Tickle Me Tuesdays, 20th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Kuru Maru Felt Ball Necklace from Homako

Antique Brass Pocket Watch from Beauty Spot

Map Garland of Hearts from Bookity

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy this week?

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Mondays with Jack, 42nd edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

by Little Retreats

"If you're a circus clown, and you have a dog that you use in your act, I don't think it's a good idea to also dress the dog up like a clown,  because people see that and they think 'Forgive me, but that's just too much.'" -- Jack Handey

Never been kissed, and Not to be missed!

As I sit here this morning, sipping my tea with one of my cats licking my arm as I type, I'd like to share two things with you.

First, did you catch my guest post for Danielle? It's her wedding week, so I thought I'd share a list of things that I didn't know about on my wedding day (but should have!). I also included a picture of my very first kiss ever -- at the altar! Check it out and leave me some love over there!

Secondly, I'm throwing a Memorial Day sale! Enter MEMDAY15 at checkout for 15% off your entire purchase! Stock up for birthdays, thank yous, and graduates! (Coupon expires Tuesday, 5/31 at 11:59 PM)

Can I just say I am SO excited that my summer vacation is nearly here - I can't wait to spend more time creating for my store!!

Take the Plunge

I saw a considerable boost in sales when I started to advertise on other blogs. If you're ready to take your small business to the next level, consider advertising with me! You can get all the info here.

The Waiting Game

Do you play the waiting game? I do. I try not to, but I do. On the first day of school, I'm counting down to Thanksgiving break. When we come back from that, I'm counting down the three more weeks until Christmas vacation. In January, I look ahead to our week long Spring Break in March. Upon returning to school, I count down the weeks/days/hours until the ultimate break: Summer.

I'm not alone. Many teachers do this. It's not that we don't like our jobs, it's just that it's draining, and those breaks are our refills - they allow us to want to come back to the classroom, better than ever.

I came across this last weekend:

It was a poignant reminder (especially with six more school days to go before summer) to enjoy each and every single day, no matter if it's a Monday or a Friday or September or May.

I made a list of things I can enjoy here and now, each and every day:

• Coming home to Barney's excitement
• Sipping a cup of hot tea
• Eating dinner on the couch with Max
• Taking the dog for a walk
• Playing with my cats
• Dreaming new card designs
• Connecting with a friend
• Wearing flip flops
• Talking to my sister on the phone
• Reading a good book
• Laughing with my first graders

What's on your enjoy-life-now list?

Star Sponsor Feature: Erika from Rouge and Whimsy

Introducing the lovely Erika from Rouge and Whimsy!

Isn't she adorable? She makes fabulous creative custom accessories at her cute shop, and she blogs too! Take a peek at some of her cute accessories:

Here's the skinny on Erika:

What is your shop all about?
My shop is filled with creative fun accessories that bring a little bit of sass and glamour. I make things for everyday and special occasions and for all the moments in between. (I'll have my new line of wedding accessories up by the end of this week!)

What inspires you to create?

I am inspired by everyday moments, bright colors, my mother's tenacity, and vintage chic.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
If I was an animal, I would be a cat and spend my days napping in a patch of sunlight. Mmmmm.

***COUPON CODE ALERT***

Erika has generously offered a 15% discount with coupon code TEACHERSPET

Happy Shopping!

Star Sponsor: Gina from Hiya Luv

Woo hoo!! It's fabulous Gina from Hiya Luv!

She's positive! She's funny! She's creative! She's giving! If she hasn't already made it into your heart yet, she will! Gina blogs here, tweets here, and sells handmade accessories for your wardrobe here. I happen to have one of her flower blooms and her work is lovely!

She also hosts #setupshop on Mondays at 8PM EST, where we all get together to chat and encourage each other as handmade sellers! You should join us!

Here's the skinny on Gina:

What is your shop all about? 

FUN! I have a shop because I love to sew. Sewing is a stress release for me from my day job and it is such a joy for me to create something beautiful from a sheet of fabric. 

What inspires you? 

I am inspired by feminine touches and girly flair. Ribbons, bows, ruffles and girly touches are all aspects of my items. I can't make something without it having a girly touch. 

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would be a dog. As long as I had nice puppy parents. Pups have no worries, are cute, have constant love and compassion for their owners and get to snuggle all day long. 

Star Sponsor and Giveaway: Lauren from Elephant's Trunk

Here she is! It's the sweet and lovely Lauren from Elephant's Trunk!

If you don't know her and love her already, I'm happy to introduce you! Lauren has a stellar blog over here, and she sells her awesome wine accessories here. (She is also one of those very genuine people over on Twitter - she talks to you not at you!). Here's a peek:

And here's the skinny on Lauren:

What is your shop all about?

The Elephant’s Trunk is a little bit of handmade wine accessories and a dash of creative canvases. The Elephant’s Trunk has been my way to handle my addiction to creating and I hope that shines through in my products.

What inspires you to create?

Finding inspiration for products comes from everywhere and anywhere, from current events to a unique magazine or an inspirational quote. These are the things that stimulate me to create.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would be a sloth because it would allow me to sleep a lot more than I get to do now. Sloths get to live the life, hanging out in trees and napping all day.

***GIVEAWAY***

Lauren is giving away a $15 credit to her lovely shop!

Here's how to enter:

MANDATORY: Visit Elephant's Trunk and leave a comment with your favorite item.

EXTRA ENTRIES (optional): 

+1 Heart Elephant's Trunk on Etsy and leave your username

+1 Follow Lauren's blog

+1 Follow Lauren on Twitter

+1 Tweet about this giveaway and leave the link

Sample tweet: Enter to win a $15 gift card from @elephantstrunk4 on @yes_teacher 's blog http://tiny.cc/b4dry

Giveaway ends June 1st at 11:59 PM and winners will be announced and emailed on Thursday, June 2nd.

If you're interested in promoting your business by becoming a Star Sponsor, see rates here!

Star Sponsor and Giveaway: Lori from Chic Geek Designs

You know her! You love her! It's LORI from Chic Geek Designs!

Don't you love this fabulous picture? Isn't she just the kind of person you would want to hang out with? If you don't know Lori, she blogs over here, and sells her beautiful photos over here. Here's a peek:

And here's the skinny on Lori:

What is your shop all about?

My shop is all about my travels and love of beautiful photography. I love taking pictures of beautiful things and share it with others. 

What inspires you?

Beautiful things, the beach, the ocean, my husband, my family and my friends. 

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I'd love to be a bird - fly above the sky, in the air, go where ever I want. Freedom. 

***COUPON CODE ALERT***

Lori has generously offered a 15% off discount to her sweet shop with coupon code 15YESTEACHER

***GIVEAWAY***

Lori is giving away a $15 gift certificate to her shop!

How to enter:

MANDATORY: Visit Chic Geek Designs and leave a comment with your favorite item.

EXTRA ENTRIES (optional):

+1 Heart Chic Geek Designs on Etsy and leave your username
+1 Follow Lori's blog
+1 Follow Lori on Twitter
+1 Tweet this giveaway

Sample Tweet:
Enter to win a $15 gift certificate from @chicgeekdesigns on @yes_teacher 's blog http://tiny.cc/zwusz

Giveaway ends June 1st at 11:59 PM and winners will be announced and emailed on Thursday, March 2nd.

If you're interested in promoting your business by becoming a Star Sponsor, see rates here!

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 19th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Turquoise Stem Mug from Dahl Haus

Sand Bow Belt from Darlingtonia
(inspired by the What I Wore Wednesday posts of Ms. Megan)

Teal Sandal from Sseko Designs

(Thanks to Caroline who introduced me to Sseko Designs! These are handmade leather sandals that can be tied up in a variety of ways - proceeds help the Ugandian women who make them. Check them out!!)

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy this week?

</strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "></span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; "><font class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "><strong><a border="0" href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg"/></a></strong></span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; "><font class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "><strong></strong></span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; "><font class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "><strong> 

Mondays with Jack, 41st edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

Banner Day from JM Barclay

"When you die, if you go somewhere where they ask you a bunch of questions about your life and what you learned and all, I think a good way to get out of it is just to say, 'No speaka English.' " -- Jack Handey

Early Bird

The Early Bird Gocco Screenprint by Moirama

I'm a morning person. Unashamedly. I like to get up at 5:30 AM, when the whole world still seems to be asleep, and take my time with my mug of black tea, my computer screen, my thoughts. I'll take the dog for a jog around the block. Sometimes I'll work out in front of the TV.

I'm at my best and my most creative in the mornings. After lunch, don't bother! Stick a fork in me, wrap me up to go because I am DONE!

I wasn't always like this. A few years ago my crazy research-psychologist husband got it into his head that we would sleep better if we went to bed and woke up at the same time every day (given one hour leeway) even on the weekends. Science said it would work, so we tried it! I may have been a little whine-y at first, but after a month or two, I noticed that I didn't get sleepy during the day. Like, ever.

And I also started to treasure those early morning hours. I think heaven is going to be an eternal Saturday morning - peaceful, beautiful, and with the whole day of possibility ahead.

What about you? Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Kitchen Art

The finishing touches are going to be put on our kitchen this weekend and then it will be DECORATING time!!! (After put-everything-back-in-its'-place time, of course!)

My sweet mother-in-law sent me this print for my birthday from Laura Amiss (one of my favorite etsy sellers!). She had no idea it was going to match our light blue wall so well:

I've just been dying to hang it already. I'd like to find a yellow frame for it. Any thoughts on where I can find a yellow frame? Or will I have to try and make it myself?

What about you? Any favorite prints in your kitchen?

Graduation

Last week, my husband graduated with his second Master's degree! I'm so proud of him-- only two or so more years until he graduates with his Ph.D!!

To celebrate, we went to dinner at a local Mediterranean restaurant. It was all very yummy... especially the saffron rice. I had to coerce Max to take this picture with me. He really hates drawing attention to himself in a public setting. I told him he only gets his second Master's once so he had better smile for the camera! Haha, so this is not the best picture of us...

If you have loved ones graduating this season, show them you care (send handmade!). Check out my selection:

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 18th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Handcrafted Vinyl Record Clock from Vinyl Clockwork

Emma Toss Pillow from World Market

Dahlia Coasters from Feisty Elle

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy this week?

</strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "><strong><a border="0" href="<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><strong>http://yesteachercrafts.com</strong></span>" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg"/></a></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "><strong></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14px; "><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; "><strong> 

Mondays with Jack, 40th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Mondays with Jack! If you want to know what this weekly feature is all about, see here.

Rustic Log Vase from Tanja Sova

"If you ever crawl inside an old hollow log and go to sleep, and while you're in there some guys come and seal up both ends and then put it on a truck and take it to another city, boy, I don't know what to tell you." -- Jack Handey

Sunday Night Blues

Do you ever have the Sunday night blues? You know, that sinking feeling you get when you realize that your weekend is practically over and you have to work in the morning?

Yeah, that.

I've got a bad case of the Sunday night blues.

Fortunately, school is almost over and summer vacation is just 14 weekdays away!

Here's a snapshot of what I've been doing all weekend:

We're remodeling our kitchen! I can't wait until it's all finished so I can show you before/after pictures.

Oh, and I wanted to thank you all for weighing in on my shopping dilemma. Set A got an overwhelming amount of votes, so I'll be ordering it first thing tomorrow! Y'all have great taste!

And be sure to check out my feature over at Aisle to Aloha -- I'm afraid with the Great Blogger Blackout of 2011, it was overlooked!

Have a great Sunday night everyone!

A Shopper's Dilemma

I have some birthday money to burn (yay!), but I need your help! As you may or may not know, I'm addicted to buying rubber stamps and fun patterned paper.

I came across Papertrey Ink the other day, and spent half of my teacher planning time online shopping (Shh! Don't tell!)

I couldn't decide between two great sets. That's when I thought: hey, maybe my loyal-readers-with-excellent-taste can help me out!

Set A: Handwritten Notes

Set B: Mixed Messages

Would you be so kind as to leave me a comment with the one you love best? A or B? And no saying "both!" :)

Thanks! You're all the best!!