What I've Been Up To

Well, if you are a regular follower of my blog, you'll notice I've made some changes.  Words can't express how excited I am to have created a button and header for my blog!  Google and I are BFFs ♥.  Seriously though, I feel so accomplished and all thanks to wonderful people out there who share information.  I created my header using the information from this blog.  I can't even remember all of the sights I used to help with my button.  It also helped that I found great freebies from my Lettering Delights order.  Without the backgrounds, I wouldn't have been able to do it!  Okay, enough with my Academy Award Thank You speech...

Our school is still closed on Fridays so off to Costco I went (yesterday).  I knew there were 2 things I had to get there...but, do we ever just stick to our list?  I never do, especially at places like Target and Costco.  I needed a shelf of some sort to house my teachers editions in my room near my desk.  I figured they wouldn't have anything like that, but that I'd check anyways.  Well look at this baby I picked up:

It feels very heavy duty, and can be arranged in pretty much any configuration you'd want.  It was only $25 which I thought was a great price because it really feels secure.  I found this right by the books in a seasonal school supply aisle at my Costco.  This is what the box looks like:

I hope to put this together in my room next week, so I'll let you know what I think of it in action.  Oh, and I got some hopeful news!  My SMARTBoard currently has a work order in place so I am seriously hoping it will be moved.  I'll keep you posted.

I also have been working on some labels.  I took pictures of them before I laminated them to avoid the glare.  I ♥ my laminator!  These are some of the labels I've made for my room:

The Open & Closed signs are for our classroom bathroom.  I'm usually pretty good at remembering when someone has gone to the bathroom, but since this is my first year with one in the room, and the door doesn't lock, I figure it's worth a shot.  I'm not quite sure how I'll put them together so any suggestions are greatly appreciated.  I did order a circle cutter, as recommended by none other than Ladybugs Teacher Files.  I just need to make sure I don't ruin it on the first time.  I'll probably print out a few to play around with so I don't screw these up. 

So that's what I've been up to.  Not a whole lot.  The hubby and I went out to Carrabbas last night (yummm) and it was the first day I've been over my allotted calories since I started logging at myfitnesspal.com.  I made up for it this morning with a sizzling early morning run.  Today we met his parents and brother for lunch at my favorite restaurant Los Reyes.  Unfortunately, they had no AC so we didn't eat there.  Major bummer.  Tonight we'll be going to see my nieces at a music camp performance. 

I'm off to figure out what we'll have for dinner and maybe read some.  See you soon!  Thanks for stopping by :)

Setting Up The Room Day 2

Today I spent about 5 hours working in my room.  Sadly, I think it looks worse than yesterday!  I took some pictures of the progress to show you!

My bookcase is somewhat starting to fill in.  This will house all of my professional literature, curriculum guides, etc. 

My desk!  I am so pleased with these bins from Target!  I LOVE them!

This shelf will house my Math manipulatives.  It is slowly starting to fill in.

I have a great, metal storage cabinet.  Right now I am placing them by subject on the shelves.  Once I have an idea of how much I have, I will start organizing them a little better.  Like I said, I am arranging it based on subject:

• Top Shelf: Science
• Next Shelf: Math
• Next Shelf: S.S.
• Next Shelf:  Reading
• Bottom:  Generic items that can cross over subjects (measuring tools, balances, etc.)

I have arranged my colored printer paper like this since I began teaching.  I LOVE it!  I've seen some other people out there in blog land organizing their paper this way as well.  The sides have three little mesh pockets that perfectly hold my ink refills for my printer! :)

The start of placing items in the cabinet...

This next picture shows my saving grace.  I love it and really probably could not teach without it!

I bought this clipboard at Staples.  I really hated to spend so much money (it was between $10-15), but I know how clumsy I am and I knew the flimsy little ones at Wal-Mart would not cut it.  The clipboard opens up and has storage inside.  This is what I keep on the inside:

• Flashcards: My kids love to practice facts at lunch when they're done eating.  They like to try to beat me, but usually can't!  It's also good to have for when we're waiting in a long line to get in the cafeteria!
• Nurse Kit: Passes for the nurse, bandaids, gloves, alcohol swabs, etc.  A MUST have!
• Referral forms: Luckily, I didn't need these too often this past school year, but I've learned the hard way, you should definitely always have them on hand!
• Class Compliments:  This is something our school does.  When you see a class doing a great job, you give them a compliment form.  What the class does with them varies by class.  When my class earned 15 we would have a little party.
• Pencils & Pens

On the front of the clipboard is my behavior sheet for the week.  I just love this clipboard and it was well worth the money because I have dropped it so many times and I think it still looks great!

So that's what I've done today.  I've really tried to take my time and unpack box by box and really organize everything.  The school is not open tomorrow so I won't be able to go in, but I'll be busy making some labels for my room! 

Setting Up The Room Day 1

Okay, so I worked in my classroom today for about 4 1/2 hours.  I took some pictures to show you so far. 

This is the back and side of the classroom.  This is what you see when you walk in the door and look towards the back.  I have a HUGE pile of boxes to go through....ahhh!!!!

This is the side of the room.  This would be on your left from the doorway.  I'm not a HUGE fan of having the computers like this, but the configuration of the room is just funky and I think I'm going to have to have it this way.  That's the bathroom as well.  I'm hoping to cover that ugly gray cabinet with some cute contact paper :).  I temporarily put the headphones in the green baskets just to see how they looked.  I like it!  P.S.  Can you tell from all my bags and umbrella that I ♥ paisley?!

This is the front of the room and the bane of my existence...the SMARTBoard.  I HATE its placement.  Not only is it way off center, but it is ridiculously low.  The pen tray is not even two feet off the ground.  I wouldn't mind if I taught CD, but I teach 3rd grade.  I'm fingers crossed hoping that they will move it.  As it is now, I can't have my laptop cart where I would like (or anything really) because it can't fit between the wall and the SMARTBoard.  If I have to keep it this way, I will, but I don't like my kidney table being out that much.  I would like the setup I had last year:

Ignore the mess.  You can see the tables I'm talking about way in the background.  Sorry, this is the only picture I have!  This setup was perfect.  I could easily access my laptop, "desk", and guided reading kidney table.  Okay, enough complaining.  Next picture...

This is the doorway/entrance.  The before is on the left and the afters are on the right.  Definitely not near completion, but it's a start.

So that's all I got accomplished today.  I'm hoping to go back tomorrow if I'm not too sore!

I'm linking this up to Empowering Little Learners.  She's having a linky party about how your room is set up.  Yes, I am totally aware of the fact that my room is far from set up, but it's a start.  I should have some more photos up tomorrow so be sure to check back!  Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

Busy Creating

As much as I am dying to get to my school today (minus practically having to wear a gas mask...read more about that here), I decided against it.  First of all, it's raining all day.  Second, I have totally neglected my house recently.  It's not good when your husband looks at you and asks, "What happened to our house?"  I have a huge pile of laundry that needs to be ironed.  Tons of things to take care of here.  Plus, I have class tomorrow so I'll already be out.  I don't live very close to where I work.  My school is on the way home from my class, so I'll just make one big trip tomorrow.  I'm hoping my husband will come home pleasantly surprised that the house looks liveable nice.

Anyways, I have been busy updating some things I've used in the past, but never thought to make them all pretty!  I am really excited about these.  Feel free to use them and if you would like me to personalize one for you, just leave a comment and I'll be happy to.  I'm not sure how to put my gadget for you to e-mail me on the blog yet...I'm trying to get there!

Data Notebook Cover.  I store the following things in my data notebook:  Running records, MAP scores, placement tests, writing samples, etc.

Sunshine Notebook Cover.  This is my notebook that has all of my sweet notes from students, parents, and colleagues. 

POD Notebook Cover.  This is what I got the binder for I showed you yesterday.  I still can't find where I got the original idea for.  I will have dividers with folders inside with labels like Fill Out & Return, To File, Important Information, etc.  This will house the papers I accumulate throughout the day

DOG Folder:  We use folders for our students to take home every day.  This will go in the folder cover.

Here's a preview of what they look like.  The above links are for PDF files.  I also included the spine for the Sunshine Notebook.  I reused a binder from college so the spine currently says Teaching S.S.  I got kind of tired of that!











Like I said, the links are PDFs so the fonts are a little cuter.  Hope you can use these!  I'm off to keep doing some housework!

I'm Back!

Wondering where I've been?  Well, I have still been stalking reading blogs, but have had to resist the urge to do a big post because I had to get my butt in gear with grad school.  I've taken classes all summer and I think I used up all of my motivation during Summer I.  I just had no motivation during Summer II.  It also does not help that I discovered all of these wonderful blogs during Summer II and would literally spend hours perusing the internet and not working on my papers.  The next thing I know, my husband is calling to tell me he's on his way home and I've gotten nothing accomplished!  I also just took the PRAXIS II: Teaching Reading this past Saturday so I was busy studying for that as well.  Anyways, I am pretty much done now, so I feel I have some freedom. 

I am beyond all kinds of excited to find out that I can (possibly...fingers crossed!) get into my classroom tomorrow.  I have been by here and there to drop off my multiple thrifty shopping finds.  HOWEVER, and this is a big one...my room stinks.  Like, smells terrible.  I could barely stomach being in there to drop off my stuff and don't know how I'll be able to work in there for hours upon hours.  The problem is most of the room is carpeted.  It used to be a TMD classroom with lots of, er, accidents.  The AC has been off a while.  Get my drift?  They were supposed to shampoo the carpets, but true to what I heard, that is not happening.  So I plan to go in armed with spray good smells, my Shark Vacuum Cleaner (LOVE!), and some Arm & Hammer Carpet Deodorizer.  We'll see how it goes.  I do have a few awesome buys to show you.  Keep in mind, most of it is already at my school.  This is just what I had here and what I might have bought today ;)

First up, Target.  Can I just say how much I love Target.  I know I'm not alone in my obsession love for  the Bullseye.

Here's what you see:

• 3 Finger Pointers----> Dollar Bin!
• 5 Storage Boxes.  Regularly $5.99;  on sale for $5.00
• Blue Storage Box.  Don't even get me started.  I have looked everywhere for a blue or green.  I got 5 a long time ago, but had to get 2 yellows.  I finally came to grips with the fact that I would just have to spray paint one of the yellow ones.  Anyways, I finally found this and was in heaven!  I plan to do this with them.  I know some of you have pictures of this on your blog of how you've done this in your classroom.  I of course cannot seem to remember whose blog I saw this on so please let me know if it was yours :)
• Pom-Poms and pipe cleaners (also dollar bin!)
• 4 small pencil sharpeners (one for each group)
• Googly eyes (I want to create a Mr. Spacer)
• Fabric book covers.  I got one of each size because I'd also like to do this.  I'm just not sure which size I'll need.

Next, Staples.  Can I just say how much I love Staples back to school sales?  This is what I picked up today:

Here's what I got:

• Avery Tabs (pre-numbered!).  I will use these either for my communication log or data notebook.  I have a very transient population so it's much easier for me to assign numbers and organize information and data that way.
• 10 folders for $.10 each
• 2 packs of erasers for $.10 each
• 2 packs of white out for $.50 each
• 2 packs of black sharpies for $.25 each
• 2 packs of paper clips for $.50 each
• Bright poster markers (can't remember how much)

I also used my 15% off card...sweet!

Wal-Mart...I consider it a necessary evil.  This is what I picked up

The blue tub was only $3!  I was pretty excited about that.  I'd like to do something like this with it (scroll down to clipboard storage).  The binder I got to put on my desk to organize papers I get throughout the day.  I swear, I have GOT to start pinning all of these ideas.  I got this idea from a fabulous blogger.  I'll try to find the source later.

Ikea:  I was super excited to go there.  It was my first time and I picked these up for my classroom:

I'm not sure what I'll do with the plastic bins yet, but I'm SURE they'll find a home in my classroom.  In the back are book/magazine bins that my students will use as their book baskets.

I've also been going through my files and have some things you might like.  Check them out and hopefully you can use them!

This is what I keep on my clipboard.  It is extremely helpful for the end of the day when it comes time to write down why little Johnny is on Think About It instead of Outstanding. :)

Update:  I changed the following into PDFs.  For those of you who use the clip chart in your classroom, this is a chart I glue in their communication logs every week.  I reduce the size to about 80% so it will fit in their journal

• Conduct Calendar with positive and negative behaviors (good for a rushed end of the day)
• Conduct Calendar plain
• Conduct Calendar plain and in Spanish

I apologize in advance if these links don't work.  I've been having a lot of trouble with Google Docs this afternoon.  If you would like for me to email you a copy customized with your name & class at the top, leave a comment and let me know! 

Okay, I have already written WAY too much, but it feels good to be back!  Please feel free to comment or e-mail me with any questions or comments you have!  Thanks for sticking with me! :)

Back to School Bonanza

Have you heard about this?  It is all over the place!  I am so excited about all of these giveaways!  This amazing package includes fabulous creations from these awesome people:



































Are you kidding me?!  Amazing!  Wanna see what all you can win?  Head on over to Erica Bohrer's First Grade!

I Survived Linky Party

When I saw what this Linky party was on, I knew I had to join!  Here are some of my war funny stories.  Like Karla said on her story, they definitely were not funny at the time, but I can look back now and laugh.  Here are just a few (I really think we could write some funny books!)

1. I was teaching at a Title 1 school with some severe behavior issues.  I started out with 25 fifth graders which was a normal class size for non-title one schools with students who didn't have such behavior issues.  I had 25 until mid-year.  I survived it!
2. I had a student accuse me of doing the devils work. 
3. The same student swung a yard stick at me when he didn't get his mp3 player back.
4. I had a special friend who would switch back and forth between different personalities.  He also enjoyed running from adults and hiding under desks.  When I would try to document with my camera he would jump back in his seat and say "Haha, you couldn't catch me!"

There are so many more I could include.  Even though some days are crazy, I love my students and my job!

Head on over to Life in Special Education to join in the fun!

Back to School Kickoff!

We all love freebies right?  Well check this out...

"Teaching Heart ( www.teachingheart.net ) is hosting their annual back to school party on July 24th till July 30th.  Each Day a new prize!  Gift cards, Books, Teaching Heart Products, and more!!!  Plus a free printable will be posted during the week.  You need to visit the blog at; http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/ 
daily to check out the prizes each day and enter for the ones you want to win!!!"

Head on over there!  I am really excited and can't wait until next week!

A Quick School Day Recipe

I am loving all of the Linky parties out there and Clutter-Free Classrooms is no exception.  Have you seen her week long Linky party?

P.S. I have no idea how to make this picture into a link without the HTML code.  Anyone have any tips?

So today's prompt is a recipe that I make often during the school year.  If you ask my husband, he would probably tell you that I make everything pretty often because I don't have a wide cooking range.  However, one of my favorite meals to make takes no time and I can get work done while it's cooking.  Sorry, I have no pictures!

Chili (makes about 8 servings?  I have no idea!)

1 lb. ground turkey (you could easily use ground beef...that's what my mom uses!)

1/2 packet chili seasoning (I use Chil-O because it has no onions!)

1 can tomato sauce

2 cans Bush's Chili Beans (I use the hot.  You can use mild or none at all.  You want 3 total cans of beans though)

1 can pinto beans

Chili powder to taste.

Directions: 

1. In large pot or skillet, cook ground turkey until done and drain off any fat.  Add 1/2 packet of chili seasoning to meat.
2. Add tomato sauce and beans to meat.  Stir and cook on low to medium heat, stirring often. 
3. Taste occasionally and add in chili powder to taste. 
4. Chili is done when it is heated through.  We normally add a little shredded cheese to ours when we eat it :)

That's it!  It's really easy and allows me to do some work while it's cooking.  I would say from start to finish it takes around 30 minutes.  You can easily double the recipe.  This recipe is actually half of my mom's original.  We normally both eat 2 bowls and there is plenty leftover for lunch the next day.  Since there are no onions or greens in it, your kids will probably enjoy it too!

I'm linking up to The Clutter-Free Classroom....check out all of the great recipes here!

Droolworthy Giveaway

Just take a minute and enjoy these pictures...

You may have had to refrain yourself from licking the screen...or is that just me?  The Third Wheel is giving away a $25 Godiva gift card.  Pure amazingness!  Wanna win it for yourself? Head on over to The Third Wheel and register!  Stay a while and check out her super cute website while you're there! :)

*All images from the Godiva website*

101 Follower Giveaway

As a teacher, I LOVE free things.  Have you seen these on Pinterest?

Well, they are all over blog land!  Miss Megan over at Kindergarten Teacher Tales is giving away one of the use beauties.  You get your choice of background and whether you want the wrappers on or off.

Wanna win this for yourself?  Head on over to Kindergaren Teacher Tales!

How I've Spent My Summer...

Check out the Clutter Free Classroom for the How I Spent My Summer Linky party.  There will be a new topic everyday so check daily!

It's really hard for me to believe school will be starting soon.  We got back on the 10th and the students start on the 16th.  This summer has really flown by, partially because of the way I have spent it.  I have spent pretty much all summer sitting in one of two places:  class or on my couch.  I have been writing lots of papers for grad school. 

Early in June, my husband and I went to visit his grandparents who live in Thomasville, GA.

On June 20, my husband and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary (although we've been together since freshman year of high school!).  We went out to eat at Carrabbas (yummmm!)

In late June, I went with my mom, sister, and aunt to Bottles and Brushes.  It's a place where you create your own painting and can drink as well, although I did not.  I have zero artistic ability and I'm pretty sure adding in some drinks would not be a good idea!

I have also been doing some crafting.  Check out my DIY Necklace Holder & my DIY Bulletin Board.

This past weekend I went with my mom, sister, and niece to Charlotte.  We went to Carowinds & Ikea.  I'm pretty sure I ruined just about every picture I was in by being crazy. 

I asked for a picture in front of Ikea and they thought I was joking.  I was dead serious.

Looking at these pictures I realize I need to stop giving the thumbs up all the time and being a hunchback...ohhhh dear.

So that's how I spent my summer.  I started blogging and continue to stalk read other people's blogs daily.  I am loving all of the information out there and can't wait to see everyone's classrooms :)

Check out the Linky party here!

My Teacher Always Says...

I really should be in bed right now.  I need to get up at 5 a.m. tomorrow as I'm going with my mom and sister to Charlotte to go to Carowinds and Ikea.  Yes, Ikea.  I am SO freaking excited I can't stand it.  I've never been before!  I am absolutely dreading leaving my computer because all I can think about are all of the wonderful blog posts and linky parties I'll be missing :(  Just more to catch up on Sunday I suppose!

ANYWAYS, Mrs. Bainbridge's Class is hosting her first linky party called My Teacher Always Says.  It's really hard for me to think of all of my sayings, so I'm sure I'm forgetting a TON!  Here goes...

1.  Okay.  Seriously...I had to tape myself teaching for a class I was taking and I couldn't believe the number of times I said okay in this 10 minute lesson!  I try not to say it that often, but I just can't!

2.  "Do not suck your teeth at me unless you need floss."  They always get a giggle out of this :)

3.  "Does Mrs. Walton do __________ to you? (No m'am)  Okay then, please don't do that to me."  You name it, rolling eyes, sucking teeth, saying 'huh', talking back, etc.

4.  "Is this an emergency because it's going to cost your group points?"  We had a major bathroom issue so I started to keep tallies of when they went to the bathroom based on groups.  At the end of the day, the group with the fewest tallies got 5 points towards their group.  The group at the end of the week with the most points gets to go to the prize box.  They get points for other things too like listening, etc.  The tallies for the bathroom really cut down on wanting to get out of class and I knew if they asked to go it was an emergency.

5.  "Hug or high-five?"  All students had to either hug or high-five me at the end of the day when they left, whether their day was awesome or not so great.  I also greet every student with a cheerful "Good Morning!" when school starts.

6.  "I love the way that ___________ is doing ________.  Thank you so much for following the expectations!"  I say this a lot!

I'm sure there are more, but these are all I can think of now.  Head on over to Mrs. Bainbridge's Class and join in the fun! :)

Giveaway!

I was looking around on Pinterest (which I LOVE by the way) and I came across Teaching in Flip Flops.  I was SOOO excited to see this giveaway for this adorable Scentsy warmer. 

  Seriously, how cute is this?!

Wanna win one for yourself?  Head on over to Teaching in Flip Flops!  Her site is adorable!

Blog Mixer Linky

I am really enjoying getting ideas for the upcoming school year via blogs.  There are so many creative people out there and I am so happy to get inspiration from so many great ladies.  Some of my favorite blogs are on my blog roll ----->

I'm looking forward to finding more blogs via the Yearn to Learn Blog Mix Linky

Find the following and keep the party going!

1.  A blogger who is a "New Kid on the Blog"
(Let's say someone who has blogged 2 months or less and has less than 200 followers)

2.  Post a blogger in your same grade level

3.  Post a blogger in a different grade level

4.  It's all about the button. Find a cute blog button and post it.

Okay here we go ...   :)

1.  Be sure to check out Sarah @ The Fabulous First Grade.  She just got a 1st grade teaching job right out of college....Congrats!

2.  3rd Grade Gridiron can be found here :)  This past year was my first year in 3rd grade (besides student teaching) and I just loved it!

3.  I'm slightly jealous I don't teach "younger" grades because there are SOOOO many creative people out there that seem to teach Kindergarten or 1st like Frogs, Bees, & Under the Seas

4.  Umm, can I just say I am STOKED I figured out this button code thingy.  Next step, creating my own...yeah, let's not get ahead of ourselves!  I love Education Journey's button.  So stinkin cute!

Christmas in July Giveaway

I was so excited when I saw the giveaway for this cute little sign at Miss Kindergarten:

Wanna win it (and some other great things)?  Head on over to Little Miss Kindergarten.  I never win anything so I'm crossing my fingers and toes :)

Class Jobs

As I was avoiding doing the work I need to do for grad school, I somehow ended up at Keeping Up with the Kindergartners blog.  Please tell me I am not the only one who gets to a blog and has no clue how I ended up getting there (constant clicking of links...).  It's definitely not a bad thing but sometimes I have like 10 windows or tabs open (much to my husband's dismay!).  Anyways, I saw a Linky Party for Classroom Jobs and thought I would join!  It's always so interesting to see the jobs other teachers have in their classrooms and the systems in place. 

We are the Delightful Dogs and our job chart says: Helping Paws;  Our Weekly Jobs.  I have a picture of my job chart, BUT my school camera is there...at school.  Boo.  And my room is all packed up and I can't begin to guess what box it is in out of 187,298,279 boxes (maybe not that many...but it certainly feels that way). 
In my classroom, every student has a job and it is changed weekly.  I choose who gets what job, but the other 3rd grade teacher lets the students choose their jobs.  It's just best (for my sanity!) to avoid the conflict of ____ always getting to be this job, etc.  The job I appreciate the most is my Teacher Assistant.  This is the student who does anything I need, like taking things to the office, going to ask other teachers things, etc.  I usually try to choose a reliable student who had a really good prior week.  Here are some of the other jobs I have:

• Table Washer (2 of them.  They clean the lunch tables and classroom tables as well)
• Sweeper
• Energy Monitor (lights and computers)
• Line Leader
• Door Holder
• Substitute (They fill in for students who are absent.  If a student had a really bad prior week they are usually the substitute)
• Librarian (They put classroom library books up;  Take school library books up for the class before media time)
• Boy's Bathroom Checker
• Girl's Bathroom Checker (They check for trash and pick it up, check for writing on the wall, etc.  They check before we go to the bathroom as a class and after everyone is finished)
• Equipment Manager (They take our crate with recess materials out)
• There is one more job but I can't remember it for the life of me.  Of course I can't find my file on my flash drive either...)

I believe that's everything.  I do the exact same thing she does and we line up in line order except for the line leader and door holder.  Although there are still complaints about the person ahead moving to slow... :)  I'm really looking forward to reading about everyone's jobs!

Daily Schedule 2010-2011

I noticed during my blog stalking reading I happened upon a Linky Party over at Simply 2nd Resources for Daily Schedule and thought I would join in!  As a teacher, it is so hard to fit everything in and so helpful to see what others are doing!  This past year I taught Third Grade Academy.  The students in my class were identified as struggling readers.  So in my class I had to teach the regular curriculum AND a reading and math intervention.  Whew!  Basically I had to teach everything a "regular" third grade teacher taught and squeeze in 30 minutes each of intervention for reading and math and 30 minutes of computer time for the online component (which may or may not be on my schedule).

So here is my schedule from this past school year (I am hoping this google docs works :)
I should point out this is from April to the end of the school year for testing. 

This is the schedule we used for most of the year.  The main difference between the two is for most of the year we had only Science or S.S. and when we were preparing for the PASS test we changed it so that students would get Science and S.S. each day.

I taught 5th grade the year before and we had the PERFECT schedule.  We met all of our minutes for learning and were departmentalized.  If you're interested, this is the schedule we had.  Sorry it is so brief. I can't seem to locate my copy I had typed up so I tried to go straight from memory.

I hope all of those links work as this is my first time using Google Docs!  PLEASE leave a comment and let me know if they don't work. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's schedule!

DIY Necklace Holder

So, I have an great jewelry holder.  However, I have had quite an obsession with necklaces recently and my purchases would not allow my jewelry holder to close since most of them were too long.  So I knew I would need to make a necklace holder.  I set off to Google and googled DIY necklace holder.  There are so many out there!  I really LOVED this one:

source

 But, I didn't have the tools for it :(.  So, I decided to go with a picture frame.  A few years ago I bought a whole bunch of frames in a big package on the day after Thanksgiving.  They have been sitting untouched for quite some time.  I got some gorgeous blue spraypaint and was ready to begin.  UNTIL...

I took out the frame and realized they were plastic!  No wonder they were so cheap I thought to myself.  So, I couldn't use my pretty blue spraypaint since it wasn't made for plastic.  Instead, I got a tan plastic spraypaint (Krylon Satin Khaki for Plastic) and sprayed away!  Once it dried, I assembled it.  I pretty much followed my DIY Bulletin Board arrangement.  I cut out a piece of bulletin board roll and foam board to fit in the frame.  Then, I hot glued them together.  I cut out a piece of light blue scrapbook paper and hot glued it on top of the bulletin board paper.  I really wanted a light blue because it ties into our bedding:

You will soon learn Gizmo is a ham and he loves to be photographed.  And please ignore the wrinkled comforter.  So, here is the final jewelry holder in all of it's (simple) glory!

I just used clear pushpins to hang the necklaces from.  This is nothing fancy, but I love it.  And to show you where it is in relation to my other jewelry holder:

Excuse the flash.  That box at top opens up to hold the rest of my shorter necklaces, earing, etc.  This project took no time and it was super easy!

I'm linking up to all of these great places! here, here, and here
Polly Want a Crafter?
Amaze Me Mondays at Dittle Dattle
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Made By You Monday at Skip to my Lou
Something I Whipped up at The Girl Creative
Making the World Cuter Monday
Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple
Making Monday Marvelous at C.R.A.F.T.
Craftomaniac Monday
Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick
Creative Bloggers Party Hop at Homeaker on a Dime

Whew!  That's a lot!  On a total sidenote, I pride myself on my technology knowledge, but I just can't seem to figure out these buttons everyone has codes for.  Thus the reason for all of the links.  Can anyone provide any help for me?  Thanks!