From the Desk Of

I love making gifts for my boys to give their teachers.  I try to make a bunch of little gifties for them to bring to school throughout the year.  I also try to remember the bus driver and the lunch room supervisor (though admittedly, not as often.)  I was inspired by a card I found on Splitcoast Stampers, however I can't find it right now, I'll keep looking.  Instead of stamping a standard message on the card, I decided to run them them through my printer and personalize them with the teacher's name.

This card was especially appropriate for my oldest son's 1st grade teacher.  He was in an advanced reading class, which the teacher dubbed "Camp Read-a-Lot" - most activities throughout the school year were centered around reading.  So, I decided at the beginning of the school year that I would make these cards for her. 

Since I made a set of 20 cards for her, I kept the coloring simple and set up an assembly line to put them together.  They actually came together pretty quickly - the hardest part was deciding on the colors and cardstock.

Better get going, friends.  Hope you're having a good day and that you take time to get inky today!

recipe:  Stampendous School for Max, Book Border; DCWV Linen Closet Mat Stack; White & Beige Cardstock; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo Gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Sand inks

In the beginning....

"In the beginning, the Lord created chocolate, and He saw that it was good.

The He separated the light from the dark and it was better."

This is the valentine's gift I made for my son's preschool teachers a couple of years ago (I can't believe I haven't posted this before)  It was such a fun thing to make and the teachers all LOVED it!  In fact, I'm still getting compliments on the recipes that I included inside.

The envelope took awhile to get "just right" since I was starting from scratch and had to figure out the dimensions, but once I figured that out, the other 8 that I made came togther really quickly.  I made a few extra to have on hand for little gifts - and boy have they come in handy!  The outside reads "IN the beginning the Lord created chocolate and He saw that it was good."  Inside reads "And then He separated the light from the dark and it was better."  Inside this pouch, I included 16 chocolate recipe cards that I decorated with various heart images.

I also included with the gift this little Chocolate Ghirardelli box and included 2 milk and 2 dark chocolate squares.  Fun to give and receive!

Hope you're staying warm in your corner of the world, it's REALLY cold here in the Chicago-area....BRRRRRR! 

Take time to get inky today!

 

recipe: paper:  The Paper Co, HOTP Chocolate Chips; stamps: Hero Arts Fill Your Heart; ink:  Tsukineko Coffee Bean, Pearlescent Orchid; Stampendous Clear Embossing Powder; Marvy Scalloped Square Punch

Back to School Goodies

Every year before a new school year starts I make a little Back to School goodie for my niece and nephew.  This year I made these Jr. Legal Pad notebooks.  I also made one for my son to give to his new 1st grade teacher (wouldn't you know I forgot to take a picture of that one!  I hate when that happens!)  Anyway, these little notepads are so much fun to make and are the perfect little gift for any occasion.  I take the Jr. Legal Pads to Kinkos and have them cut in half - my store does a pack of 12 notepads for a few dollars.  Such a deal!

The notepad pictured at the top of this post was the one I made for my nephew, at the bottom of this post you'll find my niece's.  I also made them each a matching RSVP pen.  They are both into office & school supplies (must get that from their Aunt Krissy!)  By the way, now is the time to stock up on school supplies since they are all on sale this time of year.  These Pentel RSVP pens I got at Staples for only $1 a pack, regular price can be $4 or more.  I love a good bargain!

Now that my oldest guy is back in school, maybe I will stop ignoring my blog so blatantly!  I have a few cards done and photographed, so maybe I'll actually get them posted soon.  My youngest still has a few weeks before Preschool starts, then summer is officially over for our family. 

Hope you're having a wonderful day, the weather is beautiful here in Chicago today - it's a nice break from the heat and humidity we've had lately! 

Take time to get inky today!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous School for Changito, Stampendous School for Max; paper: Bazzill Cardstock, miscellaneous DP; Pentel RSVP Pens; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, StazOn White; Hero Arts Paper Flowers; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Misc. buttons from Gram's stash♥

Changito Pencil Boxes

Every August, before the school year starts, I make my niece and nephew a little "Back to School" gift. Last year I made them these pencil boxes. Inside I placed a few pencils, an eraser, some highlighters, a glue stick, a post-it note pad and few other little school supplies. (They must get their love of office supplies from their Aunt Krissy!)☺ I wrapped the pencil box with a strip of leftover designer paper and then added my favorite little monkey! So easy!

Better start thinking about what I'll make them this summer. I'm leaning toward Jr. Legal Pads and matching pens....stay tuned!

Take time to get inky today!

recipe: stamps: Stampendous School for Changito; Prismacolor Pencils, GooGone, Tortillons; The Paper Co.; Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch; CM Circle cutting system; pencil box Walgreens

First Aid Kit

Although this project doesn't include any stamping, it very easily could. I kept it simple since I was making 17 of them for end of year teachers' gifts. The first aid kit itself, is one from travel/trial size section at Target, it includes some bandaids and some cleansing wipes. It's a nice little size to keep in a glove compartment or desk. I decorated the outside with designer paper and printed my messages on the computer.

There was a little boy in our community who recently lost his battle with an inoperable brain tumor. He was a patient at Children's Memorial Hospital - so this gift and donation not only honors the teachers it is also in his honor.

Well, friends, I better get busy. I need to make a birthday card for my Aunt Maxine who is celebrating her 90th birthday this weekend!

If you have a chance, and you are on Facebook, check out the Stampendous page. They always have great posts and inspiration. Today one of my cards and my blog are featured! What an honor!

Take time to get inky today!

Teachers' Appreciation Week - Day 5

I just realized I never posted Day #5 from last week's Teachers' Appreciation Week. Last Friday, we combined Day 5 and Mother's Day and got TJ's teacher a really pretty yellow gerbera daisy plant. To decorate it (I can't give a gift that I haven't customized in some way ☺) I made this plant stake. I type the quote on the computer and printed it onto cardstock. Then decorated with these cute little bugs and adhered the whole shebang to a wooden skewer. Add a bow, stick it in the plant and VOILA! a great gift.

I love this quote. TJ's teacher has really been great this year and he has loved every moment of kindergarten, thanks to her! She really has been busy planting seeds of knowledge in my little guy!

Take time to get inky tonight - it's still not too late!

recipe: stamps: Stampendous Flutterfly Friends; The Paper Co.; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo Gone, Tortillons; Sakura Clear Star Pen; Crystal Stickles

Teacher's Appreciation Week - Day 4

Here's today little Teacher's gift. TJ has it all loaded in his backpack ready to go. The item on the right is a pack of Trident gum. It is surrounded by a sleeve that is "watermarked" with stars. The cute little guy is an Archiver's Exclusive Stampendous stamp called Love Buds. It also includes a cute little girl. Instead of using any of the sentiments included with the set, I wrote "I CHEWS you" on the heart with a marker. I was feeling punny when I made this!

It's a new day and time to get inky.....

recipe: Stampendous Love Buds, Hero Arts Galaxy of Stars; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Watermark; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Fiskars Border Punch; Offray Ribbon; Trident Gum; The Paper Co.

Teacher's Appreciation Week - Day 3

Here's the little gift TJ took to school for his teacher today. The card was one I made for the Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge a couple of weeks ago. Then I made an acrylic frame post-it note holder to match. I think it turned out really cute! I already got an e-mail from his teacher this morning saying that she loved it and had already showed it to the other teachers in their wing. She said the teachers wanted to know if I sell any of the things I make.....the short answer....YES! Maybe I'll get a few orders for gifties.

I finished all my Mother's Day cards yesterday and got them in the mail to all the special Mom, Grandmas and Aunts in our lives. I never did finish the sympathy card, though. Guess that's today's project along with Teacher Appreciation Week Day 4 gift. I'll be back tomorrow to show it to you!

Take time to get inky today!

recipe: stamps: Stampendous School for Changito, Book Border; The Paper Co., DCWV Classic Mat Stack; Grafix Clear Craft Plastic; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-gone, Tortillons; CM Circle Cutting System; Marvy Scalloped Punches; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Moonlight White, Mediterranean Blue inks; JoAnn's Ribbons; 4x6 acrylic frame Wal-Mart; Office Max Post-it Notes

Teacher's Appreciation Week - Day 2

Well, yesterdays little teachers' gifts were a success. TJ came home from school so excited about having little gifts to give all of his teachers yesterday - he loved making all his little deliveries. It didn't take him long to ask "What will I take them tomorrow?"

Well, here it is! Teacher's Appreciations Week Day 2 gift and card. Today he is taking this cute little card featuring Max the Mouse. I found a card in the Stampendous catalog that inspired my version. Inside the little matching gift is a pack of TicTacs. This is so easy to make, it's really just a cover that folds around the pack like a book. Fun and quick to make. I think these little TicTacs would make a cute bridal shower favor with the message "Truly MINT to be together!

Better run, and start getting busy working on tomorrow's Teachers' gifts. I also need to get busy on Mother's Day cards and, unfortunately, have a sympathy card to make today. Hope you'll take time to get inky today!

recipe: Stampendous School for Max, School for Changito, Book Border; Prismacolor Pencils, GooGone, Tortillons; DCWV Glitter Mat Stack; The Paper Co.; Offray ribbon (black), American Crafts (yellow); Sakura Clear Star pen; Walmart metal bling

Teacher's Appreciation Week - Day 1

Today is the first day of Teacher's Appreciation Week at my oldest son's school. To show our appreciation to his wonderful teachers, these are the little goodies he took to school with him today. The card was inspired by one I found in the new Stampendous catalog. The little can is a "recycled" pop-top fruit can. Inside I placed a handful of Hershey's Bliss chocolates. These are easy to make, and they always impress. It's fun to have the recipient try to figure out how I got the candy inside, yet the pop-top hasn't been opened. I'll let you in on a secret...shhh....you use a safety can opener to remove the bottom of the can, fill the can with the treat, add a little shred for cushioning and then glue the bottom of the can back on with Diamond Glaze. I usually use a can of soup as a weight until the glue dries. I use a bunch of ribbon scraps to decorate the pull-tab. These are so much fun to make!

recipe: Stampendous Book Border; The Paper Co.; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black Ink; misc ribbon scraps; DelMonte fruit can

Teacher's Notecards

8/31/10  Edited to Add - This set of notecards was chosen as one of the two winners of the Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.....Woo-Hoo!

 

Last year I made a set of these notecards for my son's preschool teachers. This year I think I'll make them again, but for his Kindergarten teacher. Instead of stamping various sentiments on the cards, I think this time I will use the computer and print her name on the cards to personalize them. I did one set with red cards and one with blue - I think I like the red best. What do you think?

It did take quite awhile to make a set of these, since each apple is cut out by hand. But I like they way they turned out. I applied double-sided tape to the back of the decorative paper BEFORE I cut them out. Stamp the apples on the kraft paper first, color the stem & leaf, then adhere the cut out apple.

I made a box out of kraft paper, and stamped the apples on the side of the box before I assembled it. Use of piece of craft acetate for the lid, a piece of raffia and VOILA! a great teacher's gift.

Hope you'll take time to get "inky" today....

recipe: Stampendous Apple; DCWV Classic Mat Stack; Yours Truly Red notecards; Archiver's kraft & blue cardstock; Tsukineko Graphite Black Ink; Prismacolor Pencils; Fiskars border punch

Thank You, Bus Driver!

This is the time of year for school-themed cards, with Teacher Appreciation Week coming up and the end of the school year. So, I thought I'd share a few I made last fall for my son to take to school. This card was for his bus driver, he had a few rough mornings that first week, so this was to thank her for her patience. Mrs. O is a very kind woman, who always takes time to comfort the kids when they are in the midst of separation anxiety (especially the Kindergartners and their Moms!)

I think these little mice are so cute! They are from the wonderful Stampendous stamp company....I seem to be on a Stampendous kick lately. Have you checked out their blog at www.stampendous.com? They have a great Saturday Sketch Challenge every week. Last week was my first time participating and I was one of the lucky winners! Woo-Hoo! Take a look at this week's sketch and give it a try! I'd love to see what you come up with!

recipe: Stampendous School for Max; The Paper Co.; JoAnn's Grosgrain Ribbon; Making Memories Brads; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Graphite Black Ink; DCWV Classic Mat Stack; CM Circle Cutting System

Thank You, Lunch Lady!

This is another card that would come in handy this time of year. I made it for my son's Lunch Lady last fall. Mrs. Dee is a sweet woman and all the kids love her, so I tried to make her little gifts a few times through the year to thank her. I thought the little Feed Me lunch box was perfect for the lunch lady!

recipe: Stampendous School for Changito; The Paper Co.; Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch; CM Circle Cutting System; JoAnn's Ruler Ribbon; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Graphite Black, Moonlight White Inks

Thank you, Teacher!

Here we go with Changito again! This is the card I made for my son's teacher last fall, after the first week of Kindergarten. It was a huge transition for him (and for Mommy) and I wanted to thank her for making his first week so much fun. Here we are at the end of the school year, and he's still loving it! Yay!

I'm sorry I can't remember where I originally saw this card, but I do know I "copied" it from some very talented cardmaker! I love that it incorporates a pop-tab...doesn't it look like a belt buckle?

I have a few more teacher cards I'll share with you later. Take time to be crafty today!

recipe: Stampendous School for Changito; Tsukineko Graphite Black Ink; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Hero Arts Flower & Gemstone; The Paper Co.; Marvy Scalloped Oval Punch; Ribbon Target $1 Spot

Peek-a-boo, Changito!

I'm back again - two posts in one day - I'm on a roll! I wanted to show you another one of my entries for this weeks Stampendous Sketch Challenge. See the following website for details- http://stampendousblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/saturday-stampendous-card-sketch-challenge/

I made this card for my oldest son's teacher. Our school will celebrate Teacher's Appreciation Week during the first week of May, and I thought I would send her a card or little gift each day that week. Just a little gesture, but I want her to know how much our family truly appreciates her! My son, TJ, is in Kindergarten and has loved every minute of school this year, thanks to her! She is a wonderful & patient woman, and I wish TJ could have her again next year. With any luck, our youngest son will have her in a few years when he starts Kindergarten, too.

Back to the card. The Sketch Challenge requires that a transparency is used. I haven't worked with craft plastic very much, but I really enjoyed adding this element to my cards this week. It's like bringing the inside of the card out. I've never really decorated the insides of my cards before, so this was the perfect opportunity to give it a try. I like it, and will continue to do so in some of my cards.

Once again, I used my favorite little monkey on this card. I just can't get enough of Changito.

I have one more card in the "works" for this week's Stampendous Sketch Challenge - hopefully I'll get that one done this afternoon while my little man takes a nap. You guessed it, Changito makes another appearance!

Don't forget to check out http://stampendousblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/saturday-stampendous-card-sketch-challenge/ for details on this week's Sketch Challenge.

recipe: stamps: Stampendous School for Changito, Stampendous Book Border; The Paper Co.; Tsukineko Graphite Black, Tsukineko Moonlight White inks; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Marvy Punches

Teacher's Gifts

This was the gift I made for our boys to give their teacher's this year. It was a fun one to make, but let me tell you I spent many evenings coloring snowmen....I made 13 gift sets....that's a lot of snowguys! The set consists of a junior legal pad notebook (a la Mish Mash), 4 Dove chocolates, Hershey Kisses, a bookmark, and a set of gift tags. All the items were placed in a decorated gift bag with yet another snowman! Although I used it as Christmas gifts, it could also be given for a winter birthday. These cute little snowmen are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face!

recipe: paper: Jillibean Soup Grandma's Christmas Soup, The Paper Co.; stamps: Stampendous Jumbo Snowman, Hero Arts Snowplace, Hero Arts Winter Warm, Hero Arts Winter's Butterfly, Hero Arts Holiday Tags; Ink: Tsukineko Graphite Black, VerseMagic Red Brick; Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder & H2O pen; Crystal Stickles; ribbon: JoAnns; Vinyl coated Paper clips; Fiskars border scissors; Martha Stewart snowflake punch; Mark Richard Nailhead stickers; Wilton Pretzel bags; marvy scalloped circle punches; Dove chocolates; Hershey Kisses