In May, we gave my super cute nephew a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 1st Birthday Party! As you may know, I don't have any kids of my own just yet, so I do whatever I can to light up this kid's life. I mean, look at him. Seriously.



So, clearly, my arm had to be twisted to pull out the ol' Cameo and get to work! One thing I knew I wanted to make was a Mickey head garland! I searched Pinterest and came upon a tutorial on a blog called That's What {Che} Said. (Cute name, right!) Click HERE for her tutorial on how to make Mickey heads using your Cameo!

Here is how mine turned out!

Next, I was inspired by a pin from a website called Catch My Party. Click HERE for the original idea! Again, I used my Cameo for a majority of it. The Mickeys are stickers from Michaels, and "we've got" is also made up of stickers. You may notice that all capital letters were used in the first picture, while some were substituted in the other. We had a few sticker casualties in transport, but crisis averted. I had extra lowercase.

What do you think?

Last, we had a little photo booth going! I bought the chalkboard speech bubbles and chalk pen from Michaels. My sister, who does not fancy herself a craft person, made the Mickey frame from cardboard. I was one proud sis!



On the work front, I'm going into school tomorrow to get started on my office and to turn in my first comprehensive school counseling plan. [YIKES!]

Before pictures coming soon. After pics... hopefully soon after!

Growing up, my family never really developed any holiday traditions. My parents are divorced, so every year was spent at a different place, visiting different family members, trying to squeeze in time with everyone. Not a lot of time for yearly traditions!

I think that's why I was eager to start my own traditions in my classroom during the holidays. This is my fifth year as a homeroom teacher (sixth year overall), and each year I do a few holiday activities. I've had students design the North Pole, study Wilson Bentley, etc. Those change from year to year. (What doesn't change is that I stink at taking pictures of all of this!)

But, there are two things that I have done every year since 2010 that I'd like to share!




Fun fact: I made this ornament in 2nd grade, which is why I chose it to make with my students. I swipe it from my dad's tree to show to my students every year. Of course, I left it in my desk, but I'll add the photo to this post when I return to school! Mine is still intact, except all but one of the sequins have fallen off! My sister also made it because she had the same 2nd grade teacher a few years after I did. =)

By looking at the ornament, it is pretty self-explanatory as to how to make it, but here are the steps I take, and it works for me. I make it over three days, for about a half hour each day.

Materials Needed: cheap gift boxes (for the base of the ornament), cheap puzzle with small pieces, bottled glue, sequins, yarn/ribbon, spray paint (I used green or gold), glitter spray

Prior to crafting, I cut out all of the trees from gift boxes. You could have your kids do the cutting, but I don't know about your kids, but mine always lack the skill of cutting in straight lines in an efficient manner. I also hole punch the top of each tree for the ribbon.

Day 1: Students use bottled glue (not stick glue!) to glue puzzle pieces to the backing. I instruct them to glue the ornaments "puzzle picture side down." That way, the spray paint will go over the pieces evenly, and I don't have to worry about the puzzle picture peeking through. They are instructed to cover the ornament with one layer of puzzle pieces, then they may overlap if they'd like. After school on Day 1, I spray paint each tree gold or green. I let the students tell me which color they'd like beforehand. I let the trees dry overnight.

Day 2: Students use bottled glue to decorate their ornament with sequins. You could use any decor you'd like. Pipe cleaner tinsel might be cute. =) I make sure to tell students to leave a space in the middle of the tree for their picture. When students are finished, I give each tree a few sprays of craft glitter if the students want it. I let them dry overnight.

Day 3: I put each student's school picture in the middle of the tree and tie ribbon for the ornament. I give each student a white paper bag to decorate like wrapping paper. They put their ornament inside, and I staple it shut with a bag topper. Here is a finished product:


Adorable, right?! If you don't like the Christmas tree, you could do this same technique with any shape you want. I think it would look cute with whatever! I just love the "old school" look of these. Nothing flashy, just a good old fashioned keepsake. =)

I work in a low income area, and I really don't know how many students have a stocking to call their own at home. So, I make them a personalized one at school! On Monday, they see their stocking hanging, and each day after than until break I put a little treat in there. I add things like crazy straws, candy canes, pencils, stickers, homework passes, etc.

I purchase the stockings at the Dollar Tree. The sassy sequin stockings pictured are from 2012. This year, I did a mixture of snowmen, gingerbread men, and Santa. They also have traditional white/red stockings. To make sure I get the ones that I want, I start stalking the local Dollar Trees right after Thanksgiving. =)



I have two windows in my classroom, so I put up two curtain rods. I use pipe cleaners to attach the stockings to the rod, making for easy put up and take down. The kids are always so excited to take these home!

I'm linking this post up with Ashley at Just Reed for her Christmas Crafting linky!



Now that I've graduated with my Masters in School Counseling and am actively looking for a position in that field, every Christmas may be my last one with a homeroom. That makes me so sad! Any else recently leave the classroom and had to deal with this?!

Do you have any holiday traditions that you try to do in your classroom. Tell me in the comments! I hope everyone has a safe and joyful holiday!

I've been out of school for a week! Summer time is in full swing!

But, my oh my. This is the first 'last day of school' that I've cried. I cried, team teacher cried, parents cried, and the kids cried. I really connected with this group, despite the challenges, and I will truly miss them as they move on to the 4th-5th grade building, which is one town over.

Anyway, it was very emotional!

As an end of the year gift for the parents, I started out by making this Pinterest-inspired frame for my students to hold. Even though I made it last week, I wanted to link up! =)



Here is the original pin:

[Pinterest is acting up on my computer! I'll insert the pin when pinterest gets its act together!]

And here is my version:



This craft wasn't expensive. I bought a plain wooden frame and letters that spelled out 'third grade.' All of the other materials [scrapbook paper, paint, buttons, flowers, hot glue] I already had on hand in my craft box.

First, I painted the letters, then I mod-podged scrapbook paper onto themr. I added a black outline with a foam brush, which I usually do on letters, to make them pop! Next, I painted the frame with a few coats. The next day, I added the embellishments. Ta-da! It turned out super cute!

I hung black bulletin board paper in the hallway as a back drop, and I took each student's picture. I told them that this was a gift for their parents, so make whatever face that you think they will like. Let's just say that personalities shown through!

Then, I brought my camera card to CVS. I printed the pictures, but I hated how they turned out. So, I went to Rite Aid and tried again. Unlike CVS, they have a 4x4 option, which was perfect for what I was going for. I printed out the 4x4s, brought them home, and laminated.

I attached a strip of magnet tape on the back. I found it super cheap [a roll of 30 inches for less than $2] at AC Moore. It was a strong magnet, and it did the trick.

I loved that I was able to send home this keepsake with my kids. I hope that they put their magnets right on the fridge and remember all of our great times!

Talk soon!

Linking up with Tara! Has to be quick though. I'm dog sitting this little monster..

                                                                         Source: cherylsclassroomtips.com via Meg on Pinterest

Here's what the poster looked like before the makeover.

It is a medium sized poster, and this is one of the templates. The only thing I customized was the title, which reads "Post Your Knowledge Here." And here is the after!

Love Love Love how it turned out! This will be so much better than collecting the post its or having them stick post-its to the white board! Everyone will have their own space! Right now there are 20 on my list, and since I've been at the school I haven't had more than 23 in my class at one time. If my class list spikes this year or in future years, there is room for another row of numbers on the bottom. I hope I don't have to add anything though! 

All I did was print out the numbers 1-23 on plain computer paper and cut them out. Then, I glued them on! I used the font Janda Manatee Bubble! If you wanted the numbers to be black, you can use Janda Manatee Solid. Google and collect these fonts-- I love them! I'll laminate it at the beginning of the year! Here are a couple more close ups...

Can't wait to look at the other link-ups once the pup is ready for his next nap!

Oh! Random notes! Ya know how I've complained about my Dollar Tree & Target NEVER having the cute stuff I see on other blogs? Well, my Target came through for me, and I picked up a bunch of Seuss stuff and a couple pocket charts that I've seen other people buy! Finally! Annnd, I'm only 2 followers away from 200, and my birthday is a week away! Hoping for a giveaway!

So I was one of those people who bought the 17 for 70 groupon for Vista Print a few weeks ago. Problem was, a lot of the "free" deals disappeared when you entered that code. And, the groupon money can't be used for the shipping. So as you're filling your cart with 70 bucks worth of stuff for 17 bucks, your shipping is getting higher and higher. If you spent 30 dollars over the groupon, you got free shipping.

Sadly, my tool box did not come in time to do my Monday Made It! Darn!

Hahaha, as I was typing that at 5:30pm, the delivery man knocked on my door! So weird. So it is 11:59 pm EST, and I'm posting about my toolbox! Whoop Whoop!


I'm stoked with how this turned out. Again, I was looking for something bigger, but I settled with the one that everyone was doing. I think I'm going to peruse for a set of bigger drawers for bigger things. Anyone know of one?

For those of you who are looking to do this craft, just know that this organizer is probably way smaller than you think it is! It doesn't fit a pen comfortably [at least the pens and grading markers that I use] in length. Obviously, my pens don't have to be comfy, I'm just sayin' you have to put them in slanted, so you won't be able to fit as many as you may want.

Anyway, here is how mine turned out!



Is it me, or does it look like a student who is missing a few of their recently lost teeth? I couldn't decide what to label the three remaining small drawers. I'm thinking box tops [because, really, the student who brings in one.at.a.time.not.in.a.baggie is completely necessary] and spare change [for my team teachers & my inevitable daily diet coke]. But I'm not sure, so I'll figure it out later! Feel free to share any ideas in the comments! =)

Here's what I needed:








I'm telling you. Blogger and Picmonkey are NOT on my side today. They are making my computer draaaaaag!

I wanted to share the text frames as a freebie, all shaped and ready for you to customize, but I can't according to Scrappin' Cop's terms of use [if I'm reading it correctly]. If you would like them, please leave me a comment, and I will send you my document in PDF form. Oh, and my font is Leftovers! It is one of my faves right now! =)

A quick note before I go! Philip Seymour Hoffman in the next Hunger Games?! Yay! I love him! And I can totally see him in this role. This guy is so versatile. I have no doubt that he will nail this part. Also, if you read the screen shot above, you see that Jena Malone is rumored to be playing Johanna. I've searched it, and it seems to be legit. I think that'll work, too. Although of the people I've heard rumored, I picture Naya Rivera the most. Is it fall of 2013 yet?!

What do you guys think about this casting? Yay or nay? Any thoughts on who should play Finnick, Wiress, Beetee, etc? So many rumors out there, I just want to know already! [I really out-nerded myself.]

Okay, must go. I have an appointment in the morning with my advisor to make my grad schedule. So exciting!

This is my first time linking up this summer with Monday Made It!

Everything I've made this week has to do with blogs! [I hope this counts as a Monday Made It!.] I have a few other crafts waiting to be made, including the infamous supply drawers, birthday balloon things, and more.

I was really intimidated to redesign my blog, but also really excited! I've messed around with html and graphics in the past, but not much. [Thank goodness for tutorials!]

For anyone who thinks that they are clueless, you AREN'T! I made every aspect of my blog in Pages [the Mac version of word] I have no fancy programs, not even powerpoint, so that is what I had to work with. Well, that and Picmonkey, but we'll get to that!

First, I needed to find a background.


I got mine from Aqua Poppy. So many cute background for 2 or 3 column designs. Some other cute sites I found were Allie Brown's Layouts and Scrappiness downunder. These are for backgrounds though, not layouts! I set my background to my choice in Blogger, and I'm ready for the next step.

Next, I made my header.

I wanted my header to match my background. So I took a screenshot of my background. If you're using a Mac, hold the buttons COMMAND, SHIFT, and 4 down at the same time. Then hold and drag where you'd like your screen shot. When you let go, the image will be saved on your desktop.

I opened up Pages and dragged the image onto a new page.




After playing around with different ideas, I decided to drag a gray rectangle over the image's center, and then may it partially transparant.


Then I added my title using my super cute font collection! I used text boxes so that I could manipulate them. I used a separate text box for each font. I added clip art for a small touch [a melonheadz puppy in my sample below!]!


Last, I messed around with the borders that pages has to offer and come up with this scrappy one. Boom. There's a header!

Then, I made my button.

I used the same process of making my header to make my button. Obviously it was just smaller. And I didn't include a picture due to space constraints!


After that, I made my social media images.


Are you loving my sequence words? I made my images, again, in Pages! I simply added red circles. Then, I used the heart font that you see [which is JLR Simple Hearts.] I changed the border to dots and made the dots large.


Think Share Teach had a great tutorial for adding them to your site, and offers a few premade freebies if you don't want to make them!


Now that everything is made...


you have to turn them into images! Take screen shots of each item and save. I save everything in a blog folder so that it is all together. For the button, you'll need to upload it to a host site. I use photobucket, and it is super easy. As for adding your button to your blog, google a tutorial. They are everywhere!






I hope this helps someone! Although it is probably a billion times easier to pay for a better blog makeover, it isn't in my budget right now. I hope to link up for many more Mondays to come! =)

Once I get my fill of cookies & rest, I fully intend on posting everything I did to keep my kids from eating me alive engaged this week! I used so many ideas from blogging and pinterest, and those peeps deserve a shout out!

Just wanted to post quickly about the gift I gave my mom for her birthday.

[Not only did I need to get Christmas gifts in order for my family, my boyfriend & mom also have December birthdays. Meg's wallet = empty]

Anyway, I made her this pinterest inspired gift!


I think it turned out really nice. I gave it to her today, and she loved it! And I'm so proud that I accomplished a craft from pinterest, besides all of the teaching activities.

I'll be back later this week to summarize last week's craziness! & I'm also coming very close to 25 followers. How exciting! =)


**UPDATE: I'm at 25 followers! How exciting!**