I Have Been a Busy Little Bee...I Mean Elf

This month has been extremely busy. I've been grading final projects and finals for my students. I have had several of my student teachers get permanent jobs already. Usually jobs don't come up midyear, but this year, there were several of them that came up, and I had some exceptional student teachers fill the openings. This may sound odd, but I feel like a proud mama. It's been quite busy on the home front as well. As you know, my son got married in June. So we needed to add a new Christmas stocking to our stockings. I'm a little bit OCD about the stockings looking similar and that they belong in the same family. And I had previously made all the others, so I made my daughter-in-law a stocking. Aren't they cute?

Her's is the fourth from the left.

Yah, we don't have a fireplace :( so this is the next best place.

My next project were gifts for my team and my boss. Aren't these table runners cute too? They are so super easy to make, you only need to sew four seams. And sew the button on, but with my sewing machine that is super easy. 

My daughter-in-law wanted a cute apron for Christmas. (We've already exchanged our gifts, so I can show you this now.) So I made her one. I had an absolute blast making this for her. In fact, I want to make another one, it was so much fun. Take a look below.

It's reversible even!

I also made my daughter-in-law a jewelry stand that she wanted, but I didn't take any pictures of it :( but you can see where my inspiration came from here.

Last, but not least, you may have noticed a new blog design here. Thanks to Barbara at Ruby Slippers Blog Designs, I have this darling new design. She was amazing to work with. It was like she was inside my head and new exactly what I wanted. If you're in the market for a new blog design, go check her out, you will love the experience! If I don't post before then, have a Merry Christmas everyone!

One Year Old and a Celebration Freebie

Thank you Melonheadz Illustrating for graphics!

One year ago today I started this little 'ol blog of mine. I have learned so much in the last 365 days, and my tech-savvy has improved slightly - through much trial and error, emphasis on the error! I love the friendships I have made through this blog, and I appreciate everything everyone has shared with me. I can't imagine teaching without having access to teaching blogs. You all have truly inspired and helped me tremendously!! 

The last few weeks of school before we went on break, we've been working super hard on how the equal sign is like a balance, and whatever is on one side of the equal sign, needs to equal the other side. So, I made a little "I Have, Who Has..." game that goes along with this concept. Click on the picture below to get your free copy of it. Enjoy!!

Check This Out! and a Halloween Freebie!

If you haven't been following Lisa from Learning is Something to Treasure, you need to start following her. Her blog is a lot of fun to read and she has some great ideas. She does a Friday Blogger review each week. I happened to be this week's featured blogger. Go check it out here. 

In class we just finished up shapes in math and adjectives in grammar, so I integrated the two into a fun art and writing activity. Click on the picture below to download for FREE!

Blog Identity Crisis?

OK, OK, so this is my 4th different blog template in a week. I guess you could say, I have had some blog identity crisis -- LOL! This background that I've settled on, was originally the one I wanted, but I was experiencing some technical difficulties. Luckily LeeLou Blogs got back with me, and Voila! problem solved. I'm sorry for any confusion this may cause any of you. Now all I have to figure out is how to create a button. But we'll wait on that for a later day.


I received some news...I'm going to first grade! I am soooo excited! Any of you firsties teachers out there, that can share some help I would appreciate tremendously. I've only taught second grade, so this will be a big change for me!