TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS #1 & #2

The boys' Elementary school is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week this week.  Our fabulous PTA sent out a theme for each day to help parents with ideas.  Monday was 'bring your teacher flowers' day.  Typically I would jump right on the flower bandwagon, it is Spring after all, but this year a veered off the path a little. 

I found these colorful watering cans at Target and couldn't resist them.

Although they are quite cute on their own I decided they needed a little something.  I used my Silhouette to make some vinyl letters, added them to the watering cans and presto! 

Now they have something cute to water all of the beautiful flowers they received (and this won't die).

Today is 'bring your teacher supplies' day.  Since I am all about giving the teachers things that are cute and useful, these stamps were just perfect.

These cute stamps came from Pick Your Plum.  I added an ink pad and some blank note cards to complete. 

You can see the Teacher Appreciation gifts we gave last year

here, here, here, here, here.

Smiles~Beth

GIFTS FOR TEACHERS (MUGRUGS)

It's no secret how much I appreciate the teachers in my boys' lives (you can can read about more gift ideas here).  Since this is the season of giving I wanted to make them a little something to show that appreciation.  I decided on mugrugs, I think they are so stinking cute (and useful too!).  I had fun choosing fabrics for each teacher. I tried to use some of their favorite colors.

Fabrics used are Chrysalis, Kona Stone & Kona Artichoke

Fabrics used are Make Life by Sweetwater and Kona Artichoke

Fabrics used are Denyse Schmidts line for JoAnns & Sunkissed by Sweetwater

Fabrics used are Hullabaloo and Kona Cardinal

Fabrics are from random lines in my stash.  Binding is Kona Cardinal

Fabrics used are Half Moon & Kona Cardinal 
I used Amy from Diary of a Quilter's quick Table Runner Tutorial to put this one together.  I loved how simple and fast it was.  I will definately be using this method again soon!  I also used Amanda Jean's "one way to machine~bind a quilt" tutorial for all of the bindings.  Thanks Amy & Amanda Jean!

 I rolled these little mug rugs up and added them to an adorable basket I got from thirty~one, along with a favorite drink, a favorite snack & a 'keep it warm/cold' cup (it was super cute all put together, wish I had taken a pic...oops!).

 

Did you spoil your child's teacher this Christmas?  If so, please share in a comment.  I am always looking for new ways to show our appreciation for all of the time they give our boys. 

 

Smiles~Beth

 

A GIFT FOR TEACHER

The boys started school today (post here).   We wanted to start the year off right with a little gift for their teachers.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and loved it right away!

Who knew a simple vase, some pencils (48 to be exact), vinyl, cello wrap and a little ribbon could be so cute! 

Unfortunately, the middle monster (Sam) broke his teacher's gift while waiting for the bus.  (Yeah, I couldn't believe it either).  So, I am off to the $ store to get another vase and get it up to the school before the end of the day. 

Linking up to:


Smiles
~Beth

A GIFT FOR TEACHER & A FABRIC CARD

I know it's summer time but I honestly just got this end~of~school gift sent off to the boys' teachers (such a slacker!).  Thought I would share it now so you can get your cameras ready for when school starts next month.  I don't know about you but summer seems to be going by way to fast around here!

During the school year I took pictures at school holiday parties and field trips.  I also snatched a photo of each student.  At the end of the school year I asked each student to tell me what their favorite part of being in that teacher's class was.  Each child has their own page.  I added a couple of pages in the middle of random pics and at the end I included a poem about Teachers.  The front cover of the book is a class picture I had taken during the year and the back cover is a picture I took of my son with his teacher on the first day of school (ya know, so she doesn't forget who the book is from).

I sent this simple fabric card along with the photo book and mailed it off.

You can easily make your own with some card stock (I used blank cards I picked up at Michael's) and a piece of scrap fabric.  Just cut your scrap fabric to the same size as the front of your card (mine is approximately 3" x 5") and then attach it to your card with a glue stick.  (Optional~I used a 1/4" seam and sewed a straight line around the card).  Super easy, cute and personal.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Hope you have a super fun Friday!

Smiles
~Beth

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: GIFT 5

Today is the last day of Teacher Appreciation week gifts.  The boys were asked to write a letter or draw a picture to their teacher.  Nathan wrote a poem to his teacher which will be compiled into a book (made by a fellow 5th-grade parent) and Sam made a top 5 list of why his teacher ROCKS.   They both did a great job expressing their appreciation.  I am so proud of them!

I wanted to give the Teachers a little something too.  I think these sum up how I feel about them...

I had this free download printed at Wal-Mart (You could easily make one yourself using any photoshop program and print it at home, I was just being lazy & I am almost out of ink!).  While I was there I picked up a couple simple wood frames and then spray painted them red (Be sure to allow yourself enough drying time). 

Well, this concludes the gifts but definately doesn't end our appreciation for the wonderful Teachers in our lives.  Thanks to all of the Teachers out there!  You deserve so much more!

Smiles
~Beth

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: GIFT 4

Happy Thursday!  We are still celebrating our Teachers!  Today's theme is "donate a book for the classroom".  Such a great idea!  I wasn't sure what kinds of books the teachers needed to I was going to get them gift cards.  The boys weren't happy about that idea so we headed to the book store and I let each of them pick a new book to donate.  It was so much fun watching them pick out books for their classrooms.  They were so excited.  You woulda thought I took them to the candy store! 

Although I really LOVE the idea of giving a book to the class I still wanted to do a little something just for the teachers.  I have also been wanting to try my hand at etching glass.  I put both thoughts together and came up with this...

I had to put some fabric in the glass so you could see the monogram better.

I bought a 4-pack of glass tumblers at Target, grabbed some glass etching cream at Michael's and put my Silhouette to work for me once again.

Paired with a favorite drink, I think the boys' teachers will enjoy this little something.

You could also make these for each member of your family or give a full set as a wedding/shower gift.  Oh, the possibilities!

Smiles
~Beth 

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: GIFT 3

Today the boys were asked to wear their teacher's favorite color to school...green. 

A fellow 5th-grade parent came up with the idea of making a shirt for Mrs. T to wear as well (thanks, Patsy!).  I absolutely loved the idea and happily offered to make a shirt for her.

I loved the way it turned out so I made one for all of the boys' teachers!

I purchased the shirts at Hobby Lobby and prewashed them before I got started.  I used heat transfer t-shirt vinyl that I had on hand (ordered from Expressions Vinyl).  And, of course, I use my Silhouette to cut the vinyl shapes.  I hope they like them as much as I do!

Don't worry if you don't have a Silhouette, you can still easily make a shirt like this by using printable heat transfer sheets (also found at your local craft store), scissors and some clip art. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

Smiles
~Beth

*So happy to have received an e-mail from Sam's 2nd grade teacher this morning saying "I have to tell you - I LOVE my t-shirt.  It is my favorite shirt of all time.  I am changing into it my first chance today and I will wear it until I wear it out!  Thank you so much!".  You're welcome, Mrs. W!  You deserve SO much more!

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: GIFT 2

Today's idea for Teacher Appreciation Week was to send some supplies the teacher could use in the classroom.  

I completely stole this idea from Eighteen25....thanks girls!!  All items came from Wal-Mart (even the box).  You gotta love 1-stop shopping! 

One of my readers shared this great idea with me yesterday.  Very cute, you should definately check it out.  Thanks, Jamie!

If you haven't had a chance to pick up your child's teacher a gift this week or just don't have the funds, don't worry, it's only Tuesday & teachers enjoy a homemade card just as much :)  Grab some paper, crayons, scissors and a glue stick to see what magic your child can create!

Smiles

~Beth

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: GIFT 1

There are lots of great gift ideas out in blogland for Teacher appreciation week like this, this and this.

The head room rep from our Elementary School sent out some ideas for each day of the week.  Monday is "bring your teacher a flower" day.

Very simple to put together.  I got the Gerbera daisies and cute striped pots at Wal-Mart.  I had the ribbon and colored card stock on hand.  I used a 3" hole punch for the circles and my Silhouette for the "thank you".

I will be back tomorrow to share gift #2.  Do you have any fun, easy Teacher appreciation gift ideas?

I hope everyone is enjoying their Monday!

Smiles
~Beth

A SWEET LITTLE TEACHER'S GIFT

We really love our boys' teachers and appreciate how hard they work each day.  I mean, let's face it, they spend more waking hours with our children during the week than we do.  My oldest son's teacher had a birthday this week so we got her a little something to celebrate HER.  Noone's birthday is complete without a special treat.  We picked up this scrumptious cupcake from Smallcakes...chocolate with classic vanilla icing...yummy!

It came in it's very own little brown box.  Great for delivering but a little plain.

With help from my trusty Silhouette, I gave the little brown box some life...not bad in just over 5 minutes!

I was having so much fun playing creating with my Silhouette that I made a cute little pouch (pillow box) for her gift card.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Tindall!  Thanks for all you do!!!

Smiles

~Beth

P.S.  My blog will be getting a new look soon!  I am so excited!  Hope you will come visit again soon :)