Monday Made It & 100th Post (read all the way through)!

Oh my gosh, you guys. I remember when I wrote my first post almost two years ago. I literally remember feeling like I was writing to no one (and I was) and that no one would ever find this little blog! Well, although I still find it strange that people enjoy reading my ramblings, it makes me feel good to say that this is my 100th post! Well, I have a little surprise for you, so make sure you read all the way to the bottom :)

I am linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics to link up for Monday Made It!

This may not be anything too exciting to you all...but I have NEEDED something to keep my life in order at school. I am the queen of post-its! Which is fine, except they blow away, get covered by other post-its, kids can see them, etc. I needed something that would organize me! So, after about 2 hours yesterday, I came up with this:

Can you just pretend with me for a second that this is LIFE-CHANGING!? I think it is so great that I am giving it to my blog followers for FREE! Just click here to download as a PDF!

You may have noticed I only have one "Made It"... that is because I am JUST getting into the groove of creating things again, so it is taking me a bit to get back in the saddle. I'm sure you won't mind, because in honor of my 100th post, I have decided to have a little giveaway!

AND, the best part is that the more entries we get, the more winners we will have! For every 500 entries, there will be TWO winners! So, be sure to share the giveaway image everywhere to increase the number of winners :) I will choose a winner July 31st after the giveaway ends.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck, and thanks for being a loyal follower!

Monday Made It - No Name Board

I wish I had blogged about this last year after I made my no name board...but I needed to make a new one since the old one didn't totally go with my classroom decor. And, we ALL know how important it is to have things coordinate!

I found this pin last summer and thought it was a genius idea. How many times do kids leave your room and there are either papers on the floor that should be in binders OR a test was turned in without a name!? Too many to count I bet! This puts the accountability on the student. I don't grade something unless it has a name, so, if a student wants a grade and didn't get his/her paper back, they check the no name board.

Here is how I made mine:

Start with a wooden plaque (or you could use a piece of foam board that you have laying around) and some acrylic paint. I knew I wanted to paint mine a teal-ish color, but couldn't find the right color. I mixed mine to get the perfect combination. Paint the top and sides completely and let dry. I did 2 1/2 coats or so. You don't want any wood showing through.

While the paint was drying, I made my letters using my cricut and some adhesive backed vinyl. Don't fret if you don't have a way to do this. You can use any sticker letter that is available at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, JoAnn's or any craft store. You could also use cut paper, etc. So many possibilities.

Mark the center of your plaque so that your letters end up being centered. Ideally this is what should happen. Pay no attention to the fact that mine are completely of center because I measured incorrectly. It's going to be fine. In case you are wondering, I used washi tape to mark the center so that it was easily removable and wouldn't leave residue. 

Ok, they aren't SO badly off-center, right? 

Once, they are where you want them to be, apply a layer of mod podge on top. Let it dry completely!

Remember these from the other day? I made 7 of them by taking regular clothespins from Walmart and covering with washi tape. They look designer!

When the mod podge is dry, glue the clothespins to the wood by using either hot glue or wood glue. I used hot glue because I didn't want to wait for it to totally dry... and I kind of wished I had. 

I'll be sure to post a picture of it in my classroom when I finish setting it up!

Can't wait to see what everyone else who linked up with Tara at 4th grade frolics made!

Monday Made It!

I have a few things I whipped up on Sunday afternoon to share with you today! I am linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for her Monday Made It linkup.

Before I could start making anything, I had to run a *few* errands! Knowing Monday would be my first day to get into my classroom to start setting up, I needed to get some of these...15 to be exact!

I know I could have found them cheaper somewhere else, but in the grand scheme of things, how much would I have really saved? Probably not enough to warrant me going shopping in this disgusting heat wave we seem to be having! Anyhow, I bought 15 so that each pair of students would have one. I plan to use these as my INB supply boxes. I am going to work on labeling this this week and be back with a post of what goes in them later!

Next up was Target. A friend of mine told me how inexpensive Five-Star Notebooks were at Target and I had to scoop some up. I bought 6, one for each class period so that each class has their own "model notebook." I had trouble keeping up with 3 last year, so I certainly hope I do a better job of keeping up with 6! If you are using these instead of composition books, run--do not walk--to Target. These babies are $1.89!

Also, at Walmart I picked up these deals. The index cards are neon (my fave!) for under $1 per pack. I know the white ones are on sale everywhere...but I love the colored ones! I also found post-it notes cheaper than the dollar store (not much...$0.97) but hey! Every cent counts! Plus, the colors were way brighter...and that makes me want to use more of them.

 I was going to get some plain magnet tape, because I am always putting it on the back of posters that I want to stay on the board, but I hate how it always curls. I found these packs of magnet strips that are pre-cut, and they come 18 in a pack for less than $1! $0.97 seemed to be the magic price at Walmart! I got 3 packs. I have no idea what I will use it for, but I like to be ready :)

Last but not least...my clothespins. I went looking in my craft room for my bag of clothespins the other night and couldn't find them ANYWHERE. Seriously, I know it is a mess in there...but it's like they had runaway from home. Had to buy a new bag. Why? Keep reading :)

HOME MADE IT:

I made this lotion in March and it went over so well with my mom and some friends that I had to make more! I love to use lotion, but hate when it is greasy...and this is perfect! It is light, but thick at the same time and feels so luxurious when you use it. And, it makes 24 ounces of lotion! I did not come up with this recipe on my own...I adapted it from this pin. I swapped the Vaseline for Coconut Oil because I thought it might be greasy...I never tried it, so it may work for you!

Here's what you need:

15 oz of baby lotion (any scent...any brand--mine is from the Dollar Tree)

Twin pack of Vitamin E skin care cream (only found at Walmart on the bottom shelf of the lotion aisle)

2/3 cup of coconut oil (any brand will do...mine is from Sprouts, but I have used from Whole Foods, too)

Pour all ingredients into a bowl and whip with a hand mixer for 2-3 minutes making sure that all is incorporated and evenly blended. I periodically stop and scrape down the sides to be sure that there aren't any chunks of coconut oil floating around.

Then, I store it in airtight containers and pass it out to family and friends! I filled 3 of these today, and my mom was most appreciative of her lotion! In case you are wondering, I get these precious glass jars from Hobby Lobby in the glass section. They are normally $4, so just make sure you go when glass is 50% off, which is every other week!

 SCHOOL MADE IT:

I did make these supply labels to put on my storage containers at school. Well, I actually made them two weeks ago...but, I finally got around to printing and laminating! Like them? You can actually find them in my TPT store here

Also, I decorated my clothespins with some washi tape to go along with another project that will have to wait for next week's Monday Made It!

Aaaaaaand, I just realized how very long this post was! Sorry about that--if you made it to the end, you rock!

Monday Made It -- Wood Plaque Posters

Oh my goodness...I am so excited to share this with you and link up with 4th grade frolics for Monday Made It!

Trust me, this is not some spectacular work of art...but it is easy, and it is cute. And, most importantly, I was able to do it here and there while my in-laws are in town! It's a win for everyone! 

Start with a piece of unfinished wood. I get mine from Hobby Lobby because they are the cheapest there...$2.99 is the regular price for this bad boy. You can spend up to $10 elsewhere. I vary between the different styles, but I got the basic rectangular plaque since I knew my poster would take up most of the space. 

Paint the edges and a border around the top a contrasting color. I didn't have black paint so I used metallic silver. I like that it is glossy and only takes 2 coats. Let it dry completely. This is important.

Trim down what you want to adhere to the plaque to eliminate any white space. I wish I would have taken a before picture, but I get so excited when I am working on something that we are lucky I remembered to take any pictures. Lay it out on the plaque and make sure it is centered...or off-centered if you like to live on the edge :) Make sure what you have printed is on thick cardstock or photo paper. If printing at home, the photo paper is a must or the ink may bleed when you do the next step. I had mine printed at Office Max for $0.50. A total steal when you think about how much ink this would have used at home.

Apply a layer of mod podge underneath the poster to glue it down. Use the regular orange bottle of mod podge and a sponge brush. Let dry completely before moving onto the next step. I let mine dry overnight.

Then you are ready to "seal" the top. Apply a generous layer of mod podge over the top and around the sides to have that "sheen" around the whole plaque. Make sure you are spreading the mod podge from left to right each time so that it looks neat.

Let it dry. If it looks like this, you are on the right track. I let it dry for about 2 hours. Apply another coat if necessary. I didn't need to this time, but do what works for you!

Then it is time to apply ribbon to the back to hang it. You could always just hang it on the wall as is...but I LOVE ribbon and use it all over my room. These wood plaques are soft enough that I don't even need to get my staple gun. A regular stapler does the trick. 

I staple about 5-6 times on each side and that sucker isn't going anywhere. 

AND...done! I LOVE how it turned out.

If you would like a copy of the poster itself, you can download it from 4mulafun's store on TPT here!

I can't wait to make some more of these!

Monday Made It - Classroom Canvas Decor!

Although I spent the better part of last summer making new things for my classroom, I never took pictures of it and it is now in storage until August! So, I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for the first time for her Monday Made It! This is for sure going to keep me accountable for my classroom to do list.

Disclaimer: this is the 7th of these that I have made...it;s just the first time I remembered to get my phone out for proof! That being said...I now know what NOT to do. If you take pictures or use the remote to change the TV channel, wash the mod podge off of your hands first...there, I said it, so you can't blame me!

Start with a 12x12 inch canvas, 2 pieces of contrasting color/pattern card stock or scrapbook paper that are each 12x12 as well. You need a sponge brush, a small tube of acrylic paint (one that contrasts nicely with your paper), 1/2 yard of trim, some ribbon, and an embellishment of some sort (I heart paper/silk flowers!). Lastly, you will want a jar of mod podge (I like the kind for paper - it doesn't wrinkle as much) and a hot glue gun. Let's get started!

Start with the canvas, sponge brush (1 inch will do) and the paint. I chose to use metallic silver, but choose whatever you like! Oh, be sure to lay something down to prevent ruining your counter tops..I like to use wax paper because it is cheap and it works! Be sure to tape down the edges to prevent sliding.

Begin by painting the spine/edge on all four sides. This just helps your project look complete when you are finished.

Go ahead and paint around the edges of the front of the canvas as well. It doesn't have to be neat since you are covering it up!

See? Not neat at all.

Then get your paper. As you can see, I am an Aggie, and I like everyone who passes my room in the hallway to know just that. I also like chevron and I am so glad that I found two pieces of paper that go so well together. The A&M sheet is scrapbook paper and the chevron piece is heavy card stock. They probably should be the same type of material, but I like to live on the edge.

Before going to the next step, this step is VERY important or your project won't have smooth edges. Since both the canvas and the paper are both 12x12, you need to trim the paper (I just trim about a 1/4 inch off of one side of each and that does the trick)

Now, the sheet that is going to be on top of the canvas needs to be cut in half. You can save the other half for another project!

The bottom half (the chevron page) needs to be separated about 1/3 of the way in. Discard the top portion or put it in your scrap pile. 

This next part needs to be done in two steps, and you must be patient or you will get wrinkled paper! (See above where I said I had made mistakes :))

Start with a thin layer of mod podge and lay the top paper (A&M) down and hold it in place. Make sure it is lined up to where you want it to be. Turn the canvas over and push down to seal it in place and to get rid of any air bubbles. This is crucial. Leave it face down for about a minute, then turn it back over for it to dry. Let it sit for about an hour before doing the same thing with the bottom sheet.

It should look like this while it is drying. I usually put a small layer of mod podge over the seam of paper in the middle to prevent it from popping up.

Now for the fun part! I found this cute floral tulle trim from Hobby Lobby in the fabric department. It is $4.99 a yard which is a bit steep, so wait for it to go on sale. Plus, you only need 1/2 yard for each one of these. I used a coupon and only spent $1.49. Not too bad! DON'T glue it down yet...just lay it in place so you can place the letters down.

Here is a close up of the trim.

I used my cricut to cut the letters, but you could use any diecut letters that you have or buy some stickers in a pattern that you like. When I am pressed for time, I have used vinyl since they already have the adhesive backing...but I didn't have maroon so I had to find some card stock that was laying around in the perfect color! Another tip - place the letters down before you start glueing to avoid disappointment - I mean we have worked so hard so far!

Again, another small layer of mod podge should do the trick to get the letters in place. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Then, put one more layer of mod podge over EVERYTHING including the letters -- but remember to remove the trim!

Let it dry for about 20 minutes.

Hot glue the trim...be careful when working with tulle because glue gets through the tiny little holes!

Add an embellishment or two! I added two flowers and then put an adhesive rhinestone in the middle. Those are hot glued as well.

Find ribbon that is strong enough to hang from the back. I like to make a bow first, but do what fits your style! Lay it on the back, make sure it is even, and use a staple gun to secure it. You could also use any stapler that you have in your home office, this just makes me feel like a DIY'er and I like that :-)

I also will secure the trim to the back with the staple gun at this time. 

ALL DONE!

What do you think?!

List of supplies and average costs:

Canvas - I buy these in multipacks at Michaels with a coupon. 7 for $20, but then 40% off makes each one about $1.71

2 sheets of paper - 59 cents each at Hobby Lobby...but wait for a sale of 50% off!

Mod Podge - $6.99 at Hobb Lobby or Michaels - use a coupon!

Trim - $1.49

Ribbon - $1.99 for the whole roll - orig $3.99, but you guessed it - 50% off at Hob Lob!

Flowers - from a pack I already had - they sell some at Hob Lob abd Michaels, but mine are glittered and came from Archiver's.

Acrylic paint - $0.99

This ended up costing me about $8 since I had some things at home. Not too shabby!

I can't wait to see what the rest of you all made!

Happy creating!