Sitting on Polka Dots

I'm pretty proud of these polka dot bucket seats my husband and I made for my classroom this year.  I had seen the idea on a teacher's website a couple of years ago and had been wanting to make them.  Following her directions, we were going to try to start from scratch and use paint buckets from Lowe's, wood, foam, and fabric.  Well...this project started to get more and more costly and time-consuming as we started to plan it all out.  I couldn't find colored buckets so I was going to have to paint some from Lowe's.  My husband was trying to figure out how he was going to cut the wood and foam to fit the top of the buckets in order to make a sturdy and comfortable seat.  Needless to say we are not exactly "do-it-yourselves" kind of people and this project was looking less and less desirable.  Then, I stumbled upon some bucket seats at Bass Pro.  They had this ugly hunter's fabric on them but I found this polka dot fabric to cover it and make it cute.  The only hitch was getting the fabric part of the seat off so we could use our staple gun to attach my fabric.  My husband saved the day,though, and worked his "muscle magic".  The whole project ended up costing about $33 for the buckets and fabric and was much less time-consuming than starting from scratch.  They make great little seats at my Writing Station and even provide extra storage which I can definitely use. :)

I saw this cute idea for a polka dot computer chair on My Life's Little Pieces.  She just used some spray paint, fabric, and staple gun to transform an old, ugly chair into something cute and fun. Love it!!!  We have an old and ugly (but comfortable) computer chair my husband wouldn't let me get rid of when we got our new chair.  Maybe we can work our magic and transform it into something as cute as her chair.  We'll see...

Fill a Bucket!

My friend, Kelli, shared an idea and these books with me the other day (when I was being nosey in her classroom :).  The idea shared in these stories is that everyone has a bucket inside them and it can be filled with love and kindness or of course the opposite - it can be empty.  These kid friendly books teach kids how we can help fill each other's buckets.  It sounds like a great way to promote a positive classroom environment and parents can use it at home, too.  If you are interested in using the bucket idea, check out this site, Mrs. Walker's Frog-Tastic Website, for more information and materials to download. Thanks, Kelli, for sharing!  You always find great ideas!!!

Labels, Labels, Labels!!!

Not only do I love polka dots but I also love making labels.  I know it may sound a bit crazy but I get this little thrill when I put a label on something.  Maybe it's because I am a bit absent minded and I know a label will help me find things I'm usually misplacing.  Also, I know in order to be organized, everything needs a home and a label helps provides the address.  I love to be organized but often lack the dedication it demands.  However, if there's a creative spin to it, I am much more motivated.  

Another love is cute and fun scrapbook paper.  I'm not a scrapper but I adore all the cute paper out there.  I can spend forever looking at paper at Michael's and Hobby Lobby.  I always stock up when they put it on sale.  I often use the paper when making signs and labels in my classroom.  I also recently saw an idea on some of my favorite blogs, According to Kelly and Your Homebased Mom, for making some cute picture frames using scrapbook paper.  I can't wait to make some of these frames.  What an adorable idea!

My Newest Polka Dot Find

I'm so excited about my new, monogrammed, polka dot lunch tote.  It was such a nice surprise to find it outside my door the other morning.  It is very roomy and super cute!  Check out Mythirtyone for these cute totes and other adorable accessories.

Polka Dot Sign

I admit it...I am obsessed with polka dots.  They are just so cute and fun and make me feel happy.  Whenever I see something with polka dots that I could use in my classroom, I MUST get it and if I can't buy it, then I attempt to make it.  I made this sign for my classroom door after being inspired by some cute signs I saw on eBay.  I'm not the best artist but it was fun to make and looks pretty cute if I do say so myself...and it was much cheaper than what I saw on eBay.  I just got a canvas mat from Hobby Lobby (around $4) and some acrylic paint and paint pens I already had at home.  I used a staple gun to staple some ribbon to the back and then hung it on my door.  I enjoyed the project so much that I made similar signs for Fall and Christmas.

I'm Back!

Okay, I've been doing a little bit of blog research to help prepare myself as I get going on my own. Wow! There are a lot of witty and creative people out there in the Blog World.  I am truly impressed, inspired, and okay, I'll admit it...a little bit overwhelmed by what I've seen. Nevertheless, I'm ready to get started.  Even if this blog just turns into my own personal diary then I think it will be worthwhile.  So here goes...

I had one of those moments today that truly makes being a teacher one of the most rewarding professions in the world.  One of my students gave me a note today from his mom and it was a two pager.  Now, teachers usually cringe when one of our students gives us a note like this...they rarely contain good news.  I started reading the note just waiting for something to stir up my blood pressure.  The beginning of the note contained a concern that I realized I could easily resolve.  The rest of the note, though, was the shocker.  It was the sweetest, most genuine note that I think I've ever been given.  Her words of kindness and acknowledgement of the kind of teacher I had been for her son were so sweet and genuine.  You always wonder (at least I always do) if you're making a difference in some of these kids' lives and it's wonderful to get confirmation that in some way you have made a difference or impact on a child.  I appreciated that note so much.  It's those small moments that make the biggest impact.