Co-Worker Gifts....Early!

Hello friends! I'm still here! :)  This has been the fastest summer of my entire existence...I swear. I don't know where it has gone, but school starts in just 3 weeks for my kiddo and 4 weeks for me. I am already feeling sad!! Many mommas are ready for the routine and truth be told, just ready for their kids to go back to school...but not this one! Yes...I need breaks, yes...we get tired of each other throughout the summer..., and yes...our days aren't always perfect. BUT. I still would rather us be home together than anywhere else. Call me weird, but that's hows I sees it! :) 

I have projects in my mind, yet they don't seem to be materializing these days. Maybe it's the heat, or maybe it's just our busy summer schedule, but I'm a little bummed that a few of those haven't come to fruition. But...I did get this little task completed. One that I will thank myself for throughout the school year when I'm crazy busy and don't have the extra time for things I could have prepared over the summer!

Do you remember the little birthday gift exchange we do for the teachers and staff at my preschool? Well, to catch you up, each person contributes some small item(s) around $2-$3 to a birthday bag for each staff member each month. This might sound cheapy to some, but it's right up my alley! You would be surprised how many cute little things you get in your birthday bag, and always things you wouldn't have picked up for yourself. I loved opening my birthday bag last year. We have a monthly birthday lunch to celebrate, and open the bags during that time. Last year I made Notecard Gift Sets and  Lovely Chipboard Bookmarks, and they were so well-received. I made those throughout the year though, and also picked up things along the way (store bought). For this year, I'm trying to get ahead of the game!

I picked up several sets of pens and hardback mini-journals from the $1 Spot at Target, and tied them up with a scrap ribbon.

Then I spotted some super cute decorative pens with coordinating kleenex packets and compact mirrors at Michaels. Score! I picked up several to make little sets of two. I used one of my handy pretty punches to make the tags, stamped a sentiment, and distressed the edges a bit. Let me just say: If you do not have a die cut machine, e-cutter, or something similar, don't fret! Picking up a couple of tag-like punches can REALLY make your life easier for little gifts for friends, co-workers, and teachers.

These happen to be from Stampin' Up, but you can find cute stamps on the $1 rack almost anywhere, and punches for $10-$12.

I tied them up with colored raffia that I was obligated to buy from a school fundraiser last year. I hate those things, but it actually came in handy this time!

So cute!

They all fit into my bliss of cute, cheap, and easy...so it's good!

I swear...how did we live without the $1 Spot??

Have a good one,

{Note Card Gift Sets}

Remember these gifty bookmarks??

I promised to share more little packages of paper goodness and so I shall.

Another item I've stockpiled for staff birthday gifts are these sets of (4) blank cards/envelopes:

I made several sets with simple color combos, each one consisting of (2) stamped 'Thank You' cards and (2) stamped 'Thinking of You' cards. The inside of each card is blank so they are flexible and easy to write a quick note. 

I topped the cardstock base with an embossed layer, which is a really simple way to add an elegant touch and easy texture to any card. I use Cuttlebug embossing folders, but there are lots of options.  I punched the sentiment and scallop circle, and tied jute around the layer. Notice how I used a basic card sketch and just changed the color combinations? It's a really simple layout, but still lovely and great for mass producing. Anytime you can incorporate one element of the card using a punch or die, you go into major time-saving mode.

I added 4 envelopes to each group and packaged them in cello bags with jute ties. Teachers always need a 'Thank You' note at the ready, and 'Thinking of You' applies to everything from a friendly note to a sincere message to a friend in need. I'll be dropping these in the birthday bags next month and I hope they are well received. Each bag is filled with a little love!

Happy Creating!

{Lovely Bookmarks}

A shout-out to all the papercrafters out there! Although I just love {creating}, paper crafting is by far my favorite crafty passion. Scrapbooking, cardmaking, and miscellaneous 3D type projects/gifts really make my heart flutter. :)

The last several days I've been in a papercrafting frenzy, making projects right and left. In the preschool where I teach, we do a cool birthday idea for the teachers and staff. Instead of buying a traditional gift for each member of the staff, each month there is a birthday bag for each person who has a birthday that month. Everyone is supposed to add to the bag with an item that is only a $1-$2. At the end of the month we have a birthday lunch, and the birthday girls get a bag full of little goodies.

I love the idea, because it doesn't break the bank and often I feel like the little things are the most meaningful.

Instead of flying by the seat of my pants so-to-speak and waiting until the last day to add to the birthday bags, I've been stockpiling gifts for the remainder of the school year. I'll try to do a post for each project, so keep checking back for simple, papercrafting goodness!

Today I wanted to share these sweet bookmarks.

These measure 2" x 7", and the base is made from good ol' cereal boxes out of our recycling bin. :)

I adhered quality cardstock over the cardboard, then sanded the edges. I die cut and embossed the butterflies with a Sizzix Die, added a brad in the center, and some lovely ribbon at the top. On a couple of them I also distressed the edges with chocolate ink.

I adhered the butterflies with sticky strip for extra security. I packaged each one in a cello bag, and tied it with raffia. I will add one more tip and say that for bookmarks, I think you definitely need quality cardstock/papers. I use Stampin' Up cardstock for mine because it really is the best in my opinion. It's very heavy, which you need for bookmarks. Lower quality cardstock is fine for other projects, but bookmarks look better and last longer with heavy cardstock. Just a tip! :) It's frustrating to make something lovely and then realize that your paper is just too thin to stand the test of time. (I've been there and done that!)

 Perfect to add to the birthday bags!

These are really simple to make, and the original I made myself a few years ago still looks beautiful in each book I devour. :)

Any homemade gift says "thinking of you", don't you agree? 

Look for more easy paper goodness to follow. I've been busy!

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you have questions.

I'm linking up over at:
Friday Flair @ Whipperberry