One of my goals for 2015 was to give back. Generosity was a big part of my upbringing, and Jeff and I have made it a top priority in our marriage. I was thrilled when I was introduced to Yoobi. They sell bright, fun school supplies and for every item purchased they donate another Yoobi product to a classroom in need. What a fantastic idea.
Yoobi sent a collection of their colorful supplies for us to try, and we had a blast decorating pencil cases with glitter, graphics, and fun phrases. If you’d like an easy, playful DIY, these graphic glitter pencil cases are a perfect project.
Supplies:
Pencil cases
White paint and colored paint (we used neon tempera)
Paint brush
Adhesive label paper or sticker paper
Scissors or craft knife
Mod Podge (or similar clear sealer)
Glitter
Confetti (optional for a confetti finish)
Printable stencils (print your own or create custom shapes)
Instructions:
- Print stencil templates on adhesive label paper and carefully cut out the black shapes or letters with scissors or a craft knife. Save small cutouts such as the center of an “O” or the inner shapes of hearts.
- Peel the backing off the stencil and stick it to the pencil case where you want the design to appear. Smooth the stencil so there are no air bubbles.
- Apply white paint over the stencil as a primer and allow it to dry completely.
- Paint over the primed area with your chosen color. Once dry, peel off the stencil. If paint has seeped under the stencil, tidy the edges with a fine paintbrush.
- Sunglasses detail: Start by adhering the outer heart outlines and paint them white. Let dry, then place the saved heart “lens” cutouts on top of the white shapes. If the adhesive is very sticky, press the cutout onto your hand briefly to reduce stickiness before applying. Paint the lenses with your color choice and let dry. Remove the stencils. To add sparkle, brush Mod Podge over the white heart shapes, sprinkle with glitter, let dry, and finish with a sealing layer of Mod Podge.
- Confetti finish: Paint the entire side of the case with Mod Podge and sprinkle confetti over it. Let dry and add a second layer if needed. Finish with a final coat of Mod Podge to seal the confetti.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Products shown include pencil cases, pom pom keychains, glitter, confetti, scissors, pens, highlighters, gel pens, erasers, push pins, and sticky notes.
This project made me almost want to go back to school—if only to buy matching, color-coordinated supplies. I’m obsessed with the pom pom keychains and the confetti finish; they work whether you’re a student or not. If you’re shopping for fresh, colorful supplies this season, consider brands that give back to classrooms in need. For every item you buy, a donation is made to support students—an easy way to help while refreshing your own kit.
This post was created in partnership with Yoobi. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help keep creative projects like this going. Read more about editorial policies on the site.