Snazzy Stools!

Finally! I have come up with a solution on how to get my chairs to match my room theme! My room colors are vibrant, so my OCD self would like everything to match :) These are what I have from Ikea. They are under $6 a piece. Great deal! I have seen them around for $10 per stool.

By the way, these stools work great under tables. They save a lot of space. I have had them for 2 years and they have held up marvelously. I definitely recommend them if you teach upper grades. I have had other stools before and my 4th graders have broken them before the year was over.

I found a new spray paint that works on metal and plastic, which is great considering the stools are made up of both!

Spray paint away and the final product is a bright stool! Below are the three that I finished. I have a total of 6 in my room, but I am considering buying another set since my kids love to sit on these and they're better than pillows. They keep any unwanted critters away.

Aside from painting, I have been dabbling in clip art. I have a few things designed and hopefully within the next few weeks I will be able to get out a scribble pack freebie.

As always, Happy blogging!

Making Interactive Notebooks More Personal & Fun

Summer has kinda kept me away (ok A LOT) from blogging. After this year, I needed a break from everything. I am back! I wish I was still in Puerto Rico on my honeymoon because we had a blast! Here are some photos from our trip. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a getaway (no kids). Best of all it's considered part of the U.S. ... no passports!

Bio Bay lagoon! The only lagoon in the world that glows every night.

One of MANY iguanas all over the island!

A waterfall we found while hiking the El Yunque Rainforest.

Having some fun at Senor Frogs!

Alrighty... now on to what you're probably here to read about. How to personalize a composition notebook. First of all I will warn you this does take some time, but the end product is wonderful and the kids LOVE them! Before you begin gather the following:
* wallpaper sample book (many store that carry wallpaper books will give them to you for free if you call ahead of time and let them know you are working on a project for school)
* Xacto Knife
* Spray glue Scotch Super Adhesive Spray ( I have done this for years and it has to be this brand. All of the other kinds don't stick very well)

* Composition Notebooks
* A big piece of cardboard.

One big can of Scotch makes about 20 composition notebooks. The first thing I do is use the knife to cut out the sheets of wallpaper that I want to use. Once I have a stack and am ready to spray I work outside. The smell is strong, so you may also want a mask. Take your cardboard and place it on the surface you are working on. Next lay a piece off wallpaper, design side down (you should be looking at the back of the page). Grab a composition notebook and make sure the wallpaper fits the notebook. Spray one side of the notebook and cover with wallpaper. Flip your notebook and wallpaper over and spray the other half.

Once you have sprayed let the notebook dry for a few hours. When they're done trim off the excess paper with a Xacto knife. Here is what the finished product looks like. I also add name labels to each notebook. The wilder the wallpaper patterns the more the kids love them. You will be surprised at how much they enjoy getting to choose their own design.

Hsppy Summer & Happy Blogging!