technology tickets

I saw this project on Pinterest (orginally from Under the Sycamore) and I was instantly smitten. I like it because it's pretty and because I think it will work.

Here's the idea: each "ticket" is worth 30 minutes of technology time - either TV or computer or video games...whatever your child is into. You put a designated number of tickets in each child's envelope each week and they can use them at their discretion (with Mom and Dad having final veto power) until they run out. You can also reward with extra tickets or take away if needed.

My kids overheard me sharing this idea with Matt this weekend and got excited enough that I went out and actually bought the supplies yesterday. Usually it would take me another month or two to follow through and do the project. My friend Theresa jumped right on board, however, when we discussed the idea at our weekly morning swim today. 

A couple of hours later we were staring down our clipboards in my front lawn with cans of chalkboard paint in our hands.

We painted and cut and rounded and Mod Podged our way through the afternoon and we're pretty excited about the results. We tend to want things to be perfect (which prevents us from ever starting) and we decided it was good therapy to plunge ahead even though we don't consider ourselves to be expert crafters.

Kudos to Ashley Ann of Under the Sycramore for dreaming up this project and posting great pictures of her board. Here are some more detailed step-by-step instructions (or at least our version of them) if you want to give it a try.

Supplies:

Clipboard (my pick = Target)
Chalkboard paint
Painters tape
5-8 pieces coordinating cardstock 12x12 scrapbook paper 
Paper cutter
Corner rounder
Letter stamps & ink
Small brown envelopes
Mod Podge
Hole punch
Ribbon

Instructions:

1. Tape off clip on clipboard with painters tape. Spray clipboard with chalkboard paint. Use thin, even coats. Let dry.
2. Cut out tickets with paper cutter. Ours were 2 inches by 6 inches - you can get 12 tickets out of one 12x12 sheet of paper. Round corners. Punch holes.
3. Cut out smaller squares to stamp initials onto (1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches) and add the initials - or stamp directly onto your tickets.
4. Cut out paper for your clipboard. We did one larger piece about 9 inches by 9 inches and then two smaller strips about 9 inches by 1 1/2 inches.
5. Mod Podge the paper to your clipboard. Apply Mod Podge to your clipboard first (avoid the part of the chalkboard that will be showing at the top and bottom) and then to the back of your paper in thin, even coats with a paint brush. Leave a strip of chalkboard showing on the bottom. Use your hands or a credit card to push the bubbles out. Wipe away any extra Mod Podge. Let dry.
6. Stamp initials onto envelopes. I did one for Dylan and one for Ella and one for "Mom" [or Mady...someday]. For now I will put the used tickets in the third envelope. Attach envelopes to the front of your clipboard. We used Mod Podge.
7. Mod Podge lightly over the top of your tickets. Be careful not to smear the ink of the initials. Let dry.
8. Cut ribbon - I used 6 inch pieces but you could leave them longer if you want. Thread ribbon through the holes of your tickets. Put tickets in your envelopes. Clip extra "reward" tickets onto clipboard.
9. Hang clipboard in prominent spot in your house. Explain new system to spouse and kids. Enjoy!

{featuring Paper Studio's Hoot Hoot Paper Pack}