Gift for a Special Friend

This will be a very long post as there are several photos. 

Michelle, a good friend of mine, just recently landed a part-time position teaching at a Junior College and is hoping that this will open some doors for her to help her to teach in an area where she feels better qualified to apply her skills. I wanted to do something to celebrate her achievements so I made her this gift. It uses one of Close To My Heart's new Cubbies. I carefully cut out sections to give me the spaces that I needed and then I began adding iems that I thought would best represent a new professor. Her first teaching day is tomorrow. I really wanted her to have this in her hands but I just wasn't able to complete it on time so I emailed her the photos and she was in tears when she saw it. 

Every section has special meaning and those photos are shown below with a brief explanation of each box. 

I tried to go across in an organized manner... here goes: 

1. The angel: The quote reads "Friends are kisses blown to us by angels." This is so true. I met Michelle almost a year ago through the CTMH boards and she has become such a great friend - I'm not sure how I would survive without her sometimes!

2. A Cross: We are both Christians and it's a very important aspect of our lives. 

It just goes without saying that it had to be part of this. 

3. Michelle's photo: This is the picture that you will probably recognize if you check out 

her blog, Pinterest boards, etc. 

4. You're a Star: Each star is sewn through the top piece of cardstock so it hangs freely, as does the title piece. They are stamped with Pigment ink so they will not fade. They are there to remind her that she IS a star in the eyes of many. 

5. File Box and Folders: Cut from the Cricut, I thought these would be typical things 

found on a professor's desk... 

6. Easel: I stained this with Bamboo reinker and Pearl Paint and sanded down the legs to get it to fit in the box. I covered the front with our Chalkboard Paper and used our Chalk Marker to write the message. 

7. Another picture of Michelle: I found this on Facebook - a great photo!

8. Professor's Desk: I stained this using Bamboo Reinker and Pearl Paint as well. And yes, each of those tiny little books are individually made by hand! The file boxes are cut using the Cricut, 

as are the pages on the desk. 

9. Assignment Pages and Booklets: I thought these might be things that a student might carry around.

10. Graduation gown, hat and diploma: speaks for itself. 

11. Professor Texts/Books: Books I thought a professor might have laying around. 

12. Professor Michelle and a Student: I even dressed each of them!

The most difficult part of this project was that everything had to be moved to the front of the cubby since the boxes are so deep. That required some serious thinking about how to do that with some items. Nonetheless, I am happy with the way things turned out. Now, to figure out how to ship it to her... 

Enjoy, 

Alyson

Supplies used are Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted: 

Paper: Scholastic Paper Pack, Ruby Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Cardstock, Saddle Cardstock, Chocolate Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock, Cashmere Cardstock, Champagne Cardstock, Honey Cardstock

Stamps: Angelic Blessings, Art Philosophy Cricut Stamps, Love Life

Inks: Ruby Pigment Ink, Cocoa Pigment Ink, Bamboo Reinker

Accessories: Art Philosophy Cartridge, Artiste Cartridge, My Creations Cubby, Baker's Twine - Neutral Assortment, Burlap Ribbon, Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon, Black Tulle Ribbon, Designer Ribbon - Cocoa Collection, Bohemian Assortment, Scholastic Stickease, Distressing Ink - Chocolate, Chalk Marker, Liquid Glass, Spray Pen, Pearl Paint, Foam Tape, Embroidery Floss - Neutral Assortment, Pearl Opaques Adhesive Gems

Non-CTMH Supplies: Scor-Tape, wooden desk, wooden easel, graduation gown and accessories, wooden "people", Sharpie markers, beaded cross, Willow angel