More then just an apple

Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task. ~Haim G. Ginott

We spend a large portion of our childhood at school. I can name every one of my grade school teachers and a good portion of my highschool ones. They moulded and guided and trained and played a large role in making me who I am today. There are those who I am lucky enough to have known into adulthood, and have been able to thank, but to those who I have lost contact with, I scream into the ethos THANK YOU!  You are full of awesome!

As a parent you gain a whole new level of appreciation for teachers. They take care of the ones we treasure most and help them grow and learn. Plus they save us from having to do this formidable task ourselves!

At the beginning of this year at least 3 teachers were going to have the task of taking on 3 little foxes who were full of trepidation and nerves starting at a brand new school. Turns out there were 6 teachers to be valued!
DD1 had a split class with two teachers, as did DD2. The smallest fox started Kindy and had just one.
Now I know that you are questioning my powers of addition, but there turned out to be a student teacher in DD1 class. DD1 being the softest and most caring of the 3 little foxes insisted that this teacher needed a gift too! So 6 was the magic number – 5 finished for Valentines day and the final one going to school on Monday.

So I have been asked why gifts for the teachers? I know there will be those who suspect my motive so here it is.
I believe in telling teachers how much they are valued, how much I appreciate what they do for my children every day.
Other then Mr Fox and myself, no one will spend as much time or have as much influence on my children as their teachers will.
For that they deserve to be showered with thanks.

I had been wanting to make the small milk carton boxes for ages. I think they look really sweet paired up or in 4. When I was growing up we still had milk delivered to the house and I remember the carry box the milkman used. Milk is also synonymous with school as in generations past it was the drink of choice for small children. (Can you imagine trying to do this now!? Lite milk, skim milk, 2% milk, half and half, full cream, rice milk, lactose free milk, rice milk???)

Stampin’ Up! does have a handy dyecut to run through the Big Shot but the first batch that I made I cut out by hand. It was time-consuming but they were a little bigger then the dyecut and so could fit more in.
It was really a matter on cutting and scoring lines and then holding together with sticky strip and Two-way glue pen.

 This one was made using the dye and from start to finish took less than 15 minutes.

An important lesson learned (haahaa) while making these is that it is important to use the right glue for the job at hand.

I used

• Sticky strip to hold the box together.
• Two way glue to hold the base in position (faster the sticky strip for multi layers and still strong)
• Snail for the ribbon
• Glue dots for the punched embellishments

Papers used were from the Paper stack and Paisley Parade DS paper.

I used a variety of stamp sets (will update in the morning!) and Circle and Scallop circle punches.

I loved how very different each of the boxes turned out. It’s hard to pick a favorite but I do like how the tree on the green one turned out!

I finished them off with a little card and a contents list – Only when I was editing photos did I realise that Excel had chopped off some words! DAMN – so the last item was Wiggley Eyes!

I think there is great importance in teaching our children to say “thank you” and that there is great value in something that is homemade.
Something as simple as some flowers from the garden or a card they have made themselves.
World teachers day is Oct 5th – sure you can think of something by then!

This made me smile
“If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I’ll promise not to believe everything he says happens at home.  ~Anonymous Teacher “

Happy crafting

XXX

Fox

Tags: grade school teachers, milk carton

Schultute – A German tradition

So my baby has started big school. I was hoping it would be a bit more dramatic. That he would at the very least tell me that he would miss me and that I was irreplaceable. Alas, he took to it with the same ease his sisters had, like little ducks to water, happy and confident in their learning environment.

I had wanted to celebrate his first school day and discovered a German tradition of giving children starting big school a Schultute - a school cone.  This tradition dates back to the early 1800′s and while it has changed over the years the core value remains the same. It’s a paper cone filled with back to school goodies, some lollies and small gifts. The children receive their cone on their first day of school or Einschulung.

Originally the cone was filled with mostly sweet treats but over the years this has changed to include supplies they will need for the school year.
Traditionally the cone was made by the child’s Godparents or Grandparents and taken to the new school to be hung in the Schultuten-Baum (cone tree). The cones were decorated with the children’s names so they could spot theirs hanging in the tree. The challenge was then to remove your cone without it breaking.
The children are told a story about the Schultuten-Baum growing outside their school. When the fruit on the tree gets big and ripe enough to be picked, then it is time to go to school for the first time.

There are stores online through Europe and America where you can purchase your cones premade - some of them are huge and would be taller than some 5 year olds!  They are really easy to make though and I like the idea that you can personalise them to match your child’s character or theme them.

I used 2 sheets of Designer Series paper and joined them together. I wanted a large cone but not a crazy sized one:)

I ran a strip of double-sided tape and drew a curve which would become the top of the cone.  Before I folded the cone I ran glue across the curved edge and stock down two sheets of tissue paper which I ruffled and gathered as I glued.

Quite simply then used the double-sided tape to hold the cone in shape.

We’re really blessed at NSW public school that the majority of school stationery is supplied and we don’t have to purchase anything. I knew however that DS1 would be unhappy when the girls started getting homework and he had none (oh how that will change!) so I bought him a homework kit with some activity books. He loves Lego so the stationery was themed. Of course he needed a couple of snacks to much on after a tough day at school!

To finish off the cone I bundled up the tissue paper and added some ribbon and a simple star tag.

He was delighted! I think it made the first day of school just a little sweeter and was a great way to celebrate a start to school.

Was thinking that this would be a lovely activity for a P&C to organise for moms before their kids start school. Get moms to buy items to go inside the Schultute and P&C arrange a morning tea with some tape,glue,paper and cardstock and have a social morning crafting together. Moms can get to meet one another before the first day of school. Mmmmmm….

Happy crafting
XXX
Fox

Tags: german tradition, school goodies, schultute

Back to school rescue bags

One of the changes I was most concerned about when we made the decision to move was how the kids would adjust to a new school. ( I am only marginally less concerned as to how I will adjust to a new school!)

A new school year raises butterflies for most kids(and parents) and mine were no different. DD1 was awake till 11 and it took DD2 till after 10 to settle. There were lots of questions about who they would meet and whether they would make new friends.  Two days later they seem quite happy and DD2 told me this morning that I could leave before the bell went. Relief!

To celebrate going back to school I wanted to make them something special and chose a “Back to school rescue pack”.
I filled the bags with stationery they would need at home and a couple of treats. Each item had a special meaning and here are a couple you could consider when making your own bags!

• Life savers – so you know you can come talk to me if you need to
• Rubberbands – a reminder to be flexible/stretch your mind
• A handball ball – to help you bounce back
• Pencils – because you are sharp
• Lollipop – you can lick any obstacles
• Eraser – start each day with a clean slate
• Hershey kisses – know I love you
• Smarties – for a Smarty!
• Paperclips – to hold it all together
• Sponge – to help soak it all in

I used white craft bags which I had in my stash and used some old (retired) DS christmas paper to decorate the bags. When I moved house I realised my DS paper pile was getting ridiculous and needed to be used so I am challenging myself to use what’s in my store-room. When I made the outside decorations I was reminded just how much I need to add a Top Note Die (pg 159 $39.95) for my Bigshot. It’s a Die I use all the time and is so versatile. Will be moved up my wish list!

I really like the “top note” looks like a school badge. Of course it would look much neater if I had the real Die and wasn’t practising my scissor skills!
I attached the tags with ribbon and “Ta-Da” all done.
There are a couple of extra bags for some special friends – always good to share the love.

Rabbit is on DD2′s bed waiting for her to come home! Think she will be delighted.

And DD1 will find hers on the bed when she flops down after a tough day in Yr5!

I think celebrating going back to school is important for kids. I have a special plan for my little guy who starts kindy tomorrow. It’s a German tradition which while my parents didn’t keep I thought needed to make a comeback! Watch out for tomorrow’s post.

XXX
Fox

The absent Fox

Hi crafty friends.

My apologies for being an absent fox but there was great excitement in our lives during December as we finally purchased our own house!

As my levels of sanity were under question anyway, we booked our moving day for 2 days before Christmas. Eeeek – it was very busy. Throw in a birthday party, teachers farewell, dance concerts and end of year celebrations and we barely sat still for 6 weeks. I found time to craft but no time to blog

So a month later I’m finally settled in my little house in the forest. I love trees and we have an abundance of them.

The weather has been really odd this summer but not even the rain could keep me from sitting outside on the balcony and doing some blog research and planning!
The sound of the rain and a large mug of tea kept me company while I outlined a long list of projects to keep me busy in the next few weeks.

So now you know the details of where I have been and why the Fox has been absent!

With back to school, an anniversary and Valentines in the next two weeks my crafty calendar is full. Hope you enjoy.

XXX
Fox

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December

I was born in the city of Johannesburg, which on a global scale is a very young city and one which my family has lived in for 3 generations.
It’s a city of contrasts and always has been. While it’s a buzzing metropolis filled with modern buildings and expansive highways, it’s also filled with tree-lined streets and parkways. Johannesburg is in fact the world largest man-made forest.

My Grandparents owned a beautiful home in Illovo, an old suburb in Johannesburg. My mother recalls the road being paved and watching my grandmother take her drivers test on the road outside her house.

The gardens were lush and surrounded by towering trees.  I loved visiting my Grandmothers home as the expansive gardens made for wonderful games of hide and seek or secret Fairy games beneath the Weeping Willow. The garden was perfect for Easter egg hunts and Easter continues to be a favorite holiday as I remember the hunt through the gardens with all my cousins.

My Grandmother loved her garden and her greatest pride lay in her roses.
She had two immense rose gardens which filled the garden with their heady scent on hot summer nights. They were of every colour, single stemmed and double-headed. Truly beautiful. When we stayed over we were allowed to travel through the garden and choose the flowers for the vases placed throughout the house. It was a special time we treasured with my grandmother.

This week I took some time to play with the Manhattan Flower embossing folder (pg 157 for $14,95) and the complimentary stamp set of Fifth Avenue Floral (pg 74 for $45,95)
For the month of November the Embossing folder is part of the Big Shot Bundle includes the Big Shot die cutting machine as well as the Manhattan Flower embossing folder and the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits die for $168.16 – 10% off a fantastic little bundle.

This card was created by inking the inside of the embossing folder and running through coloured cardstock (Baja Breeze) to create the two-tone blue.
The Love label is from a new set released in the summer mini!

The pink embossing was done by inking the embossing folder and passing through Whisper White cardstock. The pink is Blushing Bride from the new In Colours and the sentiment is also from the new Summer mini. The ribbon is satin ribbon in Pretty in Pink. It’s more pink than I usually have in my life but I love the softness created by the embossed ink.

The stampset used for this card is Fifth Avenue floral and fast becoming a favorite! I love the effect gained by overlaying the large rose in different colours. So pretty! The ink colours are Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede.
The cardstock is Crumb cake and Naturals Ivory with the embossed rose cut from Pear Pizzazz. This colour combination is popular on my craft table at the moment.

This final card is created using the embossing folder on Blushing bride and then picking out the highlights of the rose in Stampin’ Pastels!
Its been awhile since I played with pastels and I had forgotten how much fun they are. Will have to dig them out again. The Stampin’ Up! Pastels come in a set of 40 colours for $46.95 (pg 146). They look like a little box of eyeshadow and really last for years.

I hope this inspires you to try something different with embossing folders.
If you don’t have a Die cutting machine and have had one on your list for ages than November is the time to buy one as Stampin’ Up! is offering you a 10% discount on the Big Shot Bundle.
If you do have an embossing/die cut machine then November is time to get your hands on some exclusive Stampin’ Up! designs!

Follow this link to get a clearer shot of the November “To Die For” promotion price list.

Happy crafting

XXX
Miss Fox

Lock and key card

I’m sure this style of card has a particular name but I am naming it “Lock and Key” as the two parts fit together just so!

I needed to make a card for a teacher at school who needed a little love after a difficult week. Sometimes it’s nice to just let someone know how special they are and how you value them by sending them a handmade card.  I had this teacher in my heart and wanted to let her know that I had been thinking of her.

It was a good opportunity to use the Stamp set of the week but I was too emotional at the time to photograph the process so I will share the card I made and then give you a step by step with another card.

The DS paper is from my stash but I loved the way it worked with the tree leaves. My message was simple “Sending you love”. Sometimes that’s all we can say.

Deep breath and on to the tutorial

I used my Color Coach by Stampin’ Up! for some inspiration in picking the colours. I picked Not Quite Navy and added More Mustard and Cherry Cobbler.
For background detail I used Designer Series Paper stack in the Regals Collection. The page I picked has fine print of Shakespeare’s 83 Sonnet. Amazing what a Bing search can teach you!

The premise of the card is simple. You interlock the 1 3/4″ Circle punch and the 2 3/8″ Scallop circle punch. Attach one to the left and one the right and Job is done But just for you I shall do it step by step.

I initially left the card long – but then changed my mind and made it shorter. So to make the finished sample cut cardstock 28cm x 12cm.
On the 28 length score a line at 7cm and another at 21 cm. Fold in and smooth out with your bone folder. This creates a double door effect.
Cut DS paper to 6cm x 11cm to create an inlay on each door.
To create the Scallop frame there are a number of techniques you can use – I shall describe the one I used tonight because after trial and error it’s what works for me! Punch a 1 3/4″ circle in cardstock of choice. Then slide Scallop circle punch over the hole in the cardstock so you can align the frame to have the circle in the centre. Punch out your frame.

Glue the frame to the left hand side of the card leaving the right glue free and unattached!

Design the image you wish to place in the frame. The circle is punched out with the 1 3/4″ circle punch in Very Vanilla. This is the background for my image.  I have stamped a Balloon from the beautiful Up, Up & Away stamp set on Very Vanilla cardstock and cut it out free hand. I used Cherry Cobbler and More Mustard inks. I then raised it up on Stampin Dimensionals so it floats above the birds and clouds also from Up, Up & Away. This stamp set is so versatile and I love the way you can create really different themes using different inks on the balloons.

This circle needs to be glued to the right of the card. Be sure when you position it that it fits neatly within your scallop frame,All that’s left is to add a greeting – I used a new Hostess set called Perfect words. A hostess set can only be earned by someone who hosts a Stampin’ Up! party. Always nice to have an exclusive:)
I chose BIG {HUG} as I wanted to use this as a Thank you card. I stamped the wording in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla and double mounted them on More Mustard and Cherry Cobbler.
Again be sure to only stick the wording on one side of your card so it can still be flapped open!

And then – just because I can – I stamped the inside of the card!

It looks really cute and because they are stamped in Versamark I can still fit a message in over the top. ( Over the Top – that’s me!)

XXX
Fox

Stamp set of the week – Easy Events

We give cards for so many reasons; wedding wishes, birthday cheer, to celebrate a new arrival and at times to just say hello, thinking of you.

When considering your first stamp set purchase, the variety can be overwhelming, especially if you want a set that can fulfill many roles.
If you find yourself in this position then this set is one you should place high up on your wish list.
The collection is made up of sweet line drawings to depict different events.
You could simply stamp them in Versamark or emboss them in one colour, but my favorite to do is “colouring in” (another reason I love teaching preschool!)
Love birds for a wedding wish.
A rubber duckie to welcome baby.
A smiley snail to say “sorry I’m late”.
All in there are 8 icons and my challenge this week is to make a card using e

The set is available in Clear-mount ($49.95) or Wood-mount ($61.95)
Hope you enjoy the creations this week and give me a call when you are ready to order your own

XXX
Fox

Kids and Paper flowers

Friday afternoons are for calming down after a busy week. It was the first week back to school for the kids and they were feeling worn out and a little cranky.
Craft is an excellent way to get everyone to calm down and relaxed, focused on the task at hand.

I mentioned in my post about the Nappy Fold bag that it’s easy enough for the kids to do and so this was my chance to prove it. Four kids aged between 5 and 9 finished bags within 20 minutes – and even managed to make the flowers for embellishment.

 Here is the finished product – they were really chuffed  and the baby sitter had a special gift waiting for her that night!

And now for a lesson in flowers. You’ll need the following

• Designer Series Double sided Paper
• 2 3/8″ scallop circle punch
• Hole piercer
• A Brad – not thee Brad, though I am sure he would prove to be useful. A brad is really a fancy splitpin

Punch 6-8 scallop circles and layer them at angles – so the scallops are not identical.
Pierce a hole through the centre of all the scallop circles and push through your brad and secure it.
Start pinching your layers together starting from the top layer and working them up to the middle – to create what looks like a flower bud.
Squish and squash up each new layer, pinching them as tightly as you can.
When you have completed the final layer your flower should look closed. Give it a few good bashes on the table or squash the flower in your palm. This gives them texture and breaks up the uniformity of the petals.
Slowly start unpeeling petals, but not completely, and work slowly to get the effect you desire.

Hope you have fun trying this for yourselves.

XXX
Fox

Under the Big Top – Pop Up stage

I was inspired by some awesome pop-up cards that I saw at Convention this year.

They were a something I had never tried before and I thought that Under the Big Top was the perfect set to showcase this technique.

I used the tutorial from Splitcoast stampers which you can find here

It’s fiddley, and I don’t think I have it perfect (just yet) but I wanted to share it so you know that part of paper craft is learning and sharing.

I started with the inside of the card and built the background before building the stage by following the tutorial directions.
To pretty up the front of the stage I added a Scallop Edge Border in Real Red.
I then stamped the performers on Very Vanilla and coloured them using Ink Stampin’ Spots and a blender pen. This means the colours are matched but softer. The tabs which hold your performers in place is the tricky bit but stick with it and the result is impressive.

I really enjoyed doing the outside of the card too and it just makes me smile when I see it.

I cut the bunting out of DS paper and stuck in place by using 1/2 size Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The stampset “Congratulations” is from a retired set call Well Scripted. I have to place some “Greeting” stamp sets high on my wish list as almost all mine are retired.
Good news for you is that I will have a sale of retired sets just before Christmas!

I will be trying this again – I can see great potential for a Christmas scene!

XXX
Fox

Cupcakes make me happy!

I have been baking since I was really little – as soon as I could convince my mother that I wouldn’t lose any fingers in the blades of the electric beater!
I loved my mums cupcakes and the retro icing designs she would use. A combination of chocolate and white icing to make zigzag patterns or checkerboard.
It was only natural that this early love affair would continue and I enjoy being as creative when baking as I do when paper crafting.

Cupcakes give me the opportunity to enjoy both by adding coordinating wrappers and toppers.

These are a really easy way to coordinate (I did mention this was one of my favorite things!) a party theme as you can use extra invitations or paper plates to get the designs you want.  If you have themed stamps even better!
To create toppers you will need the Circle punches and scalloped circle punches. I imagine the square and scalloped square will also make a fabulous topper and so they are high on my wish list! You can use popsticks or even straws cut to length as the sticks to hold the poppers.

The cupcake wrappers are easy to make and there are loads of printables online, here is one I have tried – Template.

When you personalise them then the fun really begins!
As my focus has been on Big Top product Suite I have used the Big Top Birthday DS paper and Under the Big Top stamp set.
These have a scalloped rim which makes them royal or in this case, reminded me of the shape of a big top tent!

 

For the Lion I used the Curley Label Punch on Tempting Turquoise and then stuck it on Real Red with snail adhesive. I cut a thin border free hand to create the frame. The Lion was stamped on Very Vanilla and coloured using ink from my Stampin’ Spots picked up with a blender pen. I promise to do a post on this because it’s a easy technique and really cost-effective
The star paper has been “BLING-ED” with Dazzling diamonds – not that easy to see in the photo but it looks so pretty.
The seal was stamped on Very Vanilla and then cut with 1 1/4″ circle punch. Punched Tempting Turquoise in the 1 3/4″ circle and punched a Scallop Circle 2 3/8″ in Real red. Layered and glued together with Snail adhesive.

To close the wrappers I used Sticky Strip as I wanted something strong to hold it together.
And here is the effect once you put them all together on a Cupcake tree!

Happy baking and crafting!

XXX
Fox