What a great idea!
~~Rachel
There is nothing like a summer at home with my children to help reinforce my appreciation for teachers! Don’t get me wrong . . . I LOVE having my two boys with me, but wow, are they active. I know that their teachers work hard keeping their minds engaged and excited about learning.
While working on a summer book report, my oldest stopped one day and said, “You know, Mom, this isn’t so bad. Mrs. H. taught us how to get through these easy-peasy!” Oh how I love that woman!!
So of course I want to help these teachers start the year off right by thanking them for all they do (and have already done before the school year officially starts). What better way than with a first day of school treat bag?
The minute I saw the Mini Muslin Bags in the holiday catalog, I jumped for joy. I can see so many ways to use them! I wanted to add a touch of elegance to them so I decided to watercolor on them. (Yes, you CAN watercolor on them! And it is easy to do, too.)
The Simply Sketched Hostess Stamp Set has just the pretty look I was going for so I stamped the flower and sentiment on the bag using Jet Black StazOn Ink. It looked great just like that, but I kept going and added some color. Using a Blender Pen, I picked up some ink from a Calypso Coral Classic Stampin’ Pad and started applying it to the flowers. (Use a light hand to start and then add color as you go.) To add some extra highlights, I took my Calypso Coral Stampin’ Write Marker (available individually until Oct. 31) and lightly colored directly on the bag. I used the Blender Pen to smooth it out a bit . . . just as I do on paper! Then, I used a Pear Pizzazz Stampin’ Write Marker to color the stems and the Blender Pen and a little Pool Party ink to create shadows around the flower. Done!!
And the card? I colored it exactly the same way as the bag on Naturals Ivory Cardstock, then added a Basic Gray Cardstock frame to make it pop. I thought that the Naturals 7/16″ Trim would be a perfect finish along with a Smoky Slate button from the Neutrals Designer Button . . . plus some Linen Thread.
I hope the teachers enjoy these—and I look forward to making more variations with these fun bags! What was that my son said? Oh, yes: “Easy peasy!”
Jennifer Timko 2013 Artisan Design Team
