Oh how I love the week before all the Super Saturday displays have to be ready for church. This is the easiest one I got to make. I did like how it turned out and love that it was so simple. I will post the rest of the projects I have to get done when I finish them.

Creativity

I guess you could say there has been a lot of creativity going on in the past few days, just nothing to show for it---unless you count exhaustion. I drew a self-portrait along with my class, but I am sparing all of you having to look at it. I've been going through pictures from the trip. I've been setting up my classroom blog, I finished the header today. You can check it out at... http://www.pencilandpaperinpaul.blogspot.com/  There isn't much there now, but I am going to have the kids write about what we are doing in class and I let them decide on pictures and even take them. So, that's a little of what I've been up to.

Photo Book

Today I did a photo book from Picaboo. There is a free offer on the Howdoesshe.com website and I took advantage of it. It took me about an hour to complete. I have done a book before from Shutterfly and I like how it turned out. I hope that this book will be just as good. It cost me $8.99 for shipping and it is a 12 X 12 book.

We're gone...

No creativity going on this week. I'm not really sure we can say we are relaxing, but we are going on an adventure and we're sure to come back with a LOT of pictures. We're hoping we survive the heat, that it doesn't rain, and that I don't get sick on the Amtrak. Have a good week.
Ashley

Classroom door

This is the outside of my classroom door. I think it turned out really fun--it is bright and colorful, it's one of a kind, and I can throw it away when I'm done. It doesn't get better than that. I am REALLY hoping that it stays up and is not laying all over the ground when I get to school. I have to write my students' names on it still, but I don't have a definite class list yet, so I will have to do that the day before school starts or that morning. (don't you LOVE that yellowish brick??)

Birthday Wreath

I made this wreath for Ashlynn's birthday. It was really simple, it is made from balloons, floral pins, and a straw wreath. I got the idea from How Does She's website. I think it turned out pretty cute.

We are in full panic, full stress mode around here. Do you realize how much needs to get done???? Can you hear me screaming. Here are a couple of auction items I finished up the last few days, now I just need to finish the pinewood derby car, which I am embarrased to admit is probably going to be the UGLIEST one there...and it doesn't even look like a car. Whose idea was this?? not mine

..the LAST card

YAY!!!! The last card is finished. I have everything that I have started for the PTO finished. You don't know how happy that makes me. Since these aren't being used until February, I don't think I will package them up yet so they don't get smooshed and bent. Now on to finish some last minute family reunion stuff---why do we wait until the last minute EVERY year???

Mod Podge

So... I have been working on a project for most of the afternoon. I can't show you because it's a secret. I have had to use Mod Podge for this project. I HATE Mod Podge and usually prefer not to use it. Since this isn't for me, I figured I should use it so it would hold up (is that it's purpose?) So, first---I am out and I have to go buy it $7.50????? Are you kidding me? That is a ridiculous amount for this stuff. I am paranoid about it bubbling, so I go pretty thin with it and what does it do?? of course....bubble. I think the stuff is impossible and a pain in my behind. So, I am reminded why I usually DON'T use!!! but they maybe I'm just mod podge incompetent.

pictures of Mckynzie

I've been wanting to take some pictures in a grain field, so since it was overcast this morning, I did Kynzie's hair, put her new shirt on and took her out. Across from the grain field was this great patch of weeds, so I put her in it and took her picture there and I liked them a lot better than the wheat field. I only photoshopped one picture too!!! How do you like the chair? Merlynn and I bought them at kind of a garage sale on Saturday--I think they are CUTE---we just need to recover the seat.

another project finished

What a relief...the crayon names are finshed (well all but two) and hanging (all but three). It is so nice to have that done and out of the way. I know you are probably all tired of hearing about them too----they were a lot of work and my back hasn't recovered from bending over so much yet.

..finishing up projects

Well, for the past few days, I have needed to finish up some projects and get my countertop CLEANED off!!!---it was starting to give me anxiety. I have also been trying to gather and finish stuff up for the reunion. I made up little cardstock things for the necklaces we are making for the Christmas Council, so they will look nicely packaged.
I finished up this card for PTO--it will go in the pocket of the cake mixes---which are now completely DONE!!!!!

Next I finished the Rolodex that has all of my student engagement ideas in one place--not really exciting, but it's finished.

This is a little basket of fun teacher-y stuff to give to Renae Higley, who I visit teach. Her birthday is the day after school starts, so I thought that would be fun to get. I love the little monkey on the tag!!!


...okay, on to more projects to get finished!!!!

More for the Auction

Here is my pooh apron, and my bright rag bag.  I thought they turned out cute. 

let the work begin

Well, I have a little over a week and I need to be ready for school. I know, absolutely crazy, and I'm starting to stress. So, a lot of my "creativity" will be happening in my classroom the next little while. I went in for about 4 hours today and I got all the 'furniture' moved and into place. We have to pretty much pack up all of our stuff, so they can come in and clean really well. I am happy because it was clean, it's just a pain to put everything back. Of course, I can never make up my mind where to put stuff. Luckily, I was able to leave some things on the wall this year, which means I don't have too much to put back up on walls. After I get all the physical space arranged, I have to move onto what we're going to do. Even though this will be my eighth year (crazy, huh!!), it still take so much work to get ready for a new class. I think that's a good thing, and I don't want to lose my desire to have the very best for my students.


I am worried about this year, we are operating with fewer people, and a lot less money. We used to get a little bit of money that we could decide what to buy, but that's gone now. I used that money to do all the extras for my kids like holiday crafts and gifts for parents. Now, if I choose to do that, I pay for it out of my pocket. It's unfortuate that we are having to pass some of the costs on to parents, but I'm really not sure how we could do otherwise. We've been told pretty much all of our money will go towards paper and copying. But, my students deserve the best. I truly believe that we can create memories in school, and I want to do that. It's just hard, and I wish it wasn't--but we'll make the best of it....because that's what we have!
...(sorry for my soapbox, it's just been on my mind a lot, and I needed to get it out)

Pictures of Jeff's family

Merlynn took these pictures the other night of Jeff's family, so this morning I have been playing with them. I could sit and do this for a LOOONG time---if I had a lot of time.
........and check out these eyes--I figured it out (not sure if I'll be able to do it again thought)

what i've been doing

So, I have been working on some things lately...and starting to stress out about school. I have been working on the crayon monograms for PTO, almost halfway done. It is a somewhat tedious process and we are hoping to get them done soon.

These are my little alien friends. Mom kind of took over this project (not that I minded). Every year at school, we have a theme that we kind of decorate with. This year it is learning is out of this world (I HATE this theme, I'm totally not into space). So, I am going with aliens, these will go outside my classroom. I'm starting to get a little stressed about being ready to go back to school. There were so many things I wanted to change and do differently, but I can't remember most of it.

HAIR BOWS

I made these hair bows for the auction yesterday.

A Good Day

Well I'm glad to report that yesterday I was able to get 3 items almost completely done for our reunion auction.