The Ultimate Back-to-School Experience with Cricut

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% my own.
I've had kids in some form of school since 2000, so after 21 years, I feel like I'm probably some kind of expert. I have a closet stocked full of frequently used school supplies because you don't ever want to run out! With my youngest entering into his junior year of high school, there are fewer back-to-school supply shopping lists and more of finding supplies that work for each kid. My teens are beyond particular about what pens and pencils they use and while I liked multi-subject notebooks for notetaking, I can't get anyone else on board with my system! Everyone has their own thing and that's totally ok which is why I LOVE using Cricut for all of our back-to-school supplies because it allows us to be creative with otherwise ho-hum supplies. And there's nothing more teens like than having their own unique style and with the Cricut, you can make that happen! Come check out how I elevated some plain school supplies and made them into something my teenager would love to go back to school with.

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DIY Face Mask Storage Bag

Our state has mandated face masks in all public spaces. In the beginning, many local businesses would have face masks available if you forgot yours, but in the past few weeks, remembering your face mask is all on you. I often have a stash of them in my car, but as we start to venture out into the world more, I know that having them available, clean and ready, is going to be more of an issue we run into as a family. So I created some fun DIY solutions. Ones you can replicate for your family to help you remember to bring your face mask with you to help protect you and others around you. Read on for some simple DIY face mask storage bag solutions.

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Easing the Transition for Kid from Middle School to High School

The step from junior high to high school is a big one. While your kids are already used to the idea of heading to different classes and using lockers, they are also going through puberty, and their coursework is about to get a lot more challenging. Making the transition from middle school to high school is a big jump, so preparing your children for success in high school is important! Here are some tips to help ease the transition from middle to high school.

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Tips for Making the Most of Online Classes

There is so much uncertainty in the world right now about what fall will look like for those going to school. Whether you have a child entering college, high school, or even elementary school, there is a genuine possibility that some or all of their classes will be online. Online classes can be a great way to help make sure your child still gets the education they need when they can’t be in the classroom, and it might not be a choice. Here are some tips for making the most of online classes.

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S'Mores Snack Mix Teacher Gift with Free Printable Gift Tag

The end of the school year is coming and it's time to honor those teachers with a sweet end of the year gift. For years I volunteered on PTA, PTO and in my three kids' schools, and every year, I worked at trying to find a fun end of the year gift I could make in bulk for the teachers that had poured into my kids during the school year. The teachers appreciate the recognition and giving them a sweet treat like this S'mores snack mix will keep them going until that very last day! The fun printable gift tag ties the whole thing together! Come check out how to make this sweet treat for a sweet teacher!

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Easy DIY Unicorn Notebook Back to School Craft

It's back to school time! Kind of hard to believe because I think the summer just started, but alas, we are back to another school year. I remember sending back some of my kids but not all of them and the ones left behind were always looking for school-like things to do while their siblings did their homework at the table in the afternoon. This DIY unicorn notebook would be the perfect thing for that! Or, maybe your kiddo needs a little journal to help jot down their thoughts after school. There is a lot that happens during the day, maybe they want to write it down and process it. Whatever you are using this unicorn notebook for, it's not only fun to put it together, but it's fun to use. I'm not sure I have met a kid right now who doesn't love unicorns, so give this fun little craft a try. I've got everything you need and a step-by-step tutorial on how to do it.

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Back to School Kleenex Teacher Gift with Free Printable Gift Tag

This post is brought to you by Kleenex­® Facial Tissue. All opinions are 100% my own. 

It's hard to believe that the summer is coming to an end, but I've started seeing the aisles at the store fill with school supplies and back-to-school-themed everything, so I know it's coming. Maybe you've already started digging into your kids' school supply list or perhaps you are dragging your feet soaking up every last second of summer. Whatever camp you fall in, it's happening, so let's get you prepared. 

Several years ago, with college expenses looming and a school system in desperate need of emergency substitute teachers, I signed up to be in the classroom. I got a totally new outlook on how classrooms are run from a teacher's perspective and was shocked that many of the supplies kids brought in on the first day of school were depleted from the shelves by mid-year. I stopped complaining about the 26 glue sticks we were asked to send in and started sending in extra supplies. I'm not going to say I became the classroom hero but...ya know.

I will say, it sure made for some grateful teachers who were very thankful for my support. I'm sharing a simple way you can help this year as your kids head back to the classroom. You'll be a hero in the eyes of the teachers-I promise you that.

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Confessions of a {Former} Class Room Mom

As soon as my first child went to school, I filed out the volunteer paper work and signed up. I kind of thought it was mandatory. Sort of like once you have a baby you find yourself on the church nursery rotation when all you really want to be doing is sitting baby-free in the pew for an hour each week. There were a few different circumstances and a move that happened and I had the opportunity to experience parent life at a private Christian school, a co-op, a private school for gifted children and two very different public elementary schools. I feel like I've seen it all, and I've taken on all kinds of different roles from room mom to PTA president. I won't sugar-coat it. It's not all good. So buckle up. I've got some confessions from a former class room mom you aren't going to want to miss.

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How to Save Money on Back-to-School Outfits

This post was written by me on behalf of JCPenney in partnership with Activate. All opinions are 100% my own.
Back-to-school clothes shopping was always one of my favorite summer traditions when I was a kid. My mom would give us a set budget to shop and we could buy whatever we wanted. I have always been a budget shopper, so I always liked to see how far I could make my money go when shopping, even when I was in elementary school! I wanted to get the most outfits and the most new pieces that I could with the money that I had. My kids have learned through the years to do the same thing so it's fun to see what they end up selecting and how they do it. Back-to-school shopping is even more important to them now that they are older. This year my youngest is in junior high, my middle daughter will be a sophomore in high school and my oldest will be a sophomore in college. Clothes matter to them! They want the latest trends and styles and I want quality at a great value. I've got some tips on how to save money on back-to-school outfits and can't wait to share them with you.

photo by nickl.media

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Tips For New School Year Complaints

School is back in session and probably has been for weeks now. The kids are slowly getting into a routine but sometimes when the school year starts parents and students may realize that the new year isn't running quite as smoothly as they would like. Your kids may come home telling you that they don't like school or that they don't want to go back. You are trusting your children into the hands of someone else for the bulk of the day and you want them to have a positive experience.  I have put together a list of tips for those new school year complaints and some ideas to help if your son or daughter happens to be making them.

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Back To School First Day Chalkboard With Free Cut File

Please tell me I'm not the only one who loves the Target One Spot. It's always the first place that I look when I stop into the store, even if I'm in a hurry, I always make time to take a look around because you never know what you might be missing. I found this really cool chalkboard that was made with what looked like rulers framing it in. I knew exactly what I would make with it. 

My kids all started school pre-Pinterest. While not all bad, there have been some things shared on Pinterest that I would have liked to use to document my children's childhoods. I always loved the seeing the first day signs with my friends kids full of information about the year. Information that you don't always remember as years pass. So, while this isn't necessarily an idea that my kids will use {my youngest is heading to middle school with multiple teachers}, it would be the perfect use for a One Spot frame so that you could document those pre-school and elementary years. I'm excited to share the file with you so that you can make one of your own!

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Money-saving Tips for Back-to-School Shopping

Though it seems like summer has just started, it is not too soon to begin thinking about back-to-school shopping.  Beginning this task early will ensure that you are able to get organized, take advantage of coupons and sales and will allow you to spread out your spending through the summer. We have detailed some fantastic money-saving tips to help you spend less and get more for your money.   

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A back to school guide for the teenage (and college) years

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

The start of this school year is a little bittersweet for me.  It will be the last year when I have all three of my kids at home starting school together.  

It's hard to believe this sweet boy who started Kindergarten with a teddy bear, will be starting his senior year.  We have been researching colleges and talking about future plans a lot, but it still doesn't feel like this little guy-my little guy-should be heading off into his final year of high school and preparing for college in less than a year!

When my kids were in elementary school we would receive a supply list from their school with everything they needed listed from glue sticks to markers on it. I would purchase the items and cross each one off as I got it filling a bag with their school supplies that would get unloaded on back to school night. Now that I have two teenagers the back to school shopping has changed a little bit. Instead of crayons we are picking up disposable razors, instead of safety scissors we are stocking up on deodorant.  Back to school shopping is different from those elementary school days, which is why I have put together a little back to school shopping guide for the teenager years.  

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Pineapple Pencil Pouch Tutorial made with Duck Tape

Duct Tape Pineapple Pencil Pouch Tutorial

Duck Tape is by far my favorite back to school supply. I use it for everything! I update boring supplies,  I make one of a kind lunch bags and tote bags out of it, and I used it for making this fun pineapple pencil pouch for my daughter.

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Easy to make tassel pen and coordinating notebook with Duck Tape

It feels like summer just started, but really, it's starting to wind down a bit and we are beginning to think about heading back to school.  My kids have been doing this school thing for quite some time now. Two of the three no longer get lists of school supplies in the form of a checklist. They just know what they like and what works for them.

My daughter is obsessed with stationary supplies. I had no idea that was a thing. But then I started mentioning it to other people and apparently there are other people who love office supplies. Who knew? Maybe you {or one of your kids} is one of them!

I learned that one of the things that office supply lovers love is coordinating supplies in a great print. One of our best tricks is picking up Duck Tape and using that to update cheap school supplies.



A plain composition notebook on sale can be picked up for less than a dollar. One with a fun print is usually at least double. So why not make your own? Not only that, now you can use your Duck Tape to create coordinating supplies for everything from folders, to pencils and pens. The only thing stopping you is your creativity!

Tassels are hot this season, so not only did we want to coordinate some supplies, we wanted to do it in style!

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NatureBox for back to school snacking

It's nearly back to school time for us and while the new backpacks are stuffed with fresh markers and pencils, I don't want to over look the most important part of back to school time.

Snacks.

About six months ago, I discovered NatureBox for the first time.

The snacks could not have been delivered at a better time.

We pack lunches for our three kids every day of the school year, and by the time my first NatureBox delivery came I was just about burnt out on lunch packing.

Making lunches is about the worst chore ever during the school year.

Can I get an amen?

I loved the fresh new ideas for snacks that I could send with my kids to school,

and don't tell them, but every snack by NatureBox is nutritionist approved, with no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors.

My oldest son has a nut allergy.

NatureBox has over 100 snacking options, many of them are nut free.

And finding nut free options {or vegan, or soy free, or milk free} is easy.

Simply click here and then select your dietary needs.

Want to know what's in my NatureBox every month?

Lemon Pucker Pistachios

Roasted Kettle Kernals

and Santa Fe Corn Stixs

The other two snacks I put in my box change every month. I have yet to be disappointed with my selection though and usually find a new favorite every month. With a new NatureBox delivery every month, my kids can have new snacks in their lunch box to try and it takes some of the guess work out of what to pack in their sacks. Because I like you so very much, and I love this company, I am offering my readers a discount. Click here to get 50% off your first month’s NatureBox delivery! ($10 value) using promo code: SNACKTOSCHOOL

Fine Crumbs: Promotion is good for 50% off your first month to month box or $10 off your first box in your first prepaid subscription. New and US subscribers only. Not valid on gift subscriptions and may not be combined with any other offers.
I know you will enjoy these snacks as much as I do. Don't forget to slip a lemon pucker pistachio in your cart and think of me!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Updating back to school supplies with Duck tape from the archives

All this week, I will be pulling out some of my favorite old projects from my Holy Craft archives.

I'm currently in Uganda with World Vision on a vision trip and couldn't be more excited to share my trip with you when I return.  In the meantime, if I am able, I will be updating my instagram with pictures.

For now, enjoy this back to school update from August of last year.

I know many of you already have kids that have headed back to school.

Not us.

We still have more than three weeks of summer left and we are not rushing it!

However, all of the stores are overflowing with school supplies which has my kids thinking that it's time to restock.

I was with my daughter in Walmart the other day, and we saw this great display for Duck Tape®.

Did you know you could buy so many different prints and patterns of Duck Tape®?

My tween daughter is heading to middle school and is very artsy and creative.

She loves bold prints and patterns and immediately fell in love with the chevron Duck Tape® and coordinating green and pink rolls.

We bought a few school supplies and scrounged a few that we had at home that were still in good enough condition to use for another year.

So plain and boring, especially for my artsy middle schooler.

We started glamming up these same old same old composition notebooks.

Three rolls of Duck Tape®...three notebooks with endless possibilities!

It was so easy, you don't need a tutorial, but I will show you one of the steps in the process as we took tape and covered the outer cover.

Next up, we tackled the boring clear clipboard.

We started covering it with tape in the same way we covered the notebooks.

The problem with clipboards is that they have the metal top that makes it difficult to work around.

But it was no match for Duck Tape®!

The tape molded easily around and cut clean.

Because I have two boys, my pencil stash had some skull covered mechanical pencils in it.

They just weren't cutting it for my daughter so we covered those in Duck Tape ® too!  

Nothing is safe!!!

I just removed the top of the pencil and the lead 

and measured out a piece of tape the length of the pencil that I wanted covered.

Amazing new coordinating pencils you would have never guessed were covered in skulls before!

I love using what I have to make something awesome!

My daughter and I had so much fun making all new school supplies with some new {and old} items.

She ended up with a chevron Duck Tape® binder, notebook, clipboard, three composition notebooks, a pencil box, pencils and those bows?  Those are coordinating magnets for her very first locker!

All it took was a little Duck Tape® and less than an hour.

Those school supplies went from a boring before to a fabulous after, just in time for my artsy tween daughter to start middle school!

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5 simple steps to decorating a fabulous locker with Locker Lookz

If you have a tween or teen daughter, you will be their hero if you read these 5 simple steps to decorating a fabulous locker with the help of LLZ by Locker Lookz.

Last year, my daughter had a locker for the very first time.

She was so excited to decorate it and put her own mark on it.

We spent hours decorating her locker last year.

Mostly because someone in the locker above spilled a nasty beverage that left the whole locker sticky and smelling like...well, you don't want to know.

Seriously, this is her locker after it has been cleaned.

It was nasty.

At the end of the school year, Isabella had to remove all of her decorations even though she would get the same locker the next year.

It took her longer than she would like to admit to remove the adhesive paper she lined the walls of the locker with and take down all of her decorations.

This year we learned about LockerLookz.

In under 10 minutes, and in five easy steps, we were able to decorate my daughter's locker

and we didn't need a single pair of scissors!

  Not only is LockerLookz easy to install, it's also easy to remove.  

There is no adhesive to damage your locker surfaces, just super strong magnets that are included!

Ready to get started?

Step 1: Apply your wallpaper.

The decorations fit most standard size school lockers {12"x18"x36"}, 

so there was no cutting or measuring.

The super strong magnets come with the wall paper and hold the paper in place.

The wallpaper comes with perforated cut outs in just the right places.

This one at the back was in just the right spot for a hook.

Seriously, this stuff is too easy to use!

I remember having to get an exacto knife and cut and measure around this hook. 

It took forever!

This time we just popped out the panel where the hook was.

It took seconds!

Step 2: Put in your rug.

My daughter picked out this green rug so that it would be a fun pop of color contrasting with the blue paper.

Step 3: Set up your shelf.

I know I shouldn't be surprised at how nicely this shelf fit,

but holy cow, it was like I measured it and made it!

I don't know why lockers don't come with a shelf already built in.

It makes so much more sense that way.

I'm sure it was a man who designed lockers.

Step 4: Hang your chandelier.

Yep, a chandelier.

For your locker.

How awesome is that?!

It even has a motion sensor so it turns on and off when you open and close your locker.

It's hung with a magnet on top.

And that bad boy is so strong, it's not going anywhere!

Step 5: add your accessories.

How cute are those flowers???

 And the mix and match dry erase board and locker bin are pretty awesome too!

I think this locker is ready for the new school year!

Best part is, she loves it!

You can purchase LockerLookz at Michaels, AC Moore, Staples and Meijer

LockerLookz is hosting a fun design your own locker contest on Instagram.

Grand prize is a $250 Visa gift card for a back to school shopping spree.

Each week 1 winner will be chosen to receive their full locker design 

1. Follow LockerLookz on Instagram

2. Go to LockerLookz.com and create your dream locker design using the design your own locker feature.

3.Post your locker design on Instagram and use the hashtag #LLgirlz and tag @LockerLookz

The contest ends on August 29.

You can find the official contest rules here.

Need some inspriation?

Follow LockerLookz on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram

Come see some of the other looks you can make with LockerLookz.

Disclosure: I was selected to review this product as a part of a Blueprint social campaign. All opinions are 100% my own. I wouldn't share something I didn't like.

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