Friday, August 30, 2013

Coffee, Books and Ribs, OH MY!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Congratulations on surviving August! That is always a big deal to me. It doesn't feel like the school year has actually started until you get to September. Maybe I am hearkening back to the days of my youth when we did not actually start school until after Labor Day. But Alas, my calendar days run together now and are marked by my husband's school days, my baby boy's milestones and Mary Kay parties.

I enjoyed the 5 for Friday Linky Party that I joined a couple of weeks ago and so, I am participating again! 5 things that really highlighted my week.
1.) My Coffee Clip Art Set! I had so much fun with this set. It was really quite self indulgent and if I don't sell any sets, I still enjoyed the heck out of it. As all my sets, it is an evolution of art and the style changed slightly with my mood through the course of its creation. I started with the realistic coffee cups and french press and ended with a stylized cup and saucer and carafe. Perhaps a little Ikea-esque. Maybe I flatter myself. But, here it is. (:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Coffee-Love-Clip-Art-Collection-850311

2.) On the same vein, bean, This FRENCH PRESS!!! Can I say, this is the coolest thing ever, although maybe a little more than I would want to pay personally. They totally turned a MASON JAR into a french press. For all of us real coffee drinkers, that is pretty cool beans. In my opinion, its not coffee unless it comes out of a french press and I HAVE broken the pitcher part of mine before and had to replace the whole thing. This sucker has a lifetime (yours) warranty and if you break the mason jar, no biggie, just replace it for a whopping  70 cents. 
3.) This BOOK!
Has been revolutionary for me. I am going to shoot straight here. The last 5 years have been rough. The last year was really, really, really hard. REALLY hard. I left a job that I had poured myself into for years and emerged feeling very defeated and confused. I knew deep down that God had His hands in it, despite how unfair it was, but I did not know what to do with all of the emotions. I hurt. Bad. But, God in his infinite mercy and love led me to seek counseling at my church. They paired me up with an amazing mentor and we are working through this book together.  The author takes you through the parallel passages of Psalm 57 and 1 Samuel 22-25. An innocent David is running for his life and hiding from the bloodthirsty King Saul and cries out for God's Mercy and Comfort.  If you are going, or have gone through something rough, or know someone going through something rough and don't quite understand what God is getting at or what the point of it all is, this book will make things deliciously clear and help direct you to peace, even in your storm. I hope someone else can get as much out of it as I have. This book is a cool drink of water and a sanctuary from life's hurricanes.

4.) Sale, Sale Sale Sale!!!
To honor the conclusion of this August, both of my stores are 10% off today and tomorrow. 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Flower-In-The-Weeds
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Second-Grade-Spin
5.)Labor Day
Per Wikipedia:
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September, that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. It was first nationally recognized in 1894 to placate unionists following the Pullman Strike. With the decline in union membership, the holiday is generally viewed as a time for barbeques and the end of summer vacations

I get to see my dad only for a few months spread throughout the year. I miss him lots and am so grateful for the time that I get to spend with him. This time has been especially fantastic because my little boy has really had an opportunity to bond with his grandfather. I also have been home while everyone else is at work, which has allowed me a few opportunities to have my dad all to myself, which is a rare treat. Well, mom is off doing a half marathon this weekend, so I get 3 of the most special guys in my life in one place this Monday, awesome hubs, crazy baby and glob trotter dad, and I don't have to share! We will be trying this recipe:
I will let you know how it goes. (:  I hope you cherish the extra time you get to spend with your loved ones this weekend and have a chance to catch your breath before the year starts rolling full force. Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Ashley

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Hey There Friends!
Sorry this is so late in coming...but we are having a sale!!! I am adding 20% on top of TPT's 10%, soooooo......everything in my store is 28% off with the combined discounts!!!! For those of you that didn't know, I am a former 2nd grade teacher and had a blog/store under the name secondgradespin. I will have items in that store on sale as well.
I have been in busy, busy with my little boy, Charlie and have spent every evening the past week with my brother, sister in law and their little baby girl. It has been wonderful! I am going to miss them so much!  I will work on something more substantial later this week, but this is all for now. Well, happy shopping and I will talk to you soon!!!

Ashley

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Joining my First Linky Party! Five for Friday- better late than never!

Hi there!
 I have been snooping around some really awesome blogs today and ran across the Five for Friday at :
 
I thought it sounded like loads of fun, so here we go!
 

 
This place is awesome! Hubs and I took little guy this afternoon to play, play, play, with the unspoken desire that he would then, nap, nap, nap! It worked! He We had a blast! I can tell that this is going to be the first of many trips to the Playground to top all playgrounds! This place has a handicapped playground area with wheelchair access, a tots playground, a water-mister area and a BIG kids playground, all nestled in the middle of an awesome walking track and disc golf course. As a one job family, we are definitely keeping the peepers peeled for free fun!
I am sooooooo excited that my buddy Mrs. Hunter is celebrating her 500 follower milestone! I am also excited that my Animal Print Borders Pack is featured in one of her prize packages! Go check out her blog and enter to win!
image.jpeg
 
3. Baby Abigail!!!!
I just have to share the sweetest story. I am an Air Force Brat. I have lived all over kingdom come and believe it or not, one of my favorite places is Clovis, NM! I was there from 6th grade through 11th grade. My baby brother, who is 4.5 years younger than me met a sweet little girl in 3rd grade and developed a bit of a crush on her.  He asked her to be his Valentine, she said yes.   Sometime within that time frame, he also told my mom that if he ever had a little girl, he wanted to name her Abigail. Fast forward a dozen or so years later and my 21 year old brother is on depolyment in Afghanistan. We had long since left NM and he lost touch with many of his old childhood friends. He came across his sweet little valentine on another friend's fb page and they got back in touch. They started to talk and get to know each other again. He arrived back in TX, where he was stationed, and where SHE just happened to live. They started dating in August, got engaged in September and married in October! Well, almost 2 years later, sweet little valentine has given birth to a baby girl, naming her Abigail! Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it! And you know what else? She did not find out she was preggers until he had left again for Afghanistan, and the baby was supposed to be born before he could get home, but wonder of wonders, he got home 2 weeks before she made her little appearance! Praise God!!! So, bringing it full circle, brother, sweet little valentine and baby Abigail are on the road RIGHT NOW to come and visit!!!!!! I will get to meet my beautiful little niece for the FIRST time!!!! I am soooooo excited!!!!!!
3. Iron On Transfer Onesie
In this picture, she is wearing a little onesie that I made for her using one of my elephant graphics. Maybe I will get a better pic of the image later, but it is super easy. All you do is make the image that you want, and if it is words, be sure to flip it backwards. Print the image on T-shirt transfer printer paper (Yes! They make, AND sell it!!!) and carefully follow the directions to iron it on your fabric of choice. Now, it may not last through a million washings, at least not the type I used, but it is cute for a few pictures. (: Go try it for yourself. Anyone thinking: Class T-shirts???!!! Teacher totes? FABRIC BUNTING BANNERS?!!?!?!?!?! Knock yourself out!!!

4. Rice Krispy Treat Fire
Yes, I almost just set my house on fire trying to make rice krispy treats. I have a lot on my mind righrt now. THE BIG PROJECT is coming along, you know the build-a.....crap!!! I almost gave it away! It's a SECRET!!! But, I think you are going to like it...anyway, consuming brain power...Started heating a pot to put the butter in, got distracted, forgot what I was doing, put squirtles to bed, came back down stairs, hubs had turned the eye off. I did not realize how HOOOTTTT the pot was, the burner was off. I threw in my 3 tablespoons of butter aaaaaannnnnddddd..... it started to sizzle, it started to smoke and POOF!!!! The whole thing caught on freaking fire!!! I am not talking a little candle flame! I am talking a FOOT OF FIRE!!! I brilliantly went into hero mode, picked up the flaming pot and hurled it into the sink, it continued to burn and I geniusly thought to turn on the water, and when it died down a little, I used the spray nozzle to douse it completely. Only after I had extinguished the out of control flames did I realize that I have CURTAINS ABOVE MY SINK!!!! It could have been bad. bad.bad.bad. I just have to give a little shout out to God, Thank you God for keeping me from setting my house on fire. So, near death experience over. I got the treats made and this very thankful, distracted gal is going to pay closer attention next time! YIKES!!!

Recipe for Good Old Fashioned Rice Krispy Treats

3 Tablespoons of butter
1 10 oz. bag mini marshmallows
6 cups of rice krispies
sprinkles or any other desired add-ins

1. Turn your eye on LOW and watch it carefully the WHOLE TIME
2. With fire extinguisher in reach, very gingerly place your butter in the almost warmed up pan.
3. When the butter is barely melted, add your marshmallows and stir frequently to make sure the bottom doesn't BURN.
4. When you have a loose, liquid, buttery marshmallow mixture, mix it in with the rice krispies.
5. TURN THE EYE OFF.
6. In a greased, or wax paper lined pan, carefully spread out your mixture and smooth out. Put sprinkles on top.
7. Let the pan hang out until its all firm, stuck together and fabulous.
8. Enjoy your rice krispy treats and thank your lucky stars that your house is still standing and you did not get one of those embarassing visits from the fire department...(which I know nothing about...*cough*cough*)

5. This Stuff

Is magic. I have eczema. On my hands and my lips. I have started using this in place of my normal soap everytime I wash my hands, and they feel like a BABY'S BUTT!!! No joke, and I know what a baby's butt feels like first hand, from daily interaction. This stuff definitely smells better! If you want your own baby's butt hands, go here. Mention A flower in the Weeds blog in the memo box and get it 25% off! I know the gal personally, she lives in my mirror.
 
Well peepsies, that is all for now, I have to go work on my TOP SECRET project. But no worries, you will be the first to hear about it when it is ready for some public exposure.
 
Happiest of Sundays! Go rejuvenate your soul!
 
Ashley

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Finally Finished!!!

Ok folks, I have had a (*cough*) lot few technical difficulties this summer. Between computer issues, adjusting to life at home, trying to find a time efficient way to produce quality graphics and how to use blogger, I have FINALLY FINISHED my Welcome to the Jungle Clip Art collection!!! I am so proud of these babies! I feel like I am finally a real graphic designer! I was going to list the set for 10.00, but that number scared me, so the price is 8.00, which really is a good deal considering the time I poured into it. You can sort of see the evolution of my art in this too!

 I started with the zebra and giraffe (Phase one: wow! I can use shapes and build pictures!),
 the next was the elephant (Phase two: designer's secret, I am blushing...Wow! I can trace a photograph to create realistic images and then color them in gimp) and then, finally,
 the frog, toucan and monkey (Phase Three: Yeah, I got this, I can totally look at a picture and ad lib, and look at me using this curvy line tool! Yeah, baby!)

I am also so grateful that my sweet husband sat at Computer Direct Outlet ALL DAY yesterday trying to fix my computer. I have a toshiba, my son likes buttons, he pushes every button that his grubby little paws can find, he also likes to bang on the piano...sometimes he likes to pretend that buttons are the piano, so he banged on my computer and it...broke. But thankful, DH got it fixed, saved the day year and has earned his little self a foot rub and a couple of complimentary powerpoints. Here is the future little mozart himself:
Squirticus Maximus is 17 months and keeps me busy. Very busy. I love him to death though and can't imagine my life without him...but tonight, tonight,  I am going to try because Nana and Poppy kidnapped him for the night! So that is all for now. I hope you go check out my new work at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jungle-Clip-Art-Collection-817269.
And follow me kindly if you will! Happiest of Thursdays and Here's to Friday-Eve!

Ashley

Monday, August 5, 2013

The Magic of PowerPoint and other Random Musings

Pushing past the frustration of trying to learn a new program (blogger). I will save my rants for the ears of my poor husband only. (:  I have happily found a way around the issue and am typing this in word, only to turn around and copy/paste it into the application. Well, that is probably more than you wanted to read on that subject, soooo….moving on!
This summer has been filled with organizing/purging/cleaning/chasing the toddler terrorist/walking/learning the best way to create graphics/building my Mary Kay business. I am glad to say that the latter two are moving in a positive direction and the prior will continue to be a work in progress, probably for the rest of my life!
I have tried multiple programs for creating my graphics- adobe illustrator, gimp, paint, PowerPoint, and various other free programs that I googled. I have finally found a system that works well for me! I start out creating the images in PowerPoint and doctor them up in Gimp. That way, I don’t have pay hundreds of dollars for another program. I have been very happy with the results! You can judge for yourself. I have been working on and off all summer, and finally got a set loaded onto teacher pay teachers.  Come check out my Animal Print Borders and Frames and let me know what you think! It is a simple collection, but I think it has a lot of versatility, is stylish and would nicely accent any piece of work!
Well, I know that was short and sweet, but it is almost 1 am. I intend to post some of the fun things I have cooked/ made/ done with the son this summer. Stay tuned, there is more coming!
Ashley
P.S. My thoughts are with all of my teacher friends who are busy getting their classrooms ready for their new batch of babies. I hope you all have the best year ever!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Dandelions

Hey again blog world!

As I finish the final page in this most recent chapter of my life, I can't help but by thrilled and a little awe-struck when I think about the opportunity of the new chapter that lays before me. I made the decision to retire from teaching after 5 years (for now anyway) and work full time as mommy teacher to my one year old son. As most American families these days, one income is not enough- especially when that income is from another teacher! Consequently, it is my responsibility and joy to find alternative income. Thus, here I find myself, with itching fingers, ready to create! I am an artist, through and through, just ask Meyer Briggs, he said so himself. If you want to see what he says about you, go to humanmetrics.com. It is very insightful. (Ok, reigning in the rabbits now.) I am so excited to explore the great world of clip-art and graphic creation, and hope to venture into blog design and free lance writing. Oh, and did I mention that I am a Mary Kay Lady? You can shop til you drop at: www.marykay.com/ehall.

Here is my current theme song and the inspiration for this blog:

Dandelions

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
 Psalm 51:10

I have so many friends that are working overtime to eradicate their yards of the massive quantities of dandelions that this rainy spring has brought. However, did you know that every single part of the dandelion is useful, even medicinal? The flowers can be cooked and eaten as fritters, mixed into salads, and even turned into a delightful wine (so i have heard) the greens are highly nutritious, and the root is used to clean the kidneys! I actually think the plants are rather pretty, they give a sunny spark to any lawn, and seriously, who doesn't like to blow on a dandelion seed head? You know you do! My prayer, as that of the song, is that God will find something useful, and maybe even beautiful in the talents and efforts that I have to offer.

My hope for this blog is that it is not just a place to peddle my wares, but an encouragement to others as well. God has brought me through many storms, and I hope that my efforts will be pleasing to Him and useful to others. Where some may see weeds, I pray that He, and you dear reader, will find sweet flowers!

Until next time,

Ashley