Amanda Coleman Archives - Page 2 of 13

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser

May

Hello, and welcome to the Pebbles blog! Amanda here today with a quick and practical teacher appreciation DIY. As a former high school teacher I know that I was most often in need of consumable supplies, especially pencils. Although I never fully understood why, it is nearly impossible for 14 and 15 year-olds to keep track of a pencil, and darn it if I was going to let that be an excuse to not get work done!

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Your child’s teacher will sing your praises if you give the simple (and inexpensive) gift of pencils. Brand spankin’ new ones, with erasers and all. Deliver them in a fun, yet practical, container that they can keep on their desk year-round.

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

This old-timey straw dispenser will get way more use holding pencils than it ever would straws. It would be super fun to fill it with colored pencils or even paintbrushes.

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Rather than use a red apple, decorate your pencil dispenser with trendy pineapples and citrus fruit. Classic black polka dots and vellum label add a cool, modern look and contrast nicely with the bright yellow pencils and stickers.

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Top it all off with an adorable twine bow.

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

If you have worked with vellum before, you know that adhesives can be, well, a sticky issue. Avoid unsightly adhesive issues by strategically placing glue dots behind the printed portion of the vellum sentiment. For this rather small sentiment, I picked up tiny glue dots with tweezers and placed them behind several letters.

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Look, Ma! No adhesive showing behind the vellum!

Teacher Appreciation Pencil Dispenser by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Thanks for stopping by today!
Amanda

Supplies:
Spring Fling Foiled Vellum Quote Cards 3″X4″ 12/PkgGold
Jen Hadfield Everyday Double-Sided Cardstock 12″X12″Monogram
Jen Hadfield Everyday Cardstock Stickers 6″X12″ 2/SheetsAccents W/Gold Foil
Baker’s Twine 50yd Spool

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards

May

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Hi everyone! Amanda here today. Teacher Appreciation Week is upon us, and if, like me, you are one of the lucky ones that got out of decorating doors and making class gifts, then hopefully you’ll squash the teacher appreciation guilt by at least giving a card. It’s not that I don’t totally appreciate all that my kids’ teachers do for them. I really do. I just don’t have the time and energy to organize door decorating and class parties. I can, however, make a sweet and simple card (and buy a gift card at the checkout stand).

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc collections

While I can hardly resist bright, red apples during Teacher Appreciation week, it is fun to think outside of the box and make a few teacher appreciation cards that are a little more personal and a lot of fun. Get creative when looking though your stash for patterns and colors that remind you of teachers.

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc collections

Great teachers deserve a gold star! As my kids get older, they need teacher appreciation cards and gifts that are suitable for both female and male teachers. A bright, shiny gold star isn’t too cutesy and stands out on some bold, red stripes.

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc collections

Stitching around the border of a card is one of my favorite ways to add detail and texture to a card. I like to experiment with the different decorative stitches on my sewing machine. On this card I used a triple-stitch function that looks like a wider regular straight stitch. The wider stitch stands out against the big, red stripes.

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc collections

Pebbles makes it easy to customize your teacher appreciation cards. This year my son studied the countries of South America so I thought it would be neat to make a card for his social studies teacher using the World View paper from the Everyday Collection. I kept the card simple by adding a few Thickers and some wonky gold stitching around the border.

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc collections

You can never go wrong with classic red apples for a teacher appreciation card. Pair some bright stickers with some contrasting patterned paper and you’re good to go. Add a Thank You sentiment and stitch around the border to add a little detail.

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc collections

Getting started with teacher appreciation cards doesn’t have to be complicated, nor do you have to start with a plan. Start by gathering some papers and stickers that you think would make fun teacher cards. With a pile of goodies on your desk, start playing around with the position of stickers, sentiments, and punches. Experiment with different combinations and arrangements until you find one (or more) that is just right.

Easy Teacher Appreciation Cards by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc collections

Thanks for stopping by today!
Amanda

Supplies:
Jen Hadfield Everyday Double-Sided Cardstock 12″X12″Sweet Dots
Jen Hadfield Everyday Double-Sided Cardstock 12″X12″Dotted Chevron
Jen Hadfield Everyday Double-Sided Cardstock 12″X12″World View
Spring Fling Thickers Alpha Stickers 5.5″X11″ 2/PkgCelebrate/Gold Foiled Foam
Spring Fling Sticker Book 6 PagesAccents W/Gold Foil
DIY Home Specialty Cardstock 12″X12″Gold Foil W/Embossed Dots
Cottage Living Thickers Alpha Stickers 5.5″X11″ 2/Pkg

Yellow Flower Gift Box

Apr

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Happy Earth Day, Pebbles fans! Amanda here today. There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Day than by giving a gift straight from the flower garden. Whether real or faux, this sweet yellow flower gift box is sure to brighten someone’s day.

Yellow Flower Gift Box by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Although my flower garden is long gone (those darn chickens), I still love to put together bright flower arrangements. At just over 10″ tall from top to bottom, this little arrangement makes a perfect gift for any occasion.

Yellow Flower Gift Box by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

The rustic wooden recipe box is perfect for putting together any floral arrangement, whether real or faux. Simply wrap with a strip of coordinating patterned paper, tie a bow, and it’s ready to go. It makes a lovely spring time gift.

Yellow Flower Gift Box by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

You can easily personalize your floral gift box by tying on a pretty tag.

Yellow Flower Gift Box by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Putting together this floral gift box only requires a few basic supplies. Start with a wooden recipe box, a strip of paper and a tag (optional). The gift box would be equally as lovely if filled with a special gift or treat.

Yellow Flower Gift Box by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Keep your flowers in place by putting a block of floral foam in the bottom of your container.

Yellow Flower Gift Box by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

After your flowers are in place and perfectly arranged, cover up the floral foam with some decorative moss or grass.

Yellow Flower Gift Box by @amanda_coleman1 using @pebblesinc Everyday collection

Happy Spring!
Amanda

Supplies:
Jen Hadfield Everyday Double-Sided Cardstock 12″X12″Pineapples
Jen Hadfield Everyday Decorative Cardstock Tags 14/PkgGold Foil Words
Home+Made Wooden Recipe Box

Pinwheel Flowers

Apr

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Hi Pebbles fans! Amanda here today. Spring has sprung in my neck of the woods and I couldn’t be happier! I am just giddy every time I see a new bunch of flowers blooming along the side of the road and I love nothing more than fresh cut flowers in the house. Second only to fresh flowers, I also love crafting bouquets of paper flowers that withstand the test of time (and kids). These pinwheel flowers are easy to make and will make your house extra cheery.