My kids use and love their books. They love them so much that they “take notes” and enhance the illustrations.
I buy 99% of our children’s books at the thrift store or get them for free from chick fil a kids meals so I don’t really mind. However, there comes a time when the books are done.
Pages have gone missing or the kids have lost interest in the book.
These well used books are perfect for kids decoupage crafts.
Being a lifelong book lover and English major, when it comes to throwing books in the garbage–I.just.can’t. I love books so much that as a college student I worked in 3 different Barnes and Nobles locations in two cities for the discount as much as for the environment. I loved being surrounded by books and working in a store with a Starbucks already in it.
I now cut out the good illustrations from old books and use them for crafts. Sometimes we make collages. Sometimes we make gifts. There are so many crafts using book pages out there!
I start all my tin can paper projects the same way that I did in this succulent planter project.
After washing and drying the cans, I modge podge plain copy paper around each can.
The kids glue cut outs onto the scrapbook paper and use stickers.
Then we modge podge the decorated sheet around the can.
Allow it to dry for at least an hour.
Put a second coat of modge podge over the decorated sheet and allow to dry for at least an hour.
I then do a first coat of Minwax Glossy Polycrylic over the entire paper. (This is optional but really finishes the piece.)
Allow to dry over night.
Do a second coat of polycrylic and allow to dry.
This kids decoupage project turned out really well. Pea placed the picture and the stickers, and brushed the modgepodge onto the scrapbook paper. I placed the scrapbook paper onto the can for her. I also did the gloss finish.
I couldn’t resist making one too. My kids got a stack of free paperbacks from the county at Preschool Graduation. I have two sets :/ ! I think it would make a cute teacher gift! (I really hope none of the teachers at my kid’s school find out I blog–they would always know what to expect lol.)
I asked my Facebook fans what they thought about teacher gifts at the beginning of the school year. My family members called it “sucking up” 🙂 but my other fans thought it was a nice gesture. Tell me what you think in the comments? Yay or nay?
I think the pencil cup and a small gift card is a nice gesture and practical. Then again, I wouldn’t mind keeping them either!
This was the gift we gave to my son’s teacher at the end of last year.
Kate Williams says
Great idea! We love decoupage 🙂 Thanks for joining in with Tuesday Tutorials #pintorials
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Herchel says
Thanks for stopping by, Kate. I do love decoupage. It’s my favorite craft 🙂
Sara (@mumturnedmom) says
Love this! We made teacher gifts at the end of term to give to my son’s preschool teachers. He loved doing it and was so proud to give them a gift that he had helped make. I’m pinning this as an idea for next year 🙂 #pintorials
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Caroline Hooper (My Family Ties) says
That is a great present for any teacher, so creative #tuesdaytutorials
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Hellie's Corner says
How cute any teacher would love one of these. #pintorial
Hellie’s Corner recently posted…Silent Sunday ~ 03 August 2014
Heather says
Stopping in from Mommy Monday and just love what you did for back to school. So creative! I just pinned so I can try this one 🙂 Enjoy your week!
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Herchel says
You too, Heather! Thank you for pinning. It is a really easy project that looks harder than it actually was to make. The finish makes the difference in my opinion. 🙂
Jill says
What a lovely idea! I am positive that this would brighten any teacher’s day 🙂
Jill recently posted…Poppins Book Nook What Will I Be When I Grow Up Theme Introduction
Herchel says
I hope it does. Pea and I had a great time making it and I know it makes her smile each time she sees them. I am hoping that seeing it in class also helps her feel comfortable during her first day in Kindergarten. I am trying to build up the excitement for her because she is sad that she won’t have one on one afternoons with me everyday anymore.
Cassie @ 3Dinosaurs.com says
I love that gift! I know how many people leave fun and easy to use gifts.
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Herchel says
I didn’t want to get anything big. I know that they had a list of little gifts during teachers appreciation week last year. I just want to give a little “hello.”
Herchel recently posted…No it went by too fast! Our end of summer bucket list!
Lynn says
I say yes to teacher gifts. They work hard throughout the year. These are super cute!!
Herchel says
They definitely do. I wonder how they can handle so many kids at once, sometimes!
Herchel recently posted…No it went by too fast! Our end of summer bucket list!
Janine Huldie says
As a former teacher, as well as a mom to a new kindergartener this fall, I love this idea and would have loved to have been gifted this one and might need to think about doing this for my new kindergartener’s teacher. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Herchel says
Thanks Janine! Let me know how yours turns out.