…For I Am the Binder Queen!
It was rainy and windy yesterday, so I took the hint and decided to update our family info binder. As we’ve moved from military post to post, we’ve driven, and have needed to carry our important papers and documentation with us. A binder with page protectors, page dividers and pencil bags has served us well- go figure!
Just call me the Binder Queen. (Recipe Binder, Inspiration Binder, Lesson Plan Binder)
My first attempt at decorating our Family Binder entailed finding colorful paper, cutting it to size, and slipping it into the cover’s sleeves. That’s it.
Fast forward three years, and I’ve built up quite a stash:
And enjoy using ribbons and brads:
Three years ago I wouldn’t have thought to put a photo of our family on the book:
(I couldn’t get the taupey-glittered “family” stickers to show up due to the cloudy day, apologies)
This update is a bit more femme than the last one…
…but we can’t miss it, which is important when it’s time to pack up the vehicles and return to Oz this summer!
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*Doug is adding to my summer reading list…
*Vicki shares an altered photo idea that I’m inspired to modify for my students in August…
*Hostess With the Mostess posts a Mississippi Mud Recipe!
*As soon as I get some quiet, self-reflection time (and I’m AWAKE during it), I’m going to write my personal mission statement, suggested by WishStudio Blogzine.
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Have a great weekend!
Show and Share Thursday: School on the Brain
While most teachers and students are ready for the school year to come to a close, I’m busy “getting my craft on” in the form of preparing my school binder for August. I’ve visited Office Depot, purchased my binder, page dividers, and page protectors. Hobby Lobby and Michael’s lured me in with various coupons (it was a conspiracy I tell you) and conveniently enough, school-themed scrapbooking paper was on clearance. A sign, obviously.
The pile:
My paper selection for the front cover:
Adding some ribbon and doo-dahs (er, “embellishments”):
Papers for divider pages, title blocks of polka dotted paper framed with photo corners:
The spine:
…and the finished binder!
I *really* need to get back to teaching!
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*I’ve discovered another awesome FOODIE BLOG! The Pioneer Woman Cooks is my new favorite diet destroyer- go, go go! Perfectly detailed photography and directions for recipes- hey, I said “go, go go!”
*The Graphics Fairy shares some wonderful ephemera- I can’t wait to sort through the pages from her Victorian Alphabet Book to make one of my own!
*Laurie at Laurie’s Charming Designs has miraculously erased my aversion to chalk (heh heh heh, I know, that was bad) with her beautifully painted plates, trays, etc. Of course I’m also a fan of her pincushions and am sorely tempted to ask if she’d transform my lidless sugarbowl into a pincushion for my future craft area…
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An offering for Q and A…you ask me questions, I’ll answer. Pretty simple. Keep it clean or I’ll put you in Time Out. Either comment here or email me: michaelek1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wordless Wednesday: Multiple Projects
Wednesday’s Wreath…a GIVEAWAY!
Funny, the inspiration you can find in the clearance sale bins at Michael’s! Tulle on sale, in a color I haven’t used before…some pretty pink buttons, a piece of pink felt, left over blue fabric, and some wavy blue sparkle yarn (also on clearance). Put it all together around a wreath form and voila:
With a few sheer pink ribbons throughout:
Blue felt too:
And no, it goes with NONE of our home decor. It’s too foo-foo for Dear Daughter, and I’ll be lucky to get the buttons I’ve chosen as “filler” back from the toddler in order to finish this pretty take on a blue mood.
Eureka!
A giveaway! Yeppers, I want to guarantee that this blue/pink/tulle combo goes to a blue/pink/tulle loving home! Leave a comment on this blog post (or at Kindergarten’s 3 R’s, same post) by next Wednesday, May 5, and I’ll draw the winning name to be posted on Saturday!
I’ll post another photo once the wreath is completed- you know, after I sneak the buttons away from the toddler during his nap!~
(Nes)quik to Candy Container
Dear Daughter is getting on the plane this afternoon to fly to Vegas (family wedding) and wanted a “cute candy container” to transport her pecan/rolo/pretzel nummies on board. We are a family that does reuse and recycle, though not as much as we could (moving every other year has that effect, though what we don’t take with us, we donate), but we are indeed, making an effort.
Case in point: our toddler loves “bunny milk,” and the empty containers left over each time he finishes either the chocolate or strawberry powders (sometimes we mix them!) are perfect storage containers for pens/pencils/markers or any other bits and bobs I have in my craft area. The bright yellow plastic certainly makes for cheery projects!
Here’s the clean container wrapped in pretty paper:
Floral ribbon to cover the edge of the paper:
Paper cut to fit the lid:
Chipboard letters that spell “candy”:
Some sparkle, photo corners, and the hint to “enjoy:”
Empty:
But even better FULL:
Num!
Playing with Pastel Pretties
Don’t mind me, I’m playing with Flickr…
Finding photos of girlie, sparkly, pastel-ey, crafty, and architectural stuff has been a fun activity during the toddler’s nap this afternoon. Much more fun than, oh, laundry…
1. Botanical Faerie Banner *SOLD*, 2. Pretty pastel mobiles 1, 3. Pretty Pastels, 4. sidewalk chalk, 5. Thrifted/Revamped Flower Pot, 6. Los Sultans, 7. Pretty pastels, 8. Rainbow Baby Blanket, 9. Show your buttons Sunday!, 10. gorgeous ribbons, 11. Vintage Pastel Pot Holder, 12. Untitled
Tick Tock *Click* It’s…
* Cream Puffs in Venice posts a recipe for Baked Tortiglioni with Cream and Pancetta
* Bugs Bunny should hop over for Carrot Souffle in Laura Rebecca’s Kitchen
* Maggie Crawford of Tangerine Studio illustrates puppy love like no other (kitty love too, but the dogs are my favorite!). Here’s her blog…
* Tammy describes how to make “wonky fabric…”
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Wish me luck, I have a phone interview Monday afternoon for a teaching position!
Seen on Sunday
“Wed tain Mommy, wed tain!”
“Boo-boo cykul Mommy, boo-boo cykul…” (a friend’s bike was hit by a driverless car this morning- the bike’s rear fender is toast, and the paintjob is scratched, but our friend is fine! Yes, I typed “driverless…”)
And Miss Laurie from Laurie’s Charming Designs entered me into a drawing for one of her paper flowers! It arrived just in time to join me in reading the newest Somerset Life, that just so happens to feature Laurie’s beautiful birds (pages 70-73):
Take a look at the beautiful handpainted envelope! Thanks so much Laurie, I’m enjoying reading about your “soft perches” and will find a special place for my beautiful flower!
Wonderful Stuff Wednesday
Click away my dears, click away:
The 167th Carnival of Education is up and running at The CEA Blog (Columbus Education Association), and heh heh, they saved the best for last (KIDDING!), “Flipping a card…it’s on this blogger’s pet peeve list.” Yep, that would be my Popsicle Stick post! I’m looking forward to reading the other entries this week!
Num. Num. Oh my goodness…. *****NUM*****
- Copycat Macaroni Grill’s Reeses Peanut Butter Cake, thanks to The Secret Recipe Blog
- Cream Puffs in Venice makes us an offer (a recipe) we can’t refuse: Cannoli Cake
- Scribbit reminded me of a cake an old friend used to make for me when I was down in the dumps, “Dump Cake“
- Cakespy took inspiration from dessert-favorite Carrot Cake and created broccoli, sugar snap pea, radish, parsnip, and even brussel sprout cupcakes!
Crafting and Creativity
- I’m inspired to take a Trip Around the World while crafting in my own home, thanks to Lisa at Celebrate Creativity In All Its Forms, and all I need is fabric, thread, a sewing machine, and a rotary cutter!
- Inspired Ideas, volume 1, number 2 offers a tutorial on how to make Friendship Pins
- CasaSugar shows us how to make a self watering recycled vase (these would be terrific for classrooms as well!)
- Vicki at This Art That Makes Me Happy teaches us how to make a paper ruffle
Several!
- Laurie makes the old new again (with the help of hand-crafted fine-feathered-friends) at Laurie’s Charming Designs
- Visual Voice offers terrific photos documenting the fine art of bell pulling…
- Have you checked out Blogtations yet? Quotes from blogs, and today my favorite is this: “Everyone knows that, if you want to give a child an exciting horticultural experience, have them plant a bean seed—because they sprout in a week and are a hardy plant. Not here. My garden is the kiss of death to a seed which millions of kindergartners have successfully sprouted before they ever learned how to read.” Whine Country
Tulle Time/Americana/Think
What to do with leftover tulle, red and blue fabric, and red polka-dotted ribbon?
Make a new wreath to go with my updated patriotic decor, of course!
I had enough fabric and tulle left over to make a mini-wreath as well:
It’s small enough to fit inside the opening on the larger wreath, but it looks a bit overkill on the tulle, if you ask me (so no, they won’t be kept like this):
SallyJean has posted her April Celebration List...CakeSpy posts a tribute (with history) to one of my favorite treats, the macaroon cookie (what do you mean it’s “ugly?”)…
mbartdesign has some cute altered art charm bracelets (patriotic even!)
Linda Bertino at Charming Trinkets also has too-many-charms-are-never-enough jewelry that include brooches and barrettes, sorted by category: Patriotic; Tea/Java Joy; Fish and Sea Life; and many more. Though many of her pieces are marked “sold,” it appears she takes custom orders and can come close to duplicating what you might find on her site.
And if you want to immerse yourself in Americana decor, try The Country Porch...
Here’s an idea…Why not visit the presidential candidates’ official web sites instead of listening to biased pundits, talk-show hosts, spin doctors, and celebrities who would like to do your thinking for you? I know the sites are professionally produced as well, but for those of us who won’t be able to meet (much less chat with) the candidates in person, this might just be the best way to get as close to each horses’ mouth as possible. Review their ideas, check their voting record, listen to their messages and form your own opinion:
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