Recyclable Art

So I was thinking....that I needed to fill you in on my week of workshops. Currently I am sitting in one, where I am creating my web page, I will send you the link soon. I thought I would skip over to blogland to send you a recyclable craft tutorial.  For this craft all you need is: toilet paper rolls, hot glue, and spray paint!

Toilet Paper Roll Art 

First, you need to collect around 40 toilet paper rolls(I also found that paper towel rolls work as well). I cut them into 2 inch sections, which is just cutting them in half.

After, I cut the rolls apart I heated up the ole' glue gun. I saw this craft on Pinterest and thought it would be a fun summer craft. I designed how I wanted it to look by laying them out in an order on the table. I modeled mine exactly after the one I found here. Once the glue gun was hot, I began gluing them together, making sure all of the hot glue was not shown from the outside.

This is what it looked like mid-way. I ran out of toilet paper rolls and had to wait a week or two to restock.



After it was complete, I took it outside and sprayed it with brown spray paint. It was so quick and easy to make! Stay tuned, to see the final project; I am posting pictures of my new townhouse soon!!!

~Rachel

Turning the page

So I was thinking....that packing is not my favorite thing to do, and currently that is what my days are consumed by.  Looking back over the past four years I have had to move all of my things four different times, and here I am about to embark on my fifth move.  All of these moves have been from home to "the loveliest village on the plains" however, they all were to different locations: two dorm rooms, an apartment, and a cute little house.  I am returning to my home away from home on Saturday to turn the next page in my book; however, this time I will be out in the real world with a wonderful teaching job and all of the lovely bills that come along with living on your own.  It's crazy how much people charge for things, my paycheck after bills seems to get smaller and smaller.  However, I hope to be a couponer/ saver of money so I can save to go overseas, with missions in mind. So in need of a budget, I knew just who to call.  This will be a new experience for me but with my elaborate budget spreadsheet (thanks to my brother-in-law, the financial guru) in hand, I am ready to take this leap and start the next chapter in my life: Growing into Adulthood.

Monday, I will start a workshop that will help me learn all there is to know about my school district, and I will try and complete my classroom as well as decorate my house; so its a busy week ahead.  The next week brings first grade screening as well as my first official day of work at Ogletree! 

I am full of emotions about this next chapter: I'm joyful, full of excitement, and also a little bit nervous.  I believe that I have a passion for teaching and that this is the right path for me.  I find joy in all of the children's faces, reward from knowing and hoping I have made a difference, and encouragement when I help a child know they are special; however, having full responsibility for a classroom makes me a little weak at the knees. I am praying for this next stage in my life and I know God will give me the ability to do His work in the classroom.  This assurance has helped me wane the nerves I have and turn them into praise, because God has been so good to me! I am so blessed to have a job in this economy and to have this job in a town that I love. So I hope you keep up with this next journey in my life, as I walk with the Lord and see where He leads me! 

~Rachel 

Full House...July 4th Holiday

So I was thinking....that the show Full House has nothing on the Anderson clan. Each year, everyone on my dad's side of the family loads up their cars, and heads to the beaches of North Carolina.  The Tanner's full house of nine people does not compare to our house of 23:) Unfortunately, the past three years, I have not been able to attend(camp 2 years & the sis's wedding last summer); however, I made a reappearance this year.  I am blessed with the best family a girl could ask for. The amount of people in the house just adds to the support, guidance, and laughter in our conversations. Here is a review of our week in pictures:

 The whole group at Putt-Putt, our family tradition. We take this tradition very seriously, and the guys always compare scores at the end. I was able to round out in the top 5, so I was very excited!

 Mom and Z during a break in the game!

Grandmomma and I after the game!

We had great weather, although a little windy, and were able to spend time playing at the beach. We had a great time watching all of the little ones play, as well as taking part in wave-riding ourselves!

 Building one of many sandcastles!

Aren't they adorable! 

 We were able to drive off the island and go find some great fireworks on the 4th!

Finally, after 22 years of waiting, LB and I were able to watch, observe, and learn how to make Grandmomma's famous caramel. Its a very specific recipe, and I am nervous to try it by myself, but hopefully my 2 pages of notes will help me master it as well.  

I am so very lucky to have such a great family, full of fun traditions, and even more love! Getting to spend time with them is so special. Many people ask why we don't split up and stay in different houses to have more space, but I have to tell them that it would not be the fun adventure and family bonding time if we were not all packed into a full house! Hope everyone is having a great end of their summer!

School starts in 26 days!

~Rachel 

I'm Back!

So I was thinking....that I have not blogged in 51 days and I would like to change this statistic. A lot has happened since my After the Diploma blog, so let me fill you in on the scoop.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach first grade at Ogletree Elementary! After my interview and a short waiting process I got the call that they wanted me to join their Ogletree All-Star Team.  It was quite a relief to get this call and I am thankful for the opportunity. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me when I head back down to the "loveliest village of the plains."  Here are a few pictures of my classroom, its huge! The decorations up now are from the previous teacher, but I am excited to start decorating it with my Hollywood theme in the upcoming weeks.

 Huge bulletin boards to showcase our work!

 My "Reading Rehearsal Stage" This loft will hopefully be in one corner of my room, 

after it makes its way through the school. 

Another view of the classroom! 

After celebrating the new job, I got to spend a month at one of my favorite places, Camp Winnataska. I was the program specialist in Recreation with two great comanches! Miss you Fran and JAM. I was struggling and overwhelmed with stress while out at camp(from the new job and trying to find a place to live), but after a friendly reminder to find rest and comfort in the Lord, I was able to spend the rest of my time, enjoying God's creation and relaxing before my very busy school year commences. I got home from camp last week and I have spent this week working on some school stuff, catching up on doctors appointments, and crafting, thanks to my finds on Pinterest(one of my new favorite websites).  Here are some of the things I have made this week:

 Crayon Monograms! A is for Anderson 

 July is a big birthday month for my family. Here is a button monogram for my aunt. 

 I found this lovely bird painting at the thrift store for $1.49 

and decided to turn it into...

 A chalkboard. I found a great blog that taught you how to 

make your own chalkboard paint!

 Another find from the thrift store, turned into...

 A blooming book wall hook

I have loved being able to craft this week and hopefully you will be inspired to make some fun things as well. My dad's side of the family is off to the beach to spend the Fourth of July holiday together, so we are headed out late tonight to make our way to Ocean Isle. I promise I will be a better blogger when I return. Everyone have a great holiday weekend!

~Rachel