Thursday, August 2, 2012

Pinterest Crafts

While I am itching to get into my classroom (we aren't able to get into the building until tomorrow), I decided to share some of my summer pinterest influenced crafts. While some crafts, I have definitely failed at...these are the ones that were successful!

The first is my most favorite thing in my kitchen...my decorated dishwasher.   All it took was some plastic backsplash sheeting, and construction glue-- VOILA!

Before

After

Next, we have the wine cork coasters. They are more for looks because the corks aren't entirely even so they wobble a bit! 

One thing to learn about me is that I am a wine cork clepto. If I see that someone is going to throw them away, I snatch them.  If I bring a bottle of wine somewhere, I always take my cork home.  Some call it tacky, I call it crafty! Here is another cork project I did this past winter.  I got the S from Michaels for about $3. It is hanging above the doorway in my dining room. Do you have any wine cork crafts to share?!?!


 

Finally, we have the mason jar soap pump.  I had to get my husband involved to help me drill a hole in the top to put in the recycled pump.  But it gives my bathroom that shabby chic look I enjoy.  



What are your favorite easy-to-do pinterest crafts?! 

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Back to School Shopping!

Around this time of the summer I get UBER excited for the back to school sales...nothing gets me more excited than $0.25 boxes of crayons and the Dollar Spot at Target.

Dry Erase To Do Frame
I bought this frame at Homegoods for $5 and added a bow with super glue to make my very own dry erase to do list.  I am obsessed and am hoping that I use it!  I found this idea on Pinterest.





One obsession I have are The Learning Journey self correcting puzzle games.  I have a Sequencing game, and a mixed Addition & Subtraction game, but I also got Counting, Rhyme, Opposites, & Addition.  The best part is... ONLY $4.99 a game at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls.  You will learn that I am truly a Maxxinista. They had memory ones similar to these, but I like the puzzles because they are self correcting. 

Another idea I have uses those little black containers on the left hand side.  A co-worker of mine, actually more like my friend and former Kinder teacher told me she would have the kiddos build their names with magnetic letters all year. First, for name recognition, then to learn the letters to spell the name, and then finally to add the last name in there.  They are from the Dollar Spot and came in packs of 2.  They only had 10 there, so I want to get a few more (fingers crossed there won't be more than 26 kids!) that way each student can have their letters in the container on their desk and I obviously am anal and need them all to match. 


Let me know if you want to know anything else about what I got!! Would love you hear about your favorite back to school shopping ideas too. 

 
School Goodies!


Blogging Newbie!

So this whole blogging thing is new to me!  But in the summer months, in between walking the dog, cleaning the house, and soaking up some rays, I have become very found of Pinteresting (I believe I just made up a word), crafting, and reading up on blogs to get ready for teaching Kindergarten.
I am beginning my 5th year of teaching-- WOW I can't believe it has gone that fast.  I began in PreK, then second grade for 2 years, and last year I got moved to Kindergarten less than a week before school started!  I can't say I didn't cry when I found out but it certainly was a blessing in disguise.  It was the first year that I didn't cry once because of stress or behaviors, but because I was going to miss my babies.  So this summer I have wanted to learn to become a better Kinder teacher. 
About me:
I am 26 years old and have been married for about 16 months now.  We have a dog, Ivan, who is terrible but I love him dearly.
I am going to try to figure out how to post photos and all that jazz from my phone!
I will be blogging about Kindergarten and Crafts!




My lovely husband and I.
Ivan