Button, button, who's got the button?

Discovered a fun and simple spring project, button bouquets! This project takes little skill and few supplies, bonus!  It takes approximately 3-5 minutes for each flower. 

Materials:

1. Buttons, assorted colors and sizes

2. Felt scraps, assorted colors (The original project recommends getting precut felt flowers, but I spent $1 on felt which is probably a lot less expensive than precut.)

3. Craft floral wire

4. Wire cutters

5. Small clay pot

6. Florist foam

7. Spanish moss

Instructions:

1. Place florist foam into pot, trim if necessary

2. Cut pieces of florist wires into 3 lengths, 12", 14", and 15"

3. Draw flower design on squares of felt, create different sizes for variety

4. Set up groups of buttons and felt flowers in an order of your choosing

5. Fold the floral wire in half in a U-shape

 6. String buttons and felt starting with the top of the flower first through the button holes

7. Twist the wires when done stringing, thus forming the stem for your flower

8. Place into the florist foam/pot then cover the top of the foam

I chose not to spend money on the pot, moss, and foam so I used crinkle cut basket paper that we owned, a small vase, and a piece of sponge! I gently wrapped the sponge in the crinkle paper so it is hidden. If I was smart, I would have bought a cheap, green sponge, but all we had pre-purchased was purple! OOPS! :)

These would make great package ties! I also thought they would make cute Valentine's or May Day gifts, just add a quick tag with your message on it! They would also make cute favors for an event. Enjoy!

Birth of a Pillow: Part One

Last week I posted pictures of the fabulous fabric swatches that I am using to create pillows.  I have finally sat down and started the project.  To begin, I cut out the pattern pieces that I would need from Simplicity 4108.  Since I am making the rectangle two-piece pillow, I need pieces 10 and 15. After I cut the necessary pieces out, I traced them onto a slightly thicker paper so that I can reuse the patterns with less risk of destroying the original tissue paper! (Ps: I am creating the pillow in the left hand picture on the pattern envelope, the small cream/white one, but my colors are WAY more vibrant!)

Side note: I had to alter the pattern because it is for a 12" by 22" but my pillow fills are 12" by 16". This meant that I made piece 10 into a 16" by 17", the extra height for the zippers. Piece 15 became an 8.5" by 13" pattern for the half sections of the pillow front.

I am only making two pillows for now, but cut the material needed for a total of four pillows so I would not have to go back and cut fabric again. (I find the fabric cutting process annoying... so I might as well do it all at once!) I then re-ironed my fabrics, considering I thoroughly wrinkled them in the cutting process...

Now to begin the actual construction progress! AHHH! To be continued...

Students Dive into Learning

Students dive into learning

Front cover story of the March 23, 2011 Daily Astorian!

Meet the 4th graders from room 10! They are regular fish (not fishes, which they inform you of thanks to grammar)! I am immensely proud of them and their progress!

Spring Flowers!

Anxious for some spring color and fresh blooms, I ventured to the local Fred Meyer in search of supplies.

I picked up this adorable dandelion colored flower pot, which are all currently 50% off! I already had the potting soil leftover from our class bean planting project, so I did not need to spend more money on that.

 I picked up three different types of annuals, in related colors, that also match the lovely pot!

I filled half of the pot with soil, then gently placed each plant in the pot and filled around them.

Final results are a sunny and bright porch or stair decoration. Or even a wonderful kitchen accent! 

Miscellaneous Business in the Classroom

I didn't have these bulletin board pictures on my computer when I posted the previous post. But I purchased inexpensive scrapbook paper in holiday themed colors, but a variety of patterns. I found the the sleeping kiddos and headboard on Scholastic Printables, from a bulletin ideas page. I printed the image and traced it off of my document camera then gave them some color. The students then wrote about what they would give to someone if they had unlimited resources.  I was thoroughly impressed with the ingenuity and selflessness that my students exhibited!  

Last week, March 7th-11th, was Classified Appreciation Week in schools. These are the people who do a lot of work for little credit, the custodians, bus drivers, classroom assistants, secretaries, and cafeteria staff. They are truly remarkable and irreplaceable people and so in order to show our appreciation, my class created this vibrant banner in their honor!

1. Printed the message letter by letter on 8x11 paper, "We <3 our classified staff." I had to use about a 500 font to make the letters large enough.

2. Students each received a letter and "fireworked" the entire page, eliminating all white. (Firework Instructions)

3. After school, I pulled coordinating construction paper to back each letter, based on the students color choices.

4. Had students glue letters to construction paper.

5. Strung the letters on hot pink 6" wide tulle purchased at JoAnn Fabrics. $2.50 for 25 yards! I used clothespins to attach the letters.

6. I then thumb tacked the tulle to the ceiling and thus is an adorable banner!

Found these baskets at Fred Meyers, 10 for $10, so I picked up a half dozen-ish, and now use them as focus bins on top of my classroom library shelf.  I check out books based on our class topics! Each week I rotate out a set of books, and put a new group of texts.  I leave the tiny clips on the baskets and just write up a quick new note card with the topic on it, then hole punch and attach! So simple, and highly effective! My students are eating these books up!

Swimming with Fishies!

This year, my first year of teaching, I immediately threw myself into the position.  Teachers were talking about how our students needed swimming lessons and they just never came through. Being that 4th grade is the general year that students in Clatsop County do lessons through schools, I volunteered to take on writing a grant to the Schools Foundation in order to fund this awesome opportunity for our kids. Thankfully, the Foundation approved my grant for close to $2500! My class started their two weeks of daily lessons on March 7th and will wrap up on Friday the 18th. I can truly say that my students LOVE having the chance to visit the Astoria Aquatic Center and learn the basics of swimming techniques. And I am thrilled because, first and foremost, it is a lifesaving skill, and secondly, swimming is healthy and fun! I took the opportunity to snap some photos today while the students worked in their leveled groups. I hope you enjoy!!!

PS: Be looking for the article in the Daily Astorian! Hopefully appearing sometime this week, if not early next week!

Decorating Ideas from My Space

Here are a few photos of some of the decorating that I use in my bedroom, many items coming from antique shops here in town. Check out Vintage Harware for fantastic pieces of all sizes and purposes. Unfortunately, my favorite store, Farmhouse Funk II, is no longer in operation, but I can still visit Peggy and Kathy at VH!

See and steal policy! See it, steal the idea for yourself!

Bought this awesome file drawer at Vintage and it is now home to CDs! So much better than a regular CD rack, it hides the cases in a clever and unique manner.

These former kitchen cabinet doors are nailed directly into the wall (benefit of having solid wood walls!) I picked these up at the former FF2, washed them off and hung them in a row.  Notice they still have their original handles, I had to remove the latching mechanism in order for them to fit flush on the wall.  The three doors fill the walls nicely, and make for great frames for art work, photos, or other wall art! The center door, shown, have tin wall vases with green leaves that match the wall color. 

Reassigned the job of this old plant stand, and turned it into a bedside photo table. Picked up this treasure for $9 at the original Farmhouse Funk at Miles Crossing, now located on 10th by the river in town.

With a large, white bookshelf, I contrasted the brightness with a collection of black frames.  The frames are from various stores, or people, of all different shapes and sizes.  The only common thread is the color, which makes for an organized and focused array of photos.

Books for Break

I am currently in the middle of three books, and am waiting for library day tomorrow so I can pick up a few more new reads! Here are some reviews of my current nightstand stack!

As a 4th grade teacher I try to stay current with what students are reading, perhaps not full series, but at least the initial book. This was my mantra, due to so many books, so little time, until I read "The 39 Clues: Maze of Bones" to my class for a read aloud selection.  Not only were the students hooked and now reading obsessively, but so is their teacher! I'm on book seven of eleven (as of this August) and still completely engrossed. As a lover of mystery, suspense, and history, I have to say that this series incorporates all of the above in a fun and engaging way for students. The best part about the series, thus far, is that when I first began reading the original book, we were studying Benjamin Franklin in our reading curriculum, and the book is based on historical fact of his life! The students were connecting our curriculum non-fiction with the adventurous novel. As I am about half way through book seven, needless to say, I am picking up book eight at the library tomorrow so I can read it over break as well.  PS: Books often reference farting, burping, and other various things that boys find hilarious.  Recommended for male students. Or immature teachers... :)

Blue Baillet writes awesome puzzlers! The first in the series that I recommend is titled "Chasing Vermeer" and is followed by two more books.  This series is also based on historical facts and characters.  The best part about these mysteries are the illustrations which have mysteries of their own, and the puzzles and codes that the characters encounter! Being a girl who grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries, I fell in love with these child clue hunters.  They focus not so much on catching criminals as they do on simply finding the truth about things around them.  Read the whole series. Love it.

My more adult side, yeah right, is loving Beverly Cleary's autobiography "A Girl from Yamhill."  Clearly was actually born and raised in the Willamette Valley, referencing many familiar locations in the book.  I also have her second memoir, "My Own Two Feet," which I fully intend to take on after I finish the first book.  Cleary's writing is so simple and clean, leaving her feelings and life blatantly in black ink on smooth pages.  I am constantly impressed by the simplicity with which Cleary writes, she makes life seem so straightforward and obvious, looking at her past with child like eyes.  Not only is Beverly Clearly a wonderful children's author, but she can also paint reality in such plain, yet poetic terms.  HIGH RECOMMENDATION!

Fun Spring Fabrics for Pillows!

Inspired by pillows I saw at Vintage Hardware, I am making split front pillows, half one pattern, half another with cream colored backs. The flower pattern will be the base fabric, teamed with the blue and coral, separately, to make a matching set.

I am looking forward for break to start so I can get going on these fun and funky, printed pieces. (PS: I'm a sucker for a lot of alliteration!)

Paint Chip Bookmarks

My Aunt Kathy made these adorable bookmarks from paint chips, patterned scrapbook paper in coordinating colors, small grommets, and twine. They were made for a conference held at our church, focused on prayer, hence the praying hands stamp. The chips are glued to the paper and then cut out so they match up in size.  Then punch a hole at the top, set grommet and tie off with twine. 

These quirky bookmarks are most notable for the names of each hue on the chip.  Use this project for baby or bridal showers, homemade Valentines, birthdays parties, package ties, and, of course, slide them into books given as gifts! 

Bulletin Board Ideas!

I love bulletin boards but it usually takes me a while to come up with an idea that I love enough to work on. I figure I should share some of the simple ideas I have used so that others can have nifty boards with little effort too!

This turtle board is from the book "Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back" (See the second picture).  

1. I used the turtle image on the dedication page and traced the outline onto green butcher paper using my Elmo projector. I then traced the shell pieces onto printer paper so that I could have master copies for next year! 
2. Next I copied the masters so that my students had outlines to work in. 
3. The students each received a poem from the book and illustrated their shell piece to match the text.
4. We then pasted them in place and filled excess shell space (not enough students for 2 whole shells) with copies of the coordinating poems for the missing pieces. 
5. Cut turtles out (I didn't take time for precise cuts, just trimming around the outside) and hang on board!

Fireworks are SO simple and quite fun to create! 

I took half sheets of printer paper and half sheets of black construction paper for the backing and gave some to each student. Rules for creating fireworks are easy, 

• Pick 2-4 crayon colors
• Make 3-5 starting points, just small dots using all the same color
• Color tight zig-zags around the dots with the next color of choice
• Continue creating zig-zags, using each color in a consistent pattern, every firework should be identical
• Fireworks will eventually collide and fill the whole page

Fireworks were then stapled randomly on the board with Cricut letters and stars (di-cut)

Such a quick and easy project, only takes one art session for students to complete (generally)

Board assembly took 10 minutes, talk about speedy for a whole board!

Coming Soon!!!!

Be on the watch for a handful awesome things!

1. Cute and simple paintchip bookmarks (Thanks Aunt Kathy!)

2. Photos from 4th grade swimming lessons!

3. Bulletin board ideas that I have used this school year!

4. Miscellaneous, yet, hopefully, inspiring photos from around my classroom.

5. Some Spring Break sewing projects! Including, a simple fleece blanket, and possibly some adorable canvas pillows! Just in time for spring!

6. LASTLY! Bulldog Butterscotch Fudge made exclusively for our school by the awesome Brevin's Solid Gold Fudge here in Astoria! Personal recommendation!

Within the next week I can guarantee at least 3 or 4 of these post topics will be ready to go! Check back super soon!!!

Spring Break Rehabs!

With Spring Break only two and a half weeks away, of course, I'm gathering all sorts of little, or not so little, projects!

1.  Reno-ing the little pink/raspberry/mauve-ish colored shelf! Still debating color options! 

2. Creating pillar candle holders! Found some awesome spindles at Vintage Hardware that I am going to add flat caps to in order to make candle holders. Borrowed this example from Etsy.com. 

3. Build a frame for a mirror out of molding! I need to frame out a large rectangular mirror in hopes to add it to my wall! I would add a photo, but i struggled to find a cute picture on the Internet, and since mine is not done, I don't have a picture of my own! UGH! Many examples use square corners featuring rosettes, but I want to use 45 degree clean cuts. 

4. Read a stack of wonderful books.

5. Work on a Just Because gift for a special person!

6. Plus any other ideas that appear on the plate!