Crochet a Chunky Scarf

I really like to crochet when I have some free time.  A perfect time to do it is on road trips or plane rides.  I can really zone out and before I know it the time has passed and my project is finished.

I recently asked a favor of a friend and promised a special surprise in return.  After some time spent in Hobby Lobby in the yarn isle, we ended up deciding on a thick yarn in an eggplant color.  I went searching for patterns that go well with the specific weight of yarn and found a really pretty one.  As a matter of fact when I was done crocheting it, I didn't want to give it up.  Luckily, it was easy and quick enough to work up that I can make one for myself in the near future.

Here are some pics. What do you think?

If you think you might want to give it a try, you can get the scarf pattern from the lion brand website directly.  It is considered an "easy" pattern, a little confusing at first, but if you just go with it, it begins to make more sense.  Even if you're a beginner, I think you'd be able to make this with little or no trouble.  Good luck!

Jungle Party

My kinders recently filled the class reward jar with pebbles which means, I owe them a party!  We brainstormed ideas and somehow narrowed it down to five top choices.  Among the top competitors: ice cream party, dance party, dress-up party, and I forget what else.  The kiddos were so excited when Jungle Party won....  Now since it is my job to put on this party I needed to ask...What IS a jungle party?  What do we need to do to prepare?  This is what they came up with...

I love the food choices - "What monkeys, tigers, and elephants eat."

So, I made their little wishes come true.  The party is tomorrow and we have been prepping little things since last week.  Here's a few photos of the process

Cutting out room decorations 

Prepping puppets...

Happy little Kinders with their snakes

Making jungle masks: tiger, monkey, elephant.

The kids have been so stoked all week.  Tomorrow is the party, I figured I would try to wow 'em when they walked into the classroom in the morning.  I stayed after school to decorate the room, it looks so awesome...I'll post pictures of the party later.

Coffee Cup Coozie

Personally Made Coffee Coozie by Me

It started as a hunt for fun little gifts that I could make my friends and family members for Christmas.  After several engaging hours on pinterest.com, I found a couple different crochet patterns for coffee coozies (and a slew of other things).  Well, pretty much everyone I know loves coffee so how could I go wrong with giving handmade coffee coozies?

I didn't finalize my decision until a trip to Walmart for other Christmas craft supplies (see snowman craft below) had me in the fabric and yarn section.  This beautiful teal yarn caught my eye and it was settled!

It was so easy to make, you should try it too! This cool blog is where I got the pattern from: Hip Chicks Craft Too Blogspot

The Walmart trip was originally intended to buy materials for this cutsie craft :)  It's a great classroom christmas craft for the older kids.

Sock Snowman - Love this Christmas craft!

Will I Use This Thing?

Inaguaral post...woohoo!  I hope that I actually use this blog - unlike the long forgotten xanga blog I had in college.  I'm thinking I will use this to post about the crafty things I do, fun things I create for my students, and useful ways I organize.  Who knows, maybe there will be more.  I've been inspired by all the creative teacher blogs out there and want in!  Here it goes...