Decorate To Celebrate Challenge - For Teacher

Washi Tape Pencil Garden for Teacher

My Story:

     Even though we have so much technology to help our lives move at the speed of sound, for me, there is nothing like the sound of an old fashioned pencil on paper.  I love the feel, sharpening the point....I'm definitely old school.

     So for this Design Challenge for Decorate To Celebrate, I created a Washi Tape Pencil Garden for a Teacher that perhaps has the same love of old tools like me.

Your Turn:

     My dollar store is becoming like that old TV sitcom "CHEERS" where everyone knew your name.  I had this idea for the pencil garden and I wanted to start off with a container for me to build my colors on.  And my neighborhood dollar store did not disappoint.  I loved this mug and its colors.  I also love coming up with ideas that serve more than one purpose.  So when the pencils are done, the Teacher can relax with a nice cup of green tea and put the flowers in your hair.

     Gather up your supplies:  mug or container; pencils; Washi Tape in a related color story; styrofoam is optional; cupcake picks; embellishments for pencil tops (I love these combo pins/hair clips found in the clearance bin @Michaels.

     Start wrapping your pencils as desired.  Some I used the tape lengthwise and others I wrapped around the pencil.  There is no right or wrong way.  The only advice I have is to use one of the tape designs on every pencil.  (I liked the antique typewriter keys tape as I thought that was appropriate for a teacher).  It helps pull all the colors together.

     When complete, take whatever embellishment you are using and place into the eraser or glue onto the top.  Whatever you come up with is perfect.  For my example, I used the pin and placed into the eraser.  For others I just clipped the flower onto the top of the pencil.  To fill in part of the container, I clipped the flower onto the cupcake pick to stick in by itself.

     This is an optional step, but helps keep your garden upright.  Cut a piece of styrofoam to fit and start "planting" your pencils.  Use some scraps of silk leaves to fill in your "soil".

     And that is all there is to it.  This concept can be adapted for some many occasions, just by changing the color of the washi tape and the type of container.  I would love to see what you come up with!

     Happy Crafting!