Pencil Monogram Teacher Gift

While wasting time away on Pinterest recently, I found quite a few awesome teacher gift ideas. I would bet that the advent of Pinterest has greatly improved the quality and creativity of teacher appreciation gifts.  My son and I decided to make the pencil monogram teacher gift for his very dedicated and loving teacher. It was easier than I thought it would be and his teacher (and the other moms) loved it.

What You Will Need:

• 8×11 shadow box (for an even cheaper version use a frame with the glass removed)
• pencils (we used about 20 – but if you are using all one color it would be less)
• hot glue gun
• sandpaper
• saw (we used a miter saw and box)
• card stock
• glue stick

How To:

1. Open a Word document and type the letter you wish to use. Choose your font and size then choose the outline option. Also, type the teacher’s name under the outlined letter. Print this out on card stock. Using the glue stick, glue the letter to the cardboard mat inside of the shadow box.
2. Starting at the top or bottom of the letter, lay the pencils down on the letter outline and mark where they need to be cut. Carefully cut the pencils and lightly sand any jagged edges after each piece is cut. I cut as I went and laid the pieces down on the outline.
3. Once the outline is filled with cut pencils, use hot glue to adhere the pencil pieces to the outline.
4. Let the project dry and then place it in the frame or shadow box.