Back to School Mason Jar Craft!

I found this quick DIY craft on Instagram through the Pink When blog. I loved how simple this DIY craft was! This was made by a parent to give to her child's teacher. I'm also thinking that it's a cute gift for veteran teachers to give to new teachers! Click on over to Pink When blog for the FREE PRINTABLE tag and for further directions on how to make this cute gift! 

Personalized Pencil Bags for Back to School!

The Crafting Chicks blog shared the most adorable personalized pencil bags on Monday. They used their Cricut machine to create the super cute label and ironed it to the zipper pencil bags from Walmart. I immediately thought that these would be perfect for my "Summer Writing Challenge Survival Kits." I don't have a Cricut machine, but I just might be able to pull this off somehow. I'll keep you updated! Click over to The Crafting Chicks blog to hear more about this DIY craft! 

Washi Tape & Baby Shower Decorations

Amanda & I have both blogged about our love for washi tape over the past few months. Here's one post with many washi tape ideas included. Check out our "DIY" posts for more. As I stare at the washi tape collection on my desk, I'm itching to find ways to incorporate it into my sister's baby shower. I found these cute ideas on Maggie Overby Studios blog. 

I really love the easel below! Click on over to her blog for more ideas! 

FREE Fonts for DIY Wedding Stuff!

I love collecting free fonts on my computer, especially to use in the classroom! Even though these are wedding related, they can be used for anything. I'm planning my sister's baby shower and will be looking for really cute fonts for games that we have planned. A few of these will definitely work! :-)

Click over to Elegance and Enchantment blog for FREE fonts and other great wedding/party inspiration!

Cheese Lovers! Ideas for your next party!

I saw this adorable idea on Kathie Lee & Hoda and had to share! I really can't wait to try these. I know that my mom and sister would get a kick out of them, too. Cute addition to any party.

Everything below is taken from The Today Show - check out the video at the bottom to see the process in action! 

Cheese balls can be so much more than just a chunk of cheddar rolled in nuts, and Michelle Buffardi, author of "Great Balls of Cheese," is dedicated to proving it. Check out how to cheese balls more creative with her clever recipes. 

Wise & cheesy owl

Serves 15-20

For the owl:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For decorating the owl:

• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see page 94)
• 2 small round butter crackers, such as Ritz Bits
• 2 small pitted black olives, sliced
• 1 carrot
• 2 scoop-shaped corn chips, such as Fritos Scoops!
• Crackers, for serving

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, shallots, mustard, salt, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Set aside 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture; you’ll need this for the eyes. Form the remaining mixture into an owl shape — it should look like a large egg. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, layer the almonds around the back and sides of the owl for the feathers, leaving the breast area plain. To make the eyes, spread each small butter cracker with half of the reserved cream cheese mixture, and stick an olive slice in the middle. Affix the eyes to where the owl’s face will be. To make the beak, slice two 1⁄4-inch pieces of the carrot into triangles, and make a mouth below the owl’s eyes. To make the feet, slice 6 slivers from the remaining carrot and arrange at the bottom of the owl. Finish the owl by pressing the 2 corn chips into the head for ears.

Serve with crackers.

Nacho cat

• 16 ounces cream cheese,softened
• 1 1⁄2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, preferablyo range
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1 jalapeño, cored, seeded, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato salsa
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Pinch coarse salt
• 1 carrot
• 2 nacho cheese tortilla chips
• 1 pitted black olive
• Fresh chives, for decorating
• Tortilla chips or crackers, for serving

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, onion, jalapeño, salsa, cumin,and salt until combined. Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

While the mixture is chilling, peel strips from the carrot to use as “stripes” on the cat and set aside. Peel the carrot until you reach the middle. Remove any bits of carrot sticking tothe core of the carrot and reserve for the cat’s tail.

Before serving, unwrap the cheese ball and break off a 3-ounce portion (about the size of a golf ball), roll into a ball,and set aside; this will be the cat’s head. Form the remaining cheese mixture into an egg shape, and place on a plate.Arrange the reserved carrot strips on the egg shape to make the stripes. Attach the reserved carrot to the back of the cat for the tail. Place the reserved golf ball–sized cheese ball on top of the cat to make the head. Stick the chips in for the cat’s ears. Cut the olive into eyes and a mouth and arrange on the cat’s face. Finish with pieces of chives for the cat's whiskers. 

Serve with crackers. 

S'mores ball

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1⁄2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese,softened
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 8 graham crackers, crushed, for coating
• Graham crackers, for serving

In a double boiler or a glass bowl set over a pot of simmeringwater, melt the chocolate. When smooth, remove from thewater and add the sugar. Stir until combined and let cool,about 15 minutes.

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the chocolate mixture, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until combined and even colored. Blend in the marshmallows.Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Before serving, roll the cheese ball in the crushed graham crackers to coat.

Serve with graham crackers.

DIY: Birthday Party Gift

Kelle Hampton is an absolute favorite of ours! Her blog, Enjoying the Small Things, is listed as one of our favorites on our sidebar. She not only maintains her own personal blog, but also blogs for various parenting websites, too. Her recent post on eHow about DIY birthday gifts fascinated me and I thought it was such a great idea! Please click on over to her eHow post, as it's sure to make you chuckle a bit. 

Kelle talks about how difficult it is to stay on top of buying birthday gifts in advance, especially when invited to so many kids' birthday parties. She came up with the genius idea of DIY Birthday Gifts! These kits are appropriate for any age, budget friendly, and a lot of fun to put together.  

Love this idea!!

The Explorer Kit: promotes outside adventure, a love of nature and scientific exploration and observation.

Materials Needed: a small cardboard suitcase or comparable container, a magnifying glass, an insect net, one or two field guide books or tri-fold posters (check your local bookstore for region-specific guides), a blank sketch book and a box of colored pencils

Invite your child to decorate the front of the suitcase for her friend, or help her by drawing or tracing letters for her to color. Write “Nature Journal” on the sketch book or adhere a typed printed page.Tuck everything inside the suitcase and glue on a few plastic bugs for fun if you wish. Your child’s friend (and parents!) will love this thoughtful gift that encourages curiosity and adventure — and your child might love it enough to create a second one to keep at home.

The Spa Kit: everything a girl needs for a night of pampering and fun.

Materials Needed: a small cardboard suitcase or comparable container, a brush, soft headbands (to hold hair back when applying the face mask), homemade face mask, a body wash puff, nail polish (try non-toxic Piggy Paint for little ones who might put their fingers in their mouths), nail stickers, a cute eye mask. You can also throw in a bag of microwave popcorn or some treats to eat during the spa fun.

I love these gift ideas and I truly love that your kids can be involved in making them. What a cute touch and so meaningful!

DIY: Straw Vase

I LOVE THIS IDEA and will be trying it ASAP! 

I found this on Des Hartsock's blog which has awesome ideas for weddings and party planning! She was on ABC's Bachelorette TV show and is currently planning her own wedding. Click on over to check out some seriously awesome ideas!

What you'll need:

-Colored/patterned straws

-Cans (we used a large bean can)

-Hot glue and hot glue gun

-Flowers 

Steps:

1. Empty the can and strip it of labels.

2. Set your straw pattern.

3. Use the hot glue gun to place glue dots on the edges of the can.

4. Quickly and firmly press the straw onto the can where you placed the glue.

5. Hold for 10 seconds.

6. Continue all around the can.

7. Pop some pretty flowers in the vase and admire your creation! 

Summer Postcards - Snail Mail!

I found these adorable post cards on Michelle Lea Designs blog and immediately thought of my students. I left my sixth graders a few weeks ago with a 10 Week Summer Writing Challenge. A few of them have already contacted me and I know that I'll be handing out more than a handful of 7th Grade Survival Packs in September. 

A few years ago, I gave my students post cards to send to family and friends so that they could share about their summer reading. Anything to get them reading and writing all summer! The postcards that Michelle Lea designed are absolutely adorable. This is a super cute way to get your kids writing this summer!

Click on over to Michelle Lea's blog and download her FREE postcards! If you don't think your printer can handle the double sided printing, head on over to Staples and print a bunch of them for less than one dollar!

Happy Summer! 

Every Summer Has a Story!

I found this FREE printable on I Heart Nap Time blog , fell in love, and immediately knew I wanted to share it here. Click on over to I Heart Nap Time or Sweet Rose Studio blog to download it. The printable is made available to fit an 8 x 11 frame. I love this because it reminds me to soak up these long summer days and document along the way! September rolls around and we all reminisce about our favorite summer memories... every summer has a story! 

I haven't been documenting and snapping away as much as I'd like to... hey, summer has just started, right?! I can't wait to dive back in! 

Making a Homemade Piñata!

Marc's nephew turned 7 last week, and as the party was approaching, his sister asked if we could make a piñata that would actually break open.  The store bought piñatas are made of heavy cardboard and are impossible for little hands to break open with any size stick.

We immediately took on the challenge and decided to construct a piñata that would look good and be fun to hit!  I found the blog, Oh, Happy Day!, where they highlight different party suggestions and ideas.  I was determined to make this piñata work!

I went to Target, where I found a shipping box for around $4.  I picked up a package of tissue paper, some glue and some tape (packing and masking tape).

This was a team effort, and Marc was able to draw out the number seven, and cut it out to make it a solid shape.  

Creating a piñata while watching the world cup!

The piñata before all the decorations!

Then I got to work with the tissue paper.  I was able to take one sheet of tissue, cut it into four strips.  I folded each strip the "hot dog" way, and snipped them to make little tabs.  Starting at the bottom, I glued the strips around the number seven, being sure to alternate colors to make a pattern.  If you'll notice, I had to add a little bit of pink!

The piñata turned out great, and we were THRILLED that after six or seven kids, the piñata burst open!  It was the first time at Markian's birthday party that the kids were able to hit it open without the help of an adult.

If you're thinking about making your own piñata, I promise, it isn't too much work, and the kids will love you for it!

Happy Birthday, Markian!

Teacher Gifts! {Free Printables}

I love this teacher gift idea... "Thank you for quenching my thirst for knowledge." You can never have enough water bottles! Click here and here for FREE PRINTABLES and for more information about these ideas! 

DIY Project: Summer Activity Jars

While participating in our link parties, I came across this awesome blog: Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom. Such a cute blog, but even cuter post about Summer Activity Jars. 

We've been having a lot of discussions about summer in my classroom over the past two days.  When I saw this photo, I thought of my students right away. I know some of them would love having this routine incorporated into their summer days, especially when sometimes "every day looks the same." I love the idea of sticking to routines and not getting sucked into the lazy days of summer. These jars are a cute way to switch things up and accomplish things at the same time! Click here for directions on how to make these. 

I was also admiring Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom's summer schedule for her kids. I'm a schedule/routine kind of girl - it's probably the teacher in me. But, I also know how important a schedule is to kids. I feel bad for some of my students because I know they suffer greatly without a routine or schedule. I love the variety that's incorporated into this schedule. So fun!

Cool Way to Scrapbook: [SmashBook]

The other day, I blogged here about my trip to Marshall's.  In addition to finding awesome Washi Tape Page Markers, I also found this SmashBook!!

This scrapbook comes all set to go in a binder, with the pages inside, preprinted backgrounds with pocket folders, too!

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty busy lately, and just don't have time to get to the craft store, purchase all the fun papers and books to put everything together.  This comes complete in a package where you just get your stuff, design and glue!!! (The glue and pen even comes WITH the book!)

Run to the craft store and go grab your SMASHBOOK!

[Washi Tape Obsession]: Page Markers!!

Oh. My. Goodness.  Washi Tape Page Markers.  I'm in LOVE!! Today I was strolling through Marshall's (it's right across the street from my school...so dangerous!) and I came across these Washi Tape Rolls that had page markers on them!!! I think this idea is absolutely incredible.  

I went to town on my latest issue of Real Simple, and marked up things I loved.  

How incredible is this tape for newly engaged brides as they scour their stack of bridal magazines?

What about if you're planning to remodel a room in your house and you're looking for ideas?

Maybe you want to leave hints to your hubby to start shopping for your birthday or Christmas?

Whatever the case, these Washi Tape Rolls were a complete find...and I think you need to hit up your closest craft store and get yourself some!!!

In the Classroom: Summer Bucket Lists!

I've been a follower of the Scholastic Teacher Blogs for a while now. I loved following Beth Newingham and Angela Bunyi a few years ago. Amanda and I found Beth Newingham's website before she started blogging for Scholastic. I embedded the link to her classroom website because the resources she provides are just amazing. We were in awe of her then and I still am! How does she do it all?! Both Beth and Angela are rockstar teachers. Make sure you click over to their blogs/websites for some incredible inspiration.

I was perusing the internet today for new ideas for summer reading and writing activities. I have some great stuff to share with you, but wanted to share this adorable activity first: Summer Bucket Lists.

I found this through the Scholastic Teacher Blogs, specifically from Genia Connell, who teaches 3rd grade. It seems as if many of the teacher bloggers have wrapped up their year on the Scholastic blogs, but be sure to click over there. You'll find great ideas that you can tuck away for next year!

Even though I teach 6th grade, I fell in love with the cute assignment and will find a way to incorporate this into my Summer Reading & Writing Unit next week. I love how adorable the decorated buckets are! So cute!! Genia offers printables for a bucket template and the Summer Bucket List. Click here for both! 

Genia had her students add personal and academic goals that they would complete before the end of the summer. Some of their academic goals were: 

• Read the classic book, Charlotte’s Web
• Read a chapter book without pictures
• Learn all my nines in multiplication
• Read for an hour straight because I have never done that before

And some of their personal goals (so cute!) were:

• Make a lemonade stand
• Learn how to ride a skateboard
• Eat a cannoli and a lobster tail
• Sleep outside in a tent
• Donate my hair
• Ride a non-kiddie roller coaster at Cedar Point
• Save my money to buy an iPad

I'm so excited to incorporate this into my plans next week. We could use a break from writing paragraphs and essays! Let me know if you've tried this in your classroom before or if you plan on trying it this year!