Great Grads

I've been gone from the blogspot for awhile - so much going on!  Most of it having to do with kid stuff:  end of school year, baseball season, and GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS!  

So many kids to be proud of as we witness their achievements and success.  And of course I can't help remembering what they were like when they were cute little toddlers and kindergartners.  It's a well-worn cliche, but they grow up SO fast!!!

And you just might imagine that I thoroughly enjoy making one-of-a-kind gift packaging!!!  Unfortunately, due to the mad rush, I only remembered to photograph this one gift holder - the others will just have to live in my memory.

This started out as an empty cd case - it's always good to recycle.  And it's always good to use the graduate's school colors (go Healdsburg!).  The inserts are simply stamped with a cute background of graduation/congratulations/encouragement words.  Since this was for a boy, I didn't want to over-embellish the thing.  First I punched out stars for the back cover..........

and then I liked the negative leftover piece too much to discard, so I used it on the front.  

Can you say E-A-S-Y?? 

Too bad I didn't think to photograph the inside:  a nice crisp $$ bill, held in place by a band with another inspirational saying, and attached with brads.  I then wrapped it with ribbon and attached this stamped medallion to the front.

 I hope he liked it.  Well, I'm sure he liked the moolah!!