The Bow Easy!

I bought the Bow Easy at a convention in Akron, Ohio a few months back. Unfortunately I was unable to scrap/stamp very much so I didn't get to use it much. Since it's now summer, I've been using it more and more. I found this really useful video it use it. I think this thing is possibly the most amazing thing ever! I can make bows and they actually look like bows!!! I love this product and would totally recommend it any day!

Check out the video and see if you like it too! I bought mine from Inky Antics. No sure where to get one other than at a stamp or scrapbook convention. :] 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEcjjpgkThQ

Peace, Love, and God's Blessings,

Amy

Book Reports

In one of my last days subbing for this year, I was in a fourth grade room. I mean how appropriate! :] So I obviously spent my planning periods looking around the room and snatching ideas! Here are 3 pretty cool ideas for book reports! 

1. Man Report: The students use note cards, ribbon, and crayons/markers to create a book report. They made a person (decorating the unlined or blank side of the notecard). On the lined side of the note card, the students wrote out important information from the book that they wanted to share. They created a torso, arms, and legs. This was really cool and they were able to hang them up in the room. 

2. Octopus Report: One other type of book report I saw was this little octopus report. They used blank paper, yarn/string, and crayons. They colored pictures on the round part that related to the book. Some students also decided to write important information on the round part as well, like key characters, places, etc. They all added important details to the arms of this octopus to tell about the story. They then were also able to hang the reports up in the room. 

3. Cereal Box Report: The last book report I found in this room was a cereal box report. The students took an empty cereal box and covered it in paper. They then drew pictures pertaining to the book and wrote out important details from the book onto the box. These can easily be displayed in the room. I was unable to get a picture of those book reports. However, these are pretty popular these days, so you can always google the to see them. 

I really liked all these types of book reports because they are better than the traditional type of book report that I knew growing up!! It's such a nice change! 

Peace, Love, and God's Blessings, 

Amy 

Hey everyone

Hey Y'all!

I'm trying to redesign my blog posts and organize everything However while I'm trying to figure it out, just bear with me! Trying to figure this thing out is getting me all confused. So sorry, Just hang in there! :]

Peace, Love, and God's Blessings,

Amy

Mothers day craft!

In my series of Kid's classes at Bayers Pampered Stampers, I decided to create a gift and a card for Mom instead of just a card.  The kids all told me that they had fun and Mom loved the flowers! Check it out! 

For Mother's Day, I used Tada Creative Studios Paper to punch out flowers and little circles. I glued the circles to the centers of the flowers to create the centers of the flowers. Then I glued 2 flowers to a BBQ skewer that had been cut for different heights. I filled my bucket with glass marbles/stones that I purchased from the Dollar Store. I also tied matching ribbon onto the handle of the bucket. 

The Kids loved doing this for Mom! They also loved being able to give her flowers that wouldn't die if she didn't take care of them! Since I had 2 pairs of siblings in my class and they didn't want to make Mom the same thing, I offered another kit with different colors and patterns. 

The patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket. I used papers from the Salt Air collection and the Fairy Wishes (I believe that the name of it) collection. They went really well together and were a nice change from the teals, greens, and reds from above. I also used a different punch so there was more of a variety. I can't honestly pick a favorite because I love them both so much!! 

For the Class, I also punched out tags for the kids to write Mother's Day 2012  and their name so Mom can always remember who gave it to them (for more than one child) and when. 

Hope you enjoyed this project! 

Peace, Love, and God's Blessings, 

Amy

Father's Day gift!

I've been teaching classes at my local scrapbook and stamping shop, Bayer's Pampered Stampers, since she took the shop over in December. Melissa has done a great job with the shop! It's beautiful! Since I'm a teacher in real life, Melissa asked me to each classes for kids! I was very excited! I did a Valentine's Day card class, an Easter card class, a Mother's day gift (which will be another post) and then this Saturday I will be teaching a class to make a Father's day Card and gift! It's going to be great fun!

I took a metal bucket (found at Crafts 2000/ Pat Catan's) and decided I would decorate that and fill it with something great for dad. I used paper from my favorite company, which is also locally owned and run, Tada Creative Studios to punch out squares. I used 2 different sized squares to add variety to the design. Then I used glue dots to glue the squares on to the bucket. My mom and I had trouble trying to find an adhesive that would hold the squares onto the bucket, and surprisingly enough, Glue Dots worked really well!

Then I used paper from Lasting Impressions to create the label on the front. I used the Labels Collection die cuts from Stampin' Up! and my Tim Holtz Vagabond to make the Label.

 I then decided to have the kids make a key chain for Dad as well. Melissa's husband owns the wood shop next door to the store so we get to use all these really cool wood products! I used my Tim Holtz Distress markers to color onto of the wood. Then I used the Picket Fence colored marker to write on top of the colored part. I used my Crop - A - Dile to punch out a hole in the corner and a key ring to slide through it! Dads will love this homemade key chain!

I decided to fill the bucket with candy. You can always fill it with whatever you wanted! This will be a great Father's day gift for a kid to give their dad! Since my dad watched me make this, I have to figure something else out! ;]

Hope you liked this project as much as I did!

Peace, Love, and God's Blessing,

Amy

Bring Everything Everyday

In my subbing experience in  the past year, I found some pretty cool things. I've taken pictures or remembered things that work or didn't work. However I have found the best thing yet!

This is a BEE Binder/folder...or a Bring Everything Everyday folder. This teacher had a binder for each child and in it was the school issued homework folder, and then a pencil pouch for notes and lunch money.

 There were also behavior charts. Each day she made either a green (good), yellow (ok), and red (bad) face. These faces were put written on the calendar for each day at the end of the day. This told the parent how each child was during the day, and she also wrote down what happened to cause the child to get into trouble.

She then also had all the important documents for the school and her room. These included her grading system,her behavior system, her homework policy, the school's dress code, and so much more!

I think this is real cool! I found this in a 1st grade room and helped keep the kids very organized. I was just curious if this would work in my 4th grade room. Something to think about. Helps the kids get organized and keeps up good ways for parent communication.

Peace, Love, and God's Blessings,
Amy

What a fantastic 23 year!

So a lot has happened since I last updated! Christmas went by and i was spoiled and we had lots of fun going to our friends house for Christmas dinner. Subbing started to pick up a lot more. I Have subbed more than I have had days off since December. So that's been great because I've been able to pay off my bills!

In January, my back started to hurt. And not just the typical hurt that comes with the type of problem i have. I mean the type of pain that wasn't going away and making it practically impossible to work or walk or do anything at all except lay in my bed. I started in Physical therapy and went there for about 20 sessions. That helped but only a little bit. I then started in water therapy. Boy that was a HUGE help! My first pain free day was in the middle of April. What a crazy coaster that has been. It's since gotten better and I'm at about pretty much pain free, but I still don't feel the way I was in December.

My birthday was at the end of April, and what a way to celebrate! Heck I'm still celebrating!!!

I started my birthday week  by going to see that beautiful God-daughter of mine the Saturday before my big day! Boy is she pretty! That was so much fun! She is 15 months old now and such a little stinker! She is running around and such a happy baby. She is SO smart too! She sang to me her own little song, she shares her toys, and everything. She truly is great!

The following Tuesday (the day before my big day) i got a call about going to an interview for a 4th grade position at my old grade school. How wonderful! Of course I was excited, but i wasn't sure that was what I really wanted. But if that's where God wants me, then by golly he'll get me there! So on my birthday morning, I got up and got ready for my interview. Had my interview in the afternoon and went to work in the evening. We went out to celebrate, and at 9:30 that night, they called to offer me the job! What a FANTASTIC birthday present! I mean a new job?!?!?

Then on the Thursday after my birthday, My best friend Marlene called to tell me they found a heartbeat for baby number 2! Chris and Mar are going to have another baby! I'm going to be an auntie again! So exciting!

This past week, I bought myself a brand new car! I got a Honda CR-V. I was planning on buying a new car as a soon as I got my first job, and so I did. I was going to wait about a month to purchase it because then I knew about my finances and stuff but I ended up doing it now instead! Its a great car and I LOVE it! It's 4 wheel drive, has a sunroof, and has a blue tooth for my phone. It's a great car and its so much fun to drive!

Coming up My dad and I are going to Atlanta (finally!!!) in June for teacher thing. I'm so excited to go to Atlanta! Its going to be so much fun! and we are going to go to the Georgia Aquarium and check out the city! I love the south and I hope that I don't fall in love with Atlanta so much that I will want to move there so quickly! I do love it, but I have a job secured for the fall.

I'm also going to King's Island with my girls again this year! This year is going to be EVEN BETTER because Owl City is going to be there! I'm so excited! It's going to be an even better time this year than last year!

I've been doing a lot more scrapbooking and card making things, so I'll be posting more of those as well as posting about my classroom and my findings as a new teacher! Stayed Tuned for so great fun! :]

Peace and God's Blessings,

Amy