We Love Our Teachers!

I'm so grateful for the teachers and teacher's aides who worked with our children this year. They really cared about them and taught them so much.

We wanted to do something special for them at the end of the year. We decided to etch some glass jars,
and then we filled them with Hershey kisses to give to all of their teachers. I was excited to find Hershey kisses wrapped in purple and gold - their school colors!

 

We etched the teacher's name on one side...

...and "thank you" on the other.

Before we filled the jars with candy, I had to see what it would look like with a light inside.

Thank you, teachers!

STATS:

Etched glass tutorial:

http://letsgetcaking.blogspot.com/2012/12/etched-glass-tutorial.html

Etched Glass Tutorial

If you're still thinking of Christmas gift ideas and you like being crafty, you might want to try etching glass. I was surprised how easy it is to do, and it's a great way to personalize gifts.

 

You just need a few things to get started:

1. A glass etching compound. I used Armour Etch, which I found at Hobby Lobby. 

2. Any glass or mirror you would like to etch. (I used votive candle holders this time.)

3. Adhesive vinyl alphabet stencils (also found at Hobby Lobby).

4. Cotton swabs.

Position the vinyl letters however you like onto the glass. Make sure they are smoothed down well. You don't want the Armour Etch to spread under the vinyl.

Dip the cotton swab into the bottle of Armour Etch, and use it to spread the etching compound into the stencils. It will be thick, like the consistency of glue. Be generous, and make sure you get the compound into all of the corners. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, then wash off the compound in the sink with soap and water. (Be sure to wear gloves when you do this and do not allow the compound to touch your skin. Also, make sure to read the warning label on the bottle.)

Peel off the vinyl stencils. The stencils can be washed and dried and reused multiple times.

 

 

I cut a square of cellophane to put inside the candle holder. Then I added red and green M&M's and tied it up with red and green ribbon.

 

 

 

I bought the 3 oz. jar of etching compound last year to use for some Christmas presents. I was able to use it to personalize 4 pie plates, 3 glass platters, and the front of a toaster oven. My friend also borrowed the bottle and letters for some of her own projects. I used that same bottle to etch five candle holders this year, and I still have a lot of the etching compound left. So, it goes a long way.

 

Here's a picture of one of the pie plates I etched last year:

 

 

My husband wanted to get our daughter her very own oven for Christmas last year, so we bought her a toaster oven. We gave her some baking mixes and pans to go along with it. We decided to personalize it so she would know it really was just for her. She loves it!

Merry Christmas!