Weekend in review

Loving, originally uploaded by Kirsten W.

We had a great time in Des Moines celebrating Bethany's graduation - party on Friday, Saturday ceremony, then headed home Sunday for the annual watching of the Indy 500.

One of the exciting things about this weekend was my big purchase of a new MacBook. I will be handing over the school's iBook when I finish my teaching year next week, and I didn't think I could go a day without my precious laptop. This one is very new and improved. It was love at first sight! They were running a sale on printers, so I upgraded our home printer as well. The new printer and the Bam Pop paper I ordered online inspired me to take some pictures this afternoon - I printed them and went straight upstairs for a little holiday scrapbooking. I'm very pleased with the printing quality! My first 8 1/2" x 11" page - looking forward to doing more in this format.

Here's to a short work week! Enjoy, everyone!

Congrats grad!

grad, originally uploaded by Kirsten W.

I love you and I'm proud of you!

Sushi night!

One of the things I look forward to during the week is heading to Reminisce to work on Thursdays and see all the new stuff - and sushi night! It has become a bit of a tradition to order some take-out sushi for dinner during work. Tonight Missy and I were really enjoying ourselves - and celebrating that the Love, Elsie line has finally arrived. Love, indeed. I controlled myself pretty well, but I have a feeling I have more purchases of this adorable stuff in my future... Another reason to celebrate - this is post #200 to my blog! Can't believe it!

Off to get ready for our trip to Des Moines to join the graduation festivities!

Don't quit your day job...

Last night I painted my first window advertisement at Bill's dealership. Not so bad for a first time, I'd say, but next time I'd like to get some images up there to go along with the letters. If there *is* a next time, hee hee.

In other job news... most of you who read this blog probably already know this, but I've decided to leave my position teaching elementary art and I've accepted a job at an art and music centered preschool in Iowa City. I wasn't really in the market for a new job, but when this came up, and I went to visit the school, I just had a great feeling about it. There are lots of reasons I decided to make the change, including it is much closer to home, and it will be less hours and a more relaxed pace. I love working with the younger students - the kids at Preucil are 3,4, & 5 year olds. One thing I am really looking forward to is that I will be teaching one class of 17 each day - instead of the 150 I see every day at school. And I get to work with them on art, but also everything else - reading, writing, and creating of all kinds. The school is based on the Reggio Emilia approach, which is very student directed and respects the students knowledge and interests. The last day of school is June 7th, and I start my new job on June 11th - not wasting any time!

Iowa's state flower!

So, I was looking around for what this flower is and discovered that it is a wild rose (I think) and that is Iowa's state flower. Pretty cool!

Happy Monday

The fish quilt tops are sewn and ready to pass on to the parent volunteer who is going to quilt them. Yeah!

If you want a good Monday laugh, check out this flickr set.

Scrappin' Fever

I've been busy scrappin in my free time lately - I think I broke a personal record by completing an album for Chalk the Walk only a week after it happened. I was just really inspired by the fun pictures and new products from Reminisce, including these KI Memories felt letters, American Crafts Thickers alphabet stickers and the Autumn Leaves French Twist paper and chipboard journaling shapes - and of course the beloved Signo white pen!
Here's the front cover - I think it needs a little flair - any ideas?


Friday night we had our monthly teacher crop at Kim's house - I got lots accomplished - including this layout of Cleo.
A bush in our backyard started blooming with these beautiful pink flowers this week. Does anyone know what they are?

Also keeping busy sewing together those fish quilts, writing an article for the Reminsce newsletter, making something special for Bethany's graduation next weekend, and getting ready for the end of the school year. Should be a busy few weeks ahead!