Another Cute Gift Idea

This has been around since the Stone Ages (literally), but it still makes a cute and personal gift.

I have a TON of old, discarded mat board that was donated to the Fine Arts department, and I cut some into about 4 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch squares. To complete the 'frame' I used some wallpaper scraps, and card stock, shorting each one about a 1/2 an inch.

I use the School Smart Metallic Tempra paint (LOVE IT!) for the fingerprints.

Since this was a mother gift, we used the thumb for the mother and the pinkie for the child.

After the paint dried, I added the bird features and the text.

For the gift bags, I found a pattern for a Reindeer Gift Bag complete with templates, if you like. I let the kids freehand their antlers, and we made a red construction paper nose to help hold the bag closed with the gift inside.

Cute, simple, easy and cheap. Only thing missing is glitter!

Cute Gifts on the Cheap

Parents are always looking for cute, inexpensive gifts to give to teachers. We want to thank teachers for the wonderful job they do. However, it's not unusual for a child to have 6 or 7 teachers. Multiply that by 2 kids, and that's close to 15 gifts. It adds up quickly.

I try to find gifts that are cute, inexpensive and memorable. This year, when looking around on the web for holiday themed art projects, I ran across this cute reindeer pin on the DLTK site. I'm never one to just take things at face value (most art teachers aren't), and here's my take on the project.

First, old puzzle pieces. I chose the head and antler pieces carefully. For the head, I made sure it was an edge piece with a joint on the bottom. Antler had joints on each side. I painted them brown on the backside, so I wouldn't have to worry about covering the puzzle design.

Next, the trusty glue gun. I attached the antlers on the top, backside of the head.

Add a small red pom pom for the nose.

A couple of googly eyes.

And, a pin back.

 

Voila!

I happened to have all the necessary parts and pieces, but all of this can be picked up at any craft store.

Merry Christmas!