{From little acorns...} teacher gift

 Before I start, I just have to mention that I have already done more blog posts this year than I did in ALL of 2012. That is really sad!  I am glad to be back blogging again!  Okay...enough with that.  I know that the end of the school year isn't for a few more months, but I know it will sneak up on me faster than I can blink.  I decided to get started early.  I actually may give this to Emma's teacher when she goes back on track (we have year round school). I usually make all kinds of fun seasonal things to give to my kid's teachers, but she hasn't gotten anything handmade all year!

 I fell in love with this teacher set from PTI when it came out and purchased it immediately. It has been sitting unopened since. I was glad to get it out and start playing with it. I actually used a lot of images from the set. I tried to lay it out in a way that I could use a lot, but not get too cluttery.  All of the paper is old Scenic Route paper that I have loved using in the past. I only had a few scraps left, so I put it to good use.

 The banner piece that says "begins" was stamped separately and then cut out and adhered using foam squares. I applied some glossy accents to it as well as the pencil.  The apple images were giving me trouble...my Pure Poppy inkpad must need some ink refill on it, but they are out at PTI.  I decided in the end that it just kind of makes it look like the "shine" on the apple. Right? Or am I just trying to make myself feel  better?

The box is one of my favorite to make. I have been using this same template for years.  It closes with velcro dots, so the recipient doesn't have to "un-do" anything.

It must be my pregnancy hormones or something, because every time I read this quote, I cry! Go figure! I guess I just think how much our little ones need us and good teachers.  I had fun creating this little ensemble and has inspired me to get going on little gifts for the principal, librarian, etc.  Thanks for fluttering by!