Learning Log of November 2013

 November was a stressful month. Basically I chose to believe the lies of the enemy and fear entered my heart. So shortly after that I fell sick. I think I had strep throat. I really don't know because I didn't go to the doctor. But the red throat with white streaks was there as well as the pain and the fever. I prayed, took Holy Communion, colloidal silver, gargled with salt water and trusted God to heal my throat. Five days later I resurfaced. I hadn't been this weak since the birth of DD6. 

So learn from me, guard your heart, do not let it be troubled. Your heart is the door way to your soul and body. Guard it, keep it steadfast on Jesus and you should navigate life with less stress, fear and sickness.

 Read Aloud 

* Bible at meal times - As needed I change our Bible reading around. This month, I am reading the Bible to them at lunch time. It helps me to eat less and we enjoy reading the Word of God and feeding on Jesus.
* The Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls - we finally finished this book. At first the kids thought it was boring, then they got excited about the next chapters as the family had different chores, jobs and events with each season of the year. If you are looking for a book to read to the children with strong work ethics and morals, this one is it!

* Just a Minute! by Teddy Slater

* Violet and Winston by Sonya Sones and Bennett Tramer 

* Ballet Sisters - The Duckling and the Swan by Jan ORmerod
* Olivia Acts Out 
* Island Boy by Barbara Cooney 
* Benjamin's Treasure by Garth Williams
* Kirby Kelvin and the Not - Laughing Lessons by Ivon Cecil
* Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester L. Laminack
* The Christmas Cat by Maryann MacDonald
* Gobble Gobble Crash - a Barnyard Counting Bash by Julie Stiegermeyer
* Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by Kimberly and James Dean
* The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson based on the original tales of Beatrix Potter
* Dinosaur Christmas by Jerry Pallotta
* Tallulah's Nutcracker by Marilyn Singer 
* Dear Santasaurus by STacy McAnulty
* Sofia the First - Holiday in Enchancia by Catherine Hapka
* The Message of the Birds by Kate Westerlund
* When Christmas feels like Home by Gretchen Griffith 
 

Audio Books

* My kids, one time or another have the files below in their mp5s to which they listen to every night at their choosing: Fairy tales and classic stories , worship music, Story Hour files, The Piano Guys, Jonathan Park and The Brinkman Adventures, The Chronicles of Narnia.

* Rush Revere and the Mayflower - by Rush Limbaugh

DS8 independent reading list:  

*How to Train a Dragon - book 5
* Stickman Odyssey -  book 2 - The Wrath of Zozimos by Christopher Ford

* The Wright Brothers by Quentin Reynolds - At times, I didn't think DS8 was ever going to finish this book. He actually enjoyed the book and wanted to finish it. He has a completely different style of reading than DD10's or mine. He savors each chapter with no hurry to see the end of it at all. He does this with all books he handles. Sometimes, he will just read a few chapters, parts or pieces he finds interesting. He sees no need to hurry or finish a book completely if he doesn't want to.

* Heidi by Johanna Spyri - DS8 read this as part of Easy Peasy 3rd grade curriculum. Some days he listened to the audiobook, some days he read a chapter. He actually watched the movie last year, but he told me he preferred the book because it had more details. 

DD10 independent reading list

* The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
* Guardians of Ga'Hoole - Book 15 - The War of the Ember by Kathryn Lasky (finally the last book of the series!)
* Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie - Great Illustrated Classics

* Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander   - I think one of DD10's favorite books are those written where animals are the main protagonists of the story. She has read so many of them. This one is about a cat who travels through time and takes his owner, a 10 y.o. boy, with him. 
* Ragweed by Avi
* How to Steal a Dragon's Sword - How to Train a Dragon series - Book 09

** Take one or two or three (i.e. reading these yet again!)

 Read to her sisters:

*The Library by SArah Stewart
* Pete the Cat - The Wheels on the Bus - based on the creation of James Dean
* Fluffy and Baron by Laura Rankin
* Lucy and the Bully by Claire Alexander
* Waltz of the Scarecrows by Constance W. McGeorge and Mary Whyte

Activities at Home

* We made play dough from flour and salt at home. I used this video for the recipe. You do have to add a few more TBS of water as you knead the dough. DD6 asked me "Mom, can we make some play dough?" I guess she really enjoyed it last fall/ winter when we made some and they created lots of artwork inside and outside.

* We painted and prepared 4 Christmas Boxes to send off to Operation Christmas Child.

* When the weather permitted we were outside riding bikes, playing with the chickens, raking leaves and just enjoying the sunshine.

* Couple of playdates with friends who came over.

* Lots of dancing. What else to do when it's cold outside???

* We killed 2 of our roosters and ate them within 2 weeks. A very interesting experience. The kids got to highlight the experience during our co-op in December and compare a homegrown chicken and a store bought one. It was the perfect thing to see how muscle and bone develops in a healthy animal.

* Lots of raking and burning leaves. It's that time of the year again. We got almost 3 acres covered in leaves. So much fun to rake them all by hand. :)

 Field Trips/ Activities Outside Home

* Karate - this was our last month of karate for now. We don't know when we will return.

* Our monthly Co-op - these month we covered the Human Body Muscular System. After the kids' presentation we got to do the 7 minute workout routine. It was great fun!

* 4H class for homeschoolers hosted at our Public LIbrary - we launched straw rockets and voted for the offices of President, Vice-President, Reporter, Secretary and Recreational leader.

* Thanksgiving dinner at our church. It was so much fun. I got to cook and discovered this awesome Chocolate Cake Recipe. DD10 sold some cards and we got help signing some AnyHero Mail.

 Websites/ Links we found and used/ Apps

* Easy Peasy for school for DD10 and DS8.  Some websites we found on this site are just fantastic like:

* School of Dragons - this site is very interactive but I don't allow my kids to chat.

* Dragon Wild Skies - on CN website. The kids are more excited about this dragon game. You can do so much without having to chat. :) Woohoo! Victory!! (Please watch out for the other cartoons advertised and ads. I do not like many of the cartoons on CN and the kids just keep away.)

* FunBrain - the kids discovered PopTropica - another interactive game.

* PBSkids.org - DD6 and DD3 found some new shows like Daniel Tiger's neighborhood and Peg + Cat.

TV shows/ Videos/ Movies/ YouTube

* The Secret World of Arrietty - again!
* The Jungle Book - again!

* Episodes of How To Train a Dragon, Tinker Bell, Princess Sofia, Ninjako, Doctor MacStuffin, Olivia

* I showed the bigger kids a couple of videos on the WWI: one about life in the trenches and another on shell shock. Please beware images can be gruesome.

 

Blessings,
Tereza 

Selling my WACOM CINTIQ 12WX

Hey everybody!!

Are you ready for Christmas? shopping like crazy?

I am selling my Wacom Cintiq 12wx tablet right HERE. My husband bought it for me a while back and unfortunately homeschooling 4 children under 8 years old I have not been able to use it like I wanted. I used a couple of times to experiment with it and it is a fascinating tool for drawing, coloring and more. If you are familiar with Photoshop you can do a lot of it on your Cintiq with a Pen instead of a mouse. It is a fun and very useful tool. It comes with a version of Photoshop so if you ever wanted to try Photoshop you can without having to purchase it.

I have been hoarding it for a while in hopes my DD8 could use it in the future but I NEED the money. So we are selling it to pay for some of our renovations at our new home.

There are hundreds of  reviews and demonstrations of it on YouTube if you would like to see it up and closer.

My Cintiq is still in the box with all the software that came with it, cables, the pen and a bonus Brand new SmudgeGuard glove. Everything looks like NEW and it's still in the plastic and boxes. Check out the photos below.

It can be used on PC or Mac. It retails anywhere from $900 and up for a Brand New One. I am selling mine at starting bid of $600 on Ebay. FREE Shipping with delivery confirmation and insurance. The Auction ends in 2 days so there is enough time for you to get this in time for Christmas!!!

So if you were wanting one, or thinking of getting one, this is your chance!!! email me if you have questions or leave a comment!!!

Blessings,
Tereza

Merry Christmas to our Heroes!!

Have you seen the movie above?? It will bring joy to your heart. :)

As some of you may know I have made and sent some cards to our fellow heroes abroad. You can see some of the cards I have made in the past HERE, HERE and HERE. I haven't sent any in since I became pregnant, but I have been collecting cards that I plan to send in after Christmas. They can use cards all year long. Any theme, any type, any holiday, just because cards. Take a look at their website and blog (links below) for more information on the cards you can make.

Operation Write Home is an awesome organization that sends the cards to our heroes and they get to send some love to their loved ones here back home for free.

If you would like to help you can make cards too or donate money that goes into paying for shipping costs. Just click HERE to find out more!

Merry Christmas everybody!!

tereza

Bridesmaid Wedding Custom Made Scrapbook page

I have been creating Bridesmaids' thank you cards and invitations for a while now and I have this desire to make a scrapbook page for the ladies. The thing is: although I am married and had a wedding I never had bridesmaids. :( So, I had the idea of offering my services to create a Custom Made Wedding Scrapbook page. It could be for any part of the wedding, really. I just want to try my techniques and style on a wedding page.

So I created a fun listing on Ebay. If you are interested, got some wedding photos that need scrapping please go check it out, or contact me through the EMAIL button on the right! The listing is HERE.

I also finally listed the DIVA layout. So if you have been waiting for it. Check my Ebay listings on the right side.

I have been working on some Save the Dates recently. They turned out so gorgeous. I will post them this weekend and list them.

The Christmas photos from the Opryland Hotel I never got a chance to post them. Is anybody still interested in seeing them???? If I don't get any comments on the subject, I will just wait until next December to post them. :)

The Vintage Baby Book I will post tomorrow. :)

I am working on 200 Save the Dates for a friend from church and I am trying to get them done to deliver them this Sunday.

Have a beautiful weekend and don't be shy and say HI so I know you stopped by!! :)

Tereza

the JOYS of WINTER - 12x12 Layout on Ebay

hi everyone, it has been raining for the past 2 days in my neck of the woods. We are shut indoors with lots to do!! :)

This is a quick post just to let you know what I am listing tonight.

The last Ebay layout I listed sold AFTER the auction was over. I had 2 people email me about it AFTER the auction is over. Due to limited time I am NOT relisting my layouts. If they don't sell, I am using them. I am putting my own pictures on them and filing them in my scrapbooks. I wonder how many Ebay scrappers do that? How many layouts with Tear Bears can one have? ;)

Anyway, here is the layout I am listing tonight. And I am re-listing another layout just because I could not find the perfect photos for it. :( I will be looking for them though, because I am NOT re-listing it again. :)





I have used 2 vintage prints to demonstrate how to use the layout. The first one is one a 4x6" mat and the second is a print that is almost 5x7". There is enough room on the layout to hold 2 4x6" photos, or more than 3 photos cropped to 4x4" or 3x5".

Make sure you click on the images to see them enlarged and all the details. On the listing tonight on Ebay there will be many photos with details. thanks for looking. :)

enjoy!! :) Got to go make banana muffins with my daughter. :)

tereza

Custom 12x12 layouts, Cards, Bridesmaids' Cards and Digital Scrapbooking!!

Ok...did you see that huge title?? I am super busy with all that!!

I got custom orders for 12x12 layouts, bridesmaids cards, wedding tags, save the date invitations, place cards, Custom orders for Cards and yesterday I made my first Digital layout. Oh, man, I am sooooo excited about that!!

I will post it tomorrow for you all to see. In the meantime, here are some of the projects that are finished...






Also I decided AGAIN that I will clean up my studio some more and will list lots on Ebay and items on Etsy. So be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you know when I list if you are interested.

Here is the last of Thanksgiving cards that are ready to ship and available at my Etsy shop:



The background for those photos is a collage my DD made using the leaves of our front yard tree. It was the perfect background colors for my cards. :)

Got to go now!!

Blessings,
Tereza

Christmas in July LOT on EBAY!!!

Ok, I think I am finally done cleaning up my studio.

I will list tonight on EBAY a huge Lot of Gift items and Christmas cards. There is a little something for everybody...there are 2 Paper bag albums, 2 altered jars, Rose cottage gift tags, one altered tin for all those Christmas goodies, an altered gift tag album and lots, lots of Christmas cards.

So spread the word and come bid on this lot and you will be half way ready for Christmas before it's here!!! Click on the link on the right MY LISTINGS ON EBAY to see this auction and other items listed.

CHRISTMAS in July SALE!!!

Hello everyone... I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Summer!!

I have a great SALE in store for this month. Christmas in July!!!

that's right...you will find in my Etsy shop some great Christmas gifts as well as cards and tags. Their prices will be so good you won't be able to resist them. So start preparing for Christmas now.

Just as a preview please take a peek of some of the items I will have available.





and...this is not the surprise I talked about earlier...No, that is still to come!!

Now, back to work!!

Tereza