December Monday Made-It

Oh my goodness, December is already here and I only have 2 weeks left until my Winter Break. Now how exciting is that? I realized that it has been a while since I linked up with 4th Grade Frolics for some Monday Made-it. I definitely would like to share with all my wonderful bloggy friends what I have been up to this month. So . . . here I go!

Acrylic Sub Tub

My good friend's birthday is coming up and I decided to hand make her a gift this year instead of buying something she might not need or like. Recently I have been obsessed with acrylic items; from my acrylic bed tray to my acrylic EC recipe box. So, when my friend Aris from Sailing into Second, introduced me to an acrylic file organizer from Target turned into a sub tub I just had to get myself one. 

Below is a picture of the one I made for myself:

(Yes, I was too lazy to take my tub out of my shelf. Don't judge!)

Here is the one I made my friend:

(I feel like the one I made her came out WAY better than mine. LOL)

Aaaaannnddd . . . here is what I mean by obsessed with acrylic:

(I even had to get myself an acrylic pencil holder, which is really a straw holder)

Nautical Whales Book Hospital & Box Top Bucket

This past summer, I remember going to Learning in Wonderland's  blog and telling myself that I needed to make myself a nautical book hospital and box top bucket like she did for her owl themed classroom. However, that project got put on hold since I was teaching a 2/3 combo class for the first 2 months of this school year. BUT now that I am a regular 3rd grade class teacher again, I have time during weekends and breaks to actually craft like I like to! I was finally able to create my projects using my Cricut Explore:

(I'm SO happy with how my project turned out! You can't tell from this pic, but the whale to the left is also holding a box top sticker)

Winter Classroom Projects

Pinterest has seriously been my best friend this past year. I saw this awesome D.I.Y for kids using mason jars as snow globes and decided to try it to test out the level of difficulty. It actually is a very easy project, especially if you have parent helpers helping in the classroom. I will be having my kiddos bring in an empty and unlabeled glass jar to school next week along with a picture of themselves. I also used my Cricut Explore to make labels that say, "There SNOW Place Like Home". Just search for "mason jar snow globes" on Pinterest and you will find all the directions and list of materials needed!

(Believe it or not I don't print out pictures and this old picture of me feeding a deer at the SD Wild Animal Safari Zoo was the only picture I could find of myself)

 Elf on a Shelf Delivery

Tomorrow, Santa will be delivering my Elf on a Shelf book along with a letter to my class. My sister made this awesome bow and I am using Jaimie Knudson from Kinder World Way Elf on a Shelf resources and note tags this year. I can't wait for my class to meet their elf!

 Stampin' Up

Isn't my sister so crafty? She held a stamp class for my teacher friends this past Sunday. These are the cards we all made! My favorite one is the car with the Christmas tree and the snow angel. I just hung mine up on my mini tree.

 O.C.D Tendencies

Lately I have been getting WAY too many clip art (I mean can you blame me? They're just SO cute!) and I was starting to lose track of what I had already purchased or not. So . . . my crazy, anal, needs to be organized or my life is chaotic self; was inspired by Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd's "Organize Your TpT Cover" to organize ALL MY CLIP ART COLLECTION! 

This is what my file cover and 2 out of 10 pages of my clip art file looks like:

(Don't you just love the Aztec background paper? I'm also obsessed with collecting digital background paper if you can't tell)

As you can see, when I need a file I can just open my document open on my laptop and see if I have the clip art already or not. I am still working on adding the actual title of each clip art above each picture. My summer plan is to have all my digital files that I purchased on TpT also organized by subject. Life is just easier when it is organized, that is all I can say! 

Whew . . . what a long post! 

October Currently: Fall is Here!!!

Whee . . . it's October! I know for some teachers this is their least favorite time of the year due to the kiddos being on a sugar high, costume crazy frenzy; but I heart Halloween! I can't wait until October 31st and do some Spook-tacular activities with my class. (I know a lot of you out there are excited that Halloween falls on a Friday this year).

BUT, in the meantime, I will settle for the beginning of October and enjoy all the food and fruits that the fall season brings. Beginning of October also means ... drum rolls please ... October Currently! I am linking up with Farley from Oh'Boy 4th Grade again.

Listening

All About that Bass by Meghan Trainor. I am seriously obsessed with this song. It is so catchy and the message to young ladies all women to accept their own body is pretty powerful too. I love that Jimmy Fallon did a classroom instruments version on the Tonight Show.

Loving

It's my momma's birthday tomorrow! The end of September and first week of October is a tough one for me when it comes to buying gifts and making cards because not only is it my mother's birthday in October 2nd, but my sister's birthday is a week before hers on September 28. Ooof...my poor wallet!

I am SO in love with the way my card turned out. Of course, I won't take all the credit. I asked my sister to help me cut the actual 3-D box while I stamped, used the big shot, and cut my heart away. I hope my mom loves her card as much as I do!

Thinking

Still thinking about winter break and starting a countdown on my desktop calendar. Enough said!!!

Wanting

Oh...another reason why October is wonderful... it means I am that much closer to Black Friday shopping. I know that Silhoutte did a BOGO last year of their machine. I had a tight budget last year, so I am hoping this will be the year I can get me one. This way, I can have one in my classroom and one at home. 

                                

And, I really need to get my way to Michaels since they have 50% off coupon this week. I want me one of these awesome Fuji Film Instax cameras. Of course, mine is going to be the pink one!

Wanting

To spare everyone from too much T.M.I, let's just keep it simple and say that I need a day to pamper myself. I tend to always forget to do what I need to for myself once the school year starts. I am hoping this weekend I will be able to go take care of all my essential maintenance routine!

Trick or Treat

"Trick or treat, smell my feet . . . give me something good to eat!" Yes . . . I am SUPER mature! I think I even on both. I need a good trick (spook) but I equally want all my treats!