Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea: Flower Seed Packet

I'm pretty excited about the tutorial I have for you today. Although my little ones aren't old enough for school, I still have an appreciation for Teachers and all the hard work they do every year. I mean I love my little guy but I don't know how many of him all at once I could handle AND still actually teach them something! :-) 

I have this stamp and I loved the quote on it and I LOVE to garden so I was trying to come up with a way to merge the two together. Then it came to me. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of Hot Cocoa Sliders but Kerry over at  Kerry's Craft Blog has made several of these and they are super cute! So I decided to make something similar only instead of Hot Cocoa I'm going to use Seed packets. Something a teacher could definitely use! 

Supplies: 

• 8 1/2" x 11" Kraft paper
• Stamp or Sentiment of choice
• Patterned paper and cardstock for trim
• Ribbon
• Border Punch
• Hole Punch
• Adhesive
• Trimmer/Scissors
• Ruler
• Seed Packet of Choice ( I used carrot seeds because that is what I had on hand, but you could certainly use flowers or maybe even apple seeds!)

Supplies

Measure your seed packet. Mine was 3 1/4"w x 4 1/2"h. This will let you know the measurement for the wrapper. I added 1" to the height and added 5 1/4" to the width. No real scientific reason, I just liked the way it looked when it wrapped around. 

So my final dimensions are:

 Kraft Layer: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Patterned Paper Layer: 8 1/4"x 3 3/4" 

*when using 8 1/2" x 11" Kraft paper, cut the long side (11" side) down to 5 1/2". Why? because you will get two wrappers the exact size you need. Sounds easy, but if you are like me you will need reminded of this little hint. I'm the one that has to measure three times, not two, just to get one cut right! Two just doesn't do it for me. LOL :-)

It's easier to wrap around if you score the wrapper first. 

I scored the Kraft paper at 2 1/2" and 6 1/8" and the patterned paper at 2" and 5 5/8". You might need to adjust the measurements depending on your seed packet and how much "wiggle" room you want. 

*If you don't have a scorer don't worry, just fold over at the measured spot and use a straight edge to flatten. 

Punch out your decorative trim.

 I used a corner/border punch (you could easily use decorative scissors.)

Cut trim to fit front side of wrapper. 1/2" x 3 5/8". 

Stamp image that you will be using. 

*Update: I now have a tutorial on how to create this stamped image here*

Assemble wrapper with adhesive and punch hole about 1/4" from top

*Remember to put trim on under pattern paper BEFORE adhering pattern paper to Kraft paper. 

If not, well, you just might have to redo this step, not that I would know anything about that....

Add ribbon & seed packet.  

I used about 10" or so. You will want to pull ribbon from the outside in.

 Push seed packet to the bottom of the wrapper then tie ribbon in a bow. 

 

All they have to do is untie and pull on the ribbon and ta-da! You've got seeds! 

You could even add a gift card if you wanted. 

How cute it that?!? 

Pair it up with a cute pot or jar and you've got a super cute and functional Teacher Appreciation gift!

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Altered Mini-Chipboard Wall Hanging

Here is a super cute tutorial for ya, and in plenty of time for Mother's Day! 

Of course, you can easily adapt to any holiday, occasion or home decor. Enjoy!'

Supplies:
Mini Chipboard Coasters or any chipboard
Paint- you can use spray paint like I did or your preference
Patterned paper & Cardstock
Ribbon
Adhesive & 3D Foam squares
Mod Podge
Pencil
Scissors, Craft knife or Trimmer
Straight edge- gift card, Credit card or brayer for smoothing
Sandpaper or sanding block

First Gather up all your Supplies. I'm just showing what all I gathered up. I didn't end up using everything, but I wanted to collect a few coordinating supplies and work from that pile. 

Grab your sanding block or sandpaper and sand down the shiny or patterned size of the coaster. This will rough up the surface and will make the paint and Mod Podge adhere better. If you are using naked chipboard you won't need to do this step.

I don't have a picture of this step, but it's pretty easy... 

Paint your chipboard the desired color and let it completely dry before moving on to the next step.  ( I usually paint all sides: the front, back and edges.)

Once painted, trace around the coaster onto patterned paper or cardstock then cut out. 

You are now going to apply your Mod Podge to the chipboard then add your paper. 

Be sure to use a straight edge to work out any air bubbles. 

Trim you mat down to 3.5"x 3.5". Distress edges with distresser or sandpaper. 

Then ink edges of mat and adhere to coaster. I used 3D foam squares to add some dimension. 

Mark where your ribbon will go (at the 1" and 3" markings). 

Figure out where and how you want to place all your embellishments. It's best to do this before you actually punch holes so you allow room for everything and so you don't end up punching holes in your embellishments or photo later. 

Punch holes, add embellishments, and ribbon for hanging 

(I used about 10 inches to have enough to hang and tie off.) 

Eureka! Look how it all came together and so cute!!!

You can display this easily on a little easel. I got mine at Michaels. 

Or you can use it as a wall hanging. 

No matter how you chose to display it, I'm sure it will look super cute! 

Thanks for stopping by, I would love to know what you think!

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