{Funtastic Friday} Teacher Appreciation!

I love Teacher Appreciation Week.

Love.

Love.

Love.

Love.

Love it.

It is probably my favorite week of the whole school year. I love spoiling our teachers and making each and every day happy for them.

Have you ever been in your son or daughter's class for a whole day? Not just an hour or two here and there. And, not just for a holiday party. A. WHOLE. DAY.

If not, you should give it a whirl. Trust me, you'll be on the Teacher Appreciation bandwagon afterwards.

TA Week is right around the corner (May 2-6 ~ write it down, people). So, for the next few weeks, I'll be highlighting great, fun gifts for teachers. It never hurts to be ahead of the game and ready when TA week rolls around. The gifts don't have to be extravagant or expensive. Just a simple little something to let your teachers know you care and appreciate them and all of their hard work!

Here are my first few fun quick and easy gifts from the girls at eighteen25 (they even provide the labels for some of their projects to download as a freebie - *yay*):


"So fortunate to have you" take out boxes.


"O'fish'ally the best!" candy treats.


My teacher is AW-esome" drink and candy set.

My friend Mel is a pro at teacher appreciate-ing (hey - I think I just made up a new verb!).

Check out the s'more goody bags she whipped up last year (complete with a printable tag freebie).


You might also remember her "Popular Teacher" treat toppers that I used last year.


I just LOVE Mel's work. So cute, clever and FUN!!

Here is an idea from Cute as a Fox: a fun jelly bean apple.


And, finally (for today), I love this idea for a candy gram pail. If you have a teacher that has a sweet tooth, this could be the way to go! Be sure to use the little poem, too!


I'll have ideas o' plenty featured here over the next few weeks to get your creative juices flowing. And, PLEASE link me up if you find any more fun ideas floating around the ol' world wide web. I have about 400 ideas already logged in my idea folder (i.e. my teeny tiny brain), but I'm sure there are LOTS more that I've yet to discover! I'd love to add yours to the line up!

And, here's my best advice for Teacher Appreciation Week: DON'T WAIT!!!! For crying out loud, start planning now! You can pick up a few things here and there and be ready to roll when it comes around (remember - May 2nd thru 6th). Take it from me, the last thing you want to be doing the night before is scurrying around trying to get all of your items together and packaged nicely. Believe me when I say that will be *the* night your printer decides to run out of ink and you'll be left with a cute gift and no tag (and we all know the CUTE factor begins with the tag, right?).

Happy Friday, people.

And, happy teacher appreciate-ing!

{Funtastic Friday} St. Patrick's Day Ideas and Printables

TGLIFF, bloggies!!!

What? You've never seen it with an "L" in the middle and two "F's" at the end? Really?

That's just a little acronym I like to use instead of shouting Thank the GOOD LORD it's FINALLY FRIDAY!! *insert audience clapping*

So, next Thursday is St. Patrick's Day and the blogosphere is abuzz with lots of green ideas and fun freebies. Of course, most people don't constantly search the internet looking for cute ideas and freebies.

That's where I come in! *insert smile and wave here*

TomKat Studio has these darling printables you can use as cupcake toppers, gift tags, napkin rings and more!



Fiskars shows you how to make fun hair and photo accessories.


Anna and Blue Paperie also has cuuuuuute printables.



How cute is this rainbow cupcake from Cupcake Mania?? Too, too cute. That is the answer.


It Is What It Is created these adorable Pot O' Gold and Lucky bag toppers and gift ideas. You can download the toppers for free (my favorite price)!




How about some St. Patrick's Day Cookies? Just darling. I don't know one. single. kid. who would turn these down.


A Little Tipsy created this festive mantle of crafts.


The Hands-On Housewife created this image that can be printed and framed for a fun display.


The Artist Woman made these beautiful tissue paper rainbows.


One Charming Party whipped up this funky green smoothie.


Katherine Marie made a leprechaun hotel and about 40 other glorious green projects with her kiddos.


And, one more set of free tags from The Crafting Chicks. Love them!


I found these cute treat ideas at Pebbles in My Pocket.


So there you go! Consider yourself prepped and ready for St. Patty's Day!

Hope you guys (all three of you) have a wonderful weekend!

Big Green Hugs!