And the Tiny Treasure goes to...

Congrats! Jennifer Phipps is the winner of the Mini Scrapbook Album Ornament!  Jennifer, contact me via email: tavteach@gmail.com, and I will gladly send your ornament to you!

My Blog is Nominated for the Liebster Award!

I am very honored to have my blog nominated for the Liebster Award! This award is given to new bloggers with 200 followers or less. I was nominated by Wendy McCarty of 1stgradefireworks. Thank you kindly! Her blog is very cute-check it out!

Here are the rules:
1. Post 11 random things about yourself
2. Answer the questions the nominator set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for your nominees.
4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them to your post.
5. Leave a comment on this post if you were nominated so I can learn more about you and see who you nominate.
Here are my 11 randoms:

1. I have always known since Kindergarten that I wanted to become a teacher!

2. I have been teaching first grade for 16 years (K-1 split for three of those years).

3. My husband and I have been married for 3 1/2 years. 
I love him more and more each day!

4. We have an American Eskimo dog who is more human than dog.

5. I love to watch NFL in the comfort of my own home!

6. My favorite color is purple.

7. I love to watch movies!  Star Wars, Lord of the Rings,
and anything with Daniel Day-Lewis!

8. My favorite food is pizza with cheese and pineapple.

9. I love to scrapbook and am constantly working on projects in
my scrapbook room, when I have some spare time!

10. I love to bake, especially when I can use my Cricut Cake Machine
to my baking creations-what fun!

11.  I love wrapping gifts!  There is something about coordinating paper,
tissue paper, ribbon, cards, etc. to make a present presentable.  :) 

Questions from Wendy:

1. Vacation retreat.....MOUNTAINS or BEACH ?
Tough one...I would have to say mountains.  My husband and I were married in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe, California, surrounded by mountains. 

2. What is your favorite Christmas cookie to make?
My Gram's orange cookie recipe with orange icing.  So good!

3. Name 3 places you have NOT been to, but would like to visit.
New Zealand, Ireland, and the Isle of Sky (located in Scotland)

4. Cat person or Dog person? Any other animals you would prefer?
Dog, for sure.

5. When was the last time you gave someone a "hand-made" gift? What was it?
A Shadowbox to my friend who just became a Grammy!  I included a picture of her new grandson. 

6. What is one "lesson" you have learned from having a TPT store?
The more detailed lessons and explanations, the better. 

7. If you could be your "boss", what is one "mandate" you would initiate?
Communication, communication, communication.

8. What is the title of the last book you read? Does a recipe book count?  I love the Cake Boss and am currently reading his recipe book/ recipe ideas. 

9. What is your favorite type of music? Favorite song?
Rock/ Pop:  Desire by U2

10. What do you do to "turn it off" for R & R?
Listen to some relaxing music or watch a funny movie.

11. What do you want for Christmas?
I really just want to spend the holiday with my family-love family time!

For my nominees...1.  What is your favorite color?
2.  What is your favorite hobby?
3.  What is your favorite quote from a movie?
4.  What is your favorite Christmas song?
5.  Do you prefer online shopping or actually shopping at a store?
6.  What is your dream vacation?
7.  Which do you prefer, flying or driving?
8.  What is a special holiday treat that you like to make/ or eat?
9.  Tell about a family tradition that you do each year.
10.  What ice cream flavor do you like the best?
11.  What do you want for Chrismas this year?

Blogs I have nominated...

1.  Firstgradeisfabulous.blogspot.com (Fabulous Firsties!)
2.  Mrs. Young's Busy Bees
3. Sweet Time in First Grade
4.  More to come.....

Mini Scrapbook Album Ornaments

 Look at these cute mini scrapbook album ornaments!  I wanted to have memories of significant events/ Christmas over the years on a tree!  So, I created these little minis which can be filled with a few pictures to capture these special moments!  I added a little ribbon to hang on a Christmas Tree!

 Above are a few pictures of the inside of our wedding scrapbook ornament.  I added the date to the back cover. Below shows our little personal Christmas Tree.  I love how these little mini scrapbook ornaments make our memories over the years shine and last for years to come!  My goal is to have a little mini scrapbook ornament for each year that my husband and I celebrate Christmas!  In a few years, as more memories are added, this tree will be decorated only as our mini scrapbook ornament tree! 

Mini Munchies With A Crunch!

Now that Football season is here, these mini munchies are the perfect solution for a game day crunch!
Purchase some refrigerated pie crusts.  To get started, grease a mini muffin pan. 

 Next, use a round-shaped tool to cut out circles.  I used a measuring cup (1/4 cup) to make these circles.

Then, place each circle over a mini muffin cup.  Use a mini tart shaper to press the dough into the muffin cups.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. 

 This is what they will look like when finished baking.

Allow to cool and then fill with favorite fillings.  Here are the chicken salad mini munchies I made recently!  So good! 

Other filling suggestions:  -Cucumbers, carrots, peppers with lil vegetable dip
-Beef, cheese, salsa, sour cream (taco bites)
-Apples, grapes, raisins, fruit dip
-Apples, mango, pears, fruit dip
-lettuce, crouton, and ranch dressing
The possibilities are endless!  What will be some of your favorites?

Sneaky "e" Sneakers

                                                     
My students are enjoying their study of the Sneaky "e" through these Sneaky "e" Sneakers activities!




From sorting Sneaky "e" words to spelling Sneaky "e" words out of Play-doh, these sounds have been a hit!

Students have been Sneaky "e" Detectives, writing Sneaky "e" words they find in their stories.  Spelling Sneaky "e" words out of toothpicks and rubber bands has been a fun challenge! Drawing Sneaky "e" words out of Sneakers, then writing them in a special way has been motivating in learning these sounds.  For the entire Sneaky "e" Sneaker pack, check out my TPT store: Tiny Treasures By Teacher Tava

Fall Wreath

I purchased these items for under $10 to create a fall wreath. 

I decided to make a wreath that wasn't round and when I saw this cute broom, the pieces started coming together.  I started by wrapping some orange ribbon around the top of the broom.  Then, I added some of the items that I had purchased. 

This is the final result! It is hard to believe that October is almost over!  At least I can keep this wreath up until Thanksgiving!  Happy Fall!

My Girl Cave-My Scrapbook Room!

My husband suprised me one Christmas with all of the cubes and storage units to start my Scrapbook Room! He even painted it my chosen purple colors and added this beautiful light fixture!  Yes, he is a keeper! 

     

 

I have all of my buttons, ribbons, eyelets, small chipboard pieces, fasteners, etc. orgainized by
color(s) in these craft containers on the wall shelf.  I organize my stamps by holidays, phrases, pets, etc. on these corner unit shelves.  This is my relaxing getaway!  Lucky for me that it is right in my house!  Happy Scrapbooking to all!