Frame Collage How-To!

Several people asked me about the frame collage over Carson's dresser.  I maybe a little OCD bit of a perfectionist so it took me QUITE a while to figure out how I wanted the layout.  I first went into the basement and found my rubbermaid bin full of old frames.  See?  Sometimes it helps not to donate everything and hoard your old decor! 

I found my "floating" frames and some smaller 5x7 frames that we had in our family room before we re-decorated.  I first attempted making a layout with those....

 I liked the layout but I was frustrated that the sides wouldn't line up without looking awkward and I felt like I need a little more variety.  That's when I found Anne Tavoletti's prints on art.com.  Since they came in 12x12 I was practically forced to buy a couple new frames!  I headed to Michael's since they were having a frame sale (like always) and also took along my coupon for 30% off any framing order (even sale items)!  I found a new line called "Aris" that is super affordable and actually looks really nice.  The 12x12 frames with matting ended up being $6/each!  Here is the new layout with a few 12x12's thrown in the mix.

Next I had to decide how I was going to transfer this from the floor of our loft to the wall of the nursery.  [Insert panic attack.]  I knew I would be SO mad if I had to put any extra holes in the wall.  Then, I remembered my BFF, Pinterest!  I saw this tip on flipping your frames and using wax paper as a template and knew I had to try it.

Source: roost-home.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

First, I flipped my frames, using yard sticks to level the top and bottom.  I used my handy dandy pink measuring tape to ensure equal distance between frames.  Being a perfectionist is so tiring!

Next I taped 3 long pieces of wax paper together and placed the large piece carefully over my frames.  I used a sharpie to mark where the nails needed to go.  I also did a short line on top of the top frames so that I could use that as a point to level the wax paper template. 

Next I took the template and taped it to the wall in the nursery.  I used a laser level with the top lines to ensure it was level and also lined up the center holes with the center of Carson's dresser.  After I was satisfied it was in the right place, I put my nails in and ripped off the wax paper (possibly the most fun part of this project).

Once the template was gone, I was able to hang up my frames and admire my work!  Here are the frames with the old pictures in them and the unpainted 'C'.

The C is something I picked up on clearance at Michael's shortly after we decided on Carson's name.  I wanted it to pop against the wall so I decided to spray paint it navy blue.  Something went wrong with my spray paint and my C ended up being textured.  I asked for some honest feedback and decided to keep it this way, more unique, right?!

This is the outcome of my screwy spraypaint can....paint went everywhere!

Finally, here is the final product!!   I kind of love it and can't wait to fill some of the frames with pictures of our little man!

*Giraffe and Elephant prints can be found on art.com (artist: Anne Tavoletti)

*All other prints are free printables found on Sprik Space

Do you have any frame collages in your house?  How did you decide on a layout and how did you install?  I feel like there has to be an easier way!

DIY Name Art

Does anyone have a better idea of what to call these?  Decorative letters...name letters...name art?  Either way, I knew I wanted to display Carson's name somehow in his nursery.  I thought about doing a vinyl wall decal, but I couldn't find one that I liked enough.  I really like the idea of hanging letters from ribbon, but I think it's a little girly for Carson's nursery.

I decided to buy some wooden letters and go from there.  I found these cute MDF letters at Michael's and went during their MLK Day sale so I got all of the letters for only $7.50! 

Here are the supplies you'll need for this craft:
-wooden letters spelling out the name/word of your choice
-craft paint
-sponge brush & small artist's brush
-scrapbook paper (1 page covered all of my letters)
-Mod Podge
-scissors, pencil

Total Cost for MY project: $8.50  (I already had a lot of the supplies and I got my letters on sale)

The first step is to trace your letters on the back of your scrapbook paper.  Make sure the letters are upside down so that the patterned part of your paper will fit onto the FRONT of your letter!

Sorry for the super dark picture.....

Using your scissors, carefully cut out each letter.  I left the center holes for last......

Notice the 'N'?  I had to re-do that because I didn't noticed I had placed it on the border of the paper....oops!

Next you'll want to carefully cut out those center holes.  An X-acto knife would be nice, but I just used my pencil to poke through and worked carefully.  Using a sponge brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge to your wooden letters and place your paper on top.  Next, carefully apply another layer of Mod Podge over top of your paper.  be careful to go slow so that your paper doesn't ripple!

Next, using your craft paint and small artist's brush, carefully paint the edges of your letters.  You could do this first, but I was anxious to get the paper on to make sure I liked it!

Here is the finished product!  I had planned on putting his name on a floating shelf, but I couldn't find a shelf the right size.  I have a new idea and will post about it VERY soon (as long as it turns out)!

A Pinterest Inspired School Project!

In my classroom we love making class books!  My kids love making them and they REALLY love reading them!  We've been mastering syllables lately so I combined 2 ideas from Pinterest to create a new class book!

Here is my inspiration:

Source: larremoreteachertips.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: emmi.co.uk via Emily on Pinterest

We have a binding machine at my school but the pages always fall out of our class books and it is SO tedius putting the pages back into those plastic spirals!  I decided to give this (free) option of binding a try!  All you need is a paperclip (or a few) and rubber bands!  It didn't work out as well as I would have hoped, but so far, it's holding up pretty nicely in our classroom library!

As you can see, I had to improvise and use small paperclips (I'm totally out of the jumbo right now)!  It still worked ok and we just had to talk about why it's important that we do NOT mess with the special binding! :)

A DIY Valentine's Day Treat!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!  As a lot of you know, I teach intervention (reading and kindergarten).  Because of this, I haven't planned any Valentine's "parties" since my students will already be exchanging cards and treats in their homerooms.  I still wanted to do something small for my kids so I decided to make a little Valentine treat!


I saw this idea a long time ago for teacher appreciation week and I loved it! Who doesn't love s'mores?!


Make Your Own S'more Goodie Bag (supplies are for ONE bag, multiply as needed)
2 graham cracker squares
1 jumbo marshmallow
1 miniature Hershey bar
1 gift bag
1 gift bag tag/label

All of my supplies cost $10 and I made 24 bags!  I found the Valentine's gift bags in the Target dollar spot.  (Where else?!)  I made my own labels on Word and it was super easy!  The front of the label says "We need S'more students like you!"  The back of the label has instructions on how to prepare the s'more:

"Place one graham cracker on a microwave safe plate, top with chocolate and a marshmallow.  Microwave on high for 12-15 seconds or until marshmallow doubles in size.  Top the marshmallow with the remaining graham cracker.  Press slightly to secure.  Enjoy your gooey chocolate treat!"

Here are my supplies all ready to be assembled:

 Folding the labels during parent-teacher conference night:

 The finished product:

Such a fun and easy treat for the students!  I also had a few extra supplies left over so I could make a s'more for myself, yum!

We're also reading some Valentine's books today/this week....

 

DIY Door Sign Project

I finally made a DIY project for Carson!  I knew I wanted something to hang on his door, but I had no idea what I wanted.  I considered some sort of wreath because my friend Kelli made a super cute felt wreath for her baby girl (due in June!) but I think a wreath is too girly for a boy's room!

I decided something personal would be fun so I went to Michael's and picked up some supplies to make a door sign.  If you want to make something similar, here is what you will need:

• 1 small canvas (I used 8x10...it was $3.50)
• 1 piece scrapbook paper ($1)
• letter stickers of your choice ($2)
• embellishment for your sign (I picked a wooden character for $0.20)
• ribbon for hanging (I had this at home)
• scissors
• mod podge and foam brush (also had this at home)
• hot glue gun (who doesn't have this?!)

My total cost for this project was under $8! 

To start, I cut my scrapbook paper about 1" past my canvas on all sides.  After this, I cut a slit at each corner to allow the paper to "wrap" around the sides of the canvas.

After this I added some Mod Podge (best invention ever) to the canvas and paper.  I did a layer on the outside of the paper for added protection and to help the corners stay in place.  After first painting the Mod Podge on, I was worried because it looked a little wavy....

The next morning, it was flat!  I carefully layed out my lettering and embellishment to decide on spacing before putting anything in place.  After this, I put all my letters on and hot glued the embellishment in place.  I put a thin layer of Mod Podge over my lettering just to be safe.  Then I flipped the sign and hot glued my ribbon in place:

And finally, here is my final product!  It's hanging on a clear wreath hanger here but I plan on geting a 3M hook instead.

DIY Key Rack Project

This project wasn't totally DIY....just a little.  I've been wanting a key rack for a while because I'm sick of throwing our keys on the island.  A while ago, I had a Pottery Barn organizer hanging up, but I took it down when I painted and patched the [huge] holes it left in the wall.  I loved that organizer, but I think I want to use it in my office space now...it was too dark and big for my kitchen!


I found this smaller key rack at Tuesday Morning and picked it up even though I wasn't happy with the wood color.  Our house has a weird orangey stain throughout so it's very hard to "match".  I know that everything doesn't have to match, but I at least want it to coordinate and I felt like this clashed.  For some reason, though....I still bought the key rack!


I had the key rack in a cabinet for a few months and finally decided to do something with it.  I got out some paper scraps, letter stickers, and mod podge and created something that matched our decor a little better.  What do you think?

Dixie is a great helper!

before (espresso stain) with materials

after!  mounted right next to our garage door.

What DIY projects have you done lately? 

More Classroom Crafts, Baby, & PSA!

Last week I posted about a crayon wreath project that I had found on Pinterest.  I wanted to add something to my wreath, but I wasn't sure what to add.  I decided to buy some little wooden "fancies" at Michael's.  I was hoping they would have some school themed embellishments, but when I saw these cute animals for $0.59/ea., I couldn't pass them up!  I also found some mini letter blocks...each bag was $1.50.  I think I still might add some sort of bow or ribbon at the top.  What do you think?

I also posted about a fun reading corner that I found on Pinterest yesterday.  I loved the idea but knew that I wouldn't have as much space in my classroom.  I decided to do a smaller scale project and make a framed "READ" sign.  The frame was something I already had ($3 from Target).  I picked up the letters for $0.75/ea. at Michael's when I was buying my wreath embellishments.  I already had the craft paint and I got a piece of clearance scrapbook paper from Michael's.  I decided to add some ribbon from my craft collection to add some interest.  What do you think?!  I can't wait to put it on a shelf in my classroom library!

I also had to share this adorable picture of my "nephew".  One of my best friends, Lindsey, had her baby on July 22nd.  You can read more about it here.  Foster spent some time in the NICU due to being premature but he is now home and doing great!  I went up to visit Monday and I had a hard time leaving without him!

Now for my PSA for the day.  I've been getting a lot of comments (thanks for showing the love, ladies)!  I love responding to EACH and EVERY comment.  However, some of you haven't taken the time to set up your email so that I can respond via email.  If your email isn't linked to your account, I can't easily respond to your comments!  Like I said, I love responding to EVERY comment so please set up your email! :)  Katie from Keep Calm and Carry On did a guest post on Raids of Orange and mentioned this.  Here is what she said:
Make sure on your Blogger profile that you have your EMAIL ADDRESS added. If you only have your web page added, you will NOT be able to receive any emails back from people who you have commented on their blog.

I just want to be able to respond to all of you lovely ladies!