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All three boys left me and I found myself at home with time to myself.  First, I had to clean up my studio.  Ok, I didn't really clean it up but I moved the piles of non-craft things off my craft table and tried to push papers to one side, embellies to another, and so on.  I was surfing the web looking for inspirations and I discovered that today is World Cardmaking Day.  I didn't even know such a day existed.  I'll have to remember to plan for a day at home next year! Whenever I have time, I usually sneak over to and do RAQ's weekly challenge .  This week, the main challenged was also for Mojo Monday .  Then, a friend told me to check out Operation Write Home .  They were asking for Holiday Cards using sketches so I came up with this snowman.  I figure he can be a Christmas card, New Year's Card, or winter birthday card.  Next, I found myself at Craft Test Dummies and used one of her examples for a layout.  She also suggested to always make your cards

It's a new year!  I am still teaching 2nd grade at First Baptist Christian School but I had to switch classrooms this year.  Unfortunately, I had to leave my chalk wall behind.  I didn't feel like re-painting one, either.  I am also teaching Performing Arts (music and drama) to the Elementary students.  I will have to travel to another room for that and I can't decorate. The first thing I did before I moved was to pull all my books off traditional shelves, buy a ton of baskets from the $1 store and sort my library.  I had no idea how many books I had collected in just a short while.  As you can see, my overwhelmed fifteen year old son helped me sort.  I think we estimated around 700 books.  I've been back to the $1 store 3 times for more baskets! I can't believe all the stuff in general.  Here's a before shot of half my room. I'm still doing my nifty fifties theme but not quite as extreme.  Here is the after photo of the same area on my

I have to admit it.  I make the best corn on the cob in the world.  And, I also make the easiest corn on the cob in the world.  I did a brief search on the internet and didn't find my recipe in the first few links I tried so I've decided to share it with you. First buy corn on the cob.   Second, soak corn in water for about 20 minutes.  Place corn on the grill.  Rotate once or twice.  Cook for about 45 minutes.  (Experiment with the time.  Usually, I cook corn with some kind of meat and just take the corn off when the meat is done.)  Next, peel husk and silks.  Last, eat!  It is so tasty and sweet that it doesn't need salt or butter.

We just got back from Six Flags Fiesta Texas yesterday and I'd like to share a few tips that will help you get more out of your time and save you money! Would you ride this upside down twisty ride? First, you need to go to an amusement park with "like minded' friends.  I'm not talking political or religious beliefs here.  I'm talking theme park beliefs.  When I was in high school, I went to Astroworld with a group of girlfriends.  When we first got to the park, they wanted to hit the shops to go shopping.  I thought they were crazy.  I didn't pay all that money to get in the park just to pay more money in the stores.  When the boys were young, we invited some of their friends who ended up being too scared to ride most of the rides we wanted to ride.  So, go with friends with the same intentions.  For us, it means riding as many of the big rides as possible.  Roller Coasters all the way! Next, you need to pick a park.  This will also depend on your theme

Last year I decorated my classroom with a Nifty Fifties theme.  I think I'm going to stick to the same theme this year since most of the stuff is reusable and why invent the wheel.  I am having to move to another room this year so I will lose my chalkboard wall. One of several Ice Cream Cones for student birthdays made with Nifty Fifties Cricut cartridge. Anyway, last year for a birthday chart, I made ice cream sodas for each child.  I let them take them home on the last day of school which they really enjoyed.  This year, I made ice cream cones. I still need to take them to school to laminate and then write the students names and birth dates on each.   I'm thinking about getting Dairy Queen coupons for birthday presents to go with them as well. Last years ice cream sodas birthday chart also made with the Nifty Fifties Cricut cartridge. When my boys were little, we used to go to Dairy Queen, a lot.  It was one of the only fast food places with a play scape in town. 

When we moved into the house, the kitchen was awful; dark cabinets, no dishwasher, olive green stove and vent hood, carpet on the floor, and white countertops with a harvest gold, orange, and avocado green flower design.  Can you say tacky?  And, who puts carpet in the kitchen?  Really, that's just gross!  It was one of the first things I pulled up.  I mean, at the time my boys were babies and babies make messes.  The bare sub floor with glue marks (which I just painted over) was much better until I could afford flooring. Over the years, we've painted the walls and cabinets, we replaced the carpet with wood laminate flooring, we bought a dishwasher that you roll over to the sink to use, we got 2 new stoves and vent hood, (I placed the lid to my crockpot with the rubber edge down on my first glass top stove, when it cooled, it sucked up my stove and cracked the glass cooktop.) and I covered my counters with contact paper.  I became an expert contact paperer back in college

I love my jewelry and use it as art on my wall.  It helps me to remember what I have and makes getting dressed easier and quicker.  Here is how I organize and hold my Earrings, Necklaces, and Brooches. Earring Holder A few years ago, while visiting my sister, I noticed her earring holder.  She said she bought it from "a girl who make them."  A few months later, I was needing birthday gifts for some girlfriends so I tried to remember what I saw at my sister's house and re-created it. Supplies: window screening from the hardware store - it comes in big rolls but you only need a little dowel rod 4 wooden dowel rod balls ribbon hot glue paint First, cut your dowel rod into 2 12 inch pieces, then take your dowel rods and balls and paint them whatever color you like.  I spray painted mine silver.  Then you need to cut your screening (use big scissors) to 12 inches by 18 inches.  On the 12 inch side, fold down about 1 inch and glue down with the hot glue.  Do th

A few months ago I discovered this blog from Pinterest about mailing items that weigh 13 ounces or less first class mail.  They can be any shape or size and do not require special packaging.  I was a little hesitant and then my boys told me that the Mythbusters mailed a coconut to prove that it could be done.  I couldn't wait to try it for myself. While they were at boy scout summer camp, both boys got a special delivery in the mail; duct tape.  I mean what boy scout doesn't need duct tape? Garrett's special penguin duct tape. Marshall got paint splatter duct tape. A little over a week ago, the boys and I sent gifts to all their younger cousins.  We bought beach balls for $0.97 at Walmart, spent a few hours decorating the balls and then sent them in the mail.  It cost about $2.15 in postage. Garrett the artist, hard at work. At the post office!  As you can see, the younger cousins were excited to receive their personal beach balls in the mail.  I ca

Welcome to part 4 of "How to Look Your Best."  Click here for:  part 1 , part 2 , part 3 I gave my talk today to a group of ladies.  I think it went really well.  Now that you know the secrets to being a Chic Fabulous Fashionita, you need to know how to put it all together. First, it might be helpful to know your style personality.  If I said that wearing ruffles would help with your body proportions but you're not a ruffle person, then don't wear ruffles.  Find something else that fits your style.  There are four basic style personalities; Casual/Natural - easy going and relaxed style, Classic/Elegant - timeless look that always looks in, Romantic - lace, ruffles, soft flowing fabrics, Dramatic/Trendsetter - show stopping, attention grabbing, statement making.  Look at this link that I made from polyvore.   Which dress do you feel more drawn towards?  Now, you may be a mixture of more than one style personality.  I like to switch between all of them depending on