Crafting with Michael's #create2educate

I love the folks at Michael's, because they love us teachers.  They are giving away a $50 gift card each day, starting TODAY and going through August 15th.  I was thrilled to be asked to help kick off their #create2educate Sweepstakes.  I had fun creating the following little projects for my classroom:

1.  Book Buddy Crate

So, this project initially started out as something different.  And because of my lack of spray painting skills, it turned into something else.  And that's totally cool.  Not everyone is a spray painter, right?  But seriously, this really was a simple project.  Go grab one of those wooden crates, two to three cans of your favorite spray paint, and some burlap and scrap fabric strips.  Fill the crate with stuffed buddies, and--BOOM.  You've got a rustic looking book buddy holder.

2.  Itty Bitty Word Books

I found these teeny tiny little photo albums, and couldn't resist.  They are meant to hold photos for those new Instax mini cameras, but I turned them into Itty Bitty word resource books.  I made 4--one for each season, and I plan on keeping all 4 at my writer's resource table.  They are basically seasonal word wall picture booklets.  I don't have tons of space for pocket charts, so I thought these would be a great solution.  And, they are so tiny and cute, and come in such fun colors.  My four year old loves looking at the pictures and "reading" the words.  I am still working on the file for all the little cards, and will let y'all know when it is finished...but here is a little preview:

So, get your craft on, share your project on Instagram with #create2educate, and you'll be entered to win a $50 gift card!  Easy peasy.  And fun.