You Make the World Sparkle | valentine gift idea

I was looking through some of last year's images for a project and came across these shots of the crayons we made for my daughter's to take to school.  Elaina had just turned 4 and writing "you make the world sparkle"  took a while, but it was the perfect touch to give to her teachers.  I loved how they turned out and how easy they were to make.  

We searched the crayon bins for old blue and green crayons.  Then we peeled off the wrappers and broke them into smaller pieces.  After that, just put them the crayon pieces into small muffin pans.  I used more blue than green.  The oven should be at around 250 degrees and just keep an eye on them until they melt.  I added glitter to the melted wax and then let them cool and ta da...sparkly world crayons!

And a peak at last year's valentine cards.

Teacher Gift Idea - Sticky Note Holder | Mckinney, TX Family Photographer

Ok...I absolutely can not take credit for this idea.  I actually received one as a gift and thought it was too cute not to make for the beginning of the school year.  One of my friends and I spent an afternoon and made enough for each of our daughters' teachers and her coworkers (since she is a teacher).  It was easy and a lot of fun!

Supplies:  clear frames from Wal-mart or the Dollar Store
                coordinating scrapbook papers
                ribbon
                sticky note pads
                clear pens (we used Pentel RSVP)
                glue or sticky dots
                paper cutter

Cut your paper to fit the frame.  Ours were 4x6 but 5x7 would be good, too.  We then cut two sizes of rectangles the largest being 2.5x2 and the other 2x1.5.  A cricut would have been perfect to cut the monogram, but since we don't own one...we just did it by hand.  We just glued these pieces on the 4x6 sheet and then slide it into the frame upside down, which allowed the frame to sit at an angle.  Two sticky dots on the back of the sticky note pad held it in place.  Terifically Tacky Tape from Michaels would work as well.  We finished up by using the ribbon to make a bow.  Last, but not least. take a 4.5 inch strip of scrap paper, roll it up, and slide it into the barral of the pen and you have a perfectly coordinating set!  A small piece of velcro would work perfectly to hold the pen across the bottom of the frame.

You can order bags here if you can't find any at Michaels.  Just slip them in a tie with a matching bow!