Grad Series: Washer Necklace

Here is an ambitious graduation gift idea that could last a lifetime.  The designer stamped the name and graduation date into a washer.  Clever!!  I really would have loved this as a gift when I was a grad.  Yeah, yeah...who wears their expensive class ring beyond their senior year of high school?!?  I know.  But, those aren't handmade.   You can get a play by play class lesson for making this necklace via this link:

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2010/05/stamped-washer-necklaces.html

This grad series has been a lot of fun because it forced me to really search through some great craft blogs to find ideas that inspired me.  I'd been in a bit of a rut myself.  But, sifting through so many crafts made me want to schedule a session in the scrap shack with my friend, Crafty Girl.  It was just the thing I needed to snap out of the doldrums.  I also discovered that there are a lot of creative people in this world with nice blogs.  I'm happy to pass along their crafts and I'm looking forward to doing these series more often.  Class Dismissed.

Shutterbug Sunday: Grad Series

Oh, the wonders of Mod Podge.  Really, you can create any theme you want on top of anything that is wooden, metal, paper, etc.  I just love that stuff.  Since we are in the midst of graduation season, I'm using this Shutterbug Sunday to focus on a fun way to display your lovely pictures.

Here's what you need:

1-Inexpensive wooden frame.
2-Mod Podge
3-Adhesive
4-foam brush
5-Paper Trimmer
6-Embellishments (optional)

Pick a theme paper for your frame.  Right now you can find a large selection single sheets in the scrapbooking sections of craft stores.  You could also rip a page out of an old text book, with a lesson on the student's main subject of interest.  If you have a notebook full of scribbles and notes written by the actual student, rip out one of those sheets.  I opted to create my own page of notes on acid-free scrapbooking paper.  I placed my paper over the frame and used a knife to cut the hole out.  Leave a little paper to spare and tuck into the frame when you mod-podge.

Dip your foam brush in the Mod Podge and cover the surface of the frame with a layer.  Add your paper and smooth it out.  Next, I doodled all over the paper.  If you scribble your own notes, be sure to let the ink dry completely or it will run.  I used a black, acid-free, non-bleeding, fine-tipped marker from the craft store.  When your paper is dry, add another layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper...smoothing out bubbles.  Make sure there are no finger prints or odd clumps on the surface because the way you spread the MP will be evident as it dries.

Once the Mod Podge dries, you can add embellishments, if you want to.  Anything that makes you think of school work would apply.  If math is the grad's major...maybe a ruler would work.  A good ole' pencil fits any subject.  Adhere the embellishments.

This would be a great gift for the graduate in your life or you can give the frame to a deserving teacher.  There wouldn't be any graduates without them.  Come back tomorrow for a bonus grad series post.  Class over!  Enjoy your homework.

Grad Series: Card Box

One of the most popular gifts at a graduation party is a good old card with a little cash inside.  They are simple to give and great to open when you are getting ready to face college loans.  I think this nifty little card box is a cute way to collect the goods.  I'd throw a small photo on top of it, next to the slot.  You can find advice from the person who made this via this link:

http://decoratingforevents.com/handeemandee/graduation-party-ideas-crafts-for-graduation/

Personally, when I first saw this, I thought it looked like a cake plate.  You could probably adapt it.  It would be lovely to display a little cake on a homemade graduation cap.  It could really serve as a stand to display anything you want, a photo of the grad, a book of well-wishes, finger-foods.  Get creative.

Grad Series: Gift Box

Grads open many cards, but if you want to stand out and show extra love for the student in your life, here is a nifty idea to display your gift.  A small graduation cap opens to display cash, gift cards, or any small present.  The ring here is just a prop.  Many of you have probably created your own gift boxes in the past.  Even if you don't know what your gift will be, at least you'll have a fancy box ready to put it in.  I found this creation at this link:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=304409.msg3483878#msg3483878

We'll have another fun idea in our graduation series on Shutterbug Sunday....the school edition.  See you then.

Grad Series: Chocolate Caps

Get your notebook and a pencil.  We've got a lesson on creative party snacks coming your way.  Since young adults across the country are preparing to pick up their diplomas soon, my mind has been focused on arts and crafts that might fit the occasion.  I came across these delicious looking peanut butter cup & godiva graduation caps.  If you are throwing a party and want to make a special treat, here is one fun idea.  They would work well for any graduation...pre-school, elementary school, etc.  Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for this sweet idea.  But, you can find out who came up with the idea and how to make these chocolate cup caps via this link:  http://www.bakerella.com/candy-cup-caps/

Come back for more fun graduation finds for the rest of this week.  By all means, if you have a great idea that you'd like to share...let us know.  Have fun!

Flowers For Daryl

I'm so honored to be the owner of this new painting called "Flowers for Daryl". It was painted by Kay E. Martin and donated to a silent auction for a very special event I went to Thursday night. We actually won four items in the silent auction! It was a magical night called the "Farley Follies".

The Farley Follies are held to honor Daryl E. Farley, a 21year teacher of the Guilderland School District in New York State. She passed away October 31st, 2009 at the age of 49 from cancer.  She played school with her sister as a child and always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She loved her students and they were so sad when she passed.  As a way to remember her- the teachers decided several months later to celebrate her life with the kids by putting on an evening assembly, where the teachers took the stage and performed.

Tickets for the first year event sold out within the week! I remember my kids being devastated they couldn't go. So many kids were devastated that they ended up performing the show all over again the next day in an assembly at school, so everyone could be involved.

This year, when the tickets went on sale, we bought them the very first day! Good thing! Tickets sold out the FIRST DAY this year. As the curtain opened that night, I could feel the hearts in the room open. The teachers pulled out their old band instruments and performed a song!  It was so cute to see the school social worker, who our family loves so dearly, playing her flute! Another played a recorder and yet another a trombone!

Then, it was time to RAP! Yep! Teachers dressed in baggy M.C. Hammer pants-- rapping about how students "CAN read this!" Playing off his classic song, "You Can't Touch This".

Who knew so many teachers could TAP dance!?! Really- you just see these people as teachers, but they are so much more.

This school district is facing unprecedented budget cuts. No political sides taken here- just the cold hard facts. New York State is billions of dollars in the hole and sadly children are going to suffer as the governor looks for solutions.  Yet, these educators set aside the fact that some of them may not have jobs next year to raise money for the charity they started in honor of their friend. The kids will be able to play "wall ball" on a blacktop surface, instead of a muddy or dusty dirt pit.  A graduating High School Senior who wants to become a teacher will receive a scholarship. These acts of everlasting kindness are all because these educators truly love the kids.

It was so rewarding to see them smiling and their camaraderie is evident. It made me cry. I learned our school is not a building, but a community. All the children truly love going there. It is filled with many people who went into the field of education to make a difference in a child's life.  I'm sure they will. I will always look at my "Flowers For Daryl" and think about a teacher I never really knew.  I'm so proud to be part of the community that she helped build. This will make me smile.

To donate to the Daryl E Farley Charity:

6270 Johnston Rd. Albany, NY 12203