Cake Pop Addicts

Confession: My students (5th and 6th graders) are cake pop addicts and it's my fault. A couple of months ago, I needed an excuse to try making cake pops (why I thought I needed an excuse, I don't know). So, I told my students that if they missed five or less, as a total class, on their spelling tests, I would make them cake pops. They didn't know what cake pops were, but when I explained, the dream of cake on a stick was enough. The 5th graders made their goal that very first week. I went ahead and made them for everyone. They were an instant hit.

Since then, I've made them two other times. The ones in the picture were for Valentine's. I wish I had taken more pictures, but it was LATE at night, and I was desperate to go to bed. My pops are not perfectly round, and the pink for Valentine's didn't turn out as pink as I wanted...but truthfully, 10-12 year-old students getting a present from their teacher just don't care. What matters is that they made their spelling goal, which means cake on a stick. They are incredibly "treat" motivated....hmmm, how else can I use that?

Tangerine and Light Blue

My SIL has a friend with whom she regularly exchanges letters
(wish we all did).

So she asked me to make her some cards,
which I readily agreed to do.

She told me that she likes eggshell blue, and tangerine,
but left me to my creative devices beyond that.

I couldn't find "eggshell" paper, but the orange I used is actually called "tangerine."
It's nice every once in a while when the stars align.

And so these birds were born.
I've mentioned before that I like simple cards,
ones that can actually fit into a regular envelope.

Here they are, all cutely 'twined and ready to go.

Valentine's Door Decor

Husband and I are not big celebrators of Valentine's Day. We are in love, but we just don't really care that much about V-Day. This year we are going to a Jim Brickman concert on the 10th, but it's really more of a happy coincidence that the dates are close. All that being said, I do like a good reason to decorate (even if it's just a little), and Valentine's Day gives me one. I made this simple Monogram with ribbon for our door. It's a little small, I think, so I may tweak it a little. For now, I think it's cute and I'm just glad I actually got it up before Valentine's. I wish it was a sunnier day, so that the picture could be a little brighter. Oh well.

A couple of weeks ago the puppy managed to grab my small purse off the table, run outside with it, empty the contents into muddy snow, and chew. my. glasses. in. half. To be honest, I wasn't that upset. I'd been wearing the same purple frames for eight years, which was about 7.5 years too long. This finally gave me the push to get my eyes checked and get new frames. These are much classier. So here's what I look like these days...

Sugar Bee Crafts
Mommy by Day...

M is for Max

I made this mappy "M" monogram for a student named Max. He was in my 5th grade class, but only for 10 weeks. He came over from Korea for an intensive United States experience. The school where I teach is part of a program that educates Korean kids for their short stay, and I was lucky to get Max in my class. Not only was he in my class, but I also tutored him in English for 2 hours a night Monday-Thursday. Our time together was a classic case of "I was the teacher, but who really learned more?"

I'm so glad I got to know him, in all his quirkiness. He hates most Korean food and his favorite food is a good ol' American hotdog. I introduced him to cake pops, and his life will never be the same. Every night after I brought him one he asked "You bring the cake candy?" At the age of 11 he's already studying English, and United States history so that he can get his citizenship as soon as possible. I hope he does. It's his dream.

Before the students come to the States, they choose an "American" name. Sang Wu chose "Max" because he heard it from a movie, and liked it. At the end of school on Thursday, his last day, I presented him with this little present, along with a card that all of his classmates had signed. I told him that even though he'll go back to Korea and become Sang Wu again, there will always be a part of him who is still Max.

I already miss him!

Tatertots and Jello

Wildflowers

I made this little wildflower scene for my mom and step-dad as a Christmas present. It was a lot of work; the flowers fill up an 8x11 piece of paper. It's the biggest piece I've done so far. I was a little hurried, and I don't think quilling was ever meant to be a hurried art. But I still think it turned out well. I meant it to look like a little wildflower patch. Anyway, the recipients liked it, and I have plans to do more projects like this. I would have taken more pictures, but I only remembered to take this one as we were headed out the door to the airport!

Linked up:
Sassy Sites
Thirty Days
Tatertots and Jello

Berries and Turquoise

Now that I'm on Christmas break, I finally made it to Michael's to figure out exactly what to create for our door. All season I've been wanting red berries, and something turquoise. This is what I came up with, and I LOVE it!
It was so cheap; I already had the frame, and all rest (berries, ribbon, ornament) were 50%-70% off at Michaels. I think the total cost was around $6. So worth it!

It was simple, too...I used the snipped-off wire stems of the berries to attach the berry branches to the frame (there's no glue on this beauty anywhere). Then I wrapped wired ribbon around it, hung the "Noel" from the frame, and attached a ribbon "hanger." Easy, easy easy!
I gave my not-so-traditional wreath away to a friend who loves it and will give it a good home. For reasons I won't bore you with, I was just DONE with it. I'm glad it has a good home, though. Thanks for taking it off my hands, Thai.
36th Avenue
Sassy Sites
Young and Crafty

Christmas Break and Quilling

I'm finally on Christmas break!
I'm a part time teacher in a 5th and 6th grade classroom.

Btw, DIY Blogland, while I appreciated that there were 1.5 billion ideas for gifts for students to give their teachers, I didn't appreciate that I didn't see one single idea for teachers giving gifts to students. It's okay, you know I love you. I also love the dollar section at Target.

Now that I'm on break, I plan on some laziness...
demonstrated by my favorite pup.

I also plan to do more quilling.
I'm just in love with making snowflakes.
Here's one that I made for a coworker.

Merry Christmas!

36th Avenue
Sassy Sites