FREE Posters!!!

It has been a while since I did a print and give, and since I am in a poster kind of mood lately here are three posters to choose from! All are 11x14 and can be blown up even larger at Walmart's photo center. Let me know what you think and enjoy!!!

Click here for the Dream poster
Click here for the Believe poster
Click here for the Love poster

Has it really been 5 days??

Sorry all! I try to post every or every other day, but with all the rainy weather and chaos in the house it just didn't happen. Have to start scheduling posts again I guess!

So I have been thinking a lot about different schools of education. I am really dissatisfied with the current state that public education is in, especially in Ohio, and have been doing lots of reading about alternatives to the norm. I had no idea that there were so many other parents out there like me who feel that public schools are killing children's imaginations with the emphasis on academics, that kids are being pushed to learn too much too fast, and that teachers are so sorely being punished with the No Child Left Behind laws. (To get the jist of this law in laymen's terms- go here!)

I hate how Kindergarteners are expected to come INTO school knowing so much, how society looks down on you if you choose not to send your child to preschool, and how play in school is going down the tubes along with sports and the arts.

I went to a Montessori school for K-1st grade, a magnet school for the gifted and talented (a performing arts school) for 5-9 grade, and public school in between. My education has been very unusual and I think that I benefited from that, especially by attending the arts school. And I want those same things for Gabby.

I noticed after re-reading a lot of my "lists" that I tend to gravitate toward Montessori and Waldorf blogs, and even borrow a lot of ideas from homeschooling blogs for activity ideas. I know that there is no way that I could homeschool, I am not organized enough to keep a strict schedule and I want socialization for Gabby, but it does have its appeal.

I feel that there are great things about both Montessori and Waldorf schools of thought and am going to try incorporating ideas from both in our house. One book that I am really interested in reading is Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children. And here are some other blogs that I read that are on board with alternative forms of education:

Sew Liberated
Uncommon Grace
My Montessori Journey

What are your thoughts? Do you know about or practice any other form of traditional education in your home?

The List 1.4

Hola! How is everyone's summer going so far? Isn't it flying by? Soon (too soon some days, not soon enough others) my oldest daughter will enter the world of learning. A little over a month away in fact....sigh. There is soooo much to think about, packing lunches, making sure she is presentable, making sure she doesn't repeat all the not so polite words mommy and daddy use when they are talking. =) So this list has a lot of learning links, getting ready for school links, and of course a few craft ideas! Let me know if you try any ok?!

We made this outside one hot day and although it appears simple, it will keep the kids facinated for hours! Who knew tin foil plus water would be so much fun?? (@ Filth Wizardry)

Since you have to mark EVERYTHING your child has in their backpack I want to get these pretty bookplates for Gabby's favorites in case she brings them for Show and Tell. (@Boy Girl Party)

I am facinated with making Lapbooks for my little ones to play with and learn from- this woman is a genius at creating them with her kids!! (@Homeschool Blogger)

Who knew that there was another fun way to recycle all those broken old crayons? Alphabet crayons anyone? (@Let's Explore)

Have old tee shirts that you can't wear but don't want to throw away? How about turning them into dresses for your girls? (@ Adventures in Babywearing)

I have to get creative with my lunch packing for this first year of school. Wendy, here, has made a great list of kid friendly foods that are easily packed (especially in Bentos!!) (@ Wendelonia)

I thought that this was a creative way to teach addition and subtraction.... way better than stupid worksheets! (@ My Montessori Journey)

This list of Kindergarten transition tips is wonderful! Super ideas, including how to cope yourself with the Big Day! (@ Let's Explore)

Finally, I have started gearing up to start sewing again. What better way to get back into it then with the little birdies who started it all for me? Except this time I will be making this birdie wall art for the girl's rooms! (@ Sew Liberated)

That's all for today! More bloggy fun tomorrow! =) Ciao!

Creepy Vintage ads!

clipped from www.stumbleupon.com

"Bread is swell, but what I'm really excited about is eating jelly made from the blood of the innocent!"

Who needs self-esteem when you can have a free fashion book for chubbies? Also, proving that advertising weight representation has always been screwed up, the girl pictured is totally not chubby.

The family that guns together, has funs together.

She totally deserves it. Seriously, what kind of woman doesn't "store test" for fresher coffee?

Nothing wants to make consumers buy chocolate more than 5 faces of a sickly kid looking 5 different shades of miserable.

You better wash out your privates with Lysol, or your husband will install cartoon locks on the door.

"Pears Soap- now with such a soothing lather, you won't notice that your baby has gotten into a horrible accident!"

I have no clue who came up with these or more importantly- who they appealed to?! The last one and the Lane Bryant ads are the worst for me..... anyone got any more creepy vintage ads?

RIP Chromasmear

Yesterday I heard of some very sad news on Etsy. My dear friend and fellow graphics artist Chromasmear died a few days ago in a rafting accident. She was one of the nicest, prettiest, down to earth women that I have ever chatted with and I know that Etsy will never be the same again. People don't realize that in a handmade community like Etsy there are also handmade friendships and handmade love. We are people connecting with people and when something like this happens I think it hits us harder than people suspect. Although most of us haven't met her in real life, for how much time we spent with her, it feels like we were the closest of friends.

Chromasmear's real name was Uleen Toovey, a beautiful Canadian artist who was devoted to saving homeless animals and friend to all Etsians, new and experienced.

In lieu of sending money to her family, her mother asked that we all donate to the local animal shelter in her name. There is also a treasury set up in her memory, as well as countless listings that will take the proceeds and donate them to animal shelters in her name.

Rest in Peace Chromasmear and may your legacy live on!

My next project!

With my new Wacom pen tablet on it's way and a new laptop on the horizon I spied this genius idea with clear directions on how to turn a suitcase into a kitchy, vintage, laptop case on Craftzine. I can't wait to try this!! I also hopped over to a blog called Naughty Secretary that showcased a whole slew of ideas for what to do with suitcases. I think my cats would love their own beds made from old suitcases. =)

Here are the directions for turning your own suitcase into something reminiscent of your Going To Grandma's suitcase from childhood! Go here for the complete directions since I just clipped the pics!

clipped from blog.craftzine.com

Materials

Suitcase
Butter knife
Foam
Liquid fusion glue
Vintage apron or fabric to cover suitcase
Scissors
Triple Thick top coat
Krylon spray paint
Painter's tape
Cotton fabric for lining
Collage pauge
Sponge brushes

Favorite Things Swap

Hi there!!! I read about this GREAT idea on another blog and decided to give it a go here at Creative Bubbles!! Tell everyone you know about it because the more that participate the better it will be for everyone! It is my first annual Favorite Things Swap!!!

Really simple... you choose three of your favorite things (feel free to send more if you can't resist!) to send to your partner. It can be new, used, vintage, handmade, anything goes. Just keep in mind that it should be something you would LOVE to get in the mail. =) It can be a favorite magazine, a Bento item, a book, an apron... be creative and have fun with it.

Want to participate?! Email your vitals to mrs.conniekrebs@hotmail.com. Sign ups will be open until July 19th. Once I receive your email I will send you a confirmation email. Therefore, if you don't hear back from me, send it again or leave me a comment here so I can email you about it. This is the info I need:
• your name.
• mailing address.
• email address.
• website / blog
• a little something about yourself.
• please indicate if you are willing to ship internationally

Your partners name and information will be emailed to you shortly after the sign-up deadline and the delivery date for this swap is Friday, August 7th... please have it postmarked by then.

Once you receive your package be sure to comment and post pics back here! I am excited to try this and hope everyone else it too!!!!

Another Milestore Reached!!!

Today we reached another milestone here in Casa de Krebs! AJ is out of her crib and in a big girl bed- hurray!!!!!

Due to the taking apart and re-assembling that the poor crib has had to endure the last 5 years it just met the end of it use. AJ helped the crib's demise by butt bumping the side rail against the wall everyday to let us know that she was awake... lovely sound! (NOT!)

So today, after discovering that I could no longer lower the rail to get to the mattress and sheets, we decided that this would be a good time to transition AJ to her very own Dora bed.

Let me say this, I have VERY good kids! I know that this isn't the norm, there are probably a lot more tears involved, a lot more up/down, etc... but she did GREAT! A few tears, which is her normal routine, and both naptime and bedtime went by peacefully. Yay!!!

I am a little sad that there won't be any more babies in the crib... I am not gonna lie. But it is a good thing because it means that my baby is growing up and becoming so much more independent.

Here is my "big" girl, sleeping so sound.... =)


(Sorry for the quality, the camera is at the shop!)

The List- 1.3

Well I am still working my tail off trying to get as many designs done as I can, and the orders keep rolling in- yay!! Here are some things that I have seen around the web though that I LOVE!!

I finally have another use for all those pizza boxes we collect from Friday Pizza Night- Activity Boxes!! (@ Givers Log)

I know Gabby would LOVE to have this above her bed, maybe in a punky pink? (@ Homespun Threads)

Who knew an old dresser drawer could be so functional?? (@ The Farm Chicks)

I believe I am ready to get back to sewing soon, and these fabric letters might just be the project to get me going!! (@ Happy Together)

I love the I Spy books that we get from the library. How fun would it be to make my own?! (@ Brassy Apple)

Maybe someday we will go back to a normal bed (we currently have a Japanese style bed) and I can make this beautiful embroidered headboard for my room! Sigh... love it! (@ Design Sponge)

I saw this tutorial for a cute flower headband and just had to make it for the girl's first recital!! Doesn't AJ look adorable?! (@Homemade By Jill)

What ultra cool mom doesn't need this tee shirt? I know I want it!! (@ The Bomb Mom)

I am in love with these earrings.... silver and beach glass, what a perfect combination! (@ Beach Glass Memories)

Well, that's all for now... now back to designing some hot logos!

Sorry to be MIA!

For some reason July must be the month to get a business started or make over a store! Lol! Every day this month I have made a sale, and on the 4th I sold 3 items!! Yay for fun money!!! Here are some of my recent designs, renditions, and sales:










Right now, for all of you who either has an Etsy store or wants to start one, my Starter package is only $25 and includes 250 business cards! It is usually $50, but it is my July special. Come buy a package and support my shoe & Bento habit!! =)