Teacher Appreciation Ideas 2015

2X4 Snowman Decoration Tutorial

I love making stuff out of 2x4's and I love making snowman, so of course this would be one of my favorite crafts!  What I love about snowmen are they are great to decorate with in January too. Here are the how tos:

Homemade Christmas Ideas

I am so excited to be apart of the Christmas Advent Calendar on Chicken Scratch N Sniff! What a fun idea!! As you see from the image above I am Day 15. Please take a moment and view some of the fun ideas I have below of Homemade Christmas Ideas, then click over to Chicken Scratch N Sniff to view the rest of the Advent Calendar, link will be at the bottom of the page.

Nativity Christmas 2x4 Block Decoration and Ornament

As a Young Women Presidency we were thinking about what would be a fun little craft for the Young Women to make at our Christmas party.  So, I designed this block that would be easy and fun for the girls to make. It is an all in one, so that means there is no vinyl to have to work with. Just a little paint and some modge podge.  I love it because it is something the girls can keep for years to come and it can remind them of the true spirit of Christmas. This craft would be great for friends, neighbors, Visiting teaching, etc...

Be Grateful! Thanksgiving Crafts and Ideas 2014

 I wanted to take some time and focus on a holiday that seems to be overshadowed. Thanksgiving: On Wikipedia it states, "Thanksgiving Day ... is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year."  For me it is also a time that I can bring a special focus on all that I have been blessed with. Let's just face it, turkeys, tee pees, pilgrims and pumpkin everything are some great stuff!

Here are some Thanksgiving Ideas:

Gobble, Gobble, Turkey Thanksgiving Wreath!

Yes, this time I finished my little turkeys to put on the wreath with time to spare. I wanted to share the printable that I used for the template for my turkeys and also, how I used a cereal box to make these cute little gobblers.

November 2014 Visiting Teaching Message: "Sharing Your Light" By: Neill F. Marriott (General Women's Conference)

November 2014 Relief Society Visiting Teaching Message: 

"Sharing Your Light" By Neill F. Marriott

November's Visiting Teaching Message can be any of the talks given at General Conference.  It is always so hard for me to choose, because I love each of the talks.  I decided that I would choose one from the General Women's Conference. As I was choosing which one to give, I decided on this talk by Sister Marriott. 

Day 12 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Halloween Wrap UP (Crafts, Treats and Fun)!

Happy Halloween!!! Here is a wrap up of all the fun Halloween ideas posted the past 12 days as well as some new ones. Click the link to go to the full post for each:

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Spiders, Spiders and more Spiders

The are Creepy They are Crawly and frankly give you the chills when you see them...Spiders.  The only spiders I like are ones made out of pom poms, paper, fabric or wood.  When we moved into our current house, I saw my first BLACK WIDOW spider.  Since the first one, I have seen and disposed of over 50 of those shiny black pests.  Luckily non have ever made it into my home and each year there seems to be less and less.  It is no surprise that Spiders are associated with the creepy stuff of Halloween.

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Spiders, Spiders and more Spiders

2x4 Crafts are so great to make, they are inexpensive and usually rather easy to make.

 Click the following link for a tutorial: 2x4 Spider Craft

My sons had fun making these paper spiders, using the free printable below.

For more fun free Halloween printables click the following link: Halloween Activity Pages

Miss Spider is a fun craft involving some Pom Poms, googly eyes, ribbon, pipe cleaner and some glue. Click the following link for the tutorial: Miss Pom Pom Spider Craft

This cute spider painted jar could be filled with some yummy candy or some plastic spider rings.

For the Tutorial for this craft click the following link: Spider Jar

One morning while living in Washington I went on a walk and saw these beautifully created spider webs. They were so magnificent that I had to run in and get my camera to take some pictures.  It was just the perfect circumstances, there was dew resting on the webs, making them glisten in the slight sun light. I was amazed at the beautiful detail! 

Day 7 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Halloween Finger Print Fun & Cards

Most children that I know love to use their creativity to make things.  One thing my children always love to do is make cards. Every holiday & birthday we make our cards, rather than buying them. So, why not make some cute Halloween cards also, to give away with little goodies to family and friends.

Day 7 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Halloween Finger Print Fun & Cards:

You can do this one of two ways. Either you can first do the finger painting and then come back when it is dry with a fine tip permanent marker and add details. Or you can draw some designs and then fill in with finger paint.  I actually used both techniques on the card above.

The bottom three designs were done by my kids. Each are unique and expresses their creativity. I don't know any grandparent who wouldn't love one of these cards!!

We used finger paints that I purchased at the dollar store. The black was normal craft paint. The finger paint was definitely easier to get off of the hands than the craft paint!

Day 6 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Scrap Wood Pumpkins

A little secret about myself... I love to make crafts out of STUFF I have around the house. That is probably while you'll see a lot of scrap 2x4 or other scrap wood crafts on here.

For Day 6 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun I choose to post about some Scrap Wood Pumpkins I've made:

This cute pumpkin trio are made of scraps of wood I found at my parents house.  I didn't have to cut them because they were just pieces left over, it worked out great that they are staggering sizes.  I painted them orange, drilled a hole the size of my sticks and then glued the sticks in as stems. Then I tied raffia and some scrap green fabric around the stem.  These cuties have been on my porch for a couple years, thus the weathered look.

These 2X4 pumpkins were also made out of scraps of wood. This time it was scrap 2x4's.  

Here is the tutorial for these PUMPKINS: 2X4 Pumpkins

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: DIY Halloween Craft- Paper Haunted House

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Paper Haunted House

Day 1 of The 12 Days of Halloween FuN: DIY Halloween Craft- 2x4 Mummies

The thought came to me, wouldn't it be fun to have 12 days of Halloween? The idea is that each day, I will post a Halloween craft or idea. I love looking for ideas during the holidays of fun gifts to give, fun ways to decorate, fun activities to do, and yummy food to eat.  More ideas = More inspiration, right!

So, Welcome to day 1 of my 12 Days of Halloween Fun!!

This first craft is one I first created a few years back. I made some more again last year for my kids teachers. It is a fun easy craft, one I love making!!

These adorable little mummies make a fun decoration for any shelf in your home. They also make a fabulous gift for a friend, neighbor or teacher! Wouldn't they be fun for a Young Women or Activity day group to make? Or to give as a Visiting Teacher Gift?

For the tutorial of how to make these mummies, click the link: 2X4 Halloween Mummies

Leave a comment and let me know what your favorite Halloween Craft is...

DIY Halloween Craft: Foam Pumpkin Topiary

I have had these foam pumpkins spray painted an off white color, since last year. You know one of those projects you start and then can't find the time to finish.  With fall here, I decided it was about time to finish the project.  Here is how I took this ordinary orange foam dollar store pumpkin and turned it into a fun poka-dot topiary.

The Marvelous Mother's Day Guide

Mother's Day is such a great holiday to show love and appreciation for all of the MOM's in our lives!! This post includes everything you need to make Mother's Day special, for the women who do so much. Most of the images below you should be able to just click on, save to your computer and print out from your computer as an image. There are some links you can click on. Some of the images you will need to click on the link to the download (it will say so by it if you need to do this).  So browse around and have some fun, making this Mother's day a special one!

Since this post, I have written a new one. So for more ideas click here: Last Minute Mother's Day Ideas

Cards for Mom/Grandma:

Mother's Day Card to be Colored:

Front and back of card
(Have kids' Color)

 Inside of Card

(In the blank area they can draw or write something nice about their moms)

Have kids color the planter and then trace three of their fingers coming out of the planter, for the stems of the flower.  If you don't want to do this they can just draw stems or use green pipe cleaner or green yarn as stems.  Then either draw flowers on, or you could use flower stickers or you could do the flowers I did above. Which are easy:  From paper tear out a circle shape out one one paper and a small circle shape out of another. Do this for all three flowers.  Now wrinkle up the circles, un-wrinkle them. Glue the larger circle to the top of the stem, then glue the smaller circle on top. Do this for each flower.  Then use a hole punch and punch out some coordinating paper for the center of the flower. I have a heart hole punch so I used that, but a normal hole punch would work just great, use a tooth pick to put the glue on it and place it in the center of the flower.  Let the kids draw pictures and write a nice note to their mom or grandma inside of the card.

Front & Back of Card

Here is another option:

Craft Ideas to be made by the kids:

Page one of Bee Craft 

(This would be fun for a kid to color, cut and glue together. In the heart they could write something they love about their mom)

Page 2 of Bee Craft

Bee Color Page 

(Child could color, paint or glue pieces of yellow tissue paper onto the bee. Then write something they love about their mom inside of the heart)

Super easy and fun for the kids to do. Trace their hands on paper, then trace around the lines with a marker. Tape or glue hands onto a long strip of paper (I cut a 14 inch long paper into strips and taped them together to make a long strip of paper) Then write the wording "Mom, I love you this much!" onto the long strip of paper, then decorate away!

So fun and easy to do. Trace hand print onto heavier paper like card stock. I just used white. Then I erased the pencil markings and went around the outer edges with a yellow marker. Wrap the thumb around to the pinky, leaving a small hole at the bottom for the pipe cleaner to go through. Then tape together. Using a pencil curl the fingers down. Cut an orange pipe cleaner into thirds and twist them around the green pipe cleaner. Fold over each of their tips just a little bit. Insert the pipe cleaner into the hole of the flower. Hot glue into place. Using green paper, cut out two leaf shapes and hot glue them to the pipe cleaner.  I used an old syrup container for the vase and filled it with brown rice. Tied some twine around it and their you go a present for mom!



You can pick these little bird houses at the store for cheap. Give a child some paint and let them create away. Then they will have a personalized gift to give their mom.

Coupon Books:

Coupon Booklet

Write down the things you would love to do for your Mom to make her Happy!

Fabulous DIY gift ideas:

Felt Flower Hair Clips Click here for Tutorial 

(these could also be used as a corsage, by putting a safety pin on the back instead of a hair clip)

2X4 Picture holder

4x6 Calendar 

You could put this in a plastic frame with a magnet on the back

(It is only 100 pixel/inch resolution, sorry it's not higher)

DIY Chalkboards are a pretty easy gift to do. They can be personalized, write a cute note to mom on one of these.  HERE is a link. If you need more detailed instructions let me know!

I made these Card Boxes a few years back for my mom and mother-in-law and made some cards and gift tags to go along with them. It's so nice to have somewhere with all of your card needs. Here is a link.

DIY Erasable Calendar HERE is the link.

Flowers!!! This us usually what my mom receives for Mother's day. I usually buy her plants and plant her planter that we made her. Here is a link to the post about this floral arrangement.

Mom's are busy!!  I am a list person. I am so much better at managing time and getting things done when I write them down on a list.  Here is the link to the post.

Make your mom a personalized note book. Here's the link and tutorial.

My Brother mad these for my mom and myself a couple years back.

I made this bee and the ladybug years and years ago, they have held up well! I have them on my porch every year!

My husband and I made these planters for our mom's a while back.  I wish we would have made one for me. This is the planter that I plant flowers in for my mom each year.

You can get a clock for quite cheap, like $3. Open it up (the plastic front comes off easily) You can make a template out of the paper clock face that is already in there. Choose something to go with the decor and paint away! Put everything back in place.

Who doesn't love a nice Wall Hanging?

Personalize an apron for mom or grandma. Trace hand prints on paper and then cut them out of fabric. Stitch onto the apron either by hand or with a sewing machine.  I also did wording. You can use some fusible web to hold it in place before sewing.

Decorate a container and fill it with pictures and happy thoughts, memories and word to give to MOM! See Poem, in the poem section, that could be attached to it.

I love these! They are so nice to stick in a bag or in the car. If you'd like a tutorial leave me a comment below.

This is just a mug from the dollar store. Paint a design on the front and then spray it with clear coat.  If can be filled with your mom's favorite treat!

Tissue Flowers!  I used to make these when I was a kid.  So a few years back I made them for my mom. I found this awesome planter and bought some greenery from the dollar store. The cute wood flowers were added later.

This was another combined effort by my hubby and I. He built this planter and I did the floral arrangement. It was another gift for my mom.

These wreaths are so easy, a little time consuming, but easy!  Leave a comment if you would like a tutorial.

Free Printables from some friends:

This cute print is from Tami at A Pocket full of LDS prints. Click HERE for the link to the download.

This is another cute print from Tami at A Pocket full of LDS prints. Click HERE for the link to the download.

Mommy Questionnaires:

These two printables could be printed front and back.  The top one is a questionnaire. The kids can draw a portrait of their mom and answer the questions. The bottom is where they can write next to each letter something about mom that starts with that letter.

Here's a link to my latest post with more Mother's day printables, including some for Grandma. Click HERE.

Mother's Day Humor:

This funny little Resume is done by SC Life as a Wife. Click HERE for the link to her post.

Mother's Day Treats:

These Cupcakes are so easy to do!  Bake cake box cupcakes as directed on package. Allow to cool. Put some candy melts into a plastic baggy and warm up in the microwave for 30 seconds. Mash together in bag, continue warming up in 15 sec increments until melted. Cut the corner off of the plastic baggy and draw a flower onto some wax paper. Fill in the flower with the melted candy melts.  Allow to cool and set up (you may want to place it in the fridge for a few minutes) Then with yellow candy melts draw a circle for the center. Allow to cool.  Put butter cream frosting in a piping bag with a decorative tip and pipe frosting on.  Peel the candy flower off of the wax paper and place it on top of the cupcake.

Here are some other cupcake decorating options.  Simply pike a flower on with frosting and add a candy center, or use sprinkles, gummy bears and candies to form flowers.

I made these flowers out of Starburst candies for a birthday cake a few years back.  It would be great for a cake or cupcake topper for mom.  They are pretty easy to make, just like making roses out of play dough. If you are interested in a tutorial, leave me a comment below. (Sorry for the poor quality photo!)

Poems about and/or for Moms:

A Mother's Love by Kim Chase

 This poem is to be attached to the note pad.

This poem is to be attached to some flowers.

LDS.ORG (Articles and such about MOM):

* "Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God" - Elder Jeffery R. Holland shares a tribute to Mothers

* "Are We Not All Mothers?" -SHERI L. DEW

* "A “Mother Heart”"-JULIE B. BECK, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

* Mother’s Day Activities May 2012 Friend

* Touching Mother's Day Message from Mormon Messages

* Flowers for Mother’s Day May 1989 Friend Magazine

* There are many and many more!  Go to lds.org and type in Motherhood or Mother's Day in the search engine and you will get a list of all kinds of amazing articles and such!!

Link to my Pinterest page that has a whole bunch of other fun ideas and links: Mother's Day Ideas.