4 weeks into the school year!

I can proudly say that it is 4 weeks into the school year, and I am still alive! I have not had one moment to work on my cards, but I want so very much to post to my blog. I will post again soon.

School Year Starts Tomorrow!

Hello!
As a middle school math teacher, I get super excited for the start of the school year! I have been going to trainings, decorating my classroom, helping first year teachers, researching, and creating lesson plans already. In my school district, the students start this week on TUESDAY. That gives me one more day to be prepared.

I had so much fun getting my blog up and running this summer. I feel like I have neglected it for a few weeks. (well, I have) I wanted to say that I am not giving up, or quitting by any means, just posting a bit more infrequently. I have so much on my plate right now, and the beginning of the year is crucial to a smooth year.

So, as much as I feel guilty, I wanted to post something this week. On a happy note, I have joined the sunshine committee at school. So I HAVE to provide birthday cards, and get well cards for them. That will keep me posting as least weekly too!

So cross your fingers for me that my first week goes smoothly, and I will be back soon!

Summer Coming to an End

Hey there!
     I hate to admit it, but my summer is coming to an end. I had teacher training all last week, (on the other side of the county) and I have more training starting tomorrow. I have little time to create let alone post. But I will not give up! I am determined to post once a week. I love all the creativity I have had this summer, and all the awesome work and progress I have put into my blog. I am at 9,000 hits in about 3 months. I think that is amazing. I have one follower (yeah!) but it is a start! Everyone has humble beginnings....right?

     I had time to create two cards. I am having a very difficult time with picture taking. I cannot tell if it is my camera, the light box, the angles, I have no idea. So, I wish very much to redo the photos, but I simply can't right now, or they will not get posted.
THANKS A BUNCH:

     I was clothes shopping at Bealls Outlet earlier in the week, because I had a coupon. I walked out of Bealls empty handed and KNEW that Michael's was RIGHT next door. I said "I walked out of Bealls without buying anything, I can go BROWSE in Michael's and not buy anything"......WRONG! I fell in love with this daisy stamp set from Stampendous called "Daisy Thanks".  I even had a coupon from Joann's. They took it! I got a $9.99 stamp set for $5.89. I was so impressed with myself. To color in the flowers, I wanted to use copics, but had no yellows in my collection....yet. (see....I said yet) so I used my inktense colored pencils and blended the colors. I love it!

DANDELIONS:

     I am following Heather on her blog because I love her clean and simple techniques and she adores Penny Black stamps....as do I now. She posted this card:  bits & pieces. I loved it, so I tried to emulate hers.  Here is mine. I am not so sure it works, but it is growing on me.  :)  I really kind avoid circles in my designs. I have such a tough time with them.  I thought about punching the dandelion heads out with a circle punch, but incorporated squares in it instead.  I know you can't see the shiny-ness of them, but I heat embossed all three several times with extra think embossing powder. (like heathers) Then took a marker and made the border.

Wish me luck at my training next week!

Paper crafting is so much fun!

A friend of mine needed a banner for a high school reunion party. She found a sample on pinterest that she adored, and wanted something similar. She thought she'd find a banner kit at the local craft store. I told her I have all the supplies in my craft room, I would LOVE to create a banner for her. She was so relieved to hear that!
I asked her what her school colors were and what she wanted to the banner to say. Her school colors were orange and white, her mascot was the braves.


That weekend she posts a picture of the banner hanging in the venue of her class reunion! She was stoked that it came out so well. Here is a picture.

 I gave her a spool of white and a spool of orange ribbon, and decided to het her figure out how she wanted to hang it. I honestly thought she would hang the 1983 on a separate line, but it looks great! It was so easy! I had all the paper and ribbon on hand, and my cricut and sure-cuts-alot software did the rest! She had a great time at her reunion.

Frugal Storage tip: Storage of clear stamps!

How do you store your clear stamps? I have a penny-free way to store you stamps without spending a dime!
I purchased two new stamps.

 The clear plastic sleeve that each stamp comes in is the key. The glory of modesty stamp comes in the sleeve with a hang hole at the top, the free flight stamp does not. Both will work. Take the stamp and the thin cardboard sheet out of the wrapper. Grab a pair of scissors and cut off the hang hole above the crimp mark. This is the bottom of your pocket. 

Open the top of the sleeve, and cut off the fold to make the opening of the pocket. Slip your cardboard and stamp back into the pocket, and store them upright within easy reach and poof, you have a easy storage solution that did not cost a penny!

 I store mine in a little wooden box. I am quickly outgrowing it.  :) I love having them at arm's reach, and pulling them out of the sleeves helps to clean up quickly!