Teacher Cardigans in my Etsy Shop!

I have been plowing through all of my crochet-related projects during summer break and figured I'd check in from my newest blog, From LMNOP to LMS (after twenty-five years being a kindergarten teacher, I'm now my school's librarian!) to show you what I've made, should you be on the lookout for a handmade teacher cardigan or state EDUC8R tee for the upcoming school year!

Make sure to carefully read through the descriptions for each sweater to see if the bust, sleeve, and length measurements will work for you.  Some are lighter weight due to being single-stranded, while others are heavier (and warmer) due to being crocheted with two strands of yarn at a time. They are adorable over jumpers, sundresses, skirts, leggings and pants, and are awfully cheerful hanging off of your teacher's chair within easy reach for whenever you feel a chill coming on.

You can also scroll through my other Etsy listings for state EDUC8R t-shirts that feature simple backline tracings of each state, which look great under a blazer, zip-up, and yes, even a cardigan.  Please note that women's fit and unisex styles are both offered.

I hope you've all been enjoying a wonderful summer!

~Michaele

My Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/michaelesommerville

Keys to Our Success: Volunteer Appreciation Gift Idea

With only fifteen days left in the school year, and despite the many, many activities and events packed into those busy days, it's important to remember and thank parent volunteers and teacher aides for all of the time, effort, and in my case, helpful humor that they contributed on behalf of students during the year.

In years past I've given summer flowers, bookmarks, handmade star charms (for my Super Stars) or photos of my class (in decorated picture frames) to the sweet parents, families and aides who helped us carve pumpkins, cover shoe boxes with butcher paper for valentine mailboxes, pulled workbook pages, and transported our lunches in their own vehicle for field trips.  This year, I returned to the star charm idea, but decided to make key/purse/zipper fobs instead:

I cut one inch by one inch squares of scrapbook paper (dark blue with cream stars and denim print) along with glittery heart and star punches.  These will be encased in one inch by one inch glass pieces.



I cut my copper tape using pinking/deckle scissors to make a decorative edge.  This will give the soldered finish along the front of the charm a nice design.





I carefully wrapped the copper tape around each charm, and burnished the edges with a bone folder:





After brushing on the flux (from the yellow tin in the photo) and mounting the charms in the jaws of the jewelry stand, I soldered v-e-r-y carefully using my soldering wand.

Interesting factoid: when solder touches your bare skin, it's so hot that for the very briefest of moments, it feels ~cold~.  Afterward, ouchie, ouchie, ouchie.  



Here are the charms before I added the jump rings (metal loops for a necklace chain or fob):



... and after:



Here are the finished fobs, to be given to the volunteers and aides who were the KEYS to our successes and enjoyment this year!



I'd love to know how you thank and celebrate your parent volunteers and aides!  Leave a comment and let me know (and hang in there, the end of the school year is in sight)!