Crackle Crazy

I recently bought some of the Sally Hansen Crackle over coat in Ink Splatter.  I had been wanting to try it out and I couldn't decide what color to use with it, so I went with 2! I alternated Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blue me Away and Fuchsia Power.  I thought It came out pretty fun! Hope you are all having a good week so far!

It's a *zoo* in here!!

Even though this was from a few weeks ago, I promised some of my parents I would post!  My students worked soooo hard on their research projects and I was too proud not to share.  One of our state standards is to narrow a research question, appropriate to grade level and ability, and use outside sources to answer the question. My Kindergarten colleague and I chose to have students do a research topic on a particular zoo animal and asked them to present their posters during zoo week.  I was amazed at my students' presentations and all that they taught ME! Way to go guys! :) 

Students were informed that they had to be knowledgeable on their animal and be able to  share their poster with the class.  Below, Molly is informing us on all she learned about tigers. 

Kaylee went to the Knoxville Zoo and picked up some artifacts to share with our class about giraffes. She even took pictures of animals she saw and shared them with us!  

Of course we tied zoo into our Literacy Work Stations.  Students listened to Rumble in the Jungle during Listening time and learned about various animals in their rotations. 

Each day, we chose a different animal to focus on and learn about.  We charted webs and facts after we read informational texts.  Here is a bubble map we put together on kangaroos!

We even had time to squeeze in a few art activities. Kindergarten literally was a "zoo" that week! Students used brown finger paint to add the giraffe's pattern on its body.  Did you know that every giraffe has a different pattern? Also, we used a paper plate to create an elephant.  

Happy Memorial Day Weekend.  Love, Miss E

Simple French Manicure with a little sparkle!

My half moon manicure chipped last night in the pool.  (happens a lot when you are in heavily chlorinated water about 5 days a week!) So I decided to do a simple French manicure last night, but I wanted something a little different.  I used Sinful Colors Glass Pink as the top layer.  Hope you enjoy!

Update to Grey Area

I decided to try to make this mani a little different.  This is my first attempt at a reverse french manicure or a half moon, which ever you prefer to call it.  I think it's kind of "chic" looking.  I didn't clean up my cuticles yet, so just ignore that part.  It's not perfect, but it will work for today.  Hope you are all having a great Thursday!

Grey Area

I haven't been too inspired lately.  I found this color the other day and I really liked it.  Last night I sat down and tried 2 different full manicures and wasn't satisfied with either.  So I just went with Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Grey Area.  I would like to spice this mani up a little bit, but I have no idea what to do!

Polka Dots!

I ordered some dotting tools and they arrived in the mail today.  I couldn't wait to try them out!  For my first attempt at using these tools, I think I did pretty good.  Hope you enjoy!

For the base coat I used Sally Hansen Xtremewear in Fuchsia Power and the dots are Sinful Colors Snow Me White.  I also used Seche Clear base coat and Seche Vite top coat.  Let me know what you think!

Channeling my inner Wonder Woman

I found some more fun polish! I am on a blue/green kick lately.  Not colors I usually wear, but this looked fun so I wanted to try it.  It reminds me a little of Wonder Woman or some other comic book hero! This is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blue It.  Shiny almost navy blue.  I really like it!  I also painted my toes this color and added a glittery topcoat! Very Fun! (little side note, this color looks better in person than in the pictures)

Follow the Yellow Brick Road!

The pictures don't really capture just how pretty this red polish is.  This is Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Red Carpet.  It reminded me of Dorothy's slippers from the Wizard of Oz! It's a deeper red than the picture shows, more of a ruby color, with tons of tiny red glitter.  I love it!

Now on to the toes.  I have always been leery of orange, but I saw this at the store and I thought I would give it a try.  It reminded me of orange sherbet, which is one of my very favorite flavors.  This is Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Sun Kissed.  It's certainly not my favorite, but I am trying to let it grow on me.  For me, the little touch of sparkle helps a whole lot.

And just for fun, a picture of my kitty Bailey.  He was watching a bug.  Thanks for reading!

Teal and a simple stamp

This is my second manicure using the Bundle monster image plates.  I used Milani neons teal for the base color.

First Stamp with new image plates

My Bundle Monster image plates came in and I couldn't wait to get stamping.  I decided on using plate number 215.  I am not sure if I like it or not, but there were 25 image plates in the order so I will have plenty more stamping opportunities!!  I am still learning how to stamp, so the images didn't come across that well.  I used Sinful Colors snow me white for the stamp.

Ok, I couldn't wait! Here's what I made today!

OK, so this these are the results of what I found at Michaels today...I think they are awesome!  I made a necklace and matching bracelet.  I love the colors, reminds me of candy!  Hope you all enjoy!

Teacher Appreciation Week!

This post is a little late as well...but I had to share. Check out what my students made me...and best of all, they kept it a surprise! (Anyone who teaches younger grades knows how difficult this task can be) I about died when my art teacher walked in carrying this blanket. Apparently one of my parents sent in a plain blanket and paints to our school's art teacher, asking her to stamp each child's hand print and write their name. I'm pretty sure my facial expression says it all.  I was totally surprised and thrilled with the gift! :)  I love my kiddos. 

I had to give everyone hugs.  

And here is the blanket with *most* of my class - not all of them made it in the photo.  OOPS!  So thankful for the sweet gift and the thought that went in behind it.  I will certainly treasure this gift for years to come.  To all of my parents reading - thank you for sharing your child with me.  Your child has touched me beyond words and I'm certain they will do great things in the future.  I hope all of my teacher friends had a great Teacher Appreciation Week!

Love, Miss E

Sneak Peek!

OK, here is a sneak peek of the beads I found today!  Very excited to see how it turns out! (the picture really doesn't do them justice, the lighter beads are a light yellow)

first swatch

This is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blew me Away.  I have not ever really had blue nails, but I really like it! It's fun and happy.  Hope you like!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mothers out there!  Just wanted to share 2 little things my students put together for their Mom's.  I hope they kept it a secret like I instructed them to do! ;-) 

We planted our Mom's flowers and they started to bloom.  Yay! A few years back...we had no such luck and gave our Moms a cup full of dirt.  Oops. I'm sure they still loved it the same!  If that ever happens to you - no worries.  Just attach this poem:

I planted some seeds in hopes that they'd grow,

Something went wrong, I just don't know...

Instead of some flowers, it's a cupful of dirt.

I love you - I hope your feelings aren't hurt!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This project is a favorite every school year.  Students are given scraps and are instructed to create their Mom's sleeping in her bed.  It is suppose to appear as if her head is poking out from under her covers.  We glue it on the front of a paper bag and attached the following poem:

Breakfast in Bed

Since it is your day,

I have something to say.

Don't lift your head,

Have breakfast in bed.

Just take a look...

You don't have to cook!

I don't like to brag,

But it's breakfast in a bag!

Happy Mother's Day 2011

Enjoy!

Inside the bag, we place: a napkin, apple, breakfast bar, and a tea bag.  Wished I would've gotten a few shots of some other bags.  A few of my students (I think) created their Mom's hair to look like it actually looks when they wake up in the morning.  It was sticking up and all over the place - hilarious!  I used scrapbook paper this year, but scraps from wallpaper books make great "bed spreads" for the bags as well.  Check out more mother's day stuff {here}.  Thank you again to all the Mom's out there and everything you do for your children.  To my Mother - I love you and adore you.  Thank you for ALWAYS being there.

~Miss E

Going Buggy!

The title of my post says it all.  I have literally been going buggy.  Between cheerleading tryouts, wrapping up the end of the school year, graduate school, and distributing our school's yearbooks...I haven't slept much!  Been living at school lately! :)  Ha...good news is, this is my last year as Yearbook sponsor.  Hooray!!!  Anyways...I am posting stuff from 2 weeks ago.  This is just a snip it of our insect week.  We had a great time studying bugs.  After reading TONS of nonfiction books, making webs and bubble maps, and watching Brain Pop videos...here is what we put together!  My students just LOVEEE creepy crawlies.  Me on the other hand - not so much.  EEK!

We used our fingerprints to make ants and ladybugs.

We made a bee book.  "Here is the beehive, where are the bees?  Hiding quietly, where nobody sees.  Are you sure?  Let's peek in the hive.  One, two, three, four, five...OUCH!!"

  A few Ellison Di Cuts and a paper plate...and wallah! The Life Cycle of a Butterfly. 

Students made a lady bug book and added dots to the front cover.  On the inside, we reviewed positional words and students placed their ladybug to match. 

"I'm beside the cricket."

Sorry I've been such a slacker.  I've got TONS of posts coming soon.  My camera is overflowing with photos.  Happy Weekend! ~Miss E