back to school: an apple for the teacher

This is my final post on the Back to School ideas and I think we’ve saved the best for last. What better treat to serve at a Back to School party than caramel apples? A tip from my mom, who dipped this apple for me: always make sure your apples are super cold before you dip them in the caramel. We used a pencil as the stick and a cool cupcake liner to set the dipped apple in.

And, like everything else, I think this would also make a great teacher gift…

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tuesday tutorial: back to school mini notebook

Here is a super simple notebook that you can make. Use it either as an activity or for a party favor at a back to school party. Or you could give one to your favorite teacher. Just sayin.

1. You will need a 5″ x 8″ notepad cut in half, a paper trimmer, scrapbooking paper, double sided tape, embellishments. Most office supply stores will cut your notepad in half for a small fee.

2. Trim your scrapbooking paper to fit the width the of the notepad–about 2. 5 inches, leaving extra paper in the length.

3. Carefully line up the paper at the bottom of the notepad and fold the paper over the top of the notepad and down the back. Trim the excess paper in the back, leaving enough to cover a bit of the back of the notepad.

4. Using double sided tape, tape over the small top part of the notepad (it’s green on the example) in the front, on the top, and in the back. Refit the scrapbooking paper over the notepad and press the paper to the double stick tape. Your scrapbooking paper cover should only stick to the small top part of the notepad so that you can lift the cover and write on the notepad.

5. Embellish however you’d like. We stamped the date of the school year on one notebook and the name of the teacher on another. And I like to add ribbon as well. If you have any questions, ask me in the comments.

For more back to school ideas, click on the tag below.

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back to school: clipboards

How fun are these cute clipboards? This is an easy craft that you could make with older children. Or give them as a gift to a friend or your favorite teacher.

You need: a regular old hardboard clipboard (we used a 9 x 12 1/2), 12 x 12 cardstock scrapbooking paper in a pattern that you like, spray adhesive or mod podge, a glue gun, embellishments for the clip.

On the scrapbooking paper, carefully trace around the clipboard and the top part where the metal clip attaches. Cut out the scrapbooking paper to fit the clipboard. Spray the back of the paper with spray adhesive or coat with mod podge. Affix the paper to the clipboard and gently press all over the paper to adhere. Using a hot glue gun, glue your embellishments to the metal clip. Let everything dry overnight.

For more back to school ideas, click on the tag below.

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county fair sneek peek

More Back to School ideas on Monday. But I wanted to post this cute picture from the County Fair party last week. For the whole photo sequence check out Nicole Gerulat’s blog. I was dying laughing as I watched the whole thing happen with these two adorable twins.

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back to school: flower bouquet

I think this flower bouquet would be perfect as a centerpiece at a back to school party or as a teacher’s gift.

To make: find a big jar and a glass cup that fits inside. Carefully slide plastic alphabet letters (the kind that are magnets that stick to the fridge) between the jar and the glass cup. Fill the inside cup with water and flowers. Enjoy!

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back to school: pencil exchange

A pencil exchange would be so fun to do at a back to school party. Your kids can invite neighbors or school friends and if guests all bring a pack of pencils to share everyone will get some fresh, fun, new pencils to start out the year. I had these custom pencils made at Explicitly Yours Pencils.

These are erasers from the store covered with bits of cute scrapbooking paper.

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back to school: pencil sharpeners

Inspired by a post on Giver’s Log, we made these darling pencil sharpeners. These would be a fun party craft or teacher’s gift. We used wooden pencil sharpeners, double sided tape, scrapbooking paper, and a rough nail file to sand the edges of the paper down. Oh, and a cute little button embellishment. I bought the wooden pencil sharpeners at my local art store called Utrecht.

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back to school

Only two weeks left until my kiddos go back to school. This year all four of them will go since my youngest is in preschool. When they were all really little I couldn’t wait for the day that I would have some time to myself, but now that it’s here I’m actually kind of sad. They have all been such good helpers this summer and so fun to be around. We are squeezing in a lot of last minute activities to finish off the summer that we haven’t done yet. But since school is starting and there’s nothing I can do about it, I might as well share some fun back to school party ideas over the next few days, right?

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present wrapping guest post at make and takes

Just a quick note to tell you to check out my guest post at Make & Takes on dressing up a present with wrapping paper. Have a great weekend.

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splish splash, another summer bash

Sorry for the light posting and no newsletter this week. I’ve been slammed with two parties. Here are a few shots from yesterday’s water party. And for those of you who aren’t signed up for the newsletter, there’s still time to join us. Click on the RSVP envelope on the right hand side for all the details.

A big thank you to my mom for all of her help, Nicole Hill Gerulat for her fab photography, Sara Westbrook for styling, Jill Swensen for assisting, Cheri Robinson for the cake, and Dusti Ondryas for the cookies.

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