"You are Berry Sweet"- A Super Easy Teacher Appreciation Idea

 'Tis the season for teacher appreciation ideas and so I thought I would share my quick and easy idea.  This is one that would  be perfect for those, "Oh garbage....I forgot to get a gift for the teacher" moments or it is also perfect as a gift for someone that doesn't eat lots of sugar or may have other diet restrictions.  I made this for Small Fry's ballet teacher who is my good friend.  I know she is trying to be "healthy" and I am pretty much a diet sabatoger but I decided that instead of giving her something that would be hard for her to resist I would try and support her healthy eating habits and get strawberries.  Add a bit of gingham and some lace and this free printable tag and you are set-perfect for someone that you feel is "berry sweet".

And as a bonus idea (this is just the idea-someone out there could definitely make this much cuter) "Do you Donut?....We think you are the best _________."  I made this for Small Fry for after her dance recital.  It was a last minute thing but I wanted a surprise for her to come home to.  Like I said, you could totally make this so much cuter.  This could be used for so many things-notes for kids, for grandparent or for fathers day or for a teacher.

There you go-2 super quick and easy appreciation ideas-especially if you need something at the last minute.

Paper Nativity Tag

I recently found The 24 Days of Mormon Christmas at Confessions of a Slacker Mom.  It is a downloadable file of stories, songs, scriptures and links to videos to use in your family the 24 days leading up to Christmas. It's like a mini devotional for every night of December up to Christmas.  If you purchase the gifting license for $12.00 it gives you the ability to either print out or burn 100 copies of The 24 Days of Mormon Christmas to give as gifts to your friends.  I thought, for taking all the work of searching for things that go together for each night of the month it was worth the $12.00 but then when I read that I could share it with 100 friends I was sold.  What a great neighbor or friend gift.  It is a perfect gift to give to your in laws or the women that you visit teach (assuming of course that all of the above mentioned people would use something like this).  Well I bought the gifting license and printed off all of the pages to put in a binder to use for myself and then burned copies to CD's to give to some of our neighbors and a few friends ( I chose people with small children because even though the whole thing is not just for children, there are lots of things that would be perfect for families with children).  I instantly saw in my head the CD wrapped up with a nativity tag attached.  So I searched Pinterest first to find out how to make a paper CD package and found these instructions:

Then I searched for nativities (which if you are wanting tons of ideas type that into the search box on Pinterest and select boards-I found so many fantastic nativity boards) and I found this pattern (which is to make a felt ornament).

It was simple and I knew I could make a paper version.  I redrew it, scaled it down quite a bit and then cut out individual pattern pieces.  I then cut all the pieces out of paper and assembled them into this simple and cute little Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus scene.  I attached it to the CD holder, tied a twine bow around it and added a little gift tag.  I love how they turned out.

Even though it won't be able to be used much this Christmas season, I am hoping that if I tuck it in with a little plate of cookies that those who receive it will have it out and ready next December 1st to help them get into the true spirit of the season.

Snowman Family Portrait-the extended family version

 I have posted a couple of times about my snowman family portrait idea.  This year my husbands grandma has been working really hard on a major gift for each of the grandchildren.  She is a family history buff and so I know it is related to family history.  In turn I wanted to make her something special and had the idea to make her a huge snowman family portrait of all her posterity.  I was apprehensive because I knew that meant a lot of little snow people and I was getting a late start but I just felt like it was the right gift for her and so I set into the project and felt like it just flowed.  I hand drew every pattern piece and had just the right inspiration when I needed it.  I think it was a gift that was meant to be.  I hope she doesn't check this before Christmas (Grandma Connie if you are reading-go no further).  Here is the finished product with a few highlights of some of my favorites.

I think I may start doing snowman family portrait custom orders.  I have no idea if anyone would be interested in one but I love this idea and want to share it with as many people as possible.  Spread the word if you have as snowman fanatic.  What a great gift idea.

Snowman Family Portrait

Have you ever wondered what your family might look like as snowmen and snow women  and snow babies?  Here is a totally cute idea for the holidays-turn your family into a snow people portrait.  This makes a great gift for a family member too. 

I got this idea from an old issue of Paper Crafts Magazine.  I drew my own snow people so that I could have different sizes and shapes to match our family (I am making a family portrait for a Christmas gift).  I added a child, toddler, baby and infant, a bunch of different styles of hats, and scarves.  You can download the pattern by going here.  The pattern is just a basic idea.  You can change the size and shape of the snow people to suit your family.  The hats and scarves and arms have to be cut smaller for the children and baby snowmen. 

Here are two more snowman family portraits.  The top one is my family and the bottom is one of my brother and sister in law's family. 

Here is the finished project.  I LOVE how it turned out.  Finding a frame to fit everyone was not an easy task but in the end it turned out just how I wanted it to.

If you want to make your own you can download my pattern for the snowman family to help you get started.

Paper Milk Carton Teacher Gift

A few months ago I showed you this paper milk carton crate I made using a repurposed packing box and this pattern for paper milk cartons.

I have another version to share with you today. 

 This one is made using this: a Keebler Graham Crackers box.

To make this keep the bottom end intact.

 Measure up from the bottom 3 inches and mark.  Repeat all the way around the box.

 Cut using an Exacto knife to create your box.

 Save the top half to use for a second crate.

Now using another box like a cracker box cut a piece that is slightly less than 5 1/4" x 7 1/4" (plus the flap that forms the top of bottom of the box).

 Fold up the flap to create part of the bottom of your milk carton holder.  Cut a second piece (I just cut off another flap from the box).  Using a piece of duct tape tape the flaps like so: (when held upright, the flaps will form a flat bottom).

 Now cut a handle in this center section.  I used a stencil to trace an oval at the top.

 It will look like this.  Now place this center holder piece inside the bottom of the box.  Use spray adhesive or glue to hold it in place inside the box.  (don't worry if it flops to one side, when the milk cartons are in it, it will stand up straight).

 The last thing to do is decorate it.  I spray painted the whole thing black and then decorated it with scrapbook paper.  You could make this for all kinds of occasions, but I thought it would make a really cute back to school teachers gift.  It would also make a cute gift for a child going back to school or a teen who is going to High School for the first time (that is a super scary thing-I call our high school "the pit of hell" a milk carton crate on the table filled with treats and locker items might be just the trick).

NOTE: the paper milk carton pattern that I used for the packing box version is just a bit too big for this graham cracker box version (because the graham cracker box is a 1/4 of an inch smaller than the packing box).  I have made a resized version for this specific project.  If you would like me to send you the resized version then shoot me an e-mail.  I would be more than happy to send it to you.  I don't want to upload it because somehow uploading my stuff to Scrib resizes it and makes it smaller.  If you know how to solve that problem shoot me an e-mail too.

Garbage Can Makeover

I am all about the repurposing right now (it's usually cheap and really satisfying to take junk and turn it into something cute and functional).  My hubby had these old garbage cans out by our garage.  They served no purpose and were destined for the dump but I had a brilliant idea to turn them into storage bins for my food storage in my basement.  I currently have my bags of flour and sugar in big plastic tubs but I wanted something nicer to store them in.  So with a bit of spray paint (I used Krylon, gloss finish, and the color is called "celery") and some vinyl lettering I ended up with:

I searched around a bit more and found two more tin cans that were destined for the trash and also made:

 A whole set (well actually now I want a few more so I am going to have to hit the thrift stores).  In case you are wondering the plan is to put my food storage inside these in it's original package (like the bags of flour will go in the can, the bags of pasta will go in the can-that way it doesn't matter so much what the inside of the can looks like).

After making these I thought, "Wouldn't a smaller set of these make a really cute wedding or shower gift." (you know ones that could sit on a counter or in a cupboard).  I think these are going to be my go to wedding gift from now on.

Fathers Day "Grillin Pro" Apron

Remember that 3 pack of aprons I bought at Sam's Club for $10.00 (I used one to make for my cooking debut on local television that I didn't end up doing because I got sick and they never gave me a second chance...not bitter...just bummed.), well I decided to use one to make a perfect Father's Day gift for my husband:

 I wanted it to say "Grill Master" but I was in a time crunch when I started this project and "Master" had too many letters to trace, cut out and then sew on.  "Grill Pro" is just as appropriate. 

The letters are from a cut up t-shirt.  I found the clip art for the hamburger here and added my own slice of cheese and tomato.  I love how the hamburger turned out.  I am pretty sure my husband, "Chef Gregorio" (his grillin name) will love it too.

Folded Paper Shirt Brag Book (for Fathers Day)

My brother Steve sent me a picture of a dress shirt gift bag (obviously for Father's Day) he found somewhere in his current location with a note that he thought it was cute but knew I could come up with something cuter.  Well not feeling any pressure, I set to work trying to think of something cute that could be done with a collared shirt for a Dad.  I didn't have any gift bags handy but I think I came up with something even better-because it is meaningful.

It's a mini paper bag brag book.  It would be fun to fill with pictures, or coupons for dad (or your hubby) or quotes and notes about how much you love him.  I went with quotes by Small Fry for our brag book (and then I added my own little note that corresponds with what she said).

 

I found the instructions for the folded shirt on the Internet. I looked at a few different sets of instructions but I loved Kimberley's at Procrastistamper the best.  I started with a piece of paper that was 10x12".  You need those dimensions in order to produce a shirt that is the right side to cover the front of the paper bag book.  After make the shirt I fashioned a tie and vest out of extra paper.  I free handed mine but if you would like a copy of those pieces send me a message and I can e-mail you a copy.  I used 3 paper bags (cut down to 4 1/2"-from the bottom).  I cut cards to go inside the 3 paper bag pockets.  I added little tabs to each one so that my husband would know they are there.  After that I attached everything together with 3 black brads.

 I wouldn't go more than 3 paper bags if you are planning on attaching the book together with regular brads.  They are just the prefect size for this thickness.

There are lots of possibilities with this idea.  If your husband or father is not the dress shirt wearing type, turn it into a polo for golfing or a button up blaze orange shirt or camo shirt for hunting, it would be perfect for a missionary, or a you could add a bow tie and make it for a groom or graduate.  Lots of fun things to try.  Happy Father's Day crafting!!!

What do you make for 18 basketball players that would not break the bank?  18 luggage tags with personalized basketball numbers on them for their gear bags of course.  Here is what we are giving all of my husband's basketball girls for Christmas.

These are really easy to make and really cute.  Making 18 of them is time consuming but I know they will love them.  I got the pattern from Skip to My Lou.  If you need a last minute idea-go there.  She has tons of great ideas.

My unfinished Gifts from the Heart #3 Project

I am sorry people.  I was totally intending to post a third idea in my Gifts from the Heart series but I was not able to get it finished.  It is a "10 Things I Love about my Daughter" book.  I have a little kit I am making mine out of but you could totally make a little book yourself or a simple mini scrapbook or even just write a note.  I have to print out pictures to finish mine and we are out of colored ink in our printer so I can't get it done.  BUMMER I know.  Just wanted to share the idea anyway.  Merry Christmas.

Neighborhood Gifts

It's all things candy cane in my house as I am working on Christmas treats.  Here is what we did for our neighbors and friends:

White Chocolate Candy Cane Popcorn.

Here is my version of the recipe:

White Chocolate Candy Cane Popcorn

2 bags microwave popcorn

1 1/2 bags white chocolate chips

10 regular sized candy canes

Crush candy canes in food processor or by hand but you want them crushed fairly fine.

Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or a bowl over a pot of boiling water

Mix crushed candy cane in with melted chocolate

Pour melted chocolate over popcorn

Stir to mix

Pour out onto a sheet of parchment paper and spread out to cool

DEVOUR and I mean DEVOUR