Craft: Personalized Cookie Cutter Gifts for Teachers and Leaders

Needing a personalized thank you gift for a group of women, I came across these personalized Christmas tree cookie cutters.  Because the quantity and price didn't meet my needs, I didn't place an order.  But the gears started turning.  I decided to personalize some cookie cutters on my own.  

Knowing that Christmas is only three months away, I decided to write a post describing the simple steps taken to make this cute gift.  These cookie cutters can be given to the special adults in your child's life (like teachers, coaches, band directors, and Girl Scout troop leaders). They can be used in the kitchen, hung on the Christmas tree, or even be added as gift toppers or tags on larger presents for those who enjoy wrapping with embellishments.  For additional handmade gift ideas, check out this post. 

 You will need:

• Cookie Cutters.  I purchased two packages of the Wilton Holiday 18 pc Metal Cookie Cutter Set  at $10.55 each, which gave me 36 for around $21.
• Stickers.  I selected Jolee's Boutique Christmas Present Stickers.  These stickers may be found at a local craft store where they can be purchased with a coupon. There are 25 stickers in a package.  I spent under $5 for two packages. 
• Jute trim--12-15" per cookie cutter.  I bought 100% jute, natural, 2mm x 15ft.  I used three spools for the 36 cookie cutters.  For reference, there are about 4 ft of jute remaining.  It was on sale, so I spent $3 total on the jute trim.
• white cardstock
• solid cardstock (red)
• paper cutter or scissors
• small hole punch 

Directions:

1. Type the gift tag text.  Using Word, I set the document margins at 0.25", and I created three columns.  I selected Curlz MT font size 12, and chose to align the text with the right margin of the columns to allow space for the sticker and hole punch on the left side of the tag.  (I had to use the space bar to center "Merry Christmas!" over the second line of text).  Then copy and paste the text in the columns.
2. Print tags on a sheet of 8.5"x11" white cardstock.
3. Cut tags apart.  My tags were 0.75" by 3".  
4. Glue the white cardstock tags to red cardstock and trim to size, allowing for small border of red along the edge. 
5. Apply the sticker.
6. Punch a small hole in a corner of the tag.
7. Cut jute (12-15" piece) and tie tag on cookie cutter.

Including the cookie cutter and the tag, I was able to finish the project for about $0.83 a piece.  Instead of using stickers, kids could decorate the tags with markers.  Ribbon, yarn, or cord could be used in place of the jute.  What a quick and clean craft to try at the next classroom holiday party!  (Wilton has an 18-Piece Metal Halloween Cookie Cutter Set, too.  Better act fast though.  Looks like it's been discontinued by the manufacturer).

Our Girl Scout troop is gearing up for fall.  I hope you will check back to see what's in store for the year.  Thank you for reading.

Self-Esteem Workshop for Girl Scouts

When the fourth graders in our troop met for the first meeting this year, I immediately recognized some changes in them.  They seemed to have matured over the summer, and the difference was noticeable in their interactions with each other and the troop leaders.  I have known these girls since they were five-year-old Daisies, and it has been so fun to watch them blossom into beautiful young ladies.  But I know that with these changes, a girl can encounter some confusion about who she is, who she is becoming, and how she fits in with her peers.  Because I've known these girls and their families for several years, I am aware that almost all of them have recently faced challenges with regards to their appearance.  We all know kids can be mean, and nobody is safe from ridicule.  You can be teased if you're tall or short, heavy or thin, or if you happen to wear the wrong pair of crazy socks to school one day.  The Girl Scout Mission is "Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place."  As a Girl Scout Leader and mother of two young daughters, I wanted to show these girls that they are special and loved.  I planned this Self-Esteem Workshop with the hope that the girls would embrace everything that makes them unique and that they would leave our meeting feeling confident and courageous. 

When the girls arrived at the meeting, they were given a small handful of M&Ms and this "I am Confident and Courageous!" worksheet I created based on the Self-Esteem M&M game that is posted on www.savvyschoolcounselor.com.  

Before sharing their answers with the group, the girls recited the Girl Scout Promise and sang the Girl Scout Law song.  I took this opportunity to tell the girls a story about myself when I was their age...

When I was in fourth grade, I was one of the first girls in my class who had to wear a bra.  Boys in my class would snap my bra, and this embarrassed me and made me feel uncomfortable because they were drawing attention to something that, at that time, made me different from everyone else.  Sometimes I would wear a larger shirt or jacket to hide my chest, but my mom continually encouraged me to stand up tall and proud--to be confident in myself.  She assured me that everyone else would eventually catch up to me.  And you know what?  They did.  We were all created differently, so our bodies change at different times and at different rates.  These changes often cause confusion for many of us, and it can be difficult to navigate through these times.

At this point in the meeting, I read the book Hey! You're Great! by Cami Carlson.  In this story, a grandma tells her granddaughter about a time when she felt pressure to fit in with the other girls at school.  Growing up, the grandmother wanted to be liked by everyone else, so she followed the "cool" kids only to learn that these kids were just following somebody else. It was exhausting for her to keep up.  At the end of the story, she discovered she was truly special all along.  This is a super cute book with rhyming lines and bright illustrations.  I think our girls got the message loud and clear.

Following the story, we watched Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" video.  I asked the girls to pay attention to Taylor's main character in the video.  We talked about how she didn't change anything about herself to impress a boy.  They noticed how she stayed true to herself, and we discussed how her confidence and character is what this guy liked about her.

Since we were talking about not changing ourselves to impress another person, I  showed Colbie Callait's "Try" video.  I explained that Colbie made this video because she was tired of having her photographs altered to hide her imperfections.  As they watched the video, I asked our girls to pay attention to the ladies' body language and facial expressions.  Once the video ended, I explained that while most of the ladies in the video were shown wiping off makeup, there is absolutely nothing wrong with makeup...as long as they're wearing it to feel good about themselves and not because they're trying to be someone else.  We talked about how these women looked happy and free to show their true colors by the end of the video.  

We spent the remaining hour of the meeting completing two crafts.  Several months ago, I was on Pinterest and came across this pin of the word "Be YOU tiful" painted on a canvas.  I saw another pin for these inspiration stones.  From these two ideas, our craft was born.  During Christmas, I purchased 3.25" flat, round, white plaster ornaments for $0.75 each at Hobby Lobby.  I also saw 4" plaster coasters in the mosaics and stepping stone section at Michaels that were similar and would work equally well.  We provided Sharpies and paint and asked the girls to write "Be YOU tiful" somewhere on her ornament and then cover the rest of the space with items that represent her.  Last month, I came across this sweatshirt at Old Navy and bought it for my daughters.  How appropriate! 

While bumping around the internet, I came across the book The Best Part of Me: Children Talk About their Bodies in Pictures and Words by Wendy Ewald.  During one of our meetings, I shared the book with the girls and told them to give it some thought because we would be working on a similar project.  Over the past few meetings, our girls have worked on pieces of this craft.  During this Self-Esteem Workshop, they put all of the pieces together on an 8.5x11" piece of cardstock.

• When we had a spare moment during a meeting, I pulled each girl aside and took a picture of the part of her body she liked best.  I printed a copy of these pictures and saved them for this workshop.
• When our Junior Girl Scouts were working on the Detective badge, we stamped their fingerprints to satisfy one of the badge requirements.  I slightly modified a quote I found online and printed it on white paper for this craft.  The quote reads, "I have a unique fingerprint that no one else has, to leave a unique imprint that no one else can leave."  We talked with the girls about the figurative and literal meaning of this quote.
• When our Brownies were working on the Senses badge, they learned about Braille.  They made a Braille name tag using multicolored rhinestones.  We saved these name tags for this workshop as well.  I found another quote online that reads, "I create beauty with my attitude, my behavior, and my actions."  I explained that individuals with a visual impairment can not necessarily see external beauty, so they must rely on a person's attitude, behavior, and actions when making an assessment of someone's beauty.

As the girls were painting their "Be YOU tiful" ornaments, we called them over in pairs and asked them to write a positive comment for each of the other girls on the back of each piece of cardstock.  We called them back over to adhere all of the pieces to the cardstock.  Once the craft was finished, they really enjoyed reading the comments that were written just for them.  Here is one example of the finished product:

I have received some positive feedback about this workshop from several of our families.  I hope posting the details of our plans here inspires others to recreate some of these ideas for the special young people in their lives.  Thank you for reading!

Ornaments: Let It Snow!

A friend of mine is preparing to host a Christmas tea party in a couple of months.  Earlier this spring, she asked if I would make some snow-filled ornaments that she could set on the tables for her guests.  After doing some research online, I decided on the supplies I would use for the project.

Bags of snow were not yet available at the craft stores when I began making the ornaments this spring.  I searched online and found that Buffalo Snow Flurries would work best.  I was able to get a five-quart bag of snow for $7 with free shipping.  I am now writing this post in August, and I know craft store shelves are stocked and ready for Christmas.  I called our neighborhood Hobby Lobby, and they do not currently carry large bags of snow.  It should be noted that they do sell smaller bags, but it would have been too expensive to purchase the quantity I needed.

I used a 40% off coupon to purchase the ornaments.  There are 12 glass ornaments in the package, and each ornament measures 2 5/8" in diameter.  I purchased them for $5.11 a box. 

I found it worked best to remove the tops from the ornaments and to set each ornament upright in the packaging.  A funnel made it easy to get the snow into the ornament.  Pour slowly and don't be surprised if the snow gets clogged in the funnel.  I used a pen to gently force the snow into the ornament.

I measured 1/3 cup of the snow to pour into each ornament.  Once I established my technique, it only took me 15 minutes to fill a dozen ornaments.  Be prepared for a bit of a mess--the countertop and my shirt were covered with styrofoam snow, but it cleaned up easily.  I know the math doesn't support this statement, but I was able to fill 72 ornaments with one five-quart bag of snow.

I chose to use a 1/4" sheer red ribbon.  I purchased the ribbon during a 50% off sale, so each spool of ribbon was $1.11.  I cut the ribbon into 11" pieces for bows.  I needed 4 spools of ribbon to make bows for the 72 ornaments.  I tied the bow around the top of the ornament and adhered it with a small dot of hot glue. 

Here is the final ornament.  My friend is going to use a red paint pen to add some embellishments.   The process was a little messy, but it was easy and inexpensive.  It cost less than $0.60 to make each of these beautiful ornaments.  Maybe our Girl Scout troop would like to make these at our Christmas party this year?  They could decorate them with Sharpie markers to make them their own.  These ornaments would be cute gifts--what a great service project idea!  Thank you for reading.

UPDATE:  My friend loved the ornaments and asked me to make two dozen more.  Since the craft stores still weren't carrying large bags of snow, I went back to order the same product online.  It wasn't available, so I ended up ordering a 4-quart bag of Buffalo Snow Eco Flurries from Ace Hardware for $7.  They shipped it to the store for free, and I picked it up without any issues.  I used about half of the bag to fill two dozen ornaments.  I updated this post because I LOVED this product!!!  Even though I couldn't pour the Eco Flurries like the Snow Flurries, it was easy to use a pen to get them through the funnel and into the ornament.  The Eco Flurries weren't messy like the Snow Flurries, and they didn't cling to the sides of the ornament.  The result is so much better.  Here, you can see for yourself. 

Christmas Carols and Applesauce Ornaments

On a Friday evening in December 2012, our Daisy and Brownie troops went Christmas caroling at a local nursing home.  At events like this, we believe "the more, the merrier!"  We invited family members to join us.  After caroling, we returned home to continue the celebration.  Click here to learn how we spent the rest of the evening.

We devoted time during one meeting in November to prepare for this event.  We made applesauce ornaments to deliver to the residents at the nursing home.  Several mothers stayed to help.  The girls did a fantastic job, but we definitely needed extra hands to help with rolling, cutting, transferring, and cleaning.

The girls also wanted to color pictures to hand to people as we sang Christmas carols.  The nursing home residents loved receiving the beautiful Christmas pictures.  They seemed to really enjoy seeing the kids.  We were told that so many groups visit nursing homes around Christmas time.  We were invited to return in the spring to play Bingo with the residents.  

 
Before we left the nursing home, we had the pleasure of visiting with a special woman named Helen.  She was born in December 1902, and she was celebrating her 100th birthday.  She allowed us to pose for a picture with her when we explained we were celebrating the 100th year of Girl Scouting.  We had a lot of fun!  Thanks for reading.

Christmas Party 2012

As I was writing about the Light Bulb Snowman ornaments our girls will be making at this year's Christmas party, I realized I never posted anything about last year's party.  Our Brownie troop planned a party for our Daisy troop, knowing that they would also be participating in the fun.  They were asked to bring snack, game, and craft ideas to our planning meeting.  They voted for their favorites.  Both troops and their families went caroling at a local nursing home prior to the party.  I will write a separate post for that event.  Here is a glimpse of our fun-filled festivities:

7:30pm--Upon arrival, the girls guessed how many peppermints were in a pint-sized mason jar.  They wrote down a number.  The girl who guessed closest to the actual number got to take the jar home.

7:40pm--Unwrap Relay.  Empty boxes were wrapped in paper prior to the party.  The girls were divided into two teams.  One at a time, the girls raced to unwrap one gift using her non-dominant hand.  We made sure to recycle the wrapping paper!

8pm--Thumbprint Reindeer Ornaments.  After finishing their reindeer, the girls wrote their names and the year on the ornament with Sharpie markers. We used egg cartons to allow them to dry and to help transport the ornaments home at the end of the night.

8:20pm--Snack.  Please check out this post to see the snacks the girls enjoyed at this party.  They each had a chance to add whipped topping to the top and bottom of a strawberry to make a Santa Brownie.

8:40pm--Paper Plate Game.  The girls were supposed to hold the plates on top of their heads and follow the instructions.  We allowed the younger girls to put their plates on the table, but they had to promise to keep their eyes closed.  I LOVED their faces when they saw their drawings!

8:50pm--Snowman Soup Goodie Bags.  The girls decorated a tag for their goodie bags with stamps and markers.  The bags included a packet of hot cocoa mix, a couple of small candy canes, and some mini marshmallows. 

They finished their goodie bag tags rather quickly.  Luckily, the girls had planned additional activities in case we had extra time.  We divided the girls into two teams and spent those last precious minutes playing Minute to Win It--Stack Attack.  They raced each other to stack 15 cups in a pyramid. This was my favorite part of the party.  The excitement was palpable.  So many squeals, giggles, and even some groans.


I am kind of glad I forgot to write this post last year.  I have really enjoyed looking back through these pictures.  I am now full of the spirit of the season.  Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!  As always, thanks for reading.

Craft: Light Bulb Snowman Ornament

Last year, the girls in our Brownie troop were planning a Christmas party for our Daisy troop.  We asked the girls to bring game, craft, and snack ideas to the planning meeting.  The girls loved this light bulb snowman ornament, but they voted to make these adorable thumbprint reindeer ornaments instead.  Not more than a month after the Christmas party, my husband changed some of the light bulbs in our house.  I asked him to save them for me, thinking that the troop could certainly put them to good use.

Here we are, almost a year later, planning this year's Christmas party.  I dug those light bulbs out of our craft closet and got to work.  The shape of this light bulb is perfect for a snowman.  

 

Step 1:  Cover the bulb with Mod Podge.  A sponge brush works well.  Do not cover the base or the bottom of the bulb.
Step 2:  Sprinkle with glitter.  Placing the light bulb in a container for this step minimizes waste and allows for easier cleanup.

Step 3:  Allow to dry (only takes a few minutes).  Please note:  I read online that glitter will often peel from glass.  Adding another coat of Mod Podge to the glittered surface was suggested.  I applied the Mod Podge to a section of the back of the snowman.  While the extra adhesive may keep the glitter from eventually peeling off, it seemed to diminish the sparkle.  The glitter on the rest of the snowman seems to be staying in place, for now.  
Step 4:  Using a paintbrush and acrylic paint, apply the eyes, nose, and buttons.

Step 5:  Let the snowman dry completely.
Step 6:  Add a cute scarf.  The pink scarf (left photo) is a piece of fuzzy pink pipe cleaner.  Cut a piece 8" long and twist it around the neck of the light bulb.  The red scarf (right photo) is a piece of felt.  Cut a 0.5" strip along the 12" side of an 9"x12" sheet of felt.  Secure the scarf to the neck of the light bulb.  Cut off the excess felt to achieve the length desired.  Fringe the edges.
Step 7:  Tie a piece of yarn to the base and hang on the tree...or skip the yarn and sit the snowman on a shelf where it can be enjoyed all winter.

I was all set and had all the supplies ready to go...until I sat down to write this post.  I was collecting some information online and found dozens of tutorials and photos posted by others who have successfully made these ornaments.  I found this video demonstration by Clinton Kelly.  After watching the segment, I have decided to follow his lead and slightly modify our steps.  I will have the girls paint the base of the light bulb black.  They will use puffy paint for the face and buttons when they make these ornaments next week. 

It looks like I never posted anything about last year's Christmas party aside from the snacks we served.  Since Christmas is right around the corner, I will be sure to share soon.  We had a REALLY fun time!  Happy Thanksgiving.  Thanks for reading. 

"It's True We'll Make a Better Day Just You and Me." --Michael Jackson

 "We are the world, we are the children...We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving..."  I received the Michael Jackson THRILLER album for my 7th birthday (no need to do the math--I am in my mid-thirties).  I still have that vinyl record safely tucked away in my hope chest.  I also clearly remember singing "We are the World" and "Hands Across America" in my grade school music class.  Decades after their release, these tunes continue to inspire me to help others.

In a previous post, I referred to The Girls' Guide to Girl Scouting.  I created my own version for the girls in our troop which included a section on Service Projects.  The following quotation is my description of service projects, knowing Daisy Girl Scouts are my audience:

"To SERVE means to do something for someone without expecting anything in return.  You do not receive money, clothes, candy, or even a pat on the back for doing something to show you love others.  You may not even get a “Thank you.”  We were placed on this earth to love each other.  Many people in this world are hurting.  They may not have enough money to buy clothes and food.  They may not have a home to return to at the end of the day.  But they do have you.  And you are a Daisy Girl Scout.  Today you can change the world.  Our troop will have the opportunity to bless others…often those we don’t even know.  These opportunities are called Service Projects."  

Our Service Unit requires Daisy troops to complete two service projects during the year.   We exceeded this requirement each year by combining service projects with petal activities.  For example, in December, we delivered homemade Christmas ornaments to residents of a local nursing home.  The girls earned their spring green petal (considerate and caring) because they lovingly made each ornament and spent time talking with the residents receiving these gift.

 

Our first year, we made retro ornaments out of recycled toilet paper rolls.

Girls in our troop visiting with residents of a local nursing home at Christmastime.

 Our second year, we made beaded ornaments.

 The residents were so happy and grateful for our visit.  

Our girls could not stop smiling.

Please check back as I will describe our other service projects in detail.  As always, thank you for reading!