Thoughts on teaching

When I first started teaching, I wish someone could've given me a toolbox with various things that would come in handy.  Even though that wasn't the case, I had the honor to do that for someone else. I have several friends graduating soon with teaching degrees. The first is my friend Katie.  I was able to stock a basket with some of my favorite must-haves as a teacher.  It's a customized first year teacher survival kit, complete with customized clipboard.  

Things I included in the survival kit: clipboard, sharpies, dry erase markers, small journal, glue sticks, gum, germ-x, notepad, binder clips, my favorite pens, classroom labels, bandaids, small patterned duct tape, coke, and m&ms.

There's a part of me that can hardly believe it is May already.  Last week I was getting teary-eyed on the way to school thinking about saying goodbye in 12 days.  In August, we became a family.  I was able to witness kids start believing in themselves, accomplish amazing things, overcome obstacles, grow a tremendous amount.  This is by far my favorite part of my job, watching them exceed even their own expectations. After 5 years of teaching (can you believe it?!), you would think it'd get easier.  It doesn't. In some ways it gets harder.  I love what I do, even on hard days, and believe me, there are plenty of days I want to pull my hair out. After saying goodbye, I want my students to remember how much I loved and believed in them. I want them to remember how much fun they had in 2nd grade and how much they learned...especially on hard days when they want to give up.  I hope they'll remember how much I cared about who they were and what made them tick.  I hope they remember the hugs and the laughter we shared.  I hope they remember how much we celebrated, even small victories.  I hope they always do the "friday dance" and sing "happy birthday" backwards. More than anything though, I hope they saw Jesus.

week fifteen: good things

So we've reached the apex in the school year where the kids are restless and act like we only have 3 days left in school, any source of rescuing is greatly appreciated hence why this note brought a smile to my face. Also, this blog post include numerous things that are contributing to survival because that's what mode all teachers reach come April.

week thirteen: no-sew 5 min. fabric flower tutorial

(side note: I had this all typed up and ready to go yesterday, but forgot to publish it...whoops)

Don't you just hate when your favorite pair of shoes gets holes in them? I do.. I threw away a pair of toms a few years ago and hated that I did that after I saw many times on Pinterest that people had brought new life to their beloved toms. So I set out to do just that... a few months ago I revamped my favorite pair of toms and ever since then, numerous people have commented on them. I thought I'd share my secret since they're so easy to make!! And I guess if you'd rather not revamp them yourself, I will for $15. All it takes is some scrap fabric, ribbon/lace, a few pearls and a hot glue gun.

week twelve: mended women's ministry

I went to a young women's retreat at the beginning of January.  Holly, the speaker, said something that still resonates with me today, "Our spiritual intake must outweigh our worldly intake." I'm learning this to be so true as I fast from social media. Yes, its inconvenient and I remind people often that I'm no longer on there, but its taught me to be intentional and ask people to see their photos and how they're doing, since otherwise how would I know.  Quality time has been so much more authentic because my phone is no longer an object of desire, but actually quite boring... I've never been into phone games.  I'm happier because of time spent with Jesus, family, friends, cleaning and crafting.  This is only a 5-week check in. It's surreal to me that I still have a month to go and at the same time, I'm kinda relieved.  I've become aware of how we've taken social media for granted, expecting everyone to see what has been posted and therefore no longer feeling the need to communicate further. It is a great tool and I look forward to utilizing it again, but my prayer is that it will no longer be abused or coveted like beforehand.

Things bringing me JOY and rocking my world right now:
-My Lighthouse by Rend Collective and their new cd I just purchase
-this spoken word poem by Amena Brown and Ann Voskamp
-a list of books I want to read (and the fact that I've read 2 since I started my fast) joy!
-that its the weekend
-an open snow cone stand (even though I've yet to get one)
-Ann Voskamp's words:

"This world’s mostly salt water. We’re dust and this world is mostly salt water.

We’re thirsty and we’re drinking down salt water dreams, salt water days, salt water likes, salt water distractions, and we’re all still thirsty here —- we’re all still dying here....Because, yeah, nobody needs anymore saltwater of empty religion, of self-help, of some pop psychology veneered with a bit of Bible.

What we’re all parched for is pure, clear Gospel to wet some cracked-dry lips, grace-water that saves us, that reconciles the busted up, that redeems the banished and broken, that revives the weary and burdened....Give up so I can give more so I’m giving more of myself to Jesus. ...And the thing is — What God’s graciously given us is always enough to be abundant grace for someone else."

week ten: quick car trash bag tutorial

With 2 snow days this week, I've had plenty of time to craft and clean, but most of the crafting I've been doing is TOP SECRET gift things for different people.  You will see them soon enough.  A few days ago, (this is a scheduled post) I had some time and decided to finally make a much-needed car trash bag for my car. My husband Shea is grateful because he is quite tired of seeing my kleenexes stuffed down into cup holders and across the floor.  Gross, I know, but allergy season is quite unkind to this girl.  This cute, practical bag takes 30 minutes or less.  Enjoy doing a quick project that comes in handy!  

Supplies needed:

-fat quarter of oil cloth (you'll only need 16 x 12 1/2 in. square)

-at least 12 1/2 in of canvas strap

-cutting mat

-rotary cutter

-ruler cutting guide (not sure of the name, so i made something up!)  

-thread

-sewing machine

1. Measure a rectangle 16 x 12 1/2 inches and cut it out.


2. Use a fun contrasting color of thread.  I picked red.
n
3. Pin the top to hem approx 3/4 in.  Oil cloth can't be ironed and this is a good way to keep it down to sew.

4. Fold fabric over and sew around leaving top open.


5. Box corners by folding corner fabric into a triangle and sew stitch across closing both corner off. This creates a flat base for the bag.

6. Sew straps on by pinning each while bag is reversed to opposite sides.  I just sewed a Z because the opening of the bag was narrow and piles of kleenexes aren't heavy, so it should be secure.

I'm using mine on my shift gear.  (Sara's great idea!)  You could also hang yours on an arm rest or in the backseat of your car.  You could make the strap snap and hang it from a head rest..the possibilities are endless!  

I'm so pleased with how it turned out!  Hope you enjoy making one for yourself!

Shared on these linky parties and additional ones on sidebar:
http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2014/03/crafty-thursday-obsessions-week-10.html#more

http://diyshowoff.com/category/other/diy-project-parade/

week nine: painted wall pocket organizer

This weekend we had some beautiful weather and I took the opportunity to finally paint the mail organizer I got at 1st Monday a few weeks ago. It was such a steal!

 When the rain started, outside vendors were desperate to get rid of their inventory. He sold it to me for $15. I immediately knew what I wanted to use it for and began planning a DIY project for it. I decided on a mint color from Pantone. Our kitchen is dark wood paneling (renter probs!) and I'm constantly looking for ways to lighten it up,

The guy at Lowes also told me I needed an additional primer since I wasn't planning on sanding it. This is what I used.

There were these cool hardware labels on the pocket organizer and once I discovered they were stickers, there was really no way to salvage them. I ended up scraping each label on with a razor blade. I planned to add my own chalkboard labels anyway! 

I laid a drop cloth outside (the one I used for this project a few weeks ago) and primed it up. Then I had to wait an hour for it to dry. When I finally was able to paint it mint, it looked so light, but thankfully it darkened as it dried. 

After it dried, I brought it back inside. All I had left was touch up and taping off chalkboard labels. 

Once that is complete, we will bring my roll-top desk into the kitchen and I will set it up. I think I'm really going to enjoy a stack free kitchen since I pretty much have a slot for anything and everything. Here's to a more organized 2014! (I'll post a picture once that's done, just was anxious to post already!) 

Still needs touch up before it's ready to go! 

Hope this week is off to a good start, friends! 

Final product::

I'm so in love with how it turned out! 

week eight: all my friends are having babies...

and if i'm being honest, i'm ready for people to stop asking when we will too. When we do, you will know and you can celebrate with us. Until then, please just enjoy us baby-free.  I really do love babies and I'm so excited to have so many friends that are having so many little ones.  Its such a blessing to be able to celebrate and pray over them. I've also been able to make most of their gifts.(That's been more of a priority this year.) This weekend I had 2 baby showers, so you can imagine my busyness. I set out with a plan to spread projects throughout the week, but honestly most of it got done Saturday morning before the 1st shower.  Now my house needs to be cleaned..lol. Such is life.

For Brittany's baby, Zander Ki:
I made an alphabet print, a nursery door latch cover, 2 onesies, and a pretty sweet pillow.
For Megan's baby, (surprise name):
I made an alphabet print, a nursery door latch cover, a onesie, a tag blanket, and some framed art.
Last week in review:

Obsessed with this detail on the arrows!  

Finished pillow

In the middle of this, I also decided to make a valentine shirt to wear to our party on Friday.
We nixed the moustache due to awkward placement.  

I ended up using the left over moustache for this onesie. Turned out pretty cute!  

This was super fun! I'll definitely be doing more of these!  So easy too! 

I tried my hand at tag blankets using a chip wrapper for the crinkle effect.
Definitely need to work on this some more. 

How fun is this outfit I found at 1st Monday for 50% off!  Too cute to pass up!  

I found this awesome tutorial here for the nursery door cover.

And then I made some of my own, along with a tag showing them what they were for.  Honestly, they were the hit of the party. Everyone loved them and the best part is that they're such an easy and practical gift!  

And I got inspiration for alphabet print via C.R.A.F.T. and this photo here.

Since I didn't post last week, you will be getting 2 posts this week.  However, the post on Thursday is to inform you about a break from social media.  I will have more of an explanation on Thursday as to why I'm doing this.  But in the meantime, make sure you subscribe to the blog because I won't be posting updates on social media.  I will still do email and the blog until Easter.

Also, since you made it to the end of this blog post, enjoy this wonderful video!  Happy Monday, friends!  Praise Jesus its over!

week six: the one i almost forgot

I'm not gonna lie, I'm writing this from my bed on Saturday night because I seriously almost forgot about it.  Sure, I thought about it a few times, but it slipped my mind until tonight that I needed to actually do it. Whoops.  Guess my humanity is showing. This week has been long.

I participated in 2 instagram valentine swaps. One was a package swap where we sent goodies to another person. The other was where we created handmade valentines and exchanged with 4 other individuals.  Both equally fun and a neat way to meet people.

My craft this week was handmade valentines [while I caught up on Downton Abbey and New Girl]  Side note: can I just say Julian Fellows is really getting on my nerves right now?  To quote Shea, "There are no happy endings at Downton"  sheesh

This morning I finished up my class valentines for my kiddos. They are absolutely obsessed with Despicable Me 2 and all things minion. Needless to say, its the perfect thing to give them.  I just wrapped a twinkie (or a cloud cake because Twinkies are impossible to find) in free printables via here and here and Viola! Cute valentines!  p.s. Free printables are my friend.  They're the best!

Also picked up this book today!  I'm so beyond excited about reading it.

This evening we hung out with the Strouds and their cute baby Hannah.  Love her!

week four: a mixer cover and chalkboard collection

This week I made myself a mixer cover after making two others as gifts.  So glad not to have a dusty mixer anymore!   I was going to link up to the pdf pattern I downloaded..but it looks like the blog disabled. Hmm, I will upload the side panels and measurements later.  I plan on making a few more as gifts as well!  

Also, tonight I changed our chalkboard up and figured it’d be fun to do a collection of the chalkboards I’ve done throughout the past 2 years.   Hope this week has treated you well! I ended my day at the doctor where he confirmed my suspicions of yet another sinus infection.  Blerg! Hopefully the new meds will put a stop to these stupid infections .  
On a happier note, I thought I’d start this round-up off with a chalkboard print I got for my brother and his wife as a wedding gift!  How glorious is this print from caravan shoppe!

Without futher ado, here’s a tribute to chalkboards of the past, present, and future…(too cheesy? oh well) in order from current to oldest

/

Pretty sure this was my favorite engagement photo! 

Chalkboard above my oven in my 1st apartment