Crafts

Teacher Appreciation Day Pictures and Instructions

"You're Out of this World" - On Microsoft word I designed a package cover and printed it on card stock paper. Fold it in half at the top edge making it look like a tent or a name tag that sits on a desk. Using a paper cutter I trimmed  it to the size I needed and stapled it over the top of the snack baggie.

"You're One Smart Cookie"- After baking homemade chocolate chip cookies I put 5 each in a clear cellophane treat sack. I designed the packaging cover following the same procedure as listed above.

Mini Breakfast Kits to Go- I made two different styles of these kits. There were only two preschool teachers so I made theirs in a basket. I created a tag using Microsoft word to attach at the top. The water bottle pocket was made from 2 styles of card stock paper: one solid and one patterned. Cut the solid piece into a 4 inch wide x 8 1/2 inch tall piece. Using the water bottle lid, trace a circle in the center at the top of the solid piece leaving about 1 -1/2 inches from the top. This will be the hanging part of the tag. Using scissors cut out the hole. Now, the patterned piece of card stock will be cut into a 4 inch wide x 3 inch tall piece. You will glue this to the front center portion of the solid piece and it will be the pocket for the coffee or Crystal Light packet. Remember: only apply the glue to the edges of the patterned piece- not in the middle-or else the pocket would be glued shut and the packet will not go in. Next, I made a label using Microsoft word with the teacher name and a message that said
"you Are Appreciated." Finally I added a small bow from ribbon to embellish the tag.

  

The other kits ( 7 of them ) were made in brown bags with shopping handles. The bottle tag was created the same way but with a different design. Again, I made a tag using Microsoft word and attached with a ribbon. The muffin was put in a clear cellophane treat sack, label applied and tied with a ribbon.

For the embellished drink carrier- I was not thinking and gave them away before I took pictures but there are other styles I have listed- see Gifting under the Craft tab. The idea was to give the preschool teachers some gifts with an educational pun- the candle had a tag that read " You Light the Way." For the wristlet key chain, I order pre sewn ribbon on webbing (because I cannot sew!) in 1" wide strips from Strapworks. I order the key fob kits off eBay and they also sell the clamp tool. I measure the webbing to the length I want and fold it in half until the ends meet. **Note: I apply a glue dot ( or ZOT) to the ends so they do not slip when I clamp on the key fob. Then, I cut strips of card stock and attach the key chain to it. I slip the card stock/key chain into a pretzel rod bag ( bought at Michaels craft store) and tie with a ribbon. I make a tag from Microsoft word that reads, " You are the Keys to my Success. For the scissors (Dollar Tree) with embellished blades- this is a little complicated in that you must create a pattern of the outside blades perfectly. Then using patterned paper, trace the blade patterns and glue them onto the blades using E6000 glue (Michaels) allowing it to dry for 24 hours. Next, using Dimensional Modge Podge coat the blades/paper (only one side- it takes another 24 hours to dry, then you can coat the other blade.) Sit the scissors balanced and flat so the Modge Podge does not run. I created a tag "You're A Cut Above" and put them in a clear cellophane bag. Next, I bought the small purse size lotion from Bath and Body Works- the type that you can get for a dollar at the checkout- and put them in small clear cellophane sacks with a Microsoft word created tag that said "You're a SCENTsational Teacher."

I decided to give each teacher a Matchbook notebook and cute pen. If you do not know what that is, I will explain: It is a notepad inside a cover that opens like a matchbook. I make them out of card stock and plain writing paper. This is a list of materials you will need:

decorative card stock for front cover
20 sheets of typing paper
Paper-Cutter
Padding Compound (I bought mine from the Chica and Jo website)
Velcro ( I use the stick on circles)
Thin paintbrush
2 Butterfly Clips
Optional- an embellishment for the cover

Step One

Measure the card stock to what ever dimension you want the notepad to be: In this example I cut a 3” x 8.5” strip but you could cut it and length of width you choose. Fold almost in half but leave a ¼” gap at the bottom so the bottom half hangs below. This is where you will put the Velcro to keep the book closed.

Step Two

Cut small stack of scrap paper 2 ½” wide by 3” high. ( or to fit the dimension of the front cover if you chose your own measurement)

Step Three

Place the strip of scrapbook paper on the table, position your pad of paper roughly 1-1/2 inches from the top edge and fold the paper over your pad at the top to create a crease.

Then fold the bottom edge up over the pad to create another crease.

Step Four

Using the butterfly clips, clamp the sheets together very close to the aligned top portion. Using the thin paintbrush, paint a strip of padding compound on the top of the typing sheets. Place the papers in the bottom edge you folded in step three. Release the butterfly clips and fold the bottom of the card stock up applying the butterfly clips to the bottom to keep the pages firmly attach and allow to dry. Usually 20 minutes is good.

Step 5

After drying, release the butterfly clips. Center and apply the fuzzy circle of Velcro to the outside bottom part of the notepad. The stiff circle is applied directly to the top of the fuzzy circle with the sticky side facing up. Next, fold the top portion of card stock down over the notepad and press it firmly onto the sticky side of Velcro. When lifted, the stiff Velcro will now be attached to the underside of the top portion of card stock and the notepad is complete. **Optional- If you wanted to embellish the front cover you can do so at this time. I added a paper flower sticker from the American Girl collection at Michaels.

For packaging as a gift, I put them in a clear cellophane bag, added the pen and tied a tag saying, “You’ve got the Write Stuff” with a ribbon.