I’ve been blessed with a work schedule that has allowed me to help in my son’s classroom this year.  I can say unequivocally that it takes a special person to corral a bunch of kindergartners.  Reed’s teacher goes above and beyond to communicate with parents to keep them up to date on their child’s progress.  It’s been so much fun as a parent to watch these children learn and grow throughout the year.  I cannot imagine the hard work that goes into this day to day.  I have a greater appreciation of teachers than ever now that I am a parent.

This year for teacher appreciation week, I encourage you to go the extra step for your child’s teacher.  Tell them thank you.  Offer your time.  Help them in any way you can.  I know they will appreciate it and thank you for it.  These Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas are just some of the ways to show the teachers how much you care about them!

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I honestly can’t decide which idea to choose!  They are all fantastic and I think any teacher would love receiving any of these gifts!  Handmade always seems to be best among moms and teachers.

 Do you do something special for your child’s teacher?   Better yet, do you have a special teacher that has touched YOUR life?  Share your ideas or give a shout out over at Facebook!

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The Darice Core’dinations paper line features NO white core!  The papers are embossed with patterns that can be sanded down to reveal different colors!  It is seriously one of the coolest things ever!  {And I am NOT just saying that because this is sponsored!}  It reminds me of Hypercolor t-shirts from the 90s!

Here’s an example of how it works…

The paper is available in 6×6 and 12×12 cardstock.  I chose the Spotted 12×12 papers to make the Paper Succulents.  Using the Sand It Set, I sanded the paper down to reveal the lighter green polkadots.  The dust buddy came in handy to clear away all the paper dust.

Check out the before and after!

How cool is that?!

Darice graciously provided me with a variation of greens to use for my Paper Succulents.

I of course also used my Cricut for this project, as you know .. it’s one of my very favorite things!

To create the three different Paper Succulents I made for the vertical wall planter, I used a couple of different pre-made designs available in the new Cricut Design Space.  

Design Space Images:

#M3DF4F from Image Set: Flower Shoppe

#M46E00 from Image Set: Mother’s Day Bouquet

#M4429A from Image Set: Mother’s Day Bouquet

#M45516 from Image Set: Mother’s Day Bouquet

#M457B8 from Image Set: Mother’s Day Bouquet

I simply adjusted the image sizes and nested them as I built my own design on the canvas.

The paper cut BEAUTIFULLY with the new machine and I have to say I was quite impressed!  No ripping or tearing, even on the smaller images!

All in all, I cut and glued together 32 Paper Succulents!

I added the little pink blossoms to add a pop of extra color from the Botanical Core’dinations paper collection!

To mount the Paper Succulents, I used an old window with the screen intact.  I punched out 1 inch circles from the left over paper and hot glued them together around the screen.

It’s like having my own botanical garden in my craft room!  And the best part?  I CAN’T KILL IT!  hee hee

I’d LOVE for you to pin this image!

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I swoon every time I look at that picture!  My husband kept rolling his eyes at me because I was so excited with how they turned out.  Flamingos make me happy.  They are grand and beautiful.  Best of all, they are pink!  These adorable little guys pair well with some pom pom trim and add a touch of whimsy for your summer gathering.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Materials needed for Flamingo Pom Pom Garland

Cricut Explore or Maker
Pink cardstock
Light grip mat
Basic tool set
Fine point blade
Pink yarn
Small pom pom maker
Hot glue gun
Twine or ribbon

Images used in Design Space

Flamingo #M54ADA

Begin by creating the pom poms for the flamingo bodies.  I use this clover pom pom maker.  It’s available at Michael’s and is so easy to use.

Start wrapping the yarn around both arms on one side of the pom pom maker.  When you reach the end, extend the yarn to the arms on the other side and continue wrapping.

Carefully cut the yarn down the middle between the two arms.  Repeat on the other side.

Next take a 6 inch piece of yarn and tie around the middle of the cut yarn.  Carefully remove the pom pom maker to reveal your completed pom pom.  Trim any long edges for a more uniform looking pom pom.

Now, open Design Space and the flamingo image listed above.  Hide one entire flamingo (by clicking on the eyeball next to each layer) and the wings of the other flamingo.  All you are cutting is the body.  Size to 2.5 inches wide.  Adhere pink cardstock to light grip mat.  Send image to cut.  Load mat into machine and follow on screen directions for completing the cut.

You will multiple flamingo bodies laying around by now.  LOL

Cut the neck close to the body and the legs (leaving a little at the top to use to glue into place).

See how I left some extra to apply the glue?  Add hot glue and stick into the pom pom.  Repeat above process for each flamingo on your garland.

Finally, string together with twine or ribbon.

How cute is this Flamingo Pom Pom Garland?!

I adore this!  It looks super cute with the pom pom trim.

Check out more summer pool party posts like our Pool Noodle Luminaries!

The post Flamingo Pom Pom Garland for Summer appeared first on Create Craft Love.

These Washi Tape Easter Eggs can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes!

Washi Tape Easter Eggs

YOU ONLY NEED 3 THINGS TO MAKE THESE WASHI TAPE EASTER EGGS – FOAM EGGS, WASHI TAPE AND MOD PODGE!

Look familiar?  These were inspired by my Washi Tape Ornaments I made for Christmas!  In case you missed it, click HERE!

Where to buy Washi Tape? There is a huge selection of Washi Tape Assortments here.

You can never have too much Washi Tape!

I got this pretty tape from Pick Your Plum last Easter.  Simply wrap your egg with the tape until completely covered.

 Once the egg has been covered, you want to make sure it STAYS covered.  I applied a light coat of Mod Podge to keep the tape in place.

Aren’t they cute?  I can’t decide which is my favorite!

If you’re looking for more fun ideas, check these out!

DIY Superhero Easter Eggs

Glitter Dipped Easter Eggs

Bunny Silhouette Dyed Easter Eggs

The post Washi Tape Easter Eggs appeared first on Create Craft Love.

In Cricut Design Space, pull up a new canvas.  Choose to insert a new image.  I used the image #M2EAE5 from the Spring and Summer Tablescapes image set.

I chose to use a flocked iron vinyl so it had a fuzzy appearance – like a bunny!  Place your flocked vinyl (shiny plastic liner side down) on the cutting mat.  On the Custom setting, I added flocked iron on vinyl with a pressure setting of 290.

Don’t for get to mirror your image!

Weed your image out.  Place down on your napkin, plastic liner side up.

Place a thin piece of fabric over the vinyl and iron.  Carefully, remove the plastic liner.

How easy is that?  I whipped up four of these in under 10 minutes!

I think these are simple yet elegant!  Perfect for your Easter brunch!

Are you looking for more Easter tablescape ideas?  I’ve got ’em!

Vintage Rosette Napkin Ring

And as an extra special surprise, today I have teamed up with 13 other AMAZING bloggers to share some spring inspiration and a Target Gift Card Giveaway!

And in case you are in need of some extra decorations for your Easter Tablescape!

 Be sure to go visit these ladies and show a little love!

The Turquoise Home | Tiny sidekick | The Blissful Bee

Making Home Base | One Krieger Chick | Design, Dining and Diapers

Just a Girl and her Blog | Designer Trapped in Lawyer’s Body

The Happy Housie | Place Of My Taste | Create Craft Love

This Is Happiness | Homey Oh My | House by Hoff

The post Simple Easter Napkins appeared first on Create Craft Love.

These treats take no time to put together!  All you need is a mason jar, Easter grass, chocolate eggs, and chocolate bunny.

Begin by adding a small amount of Easter grass to the mason jar.

Next, place your chocolate bunny.  (Since it’s getting close to Easter, these should be on sale!)

Sprinkle in some malted eggs!

Now you get to personalize it!  Add some ribbon or twine around the neck of the jar.  Maybe even add a gift tag!  I also hole punched some pretty floral scrapbook paper to use on the lid.

Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!?  Sadly, I left these out after taking pictures and they were devoured before the next morning.  Lucky for me, I bought extra in case that happened!  Always one step ahead….

If you’re looking for another fun Mason Jar Easter Treat, check these out!  Click HERE for the full tutorial!

Click HERE to see more Easter Ideas!

The post Mason Jar Easter Treat appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Here’s what you need to make your own Bunny Luminary Jars!

Mason jars
Spray paint
Bunny sticker or vinyl bunny cut out
Twine
Aquarium gravel
Tea light candles
White pom pom
Hot glue gun

Lay out cardboard or mason jars to protect your space.  As always, only use spray paint in a well ventilated area.

I used my Cricut Explore Air 2 to cut out these vinyl bunnies.  You can totally cut one out on your own or use a bunny sticker.  Place the bunny sticker on the front of the mason jar.  Be sure to get all of the bubbles smoothed out so you won’t have any paint bleed under the vinyl.

Place mason jar upside down on the cardboard or newspaper.  Hold spray paint about 6-8 inches from the mason jar.  Begin spraying light layers of paint on the jars.  Allow about 5 minutes to dry between each layer.  If you spray too heavily, you will have paint dripping.

Once you have the mason jar completely covered, sit aside.  Allow to dry overnight.

Gently peel the bunny vinyl or bunny sticker off the front of the jar.

Tie some twine around the neck of the jar.  Add some aquarium gravel to the bottom of the jar.  Place a tea light candle in the middle of the gravel.

For the pièce de résistance, hot glue a white pom pom on the back of the jar!

Is that not the cutest?!

I just love how these all turned out!

I think the little bunny tail on the back is the best part!

I’d love for you to pin this image!

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The post Bunny Luminary Jars appeared first on Create Craft Love.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  See my disclosure here.

Materials needed to make Paper Carrot Garland

• Orange cardstock
• Green cardstock
• Scissors and/or paper trimmer
• Hot glue gun or glue sticks
• Hole punch
• Hemp cord

1. Begin by cutting your paper into strips.  Cut the orange cardstock into 1 inch strips.  This will create the body of your carrot.  Cut the green paper into 2.5 inch strips.  This will create the leafy fringe for the top of your carrot.
2. Fold the orange strip in half.
3. Open up the strip.  Fold one end in half way.  Repeat on the other side.
4. This is what is will look like.
5. Fold the edges about 1/2 inch.
6. Take your green strip and begin cutting the fringe.  Be sure not to cut all the way to the other edge!
7. Glue your green fringe to the small fold on one side of the carrot.  Wrap around the carrot and glue in place on the other side.
8. Trim the excess green fringe and glue in place on the back of the carrot top.
9. Fluff out the green fringe to put the finishing touch on your carrot!
10. Repeat steps 1-9 until you have the desired amount of carrots for your garland!

I used my 1/16 hole punch to punch holes in the side of the leafy green top.  Punch two holes on top of each other.  You want this opening small so the carrots will slide and stay in place on the hemp cord.  Repeat this process until you have holes on each side of your carrots.

Thread the hemp cord through the holes.  String up your carrots.

How stinkin’ cute is that?!  I love how bright they are!

Aren’t these perfect for Easter!?  I bet the Easter Bunny will love them!

I’d love for you to pin this image!

Share this image on Facebook!

Looking for more great Easter ideas?!  Check out our Bunny Luminary Jars!

Or how about our Paper Carrot Boxes!

The post Paper Carrot Garland appeared first on Create Craft Love.

This was so easy to put together!  Grab some beauty essentials and fill with love!

Begin by filling the mason jar with a pedicure kit, some red EOS, and red nail polish.  A little something for her to pamper herself.  Throw in some Valentine chocolates to “sweeten” the deal.

To decorate the mason jar, I grabbed a bunch of Valentine scrapbook items from Michaels.  I used my 2 inch circle punch to punch out these gift bags.

Use the punched piece of paper on the top of the mason jar lid.

 I added this cute Valentine pennant banner and some baker’s twine to complete the package.

I love the idea of celebrating each other as women!!

What girl wouldn’t love to get a little Valentine from her best friend? Gifting a Galentine Valentine might just be a new tradition to add to your February plans … such a sweet and simple gesture!

Click HERE to see more great Valentine Ideas!

The post Galentine Valentine Mason Jar Gift appeared first on Create Craft Love.

You can grow your own Crystal Hearts too by following these simple steps!

First, the important stuff.  Children should be monitored closely when dealing with chemicals.  These are NOT edible.  I repeat, NOT EDIBLE.

Here’s what you need to grow your own Crystal Hearts!

• Borax (Wal-mart carries it by the laundry detergent)
• Water
• Pipe cleaners
• Fishing line
• Wood skewers
• Quart size mason jar or large pot
• Food coloring (optional)

1. Shape your pipe cleaner into a heart.  Fold pipe cleaner in half.  Then bring the ends together and twist forming the heart.
2. Attach a piece of fishing line to the heart shaped pipe cleaner.  Hang the heart from the wood skewer over the mason jar.
3. Boil hot water.  The ratio of water to borax is 3 cups water to 9 tablespoons of borax.
4. Once water is boiling, add borax. 
5. Stir until borax is completely dissolved in the water.
6. Pour mixture into the mason jar.  Be sure the pipe cleaner is not touching the sides or bottom of the jar.
7. Optional:  If you want to use food coloring, now would be the time to add it to the mixture.  There is no exact amount of food coloring to add.  It will vary from brand to brand.  More is probably better than less.
8. Allow to sit in mixture over night.
9. Remove from the mixture.  The crystal will detach easily from the fishing line for a nice clean shape.

We did not add any food coloring to these hearts.  I love how you can see the red through the crystals.

The pink heart shown at the beginning of the post is from using red food coloring.

Such a fun experiment to do with the kids!

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