So I'm a teacher, a mother, a wife and an entrepreneur. I am currently in pursuit of another life, well, another profession in which case I have always been on the hunt for a new career field. Since the day my son was born at least. My life long dream is to be a stay-at-home mom, but don't all of us ladies out there wish this dream at one point or another. I enjoy what I do for my kiddos, especially when it's rewarding, but I would also like to have a week or two of work where there is not an individual in my face under the age of twenty. Admit it, most of us out there have thought that at one point or another.
It's March, testing pressures are upon us and I can just say, I'm over it. I haven't given up by any means, but there's only so much you can cram into a ten year old's brain before they just quit listening and their eyes glaze over. I'm thinking each day, "I wonder what these kids are thinking? Do they hate me? Am I their worst enemy because I enforce learning and the dreaded A.R.?"
So that's my confession for today. It's currently too late for me to be up so I'd better hit the hay before I lose my much needed sleep to function properly for my kids. Now see, wouldn't it be nice to just have a simple desk job where you could be grouchy and eat all day?
Confession #1
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Photoshop Clip Art Tip
Thursday, January 23, 2014
I am still moving towards changing my blog from just teacher resources to photographer resources. I've been working really hard to create photo cards that pop. I want my products/freebies to be different. This is my first Photoshop post.
I did it and I'm super proud of myself. I created my first set of clip art using Photoshop. This is my first set and it's Valentine themed. I'm super excited about Valentine's day and I can't wait for it to get here! This blog post is going to teach you the simple way to make clip art using Photoshop. I'm going to try to post pictures as I go so hopefully that will help. Photoshop can be tricky so if you're not familiar with it, this may take a few rounds of practice.
Step 1: I started with my chalkboard paper I created when I first started learning how to use the program. The minibridge window in Photoshop is a dream, it allows you to see all your files in one simple window right next to your work. I double clicked on the chalkboard file so it would open my paper. I used this as a background because my plan was to make my chalkboard clip art stand out. Here's a sample image below.
Step 2: I'll bet you're wondering how this works. Let me explain. Each word is a separate layer in my document. I simply clicked "create new layer" in my layers tab at the bottom each time I was creating a new word/clip art. If I was creating a word, I went to my toolbar on the left and clicked the "T" which allows you to create text. See a future blog post on how to get the chalkboard effect.
Step 3: Save your work. Note: In photoshop: When you are inserting your chosen set of word/words into a card, etc., drag the word/picture to your project screen and drop. It may look huge. A little trick is to hold down "ctrl" and hit "t" on your keyboard. This will allow you to change the size of your image.
I've listed the 3 steps written in detail above in a simple list:
Step 1: Open your desired background. You may just choose for your background to be white.
Step 2: Click the "create new layer" button at the bottom of the layers tab each time you create a new piece of clip art. This will allow your art to stay separated and easily used in one file.
Step 3: Save your work and that's that!
If you don't have time to create your own chalkboard Valentine Themed clip art, visit my Teacher's Notebook store here: Valentine Clip art. I hope this helps. Thanks for reading!
I did it and I'm super proud of myself. I created my first set of clip art using Photoshop. This is my first set and it's Valentine themed. I'm super excited about Valentine's day and I can't wait for it to get here! This blog post is going to teach you the simple way to make clip art using Photoshop. I'm going to try to post pictures as I go so hopefully that will help. Photoshop can be tricky so if you're not familiar with it, this may take a few rounds of practice.
Step 1: I started with my chalkboard paper I created when I first started learning how to use the program. The minibridge window in Photoshop is a dream, it allows you to see all your files in one simple window right next to your work. I double clicked on the chalkboard file so it would open my paper. I used this as a background because my plan was to make my chalkboard clip art stand out. Here's a sample image below.
Step 2: I'll bet you're wondering how this works. Let me explain. Each word is a separate layer in my document. I simply clicked "create new layer" in my layers tab at the bottom each time I was creating a new word/clip art. If I was creating a word, I went to my toolbar on the left and clicked the "T" which allows you to create text. See a future blog post on how to get the chalkboard effect.
Step 3: Save your work. Note: In photoshop: When you are inserting your chosen set of word/words into a card, etc., drag the word/picture to your project screen and drop. It may look huge. A little trick is to hold down "ctrl" and hit "t" on your keyboard. This will allow you to change the size of your image.
I've listed the 3 steps written in detail above in a simple list:
Step 1: Open your desired background. You may just choose for your background to be white.
Step 2: Click the "create new layer" button at the bottom of the layers tab each time you create a new piece of clip art. This will allow your art to stay separated and easily used in one file.
Step 3: Save your work and that's that!
If you don't have time to create your own chalkboard Valentine Themed clip art, visit my Teacher's Notebook store here: Valentine Clip art. I hope this helps. Thanks for reading!
It's the New Year!
Saturday, January 11, 2014
OMGosh!!! I am so behind on my blogging it's unbelievable! I've been a super busy mom, daughter, and digital designer! Yes, that's right! I'm not completely sticking to my teacher product creations. I have slowly been moving myself into photography design. I love my Nikon camera and I love making things to make my pictures even better. I'm super excited as this year, I am working to create my very own product line of digital supplies for photographers as well as for stay at home mom's/dad's who enjoy working with their very own photo cards. I hope to start my very own website with this. Wish me luck!
I'm so in love with Photoshop right now, I can't put it down! I think of new ways to create things and I just dive in! I was very nervous when I first started using Photoshop two years ago. I would just like to recommend it to others. If you don't have it, you need to get it! It's great for being that digital designer/crafty person that you've always wanted to be.
BTW, this year is still going great! My students are wonderful and after this three week Christmas break I can really tell that they are growing up on me. It makes a me a little sad, but it also makes our days much more enjoyable learning wise.
I'm so in love with Photoshop right now, I can't put it down! I think of new ways to create things and I just dive in! I was very nervous when I first started using Photoshop two years ago. I would just like to recommend it to others. If you don't have it, you need to get it! It's great for being that digital designer/crafty person that you've always wanted to be.
BTW, this year is still going great! My students are wonderful and after this three week Christmas break I can really tell that they are growing up on me. It makes a me a little sad, but it also makes our days much more enjoyable learning wise.
Getting Ready Thanksgiving & Christmas!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
It's that time of year again where families get together and houses start to look more like the Christmas season. I know we're just getting ready to start November, but I've been decorating for Christmas since early October!!! I'm super excited this year and wanted my baby to enjoy his 2nd Christmas to the fullest! I hope all you teachers out there are getting your classrooms ready for Thanksgiving, though! I wanted so badly to decorate for Christmas in my classroom, but I thought that would just be overdoing it a little. For now, my room is decorated for fall.
The year is flying by quickly. I've been searching for seasonal activities to use in my classroom. I decided to get a little creative and make a packet for all you 3rd and 4th grade reading teachers out there. This is a packet that includes assessments for each week in November. Just click on the THANKSGIVING ASSESSMENT PACKET link and you will be taken there to see a preview. Have a great day and a great week!
The year is flying by quickly. I've been searching for seasonal activities to use in my classroom. I decided to get a little creative and make a packet for all you 3rd and 4th grade reading teachers out there. This is a packet that includes assessments for each week in November. Just click on the THANKSGIVING ASSESSMENT PACKET link and you will be taken there to see a preview. Have a great day and a great week!
Make a List & Check It Twice...
Saturday, September 28, 2013
This blog entry is meant to ask what you teacher's out there need to make your lives more organized or just easier? I'm working as hard as I can to make my own life as a teacher easier, but I'm not sure how to help others.
Off topic here: Life at work is going great! My class is great even though it's loaded with boy's. The paperwork we are required to do is somewhat overwhelming and many have no idea what a teacher goes through, but that's part of it. If your heart is not in teaching then all the paperwork and requirements will weed you out and you will leave the profession. Well, at least I think.
So back to the main reason for this entry, what are some resources that all you educator's out there need for the elementary level? I'm working on stocking up my Teacher's Pay Teacher store with different resources to keep your school year going great. Just let me know of anything you've dreamed about by sending me an email or stopping by my store and I'll see if I'm creative enough to help. Thank you!
Off topic here: Life at work is going great! My class is great even though it's loaded with boy's. The paperwork we are required to do is somewhat overwhelming and many have no idea what a teacher goes through, but that's part of it. If your heart is not in teaching then all the paperwork and requirements will weed you out and you will leave the profession. Well, at least I think.
So back to the main reason for this entry, what are some resources that all you educator's out there need for the elementary level? I'm working on stocking up my Teacher's Pay Teacher store with different resources to keep your school year going great. Just let me know of anything you've dreamed about by sending me an email or stopping by my store and I'll see if I'm creative enough to help. Thank you!
