Year End Teacher Gift

(Try as I may, I can't get my picture to rotate.  Sorry.)

I saw these cute decorated clipboards on Etsy as I was searching for a year end teacher gift.  I thought, "Eh, how hard could it be?", right?  I started with a pink plastic clip board I picked up at Staples.  Although I've read you can find cheap $1 that are brown at the Dollar Store.  Since the clip board was pink, however, I decided not to cover the back (it coordinated with my paper, and saved me time and supplies).

My first attempt to cover the board ended in disaster!  I used ScorTape to fasten the paper to the board, and started to apply Mod Podge in Matte finish.  UGH!  Immediately the paper began to bubble and wrinkle!  NOOOOOO!!!  I was yelling from the corner of my crafting space.  I think my husband thought I'd lost my mind.  I attempted to smooth the paper and thought that if I waited for it to dry, it'd lie flat again.  I think I waited about 15 min.  When that didn't happen I painfully pealed the paper from the clipboard and discarded it.  This was killer because this paper has been discontinued and I only had a couple sheets of it.  Ahhh!!!

After weighing my options and deciding I'd try again, I cleaned my space and crossed my fingers.
Here's the secret:
Apply a THIN coat of Mod Podge to the clip board - THEN apply the paper.  I worked one section of paper at a time.  I used an old plastic card that's for applying vinyl to walls to smooth out the paper.  Although, honestly, there were no bubbles (probably because the MP was a thin coat).  After all my paper was on the board I continued to smooth everything down with the card and made sure all the edges were affixed.

Then, you have to wait.  I wanted to be sure the glue was dry, so I waited almost 24 hours before I put the first coat of MP on TOP of the paper.  Make sure this is a thin layer as well.  I waited another 24 hours and put another layer of MP on top.  I figured two layers was enough and waited another 24 hours then sprayed with a Clear Acrylic Sealer.  After all that was done - I tied all my ribbons on.  The clipboard still works, and the lack of embellishments means the teacher can use this for anything she would like.

Supplies:
Clipboard: Staples
Ribbon: Misc Joann, Micheals, Hobby Lobby, Papertrey Ink
Paper: KI Memories
Cricut Cartridge: Storybook font
Adhesive: Mod Podge, Matte Finish
Clear Acrylic Sealant

My First Publication

I can't believe I failed to post this on my blog, so I'm doing it now.  Here's the photo of my first ever published card.

It can be found in here, Cards 365 by Papercrafts Magazine.  Pg. 135.  Although, I don't like the background color in the magazine.  It made the yellow look mustard like, instead of the soft buttery color it truly is, as shown above.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake (SU!)

Fibers: Harvest Gold Saddle Stitch Ribbon (PTI), Chocolate Bakers Twine (PTI)

Button: Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Pattern Paper: Orange Polka Dots (DCWV Autumn Stack)

Stamps: Turning a New Leaf (PTI)

Ink: White (SU!)

Cutout: "Birthday Girl" and flower from Color Couture Vol 7-9 (PTI)

Teacher Appreciation Day 4

Here we are, the last of the teacher appreciation gifts.  I failed to get pictures of the inside of the second box, but you get the idea.  I filled each box with 6 handmade cards, envelopes, and a small cellophane bag with a couple pecan turtles.

Supplies:
Template: Keeping Tabs Template  (Paptertrey Ink)
Paper: Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranete, Kiwi Kiss (SU!), Patterened Papers: Raspberry Tart, Ginger Blossoms (SU!)
Ribbon: Various (Michaels/Joann)
Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Dies: Mat Stack1, Limitless Layers Circles 1 3/4"(Papertrey Ink)
Punch: Small Oval (SU!)
Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug)

Fortunate Teacher Appreciation

Filled these empty take out boxes with individually wrapped fortune cookies.  I added glimmer mist, but I don't think it's very obvious from the photos.  These were the easiest gifts!

Supplies:

Take-Out Boxes

Fortune Cookies (La Choy)

Teal Ribbon (Michaels)

Red shimmer cardstock (Michaels)

Smooch Spritz Vanilla Shimmer (SU!)

Circle Punch (Mervy)

Downloadable tags found Here.

The above link also has a free download for a 'generic' tag of Fortunate to have You - great for spouses or kids or whoever needs to feel appreciated!

Teacher Appreciation Day 2

I was up super late working on these ones.  I purchased plastic, reusable coffee cups (or in my case, hot cocoa cups ;) ) and added some cellophane bags of mini donuts.  Complete with pink ribbon.  I was searching the internet for a good carrier for this lovely cup and donut combo.  Wouldn't you know, I'd find it on Lauren Meader's shop?
Template: Fancy a Cuppa (mytimemadeeasy.com)
Paper: Taken w/Teal (SU!), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Loves Me designer series paper (SU!)
Ribbon: Loves Me Ribbon (SU!)
Punch: Flourish Square (EK Success)

Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts

I've showcased this template on my blog before, but I know it's been a while.  These are the first goodies I sent in this week.  I filled each of these with assorted Lindor Truffles.
Supplies:
My Timeless Templates - Time For Takeout - Papertrey Ink website (download)
Paper: Hawaiian Shores (PTI), Cameo Coral (SU!), Patterned Paper: Heat Wave Line (American Crafts)
Stamps: Thank You (Say It With Style, PTI)
Felt Flowers: Beautiful Blooms II #1 Die (PTI)
Brads: Recolletions
Buttons: Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold (PTI)
Fibers: Various Ribbon (PTI, Joann), Chocolate Bakers Twine (PTI)

Terracotta and Aqua

Great color combo!  I thought I'd do something different and pair up this striking Terracotta with Aqua.  I think it turned out great!  My only complaint, maybe I should have clear embossed the sentiment to help it stand out as it was stamped over the medallion image.


Supplies:
Stamps: Merci and Mehndi Medallion (PTI)
Paper: Aqua Mist, Terracotta Tile (PTI)
Ink: Vintage Cream  (PTI)
Ribbon: Aqua Mist Satin (PTI)
Corner Rounder: Corner Chomp
Other: Tiny Pearls (Michaels)