Friday, May 17, 2013

With Appreciation

 
When I saw the theme for this month’s Waltzingmouse Stamps blog dance was teacher appreciation, I knew I wanted to play along. As a teacher, I know firsthand how challenging—and rewarding--the job is and how nice it is to have your hard work and commitment to your students recognized by the children and families in your classroom. The gifts I treasure most from my teaching career are the notes I’ve received from parents and from children. I’ve kept them as reminders of the lives I’ve been able to touch and influence as a teacher. I’ve always thought that teaching kindergarten was kind of magical. For so many kids, it’s their first formal school experience. There’s so much growth and change over the course of that year. Kids walk in to the room barely writing or recognizing their own names and leave at the end of the year reading. I'm always awed at this and honored to have played a part in their lives.

Here’s what I came up with to share today. I made a card using a sentiment from the Sweethearts stamp set as my focal image. Yes, the sentiment’s original intent is for a more romantic card, but this quote is one I’ve seen used for teachers as well and certainly holds true. I stamped it in white pigment ink on a gray panel and heat embossed it in white, then brushed on a little extra pigment ink for a chalkboard like look. To frame the sentiment, I used mitered strips of kraft cardstock to create the look of a traditional wooden chalkboard, even adding teeny, tiny copper brad “nails” to the corners.

The finished chalkboard panel is set over a white doily topped with a red fishtail flag strip. For a school-themed touch, I ran a strip of measuring tape style washi tape along the edge of the red flag. I love the little pop of color it gives! I set the pieces on top of a gray dotted paper panel, then added a shiny red apple cabochon accent at the bottom of the chalkboard.

Materials Used:
Sweethearts stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Steel Grey cardstock, Fishtail Flag Layers Stax die (My Favorite Things); Real Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah); white pigment ink (WPlus9); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); Sn@p Color Vibe 1 6x6 paper pad (Simple Stories); white embossing powder, copper mini brads (Michaels); apple cabochon (EK Success); paper doily (Wilton); measuring tape washi tape

14 comments:

  1. Love this Lori ! I really like the way you framed your board and then added the brads too cute!

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  2. beautiful card and I really like how you turned the sentiment into a chalkboard.

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  3. luv this quote, sweet card...hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    enjoy *~*

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  4. Wonderful card Lori!! The sentiment is perfect and all the school time accents are wonderful!

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  5. What a great choice of sentiment Lori! love your chalkboard - ruler tape and glossy apple!

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  6. I love this Lori. Your frame around the chalkboard is brilliant and I love the way you used the doily and how fun it looks combined with the ruler wash and that sparkly red apple. BRILLIANT!

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  7. For a brief moment before going the nurse route, I wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher. Now after having a child in Kindergarten, I realized that I don't think I could have hacked it. It's the most fun year and you are right...it;s the most change and most rewarding year I think....

    I love your card and it's so sweet and perfect for the theme. You did a fantastic job with the chalkboard. Love it!

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  8. Awesome use of the chalkboard technique, so apt!

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  9. Lori, this is a Gorgeous card!! Love the sentiment and the chalkboard technique. Teachers are to be so appreciated for the work you do, and I'm sure there are many young lives which you have touched & made a difference. Hugs to you!!

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  10. Beautiful card. Love the chalkboard & the washi rule :)

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  11. That's one of my favourite sentiments and I love the way you've used it in the blackboard. This is a fabulous card - loving the sparkly apple too!

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  12. Sentiment is perfect! Love the chalkboard and washi!!

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  13. This is just too cute! I am in love with your shiny apple with the sparkles, so sweet.

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  14. wow how nice :) This litle board is soooo cute :) Very pretty design !

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