School is cool

How cool my "Home'Scool" magnetic board was featured on the Simple Stories blog

School is Cool

along with multiple projects from my every so creative pal Kemi!

Home'Scool

This is the project I did for MemoryWorks...you can find the original post

--->MemoryWorks Blog

I homeschool all four of my kids. That means four different grades multiplied by 6 or 7 different subjects, meaning somedays it's impossible to determine who has done what without asking them, which means I have to interrupt (and distractions mean it takes awhile for them to get back on track) or if I am working with one child and someone finished their work they need to know what else to do again, meaning an interruption. I wanted to create something that the kids and I could determine what schoolwork had been done and what still needed to be accomplished.

Enter in the Simple Stories Ele.ment.ary kit. MemoryWorks sent me this collection to play with but how was this "homeschooling mom" going to use this more traditional school kit? Fanning through the papers several were lined "chart style" and that gave me an idea. I wondered if I could create a reusable chart that would show me at a glance what the kids had already done and show the kids what they still needed to accomplish for the day.

I tossed around a few ideas, laminating, cork board, dry erase but the one that made the most sense was a magnet board. Something that would allow me to change subjects based on the day and allow the kids (younger ones especially) a sense of accomplishment marking off what they had finished.

I started with a sheet of metal. Instead of purchasing something new, my husband (for some reason known only to him) saved the side panels of our old dishwasher. He cut down one of them to fit a frame I picked up at the thrift for $2. I had refinished the frame with a light crackle coat (layered gold and cinnamon for those wondering) I wanted the frame to have the same vintage-y "old school" feeling I got from the kit.

I then laid out papers and embellishments to suit my purpose.

I did need to add several lines to the green paper to have enough spaces for all of our subjects. I used a "metal" embellishment glue stick to adhere things to the metal sheet and then covered everything with several coats of "paper mod podge" (I love mod podge!) I could have used the mod podge to stick things down with (especially since it was heavier cardstock) but I have a tendency to be VERY generous with the mod podge and didn't want my paper to buckle. For my title I inked chipboard pieces and then instead of mod podge-ing them with everything else. I did them separately. Some types of ink can run when it's applied so to solve that I did them by themselves, let them dry and then glued them on.

To create the subject magnets, I used the printable elements from the simple stories collection (the do it yourself word tabs) I photoshopped the words on the tabs before I printed them out on cardstock and then ran them through the Xyron 900 with laminate/magnet backing. The markers used to check off when a subject was completed were made by adhering glass stones to scraps of cardstock with glossy accents. (I coated the backsides as well before adhering sticky back magnet strips to them.)

Overall I was quite pleased with the way this turned out. The kids were thrilled to be able to KNOW what had to be done during a particular day and love to be able to "mark off" when something is done. Best yet I can see at a glance who has done what!

Supplies used: MemoryWorks Simple Stories Ele.ment.ary kit and digital elements. Ranger ink, Glossy Accents, Velspar crackle paint (gold and cinnamon) Chipboard (Rusty Pickle Random) Pioneer metal embellishment glue, Mod Podge paper (matte finish.) self adhesive magnet strips, Xyron 900 w/laminate magnet cartridge.

Hey check it out!

Check out my scrapbook event blog for news of a fabulous raffle to benefit Operation Christmas Child!

Check it out here! --------------> Aim Scrappy

Operation Christmas Child!

I LOVE putting together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. My family and I have been packing boxes for the past 15 years and each year challenge ourselves to do more.

I recently had to privilege of speaking to Delta Kappa Gamma International (Rho Chapter) about OCC and the shoebox program. It was a wonderful evening! (Not to mention fabulous food!) The ladies have decided to help us "fill the boxes" this year and are going to continue to gather supplies for us next year as well. I'm so happy they have joined forces with us!

The party is over

The party is over,

The gift was a

hit.

(when she pulled it out

the guests oooh and ahhed over it!)

The theme was so cute

with Cats, hats and balloons.

And when I saw the GREEN EGGS

I was over the moon!

The guests decorated t-shirts

for the new baby "T"

And tore out a silhouette

of the "mommy to be"

There was a "bar" full of candy

From which you could choose

your favorite flavors

you just couldn't loose!

There was a trivia contest,

Lots of chatting and fun

No one wanted to leave

When the party was done!

After RUSHING to get there (I had rehearsal prior to the shower.) Then got stuck in traffic for like ever...we got there in time to slip in as the last gift was being opened...

She loved her gift. (It's fun giving things to crafty people!) Hillary was one of my first sign-language students 16 years ago...wow...long time.....it's so sweet to see your "kids" grow up! I know she's going to make a great mom!

The cat and the Hat

I cut up a book (I really did)
All because my friend is having a kid.

The nursery is adorned with Dr. Suess of all things
So naturally I had something crafty to bring!

I found this here "mobile" from a store called Ikea
and Shanon's banner inspiration gave me an idea.

I cropped and I cut favorite pictures from a book,
And layered with cardstock to give it the right look!

The shower's tomorrow I can't wait till she sees.
The gift that I brought her handmade by ME!

You can't tell from the photo because I had to stick it against the wall to get a better shot, but it spins and things are two sided. The turquoise ribbon looks 3-d swirly cause of how I wrapped it around the clear wire hangers.

Supplies used: hanging mobile photo frame from IKEA (got at a garage sale for FREE. )Various Dr. Suess books (bought at the thrift) , Assorted cardstock, Fiskars trimmer and finger tip craft knife. Ribbon.

Total cost for project..$2 (Oh and see the other photo for how it's being presented....also got for FREE (same sale...SWEET)

Blog Hop Winner!

Thanks to everyone that came out for the 1st ever Fiskateers Orange Blog Hop. We had a ton of fun and it was great to see a whole bunch of familiar faces as well as make some new friends!

Thank you to everyone that commented! Come back to visit really soon!

And now without further ado! The comment winner is....

Lesa said...

Super cool projects! Thanks for sharing.
Lesa #5200

September 10, 2010 2:58 PM

You can contact me through Fiskateers and I'll get your prize out to you! Thanks for playing!

Let's go do a HOP

Welcome! I'm so glad you have joined us for the Fiskateer Orange Blog Hop! If you have come here from Lisa's (#5095) blog "Lisa's scrap site" then you are at the right spot...

If you happened here some other way... Please start at the beginning of the hop here---->Fiskateers Don't worry you'll get back here eventually! There are 43 of us participating in the hop filled with Orange inspiration, projects, tutorials, RAK's and more!

Hi! My name is Betsy and I'm Fiskateer number #2572. I've been a fiskateer now for 3 years? (Not sure how long anymore, time sure flies when you are having fun!) In the past three years I have continually been amazed at the amount of talent out there in the fiskateer community. As if the talent wasn't enough the support and encouragement between Fiskateers in the community is inspiring! I love when Fiskateers get together because there is always love, laughter and something crafty waiting to happen!

When I was asked to do this hop, I knew I wanted to share a very special project I made this summer! I love making things for my friends (especially my crafty friends because crafty peeps APPRECIATE handmade!) I knew I was going to see a ton of my fiskateer friends and wanted something that would be easy to make but cool at the same time so I decided to play with some etching cream and make ornaments for them. I know CHA was in July...but everyone has heard of "Christmas in July" right?

I took 2 inch mirrors and etched on them using "Armor Etch" but I didn't want a standard "shape" I wanted something that said "Fiskateers" and what says "Fiskateers" more than scissors. I created a stencil out of vinyl cut out with my cricut (I used the "A child's year" cartridge as well as "George and Basic Shapes".) I had to apply two different layers of etching cream to get both the scissors and the border on there but ended up being pleased with the final effect. Now if I wanted to just have it for a decoration I could have gotten a small plate stand to prop it up but I wanted to use these as Christmas ornaments. So I found "bail plates" in the jewelry making section and glued one onto the back, it gave me a place to secure a bit of orange and green ribbon as well as some fishing line so they can be hung up.

For me it's all about the presentation as well as the gift. (Plus I wanted to pad them somehow since I knew many of my friends had to take them home on the plane.) I cut down sheets of orange mulberry paper to stitch into bags. I love the look and feel of the mulberry paper...plus it holds up better than standard paper when using the sewing machine on it. A decorative stitch on the edges of the bag held it together nicely. Finish the bag off with a quick tag made using some glue dot layered punches (Square-a-licious and Block Party) and holiday stamps and you had a cute little package that was just as much fun as the present! (If I do say so myself ;)

So there you have it. A fun little project that was so easy to do (especially in bulk!!) Aren't those the best!

Thanks for visiting here today! I'm glad you decided to join us! I hope you won't be a stranger and come back to visit me! I always have something or another I'm rambling about :) Before you leave...add a comment and I'll draw a name at the end of the hop to win a fun RAK! (If you are a follower I'll add your name twice)

Your next stop on your fabulous orange journey is Marianne's (#6701)blog Number 1 Aunt

Cricut Classes

Yup it's that time again! I'll be offering a series of Cricut classes at Scrapbook Junction in Minooka!

Cricut 101 (for the expression) will be September 28, 2010 from 6-8 pm. Cost $20

Cricut 201 (also for the expression) will be October 5, 2010 from 6-8:30 Cost $22

101 covers all the basics of your machine. 201 covers cutting different materials, layering, cutting fabric, deep cut housing blade, using the markers. Email me or the store for more details and call SBJ to register! For more information visit my event blog, AIM SCRAPPY

It's coming!!! Are you ready?

Are you ready to hop???

The Fiskateers are having an "orange blog hop" this weekend. Join me and my fellow fiskateers for some orange inspired, crafts tutorials, RAKs and just plain fun!

Longing for the Old

We have a puppy named Diamond. Like most active puppies she has two sides to her. The “ohh I’m so cute and cuddly and half asleep” and the active, playing with and getting into everything under the sun side. And like most puppy mommies, I love her during all of them even though she can be a bit exasperating at times.

Diamond like most puppies LOVES her chewy toys. Her favorite lately are those giant bouncy balls–ya know those ones that look like tennis balls only larger and claiming to be “tuff”. She bats them around for awhile then settles down for a good gnaw on them. They were holding up well until yesterday when she “finally broke through”. Unbeknownst to us she not only broke through but proceeded to eat 1/2 of one. There were pieces all over the house. (Plus it caused her to get sick.) Poor puppy she lost her favorite toy. I was prepared though, I had purchased a new one. As I cleaned up the old one I gave her the new one. Funny thing is though she wanted nothing to do with the new toy. She sniffed it a bit but was more interested in what happened to her old toy. She wanted her gnawed to pieces that made her sick from eating old toy. She followed her old toy to the garbage can even whining and whimpering and pawing at the can trying to get it.

It made me think how we can be like that some time. God offers us new life with him, and life abundant at that. We show a bit of interest, but it’s not what we crave or desire. We want our old falling apart, worn out, making us sick life. Sometimes we want it so much, our thinking begins to get skewed. Oh when I wasn’t a Christian I could do whatever I wanted, when I wasn’t a Christian it didn’t matter if I________________ (you fill in the blank.) Our flesh and our sinful nature crave our old way of thinking and our old life. Yet we need to persevere. We are being called to put off our old self, our old life, one that might “seem” like it’s good. But really it doesn’t have much to offer us beyond spiritual sickness and death.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; Ephesians 4:22

So if temptation to go back to the “old ways” is plaguing you today. Don’t be tempted. Sit down and remember what it really has to offer you. Sickness, selfishness, death. Then look at what the Lord is offering you. Life and life abundant.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” John 10:10