Thursday, December 27, 2012

A Hodge Podge of Holiday Stuff

I guess I got caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas because I didn't get around to posting about some holiday crafts. Obviously it's too late for this year, but you can pin it or add it to your list for next year!

My mom made these candy sleighs from a pin on Pinterest. You can find one of them here. She made them as gifts for coworkers. The original pin used Kit Kat bars, but she found it easier to use Reese's.

My sister made these snow globes as gifts from her daughter. She got the idea from a coworker, but if you search for DIY snow globes on Pinterest, you can find many different ones to try making. My sister used a small mason jar, laminated the pictures, and made the mixture inside from water, Karo syrup, and glitter. The back of the picture reads "Skylar's First Christmas 2012".

 

 My husband had an ugly sweater contest at work, so my mom and I made him this: 

 

I bought a sweater from Target on clearance. The rest of the stuff comes from Michael's or AC Moore. We cut slits in the tree to stick the LED lights through the back. The beaded garland was hot glued on and the red Santa hat ornaments were sewed on, as well, as the actual tree. The batter pack is the trunk, which I covered with brown construction paper. Oh, I forgot to mention that he WON the contest!! :)


My sister also made the elves and Santa craftivities from my TpT store with her students. She teaches children in grades 5, 7, and 8. 

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bde0c5da2f&view=att&th=13bdb3d2ba2940c3&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_mjHEDo2apetTEbcIn21M2&sadet=1356592955752&sads=nlTe55ZWymJS4461ZHs-QSgig_4&sadssc=1  https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bde0c5da2f&view=att&th=13bdb422c13ceac1&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_mjHEDo2apetTEbcIn21M2&sadet=1356593276611&sads=gc29ltk5wZVDW05VKYFTe8T6wYA
 https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bde0c5da2f&view=att&th=13bdb434ad53fec4&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_mjHEDo2apetTEbcIn21M2&sadet=1356593356628&sads=eCuAcLELYVeFbR9ShSkuwStZYWY

These came from my Boy & Girl Elf Writing Craftivity. You can find them here in my TpT store!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and I wish you all a Happy New Year! We are in the middle of that huge snowstorm right now, so it looks like I may be working on some new products to post to my stores. I have plenty to do on my to~do list. I also plan on a January giveaway soon and will be back with a great freebie for Freebielicious's Freebie on the First on January 1st! See you then!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

There are no words to describe this truly tragic event.....

http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/My%20Signatures%20and%20Logos/3am_DOS6_zpse388b1a6.png

Monday, December 10, 2012

12 in '12 Linky Party

12 in 12 button
I'm linking up with Miss Kindergarten and A Teeny Tiny Teacher for their second annual 12 in '12!

12. Favorite movie you watched:

 I'm picking "What to Expect When You're Expecting". I love how everyone was connected in some way. It's one of those movies that makes you laugh and cry.

 
11. Favorite TV series: 
I watch the reruns of "The Big Bang Theory" whenever they are on TBS. This fall, I started watching the new season. The show is just hysterical!
 

10. Favorite restaurant:

The Melting Pot is still my favorite. Who doesn't love dipping things into chocolate or cheese? Mmmmm...

 9. Favorite new thing you tried: 
Since I can't play soccer until after the baby is born, I needed a way to stay fit. My sister convinced me to try spinning and it's a great cardio workout.
 
 8. Favorite gift you got:
 This little guy is the greatest gift I could ask for. Also, the fact that any testing I've endured has come out normal.

7. Favorite thing you pinned:
This was like a stroke of genius to me. I was even happier knowing I already owned some of these little containers! You can find the blog post about it from Cardigans and Curriculum here!

Dice Container 
6. Favorite Blog Post:

This would have to be the one where I posted a freebie that was linked to Fabulicious's Freebies on the First linky party. That blog post has over 5,600 page views and has been downloaded from TpT over 1,100 times and who know how many from Google Drive. Here is my original post if you want to read it!


5. Biggest Accomplishment:
This store has helped me and my husband so much. Every quarter has been better and it's more motivating to make more things. Without Tpt, TN, and all the buyers who purchase from my store, things would be alot different!
 
4. Favorite Picture:

I finally got to visit Yankee Stadium this past August and went to a game with my husband and brother-in-law. The Yankees lost, but it was still awesome to go to that great stadium!


3. Favorite Memory

I met my niece, Skylar, in March when she was a little over a month old. 

 
2. Goal{s} for 2013:
 I have ALOT of these....have a healthy baby boy, set a budget and stick to it, save money, buy a new "used" car, get a new teaching job{still waiting on my teaching certification to reciprocate from FL since July!}, move into a new apartment or house, lose the baby weight, and start playing soccer again as soon as I can!

1. One Little Word:
This past Sunday, our pastor preached about how peace starts with ourselves. She asked us to close our eyes and think of a world with no violence, murders, accidents, disasters, wars, etc. It would be a pretty amazing place wouldn't it? Peace starts with you!! Pass it on!
 Also, congrats to Susan F., Kara B., and  Julie M. on winning my 200 Followers/Christmas Giveaway! Welcome to all my new followers too! I'm so excited to have 221 now!! Look for my January giveaway around the end of the month/beginning of January too. I have two more craftivities that I'm finishing up: a Penguin & Polar Bear Facts Craftivity!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

200 Followers/Christmas Giveaway!!


 I am LOVING all the new followers to my blog because I finally reached 200 followers via Google Friend Connect! In honor of reaching this milestone and the Christmas holiday, I am giving away ALL of my Christmas products to 3 lucky followers! Here is what I'm giving away!






To enter, use the Rafflecopter below and I'll pick the winners on Thursday night at midnight!! Good luck!!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Fabulicious Holiday Freebie!!!


 Freebielicious is sponsoring a freebie linky on the first of each month! December 1st marks the first day that they are hosting this awesome opportunity! I linked up with a holiday syllable sort cut & paste activity. Click the first picture below to download it!


It is part of my Ho, Ho, Ho: It's Holiday Time! Christmas Literacy Unit. You can find the whole thing in my TpT and TN stores. 


I'd like to give a great big thank you to anyone who purchased things in my store during the sale. I had my best two days of sales since starting my store back in February. All of my TN money went to buying Christmas gifts for my family. With money being so tight for my husband and I, we feel truly blessed by all the people who made that happen. Thanks for following my blog and for buying from my stores! I really appreciate it!


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

HUGE TpT & TN Sales!!!


 

There are two HUGE sales going on in my store and many other sellers' stores! First, Teachers Notebook is having a 3-day sale from Saturday-Monday. All products in my TN store are 25% off PLUS TN will give you an additional 10% off!!! Then on Monday & Tuesday, you can check out my TpT store for 20% plus an additional 10% off from TpT {when you use the code CMT12}. These are two sales you sure don't want to miss!!!

My TpT Store

My TN Store

I'm busy trying to finish my Arctic Animals Literacy Unit before the sale, but you can check out my Holiday stuff and Snowman/Winter Unit here. These will all be on sale!!







I really hope you check out my sales and I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am very thankful to all of my followers and buyers!!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Giveaway Winner & Thankful Linky

Congrats to Beth S. for winning the Flash Thanksgiving Giveaway! I hope you and your students enjoy the activities. Be on the look out for a holiday giveaway soon. I have 8 products available in my TpT store for the holidays including 4 craftivities!

image 
I'm linking up with Lyndsey over at A Year of Many Firsts with her "Stuffed with Thankful Thoughts Linky Party". Here are some of the things that I am thankful for!

1. I'm thankful for my husband, Cesar. He puts up with all the TpT stuff, the laminate, and paper scraps on the floor, among other things. He would do anything for me and for him, I am truly grateful. Having a baby with him is the next chapter in our lives and I can't wait to find out what happens.

 
2. I'm also thankful for my friend, Lori, from Teaching With Love and Laughter. Her and I had adjoining  classrooms and worked on the same team for four years together. We created an unbreakable bond and I really miss being able to talk to her and teach with her everyday. This picture was from the day she won State Teacher of the Year for our charter school company {she ended up being runner-up for the National Award too! I'm happy that I was able to be there the day she won! She's an incredibly talented teacher and I'm thankful to be her friend.

 

3. I'm thankful for this little girl, my niece, Skylar. She's almost 9 months old now and I'm thankful that I get to spend everyday with her. 

 

4. I'm thankful for my family because they are always there regardless of what kind of jam you're in. 

 

5. I'm thankful for our soccer friends. Cesar and I played soccer with all of these people at one point of another and helped create some great times in our lives! I have some great memories that I will never forget!

SO what are YOU thankful for?? Link up with Lyndsey and let us know!