Hex Nut Bracelet

Just made this to add to my arm party.

finished bracelet

wrapped 3 times around my wrist

Twine: free from Grandma Jo's house
Hex Nuts: $1.10 for a pack of 25
Time: a lot of it. (while watching Diary of a Wimpy Kid) It took me a bit to get the hang.  Holding the hex nuts in place was kind of tricky. Originally I had 18 hex nuts braided into it, but that was waaaay too many when I tried it on my wrist. I un-braided and left 9, then re-braided.

What did I do with my day?

I went into school today and started to set up my classroom.  I have a VERY good friend, Carrie, who came with me.  She was such a help.  We moved ALL The furniture around and set up my classroom library!! I only took one pic because I forgot to take more. I somehow convinced her to come back with me tomorrow so I will take pics of my classroom.

Green Baskets: DRA leveled library

Blue Baskets: Fiction books- each basket is a subcategory

Yellow Baskets: Non Fiction books- each basket is a different topic

When I got home, I spray painted popsicle sticks. I will post a pic of the final outcome when I print the labels for my popsicle stick can. Woot!

My popsicle stick masterpiece. Probably spray painted about 200 sticks.

Welcome Back to School Wreath

I made a wreath to hang on my classroom door.

Cut ribbon about 15-17inches in length and tie in knots around wreath form

Keep tying...I alternated ribbon colors.

almost done!

Tie a longer piece of ribbon to the top to hang it from

Hanging on my laundry room door until its time for school

I am looking for a small chalk board to attach.  It will say "Welcome to Mrs. Carusi's Class"

Wreath form: $4.99 at Michaels
Ribbon: 21yards for $16.45 from ebay
Time: about an hour (with a break for dinner)

Super Cute Quote

Quote I found on Pinterest but this this hangs in my house.

Another DIY I borrowed from Pinterest

Shower curtain hooks to hold my necklaces. Pretty adorable.

Purchased hooks from Walmart: 2 packs- $12
Towel rack in guest bathroom- free
Time- 10 minutes

Fireplace Cover

So, as you know, I have been OBSESSED with Pinterest.com and have found myself using some any spare moments to browse the millions of fabulous images on this site.  I really don't think there is anything I don't think is kinda cute.  Some things may not be my style, but I haven't seen anything horrible.

All I want to do is craft, re-do, organize, move around and re-hang some things e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. in my house.  I was cleaning out the coat closet and found this beauty. I KNEW I was keeping it for a reason all these years.

Mine is just like this except bronze. I forgot to take an actual pic before it was taken apart

As soon as I saw it a Vegas style light show went off in my brain.  I knew what it would be perfect for.  An earring holder!!!!! I immediately called Kel and told her of this amazing find that I found in my own home!  She was excited too.. especially because there was enough for 2!! She gets one as well.  Brett and I took it apart, then put it back together. This is how it turned out.

Wire mesh already intact! I barely did anything to it!

I need to get a new ribbon for the top- but this one was from a Tiff's box I had lying around..it will work for the meantime. New earring holder fits beyond perfectly in between our two closets in the master.

Ta-Da! I hung a few earrings to see how it would look. I think I like it.

Cost- $0.00
Time- Probably 7 minutes. Maybe 8 if you include tying the bow at the top and hanging the earrings.

The Ideas are Flowing!

School has NEVER been on my brain in the summer before. Ever. Not even ONE time in my 7 years teaching. These last 3 days I cannot stop thinking about school!!! I will credit this to Pinterest.  I have been obsessed with this site and have stolen/borrowed SO many amazing ideas.  I also have been reading SUPER cute first grade blogs and have gotten so many ideas from them. Today I spent SO much (an embarassing amount) time making things on the computer... I actually cannot wait to get into my classroom (we don't technically go back until the 29th) on Friday so I can set up my furniture.  I want to use all my free time when we are officially back to set up bulletin boards, label everything, organize and make my lesson plans. 

I have links crediting all these pics on pinterest.. but not on here. fail.

Making these for my team mates!!! There are beads and glitter in the see-through jar.

brilliant. Painting my name sticks!
Mine will say "Whooo's Next? to go along with my owl theme.

Making this wreath for my classroom door...it will say "Welcome to Mrs. Carusi's Class"

using this ribbon!!!!

new behavior chart (mine will be similar)

Best.Idea.Ever. Class reward system. Magnetic.

I want this on my desk!

o-FISH-ally in 1st Grade- Making these for my kiddos when they come and meet me at open house!

Excited.

How Did I Not Know About This?!

I was fbook stalking yesterday and Anne (check out her super cute blog!! http://soopscutes.blogspot.com) & Nancy (two of my friends/Chi Omgea loves) were posting about Pinterest... my intrigued mine wanted to know what it was.  My mind didn't know what it was in for.  This is the BEST invention EVER. I am more than disappointed that I did not know about this before my wedding. I am making up for lost time...and am now re-decorating my entire house and have plans to buy a beach house so I can redecorate it as well.

Follow me! I'll follow you! :)

http://pinterest.com/kimcarusi/

Ok- gotta go to Michael's so I can buy a ton of stuff to DIY everything I've seen!

One Year Ago

Facebook just told me that one year ago today B and I got our marriage license!! How exciting! I love that fbook is keeping track of my important life events.

8/16/2010

We are 54 days away from our 1 year anniversary. :)

Is this flavored Ice Water?

So, we have been working at the store.  It is just as fun as I remember it.  We will be working there for the next 3 nights as well.  If you happen to be in the Corolla, NC area.. come on in. HA.

this may or may not be my crazy father...wearing Phil

Things I Bought Tuesday

I had a credit on Gilt.com that was burning a hole in my laptop screen.... I decided to put it to good use by purchasing these two items. They will be staples in the fall wardrobe.

Elephant Cuff for Kel

Horseshoe Bangle for me

A couple of weeks ago when I was at Brenda & Joe's house visiting with my new nephew, I saw canvas prints hanging on the wall that were so adorable! Brenda chose pictures and had them printed on canvas.. I knew I had to have some grace the walls of my home.  Today one of the LivingSocial deals in DC was 'Photo-to-Canvas Print'.  I bought 10. Yes, 10.  I am going to have some engagement and wedding pics printed because I don't have any of either. :) I will post pictures when they come in!

I ordered both sizes, yay!

School's a Comin'..

I bought some new book bins for my class library! 32 to be exact. I haven't bought one book bin in my 6 years of teaching.  I have used hand-me-downs and they are now falling apart.  I think after 6+ years of use it is okay to buy new ones?? I wish they had all one color, but I guess blue and yellow will have to do. Perhaps fiction and non fiction colors?

While perusing the isles of my favorite Walmart, (apparently school was on my brain) I found this super awesome white board book. I immediately bought 5.  It has 4 whiteboard pages so my kiddos can practice their lower and upper case letters, write a story, draw a picture and practice handwriting. This center is going to be a huge hit!

I also couldn't resist a new Sharpie purchase. 

Summer is in Full Swing!

It sure is good to he HOME! (all of Kel's posts from CR are on her blog.. read them if you want to hear about our trip!) Stay tuned for an update of my favorite CR pics- coming soon.

I would like to point out that I loved every second of going through customs and hearing "Welcome home ladies" from the officer.  It was glorious.  Brett picked us up from the airport in my SUV and it was amazing to drive on paved roads.  We went home, had a few days to relax and then headed to OBX! We have been relaxing and soaking up the sun in the USA.

The girls have been playing in the sound and having a blast.

Since the girls have been such active swimmers, Kel and I ordered them life vests. :) Pink life vests.  Both Cam & Mae like to be near us when we are in the water, and this just makes it a little easier for them.

So cute!!

Cam looks like a tired pooch!

Mae chillin' after swimming

Cammie taking a break and wanting shade

Besides being outside every day, we have been doing a whole lot of "nothing" and it feels great. (Right now I am watching Full House- HA) Linds came over and we got to catch up on the 100 things that have been going on.  She is teaching first grade again, like me. :) We are going over to the Chandler's house tomorrow and Mr. C is making ribs at our request. We are all SO excited for them. They are the best in the world!

Last night we hit up Tortuga's for din, and of course I got my favorite-burger-in-the-world: the Bajan Burger. Yum. Of course I had to Trip Adviser it. Everyone should go to Tortuga's.