Teacher Treats

Yesterday was the Teacher Luncheon at the girls' school. The theme was Italian food and since that didn't especially lend itself to a stamping project, we decided to go with the Valentine's Day theme. These projects are adorable. It's a scallop square die cut that is scored on the third scallop on every side, then again on the diagonal. Punch a hole in each corner and then fold it up and tie with a ribbon. Perhaps a little time consuming, but worth it! We made the tag mostly on the computer...typed "We" and then left a space and added "You!" After they were printed and punched, we stamped a red heart in the middle so it looked like "We Love You!". Layered the words onto the scalloped oval and tied it in with the same ribbon. These treats will deceive you...they look so small, but actually hold quite a bit of candy! Let me know if you need more info. Happy Creating!

Valentine Bingo!

Laura's class really enjoyed playing Valentine Bingo at the party. When I made the game, it was a little bit of a challenge to come up with 75 different Valentine-ish images to use that fit in that small of space. I have a Christmas Bingo game and it made me think that it might be fun to do a birthday one or Halloween or all-occasion. I'm sure I have enough stamps to accomplish that...is it possible I have too many stamps???? NO, surely NOT! :)

More info about Laura's Party Favors

Here's how Laura's party favors were all packaged together. I used the Stampin' Up! large cello bags and made a quick topper using the Sprinkles stamp set and the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit die cut. Everyone always thinks it takes a long time to stamp the kids' names on the toppers...I've never timed myself, but it really doesn't take very long at all. I love doing things for the kids in Laura's class...they are always so appreciative!

Here's the rest of the info on the Hershey sliders. The project just takes a little card stock and some ribbon. You could adapt this project for anything...it isn't specifically for full size Hershey bars. Just wrap whatever item you want with card stock, fold into place and set aside to decorate. Then, take ribbon and wrap it long-ways around the item. I used lots of ribbon because I wanted a full bow. You could get away with a lot less if you just simply tied a knot. After the ribbon is in place, take the decorated card stock and wrap around item and adhere card stock to card stock--do not tape on the item. That's all there is to it! You pull on the ribbon/bow and the item slides right out of the card stock. Very fun! It is always hard to write directions to a craft, so if this isn't clear just email me or call me! Happy Creating!

Laura's Valentine Party Favors

These were the treats I made for Laura's class party favors. The top photo of the hearts is a full size Hershey bar in a slider package. I'll give more directions on that in a later post. The hearts with scallop circles use the Sweet Treats cups filled with M&Ms. I also made pencil holders. These are different and EASY...way easier than ones I've made in the past. I simply die cut the Top Note Die and then wheeled it with hearts and folded it in half around the pencils. I used quite a bit of adhesive to keep it tight and make the pencils stay together. I have several patterns to use for pencil holders, but this one is definitely the one at the top of the list now...quick and easy is always my favorite!!

Valentine Centerpiece

Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" like some flowers! I made these daisies by cutting out four layers of Daisy Die Cut #2 with the Big Shot. Looking down from the top is a layer of Real Red, then Pretty in Pink, then Regal Rose and finally a small layer of white just to hold them all in place. There is a green "leaf" that has a Valentine message on it. All the tootsie pop sticks are stuck in floral foam that has been covered with green basket fill. The container is a silver rectangular box that I use for everything...I originally bought it for displaying the paper clip flowers we made for the teachers last spring, but since then I've used it for a variety of other purposes. I made this particular display for Laura's class party...it was the centerpiece on the food table.

Valentine's for Friends

The girls made their Valentine's to give their friends by using the old favorite envelope Valentine's. These are so easy and such fun to make. You start by licking the envelope closed and then cutting it in half. Stamp and decorate the top section and then I usually wheel the bottom before I run them through my crimper. The crimper makes the bottom just slightly smaller, so that it fits nicely back inside the top half. We put Welch's Fruit Snacks in them this year. The snack size M&Ms work nicely too. Other than the stamping, Laura made hers entirely by herself. She was so proud that she thought to sponge the edge...if you look closely you can see it. Her blue design was for the boys; the green ones were for girls. The backside has the "Happy Valentine's Day" and "to/from" on it. I had to help Ellen just a little, but she did all the coloring...and she did a GREAT job!

More Valentine's for Ellen

I love Valentine's Day! It's such a fun and happy holiday! The girls were excited about picking out what kind of treats I'd make to send to their classes. I'm not finished with Laura's yet, but here is everything for Ellen's class. Ellen is very much into rainbows this year, so it was fun to incorporate lots of colors with the hearts. The Love Bug pencils are adorable! It took awhile to punch out all the pieces and then make the holes to work the pencils through, but it was worth it! And, finally, the tags for the goody bags...would you believe that I made them all and then accidentally touched my inky finger to one of them...yep, it was Ellen's! She said it was okay, though. :) I'm off to stamp Valentine Bingo for Laura's class. Hopefully I'll have it posted later today. Have a great day!!

Ellen's Valentine Box

I know it's been awhile since I lasted posted anything. I'm going to try hard to be better at posting frequently. I've been busy stamping so I have lots of projects I could post!

Tonight Ellen and I tackled the Valentine box for school. She was very excited about making it. She's very crafty and creative...all the ideas were hers! I did the die cutting, stamping, and adhesive. She did all the color selection, design layout and punching. We had lots of fun working together, and I must admit her Valentine box is VERY cute! I'll post more projects that I'm doing for her class in the next couple of days.

Chris and I had lunch today at Tang's Pacific Bistro--definitely one of our favorite spots--and my fortune cookie said, "Your business will assume vast proportions." We laughed and Chris joked that when I got home the answering machine would have an order for 1000 Valentines on it. Well, the machine did have a stamping request...14 invitations to the New Member Dinner at St. Paul...so while it's not exactly 1000 Valentine's I guess I should get busy. My plan is to have them in the mail tomorrow so it might be a late night!