What is the best “thank you ” card for your teacher? For me…. the best “thank you ” card shows an appreciation of his/her traits and an understanding of his/her needs and that is what my project for today illustrates.
- Type of project: Greeting Card
- Occasion: Thank you teacher
- Style: Beach Tote card
- Techniques used: Paper folding, die cutting, paper designing,
- Decoration: Gold foiling
- Main colour: Green, gold and yellow
- Equipment used: Sizzix big shot machine
READ ALSO: AN EXPLOSION BOX FOR A CONFIRMAND WHO LOVES GREEN
Hi all and welcome back to Renee’s corner where I share my card-making experiences, design inspiration and techniques….
For a Special Teacher…
It is almost the end of the school term and we all know and have teachers who work really hard to give us or our children top notch education…. and they deserve to be appreciated, don’t you agree?
My great nephew asked me to create “the best card” for his class teacher, whom he looks up to. Of course I had to ask him many questions as I have done a few cards for her before… This being the last term with him…I needed to make it really special!
This is more than a card!
Today’s card project is super cute, simple and more than just a card. It is designed in the shape of a vintage beach tote. For inspiration, I called a friend of mine about my dilemma and she suggested that I create something that shouts summer and relaxation. Now we do not have summers where I live….(I live in the Caribbean)…but we do have beaches….which I am sure the summer crowd understands….
Why a Special Card?
I have made fancy bi- fold cards in the past for her but this “thank you ” card needed to be special…..something that will remind her of my great nephew, how much he enjoyed her teaching and that he wants her to take some time off for herself. A card that has a “WOW” factor!
Can the tote bag hold any items?
Though made of paper, it is great gift bag for small items like jewellery, some make up, light books, light photo frames….for holding gift cards, greeting cards and so much more…
This vintage beach tote greeting card has a rectangular silhouette with a handhold that was die-cut out of the paper. There is a main compartment to hold accessories. Now, although it is a closed bag (has sides)….…no sewing was involved in making this…. only paper, glue and imaginative design skills.
How do I do it?
First I die cut two oval holes out of white cardstock 8 1/2 x 11. Then I connected them at the bottom with another piece folded like an accordion, so it could stand alone. Next I selected a green and yellow polkadot paper and added gold foiling for a glamorous twist.
For contrast, I mixed text with imagery in the design concept of the front and back of the bag. I chose the stamp “Capture the Moment” from The Paper Shelter as what spells “v a c a t i o n”…. than someone dressed for a warm climate…walking around with a camera around her neck!…..Right? For the travel stamps, I chose full colour backgrounds and added the words “take pics, travel, relax, you deserve it Miss, enjoy your vacation, beach.” Thus completing the outside design of the card.
What about the inside?
The inside was lined with lavender floral paper. To form the sides of the bag, I made two accordion folds out of white card stock and adhered it first to one side and then to the other as the bag is designed to be open top with double handles.
Remember I said this is a beach tote bag…..and they are designed to hold many items…. For this project, however, I only added accessories that will serve as prompts…. to remind her that she deserves to enjoy her august school vacation. Inside you will find a faux airline ticket, a spa gift card and pics of past fun memories. For the accessories inside the bag, I used coloured stamps. I used the stamps “Si Belle, Where are we going, Fun over the waves and Beauty Session” from the PaperShelter.
Include a personal message
I aIso wrote a personal message, thanking her for all her hard work and reminding her to take a relaxing break. This I printed out and placed inside as well with the other accessories. Now that you have heard how the card evolved, I am sure you will agree with me that this is the best “thank you” card for a special teacher.
This project was indeed very fulfilling and really fun, watching the concept unfold. I am sure anyone will be happy to receive one. I know I would!
Renee Hamilton is from Trinidad and Tobago. Renee has been writing for TPC since 2023. Renee started paper crafting in 2008 and she mostly do Cardmaking, 3D and interactive projects. Her paper projects are often made in a Clean and Simple or a Whimsical style.