CraftyEngineer

More Teacher Gifts

5 more days...just 5 more school days 'till SUMMER BREAK! YAY!

So, a lot has happened around here lately... We spent the Memorial Day weekend in Sunny (but cold- always cold) California (Sunnyvale, Santa Cruz, Monterrey, San Jose, etc. etc.) for our nephew's wedding. You may remember the wedding invitations that I made for them. Our oldest son was the ring bearer and that was a treat to see him all dressed up in a tux! He took his job very seriously (as he does with everything in life, it seems). He said to me right before he walked down the aisle "I'm not going to smile, Mommy". I didn't know why he said that until I took his picture coming down the aisle. Ah, very serious. This is serious work. LOL. Anyway, their wedding was beautiful. It was outside in the redwoods near Santa Cruz. The wedding itself was very nice and a bit warm and then moments later at the reception, it was cold (when the sun went behind the beautiful trees!).

On Sunday, we went to Monterrey with some of our extended family. I hadn't been to the Monterrey Aquarium in years... so much more fun with kids. 

About 10 days ago (who knows, really? :)), I sat down and made 200 3x3 cards for teacher gifts. That works out to 25 packages of 8 cards and envelopes. You've probably heard me mention that these were going to   be my teacher gifts this year - well I decided that they were and made a ton more. I've mentioned before how I like to give past teachers gifts as well, especially at the preschool... so for both boys, I needed 21 or so gifts (librarian, music, art, pe, teachers, asst. teachers, preschool staff, etc. etc.). Quick and easy. I made 4 birthday and 4 thank yous per box.

Did you see the Summer Release from A Muse? There were some surprises that you hadn't seen in any of the amuse-bouche. What's your favorite new stamp?

Tomorrow, I'll be in Dallas teaching 5 A Muse classes and most importantly getting to see many of my Splitcoast friends from all over. They are gathering in Dallas this weekend for another Texas Swap. If you're in the area, stop by Personal Scrapbook and say hello! (that damask is really a regal rose color not a red!)

amuse-bouche... #5

Here is my last amuse-bouche. The summer release is available at your LSS now but soon it will be available online!

Isn't that boy cute??? I paired him up with an old sentiment and the treasure chest (and seaweed).

Be sure to check out the rest of the team and the A Muse News Blog for more inspiration.

amuse-bouche...#4

And here is #4... are you enjoying this release? SO FUN... can't wait for summer!

A GIRL pirate... now that's cool! I was in a hurry when I stamped this so if I were to do it over, I'd use my stamp positioner... another time, another day.

Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to all those that serve and that have served our country to keep our freedom and to keep us safe!

amuse-bouche... #3

Happy Birthday Sharon!!! Have a great day!

Here's my amuse-bouche for today. It so reminds me of my friend Shamu. We go to Sea World once a year down in San Antonio to visit him. Hope you are enjoying the sneaks!

"Don't forget to have a little fun today!"

amuse-bouche...#2

We own a four person catamaran and I absolutely love it! This new sailboat image reminds me of sailing on the lake during the summers. Ah, such a relaxing thing... I hope we get to do that again soon.

Happy Saturday!

amuse-bouche... Summer is almost here!

So, not a lot of chatter today (which I'm sure you're happy about!)... amuse-bouche starts today. I stayed up extra late last night to stamp some samples (It's Elena's fault!) for this release.

My 3 year old has become noctural...sorta... and decided that we need to get up extra early the past 2 days. Yesterday it was 2:42am...got him back to sleep relatively easy. Today is was 5am. Not back to sleep today. Not so bad if I didn't go to bed so late... I should've just stayed up....

Did I mention I'm going to California in a few hours for our nephew's wedding this weekend? Oh, I guess I should pack, eh?

 

Upcoming Classes!

I've added a class to my schedule... Austin at Memory Depot on June 13th... one class only this time around - A Muse's Sizzlin' Summer Fun at 10am. Call the store to reserve your spot 512.326.8045

Also, I'll be up in the Dallas area next weekend (Fri the 29th and Sat the 30th) and I'd be happy to meet you there! Personal-Scrapbook is a very unique place in that each student gets their OWN desk area... it is FABULOUS... If you're in the area and want to make cards, call the store to reserve your spot, (972) 351-8717. Tara, the owner, is a sweetie and she's new to A Muse and new to STAMPS. Let's show her how us stampers like stamp stores ;)

A*Muse*A*Palooza is coming!!! I'm still working on the class details but the schedule is tentatively set so SAVE the DATES!

AUSTIN - SAVE THE DATES

A*Muse*A*Palooza #1, Friday, July 10th, 2009, 10am Memory Depot, Austin, TX

A*Muse*A*Palooza #2, Friday, July 10th, 2009, 1pm Memory Depot, Austin, TX

A*Muse*A*Palooza #3, Saturday, July 11th, 2009, 10am, Memory Depot, Austin, TX

A*Muse*A*Palooza #4, Saturday, July 11th, 2009, 1pm, Memory Depot, Austin, TX

SAN ANTONIO - SAVE THE DATES

A*Muse*A*Palooza, Friday, July 17th, 2009, Stamp Antonio, San Antonio, TX

A*Muse*A*Palooza, Friday, July 17th, 2009, Stamp Antonio, San Antonio, TX

A*Muse*A*Palooza, Saturday, July 18th, 2009, Stamp Antonio, San Antonio, TX

A*Muse*A*Palooza, Saturday, July 18th, 2009, Stamp Antonio, San Antonio, TX

Hope to see you around Texas sometime soon!

Preschool Teacher Gifts - Scrapbooks

If you follow my blog at all, this will look very similar to you from past years! I tend to make the same type of gift each year for the teachers: A scrapbook of each kid's pictures along with notes from the parents. It includes the class picture, a gift card holder (and gift card), and the following poem. I *heart* this poem.

Forever In Your Heart

Although you are not their mother
You care for them each day.
You cuddle, sing and read to them
And watch them as they play.
You see each new accomplishment
You help them grow and learn.
You understand their language,
You listen with concern.
They come to you for comfort,
And you kiss away their tears.
They proudly show their work to you,
You give the loudest cheers!
No, you are not their mother,
But your role is just as strong.
You nurture them and keep them safe,
Though maybe not for long.
You know someday the time will come,
When you will have to part.
But you know each child you cared for,
is forever in your heart!

Author Unknown.

So, here are the scrapbooks. The pictures were taken right before heading out the door to the last day of preschool the other day so they're not great... but you get the idea, right? And as always, the photos of the kids, including mine are blocked out.  Boys were blue and yellow, Girls were pink. All A Muse stamps for the designs, lettering. Bind-it-all for the binding. Stampin' Up Die for the front cover. Library pockets for the sleeves. Stampin' Up Gift Holder (not shown). I used business cards for the notes from each parent. Not as decorated as I would have liked but time kept passing! Have a great day!

Bumper cards... sent to me!

As you may know I've been hosting Bumper Cards for a LONG time... well this past month some of the participants sent me a copy of their bumper card. Isn't that sweet??? Thanks so much ladies!

   

Thanks so much ladies!

Have a super day!

Today is...

...my 12th wedding anniversary! I can't believe how fast time is flying. We got married on a boat on Lake Travis here in Austin, 12 years ago. It was fabulous. And then we went off to Hawaii for 2 weeks. I *WISH* I was going to Hawaii tomorrow! HA! We did celebrate (we've been celebrating all weekend it seems!) last night by seeing our most favorite Broadway show... Rent! It was part of our Broadway Season Tickets at the University. We've now seen it 7 times, including in NYC. Every time they come around here, I think this will be the last time we'll get to see it so I better get tickets. LOL. Last night's performance included Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal (the original Mark and Roger) and they were fabulous. We saw many of our friends at the show, too. That was fun. What a small world!

Anyway, tomorrow is the last day of preschool for my son. How fast has that happened? But I'm so ready to have my boys home with me. They are at a really good age and can fend for themselves for the most part. LOVE that! Plus they are funny! My 3 year-old is full of jokes and telling stories. Great fun. And my oldest started guitar lessons 2 weeks ago. The first week was Mary had a little lamb. This week... the theme from Iron Man. WHAT? Very beginner level but still recognizable. I. am. so. musically. challenged. Sheesh.

I'm very close to finishing up some of the end-of-teacher gifts. I've finished the preschool teacher scrapbooks and will show those soon. But I must go finish the cards I'm making for the other preschool teachers and staff... but I wanted to show you something crafty!

Last week, I sold 100 3x3 cards to a local children's boutique (I KNOW! I couldn't believe it either!). I did 27  designs... here they are:

I did boy baby, girl baby, unisex baby, girl birthday, and boy birthday. It was fun to get out all of my A Muse stamps and come up with some gift enclosure designs! The trick to this kind of stamping... scor-pal all of your base layer, then cut, then cut all the white. Then when you're ready to stamp, the paper is all ready for you!

 

Hope your weekend was smashing. Just 2 1/2 more weeks of school! I just may make it...

All images by A Muse Artstamps; Cardstock by Stampin' Up!

Remember... No Day But Today...