What's better than buying beautiful art?

Making it yourself! Kev and I moved into our new apartment about 3 weeks ago. The bigger apartment and the extra bedroom sounded awesome... until it came to decorating it. It gets really expensive, really fast! So, I came across an awesome DIY project (on pinterest, naturally.) and decided to try it out. This is what I made!:

We just bought an amazing Ashley livingroom set. The couch and recliner are gray and the coffee/end tables are black and glass. It is a beautiful set, but missing color! I love lots of color in my house so this project was perfect for me.

You need:
20 x 20 canvas (3 of them)
3 24 x 24 pieces of fabric (2 in the same color fabric and 1 accent fabric)
High power staple gun and staples

I chose fabric that had a "less busy" pattern for the outside canvas and a more elaborate, accent pattern for the inside canvas. I took the canvas, wrapped the fabric over it, and had Kevin staple it down (on the back) while I pulled it tight. We did this for each of them. The middle canvas in my livingroom is slightly thicker then the outside two, which gives it a cool look.

And that's it! I even had leftover fabric to do another wall! (I used smaller, 12 x 12 canvases for this)

 

Super easy! The hardest part was finding fabric that complimented each other. The best advice is, don't give up! You'll find it if you keep looking! :-) I've gotten so many compliments on my livingroom decor (and it's only canvas and fabric!) Just wait until I do more than hang pictures!

 



Classroom setup!

Ok, ok... I know that I've been neglecting my blog, but I have a really good reason! A couple weeks ago the high school and elementary staff all started Summer Institute (two weeks of team building, powerpoints, team building, meetings, team building, professional development, and, oh yeah, team building.) and I had two weeks to get my classroom in order. Now, when I say "in order" I mean taking a bare classroom and turning it into this:

 

Did I also mention that my supplies didn't come in?

 

 

That was an exciting adventure. I ordered everything that I could ever possibly need this year and ended up with a stapler and some post-it notes. mmhmm. fml. So I begged and borrowed from my wonderful co-workers (and spent about two future checks at Walmart) in order to make the above happen. Phew! Aaaand that's why I had to put my blogging on hold. The good news is, I can show you what it looks like now! (I promise I'll take more pictures when my supplies decide to show up!)

A pinterest find. Love it :-)

This is my centers board!

My Word Wall looks sad now. I can't wait to get some vocab up there!

The rainbow rug where I do whole group instruction

My desk! I have my very own desk! (#firstyearteacherjoys)

The Noise-O-Meter!

Tattling is something that I have very little tolerance for. Teaching the kids the difference between tattling and reporting is the key.

Bus lists, Hallway Poem, and Bathroom Board (So they don't go play in there 20 times a day)

Wall to display student's work and my guided reading table :-)

My sad, sad little library. Needs a rug for sure...

Andy!

Morning message on the first day!

 

 

I can't wait until tomorrow! It's making me nervous that I'm not nervous! I can't wait to see my little loves' faces!

 

 





A Letter to Robin

I've been putting off this post for a while now...mostly because I couldn't even think of how to begin. I think it's finally time to write it.

 

Dear Robin,

 

I want to begin by saying that this is not a goodbye.

 

But, I've been putting this off for soo long because it's not simple. We have been best friends since 9th grade. 9th grade! We have seen each other through the best and worst of times, from heartbreaks to engagements. You have lived within driving distance to me since high school and now you're a plane ride away. It still hasn't sunk in.

 

So, instead of continued tears, I want to reminisce. It will help me keep you here and stop me from dwelling on the distance and permanence. This letter will be filled to the brim with happy memories to make you smile. (...be warned, most of these pictures are severely awkward beautiful pictures of us from high school)

 

Seeing Allison at your going away party reminded me of all of those years going to Enchanted Forest with our group. Remember that really hot guy that ran the chair lift that we all practically stalked? Yeah...looking back, not so attractive.

 

And who can forget all of those years at the barn?

 

 

Hanging out with our favorite teachers/nurse...

 

Prom!

 

Don't forget about dance class!

 

Country concerts! (and the car serenades that come with them)

 

 

Your boyfriend in coral shorts.

 

The Emotions Game

 

 

Other happy memories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Kevin misses you too

 

 

 

So, after you stop cringing smiling at all of those pictures from high school, store all of those happy memories in your head for when you need them. I'm missing you tons (already) and I'm doing the same.

 

 

I love you. See you soon for our weekly Skype chat! :-)

 

 



 Another chapter in the book

can't go back but you can look

And there we are on every page

Memories I'll always save

Up ahead on the open doors

Who knows what were heading towards?

I wish you love I wish you luck

For you the world just opens up

Totally just quoted a Miley song. I had a hard time with it due to the recent hair shenanigans...but, since they're fitting, I'll make one exception. ;-)