PTA fundraiser ideas and a printable.

We have a wonderful PTA. We work hard to send each class on a field trip, increase technology in each classroom, and support our teachers and show them how much we care. This year we have decided to do away with kids selling products in favor of other fundraisers. I am thrilled! They are going to be fantastic!

This is what we are planning:

1- A Flea Market sale

2- Our annual Halloween Carnival

3- Santa's Sweet Gift Shop

4- Penny Wars

5- Fun run/walk

We have done the middle 3 yearly but added the other 2 this year.

I am in charge of the Flea Market and I couldn't be more excited with how it is going. We hope to turn it into an annual event. I wanted to have 80 spaces 'rented' and have so far gotten over 60 with 3 weeks left. The PTA is renting the parking spaces to those with yard sale goods, homemade crafts, or small businesses. We have such a variety of vendors already signed up. From DoTerra, Tupperware, and Pauperauzzi, to Custom concrete, Maxi skirts, and homemade treats. All the money the vendors make is theirs to keep. Our money comes from the space rental making it a win/win deal. Now to pray the weather holds. I think I will be getting quite a bit of Christmas shopping done myself.

Although we have done the Santa shop in the past we decided to stock it ourselves. We felt the company we used in the past charged too much for...well...basically junk. As frugal moms we just couldn't handle our kiddos paying for useless junk. We thought we could do better. So over the past year we have shopped after season clearance sales, made crafts and requested donations. I think it is going to be so much better. We only made a small amount last year because of the large overhead. It is such a great time for the kids to be able to shop for their family without mom or dad that we wanted to continue it but wanted to provide better quality products for them. I have been putting together crafts big and small. I was tasked with gifts for dads, grandpas, and brothers...all the boy gifts. It made sense with 4 boys but boy gifts are a bit harder than girls and they are not found on sale as easily. Still, I have to admit it has gone well. I have more to make and need to pull out my sewing machine but we are getting there. I will let you know how well we do in December.

Last year we had the Penny wars among the classes. Those little kiddos brought in over $1500 in coins from their piggy banks! How awesome is that. A little healthy competition can go a long way. The bonus was just watching all the kids get excited to see their jars fill up. This year we found a couple of spiral wishing wells that will add to our penny wars. We plan to have "vs" wars with them. For example iphone vs android, vote for your favorite. Should be fun. Besides ya gotta admit those funnels are just cool to watch.

Our other new fundraiser this year is the fun run/walk. It will be our spring event. Although I am not a runner races are always a great way to build support. 

Our Halloween Carnival is our biggest event. It is a huge undertaking but the kids and community love it! After all what is Halloween without a school carnival. ;-)

I will keep you posted on the success of our adventures. We are also working on grants and bigger company programs like box tops, Walmart, and Target gift cards. What are some of the fundraising events you have had success with? I would love to hear your ideas. Our parents have been thrilled with the idea of not selling products. This momma included!

I thought I would share a printable freebie. This is the sign I made up for our Flea Market. Hope you have fun using it too. Just click on the photo to download.

School is Cool wordart freebie

Summer is quickly coming to a close. We have had lots of adventures. Now the adventure of school shopping is beginning. How are you doing with that? Have you started yet? There are many benefits to having all boys and this is the time of year I celebrate the most. My boys are easy peasy to shop for but finding pants for my oldest son could be interesting. He is tall and skinny! Then the run begins for school supplies. I miss being able to hit all the deals of the week and be back home in an hour. Yep, just an hour, if I hurried. The stores were close to home and each other. Now I have to plan out my trip a bit more. Do I price match at Walmart (the only store in town) or travel 45 minutes? At least I like planning and shopping. Now if my boys can last through it all. 

In light of this and school starting soon I made up several new wordarts. My goal is to be ahead and ready for the next event or holiday before it gets here. Let's see how well I do eh?!

 All this week I will be posting school fun wordart. Check it out. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Shopping!

Nice Job Download

 School is Cool Download

Rays of Joy...PTA board

It was time (past time really) to change the PTA board at our school. I have been working 50-60 hrs a week at the hospital but finally got into change the board. It is always fun to hear people comment as I work. They are excited to see what the new board will be. They know when to anticipate the change and take guesses on what the final result will be. Even the kids enjoy the process. The kids I know personally always wave hi in loud whispers. I love it! It fills my bucket each time I do it.

I always try to incorporate our latest activity but this time I wanted to highlight all the activities we have been a part of this year. We really have done some great things. The principle has commented on it, the teachers feel it and the kids are enjoying the rewards of it all. I was amazed at everything myself. I started going back through notes and FB posts and just writing each activity down. It didn't take long before I started to worry that I would have enough room. I originally wanted the sun in the top corner but with all that we had worked together to do I needed more room for more "rays". 

The sun is made of tissue paper. I cut the sheets into 4. It was perfect. I love thinking of ways to make it 3D. 

 The rays have all the activities written on them.

What a great feeling to look back knowing you made a difference! School is wrapping up and the kids are setting out on their field trips. We started with 2 goals: send each class on a field trip and increase the technology in the classrooms. We added tablets, a smart board, and the field trips and so much more!

I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish next year!

PTA board

Last month we listed the wish lists of our teachers. 

This month I wanted to continue with that idea. The district supplies the basics but so many of our teachers go above and beyond. Several of them have 'reward stores' for the kids to shop at when they have earned points in the classroom. Others supplement with electronic educational games. Topping it all off is the neverending need for clorox wipes, especially in the peak of cold and flu season. 

Our board is right in the front lobby so lots of parents can see it as they come and go. 

Done in our school colors, red and blue, I used a pad of post-its. Each post-it note has an item our teachers have requested on it. When a parent see's a need they can fill they just take the note and return it with the requested item to the teacher. 

Hopefully by the end of the month the notes will all be gone, revealing the secret message underneath. (shhh, don't tell, it's a heart that says "we love West")

So far the teachers are loving it. Hope the parents are as well. It takes an entire community to raise a child. Together we are doing great things!

November PTA board

During our last PTA meeting I had everyone trace their hand and write what they were thankful for.

 It was simple but fun.

The hands became the turkey feathers.

See simple, but cute.

Now to figure out Decembers.....

PTA Fall Bulletin Board

I actually put this up at the beginning of the month but just haven't been able to get it blogged.

Each fall we sponsor a Halloween carnival. It is our biggest fundraiser but you wouldn't know it because we just have so much fun! I have always looked forward to school carnivals. They are crazy but the boys always have so much fun. I think it is one of those memories of childhood.

Anyway, I found this on pinterest and decided to go with it. Remember our last one HERE? I just recycled part of that. By October the leaves are all falling so the green tissue paper fell as well. Then we just have brown branches made from twisted paper. The paper bag Owls have moved in on the branches, watching all the tricksters with their big bright eyes. I thought of putting googly eyes on them but didn't have any that would have been big enough.

The kids and teachers all really like the new board. Kinda makes me feel good to see them ooohing and ahhhing over the change each month.

PTA Bulletin Boards

I am in charge of the PTA bulletin board at our school. We are really trying to improve communication with our parents and teachers. Last year we sent each class on a field trip. This year we are hoping to do that again plus help the principle purchase laptops for each of the classrooms. We also play to improve the playground and landscaping. Our school is an older one and there are various repairs and improvements that keep getting pushed to the bottom of the list. Hopefully we can change this. We have some great activities and goals set. Each month I will be changing our board. Something new and excited to let our parents and teachers know what we are doing and how we are coming on our goals. We have some amazing people at our school. We are gonna accomplish great things for our kiddos!

So here is my first board. Yeah, not much. I was still trying to get my mind in gear for some great ideas.....

I have been using fabric to cover the back. It works great. Plus I can take it down and reuse it.
This month we have been working on a flower bulb fundraiser. I saw this idea and loved it. Each of the apples has a little tidbit about members of our PTA. We wanted to let others know that it is not just stay at home moms. Most of us work part time or even full time. Everyone can play a part in PTA. Each of us working together to help our kids.

The leaves of the tree are tissue paper. I love how it gives a 3D effect. The staff have really enjoyed it as well. So fun to have something well recieved! We keep the folder available for handouts.

So have you got a PTA board? Got any great ideas you can share? Let me know. I would love to see them!

Teachers Valentines....

The boys teachers are all Diet Coke fans. Last week when I saw Ms. Barrington drinking her morning drink I had the thought to make their own 'Love Potion'. Besides who could resist something like this...?

Just a punch, a circle, and a heart. Add some ribbon and VOILA.

The perfect teachers Valentines.

Small gift idea...

Ever have those moments around the holidays when you realize despite your planning and great intentions you still missed someone. Not because they weren't important but rather your brain had short circuted.... Well I realized that on Matthew's last day of play therapy I had missed his teachers. Now, he is only 2 and perhaps for speech therapy you don't need to do anything but they just seemed to fall in the same group and the other teachers.

Thankfully I am one with lots of various crafty supplies ready at hand. I scrambled my brain on the way home and quickly put together these dandy magnets.

I simply covered clothes pins with glitter and added an embelishment.

I love these little stickers. They are great to add a little something to lots of different projects. Plus you can get several on a sheet. Have you noticed how expensive stickers are getting? Well, I like to have the small ones that I can use just a bit to add some bling.

I put a magnet strip on the back. I was worried it wouldn't hold much but after testing them I was pleased.

I also made these rock magnets. They are simple. Just trace and cut the circle to match your rock and clue a magnet to the back. I used E600 glue but you can use other types too.

So each teacher got one set of magnets, a small hand sanitizer, and a liter of A&W with a note saying for an "Awesome and Wonderful". Kinda cheesey but hey.....

Tile Coasters: project 50 of 52

I wanted to make some coasters, got my supplies but when I went to cut my vinyl of course I didn't have enough of the right color. And being in a small town and being Christmas our small Walmart was out of every color of vinyl except blue. Normally blue is good in my house of boys but not for this project. It is about 40 minutes to the next possible option too. So I decided to put modge podge to work.

I cut regular colored paper and glued it on with modge podge then gave a nice coat over the letters. I actually like it better than regular vinyl. I think it helped to seal the tile a bit and smooth the rough texture.

I added felt to the back and VOILA!

The tile came in a pack of 9. Perfect for a set of 4 for a teachers gift and a set of 5 for a family gift.

I love the difference a simple monogram can make. It adds elegance to ownership. Just wrap them with ribbon and you're set!

Neighbor gift ideas: project 46 of 52

My next project:

Thursdays are becoming a day I really look forward to. I get home from work about 6:45, lay down until 8:00, get up to get the boys off to school then spend the morning/day crafting with my dear friend. Today we made bowls with vinyl lettering for Christmas gifts.

"Believe" with stars on the ends.

I picked up the bowls from the DollarTree. I had the vinyl on hand from another project. 

We used my cricuit with a Christmas and George and Basic shapes cartridges. Oh, we also used Opposites Attract for the "Joy" letters.

 I love how they turned out. Kaylyn did several to fill with treats for ladies she visits.

"Let it Snow" with snowflakes.

 I especially like snowflake for the letter 'o'.

 The pictures just don't do them justice.

"Joy" with mistletoe on the ends.

Of course everything looks better filled with chocolate, or in this case, candy cane kisses!

You could fill them with kisses, M&M's, or any number of goodies then just wrap with cellofane.

What do you think? Not bad for $1 each eh?! 

Teachers gifts

I am gathering ideas for teachers gifts. It is always fun to make a little something. I am practical and tend to stay away from the trendy apple style gifts. Think about how many apples teachers will get over the years! Yeah..... Plus my I picked the brains of my dear friends who are teachers by trade asking them what they would like or what was some of their favorite gifts. Here are some of the suggestions they had plus some of my own....

Movie rental tied to a package of popcorn. "take time to relax"

Anything edible.

Warm fuzzy socks "you knock their socks off".

Treat bucket."what a sweet teacher"

Homemade magnets. "magnetic teacher"

I know there are more great ideas out there. I will continue to think on the things that we have done in the past and post them. What do you do? Any great ideas for this year? 

I found this blog last week and have fallen in love with it. I need to get my craft supplies set up and organized so that I can work on more projects. I'm getting a bit tired of pulling up the cricut just to have to put it away a couple hours later. It is nice when you can just leave your project out and come back after dinner....alas, I will have that sometime soon (hopefully). For now I have to bookmark some more projects to add to my wishlist, especially with the holidays coming up. Sorry family, not as many handmade gifts this year.....

The Handmade Card Blog

Glass nuggets- I liked the glitter effect and plan to add a magnet to the back......

 Share your ideas. What do you have planned?