It's coming to an end of  school this month here in UK.
Like every year we made new THANK YOU cards for teacher and assistants to appreciate the work they do.
Today we're about to share my latest idea for such card using few different materials but easy at the same time.
There's part for kids and yourself to get arty ;)
So we created beautiful mixed media trees with the sign saying a classic "Thank you for helping me grow".

Lets have a look what did we use for this project!




For the leaves of the tree I decided to go crazy with the patterns yet keeping the green pallete.
I actually ordered some wallpaper samples.
I do that from time to time when need something extra special ;)
Wallpaper Direct have a huge range to choose from, two A4 samples are free then £0.50 each.
Absolutely worth it!






Some came with the texture too!


I also found some decorative papers at home and plain green card stock.




We also use :

- blank greeting cards
- tree bark 
- colored cotton thread 
- gold metallic pen
- black fine pen
- scissors
- PVA glue
- hot glue gun



 This project it's also a great occasion to get into nature again and talk about different kinds of trees and collect the bark from underneath. 



Step 1.

Cutting out leaves.
Many patterns, many sizes...




They're looking best with that crease in the middle ... 



and to get that effect simply fold paper then cut out your shapes.
I'm sure you knew that already :)


Step 2.
Cut out the base 
for a tree limb from a thick card using glass.
Ela was happy to hear it doesn't have to be too neat as the leaves will cover all.



Step 3.

Using PVA glue (kids option) or hot glue gun (adult option) attach the leaves starting from biggest, going round...





and round into the middle to cover the base.







Aren't they pretty?
We mixed in a dash of pink and purple ;)

Glue the leaves only on their bottom part so they stick out . 



Step 4.

Make the signs.
I cut out little rectangles out of a card and drew gold frames at the edges.





Ela then wrote " THANK YOU for helping me grow" on each.






Step 5.

I attached the leafy limbs onto cards using hot glue.






Step 6.

Attaching signs onto bark (tree trunk).

First I wrapped a cotton threads around...




I then cut both ends short and attached them onto sings with tape.

Remember to lay the sign upside down, it will be then turned over when attached ;)






Step 7.

I attached the trunks onto cards with hot glue gun, there's no other option in this case as the bark pieces are chunky and rough.



               
                We think they're gorgeous!







 To personalize this year teacher gift I make a simple printable you can also print it for FREE!
Get your child to finish the sentences and draw a picture :)



            Simpy click on the link below the image.



THANK YOU



I packed the gifts in simple brown paper bags and clipped the cards with wooden pegs.
We've made bath salts too, but that's some other time soon ;)





I'm looking forward to hear what do you think :) 

               Have a wonderful crafting
            and enjoy the Summer brake!

This year our not so little any more Ela turned 7!
For this occasion I usually make my own handmade gift wrap :)
I choose Alice in Wonderland.
I bought a tote bag in Pound store for Ela the other day which inspired my project.





She loved the movie and a story book too so it did seems to be the right choice.
I wanted something simple with use of only few colours.

I hand drew few characters and motives on my computer and made it to a FREE PRINTABLE which now you can use it too!

There's few tags and patterns you can print out on few standard A4 cards and connect for a bigger size.

Simply click the LINKS below images for printing.


tags



white rabbit



tea time




cat


Alice




For the biggest wrapping I made a simple chess board pattern using
- foam sheet
- wooden building block
- black acrylic paint





I simply glued a square piece of foam sheet on to a block to make a stamp.



Pattern is not ideal, but hey it's hand made :)




Some gifts I wrapped in brown paper...




and hand drew some vintage keys and a key hole on.








I also had some heart patterned paper since Christmas at home which matched the theme nicely.






















I packed it all into Alice tote bag.






What kid doesn't like to unwrap the gifts? :)








     This could be a great match to Alice in Wonderland inspired Birthday tea party ;)




                     If you like the idea of
handmade wrapping paper then why don't you check our other fun to make ideas like :


- GALAXY

- COMIC BOOK

- ICE CREAM

MICKEY MOUSE



                                          Happy wrapping!