Graduation Time is Here

Got some Pomp & Circumstance happening in your home?  

Whether you'll be crying for joy at your child's

college commencement or kindergarten graduation,

here are a few great DIY ideas for handmade gifts. 

Graduation Canvas

Create a one-of-a-kind graduation wall canvas, celebrating the great achievement.  Using scrapbooking techniques, I kicked them up a notch, creating a 3-D canvas that is proudly displayed.  Pull together your favorite photo from the big day, the graduation announcement, and coordinated embellishments.  For all the details, click here.

Hats Off to You [Treat Jar]

What better way to say "I'm so proud of you" than with a jar full of chocolate?  Here's a fun idea that would make great party favors or for your child to give to their friends.  Grab a bag of chocolate peanut butter cups, a small hinged or mason jar, a few graduation embellishments, and you'll have those kids eating out of your hands (literally).  For the complete tutorial, click here.

Pomp & Circumstance Photo Frame

A simple wooden frame can easily be embellished into a special graduation keepsake.  One quick trip to your local craft room (or arts & crafts store, if you prefer) to pick up a few graduation-theme accents, and you'll be ready to create this wonderful treasure.  Click here for the tutorial.

Next Step: Real Life

For a little something extra, why not alter a mini chunky notebook for the new grad?  It may be too small to keep track of all their job interviews, but it will work well for them to jot down their summer to-do list.   And it's the perfect size to hold a gift card! The link is here.

Hope these projects inspire you to create your own handmade treasured memories for your special graduate.  Now pass the tissues...

And don't forget Father's Day is this Sunday.  

Here's another wall canvas project you 
and the kids can create for Dad.  

s

Fabulous Father's Day Gift

Partying here and
Artsy Fartsy Mama
Diana Rambles Pin Me Linky Party

Embracing Change
Posed Perfection
From My Front Porch to Yours
I Gotta Create

Handmade Mother's Day Project

With everyone's busy lives, I'm glad the calendar tells us to take one day to celebrate Mom.  However, my Mom says "everyday is Mother's Day," and I tend to agree with her.  Hopefully, your kids tell you how much they love you more than just one day a year!

However, next Sunday, go ahead and lavish your Mother with more than a hug and kiss--give her several! And if you still feel like you want to give her a gift, make a handmade one that she will treasure always.

Here is an art canvas I made for my Mom several years ago.  It's still one of my most favorite projects ever. Even though I've posted this before, I'd like to share it again in case you missed it the first time.

 8" x 8" and 8" x 4" canvasses tied together with ribbon;

each canvas painted and then decoupaged with designer papers;

Photos added.

Yes, that's really me, just minutes after I was born.

Note the year:  1956

(Ohhhhh!  Am I THAT old?)

Scrabble tiles spell out "DAUGHTERS"

Chipboard used to spell "LOVE" 

Additional embellishments:  chipboard scroll, button and

silver heart charm tied to "E"

Then added ribbon, brads and flower

Finally, current year of bottom photo:  2010

I had so much fun creating this wall hanging canvas for my Mom.  It still hangs in her kitchen so she sees ii everyday.  

Every few years, I update the bottom photo of my daughters and me and change the date.  So this year, when my daughters are home, we'll snap a few new photos, and decoupage it to the canvas when we visit my Mom.  

Sharing at these parties. and

Moonlight & Mason Jars