Wow, it’s the end of the school year already! I always like to get the kids involved in making a small gift for their teacher at the end of the year. This paper-mache cupcake was a fun way for them to make a craft for their teacher that also doubled as a gift box.

The box is really simple to paint and after it was all painted and decorated we tucked a little gift inside accompanied by a handmade thank you card.

Supplies:

• Cupcake (by Darice)
• Acrylic Paints
• Glitter
• Red pom-pom ball (Darice)
• School or Craft Glue
• Paintbrush
• Paper Plate
• Cello Bag
• Tiny Tag
• Tissue Paper
• Piece of Ribbon

How To:

1. Squeeze a small amount of assorted paint colors onto a paper plate.
2. Use your paint brush to paint different colors onto your cupcake. Let dry between each color.
3. To add glitter, use glue to make dots or pattern and then sprinkle glitter over glue spots. Let dry.
4. Glue on pom-pom ball for a cherry.
5. When cupcake is finished write child’s name and year on the bottom.
6. Line the box with tissue paper and place a small gift or treat inside the cupcake box.
7. Wrap in cello bag and tie closed with ribbon. Add a small tag with a handwritten greeting or note!

The post How To | Cupcake Gift Box appeared first on Alanna George | The Craft Nest.

Are you looking for an easy gift to make for a teacher or friend? If you are reading my website, you are probably like me, I love to make gifts for people. I LOVE handmade and appreciate receiving handmade items myself. While making these fleece flower hats I felt like I cheated a little bit, you know I didn’t make them completely from scratch. (That’s how easy they are!) My husband said I need to get over it, they look great. Why would I start from scratch when the supplies where out there already and easy to assemble?

If you are looking to create an affordable and usable gift for someone this holiday season, you are gonna love creating these!

p.s. I have more cute and cost effective gift ideas that I will be posting over the next few weeks. I also have my Advent Activities list almost ready to post. I am super excited about some of the printables that will be included for FREE this year!

How To | Fleece Flower Hats

Supplies:

• Fleece Hat (I found mine for $2.50 at Jo-Anns last year, I have also seen some at the Dollar store. Keep your eyes open for a great deal!)
• Fabric Flowers (I purchased some of the Prima Flowers, so pretty, on clearance here last week.) (Right now the Jolee’s Boutique Dimensional Stickers (Flowers) are being clearanced at Michaels (so hurry and get there!!)
• Needle and Thread
• Pins

How To:

1. Lay out your hat and arrange your flowers in the order you want them to be sewn on.
2. Secure your flowers to the hat with pins.
3. Sew your flowers on. (The Jolee’s have a foam sticker on the back, peel it off and remove the twist tie.) Pic. 1
4. Wrap in a pretty gift box!

p.s. Maybe you want to sew a beautiful matching scarf? Visit this site to find some beautiful pre-cut scarf packs. Click here.

The post Handmade Holidays | Fleece Fabric Flower Hats appeared first on Alanna George | The Craft Nest.

This week we are gearing up for the start of school next week. We will be meeting L’s teacher tonight for the first time so we made her a handmade gift. This toilet paper tube pencil has a chocolate bar hidden inside. You never know when the teacher might have a bad day and need a bit of chocolate!

How To | Toilet Paper Tube Pencil

Supplies:

• Toilet Paper Tube
• Yellow Paint
• Paper
• Paint Brush
• Clear Tape
• Masking Tape
• Black Book Binding Tape or Electrical Tape
• Pencil
• Scissors
• 4″ Square of Pink Tissue Paper
• Letter Stickers
• Download: Pencil Tip Template

How To:

1. Paint toilet paper tube yellow and let dry. (Pic.1)
2. Download and print Pencil Tip Template. Cut pencil tip from paper (I used recycled newsprint to get the right color). Shade the tip of the pencil tip with a pencil to make it look like a pencil tip.
3. Form a cone shape with the paper pencil tip. Use clear tape to hold it together and secure it to one end of the toilet paper tube.
4. Cut a 6″ piece of masking tape. Cut the long edge of the masking tape into a zig-zag pattern. (Pic. 2)
5. Wrap masking tape around toilet paper tube where pencil tip and the tube meet. (Pic. 3)
6. Use a pencil to draw lines down the side of the toilet paper tube. (Pic. 4)
7. Cut out a 4″ square of pink tissue paper. To form the eraser tip, wrap the tissue paper over the open end of the toilet paper tube. Wrap a piece of masking about 1.5″ from the top. (Pic. 5)
8. Remove tissue paper eraser from end of tube. Trim off the extra tissue paper that is below the masking tape. (Pic. 6)
9. Add candy or chocolate bar to the inside of the pencil tube. (Pic. 7)
10. Slide tissue paper eraser back over the end of the pencil tube. (Pic. 8)
11. Secure eraser to pencil tube using black tape.
12. Add teacher’s name using letter stickers.
13. Add a tag or note that reads, “If you have a stressful day, break this open for a chocolate treat.”

* Click on the thumbnails to see larger images.

The post How To | Toilet Paper Tube Pencil appeared first on Alanna George | The Craft Nest.