Cricut Projects-

Paper Crafts

Back to School Projects

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[NOTE: I started this draft several months ago and have come back to it many times but what I thought would be a nice block of time to handle household stuff, craft, and blog while she was at school has proven to be quite… aspirational ?]

Our daughter started preschool recently and I am apparently dealing with my mixed feelings by staying busy with crafts ? I am so happy she gets to be around more kids and learn, but I am also in my feelings about her starting school when it feels like yesterday that we brought her home… I know most parents go through this so heartfelt hugs to every first time parent sending their little ones off for the first time.

Initially, I wanted to make Lily a first day of preschool shirt… but it turned out so cute and we had Back to School Night the day that I made it! The timing seemed serendipitous and I still had the weekend to make her another shirt so she got to rock her “Ready for Preschool” shirt at Back to School Night. I headed to one of my favorite sites for free SVGs and let Lily pick between the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Unicorn options. She happily chose the T-Rex version and the colors she wanted. I love that you can always personalize an SVG by using whatever color vinyl you want! She loved this shirt.

Light lavender shirt that says READY FOR PRESCHOOL with a cartoon T-rex
Lily’s first Back to School Night shirt.

First Day of School

For her first day of school, I used the First Day of Preschool SVG from lovesvg.com. It turned out really cute. I used a sparkly t-shirt from Target and made sure to use some glitter HTV for my girl. A crafty friend was visiting when I made Lily’s shirt and she made the brilliant suggestion to make Lily a first day shirt for every first day of school and save the shirts to make Lily a t-shirt quilt as a high school graduation present (cue the tears about thinking of my baby graduating and going to college…).

Sparkly coral shirt that says "First day of Preschool" and "August 8, 2022" and pencils decorating it. Sitting on top of the shirt are white velcro sneakers with a sprinkle design and sparkly "Lily" on the back heels.
The second shirt I made for Lily’s first day of school ? I also personalized these cute sneakers with sparkly pink HTV.
Sparkly coral shirt that says "First day of Preschool" and "August 8, 2022" and pencils decorating it. Sitting on top of the shirt are white velcro sneakers with a sprinkle design and sparkly "Lily" on the back heels and a pink tutu skirt with gold polka dots.
I picked the shirt and Lily picked out the rest of her outfit for her first day of school ?

Home Decor

I previously bought a Foundation Decor School Shadow Box kit at my favorite store, Paper Bunny, to make when Lily started school. It’s no longer available at Paper Bunny but can be bought here. I got the Echo Park First Day of School 12×12 Cardstock pack at Paper Bunny and started by choosing my cardstock, tracing the shapes of the wood on the cardstock, and then cutting them out.

A rectangular piece of wood on top of black and white cardstock with a striped pencil next to it.
I took the larger wood pieces and placed them on top of the paper I wanted to glue on top. I traced around them in pencil and then cut the paper out.
Black and white cardstock with the traced outline of the rectangular piece of wood and striped pencil on top
Pieces of the School Shadow Box kit with the cut out pieces of cardstock that will cover the wood.
Pieces of the School Shadow Box kit with the cut out pieces of cardstock on top of the pieces of wood they will cover.
Here are all the pieces after I cut them out. I layered sheets underneath the decorative pieces. For some of the smaller pieces that would be too hard/time consuming to cut corresponding paper, I painted them and added some Stickles and Nuvo Glitter Drops to add some sparkle.

After cutting all of the paper, I applied them to the wood with Mod Podge. I used a foam brush to add Mod Podge to the wood and the paper, then smoothed the paper on top of the wood. This usually helps keep bubbling to a minimum. Once I have smoothed it down, I put another layer of Mod Podge on top. After it has dried, I file the excess paper off the sides. It is a bit time consuming but I enjoyed the process and here is the final product (with a gorgeous little hand exploring the button wheels) ?

Final product with Lily’s little hand checking out the button tires on the school bus.
The shadowbox on the wall by our front door.
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