Are you in the holiday spirit yet? We had a great time decorating the tree over the weekend. Everyone is old enough now that they can help hang the ornaments. It’s a special and magical year for us and I love that all of my kids are so into the Christmas spirit. This week I helped my 4 year old make his handmade gift. He stamped these spice bags to give as gifts to his brother and sisters. This is really easy to do, but will keep a 4 year old busy for a chunk of time.

My son was so excited to finish stamping the bags and then fill them with CANDY! I bought some Brach’s classic candy mix, somehow it just tastes like Christmas and Grandma’s house!

Supplies:

• Spice Bags
• Stamping Ink Pads
• Stamps
• Candy

How To:

1. Lay bag flat.
2. Choose stamp and ink it up.
3. Stamp onto bag. Continue to add stamps to build a cute scene!
4. Fill with candy or treats.

The post Handmade Holidays | Stamped Spice Bags with Candy 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.