Mons-TERRIFIC Crafts!

Well, today I'm going to be on the road traveling so my "Saturday Shares" will be pretty simple.  I'm just going to share some of my new Monster-Themed stuff I've been working on!  So, I told ya'll on Thursday that I was going to get my Mod Podge on for the first time.  *Sigh*  If only, I had read Megan's (from I Teach. What's Your Super Power?) comment first..."Practice with something you don't care about first." 

Too late.  And, apparently Mod Podge (or crafting for that matter) is not my Super Power.  You see, I planned to mod podge my classroom stool.  This stool has been sitting in my garage for weeks now as I planned what to do with it.  I had initially started painting it.  The primer and base coat of turquoise...no problem.  But then, I tried to pain a monster face on it using acrylic paint.  AGH!  The red was not "popping" on the turquoise and the paint was cracking.  After SIX coats I had given up.  Enter mod podge.  I had heard everyone talking about this and thought, why not?  So....I drew the monster face on cardstock, cut it out, used Elmer's spray glue and stuck that bad boy to the top of the stool.  Adorable!  Then I pulled out the mod podge (read every word on the bottle because that's how I roll).  Sounds easy enough.  I applied a generous coat using a paintbrush and stood back to admire.  This was going better than I thought!

Then, I went inside to begin on another craft (my monster clipchart...more on that in a moment) because I'm not patient.  I can't "sit tight" or "kill time."  After a few minutes, I couldn't wait to see the final result so I head back to the garage....AGH!!!  My sweet little monster had all of these bubble rolls in him!!  I quickly found a marker and used that to try to "roll" the bubbles flat but the mod podge had already become tacky and that just lifted some of the cardstock off with the marker.  {insert major whining and pouty face}  I got a cup of water, wet my fingers, and just tried to roll the bubbles flat with my hand.  Not perfect, by any means, but better.  I let this dry and then added another coat of mod podge.
Looks pretty good from a distance.
But, up close and in the right light, you can definitely see the wrinkles. :(

I had initially wanted to paint the legs with polka dots and stripes and all sorts of wild designs/patterns.  But, after my first attempt at painting on top of the turquoise, I knew I better go another route.  So, I bought those little red circle stickers, stuck them all around, and mod podged right on top of those suckers!  Easy peasy!
I still have some finishing touches to put on it (think fur trim) but the main work is done.  All in all I think it was a good first attempt at mod podge....I learned from it.  I might even try another stool to see if I can perfect it, but this one will be good enough for the students....I think they'll think it's fun! :)

Clip Chart Management System
Last year I used the clip system and loved it, so I wanted to stick with that this year.  However, last year I had one of those students who didn't know about personal space...you know the kind, right?  And, well, every time he walked by our cute little guitar, he knocked off half of the clothespins...sometimes breaking them.  So, this year I wanted to find another way to do this system (without using clothespins) while incorporating my monster theme.  I saw a picture on pinterest of someone using a "big oil pan" as a magnet board and this gave me an idea!  Why not create my clipchart on the oil pan and have magnets for the students to move up or down.  So....that's what I did!
I haven't decided if I should draw little mouths on them...what do you think?
These magnets are for another board in my classroom, but this gives you an idea.  I would love to find magnets that are a bit chubbier so they'd be easier to pick up and move, but I still want to be able to write numbers on them.  Anyone seen any great magnets around that would be perfect for this?
My plan is for Mr. Madden to make it so that it will hang on some of those great 3M hooks...right on the bathroom door in my classroom.

While I was at Hobby Lobby (yes, AGAIN!) buying supplies for the above projects, I was SUPER excited that they had this sign I'd been wanting for my classroom.  I saw it weeks ago, but didn't buy it because it was $40.  Then Mr. Madden reminded me that I always have a "40% off one item" Hobby Lobby coupon with me (thanks to the GeoQpons app on my iphone). {smacking head...why didn't I think of that?} So, I went back to purchase it, but it was GONE!! :(  Well, yesterday, they had them back in...I think it's just perfect for the classroom.  Maybe somewhere near our clipchart or classroom rules.
And, last but not least, I found a great deal at Barnes and Noble!!  I always have a class mascot with a traveling bag and matching book (I use this with my Pet Pal Project...I'll do a post on that soon!)  With my new monster theme, I thought this "Ugly Doll" stuffed animal and bag would be PERFECT (and 50% off!!)  Of course, I had to snatch up another monster book to go with it! :)
That's it for today!  Headed to the SC coast to put my toes in the sand and a book in my hand!  I'm sure I'll be playing LOTS of Song Pop, Words with Friends, and Scramble with Friends while in the car...hit me (AmandaMadden) up if you're on there!

24 comments

  1. WOW-I think that stool is precious! Smart idea with the dot stickers. I vote yes for faces-the look like rocks with dots. You might could use glass blobs and put magnets on them or maybe just round circles. I was thinking bottle caps, but they are not very monstery! You got some great stuff done!
    Jennifer
    kindertrips

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  2. I love your monster stool. I am trying to do an owl one right now and it has been a disaster too. I did 4 coats of paint and still need about 2 more. I also tried to mod podge an owl and it didn't work well. I am going to Hobby Lobby today to find something else to add to it. I love the circle stickers idea.

    Swimming into Second

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  3. The stool is so cute! I know what you mean about the air bubbles. I have been decorating clipboards and the first one I did was fine, the second one however ended up with a ton of bubbles and I don't know how crazy that is going to make me when I actually use it to write on.


    Swimming Into Learning

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  4. The chair turned out just fine :) Who cares about a little wrinkle? Thanks for the idea about the large drip pan. I have been trying to figure out how to make a response board magnetic and now I know :)
    Elizabeth

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  5. LOVE IT ALL! The stool looks great and I love your behavior chart. You could add different smiles/expressions, that way your visual kids can really get an understanding of how they should be behaving. Jo-Ann's, as of two weeks ago, had these bubble magnets (I think 12 a pack) but large enough to write on and pick up and in a multitude of colors! They are by the summer section and crafts. Also, Jo-Ann's will let you use Micheal's, Hobby Lobby, and their coupons - multiple at a time. So if you have a 50% off Jo-Ann's and your 40% Hobby Lobby then you can get two sets for cheap! Good luck and I hope this helps!

    Sabra
    Teaching with a Touch of Twang

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  6. Your stool is ADORABLE! I think it turned out great, despite the ModPodge snafoo! Enjoy the beach:)


    We are ALL Special!

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  7. Oh my gosh Amanda, I LOVE your stool!!! That is the cutest thing I have ever seen. You did a fantastic job. You gave me some ideas for making a pirate stool. GREAT JOB!! :)
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  8. Love, love, love your stool! Hoping to work on mine this week:) The dots are a great idea because it is so hard to get perfect polka dots. I would add mouths on your monsters...I love the clip down behavior idea! Might have to start that this year. ENJOY the beach!

    Kristen
    www.blessyourheartsc.blogspot.com

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  9. Magnets--Are the ones you're using the size of those thick circular magnets? If they aren't, that might work? I also have used those thick circular magnets hot glued to the little wooden decorative pieces at Michael's. I used the little chalkboards and just wrote their numbers on the chalkboard with white paint--not very "monstery", but it might give you a place to start! :) The wooden pieces are usually along the edge of the aisle...

    ...while I'm thinking of it...I was walking VERY quickly in Wal-Mart yesterday and I saw some little monster crafts that kids can make. I didn't look really close to see exactly what they were OR what the price was, but again...might give you an idea for a teacher-made craftivity! ;)

    Girl---Modern Country is definitely my weakness in SongPop!! haha

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  10. I just mod podged for the first time last summer and I am a little addicted! I made letters for all my temmates and they hang on our doors. I did tables, chairs, made big signs! It does take practice!
    I use magnets on my clip chart. I found a tutorial on how to make picture marble magnets and am going to try to put numbers on them. http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/marblemagnets/ we shall see! Hopefully this weekend!
    Rachel
    rachel.lamb81@gmail.com

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  11. I love the stool and behavior chart! So inspirational. I have a neighbor's old stool (in 2 pieces) that I mean to repair and do something fabulous to. The Barnes & Noble monster is super cute too. I might have to make a trip over there Monday! Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I love your stool! It looks awesome!! I have been wanting to re-do mine.

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  13. Love love love your stool. I experimented with modge podge for the first time this week too and ended up with bubbles, but after it dried the bubbles mysteriously disappeared so I was pretty happy. What a great idea to have your clip chart on the oil pan. I am loving all of the magnet boards I have been finding on Pinterest. I might have to change up my pirate clip chart for something like this. Thanks for sharing such great ideas.

    Heidi
    My (Not So) Elementary Life

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  14. Okay - I need to get motivated to do a stool. Yours is TOO CUTE!! I'm enjoying doing the monster theme for my new classroom...only problem I'm having is finding a flag. Outside our classrooms, we hang a flag to help people find our classrooms and I can't find one with a monster on it. YIKES@ I'm still trying to decide what to do. I would put some type of facial expressions on your clipchart - but I love it too.

    ✞Heather
    Swinging Through Second Grade
    hdawntn@hotmail.com

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  15. Hi-

    I have to say I LOVE your stool. It is AWESOME! I am currently using Mod Podge on my classroom clipboards and have had some bubbling issues as well. I found that when I left it alone it eventually dried pretty flat (most times). Check out my blog for a post I just did about my clipboards in progress.The Reading Buddies

    -Damien of The Reading Buddies

    P.S. I vote for mouths!

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  16. The stool turned out super cute! Modge Podge and I are not best friends. I seem to be missing the MP magic :)
    Tania
    My Second Sense

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  17. Amanda,

    I used these posts to create magnets for my classroom (:

    http://wisewittyteacher.blogspot.com/2011/08/thursdays-creations.html
    http://wisewittyteacher.blogspot.com/p/freebies.html

    They turned out super cute ! More fun with Modge Podge ; )

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  18. Thanks everyone!! Adding little mouths it is! And, Mrs Phillips - those are JUST the magnets I need!! Will start on that project soon. ;)

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  19. Your monster stuff is ADORABLE! I thought I wanted to do owls next year, but you might have swayed me to Team Monster!

    We're your newest followers, we found you through Courtney's Blog {Swimming Into 2nd}

    We hope you'll check us out!

    Halle and Jenna
    Across the Hall in 2nd

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  20. I love all the monsters!! Very cute!!

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  21. That stool is seriously adorable! I wanted to let you know that I gave you the Versatile Blogger award. Please stop by my blog to learn more about it.
    Kristin
    iTeach 1:1

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  22. Amanda I love your blog!! I am giving out some Versatile Blogger awards today and I have one with your name on it!

    ❤ -Stephanie
    Falling Into First

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