Launches

Need a fun way to launch at the end of a meeting? I agree that anytime you can share the same moment with a group of people, you have something in common to build on.  I am compiling a list of launch ideas for a principal friend of mine so I figured I would blog it too! 




 Sometimes it can just be a quick word of encouragement so check out my Words to Live By Pinterest Board.








Or just try to keep it real...and funny with my Just For Giggles Pinterest Board.






Or take something that isn't related to your job at all and make an analogy!  Like this harmless prank where a kid is trying to rinse out the shampoo in his hair and the prankster keeps adding more.  

Teachers can relate to this one.  We seem to have an endless supply of expectations (shampoo) in our lives and we can't ever seem to get it all done (wash it out)!

You could also just expose them to a video they can use in their classrooms.  There are a ton for inferencing, basic concepts, and brain breaks out there.  I have a few compiled on my 

Videos for School Pinterest Board.  But here is a fun & easy one minute launch:

Some videos can be teacher stress breakers, like this classic one about standardized test scores:

watch until the end- it's priceless  

I also think that a great launch could be DOING something for the school, community, staff member.  Here are some ideas off the top of my head:

• Give everyone an index card to write an encouraging word to a nameless student.  Have them place it in their favorite library book! (Plan on doing this during this school year!)
• Standing Ovation for a staff member. (feels so cool)
• Everyone pitch in to complete a quick project
• How about just a mandatory 60 second moment of peace and quiet? (wink)

Here are some quick links that have TONS of inspirational stories, jokes, etc to motivate educators:

• Inspire21
• The Blueberry Story (and more)
• Ted Talks -Education
• 11 Clean Comedians (it says 12, but Cosby was #4...)
• YouTube Mix of Teacher Related Videos (PREVIEW each before showing- NOT ALL are CLEAN)
• Anything Kid President (google it)

Powerpoint is my BFF

I don't know about the rest of the creative people out there, but I don't think I could live without Powerpoint.  I prefer it over Word or Publisher and is my go to no matter what I am doing.

Today I wanted to make a personal graduation gift for a friend who will be an elementary administrator next year.  We are both gaga for all things Brené Brown and if you don't know who that is, stop reading this and google her NOW.  She is the "Words to Live By" Queen in my opinion.

Anyhoo, I googled images for Brené Brown Quotes and I had a ton to choose from but I just wanted it to be more special than copy/paste.  So I turned to my BFF (Powerpoint) and check out my creations!

 

Who needs anything more than coffee, Powerpoint, an arsenal of fonts, and a little creativity and love?

Still figuring it all out...

I feel like I have a much better understanding of paper piecing and quilting basics.  I just need to figure out how to get all my seams to match up in the end.  Practice makes perfect...

This is a Star quilt block pattern from Fresh Lemon Quilts.  After I pieced a 1/4 section, I decided to work more assembly line style- I'm blaming the janky  center on that.

Sewing Machine Cover Upgrade!

Here is my sewing machine cover before...

 Yes, that is a Half Price books bag.

Then I found this tutorial over at Sew Delicious and had a Moda "Social" Charm pack that was just waiting for the right project.  This is actually one of the few things I've sewn for myself!

Definite upgrade right?   So proud!

Made my own paper piecing pattern!

I wanted to make a Sugar Skull quilt square for a friend.  I couldn't find a pattern that didn't look like a minecraft skull so I decided to make my own!  (crazy right?!?)

Here is what I started with:

A coloring page.

Then I divided it into strips..

Tada!  Even the back doesn't look too shabby!

I appliqued the eyes and nose so they would stand out.

I then made a throw pillow!

This was the first time I added a (gigantic) handmade tag!

Best part is that my friend LOVED it!

One Block at a Time...

As you can see, I have been practicing my quilt squares.  I have learned that starch helps, cutting exactly really helps, the seam ripper is my friend,  and there really is a BIG difference when it comes to sewing with quality fabrics!

Pinwheel tutorial at SewMamaSew

Super Card Trick tutorial and pattern at Craft Sew Create

Mug Rugs and Paper Piecing!

I've decided that piecing and making quilt squares for mug rugs and such is way more doable than a big ol quilt!  So now I've started teaching myself techniques one quilt square at a time!  I have been watch tons of craftsy videos, but it has also been fun just to try some stuff on my own.

 Didn't these turn out great?  The tutorial at Not-so-plain-Jane really was a great one to follow.  Then I decided to piece the trees on my own!  Great volunteer and teacher gifts!

 Paper piecing has become my new obsession and this LOVE pattern was freebie that I have had so much fun making big and small!

Surprised my Husband with a Wooby for his birthday!

So I had tried a quilt before and it was hard.  I also did not sandwich it or do the actual quilting.   It turned out ok, but I wanted to complete a throw quilt from start to finish for my husband's birthday.

I fell in love with the Moda fabric called Table for Two and even though it isn't super manly, I was able to make it work!

I also started sewing with friends this year and one them has an awesome wall of felt to piece your projects together, so you can see I borrowed that idea for this project!  I backed and binded it with grey tones so it turned out just like I wanted!

Reading Pillows!

I have been so busy with life but still mixing in learning in my sewing room. Here are some of my accomplishments since school has started:


These are Reading Pillows.  I've had a blast learning how to mix and match colors AND work with piping!  I owe some major credit to this amazing tutorial at the Polka Dot Chair. They make great personalized gifts.