Back to School Teacher Gift

This post brought to you by Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper. All opinions are 100% mine.

From Martha Stewart to Glamour magazine I’ve seen the neon color trend utilized on everything including party themes to head-to-toe fashions.  Although I personally wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a neon dress (it would attract WAY too much attention AND I am WAY too old to pull it off), I do however find electric blue and hot pink youthful and playful.

What’s even better about neon is that my daughter is extremely attracted to these cheerful colors so I thought I’d do a fun kids craft with her.  I came across AstroBrights papers, which was PERFECT for the project I had in mind, a) because of the unique and vibrant neon colors, and b) because Astrobrights supports a great cause that I believe in (more later).

I wanted to make a unique back to school teacher gift so I bought a set of highlighters that scream neon and decided to make a paper flower bouquet to present it.  Here are the materials you need to make this Back to School Teacher Gift.

Materials:

• Washed and clean recycled can
• AstroBrights paper
• Highlighters (approximately 18 depending on the thickness and size)
• Rubber band
• Ribbon
• Hot glue
• Skewers
• Styrofoam
• Scissors
• Various craft punches (optional)
• Computer (optional)
• Paper cutter (optional)

Constructing the Vase:

Remove the label, wash, clean, and dry a recycled can.  Next wrap a rubber band around the can.  One by one, add your highlighters around the can. Tie a ribbon around the can to hide the rubber band.  Insert a small piece of Styrofoam or floral foam inside the can.  Set the vase aside.

Making the Paper Flowers:

Constructing paper flowers can be made however your heart desires.  For this project, I made simple accordion flowers.  With my daughter’s help, we used craft punches in flower and circle shapes to embellish the accordion flowers.  We hot glued each paper flower onto a wooden skewer and arranged them in our highlighter vase.  Using my computer, I made a sign that says, “You as my teacher is the highlight of my year.”  A had written note from your child is a great option too.

AstroBrights Papers “Give a Brighter Year” Back-To-School Campaign

Win school supplies worth $30,000 for the elementary school of your choice!!!

This exciting campaign is going on now and will run through September 10, 2012.    Simply “like” AstroBrights Facebook page and submit a short online form to be entered into the sweepstakes.  You can then earn additional entries every week by revisiting the page and answering a few simple questions.

In addition, enter the Make something Astrobrights challenge to win a Visa Gift card.  Submit and share ideas like this one that are so bright they’re AstroBrights!  Check out AstroBrights on Facebook for more details!

Here are some more AFTER photos!