Operation: Back to School // DIY Teacher and Secretary Gifts

FYI, This post is a little lengthy, feel free to scroll down for the tutorial.

Making the teacher gift was always so much easier when Autumn (12 YO) only had one teacher. Now there are soooo many and I don't know them all, so it's hard to personalize a fun little back to school gift. I decided on some generic notecards, notepads and other supplies in a basket strategically placed in the 7th grade teacher's lounge would work nicely.

The real fun this year came in the form of secretary gifts. We have the most hardworking, dedicated, wonderful front office staff at our elementary school. These 4 ladies do EVERYTHING, and I appreciate them so much, I knew they needed a little something.

What better than candies and office supplies? This Candy Caddy can hold a bag of individually wrapped candies (kisses, jolly ranchers and the like), 2 pens or pencils and some cute paper clips. You could also add binder clips or trade the bag of candies for a snack size bag of skittles.

Anatomy of a Candy Caddy

What you need:
- plain white cardstock (I started with 8.5 x 11, that is what all measurements are based off)
- decorative paper
- eyelets and setter (or you can use staples/tape here if you don't have one)
- 3/4 inch hole punch
- coordinating ink colors
- paper clips
- other decorative elements of your choice (the specifics on the tools I used are below)

Steps:
Cut your card stock into 4 x 11 strips (2 from each sheet)
Punch a hole offset on one end

Cut your decorative paper into 3.5 x 4 inch pieces
Adhere one to the front (over the hole you just punched) and one to the inside, repunch hole

Ink all edges (I used Tim Holtz distress ink)

Fold up front and attach on the sides (I used a Crop-A-Dile, and white eyelets). I suggest NOT making any folds in the bottom until you add your candy so you are sure it will fit well.

Create your paper clip accents
*NOTE: I punched 2 circles and stamped a simple apple on the front of one and then sandwiched the paper clip between the two circles. I added a little bling to the center of each apple.

Create an accent piece for the front
*NOTE: I used some fake flower leaves and a red circle of patterned scrapbook paper to create an apple shape, stamped this cute bookworm to attach on top. I used pop dots to attach the worm and then the apple to the front of the caddy. Behind the cute little worm I added a strip of paper with a ruler print that I had edge punched with a notebook edge.

Add your treats and you're done!
If you make these or any variation there of I would LOVE to see them! What are you all planning for back to school gifts? Please link up your projects HERE!

Happy Crafting!