Summer PD Goal: Learn YouTube How-Tos with link to resulting video (FY19 SSYRA Jr Video Introduction)

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FY19 SSYRA Jr Video Introduction

Summer PD Goal: Learn YouTube How-Tos

with FY19 SSYRA Jr Video Introduction

I've got my own set of Summer learning goals. One of them is to learn more about recording videos on YouTube as part of my Google Certified Educator training. There are so many steps in the process to consider: Camera, background, lighting, voice projection, language appropriate for intended audience, presence, content knowledge, prop preparation, etc.

During this process my thoughts were on the multi-faceted nature of learning new skills. It can take many hours and can require repetition to master. I wonder if we allow those we teach, whether young or old, the time it takes to master the skills they are seeking to learn. Do we allow enough time to practice when we teach new skills?

I thought I'd share the video I recorded as I practiced my learning. It's not perfect, but it's brave. I want my students to choose brave over perfect too. The purpose of this video is to introduce incoming Kindergarten-2nd Grade students to Florida's FY19 Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. beginning chapter book selections. I also hope to help them discover the thought process involved in deciding whether or not they're interested in selecting any particular book to read. Students will have access to the video through direct instruction and independently via Google Classroom.

I welcome your thoughts and constructive criticism as I continue practicing new skills.

What are your learning goals this Summer?

Birthday Party Invitation With Matching Envelope (includes free Cricut Design Space file)

Birthday Party Invitation With Matching Envelope

(includes free Cricut Design Space file)

A friend in a Facebook group is having a birthday party for her daughter. She shared a picture of the birthday cake her daughter wants and then requested ideas for party invitations that would match the cake. The cake had a frame similar to the one I chose for my card on the top layer of the two-layer cake with 'Happy Birthday' written on it. The two layers on the cake were black, white and a shade of blue-green. There were also large black circles filled with tiny white polka dots. These were placed strategically on the bottom layer. This post is my idea for my friend. 

This invitation is an A1 card size (3-1/2" x 4-7/8") with a matching envelope. The Design Space file includes two extra blank white inserts for use in stamping the party details because sometimes stamping efforts go awry. There is a three-part frame with the words 'You're invited to a birthday party' on the top piece. There is a black strip for attaching behind the card face to 'color' the polka dots cut from the card face. To make this card you will need the following:

CTMH 12x12 Daisy White cardstock

12x12 cardstock in a color of your choice (mine is blue/green)

CTMH permanent Adhesive Runner

CTMH Bonding Memories Dual Action Glue Pen

CTMH 1/4" wide 3-D Foam Tape

CTMH Bone Folder

CTMH Micro-tip Scissors

These supplies were used to cut the card. The Cricut links are not affiliate links. I'm just sharing what I used for reference:

Cricut Maker

Cricut Light Grip Adhesive Cutting Mat

Cricut Fine Point Blade

Cricut Scoring Stylus

Cricut 0.4 Tip, Candy Crystal Pen (part of a set)

The finished card on set
after recording YouTube video instructions

Here are the steps I took to make this card:

1) Cut card pieces using Design Space File

2)  Assemble card:

• Glue black strip to back of card face behind polka dot holes. Use Bonding Memories Dual Action Glue Pen along both long edges. (This is preferred over tape because once dry, nothing else will be attracted to any adhesive accessible via the polka dot holes. If you use tape, it remains sticky.)
• Assemble the frame by using CTMH Adhesive Runner to attach black (center) layer to white (back) layer and then attach the white printed layer on the front.
• Use CTMH 3-D Foam Tape along both long edges of frame to add dimension to the card front and stabilize the full length of the frame to the card.
• If desired, add additional embellishments like CTMH Black and White Dots or CTMH Beautiful Friendship Bows.
• Use CTMH Bone Folder to fold card along score line.
• After stamping party details using CTMH Party Invitation Stamp Set or other desired stamp set, use CTMH Adhesive Runner to attach the white insert to the inside of the card.

3) Assemble envelope:

• Using CTMH Bone Folder, fold bottom edge of envelope and then both side edges of envelope. 
• Use CTMH Adhesive Runner to adhere side edges of envelope.

Removing the card from the

Cricut Light Grip Mat after cutting

For your enjoyment and instruction on the card assembly, I posted a YouTube video. I'm a 'curious beginner' and am learning as I go. Enjoy!

These items were mentioned in the video, but not applied to the card on-screen:

CTMH Black and White Dots

CTMH Beautiful Friendship Bows

CTMH Party Invitation Stamp Set

Note: All items listed are available for purchase at the time of posting. Items are periodically retired. If you find this post after an item has retired, comment below and I'll try to help you find that item.

Weekend CTMH Consultant Follow Loop

Weekend CTMH Consultant Follow Loop
Follow @gladeslibrarian and
include #WeekendCTMHLoop
so others can follow you back

Happy Sunday, friends. Want to make new friends? Share your brilliant crafting projects? Have fun? Participate in the first Weekend CTMH Consultant Follow Loop (#WeekendCTMHLoop). This is an opportunity to discover and follow some amazing independent CTMH consultants on Instagram.
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This is also an amazing way to support each other, get your own creative juices flowing and discover some amazing accounts. Here’s how to participate.
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1. Follow your host:  @gladeslibrarian 
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2. Click on @gladeslibrarian's bio and click on the website to grab this image and caption.
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3. Post the image and this whole message on your own Instagram account (new accounts are welcome to participate). 
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4. Click on this hashtag: #WeekendCTMHLoop. Click on the 'Recent' tab.
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5. Follow everyone that has the Weekend Consultant Follow Loop picture and comment on their picture.
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6. Allow them 24 to 48 hours to follow you back.  It is very important that you post the loop picture with the caption and hashtag so people can find your account and follow back.
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.Please participate if you have time. Please don’t follow to unfollow.
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.Happy Sunday, friends. Make new friends. Share your brilliant crafting projects. Have fun.
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#CTMHconsultant #CTMH #CTMHCommunity #ToMakeAFriendBeAFriend #CTMHpaper #CraftKindness #openloops #InstagramCTMHConsultants #icraft #papercrafting #cardmaking #scrapbook #scrapbooking #crafter #BossLady #CTMHLlifestyle #CraftKindness #crafterpreneur #weekendCTMHloop #CheckOnYourStrongFriend

Here's my post on Instagram: #WeekendCTMHLoop

http://www.instagram.com/gladeslibrarian

Make A Congratulations Card for Test-Takers (includes free Cricut Design Space file)

Congratulations are in order! One of my goals for this school year was to pass the 3-hour Google Certified Educator Exam. On Sunday, May 13, I reached that goal. Hooray! I feel like celebrating this accomplishment. So today, I want to share a card-making project with you. This is a card that will celebrate the successes of every test taker in your life.

To make this card you will need:

• 1 12x12 sheet of blue cardstock
• 1 12x12 sheet of 'Colorbok 75386 Spray Paint' cardstock (I got mine here: Amazon)
• 1 12x12 sheet of CTMH White Daisy cardstock (I got mine on my independent consultant website here: CTMH)
• 1 black 0.4 tip Cricut black pen (I got mine here: Cricut)
• 1 Cricut Maker, or other Cricut machine using Design Space, with accompanying light grip mat and fine-point cutting blade

This picture shows the inside of the card. I am the team leader for my school's Technology Trailblazer program so I went ahead and made a card for each of my team members since passing this exam is a prerequisite before receiving the technology in FY19. As each one passes the test, I plan on mailing a card to congratulate him/her. The card in Design Space doesn't have my name on it. Just double-click on the text to add your own name, or sign it by hand after printing out the sentiment.

I hope you enjoy making this card to celebrate the successes of your friends, family and coworkers. 

Here's the Design Space file so you can get started:

Congratulations Google Certified Educator Level 1 Card

Please let me know if you need any help making this card.

June CTMH Stamp of the Month: A Bushel and A Peck

Close To My Heart 

June Stamp of the Month: 

A Bushel and A Peck

only available June 1–30, 2018

Close to My Heart: June Stamp of the Month
A Bushel and A Peck
only available June 1-30, 2018

Ok, to be fair, when I think of pie THIS picture is what I think of:

My sis, Dawn's, homemade pie

Yeah, now you're thinking of pie too. Am I right? This month's stamp set has a girl who looks to me like she's thinking about the last delicious pie she ate. I bet someone who loves her made it especially for her. These stamps would make the perfect 'Thanks a Bushel' note, wouldn't they?

Here are two sample cards made using this month's stamp set:

I think I will make a card for my sis. I'll share it here when I do. Who would you make a card for using this stamp set?

It's School Carnival Time! (Including Cricut Design Space, Google Docs, Flipgrid links)

Ms. Bower, Roving Reporter HQ,
a mobile 'booth' at our school Carnival

Well, if that isn't a picture of fun I don't know what is. Haha! On Friday, we had our end of school year Carnival and Field Day. My 'booth' was mobile as I walked the school supervising 15 2nd-5th grade videographers as they videotaped events in Pre-K through 5th grade classes and on the field. In this post, I want to share my process, resulting photos and Cricut Design Space files for our 'uniforms'.

Student Roving Reporter hats
and Press Pass ID Badges

Each student received a hat and Press Pass ID Badge. The press passes have a Flipgrid QR code to the secure website (intentionally blurred in this photo) where the videos will be posted for families and staff. Parents scanned the QR code with Snapchat (primarily) so they'd have the link. (P.S. With Flipgrid, it's easy to build community and share with those in your organization. Interested? Scan the QR code in the badge at the end of this post to go to Flipgrid for more details.)

Student Roving Reporter Hats

Hats: I bought packaged 'Happy Birthday' hats with flexible, accordion-type headbands. I cut off the BI and AY as they stuck out past my design. I designed the WiFi symbol from elements available in Cricut Design Space (through DS Access) and spliced, welded and modified until I liked it. Here's the link for the design I glued on the front of the words 'Happy **irthd**' on the hats: 

https://design.cricut.com/#/design/93890591

My 'Roving Reporter HQ' shirt,
designed in Cricut Design Space

My Shirt: Next, I modified that design to create my shirt for the event. It has my school's name and 'Roving Reporter HQ' as the students periodically checked in with me when they saw me around our campus. Note that I ironed the design on a shirt that matched the second color in the student hat design (lime green, in my case). Here's the link to the Cricut DS file:

https://design.cricut.com/#/design/93892106

Press Pass ID Badge (with QR code to Flipgrid info)

Press Passes: Finally, I grabbed the Flipgrid QR code for our school's Flipgrid and imported it into the badge I created. Here's a link to a Google Doc with the Google Drawing (Just click 'FILE' > 'MAKE A COPY' and then change the information to your school's event). The QR code in this photo is to the Flipgrid introduction page. All linked information about Flipgrid is free. It is not an affiliate link. Both Flipgrid and the Flipgrid app are free to use. I'm just sharing what works well for me. Cheers!

If you have any questions or issues accessing these files, please let me know. I hope you enjoy this makerspace project.

All the best,
Kimberly

May CTMH Stamp of the Month: Classic Summer Bash

Close To My Heart 

May Stamp of the Month: 

Classic Summer Bash

only available May 1–31, 2018

Close To My Heart May Stamp of the Month: 

Classic Summer Bash 

only available May 1–31, 2018

I love everything about Mason jars so I was very excited to discover that the May Stamp of the Month includes a mason jar along with lemons, summer party invite phrases, and even little ice cubes. So perfect! 

Here is a sample scrapbooking page:

and a sample card:

 

I'll be adding more samples as I make them. Want to see something special with this stamp set? Post in the comments and I'll give it my best shot. Happy May!

Welcome

Welcome

I'm glad you're here.

A little about me

• I'm a library media specialist at a public elementary school teaching reading strategies, leading technology integration, designing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges in our media center makerspace and providing information and reader's advisory services,
• I'm an anti-bullying and literacy advocate,
• I'm a freelance writer and book reviewer, and
• I'm an ordained minister.
• I enjoy making beautiful *usually useful* things with my hands,
• I thrive in the great outdoors and enjoy gardening, hiking, biking, camping, and geocaching,
• I love digging in the dirt and breathing deeply of the salty ocean air, and
• I'm really big on family.

How'd I pick the site name?

The term 'makerspace' is big in the educational world. I consider myself to be and also encourage everyone I meet to become and remain lifelong learners. Learning keeps the mind alert and the brain active. I started this blog to be a place where friends of all ages can gather to create, explore, discover, inquire and share wholesome, family-friendly creative projects using a variety of tools and materials. I will make use of my Cricut Maker, Cuttlebug, HP instant-ink ready color printer, Janome sewing machine, Close To My Heart papercrafting supplies, as well as my varied assortment of on hand home office and craft supplies. Although I will post the sources of any newly purchased supplies, you are not obligated in any way to purchase from these sites. My goal is to freely share my projects and discoveries with you. I hope you'll join me and share your learning too.

My favorite quotes

Why do we fear when we already know the ending? -- Kimberly Bower

Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." -- Mark Twain

Thoughts about books, reviews and site indexes

As a librarian I come across many new books every month. I scour professional journals and websites, research on Edelweiss and NetGalley, subscribe to feeds from a host of other sources and take part in Twitter chats to see what's new, coming up in the ranks, popular etc. I can't read every title. There just isn't time. I do, however, look closely enough to decide if I would read a title before requesting a galley, ARC, or review copy. Those titles will likely find their way into a New On My Nightstand post, a topical book list or research guide. NOTE: New On My Nightstand is soon-to-be-added to this site. I'll be playing catch-up for a bit but I feel strongly about sharing the best makerspace-related resources I find. Stay tuned! I'll have a Book Review Index for quick links to reviews.

I enjoy engaging with other librarians, readers and bloggers. I like to check out other blogs and share ideas. I love to promote authors offering content that meets the stated goals of this blog. Thanks again for stopping by. I hope to get to know you better.

Blessings on your journey today,

Kimberly

GladesLibrarian's Close To My Heart (CTMH) News

Close To My Heart's New Consultant Kit

You know how much I like to create beautiful things, right? Well, I've just signed up as a Close To My Heart (CTMH) Independent Consultant. This papercrafting, scrapbooking, cardmaking and stamping direct sales company provides resources that partner splendidly with my new Cricut Maker machine. My crafting passion is in full bloom. Click the 'Shop Now' picture or this link to check out my website.

CTMH's Cricut 'You Are Here' Bundle

    My current favorite item is the Cricut You Are Here Bundle with Cricut cartridge (available in both digital and physical formats), three matching stamp sets and 24 sheets of coordinating colored cardstock paper that cuts well in my Cricut Maker. I'll be ready to share all about my Summer adventures with this set in hand.  

April's CTMH Stamp of the Month

My current favorite stamp set is April 2018: Color Your Life because it has the message I tell my students daily: Always be kind. During the month of April, 2018, you can either purchase it outright for $17.95, or spend $50 and get this April Stamp of the Month set for just $5. So, tell me, have you checked out the Close To My Heart product line yet? What's your favorite item?