So as the days dwindle down, it’s time for you to come up with a token of appreciation for all the learning and laughing your child’s teacher has faithfully provided since the fall. We asked a few teachers about their favorite end-of-year gifts, and here’s what we found out:

Notes! Yep, elementary-school teachers really are that sweet.  Their overwhelming favorite thing to receive was a hand-written note or hand-drawn picture from a child. They really do keep them, by the way. And it’s always a nice touch to send the teacher a note yourself, perhaps outlining some of the ways your child has grown under his/her tutelage.

Gift Cards. Office-supply store cards are a good bet, since they allow hard-working teachers the chance to enhance their room’s supplies. Also popular were gift cards to restaurants or coffee shops, especially ones right near school. Consider pitching in with another famiy or two.

Photos. A framed of the teacher with your child or with the class makes a nice reminder of past school years. And lots of teachers like to display these reminiscinces on their desks or bookshelves in coming years.

So there you go: three ideas for teacher gifts they’re sure to love. Now get to it–you haven’t got many days left. Want to know exactly how many? Ask your kid.

And as anyone who has ever gardened can tell you, gardening’s good for the soul. And all sorts of other things, like understanding of nutrition, patience, responsibility and self-worth. Which is why, in our opinion, every kid who wants to garden should be able to.

That’s why we’re high on KidsGardening.org. It’s so many things, from a clearing-house of information and teacher support to a fund-raiser and store. Part of the National Gardening Association, their goal is to promote the connections between people, plants and the environment. Spend some time at their site and see how you can help–from volunteering at local school gardens to donating money to buying a little something for youself or to donate to a school garden. Personally, we like the DIY bench, for which you supply the 2x4s and the labor. Imagine the painting projects that could ensue!

Next time you’re out enjoying your garden, why not think about helping schoolchildren around the country enjoy the experience as well?

We love parties at Oopsy daisy and we hope you do too! Check out some of these cool birthday themes for boys at Hostess with the Mostess: Pirate Themes, Dinosaur Themes, Cowboy Themes and lots more you can choose from! Oh, but let’s not forget our girl themes: Garden Themes, Beach Theme, Fairy Themes and plenty more of them as well.

To make it even more special for your child, you could add personalized  Oopsy daisy Birthday Banners, Placemats and Night Lights. We even have some matching Necklaces to make the birthday girl more anxious about her day!  So now are your wheels turning? We hope so!

Umbrellas. There are few things sweeter than a child with an umbrella, out enjoying the rain instead of sitting inside moping about it. First off, we are thrilled to share this photo we just found–the UFO Cap Umbrella. This sits on the bubble between the cutest thing ever and the dopiest thing ever. We’re undecided. What do you think?

Speaking of bubble, there’s one thing we’re sure of: we love the bubble umbrella. That old-timey transparent eggshell that you can stand beneath and be covered on all sides, staring out through the vinyl windshield it creates. So glad to see these are still around.

The froggy is an old standby now, and one that always brings a smile. But the pirate is a new twist on the design–check out the sword sticking up off the surface of the umbrella, just like the frog’s eyes do. The opposite of that, kind of, is this lovely lotus flower, with smart little “petals” that flutter around the edges.

A quick search on “umbrella” in our site brings up a whole bunch of sweet art for kids’ rooms with a rainy-day theme, perfect for any type of day.

While you enjoy looking through those, we’ll be out (you guessed it) singin’ in the rain.

Enjoy!

On Saturday, April 14th, Will Ferrell came to our beautiful land of Saint Diago (San Diego for you non-Anchorman obsessed friends) to raise money for a very noble cause, and our adventurous founders got to participate. Will even signed some of our awesome Wheatpaste Posters that Stick to auction at the event.  Cancer for College is a non-profit corporation run by Will’s close friend and college buddy  Craig Pollard. Craig, himself, is a cancer survivor- and he’s made it his mission to help raise college funds for cancer survivors and amputees. College can definitely take a backseat in expenses when costs fighting cancer mount up.

We thank Craig Pollard and all those involved for making college a reality for so many kids who’ve had to struggle too much already.  Click here to donate!

Gale Kaseguma’s  canvas wall art pieces will perfectly accent any House scene with bright and warm colors, and tissue paper cutouts. Her wonderful talent will be celebrated forever.

This fabulous E-course “Get Your Paint On” – will be taking place for 5 incredible weeks and will be running from April 16^th until May 20^th. This course is designed to help artists further develop their talents while connecting and communicating with other like-minded artists for inspiration and insight. The workshop is being hosted by Mati Rose and Lisa Congdon and is sure to brighten your day and enhance your artistic abilities. This is an amazing opportunity so don’t miss out!

Here’s what some past students have said:

“Yay! As a newbie I was so worried that I was going to be out of my depth, but the two of you & everyone else made this space so relaxed and easy to take risks and the support and encouragement made me want to paint more and more and more. I have loved every moment and will be looking out for the next class. Thank you!”

“Thank you to you Lisa and Mati! I have been so happy inside since I started painting. I have always known that I have this creative molten magma inside of me and now it is getting to come to the surface. I’m loving it!!”

So are you ready to Get Your Paint On?!

For information on what to expect and FAQs, visit the class website here. 

This is a great way for kids to get into the groove of gardening for the upcoming season, not to mention a fun way to spend time together.  And it’s so totally low-tech that it’s a nice change of pace. All you need are fresh-picked flowers, a piece of newspaper or paper towel to place them in, and then a phone book (got one of those?) or other heavy tome, plus more to put on top. Just place the blooms the way you want them to look, put them in the folded paper to absorb dampness, and weight the whole thing down. Leave it for 2-3 days, and there you have it. Pressed flowers, perfect for making cards for Grandma or bookmarks for little bookworms.

And if you love flowers as much as we do, check out all the blooms on our sweet  necklaces for little girls, wall decals for kids’ rooms, and canvas growth charts, personalized art and mural banners.

Spring is here!

So this year I did!

I tweaked our gingerbread recipe to a lemon shortbread, added lemon extract to the royal icing and the finished touch -covered it in spring candy. It smells soooo good, fresh and springy! Embellished with gum-balls and set on a blooming bed of mint jellies. I gave this edible bird house the “drooz studio” treatment!

Maybe not really a traditional craft, but some serious fun for the entire family!.. and a great way to get rid of leftover Easter candy.

So here it goes:

You need 2 batches of shortbread dough..(so double the ingredients list below for purchasing)

BUT: mix one batch at a time otherwise it will not fit into the mixer/bowl

yield: makes one bird house and about 8-10 cut out cookies for decorating.

Ingredients
(this makes ONE batch – you will need TWO: pls don’t double – it is best to mix 2 separate batches )

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine , at room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 6 tablespoons powdered lemonade
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon lemon extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons water

Royal icing Ingredients
• 4 egg whites (*see note below)
• 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract

Gingerbread House:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter add brown sugar, corn syrup, lemonade, baking soda and lemon extract together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Step by Step:

1. Cut paper patterns for the gingerbread house, click here to download the templates.

2. Roll gingerbread dough out to approx 1/4″ thick (thicker is better than thin) (i like to cut the dough on parchment paper or a silpat baking mat- this makes for an easier transfer to the baking sheet)

3.Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, transfer to baking sheet. (lightly grease baking sheet if NOT using parchment or silpat baking mat)

4. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm.

5. Once cool, assemble house. Please note that the sides of the completed birdhouse are angled a bit. it is easiest to assemble “on end” (see picture) … start with back of birdhouse on surface, add sides, front (use lots of icing!, prop in place with with heavy items while icing dries… preferably overnight!) add roof, and decorate!

Directions for Royal icing: (use with piping bag and round tip)
1. Beat egg whites in a clean, large bowl with mixer at high speed until foamy.
2. Gradually add sugar and lemon extract. Beat at high speed until thickened.
*NOTE: instead of egg whites, i prefer to use meringue powder (such as Wilton’s -found at craft stores) very easy to work with – and not the risk of raw eggs.

Be creative and have fun!

Shelly