Teacher Crafting

Today is our LAST official day of summer vacation, so I'm watching movies of "The Twilight Saga" and crafting.  If you'll remember back a couple of years, my mom and I did some "HOME Work" by taking extra slats out of the blinds, hanging curtains, rearranging some things, etc.  I planned to reupholster the chairs but . . . uuuhhh . . . that hasn't happened.  Todd is NOT happy about that but I can't find fabric I like, not to mention I'm daunted by the project and really want to buy chairs with lower backs.  Enough about the damn chairs.

And the slats from the blinds?  Wwwweeelllllll . . . let's just say they've been sitting on the floor of our imaginary baby's nursery just waiting to be used for something.  In one of my recent fits of insomnia, I created a use for those lonely little (big) slats.  I decided to make HALL PASSES for school!  Yes, it sounds sad but you'll probably understand my excitement if you're a crafter, a teacher, or a crafty teacher.

When I asked Todd to lend me his power saw skills, his response was "perhaps."  Living in the world of immediate gratification, I decided to get started on my own.  Come to find out, I didn't need his stinkin' saw anyway!  :)  Supplies: extra slats from faux wood blinds, cutting blade, duck tape, paint pens, and clear spray (optional).

Level of Difficulty for this project = 1462 on a 100 point scale.  It was so very, very difficult.  (note: sarcasm)

Today's craft area: the coffee table.

First, I took my blade along the natural notches of the blind slat and (didn't really) score it with a straight line.  And for safety's sake, I didn't use a mat or anything - just threw it across my knee.  Then I simply snapped the blind along the score line.

See that fancy, straight line?  Who needs a ruler??  (me!)

It made a lovely snapping sound.

Continuing the difficult work of this project, I cut my duck tape a little over 2x the width of the slat.  I got skull & crossbones for the boys' passes & dots for girls.

To protect the ends, I cut a tiny slit off the end of my large piece, stuck it on the end, and folded it over.  Just make sure it adheres well.  Told ya this was going to be difficult.

In preparation for any students with ADD/ADHD needs, I took a break to screw with the dog.  Couldn't help myself!!!

MOMMMM!  I iz not a pirate boy.  Argh.

After lovingly placing the tape around one side of the slat, I wrapped it around completely and made sure it formed a good bond by pressing on it with  my fingers.

From there, I fancied them up with some old-school paint pen lettering.  I must be too tired and lazy from summer to use my Cricut and actually cut out and rub on vinyl lettering!

Most likely, I will drill a small hole in the end and tie string so I can hang them on hooks.  The last thing I plan to do is spray over the lettering with clear acrylic spray paint to hopefully add some toughness and longevity to the hall passes.  Kids seem love to destroy any & every thing I make.

Georgia Trip

July has been such a busy month!  Take a restroom break, get a snack & drink, and join me for a little tour.

About a week after our July 4th weekend in East Texas, Todd and I packed up the car and drove to Georgia.  We had family business to attend to as well as many friends to see (and for me to meet!).  We headed first to Mississippi, where our GPS told us we were in the middle of absolutely nowhere.  It was kinda right.

 

We stayed overnight with friends in Saltillo, Mississippi (small suburb of Tupelo).  Brent, a high school friend of Todd's (who was also a groomsman), and his wife Michele opened their home to us for the night.  They have four precious children that were just as hospitable and fun.  It was fun for us to meet the kids and for me to meet Michele for the first time.  Unfortunately, I didn't take ANY photos while there.  :(

The next morning, we were up and out the door to finish our drive to Atlanta.  Our first stop was to visit my mother in-law, who is not well.  Unfortunately, her condition continues to deteriorate, and it was a somewhat difficult visit.  Dealing with her affairs was one of our prime purposes of going to GA, yet we still found time to see friends, relax, and have a little fun.

Spending time with my brother in-law, Tim, was nice because we rarely get to see one another.  There is never enough time to visit with everyone when traveling, but we did get to see Tim several times.  He loves having his picture taken as much as his brother.

We saw the Tuckers, who were Todd's next door neighbors growing up.  They were such sweet people & have an amazing garden!

We got the chance to spend just a little time with another friend, Daryl, and his wife and children.  We played with their precious red-headed kids, chatted, the boys had some 40s, and the girls took care of some wine.

Thankfully we were able to take Cheryl, a longtime friend of my MIL's, to dinner and spend time catching up with her.  She's such a neat lady.

Visiting Bill, Kerri & kids in Peachtree City (or "The Bubble" as we called it) was a great time, too.  Relaxing, swimming, playing with their dog, riding golf carts (which is how they get around there), hitting the local Walmart (which had golf cart parking!), eating and partying was basically what we did.  We truly needed the down time.

We went to a local Farmer's Market (which is when my camera settings got thrown off & I didn't know it, so pretend these pics aren't blurry!).

 We crashed a birthday party with Bill & Kerri.

I lost my virginity to The Varsity and Trader Joe's . . . and it was worth it!

We spent time with one of my longest time best friends, Kim, who lives about an hour outside of Atlanta.  We've been friends for over 35 years!

We also spent time with Kim's husband (Neil) and their daughter (Charlotte) and their dogs Ralph and Herman (shown).

We had lunch with Kim's mom, Judy, and went out on Lake Lanier for a short time in between storms.

  

Best thing of all is that Todd and I learned, after being together almost seven years, that we travel really well together and have some amazing family and friends.  For that, we are blessed.

Next stop on our tour of July . . . San Francisco!  Don't worry, that trip will be broken down into daily posts!