Reading, Writing, and Appreciation

Today kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week. I don't think anyone would argue that everyday should be Teacher Appreciation Day but I'm glad we have a week where everyone can join in unison and do something extra special for our teachers.

I was honored to be asked to create two FavorCakes for the teachers at Scottville Elementary in Michigan. I can't wait to hear how their celebration goes and will post an update on the blog.

In the meantime, here are some clever and tasty ideas from SkiptomyLou.org to say thank you.

• "You are out of this world" tag attached to a Milky Way or Mars candy bar
• "You deserve an extra payday!" tag attached to a Payday candy bar
• "There is no 'sub'stitute for you!" tag attached to a gift card for the local sub shop
• "You are 'extra' special" tag with a pack of Extra Gum
• "We appreciate the 'mounds' of work you do!" tag attached to a Mounds candy bar
• "Thanks a 'latte'!" tag with a gift card from local coffee shop, special coffees or travel mug
• "You are 'souper'! - soup mix, custom decorated soup bowls or homemade soup
• "You are a 'treasure' tag with Treasures candy
• "You are the apple of our eye" with a basket of apples (construction paper leaves with nice sayings---A+ teacher, you're special etc. can be hot glued to the stems)
• "You are 'tea'rrific!" tag with a selection of teas
• "You deserve a 'break' today! Thanks for your hard work" tag with a Fast-Break candy bar or McDonald's gift certificates
• "You are a smart cookie" tag with homemade cookies
• "Thanks for a 'picture' perfect year" tag with movie coupons or nice picture frame
• "You are o'fish'ally the best!" tag attached to Goldfish Crackers
• "We are fortunate to have you!" tag with a Chinese take out box filled with fortune cookies
• "You are a joy!" tag attached to an Almond Joy candy bar
• "You rock!" tag with pop rocks, rock candy, Rock Star soft drink or painted rock for a paperweight
• "We are 'nuts' about you!" tag attached to some nuts
• "You are worth more than a 100 grand to Blake!" tag attached to a 100 Grand candy bar
• "You 'mint' so much to us this year" tag attached to some mints
• "You were 'mint' to be a teacher!" tag attached to some mints
• "You are an 'amazing' teacher" tag attached to an Amazing candy bar

For more Teacher Appreciation gift ideas, visit SkiptomyLou.org

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How Ya Like Them Apples?

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7 and fast approaching. Today I thought I'd share some fabulous handmade gifts on Etsy.com that bring a whole new meaning to the saying "An Apple a Day. . ."

a.b.c.

d. e.f.

g.h. i.

j.k.l.


a. Mosaic Apple from halvorsons
b. Apples Turquoise Stone Fruit on Leverback from polishedtwo
c. Apple love x Brooch from PolishedFish
d. An Apple A Day Keeps Teacher's Away Keychain from ButterflyGem
e. Apple A Day Fabric Stationary Set from Lockette
f. BooBoo Red & Blue Apples For You Large Market Tote Bag from BadkittyHawaii
g. 10 Plantable Note Card Set w/Parsley Herb Seed Paper from GreetingsthatGrow
h. I is for INSPIRE - Scrabble Tile Pendant from designsbyappletree
i. Apple Jacket in Berrylicious with Lime Green & Dark Pink Button from Handamade
j. Red Apple Dot Tissue Cozy from bagsbymelanie
k. Happy Apple 1 Inch Pinback Button from Buttonhead
l. Denim Coffee Cozy - Apple from TiffanyMagee

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Party Favor Friday: Flip Flop Invitations & Gift Bags

On Monday I introduced the Rock-A-Hula-Luau FavorCake for those outdoor Summer parties. So to continue in the luau spirit check out these colorful flip flop invitations from TopPartyIdeas.com

Here are the supplies you'll need:

Colorful grosgrain ribbon
Flower embellishments
Colored card stock in orange, hot pink, and turquoise
Lime colored envelopes
Scissors
Glue (white or glue gun)
Ruler
Hole puncher (single standard)
Magnetic strip tape (optional)

Step 1. Measure your envelope first then cut the turquoise card stock about 1/2″ smaller in length and width than the envelope. After that cut the orange card stock about 1/2″ smaller in length and width than the turquoise.

Step 2. Trace an outline of a flip flop on a piece of card stock. Cut out the shape using the hot pink paper. Punch a hole on the top of the flip flop. String two 2-3" pieces of ribbon through the hole and secure with glue. Secure the ends of the ribbon to each side of the flip flop at the bottom. Decorate the flip flop with your flower embellishment.

Step 3. Layer the hot pink flip flop, orange card stock, and turquoise card stock according the photo and secure each layer with glue.

Step 4. Once your design is complete you can print up the party details onto another sheet of paper or card stock and glue it to the back of your invitation.

I loved this idea so much that I used it to create a custom gift bag and a small gift sac. Both bags are a great personalized option for holding presents, treats, and party favors.

Mahalo and please join me next Friday for a new party favor craft. Have a great weekend.

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Everyone Deserves a Medal

Each week I'll share some ideas and cool finds for party favors and this week is all about medals. If you think they're just for sporting events, think again.

We just celebrated my daughter's 4th birthday this past weekend and I included these Olympic style medals from our local Wal-Mart in the guests' favor boxes. They were a big hit! The kids loved wearing them and showing them off to each other and their parents.






If you're planning a party with lots of activities for the kids this 24 pack of Little Champs Award Medals from PartyCity.com could double as both prizes and favors for all of the participants. What child wouldn't love getting one of these colorful medallions that says "You're a Star".







For the slightly older and "cooler" guest list, check out the Rock Star ribbons from OrientalTrading.com. Be sure to add these to the "celebrity" gift bags for your teen's Hannah Montana, Guitar Hero, or Rock Band party.









Also from OrientalTrading.com are Design Your Own! Medals and very affordable I might add at $9.99 for a set that includes 2 dozen medals with 36" ribbons and 4 dozen paper inserts. With a little creativity and possibly the help of your computer you can create custom medals to fit any party theme.


Hope these ideas have sparked a little medal inspiration. Join me next week for more party favor ideas and cool finds.

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Rock-A-Hula-Luau!

Being a child of the 80's I found myself humming the song ♫ Rock-A-Hula-Luau ♫ from the movie Grease 2 while working on this latest FavorCake. The song title means "Summer is Coming" as the kids celebrated the end of the school year with a luau.

I had fun with this creation. I love bright colors and made sure this FavorCake would make a vibrant centerpiece for an outdoor celebration in the sun.

This design offers twelve tropical party favor boxes tied together with raffia and a tiny summer flip flop. The cake topper features a refreshing coconut drink, a must have for any luau.

Be sure to check out our upcoming Party Favor Friday post as we show you how make luau theme invitations and gift bags.

ALOHA!

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Party Favor Friday: Pretty Paper Teapots

Tea parties have to be one of the greatest past times for a child. You can get dressed up, sit down all your friends (even if it's the stuffed kind) and serve them the best imaginary tea ever made.

My oldest girl loves playing tea party and also loves doing crafts so I was delighted to find this paper teapot project on the DisneyFamily.com website. With a few basic supplies and decorative scrapbook paper, you and your little hostess can create your own pretty teapots.

This is a fun activity to include during a princess or tea theme party. Set up a crafting station where each guest can decorate their own teapot and take them home as party favors.


Here's the finish product from me and my little crafter.

On a scale from one to five I would rate this craft a 4 1/2. It's super easy to put together and the color/pattern possibilities are endless. I will admit it's a little hard to get the teapots to stand on their own but you could easily lean them against some type of base.

Join us again next Friday as we feature a new party favor idea. Have a great weekend.

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One Crafter's Trash is Another Crafter's Treat Boxes

It's great to have friends in my life who are also talented crafters from scrapbooking, card making, diaper cakes, you name it. I enjoy checking out another friend's craft room seeing their past and current projects and the tools they use to construct them. It's also fun getting a phone call or email saying "Hey, I'm cleaning out my craft room and found some things I think you might like". To me, it's like a crafter's Christmas.

Recently, a good friend brought me a box full of scrapbook paper and embellishments she figured she'd never use again. Going through the box, I was immediately hit with inspiration when I came across some light green paper with white polka dots. If anyone knows me, they know I love polka dots and the green color is perfect for Spring. I'd also found some adorable pink and white paper flowers in the embellishments.

With my inspiration and my polka dotted paper it was time to sit down and create, or rather wait until both of my girls were asleep in bed so I could sit down and create :-) This is my finished project.

Six Spring theme gift boxes great for filling with small treats. These would also make cute favor boxes for a baby shower or Mother's Day luncheon. Now the question is, when am I going to clean out my craft room?

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