I Don't Mean to Brag...

...but I have to! It's "The Brag Bag!" So, while I was at Hobby Lobby the other day shopping for Valentines, I found myself on an aisle I've never noticed before! I know I've had to have visited that aisle a time or two, but didn't pay much attention to the merchandise! There were all kinds of different color, size and patterned bags. I've been wracking my brain to come up with a new reward for my students for their good manners. I've started a reward system called, "Manners Matter!" This is where they get a little slip of paper acknowledging an act of good manners. The slips go into a basket where I draw their names at the end of the week. I've been trying to come up with a reward other than a prize out of the goody box. I got it! What about a "Brag Bag?" It's sort of like show and tell, but they can only choose one item to bring from home that fits in the bag, and only one or two students per week will get to take "The Brag Bag" home. So excited!

Ok, so here's how I made it. Super easy! Instead of your typical iron on letters, I found an alternative. It took a little bit more time, but so much cuter!

I found this iron-on art leopard paper. It is only one sheet, but there's plenty of room to create your own letters on the page. That's what I did! Here's what it looks like

I found a really big, thick font I liked on a Word document. I think I chose the "Rockwell" font. I printed out the letters, cut them out and then traced them on the back of the leopard sheet.

It took a while, but I cut out all the traced letters.

This was the bag I chose for my "brag bag." I loved the black with leopard combination. Heck! I wanted to go hot pink and leopard, but I had to realize that boys would want to take this home, too. I had to keep it somewhat neutral!

I ironed on the letters, paper-side up. The instructions are on the package, but you hold the iron over the letters for 15-20 seconds, then let cool 1-2 minutes.

After they've cooled, peel back the paper gently.

Tah-dah! How cute is that?? It's so easy, too! I love the option of this leopard paper because whenever I buy iron on letter letters that come in a package, it's frustrating because I know I may need two or three of a certain letter. This usually means purchasing another package for only one letter - so frustrating. Even though this was a bit more time consuming, it's so much more personalized and I had plenty of room to trace as many letters as I needed. I was able to choose what font I wanted and the size!

Modifications: Now that I know all of those fun bags are there and they had different prints for the iron on paper, I could go crazy making bags. How about for the little artists out there? Wouldn't this be cute to create a craft or activity bag for your little one to take with them on long car rides? That aisle also had fun flowers, poofs, iron-on appliques, etc. Imagine the possibilities when decorating one. Keep in mind, this is going to be going home with a student every week. This "brag bag" will be doing lots of traveling! I didn't want to put anything on it that would easily fall off and I'd have to replace, but you could add jewels, embroidery, ribbons, etc...