Sweet 16 Blog Hop

Hello, Sweethearts! If you found this blog, you are probably participating in the Candy Shoppes Design's Sweet 16 Blog Hop Challenge! IF you are a regular of mine, well, check out the Candy Shoppe Challenge blog for some sweeeeet inspiration! Here is the deal for the challenge:

You will be following STEPS for creating a layout by visiting each design team girl's blog in order! Check out the Candy Shoppe blog for the order... The Candy Shoppe Design blog
Okay, so you must know that I'm first up! I'm so excited to share with you my layout for this challenge.

Youth

Special Ingredients:
Cardboard base
Glimmer mist
Letters: Basic Grey
Die cut paper: Basic Grey
Patterned papers: October Afternoon
Jenni Bowlin buttons
Lace

7Gypsies stickers

Your first task is to pick a BASE for your page. Think outside the box! I did... I cut up a mailing box and used the cardboard for my base. I ripped, glimmer misted, and distressed the heck out of it! Try using unexpected materials for your base like acrylic, wood veneer, recycling, transparencies, textured cardstock, whatever! Pick a base... that's my instructions. Now, you must go back to the blog and leave a COMMENT with a fact about me that you didn't know before. Read my past entries for tidbits about me and my life! Interesting reading I'm sure. LOL! Once you post your fact about me, move on to the next blog for further instructions! Have fun and at the end post your layout for a chance to win this:

Lollipop Guild kit from Studio Calico
Kit Includes:
ATC Stamp (Studio Calico); ATC Tin - Measurement (7gypsies)
EMBELLISHMENTS: Stamp Alphabet Rub-ons (Hambly); All Mixed Up Overlay (Hambly); Just Chillin' Girl Mini Papers (12 sheets)(Making Memories); Just Chillin' Girl Glitter Die-Cuts (Making Memories); Vintage Style Loomed Yarn Flower Cut-Outs (Kitschy Digitals); Chandelier Crystals (Heidi Swapp); Word Keys (3)(Tim Holtz); Ducks In a Row Wild Cards (October Afternoon); Blush & Rouge Bling (Basic Grey); Pink Medium Pom-Pom Trim (Maya Road)

Okay, go on back to the Candy Shoppe blog and post away! Then I'll see your challenge layout linked up at the end!!! GOod Luck and make it sweet!

XOXO,
Jen

Long Time No Blog

I am such a bad Blogger! It's been over a month since I've been on here! WTH?? So, I bring you a very long post today! I have lots of things to share. I've been a very busy girl. Life is spinning way too fast. Or is that the world? Did the revolution of the Earth speed up lately? I feel like it has. My career has taken a huge jump back into the world of little kids! I'm up to my eyeballs in art materials, little fingers and crazy schedules! It's taken me alot of preparation for the 1st day with kids in my classroom. Unfortunately, I didn't take BEFORE pics of my classroom, but when I got it all cleaned up and organized I did take a few pics of it. Here they are:

Here's one of MY kindergartener posing with his art smock. So cute! A nice, big space with lots of storage and my very own office! LOVE it! So, it's hard, but I'll get used to the timing, the way the kids tick, and how to manage 5 minutes in between classes to set up! Oh My! It's craziness! I'm insane to have thought Elementary had it easy... there is NOTHING easy about this job! I haven't gotten to know all the kids yet, but the charm is there. They are sweet, energetic and eager to make art! There are some severely handicapped children that are not adjusting well yet, but hopefully they will soon!

On the homefront, Mark started Kindergarten this week! I cried at the bus stop, but he's adjusting well and there was nothing but pure excitement from him! No tears, no clinging, no whining! No worries...
Here are a few pics from the bus stop...

So bittersweet! He is getting so big and while I'm not ready for him to grow up too fast, I'm so proud of him for being such a big boy and getting through the tough life lessons so far. I know we have many more to tackle, but he has a family that loves him and a little brother who wants to do everything like him! So, happy back to school little man and to all the teachers and students everywhere! Off to lesson plan AGAIN! I'll be posting some new artwork of my own soon along with some DT work that I've been working on!

XOXO,
Jen