Teacher Appreciation Gift ... Summer Bucket

Last on my list to do for the Teachers was suggested by the PTF to do a summer themed gift.  I found a cool idea for a Teacher Relaxation Bucket on Coffee Cups and Crayons.  I took her idea and ran with it!

What you need:

Bucket

Water Bottle

Flip Flops

Book

Straws w/ Flamingo

You can find most of these items at the Dollar Tree.  I ran out of time and would have added a fun printable, but as usual I ran out of time.  Add all your items to the bucket (easy carrying case).

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Teacher Appreciation Gift ... You Deserve a Hand

Next on the teacher appreciation gift we made was for Caden's teacher for the homemade card. I've seen this all over Pinterest, I can't find the original source for this so if you know please let me know.  

What you need:

Card Stock (Flesh Color if possible)

Lotion (Travel Size)

Scissors

Glue

Trace your kids hands on the card stock.  Cut out the hands and write your the message You deserve a Hand.  I wrote it in pencil and had Caden trace it with a pen and then erased the pencil.  I wrapped the hands around the lotion bottle and glued the sides to hold it together.

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Teacher Appreciation Gift ... You're Awesome to the Core!

Onto our next Teacher gift, another one that would be perfect any time of year even the end of the year gift.  I found a great post on Shaken Together for Fruit Filled Teacher's Gifts.  I used the Awesome to the Core one.

The PTF suggested fresh fruit for one of the days and this worked perfect.  So simple but so awesome!

What you need:

Apple

Cupcake Liner

Clear Bag

Ribbon

Card Stock

Wash your apple (I know it seems to be a no brainer but just in case).  Dry off apple, put the apple in a cupcake liner.  I used one that was a shiny silver to give it a little pop.  Put in a clear Bag, I find mine at the Dollar Tree 25 pack for $1.  They are the best I've come across so far.  I had some left over apple ribbon from a gift I made for a teacher last year.  I wanted to jazz up the printable a little so I took her idea and added on.  I did a Google Search for Clipart Apples and copied it into word document.  Added the wording and printed onto a 5x7 cardstock paper I had on hand.  I punched a hole with my hole punch and added to the ribbon on the bag.

Take less than 5 minutes to make but so cute!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Summer Time .. Too Hot for Coffee - Try it in Lotion or a Scrub

Oh Coffee how I miss thee .. I'm on Week 3 of my new diet and no coffee, yes I think I may die (just joking).  My amazing women's group leader at church had a birthday last week.  She is a Starbucks junky.  I wanted to do something fun for her birthday.  I have already made her the Coffee Lover's Gift (see picture at bottom of post with link) as a thank you gift for all she does for our group.  I then came across a really cool idea to make a Coffee Scrub and a Coffee Lotion on The Cheapskate Mom's Website. 

Super easy to make and I think it turned out GREAT and as you may know by now I'm all about the unique gift that you had to put thought into and swear this had all those check marks!

First I made the Coffee Scrub

What you need:

A Cup & Lid (I went to Starbucks and asked for gave to me for free)

1 1/2 Cups of Coffee Grinds

1/2 Cup Salt

3 tbs body Oil (I used Baby Oil / Mine was more like 6 Tbs)

Pour coffee in cup, add salt and body oil.  I found it was easier to put in a large mixing bowl then add back to the cup.  I didn't want anything to come out the straw hole on the lid so I took a little hot glue to the top and bottom of the hole. 

Next I made the Coffee Lotion

What you Need:

Cup with Lid (Again Starbucks gave to me for free)

Lotion (I bought plain but couldn't find so used a scented one)

6 Tbs Strong Coffee (I used a little too much and it was be watery)

Pump (I went to dollar Tree bought a soap and then used the pump only)

Brew a strong cup of coffee, let it cool.  I found it easier to put the lotion and coffee in a mixing bowl to mix then to add to the Starbucks cup.  Make sure it is mixed well.  Insert the pump into the hole in the lid.  I took my hot glue gun to glue the pump down to the lid.

This was a very simple gift to make but perfect for that coffee lover in your life.

Check out the Coffee Lover's Gift Also

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Gift For Other's ... Photo Memory Box (Or Jewelry Box)

This was a really cool gift I made for my mom with some new photos I had done of the family.  I found an idea for a Photo Planter on Real Housemoms.  WELL let's just say the photo planter I did turned out like crap.  I used a round terracotta planter and the photos wouldn't stick with the mod podge.  I tried using spray adhesive it was a royal mess.  The photo planter turned out ok but wasn't what I was wanting to do so plan B came to me.  I hit up Michael's to find oval Paper Mache Box Set, PERFECT.  I've very happy with how this one turned out. 

What you Need:

Photos (I did the same and turned them into B&W)

Mod Podge

Paint

Sponge Brush

Corner Cutter (optional)

Ribbon

Clear Acrylic Spray

Hot Glue Gun 

I painted my box with 2 coats of paint since my photo's wouldn't cover all the bank space.  I had some ivory on hand that worked perfect.
Cut photos to fit and cover the box (I used a corner cutter for the ones on the top of the box).Put mod podge on the back of a photo and place on the box (Repeat with each photo).Apply mod podge on top of every picture.Let dry and apply one more coat of mod podge.Let it dry.Cut your ribbon to fit around the outside of the lid of box (I used my glue gun you can do the whole mod podge steps like with photos but I'm a Let's Get it Done Girl so I glued the sucker down).Spray the whole planter with clear acrylic spray to remove any stickiness.

It was a pretty simple thing to do when I used the paper mache box.  Let me tell you the terracotta planter I tried first took hours and I was almost in tears when the photos wouldn't stay down!  You could use this as a gift for jewelry or like what I'm doing putting new photos in there as the gift for a memory box.  The box set came with 3 boxes I may just have to make myself one too!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Gifts For Others .... Father's Day Bottle Label's & Tags

I know I'm a little late on this idea, but with Caden's Mickey Mouse Birthday Party, I'm a little behind.  This is a simple gift that turned a normal gift of beer into something special.  My dad is a special guy, being an only child I was the daddy's little girl.  For many years it was just the two of us and he would work crazy night shifts to be with me during the day.  He is also one of those guys that has everything.  If he doesn't have it he would have bought it for himself.  But I do know how he loves a good beer.  When I saw this fun idea to dress up bottles of beer I knew it would be perfect.  I found this free template on Botanical Paperworks for fathers day but I've found several on a Google search that can be used for any special day.

What you need:

Free printable downloaded

Card stock paper

Glue or double-sided tape

Twine

Scissors / Paper Cutter

Hole punch

Print the download on  card stock.  Be careful and cut each tie and bottle wrap out.  I took a hole punch on the tie and used twine to attach to the neck of the bottle.  I found double-sided tape was the easiest to attach the label to the bottle.  After done put all the bottles back in and you have a great gift!

Tada easy and a special gift for the special dad.

It sure brought a smile to my dad's face.

This year Dad and I even shared the day, my bday landed on Father's Day.

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Gift's For Others ... We Love You to Pieces

A few weeks back was the end of the volunteer time for the kids youth group, most groups don't go through the summer.  My women's group goes all year round, so the kids group is very small and doesn't have all the volunteer's like it does during the other time of year.  

I wanted to do something special for those men and women that come in each Wednesday and play and teach the kids (believe me it's not an easy thing handling 30+ kids).  I had some Reese's Pieces that I had left over from a baking project.  So I went on a search to find a thank you gift that had "piece's" in it to tie it in together.  I found this FREE printable on Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives.  Her free printable went perfect with the little bag of Reese'sPieces that I put together.

What You Need:

Reese's Pieces (I buy in bulk section at Winco)

Small Clear Plastic Bags (50pk $1 at Dollar Tree)

White Cardstock Paper

Inkjet Printer

Download her FREE Printable

Stapler or whole punch w/ Ribbon (or twine like I did)

Fill small bags with Reese's Pieces, I evenly separated out with the number of bags I was doing.  She had it set up with four per page, with was perfect!  I printed on cardstock and then took my paper trimmer to trim the four cards.  I took a whole punch and punched two holes and ran some twine through to tie the bags.  I didn't have any ribbon that would match so twine it was.  You should have seen the faces of the volunteers, it was wonderful to brighten their day.  This was such a simple gift but it had so much meaning and a big thanks to those wonderful people that put up with our kids on a Wednesday night when you know they are cranky and not wanting to hang out and do studies at 7p to 8p at night.

I hope you make this for someone special!

Brighten someone's day!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Teacher Appreciation Gift ... Thank you for helping us grow

Next on my list to do is actually one that I put together for our PTF president that is stepping down.  I wanted to do something memorable and something she could look back on years to come with a smile.  I saw several thumb print tree's for weddings but then I came across Plum Adorable that has a FREE printable if you don't want it personalized.  It is saved as a 8x10 but I took it to a print shop and had it blown up to a 11x17 since I wanted EVERY kid in the school put a thumb print on it.  We have 4 classrooms (K-8) around 80+ kids.  I gave each classroom a different color ink pad and then we had each kid put their init's below their thumb print.  

This is off her site, two colors to choose from.

This is the FREE non-personalized version

I also purchased one with that has Caden's Kindergarten teacher's name on it.  Plum Adorable was very kind and added a bible verse I wanted on there at no extra charge.  (I'll show this one later when I get all the Kindergartner's thumb prints on it).  

Supplies

Thank You for Helping us Grow Printable (Free or Personalized for $12)

Ink Pad

Pen to write name or init's

Frame and Mat (I found mine at Ross $14.99)

Steps

1. IF you don't buy the personalized one (which is mailed to you), you need to print the template.  As I said above you can blow up to a 11x17 with out it looking pixelated).
2. Press thumb into the ink pad and then press onto the tree, we stuck around or on the flowers so the thumb's looked like leaves.
3. Add name or initials depending on the # of thumb prints.
4. You can write a note on print or the mat if you would like. (optional)
5. After all dry, put in a matted frame.

This really is my favorite thing I've made!

I can't wait to see the kindergarten Class one done.


Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Teacher Appreciation Gift ... You've got the "WRITE" stuff!

For Cole's teacher I wanted to do something that was more manly ... LOL you can only give a guy teacher so many things for the classroom.  I found this easy vase glued with pencils on The Blackberry Vine.   She has a free printable that is so cute but I ran out of time when I was making this, I so wish I had printed it!  I also used ribbon I had on hand but her's is so much cutier but again I'm going with manly.  I filled his pencil vase full of snack size candy bars.

Supplies:

Glass Vase (Pick up Dollar Store)

2 1/2 boxes Pencils (Dollar Store - Around 37 pencils)

Ribbon (You can find School themed at Micheal's or plain at Dollar Store)

Wood Dye Cut School Themed (found at Micheal's)

Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

2-3 bags Mini Candy Bar's (Dollar Store has name brand candy, I've seen flowers and other things also.)

Steps:

1. Take a pencil and put a strip of hot glue on it and then glued it down to the vase.  (I made sure the pencil label was the glue side, also make sure straight mine was a little crooked).
2. Once all pencil's glued on tie a ribbon around it (I wish I used a thicker ribbon).
3. Hot glue down some wood dye cuts on the pencils.  
4. Fill to the brim with mini candy bars.

Another super easy Idea that is great thoughtful gift!


Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea ... Crayon Wreath

We celebrated Teacher Appreciation week about 3 weeks ago but I was in Star War's party mode and not able to post any of these.  I saw on Scrapping West a Crayon Wreath and just had to do it for Caden's Kindergarten teacher.  This was a pretty simple craft to make.  The only thing that I didn't do that would have been helpful was to line out the crayons to make sure I had enough.  I didn't have enough crayon's at first and had to open up another 2 boxes so I had to peel off a few crayons and that wasn't pretty ... lol.  I also skipped the embroidery hoops, I picked up a circle form they had at Micheal's that worked perfect and was so much cheaper too!  I ran out of town and didn't get to write her name on the wood apple I put on the wreath.  I may sneak into her room before the end of the school year and add it ... hehe.

Supplies:

• 1 -8" embroidery hoop
• 1 -12" embroidery hoop
• Alexis Note: I found a Wire Circle at Micheal's instead.
• 3 boxes of 24 ct. crayons (Alexis Note: my circle was larger I used 5 boxes)
• 1 roll of 3/8" craft ribbon
• 1 wide ribbon piece for the hanger (Alexis Note: I skipped)
• various die cuts ie Wooden apple cut out (Alexis Note: I found pre-painted one's at Micheal's)
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• paint pens (for name)

Steps:

1. unscrew the screw from both hoops and hot glue the ends together
2. paint the hoops desired color
1. Alexis Note: I used a wire circle that was already green so no unscrewing and no painting!
3. lay all crayons on the hoop in the desired color order. This helps with placement when you begin to glue them all down.
1. Alexis Note: I skipped this and regretted it, make sure to do it!!
4. glue down each crayon. Make sure that all crayons are facing the same way, makes it look nicer.
5. Thread craft ribbon in and out at the top of crayons and again at the bottom. Tie a knot behind the crayon to keep the ribbon tight.
1. Alexis Note: I skipped the ribbon looping in and out. 
6. Attach die cuts with hot glue. 
1. Alexis Note: I skipped but you can laminated if you want.
7. Tie large bow at the top making sure you leave a long enough loop to hang the wreath. You can add hot glue for reinforcement on the hoop.

This was a super easy project, just be careful you don't burn your fingers from the glue gun.  And let it set up before moving it!  I made this mistake and a few crayon's fell off! I had to do a quick re-glue and go!

Hope you all have a wonderful day and were able to relax some this weekend.

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Thank You Gift ... Easy Lemon Sugar Scrub

My new obsession is blog hops it's like Pinterest on over drive of ideas of things to do.  I have been hitting blogs pinning and commenting like a mad woman.  NOW if ONLY the people I comment on their blogs would come back here and comment ... but that complaint is for another day.

A few weeks back I found this Easy Lemon Sugar Scrub on The Benson Street's blog.  I have to say I LOVE LOVE people who include FREE printables and she did for this project.   This was a very simple thing to make and it made my friend smile which meant the world to me.  I initually saved this project to do as a Teacher Appreciation gift, but my amazing friend the other night took Caden home with her for the night!  This is his first time by himself over night and he was very excited.  He even went to church with them, he was very excited that their church sang and dance like ours ... lol.  That was a requirement of his for him to go ... hehe.

I wanted to give her a thank you for being so generous and taking him over night.  I just knew this would be perfect for her and when I gave it to her so was so excited and said she loves scrubs!  Score for me!!

What you Need:

1. Olive Oil
2. Sugar
3. Lemon Essential Oil (this is great to get rid of kitchen smells on your hands too)
4. Cute Mason Jars

Mix 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of oil. Add lemon essential oil around 10 to 15 drops.  Just smell and adjust it to your liking.

Divide among mason jars. Print tag from her website (she would like you follow to print). Tie with ribbon or baker’s twine and a fun paper lid cover (fabric would also work).  

ALEXIS NOTE: I used a piece of yellow foam that I cut the size of the mason jar and done!  I used a yellow piece of paper behind the print out (larger circle). USE cardstock I didn't have any on hand so I printed on nice white paper and then cut a bigger circle and glued it onto it.  It was still very thin and Cole accidentally tore it by the time we handed it to her (thankfully I took a picture before ... lol)..  I was able to pick up everything I needed except the Essential Oil at the Dollar Tree.  Yes they had mini mason jars!!  I hit up GNC to find the Lemon Essential Oil.  I've gone to several stores when I was making the bath bombs, that you can only find these oils at certain stores. Fred Meyers had it for $9.99 but GNC and Super Supplements both had for $4.99 each. 

Hope you all have an amazing week!  Thanks for stopping by and commenting, it really means a lot and I promise it may take me a day or so but I'll be by and comment too.