Back to School Handmade Teacher Gifts

Back to school season can always seem a little hectic. The to-do-list can be overwhelming at times. Crew member Alison Osborn is here to share some teacher gift ideas that will not only get your creative juices flowing, but also help you check a few things off that list. Teacher gifts…done…check!   What is more back to school than composition books, note book paper and apples?  Alison transforms them into paper craft projects that will bring a smile.  What better way to start the year than with a little something from the heart?

Hi everyone, today I’d like to share with you a few ideas I designed for teacher gifts. Yep it’s that time of the year again but I have a few crafts that may make things a tad easier.

Supplies Used – Canvas Corp

• Postcards (6) Chalkstock
• Journal Lines on Ivory
• 12×12 Canvas Sheet – Yellow
• Ticking Fabric – 30″ x 36″ – Pink
• 12×12 Fabric Sheet – Denim
• Cord – Hemp Rope Hank – Red – 45′
• Small Clothespins Red (12pc)

Other Materials: Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers, notebook paper for templates, handmade pom-poms or tassels

Tools used: X-Acto knife, scissors and hot glue gun

First are my paper airplanes. Because I have two boys, I decided to use planes as my design. They are also a nice nostalgic object to work with.  I used Canvas Corp’s Journal Line paper, it’s perfect for school crafts.

To start, I took a regular piece of paper and folded it into an airplane to get my template. Now there are a ton of airplane folds to pick from but I knew I wanted mine to be short, wide, and easy, because Cardstock paper can be challenging to fold.  I then unfolded my airplane and only marked the parts I needed to complete the plane. Next I cut out the paper template to be used for the Cardstock. I give an example of the template here with the dimensions. The cut lines are solid and the dotted lines are folds. Also when folding, score your paper first. I did this by flipping over my X-Acto knife to gentle score the paper with the back of the knife.

After folder you can design the airplane anyway you choose. I used a few pieces of denim on the edge of the wings. I then used quarter pieces of the Chalkstock postcards and paint pens to letter up a few cute tags. I attached the tags to gift cards and also added a teacher questionnaire. They are a great way to get to know your child’s teacher better and help treat them to something that you’ll know they’ll like.

My next gift is a pencil welcome sign. Not only is this perfect for the teacher but also for all the new students entering their classroom.

Again I started with notebook paper to sketch out and cut the pencil shape template I wanted. I used a 1 1/2 in. x 4 in. strip of pink ticking fabric for the eraser part of the pencil.

I then cut the 4×6 Chalkstock postcards in half, and lettered with blue and white paint pens. I used yellow canvas, about 2×4 in for the pencil part. Plus added a small triangle for the lead tip, out of denim.

To assemble, I hot glued on all the fabric pieces first and then glued on the Chalkstock. I used red clothespins to hang from Bakers twine and you can add more to your banner, like pom-poms or tassels.

Hope these teacher gifts inspired you and have a wonderful school year! 

To see more of Alison’s work follow her on Instagram or Pinterest.  You can also sign up to receive our blog newsletter once a week with more great ideas – Canvas Corp Brands Blog Newsletter or check out our Facebook group, Canvas Corp Brands Collective.

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