Crazy with the Washi Tape...Made It Monday!

It's Monday and that means linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for the Monday Made it link!

I've recently discovered washi tape and fell in love. I went a little washi tape crazy this past weekend.
I found some cute washi tape at Michaels, but their selection was pretty slim. I found a couple wonderful online sites (Freckled Fawn and Cute Tape) that have a lot of different styles to choose from at decent prices. Freckled Fawn has some cute tapes on sale right now. I'm patiently awaiting the arrival of my new tape!

What I love about washi tape is that you can decorate plain items, but you can also make things from scratch! So not only did I decorate things for my classroom, I made some bookmarks that I will be giving out to my 5th graders when school starts. It was super easy to do and pretty quick and Live a Little Wilder has a great step by step tutorial. However, instead of making the bookmarks 3 inches wide as she suggests, I made them 4 inches wide.

Washi Tape Bookmarks!

You will need washi tape, cardstock, and sticky magnets.

  ***I apologize for the yellow tint on the photos...that is what happens when I take photos without a flash in horrible lighting.***

Cut the card stock so it is 4 inches wide and then attach the washi tape on both sides of the cardstock: 

Next cut the sticky magnets and place on each end of the bookmark:

Now fold the bookmark in half:

You now have a super cute bookmark!

 Magnetic Pencil Holder
I bought this magnetic pencil cup a few years ago. I took it home and tried to take the sticker off the front, to no avail. I don't know why they would place the sticker their or make it to where it won't come off! So, I had it on my whiteboard, clearance tag and all! That all changed this past weekend!

Craft Sticks

I use craft sticks to call on my students randomly. My current craft sticks have animal prints on them (they matched my safari theme years ago). I found those premade, but I can't seem to find any that will go with my new theme. So I made my own. I still need to write the numbers on them, but I think they turned out cute.

Library Card Pockets

I found the colored library card pockets at the Dollar Tree (a pack of 20 for $1) and inherited the creme colored ones. I love how the washi tape makes them more appealing to the eye.  Once my new tape is delivered I plan on mix and matching the tapes on one item.

            

Clothesline Clips

Wooden Picture Frame
I bought the picture frame from Ikea (they come in packs of 3). I plan on using them in my classroom. 

            

Paper Clips
This is a cute idea for a few decorative paper clips. I think I am going to cut the washi tape so it is at  more of an angle. I think it will look a little cuter.

Mini Totes
I bought the totes at Michaels ($1.00 each).

I'm off to find more things to washi tape! :)      

Classroom Decor Finds

Some more finds from my shopping spree at Michaels!! The funny thing is I rarely shop there. I found some cute items for my classroom. Everything on sale, some on clearance, plus the teacher discount = a happy me! I thought I would share some of my finds just in case you wanna check out your local Michaels. Happy shopping!

Glass Number Container and Mini Ceramic Bowls: 

Glass Container: Clearance $1.39 marked down from $7.00

I thought it was cute, I will definitely find some use for it. They had all different kinds of numbers. It was in the clearance isle.

Mini Ceramic Bowls: Clearance: $3.00

I will use these for my paper clips, min binder clips, push pins, etc. 

Shaped Felt:

Owl Felt: On Sale .99

Flower Felt: $1.99

I will probably use this to decorate a bulletin board.

 

Giant Wooden Clothespins: Clearance .50

Now, normally I wouldn't even think about purchasing giant clothespins, but the price was right and the colors were right.  I will use them to decorate my reading/classroom library area.

Medium Two Toned Basket:

This was my super find of the day. It was originally $15 and on clearance for $2.99! Can't beat that! Again, I'm not sure what I will use this for, but I'm not too worried. :)

 

And the classroom decorating begins...Chevron tags...

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!! I had such an amazing time yesterday with our friends and neighbors! We had a good 'ol block party! You can't go wrong with great food, friends, and fireworks! I took this photo during all the festivities. 

I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics, Monday Made it, but five days late...it was a hectic week. :)

Of course being on summer break doesn't stop me from thinking about work (like most of us!) and I've been contemplating what kind of theme I want for my room. When I taught 3rd grade we all had a Safari theme and it was super cute. When I moved to 5th last year, a theme was the last thing on my mind. I was trying to set up a classroom in 100 degree heat with a broken AC. I was tired of the safari theme and just used whatever I had. Now that I am moving school sites I'm excited to set up a new room. The only thing is I have no idea what my room will look like, so it makes it a little difficult to envision the set up.

I'm not really going for a set "theme" I am using certain colors (blue, gray, pink, green) and array patterns (specifically chevron). I thought I would jump on the chevron bandwagon! I went to my local teacher supply store and despite the popularity of chevron, they only had borders. So I grabbed the chevron borders and some rolls of fadeless paper. I LOVE fadeless paper...I can keep it up the whole school year and it still looks brand new at the end of the year. I've even left it up for two years and it still looked great. I know it is a little pricey, but since I don't have to take it down all the time, I feel it is worth the extra money. I still have rolls from 4 years ago!

I've decided to get creative and make things for my room. I went to Michaels Craft store and was in luck! They had a huge sale and I found a ton of nifty things for my room.

When I was at the teacher supply store I was looking for labels or cut outs to write my student's names on them for the writing wall, where I display their work. However, nothing struck my fancy. So while at Michaels I came across some chevron gift tags (in the scrapbooking area) that were the exact colors I'm using for my room!!! I then came across some patterned labels (in the clearance isle) in the same colors...SCORE! The gift tags were a little pricey, but I am thinking about scanning them onto my computer. That way I can use them again if need be. Teachers get a 15% discount at Michaels, even on sale items (at least at my store). 

Recollections Gift Tags (20 pieces): $4.99
Recollections Labels (100 pieces): clearance for .99

All I did was glue a patterned label on the gift tag (easier to see the name this way) and viola!
I think they turned out pretty cute...exactly what I wanted.

 

In the next few days I will be posting some more of my finds. :)