Sunday Smorgasbord: July 6, 2014

Get ready for a Sunday Smorgasbord of randomness! I'm linking up with Michelle from Fabulous in First to bring you a host of what I've been up to. Get excited about it!

{ONE}

So it's official: This girl is headed to VEGAS this week!!!

I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of "Sin City" itself but I'm super excited for all of the fabulous presentations and phenomenal company that will be at the conferences this upcoming week.

I'm a notorious procrastinator when it comes to packing for any trip so naturally I haven't even started but it's on my weekend to-do list, I promise! Speaking of packing, have you guys ever seen the PACK THIS! notepad?

It's like a pre-made checklist that suggests everything you might need to pack on a trip. I love the little weather bar at the top reminding you to consider the temperature of your destination. I bought one of these for my sister from The Container Store last year, and she tells me that it's so convenient and she uses it all the time. Maybe I need to get one for me too!

{TWO}

Total blog and shop overhaul! So I took some time in the last week to work on my shops and blog designs. I wanted something more consistent and fun that went with my blog title. So with a few fun illustrations that I whipped up along with some snazzy typefaces I have tried to bring it all together.

I'm overly critical of everything that I create, so naturally there are things that I already want to change about the design, but I'm going to try my best to resist and just try it out for a bit first.

{THREE}

Are you a Target Dollar Spot lurker? I will fully admit that I am and maybe even admit that I have a more serious problem (especially in the summer months when they start putting out teaching supplies!). On a recent trip to my FAVORITE store, I "happened upon" the Dollar Spot section and was thrilled to find a few teaching goodies already being stocked. Take a look at what I snagged. (It's not much of a haul in my eyes, but my poor, already-over-stuffed office currently believes the opposite.)

Eric Carle reusable bags: I don't know how I'll use them yet, but what teacher could resist these adorable bags?!

Correcting Stickers: I am loving these stickers right now. (The photo doesn't show it, but I actually bought 4 packs! Eep!)  Forget grading with a boring and messy rubber stamp. Now you can use stickers to liven up your grading! Sometimes a little sticker encouragement can go a long way with motivating even the most reluctant learners. I don't see these being used EVERY time I grade, but I think they may pop up occasionally throughout the year to spice things up. I love that they are colorful and have variety in terms of what they address. My favorite is the green one that says: "Completed with teacher's help". This will actually be helpful for ME to remember if an activity was done independently or not.

Holographic Smiley Face Stickers: I picked these up not because I don't have smiley face stickers, but purely because I don't have any with such cute expressions! Love the variety and color of these simple stickers. The hologram effect may also have played into my decision...

Mini-Stickers: These are nothing fancy but a teacher's sticker stash is never complete without a few packs of round mini stickers! And 624 stickers for $1 is a price you just can't beat.

{FOUR}

What week could be complete without a few more sketches? Here's a peek at some of the sketches that I've been working on. These among many others are already scanned and waiting for me to trace and color on the computer. (Other sketches currently in the works but not pictured: spring flowers & mushrooms, pandas, school supplies, owls, spiders, fall, mermaids, and US symbols). So many sketches and never enough time! Oh, hello Vegas plane ride activity!

{FIVE}

This is our recently adopted cat: Glacier. His eyes are closed so you can't see it but he has the most beautiful ice-blue eyes! He is a five-year old Lynx Point Siamese. He has stripes on his face, legs and tail mostly. He's actually more cream and brown than this picture reveals. He is missing several front teeth on the bottom and so he constantly has his tongue out!

My husband and I adopted him a few months back from a local pet store that was having an adoption event. Glacier had previously been at a high-kill shelter and was then brought to the pet store by a rescue agency. According to the staff, he had been there for three months until we came in, instantly fell in love and brought him home that same day. We don't know much about his past, but we have learned that he is definitely a cuddle-bug and quite the talker!

* * * * *

Alright I think that's enough randomness from me. Be sure to click on this link to check out the randomness that other bloggers are sharing today too.

I'm off to get crackin' on some packin'! Have a fabulous weekend everyone and if you're going too, I'll see you in Vegas!

Cheers,
Theresa