School's Coming!

*Updated: We are continuing to make things for school.  Watch for more pics!

This time of year is usually a very busy one for me. This year... it is doubly so. We are going back to in person school, on time, but with physical distancing, masks, sanitizer and so much more to have to worry about. 

I have spent the summer trying to de-stress after the shift to online schooling in the spring. It was crazy, exhausting and stressful, all wrapped up into one. Announcements from the government, planning and preparing materials, shopping for things that will help me do my job and hopefully help my anxiety and stress levels stay reasonable have all been part of that break. I know... seems like it is a bit counterproductive, but that is what I do to try and help me deal with the upcoming school year.

I realized not long ago that I had not started any little things for my students to welcome them to class. I decided yesterday I had better get a move on if I was going to have anything ready for school start!

Last year, I made an animal theme and created locker tags, book bag tags, and bookmarks for my new class. They had koalas, lions, skunks, and other animals, and I had a great time making them. I have a problem this year. No lockers, so no tags. Book bags should be ok, but not sure just yet. Bookmarks, well those are always a good thing.

I decided to make bookmarks and a little note card for each of my students. I may yet make a bag tag for them as well. We will see how ambitious I get.

I decided to use some retired DSP, Gingham Gala. I love this paper, it is so bright and cheery! I also used Harvest Hellos and the retired Animal Outing (just for the Welcome) to create a back to school worthy bookmark that would bring a little colour and cheer to our very different school start. 

I used some retired card stock that I have on hand, not quite a match for the Gingham Gala colours, but I really think they worked anyways. The ribbons were cut at 8" and I tied them on with a half hitch knot, and used the apple builder punch to cut out the apples quick and easy.

A tip to make builder punches work easier: I punched out a set of the pieces, then used them to place my stamps in the right position so that I could stamp AND THEN punch after I coloured the images. I used my Stampin' Blends in Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade, Old Olive and Soft Suede. 

Next, we made cards for the kids. I will be writing a little note on the back of these postcard style notes for each of the kids in my class. We used up some scrap paper I have had forever, even using the wrapping that was around the card stock and supplies at the Stampin' Up! On Stage event that I went to last November, here in Edmonton. 

The stamp set is Crayon Kids, a long retired set that I picked up second hand. Once a teacher, always a teacher. I am always on the lookout for stuff for work it seems!

We used Artisan Textures (retired) to make the background, using Classic Stampin' Pads in Lemon Lime Twist (retired), Mango Melody, Flirty Flamingo, Seaside Spray and Highland Heather. The Welcome stamp is from Well Said, a versatile greeting set with a ton of options.

Lastly, we are making tags. These will be used for book bags, Math and LA kits, and a variety of other things as I come up with uses for them.  The stamps are from Crayon Kids for this too.  I love the hand drawn look they give for my littles. It is perfect! 

My youngest daughter and I had a lot of fun, and I always appreciate the help that she gives me at this time of year. I will miss it when I go to the school as there are no volunteers or extra people allowed in the building at this point due to COVID-19 restrictions in place in our Division.

I hope that you like the things that I have shared. If you see something that sparks an idea, great! If you see something and would like me to help out and make them for you or help you get the supplies to make things with, drop me a note or a comment, and I will be in touch. 

Hope you have a crafty day!

Sharon