My little man will be starting second grade in just a few weeks and I wanted to make a special back-to-school gift for his teacher. As a former teacher myself, I know that teaching can be really rewarding but (I’m being honest here) some days it can be really hard! On those super tough days the only thing that can make your life better is an ice cold margarita. 🙂 But you can’t store that in the classroom, soooo the next best thing…chocolate. Chocolate is a teachers best friend, that’s a fact! 😉 That’s why this back-to-school “In Case of Emergency” teacher gift is going to be perfect.
Think about how awesome this gift is… just having a piece of chocolate hanging in the classroom, ready to go. That’s a pretty sweet sight to see daily, right?! I know it would keep me coming back to my classroom everyday. Oh and of course to see the kids too! 😉 This gift only cost about $15 and took me about 30 minutes to complete. Here’s the step-by-step tutorial to make yours:
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First you will need to gather your supplies.
- Sharpie (Ultra Fine) in black and red
- scrapbook paper
- basic glass picture frame
- stencil
- 2 chocolate bars (yes, TWO – very important!)
- fingernail polish remover
- scissors
- tape (optional)
Cut your scrapbook paper to the same size as the piece of glass from your picture frame. Now you’re ready for step one.
I grabbed some tape and lined it up with the lines in the scrapbook paper. It serves two purposes: to keep your lettering straight and holds the glass in place. I placed my chocolate bar in the middle to help me guide my spacing.
Then it was time to add the wording to the glass. I found this teaching stencil in my old teaching supplies. But if you are in need of a letter stencil, most crafting stores have them available for purchase. I used two different colors of Sharpies to give the sign a little more character. Oh by the way, if you are in need of Sharpies right now, check out these!
I did all the black lettering first and then added the red “Emergency”. The great thing about the Sharpies is they are so quick drying! No worries about smudging your letters. Oh! If you make a mistake (Like spell a word wrong which would be a huge NO, NO when giving this to a teacher! Yikes!) you can easily erase with a cotton ball dabbed with fingernail polish remover. It’s like it never happened!
After you have finished stenciling your letters, it’s time to attach the chocolate goodness. I uses double sided tape to secure the bar to the scrapbook paper.
Then you just reassemble your frame starting with glass insert, then chocolate bar attached to paper and finally frame backing. Now you are ready for the last (and most important) step.
It’s time to reward your hard work by eating that other chocolate bar. Oh yea! See…getting two chocolate bars is very important. 😉
On the first day of school, I’m going to wrap this frame up and include a package of Sharpies and a gift card to Starbucks. I’ve heard that teachers love Sharpies! 😉 Here’s wishing all teachers an awesome new school year!
Debbie says
August 5, 2014 at 1:09 pmI’m not a teacher, but I need this 😉
Debbie
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Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says
August 5, 2014 at 1:11 pmThis is genius! I, of course, do not need an emergency to break that glass. Love it. 🙂
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dria says
August 5, 2014 at 1:26 pmOMG that is adorable! Absolutely love it awesome job on this!
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Meegan says
August 5, 2014 at 1:27 pmI love it Laura! It’s perfect for ANY teacher. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
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Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
August 5, 2014 at 2:33 pmThat’s adorable Laura!!!! Love it!!!
Nancy
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Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
August 5, 2014 at 2:57 pmLove this! What a fun gift idea! 🙂
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Sharon Hines says
August 5, 2014 at 4:44 pmOh my goodness, that is the cutest teacher gift I have ever seen! You’re so right about the bad days and craving a margarita or a glass of wine, and how chocolate is a life saver on those days.
I just adore this idea! ( and sharpies!!)
Sharon Hines recently posted…Mrs. Hines’ Class is back to school
Christine at First Home Love Life says
August 5, 2014 at 4:45 pmSO CLEVER!!! I think I need one in my house 😉 Totally making this for my daughter’s teacher! Thanks for the great idea, Laura! XO
Paula@SweetPea says
August 5, 2014 at 6:10 pmThis is adorable! I need to make one for my classroom!!
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Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
August 5, 2014 at 10:23 pmLove this idea! You are so creative:)
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amber.m says
August 5, 2014 at 11:01 pmOh my goodness, cute!!
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Heather Garcia says
August 6, 2014 at 5:43 amSuper cute gift idea!!
Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge says
August 6, 2014 at 2:43 pmThis is awesome. Maybe I’ll pretend to be a teacher and make one for myself!
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Claire @ A Little Claireification says
August 6, 2014 at 4:07 pmI LOVE this idea!! So fun!!
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Ange says
August 6, 2014 at 4:11 pmWith all of the teacher gifts I have seen this is by far my absolute favorite!!
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Wendy says
August 7, 2014 at 5:32 amSend some chocolate too- don’t be a tease! LOL!
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
August 7, 2014 at 5:37 pmThis is so clever! As a former teacher, I would have loved this as a gift!!! ~Christy
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Jamie (Mama.Mommy.Mom.) says
August 11, 2014 at 12:06 amThat’s such a cute idea! Love it!
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Amber says
August 11, 2014 at 1:52 pmWhat a fabulous idea!!
Shanna Gilbert says
August 11, 2014 at 3:25 pmSuch a cute idea Laura! I’m sure your little guys teacher will love it!
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Marie - Family and the Lake House says
April 23, 2015 at 7:27 pmThis is so cute!
Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says
April 24, 2015 at 2:23 amOh my goodness – this is so perfect. I will be making this for my teacher friends! Thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
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Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness says
April 25, 2015 at 8:17 pmThis is adorable! Such a cute teacher gift. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this at Motivational Monday! Hope to see you again tomorrow night!
Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness recently posted…20 DIY Gifts to Make for Mother’s Day
Lou Lou Girls says
April 26, 2015 at 8:08 pmThis looks so fun! I’m always so amazed by your talent. Pinned and tweeted. Please join us on Monday at 7 pm and party with us! It is so super fun to see what you have been working on! Lou Lou Girls
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Katherines Corner says
April 26, 2015 at 9:13 pmI love this!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite things blog hop. I pinned to my lets get crafty board. xo
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Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says
April 28, 2015 at 3:50 pmLaura ~ Just popping by to let you know I have featured you on my Tuesday Treasures post today! I loved this teacher gift! I have so many teacher friends I could use this for. Hope you can join us again this week at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop! Have a wonderful week!
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Melissa French, The More With Less Mom says
April 28, 2015 at 6:14 pmThis is hilarious. Thanks for posting. Hello from Clever Chicks Blog Hop.
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
April 30, 2015 at 7:31 pmWhat a fun idea! 🙂 Thank you for joining us at Freedom Fridays! You are being featured at this week’s party and we would love for you to join us again! The party starts tonight at 8:30 pm EST and runs until Tuesday evening! Hope to see you there! 🙂
Carlyn Bullock says
August 11, 2015 at 1:39 pmHaha – love this! I once taught elementary school art and would have loved this gift! very clever.
With a smile from offthesidewalk in Tampa FL – Carlyn 🙂
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Pauline Molinari says
August 14, 2015 at 2:16 pmThis is adorable. Such a fun gift idea! Thanks for linking up with us this week on the Monday Funday Party!
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Theresa @DearCreatives says
August 20, 2015 at 2:13 pmThis is awesome! Who wouldn’t love to get one? Pinned & shared. Hope to see you again soon . Thanks for joining & sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight Party!
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