That Thing Called Life...A Day in the Life of a Crafty Mom

As summer is approaching, the school year is ending.  You've spent out on spring pictures, yearbooks, possibly graduation supplies, and a list of other things.  Do you really need to buy anything else?  If you are like me, you become guilt ridden and cannot bear the thought of not providing some type of end of year teacher appreciation gift.  After all, these teachers have seen our children more during the past ten months than we have.  Shouldn't we show them how much we appreciate them and all their hard work and dedication?  So how do you do this without breaking in to the vacation fund?  Especially if you have more than one child, and they have more than one teacher?   I've been trying to master this for the past five years and I have done fairly well.  This year I am really pleased with what I put together.  We have five teachers to buy for, and a birthday party this weekend.  I have been pinning through Pinterest ...

I really wanted to make sure we sent end of the year gifts to all the teachers my two kiddos had before school let out, but financially I just couldn't figure out what to do.  I have a great board on Pinterest called Teacher Gifts filled with all kinds of lovely and cute ideas.  However, I just couldn't afford to do most of them.  This being on a lay off from work and now being a mom to three has really put a damper on the budget.  I knew I could make something work though, and I did. The one idea I kept coming back to was the "Orange You Glad It's Summer?"   I looked and looked for orange bags and could not find anything.  I couldn't even find an orange gift bag!  Finally I found my inspiration: ORANGE FELT.  For only 27 cents a sheet.  Here is what I came up with.  Felt, ribbon, and sewing machine.  Simply fold the felt in half and stitch up the sides.  If you want a more open bottom, form a triangle on ea...

Hi, my name is Amy.  Not only am I a craft hoarder I am a procrastinator.  I "like" to do things at the last minute. I thought this year I was on a roll with Christmas.  All of my shopping done, everything wrapped, baking and cooking supplies ready.  Then it hits me: there are 2 days left of school and I do not have any teacher gifts!!  I need 4 super quick and inexpensive gifts for these great teachers now!  Ideas are spinning through my head and I check my stash of supplies, but I don't have enough equal parts of anything.  I had fully meant to order these customizable mirrors from my great friend Laura at the Purple Alligator  ( called Look It's ) and now I don't have enough time (unless of course I could borrow Santa's sleigh & could go get them ;-) ).  These make wonderful gifts and she has them available in all styles.  Look for a feature on her soon, in the meantime, here is what they look like: They even come with t...