Back to School Teacher Desk Set

Spark Some Creativity Saturday at the Kraaft Shaak

Happy Saturday Everyone!

This month, the Kraaft Shaak Design Team is bringing you our spin on back to school projects.  I went digging through my mixed media kit for what I was going to use.  I knew I wanted to make some type of desk set for the teacher.  And I was determined not to let that red burlap scare me anymore!  My project turned out to be a mix of paper craft items and a bit of mixed media fun.

I used a mix of the map pages in my Old Book Pages sampler, along with some red dot scrapbook paper to cover the jar.  I simply used satin Mod Podge to apply them because that's what I had handy!  I added red grosgrain ribbon along the top and bottom edges using red liner tape.  I also used the red liner tape to add the burlap strip around the middle of the jar.

 Next, I drew a simple apple shape on red card stock and cut it out.  I also cut a couple of leaf shapes from green cardstock.

For the leaves, I took my sample of 3d Gloss Gel and coated the leaves.   I then added glass beads in peacock green and set them aside to dry.

To give my apple some shimmer, I mixed a little bit of Lindy's Magicals in Rudolph's Nose Red with a bit of water and brushed it on the apple.  Instant bling!

All dried and attached to the pencil jar.

For the next part of my project, I decided to make a 2016 desk calendar for the teacher.  These have been a super popular item for me.  I dug out a cute little school bus stamp I had, stamped it in Memento ink and colored the image with my Copic markers.  Quick and easy!

The third component of my teacher set is a note card portfolio.  I continued my school bus theme throughout.  The portfolio holds four 4.25" X 5.5" note cards with envelopes, and four little 3" x 3" cards with envelopes.  Teachers always need cute ways to send notes home to parents, right??

I added a little extra pizzazz to this little bus, giving an extra scallop layer from the red card stock that had the shimmer applied to it.  The black outline was added with a Micron pigment pen and really made it pop off the background.

Here's how the finished set looks together.

Are you doing anything special for teacher gifts this year?  Be sure to comment below and let me know.

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Crafting!

Tag It Tuesday Linky Party

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Yes, I know, this post was supposed to go up yesterday.  I'm way behind on things, thanks to a stinky summertime cold that is kicking my backside.  In fact, my tag isn't even complete.  How's that for lack of leadership here?  lol

So this month's theme was ocean/nautical and/or a blues and greens color theme.  I envisioned doing something "beachy" but that's as far as I got.

I started with a plain manila tag and my Neocolor II crayons.  I scribbled them on and then used a water brush to dissolve/activate them.  I did discover if you overwork the color, these tags will "pill."

I then used my bubbles stencils and Color Bloom sprays to add some interest to each color section.

I wasn't worried about the plain line where the two areas meet.  I had plans for it!  You know how when the waves are fairly turbulent and wash up on the beach, they can leave a "foam" behind?  Yeah....you see where I'm going with this.  Enter glass beads!

This is as far as I got.  The more I look at this, the more I think it looks like something animal-ish...like a cheetah or giraffe!  I'm struggling to make this into something that fits my theme.  I may have to start over when my mind isn't clouded by so much congestion and I stop coughing and sniffling!

How did you do with this month's theme?  Hopefully, better than I did.  I'm looking forward to seeing your project!  Let the linking begin!




Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Crafting!

Tag It Tuesday Theme for August

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

It's time for a new Tag It Tuesday Theme (cue drum roll)!

It's still mighty hot in my part of the world, so I thought we'd try to cool things off with a nautical/ocean theme.  You can also interpret this as a blues and greens theme if you'd rather take it as a color challenge.  Think of the ocean, sea critters, beach scenes, boating/sailing, snorkeling or scuba diving.... you get the idea!

I'll even give you some visual inspiration here.

Use any size or shape of tag and give it your best shot.  The link party will be posted on August 18, so you have plenty of time to create your masterpiece.  Be sure to invite your creative friends to join in on the fun.  The more the merrier!!

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Crafting!