Gifts for the Teachers

TJ is, ummmmm, well let's just say that his energy tank is rarely on low.  Containing him is near impossible.  He is a typical 8 year old boy with a little (okay a lot) of extra oomph.  He loves to talk, even if it's to himself when nobody is around.  I swear he loves the sound of his own voice.  He also is constantly on the move.  Rarely ever sitting in the same position, much less the same place, for more than a few moments.  With all of this being said, his teachers and after school leaders are very important factors in his success at school.  It takes patience & determination to be not just a teacher, but a teacher that can deal with extremely active kids.  Kids that are very smart but don't always follow directions.  Kids that are witty but also think they already know most everything.  Kids that are super, sticky sweet but sneaky when you turn your back.  Kids like TJ Geer.  And there are a lot of them out there.  To my knowledge, TJ has never given his teachers gifts for Christmas so this year I decided that he (we) needed to do something to show his (our) appreciation.  I got this idea from the Echoes of Laughter blog and I loved it from the moment I read the post.  The first step was getting TJ's help.  I was just going to make 1 clipboard for his teacher but he insisted that we make one for both his current teacher and the teacher who's class he had just moved from (he was in a 2nd/3rd combo class that they dissolved).  Then he asked if we could make one for the after school teachers because he had been with them all since kindergarten.  Ummm, seriously?  That was 6 more...  So I made 8 clipboards!  I required him to write all of the teachers names down in his planner and take it to school.  He was to find out their 2 favorite colors.  At this point, he had no idea what the project was so he couldn't ruin the surprise because he didn't even really know why he was asking.  He did his job and brought the paper back to me.  Then I went to Michael's to load up on supplies.

Required Materials: clipboard, mod podge in matte, brush,
scrapbook paper, scissors, decorative accessories

Using regular paper, I cut out a template of the shape of the clipboard (more specifically the clamp) so that I could cut out my scrapbook paper.

Then I traced my template on to the sheet of scrapbook paper that would be at the top of the clipboard.  I then cut out the 2nd sheet of paper that would lay at the bottom of the clipboard.  I used the tape to hold them together until I glued them down.

Once my template was complete it was time to glue.  I coated the clipboard with the Mod Podge, being careful to not use too much.  It dries pretty clear but just like regular glue, if you use too much it can cause the paper to warp.  Glue down the top sheet first, followed by the lower piece.

Next, I used either a scrapbook "border" or just scraps of other paper I had bought to bring the two different designs together.

Finally I embellished each clipboard with a sticker displaying the first letter of the teacher's first name.  I finished by adding ribbon to the clamps.

These are the final products for the 2 classroom teachers.

The following 6 are for the after school teachers.  The red & green is for a guy and I didn't think he would like the ribbon too much so I left it off.  I tried to find some "non-girly" scrapbook paper.  Not sure how successful I was at that, lol!

TJ wrote his name on the back of each clipboard with permanent marker and put the year 2010.  Then he helped me stuff them in to gift bags.

Deuce thought he would take a break from playing in the mirror to help too.

The bags all ready to deliver!

Guilford Co had school Monday & Tuesday of this week so TJ took his gifts to school yesterday.  He reported back to me that everyone loved their clipboards!  I just love these because they don't have to be used as regular clipboards.  They can be hung on the wall with a picture attached as an alternative to a traditional frame, say in a classroom!  Or even in the kitchen.  Anyway, enjoy!

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