12" card stock

5 pieces of school-themed pattern paper (we only need small pieces, not whole pieces of paper)

letter stickers

adhesive

trimmer

class photo

individual school photo

First, place the title in the upper left corner. I usually just use their grade level for the title. Mine says, "Fifth Grade"

Then you need to trim 3 different pieces of pattern paper- 1/2"x12", 1"x12", 3/4"x12". Adhere them right below the title leaving a little space in between them.

Now place the class photo in the bottom left corner. I lined the bottom of the photo up with the bottom of the card stock.

Trim a piece of pattern paper to fit along the right side of the photo and adhere it. Mine measures

3 1/2"x 5 3/4". I used a corner rounder on the bottom right corner of the pattern paper.

Now add a 1" strip of paper along the top of the photo. I used a corner rounder on the top left corner. Then I stamped the name of my son's teacher and the name of the school on that strip of paper. Finally, mat your child's photo on a piece of coordinating card stock and place it in the upper right corner of the layout.

The layout is now complete. Imagine if you did this for every school year. That seems do-able, right? Not too overwhelming, I don't think.

This is what the two page layout looks like. I use the class photo page on the left, then on the right, I place photos that I took throughout the year. I have a journaling card hidden behind a photo with details about the school year.

Every year, I choose a different color background card stock and different pattern papers, but the layout is the same.

Here is another example from my other son's book. This one has fewer photos on the right side.

     This is an easy way to scrapbook school photos- doesn't take much time or imagination, but it is nice to have them all in one place.

     If you have any questions about documenting your child's school photos, please leave me a comment.

     I got this idea from the Sept. 2005 Creating Keepsakes Magazine.

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

     This post is linked to My Girlish Whims and Shabby Creek cottage.



Recipe of the Week #30- Easy BBQ Ribs in the Crock Pot

Easy BBQ Ribs in the Crock Pot
3-4 lbs baby back or country-style spare ribs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 onions, sliced
16-24 oz bottle barbecue sauce (depending on how saucy you like your ribs)

Brown ribs under broiler. Slice into serving-size pieces, season, and place into slow cooker.
Add onions and BBQ sauce.
Cover. Cook on low 6 hours.

These taste great with mashed potatoes, baked beans, or corn. My family raves about these! And seriously, could a homemade meal get any easier than this?!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Col. 3:17

 This post is linked to Tip Junkie  

Back to School Teacher Gift Ideas



     Hi Guys. Hope you all had a great weekend! With school starting next week, I thought I'd show you a few ideas for teacher gifts. It's nice to start out the year giving the new teachers a gift. My boys always got excited to take gifts to their teachers, and I know the teachers always appreciated the sentiment.

The first idea is this necklace that is made with part of an old wooden ruler, then is embellished with a pearl and a crystal.

Here's a close up photo.

I've had this old ruler for awhile (got it at the thrift store) and I've been wanting to turn it into a necklace. I think it turned out cute.

Here's another one with a ruler- it is embellished with a silver computer charm and a bead.

If you want to make one of these, you just need to saw off a little more than an inch of an old wooden ruler. (I sawed on either side of two numbers.) Then you can drill a small hole at either end. (I used my Cropadile II to make the holes. If you do that, you need to be gentle, so you don't crack the wood.)

Then you use a jump ring to attach the beads and charms.

It's easier than it looks. :)

Here are a few ideas that I have posted in the past, but they are cute and easy to make, so I thought I'd revisit them.

A decorated clipboard would be a great idea for a teacher. Just cut your scrapbook paper to size. I usually place a strip of different paper about 3/4 down. This allows your paper stretch all the way to the bottom of the clipboard.

I always decorate the back of the clipboard- that's the part people will see when the clipboard is held.

When you adhere the paper, Mod Podge works great. Have a dry paper towel handy, so you can flatten the paper down before the glue dries. The dry towel allows you to press out any wrinkles.

Another easy idea is to cover a Composition notebook. Just cut the paper to size and adhere it with Mod Podge. Use the paper towel trick I mentioned above.

I used ribbon to cover where the two pieces of paper meet on the left.

One final idea is to use floral tape to attach a flower to the end of an ink pen. Then place the pens in a flower pot. I used pinto beans in the pot. You could attach a tag that says, "Can't wait to bloom this year."

     I have always loved coming up with ideas for gifts to send to school. This year, however, my two boys are going to do K12 online public school. They get the same education they would if they went to a brick and mortar school, but we do it all at home on the computer. Some classes are all online and some we use text books. We did this with my older son last year, and it was a great experience- he learned so much! This year, both boys will participate. My hubby and I feel this is what is best for them at this time now that they are headed into 6th and 7th grades.

     Come back Friday when I'll have some more ideas for gifts for teachers. Until then, thanks for stopping by and God bless.  

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

    This post is linked to Brassy Apple, Todays Creative Blog, and Craft-O-Maniac.





I'd like to introduce. . .

the newest member of our household!

Isn't she beautiful? I got her from my brother-in-law. She needed a new home and I'm known for taking in old gems. It's a Wuriitzer from the early 1900s. My bro-in-law was pleased that this would be staying in the family.

You're probably wondering if I can play piano. Actually, no, I can't. But I plan to learn. Ethan, my
11-year-old, thinks it will be great when I can play. He plays the guitar and his brother plays the drums. He said now his dad just needs to learn an instrument. :) Somehow, I don't think he would be very excited if we suggested family music time!
I told him that once he learns the keys on the piano, he will be able to play since he can play the guitar. He insists that the skills won't transfer. How is it that an 11-year-old thinks they know more than an adult? :)

I hope you all have a nice weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 

This post is linked to Miss Mustard Seed.

Thrifty Thursday #29

     I found the best yard sale this past weekend. There was so much stuff and it was priced so cheaply! I left with a full bag for less than $4.
     I got a brand new (still in the package) spring-loaded curtain rod for fifty cents. I don't have a specific need for it now, but when I do, I know I can't buy one brand new for fifty cents!

I love this burlap bag. I don't think it's old, but I've been on the lookout for one of these. Guess what I paid for it. . . ten cents!

I think it will make a cute throw pillow or padded seat cover. I've even seen these framed.

I believe this game is older than I am. I love the box!

This is a nice sized frame. It will look great with chickenwire in the center.

I got all 8 of these beautiful patterns for ten cents (not apiece- for ALL!) They're from the sixties and I just love the images.

The container that they're in was such a bargain, I couldn't pass it up. It holds the patterns perfectly. I think that's where I'll store all my old patterns in my craft room.

This cork is 12"x24" and came in a bundle of six- for fifty cents! I can't wait to come up with some cork projects!

I got both this unused sketch pad and this pack of 50 pink envelopes for ten cents each.

 I thought this blank recipe box would be a good replacement for my current recipe box which is on its last leg. The lady at the garage sale threw in the brand new recipe cards- I got them both for fifty cents. The Hobby Lobby price was still on these-they cost $6 new.

I stopped at one other yard sale and got this blanket for $2. It's in good shape. I've seen different projects using this type of material- I'm on the lookout for something to do with this one.

Well, I was out for less than an hour and didn't even spend $6 which left enough money for me to swing by Sonic for my favorite drink- Route 44 Diet Coke. That's what I call a good morning!:)

Good luck on your thrifting adventures!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any

excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

This post is linked to Be Different. . .Act Normal, Apron Thrift Girl, and Too Much Time On My Hands