5 Cute Back to School Projects from SVGCuts

Do you have kids going back to school this week?  Do you know any teachers?  Why not try some of these cute back to school themed projects from SVGCuts.com?  You'll definitely have fun making them! 

I will list the projects from simplest to more difficult to create.  This is purely subjective, as some of you may find some things harder and others easier than I did.  Even when I had a bit of difficulty putting things together, I was happy with the outcome, so give them a try!  All of the links to the kits these projects are in will be listed at the end.

Every one can use a card, even if it isn't for back to school but to simply send a greeting to your child's teacher or someone you know who's a teacher.

This card was really quick to put together.  Just add a little embossing and it goes a long way!

Believe it or not, this backpack took less than five minutes to assemble!

My daughter suggested I needed something to go inside, and what did she suggest?  Books, of course!  I made some mini notebooks to stick inside, but you could fill it with any goodies for your child.

Here's a nice gift any teacher would appreciate!

This project was quite easy, but making the cards was a little time consuming, so don't start this if you're in a rush!  I made six notecards and six envelopes suitable for a teacher to send a note.  Add your teacher's name to the front and you have a super personalized gift!

Planning to give your teacher or student a little something that needs a box?  This one is perfect!

This adorable apple opens up so you can place a sweet gift inside!  Since this one is three dimensional, it takes a little more patience to put together.  It is still pretty easy, and the wow factor is awesome!  The main thing to remember is to take your time while gluing, holding each piece and letting the glue dry as you go.

Last but not least, another gift box any student or teacher would love.

Of all the projects listed here, the pencil box was the most difficult for me to put together.  Putting the wood part onto the pencil was a challenge, but overall I'm very happy with the outcome.  

I added a scalloped edge for a little more embellishment at the top since I didn't want to use the numbers that came with this file.  The black part of the apple on the front is cut from chalkboard paper which was perfect for writing the sentiment.

So, that's it!  Five really cute projects you'll have a blast making for a teacher or student!  Imagine how impressed the recipients will be!

Which projects are you making for back to school this year?  Please tell me about them!  If you have any questions about the projects listed here, ask in the comments and I'll do my best to answer!

SVG Kits Used: 
Back To School (Books on front of backpack)
Back to the Books (Backpack, Cards for teacher)
Miss Baker's Classroom (Apple)
School Days (Apple card, Pencil box)

Have a Crafty Day! 

*I'm an affiliate for SVGCuts because I love them and YOU will too!
 

Flip Calendar Day: August

Happy August!

An August calendar with a new twist, at least for me.  Since I'm in flip calendar mode, I thought I'd make one for my monthly calendar.  I used to print one 12"x12" calendar every month, but it seems like I'm always running out of ink in my wide format printer!

First, I created my calendar in Photoshop at 12"x12".  Once it was completed I reduced the size to 8"x8" which made it possible to print on my regular size printer.

Digital calendar

I then proceeded to make the flip calendar much the same way as the countdown calendar I made.  Since it's much bigger than that one, I had to use two 12"x12" sheets of cardstock and glue them together to form the base as in these pictures:

I scored each sheet at 8.75", folded them and glued one flap on top of the other.  Using my Cinch binding machine, I punched binding holes in the top.  I put patterned paper on the front and backside of the base.  To sturdy up the base I put additional pieces of the same colored cardstock on the interior of it.  Then I bound the top with O rings.  This is how it looks:

I used a removable 8"x8" page protector for the calendar, so I can take it off at any time, or add another if I wish.

I decided it need a little something more, so I added some embellishments and a removable journal card.  The journal card is held on with magnets as I did on my countdown calendar.

Magnets work like a charm!

I can add important dates on the journal card, or anything I want. When the month is over I'll stick it inside the page protector with the calendar.

Thanks for checking out my calendar!  I've made one more, but I'll take a break from flip calendars....for now.

Let me know if you plan to make one of these.  They really are a lot of fun! If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.

Items used:

Photoshop
Cinch Binding Machine
Zutter movable 8x8 page protector
.75" Zutter O Rings
DCWV Sweet Tangerine Stack
Bo Bunny Key Lime and Barefoot&Bliss Digital Collections
Milkshake Font by Laura Worthington

Have a Crafty Day!
 

Back 2 School is Coming! (Perpetual Countdown Flip Calendar Tutorial)

Already?

I know, I know.  The kids don't want to hear it (at least mine don't!).  It's that time again. Time to get back to the books and get your study on!  With this in mind, I thought I'd create a countdown, so the kids can mentally prepare and be ready bright and early on that first day.

This flip calendar is a spin off of the Christmas advent flip calendar I wrote about in this post.  The main difference between them is the size.  I chose to make this one much wider so it would stand up better.

Creating the base:

You'll need a 5"w x12"h piece of sturdy cardstock (I used Silhouette chipboard) for the base.  Score it at 5", 6" and 7".  Cut two pieces of patterned cardstock to 5"x5".  If you have a binding machine, you can punch your holes in the base and the patterned pieces, then glue the patterned pieces to the base.  You can always use binder rings to bind the top of your base if you don't have a binding machine.

Score at 5", 6", and 7"

Creating the numbers and rectangles:

Create 20 rectangles sized 2.25"wx2.875"h with numbers 0-9.  I used Photoshop to make a grid with guidelines for cutting.  Any software such as Silhouette Studio or Make The Cut can also accomplish this task.  When placing your numbers be sure to leave enough space at the top of your rectangles for binding holes.  I could not fit all of the numbers on an 8.5x11 page, so I put the nines on another sheet. 

Make sure to print and cut two sets and don't forget number 9!

Create your "weeks until" rectangle sized 4.75"wx1.75"h in the same way, then print and cut it out.

If you don't want to go through the process of creating a computer generated document, just cut your rectangles with your paper trimmer and add stickers for the letters and numbers.

Punch your binding holes into the numbered rectangles, making sure not to put too many at a time into your binding machine.  I found out the hard way that doing so will jam your machine!

You may want the ability to use days or months instead of weeks until an event.  To solve this, put a magnet on the front of your calendar and another on the backside of the front to hold the bottom piece in place.  Surprisingly, the magnets will hold it quite well.

Two magnets holding bottom piece in place.  Yeah, I know, terrible picture!

Since you may want this to be an all occasion countdown, cut a rectangle of chalkboard vinyl or dry erase material and put it on the "weeks until" rectangle (you can also laminate it) so you can write whatever occasion you want, then adhere it to the base using magnets or glue. 

How about Christmas?

Then again, you could make the entire rectangle from the chalkboard vinyl and forget about the magnets.  Yeah, that might be easier, huh?

Binding:

If you're using a binding machine, place the back on first, then the front, and finally the numbered rectangles as shown in the picture below.  Make sure your numbers are in the correct order, but even if they aren't, this is a perpetual calendar so it's not the end of the world.

  

The "ugly" side

Bind your O rings according to your machine's directions.  

Now it's time to enjoy your new countdown flip calendar!  But don't enjoy it too much, your kids won't appreciate it!

Here's how mine turned out:

Sorry to break it to you kiddos!

You could use this countdown for any occasion, not just for taunting your kids with a back to school reminder!

I had a lot of fun creating this back to school countdown, and I hope you enjoy making one too!  If you do, please leave a link in the comments.  I'd love to see it!  Got questions?  Ask in the comments and I'll do my best to answer.  Thanks for sticking with me and checking out my countdown calendar!

Items Used:
Photoshop
Silhouette Chipboard
Textured Basics Paper Pad by Craftsmith
Georgia Pacific White Cardstock
1/2" O Rings by Zutter
Cinch Binding Machine
Bebas Neue (font)

Have a Crafty Day!
 

DIY Wooden Frames: Halloween Decor

Here's some inexpensive Halloween decorating for you.  I bought these wooden picture frames on the cheap from A.C. Moore and Micheal's.  They were only a dollar each, and all the other supplies I used I had on hand.  They're very easy to decorate using some acrylic paint, Halloween scrapbook paper and cutting files (the ones I used are from SVGCuts.com).

The witching hour frame is from Michael's and has a nice shape.  I was surprised it was a dollar until I got it home and discovered the backing was only a piece of cardboard the thickness of a cereal box.  Despite that, it came out fine and who's looking at the back anyway?

I painted the frame with glossy black acrylic paint after sanding it with a fine grit sandpaper.  It probably could have used a little more sanding, but I'm not the queen of patience.  After that it came together pretty quick, since the background is simply a page from a mat stack by DCWV.  All I did was cut it down to fit the frame and add a little stickles to the house and flourishes.  The witching hour title is from the same stack and I popped it up using some scrap fun foam.  After adding some cuts from the Gothic Flourishes SVG kit and some bling, it was done.  Here's another view:

Next up is the skull frame.  Since this frame had a wooden back, I glued the background paper directly to it.  I painted the frame after sanding it with glossy purple acrylic paint, then I went over the purple with some black glitter paint.  Once it was dry I sanded the edges and corners slightly to make it look distressed.

For the skull and bones I put two files from different kits together and created a shadow to glue the cuts to using Make The Cut.  I added a spiderweb corner from Gothic Flourishes (I also adhered a tiny svwarovski crystal to the spider), a flower from Elmhurst Hollow, and a banner from the Christmas Cheer SVG kit (Department Store card).  The bones font is from Lettering Delights, which I blacked out and then did a print and cut in Make The Cut.

Some tips for making these:

• Be sure to sand your frame with a fine grit sandpaper.  They tend to be a little rough, especially on the edges, which makes painting them a bit more difficult.

• Make sure to seal everything before putting it on to the frame.  I sealed each paper piece with Mod Podge, and I also sealed the frame with it.  Sealing helps to make it last so you can use it year after year.

• Use acrylic paint with a glossy finish because it looks nicer than the flat finish.

• Have fun!

Hope you enjoy decorating some frames of your own.  This is a great craft for any time of the year!

Supplies Used:
Make The Cut*
Silhouette Cameo
Wooden Frames (AC Moore and Michael's)
DCWV Eek-a-Boo & Midnight Spell (mat stack)
Recollections Midnight Magic Pad (glitter paper)
Gothic Flourishes SVG Collection
Elmhurst Hollow SVG Kit (flower)
Catacomb Manor SVG Kit (skull)
Doggie Pals SVG Collection Part II (bones)
Christmas Cheer SVG Kit (banner)
Scrap Bones (font from Lettering Delights)

Have some fun decorating frames and Have A Crafty Day!
*I'm an affiliate for Make The Cut because I LOVE it and you will too!