Works for Me Wednesday: Stress Busters

We Are That Family is celebrating "Works for Me Wednesday" and I thought I would play along. (I missed the deadline, but maybe I can submit next time!)

At school this time of year, things can get stressful. Last week the yearbook staff and I finished the yearbook (224 pages in all). I ate tons of chocolate and snacks! Also, with upcoming state tests, we all feel the pressure as teachers.

So, how do I cope when I can't get a massage? I craft! This past weekend I learned a little bit more about my new sewing machine and "restructured" a few things for Olivia. These shorts once were consignment store capris. I cut of the cute cuff, then resewed it on at the top for shorts and covered the seam with ric-rac. The tee shirt was made with the leftover scraps and fusible webbing. I got the idea from one of those cute, but expensive, kids clothing companies. Sorry, she wasn't in the mood to model.

I also made a few more of the scrabble tile charms. They are really fun to make. I made a "Twilight" one for the library media center at school - they are having a movie party this week with trivia. I hope the winner likes it.

Last, I teach across the hall from the wood shop. You never know what kind of smells or sounds I am going to endure in a day! But, one of the perks is getting things cut and scraps! I'm going to turn these little blocks into those cute reversible spring/summer blocks I've seen on the blogs.

Hope these ideas help you destress - they certainly help me!

A Spring Wreath

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon some brown tulle begging to be used. You see, the original owners of this tulle only saw one use for the beautiful decoration. I saw many possibilities and, therefore, dug it out of the trash can. A friend Kari saw me with these huge mound of tulle and challenged me to make something with it. Thus, my first brown tulle creation. And Kari, you can spray paint plastic easter eggs!

Easter's On It's Way!

Daniel's 3rd Birthday with Thomas the Train

We had a fun time at Daniel's Birthday party this weekend. He loves Thomas the Train and his GeoTrax, so we had a train themed party. The invitations looked like little tickets. My favorite painter student painted a Thomas and Percy for photographs.

Olivia helped everyone get a tattoo.

And we all enjoyed cake and ice cream.

Happy 3rd Birthday, my big boy Daniel!

Kids do the darndest things..

Olivia woke up at 3:30 this morning (she was sleeping with me as Jeff is at work). She asked if we could get up and I said no. She went ahead and got up and came back to get me. I insisted that she lay back down and get some more sleep. This is what I woke up to a few minutes ago....

The things they do.....

Reuse Business Card Magnets

Works for Me Wednesday....with "We Are THAT Family"

We get business ad magnets stuck to our phone books. I have thrown many of these away. Not anymore...plain ones cost $2.50 for a 5 x 8" sheet at Hobby Lobby. The particular magnet sheet I worked with today was from an attorney's office and had a 2007 calendar printed on it, of no use to us as it was.

Start with any size business magnet, Mod Podge and a photo. I put a coat of Mod Podge on the magnet and then placed my photo on top. Let it dry a little while and simply trim around the edges. Place on your fridge and enjoy. I'm going to start watching for these and make magnets for grandparents throughout the year.

These could also be used for schedules, chore charts, medicine lists, phone numbers, party invitations, etc.

A New Look and Valentine's Day

In anticipation for the upcoming (yes, it is coming) spring, I found a new look for my blog.

Olivia had a good time at her classroom Valentine party last week. We made her "bug" Valentines and her bucket. She also gave her teacher a special Valentine. I found the ideas for the bugs and the hands in one of my favorite magazines, Family Fun. Olivia's skirt was mine when I was little, my grandmother made it. I want to learn to sew.

We spent the Valentine's Weekend getting the house back in order and letting the kids rest and play in their rooms. We also made a cookie kit that her friends, Abigail and Tyler, got Olivia for her birthday. More people in the area have gotten their power back on, but there are still lots of limbs and trees down.

Scrabble Tile Pendants

My friend Nancy and I made Scrabble Tile Pendants for Christmas presents. Imagine my surprise when a friend, RaAnn, emailed and asked if I would make some to sell!

I had so much fun making these for Amy - and hope her friend loves them.