Personalized Travel Activity Kit for Kids

Personalized Travel Activity Kit for Kids

A lot of parents nowadays are looking for alternatives to screen time 

to keep little ones happy and busy on trips or when eating out.

When my kids were young, we didn’t have phones or tablets 

to keep them occupied while sitting in church or restaurants.  

When we would go on a long road trip, I’d make each kid a new 

“Busy Box” and bring a few extra items to add along the way.  

I can’t tell you it’s fail-proof, but it did work most of the time. 

Back to School is a great time to look for items to put in your box.

Materials Used:  (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Since I’m making a girl box for my granddaughter…

I chose a box that had glitter on it. 

I also used StyleTechCraft Ultra Metallic Glitter Vinyl for my designs.  

Directions:

  • I used a Silhouette to cut out flowers and letters to decorate the box using StyleTechCraft Ultra Metallic Vinyl.  I also cut a 3 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ piece of silver vinyl to put on the lid.  
  • If you don’t have an electronic die-cutting machine, you can also use thin metal dies to cut the vinyl.  
  • Place transfer paper over the cut vinyl.  Gently rub over the vinyl with the scraper tool.  
  • Remove the transfer paper from the white protective backing and place it onto the box.
  • Rub the transfer paper with the scraper tool to ensure the vinyl has transferred.  Remove the transfer paper.

I picked up a few items for my box at Dollar Tree.

Don’t forget to also pick up an age-appropriate snack.

Shop Dollar Tree for Back to School and Crafting Supplies!

To go with the theme, I decorated a plain notebook to match the box. 

Somewhere, I have a picture of my daughter covered in foil stars on one long road trip.   

Oh, and on a side note…make sure you don’t leave crayons in a hot car. 

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Teach Love Inspire-BTS Teacher Sign

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl.

It’s August.

Summer Vacation is wrapping up. 

There are School Supplies on the Store Shelves.

And teachers are working overtime to make sure their

classrooms are ready for the first day of school.

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl

Why do teachers work so hard?

Because they love to Teach, Love, and Inspire.  

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl

Materials Used to make the BTS Teacher Sign:  (*Affiliate Links)

StyletechCraft products brought to you by ATSM Craft*

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl…

  • Paint the wood sign with Black Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint*.
  • To make the sign look like a chalkboard, water down a small amount of white acrylic paint.  Paint over the black sign with the watered-down white paint.  Quickly wipe over the painted sign to remove some of the white paint.
  • Lightly sand over sign with sanding black to smooth out the grain of the wood.

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl

  • After cutting, remove the excess vinyl from the design using a Vinyl Weeding Tool*.
  • To apply the vinyl to the sign, lay the transfer paper over the vinyl.
  • Rub over the transfer paper with a vinyl scraper tool and lift the design from the white paper backing.
  • Lay the transfer paper onto the sign and rub over the design.

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft Vinyl

  • Gently remove the transfer paper.

How to make a BTS Teacher Sign using StyleTechCraft VinylThe back to school sign is a great gift for the favorite teacher in your life.

Back to School Inspiration

StyleTechCraft Vinyl is great for labeling all sorts of items in the classroom.  

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Three Projects with Eileen Hull’s New Chapter 3 Release

Projects using Eileen Hull's New Chapter 3 Dies from Sizzix

Eileen Hull’s New Chapter 3 Dies from Sizzix.

I am excited to share three projects I created using Eileen Hull’s New Chapter 3 Sizzix

die collection!

They are a fun group of dies.

Each piece in the set stands alone but also coordinates with the others

to make a truly versatile and valuable addition to your collection.

Back to School Gift Box

Back to School Teacher Gift Box

If you’re looking for to “butter up” the new teacher, this BTS gift box is a fun project to make.

The Back-to-School Teacher Gift Box uses Eileen’s New XL Card Box Die*.

I LOVE this Die* and I can’t wait to share all the ideas I have for this die for the Holidays.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Puppy Love Skinny Mini Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 4902

Puppy Love Skinny Mini Album

Eileen’s Skinny Mini Book Box Die* makes the perfect sized album for pictures

of my pup Dexter.

The die also comes with the side parts to make it into a box.  (genius!)

Puppy Love Skinny Mini Album

I created accordion pages for the inside of the album by scoring and attaching 6″ x 12″ cardstock.

Skinny Mini Elements Christmas Poinsettia Card.

Skinny Mini Elements Christmas Poinsettia Card

While the Skinny Mini Elements Die* is not a Christmas Die,

it sure makes one cute Christmas card.

It coordinates perfectly with the Skinny Mini Book Box Die*.

Sizzix Skinny Mini Elements Christmas Poinsettia Card-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 4940

This card comes with a little back story.

After I made this card, I sent Eileen a picture of the finished project.

She messaged me back that I was brilliant for making the poinsettias using the cut-outs

from the die.  I agreed that “would have” been brilliant, but (darn it) I had used premade

paper poinsettias for the card.

Up for the challenge, I remade the red poinsettia using the cut-outs from the die.

I left the white poinsettias for comparison.  (and laziness)

I cut the points off the side and arranged the petals on foam mounting squares.

Voila, a poinsettia!

Eileen Hull Chapter 3 Release Party

Check out the Eileen Hull’s Blog below for even more ideas. 

Here’s the list of Chapter #3 Blog Hop Stops:

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Educator Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

First Day of School Scrapbook Layout

First Day of School Scrapbook Layout

Capturing the First Day of School Smiles…

As a kid, I always looked forward to going back to school.

New clothes, new supplies, and the new fall lineup on TV.

As a mom, I was a little sad sending them.

It always felt like summer was over as soon as the kids went back to school.

I was never that mom that couldn’t wait for them to go back.

But once we got back into the routine, everything was good again.

(The layout is of my older two Grandsons First Day of School.)

First Day of School Scrapbook Layout

Die-Cutting Tips…

  • For better results with dies that have grooves, use thick or double-layered cardstock.
  • I adhered two pieces of cardstock together using the Xyron Create-A-Sticker Mini*.
  • I also added a second layer of adhesive to the cardstock before cutting the pieces out using the Mini Maker Die Cutting Machine.
  • You will want to run it through and then back again to make sure that all layers have been cut.
  • Each little die-cut piece becomes a sticker which makes it easy to put all the parts together.

Maker's Movement

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post  for The Maker’s Movement.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

School Essentials Die Set from The Maker's Movement First Day Die Set from The Maker's Movement

Materials Used:    (*affiliate links)

     

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Back to School Mini Essentials Card

Back to School Mini Essentials Card

Start their year off right with a card made with Back to School Mini Essentials.

Perfect for both Students and Teachers.

The mini essentials would make great embellishments for a scrapbook page.

The small ruler frame would look great with this year’s back to school picture.

Maker's Movement

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for The Maker’s Movement.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Back to School with Mini Essentials Card

Die-Cutting Tips…

  • For better results with dies that have grooves, use thick or double-layered cardstock.
  • I adhered two pieces of cardstock together using the Xyron Create-A-Sticker Mini*.
  • I also added a second layer of adhesive to the cardstock before cutting the pieces out using the Mini Maker Die Cutting Machine.
  • You will want to run it through and then back again to make sure that all layers have been cut.
  • Each little die-cut piece becomes a sticker which makes it easy to put all the parts together.

Back to School Mini Essentials Card

This is a great way to use up small scraps of cardstock.

Products Used:    (*affiliate link)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Back Pack to School Card

This was a fun card to make.

I combined the “Backpack to School Die Set” with the “School Essentials Die Set”

to make this sweet pink “girly” back to school card.

The greeting “I hope you have an amazing day” from the Food Truck Stamp Set says it all.

Back Pack to School Card

How to Make the Backpack Card:

  • Die-cut the backpack pieces out of the floral/green plaid paper using the Mini Maker Die Cutting Machine.
  • To shape the die-cut pieces, place the shape on the molding mat* and press down with the large-ball stylus*. Move the stylus around in small circular motions to soften the paper. The die-cut shape will begin to curl, giving it dimension.
  • Use the light gray marker on the edges of the paper to cover the white paper core and give the pieces a shadowing.
  • Assemble the backpack using small thin foam squares.
  • Die-cut and assemble pencils and the ruler using pencils from the School Essentials Die Set.
  • Die-Cut a white cardstock frame using the Round Rectangle Die Set.
  • Tuck the small floral bits into the backpack along with a ruler and pencils and adhere them in place.
  • Assemble the card using coordinating paper layers.

Shop Tombow

Back Pack to School Card

Tuck the card in her backpack and help make her day amazing.

Products Used:     (*affiliate links)

Back to School Teacher Gift

As the new school year begins…

Don’t forget about the teachers in your life.

We all know your child’s teacher is over the moon to have your wonderful child in her class,

but just remember, she still has to deal with “you know who’s” kid.

And while she may “need” school supplies…

what she really wants is CHOCOLATE.  (and maybe wine)

Believe me…she’s not ready for summer to be over either.

To bribe entice your child’s teacher…

You might want to create a Back to School Teacher’s Gift Box using the

Xyron 9″ Creative Station* and the Eileen Hull Treasure Box Die*.   


Back to School Teacher Gift Box Supplies Used:

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

To Create the Back to School Teacher Gift Box:

  • Lay decorative scrapbook paper (design side up) on the  Xyron 9″ Creative Station* crank the handle to run the paper through the machine.  As it moves through the Xyron Creative Station it adds adhesive to the back side of the paper.  The Xyron Creative Station is easy to use and it doesn’t need electricity.
  • Adhere the paper onto the chipboard.  If you would like a design on the inside of the box, adhere coordinating paper on the other side of the chipboard.

I love using the Xyron Creative Station* when making larger projects like this because you get complete coverage, great adhesion, no wrinkling and no bubbles!

  • Lay the covered mat board over the Treasure Box Die* sandwiched between two cutting plates.  (for larger dies use the Sizzix Extender Cutting Plates)
  • Crank the handle of the Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine*and run the die through the machine.  The Big Shot will cut and score the mat board.

  • You will need to cut two of each piece to create the treasure box.

  • Fold chipboard along creased lines and attach matching pieces together.  Because the  chipboard is thick, you will need a strong adhesive to bond the pieces together.
  • Glue the two rectangle pieces on the top and bottom of the box and lid.

  • Cut the tops off 4 pencils approx. 3/4″.
  • Cut one long 3-3/4″ pencil piece.
  • Cut two pieces of pencil 1/2″.

  • Glue the 4 pencil tops to the bottom of the box to create feet.
  • Glue the two small pencil pieces onto the larger pencil piece to create a handle.

To create the hinges…

  • Add adhesive on a piece of faux leather paper by running it through the Xyron Creative Station.
  • Adhere it to a second piece of faux leather paper so that it’s double sided.
  • Die cut two hinges using  the hinge part of the Treasure Box die.
  • Adhere onto back of the box.

Fill the box with chocolates or other goodies and give to your favorite teacher.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Xyron Makers Program I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

First Day Back to School Signs

Watch out Kindergarten here I come!

The first day of school is a big deal.  Especially when it’s your first day of Kindergarten.

My grandson is going into Kindergarten this year and will be riding the bus with his big brother.

It’s a really big deal.

So… I decided to make him something  special.

Using my Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die Cutting Machine* and a variety of fun colors of

adhesive gloss craft vinyl from StyleTechCraft…I made a cute two-sided sign for them

(or Mom) to use for those First Day of School pictures.

StyleTechCraft has a large selection of adhesive vinyl colors to choose from.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

On the second side of the sign I made a few adjustments to my Silhouette Back to School

SVG cut file and added lines instead of dots.  (too many dots for me)

Using a chalk marker or chalk you can reuse the sign for many years to come.

FYI…The base of the sign is a wood cut out from Adornit which I painted using DecoArt Chalkboard Paint*.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

BTS Vinyl Pouch

BTS Pouch made with StyleTech Vinyl…

A little BTS project to make with the bigger kids.

I wanted my project to be bright, fun and colorful so I used

Styletech Fluorescent Craft Vinyl from Tape Technologies.

How to make the BTS Vinyl Pouch…                                                           (*affiliate link)

  • Cut two pieces of self adhesive vinyl 4 1/2″ x 8″.
  • Cut a piece of cardstock the same size.
  • Using Vinyl Transfer Tape*, apply vinyl onto cardstock.  Turn cardstock over and add second piece of vinyl onto the back of the cardstock.
  • Smooth out any air bubbles with Bone Folder*.
  • Trim vinyl and cardstock piece to 4″ x 7 1/2″.
  • Score vinyl using a Scoring Board* 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″.  Fold pouch on creases.
  • Cut 1″ strips of vinyl.
  • Cut vinyl to size and score 1/2″ down the strip.  Use strips to cover sides of pouch.
  • Cut additional strips to decorate pouch.
  • Cut small flowers using Sizzix Triplits Dies ~ Flower 2* to embellish.
  • Add Doodlebug Adhesive Enamel Sprinkles* in center of flower.

  • Punch small hole in top corner and add book ring.
  • On the inside add a piece of hook and loop tape.
  • Use a corner round punch to round the corners of the flap.

For more fun, try making a larger pencil pouch.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Tape Technologies Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Shop Your Fav Brands at Scrapbook.com

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Craft Ideas Fall 2015

Craft Ideas Fall 2015 cover

I’m So excited….

I have two projects in the latest issue of Craft Ideas magazine.

A Back to School Announcement Board on page 11 and a simple Back to School Card on page 53.

You can see the instructions for the Back to School Announcement board here on Craft Ideas.

Craft Ideas Fall 2015 8474

Make sure to pick up your copy.

 

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Make-Over

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Make Over 7015

Quick and Easy, Keep It Simple.  Sounds like a great DIY plan. 

With a little creativity you can transform plain into something fun and personal.

Deflecto Black Pencil Cup 6944

I started with a plain pencil cup from Deflecto.

With a little Washi Tape wrapped around the top and bottom of the cup, a couple of stickers and

accessories…  I now have a cute pencil cup to set on my desk.

I added a couple of my favorite pictures of my special guys from last year.  (boy have they grown)

Quick & Easy Washi Tape Make Over 7014

Need a couple “brownie points” for the upcoming back to school?

This would make a great teacher gift.

Just add the Teacher’s Name, Grade or “Welcome Back to School” along with a apple sticker or two.

Great for Dorm Rooms too.

“This is a sponsored post. As a member of the Deflecto Design Team I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions.”

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