Mini for a Friend

I made this mini for a SWEET friend's B-Day in June.  I had some chipboard (circle) beer coasters and wanted to do something with it.  So, here's what I did.  Even made a matching gift bag to go with it (using a white paper lunch bag).  Quick and simple.  When I say quick, I mean a week of stressing out.  Thinking if it's good enough for her.  I'm not anal or a perfectionist (couldn't be even if I tried) but man! Things sure take me a long time to finish.

Gifts for Teacher Friends

I like to give a little of something to my teacher friends on the first day of school.  It’s fun for me to make and I hope it’s fun for those who receives it ;D 

I filled these little purse things with a decorated sticky note pad, sticky note cover, binder clips, some circle punched whiteboard magnets, clear rock magnets and Chocolates.  If they don't like the teacher stuff, they'll at least like the chocolates.  Everyone likes chocolate, Right?.  Well, except for me.  I don't care for it, but I love receiving it so I could give it away to my kids or students :)

I had a stencil for this box.  So I traced and cut out about 9 of these things.

I kept hearing about "Pinterest" through blogs.  So, one boring July day, I decided to investigate and find out what it was.  Well, if you don't know what "Pinterest" is.  You too, have to check it out.  I LOVE Pinterest.  It's like, my very own humongous personal flash drive online.  I can save any great ideas I find online - all on one file.  Mine.  You can categorize your findings however you want.  I have a special one just for gifts for teachers and friends.  I have been soooo inspired by so many.  I don't have the time to sit and think of creative things (or it could just be that I'm not that creative. Period ).  But, some of these teacher gifts are from those very talented people.  You can find some examples of the note pads from Kerry's Paper Crafts, OR Next to Heaven. Follow me HERE on Pinterest if you too want to be inspired.

As for these binder clips, you just simply cut the paper to fit the clip and then glue.

Some more post it note pads

This was a last minute present I put together for my son's new teacher's first day of school gift.  I saw this idea from some very talented ladies on eighteen25.

Can't leave my students out.  I wrapped up pencils, stencils, stickers, erasers, hard candy that can last all year, and some mini toys for their birthday gift on their special day.  I made enough for those kids' whose birthdays are in the summer.  They will receive their's then.

Getting Ready for School!

Here I am trying to think of ways to make my classroom look beautiful before school starts.  Every year I try to get as many bulletin boards and little décor in the classroom done as I can before the first day.  If you’re a teacher, you know why.  Once school starts – there is NO time for anything it seems.  Here are some little things I did to try and help me stay organized throughout the year (I hope it will work).  First up my math bulletin board title. I used my cricut to cut out the letters and then added some dazzles. 

Next, I made a little cover for my math note box.  I was actually able to send my math notes for the next school year to the print shop before school ended and needed to put it somewhere neat.

I also made a cover for my supply container.

Last, I had some containers I bought from Michael's for $0.29.  Put a simple bow on it.  Filled it up with paper clips, binder clips and push pins for easy access when needed.  It's placed on a shelf by the white board.



Autumn Fun mini album

For this mini album I used a digital scrapbooking website called "smilebox" to put the pictures together.  In case you haven't heard.  This program is great!  Especially, if you don't have any time for scrapbooking, but lots of pictures to organize into pretty pages.  Smilebox has digital layouts already put together.  All you have to do is choose which theme/holiday/event you want and start dragging pictures in the slots given.  It is free, however, you could choose to upgrade to get more layouts to choose from. 

When you're done putting pictures in- it'll ask if you want to save it, print it or send it to a store to print for you.  You can even share the pictures in facebook.  I usually just print it right then.  With this mini, I cutted out the 8 X 10 pictures and glued it on chipboards to make it more sturdy.  Hole punched the sides - add ribbons and viola! Done!

Sorry for the glare.  It was late at night so I had to use the flash.

Minnie Mouse Mini

I had a Minnie Mouse theme for my youngest daughter's 3rd birthday.  Her polka dot dress was hot pink as well as all the decorations.  I wanted to make a mini album with her birthday pictures using Mickey Mouse's head.  I used the Disney font cricut cartridge to cut out the heads on chipboards.

My friend Mary actually made the two cupcakes.  It was part of the decoration banner.  It's just so cute so I added it into the mini.  She also made the invitations for me.  Thanks Mary!

Of course all I have left to do is put in her birthday pictures.