Teacher Gifts From the Heart

Little K has some amazing teachers this year.  

I look forward to picking her up from school every day just to hear her talk about what she has learned, or the funny way her teachers interact with the students, or the exciting experiments/projects they are working on.  These teachers have pushed her beyond her limits - and she has succeeded.  They have made her most difficult subjects exciting and easier to comprehend.  I am forever grateful for their passion - and for sharing it with my child.

(note:  she also has a particularly difficult teacher this year that makes me appreciate the others all that much more)

We don't usually give Teachers gifts at the Holidays - but this year was an exception.

When I came across this quote:  "Great Teachers teach from the Heart, Not from the Book".  I knew it was a perfect way to express how we feel. 

So I made it into a stuffed embroidered fabric picture.  One for each of her favorite teachers.  

The quote is printed on fabric - using Freezer Paper.  If you have never tried this technique before - it so much easier than it sounds.  

THANKS - to my Mom for introducing me to this fun method.

 Cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than a piece of paper.  Also tear a strip of freezer paper of a similar size.  Using a hot iron (no steam), iron the paper (shiny side down) to the back of the fabric.  After just a few seconds of applied heat - the fabric and paper are temporarily fused together.

Cut the paper backed fabric to fit your printer paper size (8 1/2" X 11").  I used a rotary cutter, but a paper cutter works well also.

To get the printed image onto the fabric - load the paper backed fabric into your printer and PRINT.  It's that simple.  Really!

Peel the paper from the fabric.

Then heat set the ink with a few more seconds under a hot iron.  This prevents smudges and bleeding.  It will also make the ink water safe (for hand washing). 

What makes this project so sweet (in my opinion) is the added details of a felt heart stitched to the printed fabric quote using embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.

I'm pretty impressed with myself that I remembered how to do a blanket stitch.  I love how finished it makes the edges of the heart.  If I knew my stitches would be so neat - I might have even attempted a contrast stitching.  Maybe next time.

You can download the printed quote here.

The last step is to layer the printed/embroidered fabric over a layer of batting and wrap it around the frame backing (you know - the piece that you remove from the back of the frame to insert the picture). 

I removed the glass - so the stuffed fabric would puff out of the frame a little.  Insert into the frame and you are done.  

I think it's the perfect gift for several teachers (both Male and Female) that we really appreciate.

Torn Strip Fabric Wreath

I'm currently editing pictures from the Cream and White Party we hosted last weekend and will be posting all about it soon.

Here is a Sneak Peek of some of the decorations.

One of my favorite things we made for the party were these Torn Strip Fabric Wreathes that greeted guests at the Front Door.

 

 I've posted details on how they were made over at The Pink Elephant for my Project Thursday contribution this week.  

I'm loving all the Neutral Colors and Textures....considering keeping them up for just a while longer.

Halloween Boo Bag Sweet Treats

I'm finishing up our Neighborhood Boo Bags.  Just a few more details and they will be ready to be secretly delivered.

Every Year we try to include a Home Made Sweet Treat.

Our families current favorite is Peanut Butter Bars - but they are not very colorful (shades and brown and beige), so I decided to switch up the recipe and make them more Halloween Themed.

 White Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

INGREDIENTS

20 Halloween Oreo Cookies

1/4 Cup Melted Butter

1   Cup Butter

 1 1/2   Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

2   Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

2   Cups Confectioners Sugar

1/2   Cup Chocolate Chips

1 1/2   Cup White Chocolate Chips

2   Tablespoons Shortening

DIRECTIONS

1.  Melt 1/4 cup butter in medium bowl.  Crush Oreo Cookies (using a food processor) into small crumbs.  Add to melted butter and stir until well coated. 

2.  Spread cookie crumb mixture onto bottom of 9 X 13 pan and refrigerate until firm.

3.  Melt 1 cup butter and peanut butter in large bowl in microwave - stirring frequently until smooth. 

4.  Add graham cracker crumbs and confectioners sugar to melted mixture and stir until well combined.  Set aside.

5.  Melt chocolate chips in microwave until smooth.

6.  Spread melted chocolate over cookie crust (this helps keep the cookie crumbs together and adhere them to the peanut butter layer).

7.  Spread peanut butter mixture evenly over cookie/chocolate crust and refrigerate until set.

8.  Melt white chocolate chips and shortening in microwave - stirring frequently until smooth.

9.  Spread over peanut butter mixture.

10.  Sprinkle with festive Halloween non-pareils, jimmies or quins.

11.  Refrigerate until firm - at least one hour.  Cut into squares.

More tips and details for this recipe are included on my Project Thursday Post over at The Pink Elephant Blog.

I Got Paid....For My Photo Prints

I have a tendency to dabble in way to many things at once (hence the name of my blog).

Sometimes that means I don't spend as much time (as I used to) indulging my passions.  

This week I was reminded of how much I enjoy taking Still Life Photos.  

Have you heard of Society6?  

A while back I set up a few of my favorite Still Life Photos for sale on their site.

They offer a great collection of all kinds of Artists Images.  The images are available in high quality products (like iPhone cases, pillows, stationary cards) and of course - PRINTS.  

 Much to my surprise - I received a notification this week that Society6 had deposited into my PayPal account for the SALE of my photographic products.

How cool is that?

Somewhere in the world - someone has one of my photographs hanging on their wall.  

 

 Someone else has 2 of my photographs - made into Throw Pillows - tossed onto their sofa.  

No matter how much I listen to my "inner voice" and allow my personal vision to guide my creative output.  It's still just a little thrilling to think that someone else might like my creations too.  

You can see more of my favorite Still Life Photos on my Society6 Profile HERE.

I'm feeling the urge gather up my favorite things, create a sweet vignette, dust off my SLR camera and get photographing again.