Happy Monday! Today I am sharing a project I worked on as part of Michael’s Back to School Challenge! I’m always up for a good challenge and running around Michael’s coming up with fun ideas sounds like a perfect afternoon to me. I decided to “celebrate” back to school with a little party and a couple of easy projects using fabulous products I picked. You can create this party for 6 kids, for under $100 which includes the supplies to make monogrammed cork boards for each child, party decorations, cupcake mix/frosting and more!*

To make the corkboards, you will need:

• cork wall tiles
• martha stewart paint
• paint brush or foam brush
• pencil
• scissors or craft knife
• free printable letter templates

Gather supplies and print the letter of your choice.

Cut out the letter template and use a pencil to trace onto the corkboard in desired location. Use small, quick strokes to create a subtle outline.

Use paint brush or foam brush to paint letter. (I preferred a small paint brush) Allow to dry completely before using.

You can make these for the kids, or have them help if they are old enough! The boards come with foam squares for mounting and you can use them to display notes, schedules, you name it! These super fun little cards are made by Pocket Pages (collection is called “today”) and I found them near the scrapbooking section! The “@” notepad pages are made by Sn@p! and I found them in the same area.

I created a few other ideas and crafts for this little Back to School celebration! I found this adorable alphabet scrapbook paper in Michael’s scrapbooking aisle which was perfect inspiration for the colors of this setup and can be used to make an easy banner.

To make the banner, you will need:

• 2 sheets of alphabet paper
• grosgrain ribbon
• scissors
• craft knife

Cut 4 rectangles, size 4.5″ wide by 6″ tall from each of the 12″x12″ scrapbook papers, to create 8 flags. On the first flag, make a pencil mark 1″ up and 2 1/4″ in (half way). Use the mark to guide your cut from the bottom left corner to the mark and then the bottom right corner to the mark, to create the two point flag shape. Use this first flag as a template to cut the rest of the flags.

Use an craft knife to make slits in the top corners of the flags, approximately 1/2″ inch in from the edges. String ribbon through the slits to create the hanging banner.

What’s a party without cupcakes? I baked chocolate cupcakes in our favorite cupcake liners and topped them with these cute flags made from 8″ lollipop sticks and these adorable Smash sticky notes!

If you’re having chocolate cupcakes, you’re going to need milk too! I used plastic bottles and added Recollections large kraft letters to each one so the kids would know which one was theirs. Coordinating chevron straws were perfect for the milk bottles. I created the “cupcakes” and “milk” signs using kraft tags I spotted in Michael’s stationery aisle along with the cutest little alphabet stickers by Sn@p!

These mini plastic paint cans are perfect party favors for this celebration! Fill with M&Ms or other small candy and add another kraft alphabet sticker to monogram a can for each child.

While you’re there, grab a pack kraft cards and envelopes from the stationery aisle and you can use all of the leftover paper, tags and stickers to create adorable cards! How about making one for the teacher for the first day of school?

A big thank you to Michael’s for having me participate in this Back to School challenge! It was so much fun to come up with these ideas and I hope you all like them and will create your own Back to School celebration!

A few things you may not know about Michaels…

·         Michaels offers a 15% discount for teachers every day. Make sure to talk to a store associate during your next trip to learn more.

·         Need a large quantity of one back to school item but don’t see enough on the shelves? Michaels offers a bulk ordering program where you can order as many supplies as you need and save up to 20 percent.

·         Don’t forget to download the Michaels app so that you will always have the latest deals and coupons at your fingertips in case you need last minute school supplies.

Tell me…How do you plan on celebrating Back to School?

Photos by Rennai Hoefer, ten22 Studio

THIS IS A SPONSORED POST. THE TOMKAT STUDIO HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT, TRADE AND/OR PRODUCTS FROM MICHAELS IN EXCHANGE FOR PROMOTING, HOWEVER ALL OPINIONS STATED ARE OUR OWN.

*my own personal items shown not included in party budget: cupcake stand, books, scissors, craft knife