Works in progress and tired tools

I'm sure that you've seen these adorable little peppermint patty baskets by now. They're cute and fun to make. So of course I decided that they'd be fun to make for lots of the staff people at my kids' school. I have a habit of making a little something for everyone who works with my kids, has worked with my kids, who I've worked with through the PTA, who works in the office, and so on. So pretty much everyone. It's lots of fun to show up at the school the last week before the holidays and play the elf! I still have more to make - I think this is 30 so far. I should probably get closer to 70.



This Friday night, we're having the first ever "Lock In" at the kids' school. It was originally going to be an overnight event, but we scaled it back, and now it's just 6 to 10 p.m. I volunteered to be in charge of crafts. We're going to make the scallop punch ornaments like I showed on my Christmas tree a couple of days ago. They're quick to make and not messy. I'm pre-punching and scoring the scalloped circles, so all the kids will have to do is choose their pieces and glue it all together. I'll have them use inexpensive glue sticks. This is such a great project for using up all of that cheap patterned paper that I bought on sale before I got picky!

My poor, poor Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle punch! She is oh so very tired, and maybe even ready to be replaced. It's a bad sign when you have to whack the punch to unstick it after every single punch, right? And yes, I've tried the waxed paper, foil, and freezer tricks. I think the poor girl is just plumb worn out. I have punched out over 1000 circles already, and I really should do some more. The school has over 500 students, and we don't have a count yet of how many are coming on Friday. Surely it will be over 100, I think, even with us charging money for the lock in.

I will try my best to get a picture of the ornaments the kids make on Friday evening before they take them all home!