Mother's Day Grandma Gift-Scrabble Tile Plaque

You know I loooove me some Scrabble tiles!!! I have used them for coasters, necklaces, frames…you name it, I’ve tiled it! My current Scrabble tile project is in honor of my mommy, an incredible mother and human being. Mom has dedicated her life to children, not only her own, three children, but to the students she has taught for almost 35 years, as well as those she has mentored in organizations such as Girl Scouts (over a decade of being a leader of a rowdy bunch of chatty girls, no less!), PTO, midget football, and Cub Scouts, just to name a few! Now that my siblings and I have children of our own, nothing brings me more joy than to see her work her magic on her grandbabies! She finds ways to bond with each of her grandchildren in different ways and lives for moments when she can see or Facetime with them again. She is the cat’s pajamas, to say the least! I really hope she doesn’t intend to check this blog within the week, as I plan to give this to her for Mother’s Day!

Here’s how I made the plaque:

Materials:

-scrapbook paper (your choice of color and design)

-plaque (I found one at my local thrift store for $1. Whoop!)

-Mod Podge

-paint brush

-Scrabble tiles

-pictures, poems, etc. for embellishment

Instructions:

1.       Cut scrapbook paper to fit the front of the plaque

2.       Coat front of plaque with a coat of Mod Podge using a    

            paint brush.

3.       While plaque is still wet, arrange Scrabble tiles (I highly

            recommend playing around with the tiles on a floor or 

            tabletop to determine your final arrangement)in the way

            you want them.

4.   Add photos onto remaining areas of the plaque. I added        

       pics of each of the grandchildren on the days they were  

       born, pics of my mom with each of the babies, and a little

       poem I made up, on behalf of the kiddos.

5.   Paint a final coat of Mod Podge  over photos and 

       embellishments and allow to dry

A Nursery for Claire Bear

It is hard to believe that, in just a few short weeks, our baby girl will be here to meet us! On one hand, it feels like just yesterday that my husband and I discovered we were pregnant! On the other hand, I am going MAD waiting to see who she looks like and which features of mine and my husband's she bears. I can't wait to dress her up in the adorable outfits my relatives and friends spoiled her with, take her for walks in her stroller, and even change a gazillion diapers per day and comforting her on restless nights. Mostly, I just can't wait to have her in my arms and call her my own.

Needless to say, I have been desperately trying to keep busy in any way possible. Here is proof of my busy-ness in the form of pictures of  Claire's room! Enjoy!!!


My amazingly artistic sis-in-law, @Tiffany Beaver painted the tree and I added fabric leaves and birds to match the crib bedding. We're hoping  baby Claire comes out with lots of hair so that she can put the owl barette holder to the right of the tree to good use!

I painted the wooden letters to match Claire's bedding and hot-glued them to ribbon. Each end of the ribbon was then tied around a nail in the wall and covered with fabric-covered, wooden birds.

This plaque was featured in a blog post about a month ago, and we have finally found a home for it in Claire's room

Can't wait to put this glider to very good use. Notice the beautiful afghan on the glider, made by my fabulous mommy, @Jane Beaver!

Bird puzzle completed by shower guests assembled and displayed in baby's room. Love it!!!

For those of you who don't know me, I am obsessed with the use of Scrabble tiles in craft projects! I am passing on this obsession to my child!

Since Claire's cousins all live hours away, I decided to incorporate them into her room for her to think of them fondly when she can't see  them. Each one used their hand or footprints to create an adorable little character to add to her nursery decor! Also of note is the adorable picture frame to the left of the windowsill made by my aunt, @Julie Heckman and featuring the 3-D ultrasound pic of Claire!

A closeup of Alison's and Camdyn's nursery contributions-a birdie and an owl

Royce's, Derek's, and Adrienne's creative contributious-a butterfly, a frog, and a bouquet of flowers



Scrabble Tile Coasters-third and final Scrabble gift, I promise!

Scrabble tile coasters for my mother-in-law, Francie, and my father-in-law, Bob

Here is another SUPER simple Christmas gift idea using (you guessed it!) Scrabble tiles! Using blank coasters (I found  a pack of 6 blank coasters at my local craft store for just under $2, score!), I arranged 4 rows of 5 Scrabble tiles, spelling out the names of the recipients in the second row (for my mother-in-law, Francie, I obviously also used a portion of the third row, as well!). After determining the order of letters, I removed them and painted a thick coat of Mod Podge across the front of the coaster. I then put the letters back onto the coaster in their appropriate order, making sure to center them as much as possible. After allowing the Mod Podge to dry for about 20 minutes, I spread two more layers of Mod Podge over the top of the Scrabble tiles and allowed them to dry. Using an acryllic sealant, I sprayed the coaster, allowed it to dry, and Voila!!! An unbelivably quick and easy craft project that works as a functional and personalized gift for any recipient!

How To: Scrabble Tile Pendant-Autism Awareness

Autism Awareness Scrabble tile necklace

So, I tend to develop a new, craft-related obsession every few weeks, whether it be a new craft material I’ve discovered or an awesome project I’ve found online (this is the part where I plug www.pinterest.com once again!). This week, my obsession is SCRABBLE TILES!!! Who knew you could do so much with game pieces and some craft materials (which I happen to have a few of)! My first Scrabble tile-related craft is a pendant.

As a teacher of children with Autism, I not only have the privilege of working with some amazing kids, but also with incredibly dedicated, caring, and gifted adults. In my classroom, I have three other women who work with me on a daily basis which (just ask my husband) isn’t always easy. Despite the challenges that our students present, these women handle every situation with positivity, humor, and grace. When it came to figuring out appropriate Christmas gifts to give them, I knew it had to be something appropriate to what we do on a daily basis and made with love.

The fantastic thing about Scrabble tile pendants is that you can virtually use any picture of your choosing as the centerpiece of the jewelry. Since the symbol for Autism Awareness is a multi-colored puzzle piece, my choice of picture was simple.

Here are the instructions to make your own:

Materials

*Square bail plate (sized a little smaller than a Scrabble pendant)

*Scrabble tile

*Picture printed and cut out to fit Scrabble tile

*Modge Podge

*foam paint brush

*necklace chain

Directions

1. Using a very sturdy, craft epoxy (Tacky glue or a hot glue gun simply won’t cut it, folks!), glue the bail plate (I bought mine in a pack of four at Hobby Lobby) to the lettered side of the Scrabble tile. Let dry overnight.



2. Print out an image of your choice to fit the blank side of the Scrabble tile. Note: An average Scrabble tile is 2 cm. x 1 ½ cm, or .75 inch  x .83 inch and cut out.

3. Using your foam brush, brush a layer of Modge Podge onto the blank side of the Scrabble tile.



4. Adhere your picture to the Scrabble tile. Give it a few minutes to dry a bit so that it does not slide all over the pendant for the next part.

5. Paint a heavier but consistent level of Modge Podge over the top of your picture. Let dry and paint on another layer.

6. After the pendant dries, spray an acrylic sealer over the picture-side of the pendant

7. Once the pendant is completely dry, string the necklace chain through the loop at the top of the pendant.



Voila! Easy breezy!!! PS-If you know any of my classroom assistants, mum’s the word until Christmas!