Back to School with Bloglovin'

Hey everybody!

I hope that you're enjoying the start to your weekend! I stumbled across this cool Bloglovin' Blog Hop sponsored by Teaching is a Gift and A Teacher Without a Class!!   A Teacher Without a Class is having a giveaway to win a free laminator on her blog!!!  (How fun?)

What is Bloglovin'?   You may have heard the buzz all over the teaching blog community the last week.  Bloglovin' is a way you can follow all of your favorite blogs, and be notified of their updates. Bloglovin' takes the place of the Google Reader.  I signed on to Bloglovin' a few months ago, and I really like it.  If you click on my custom made graphic below, you can sign on to follow Crayonbox Learning on Bloglovin'.

Following your favorite blogs leading up to Back to School is a great way to find out about giveaways, fun things to do with your new students, even classroom set up and management ideas.

It's really easy to set up your own Bloglovin' account. There are a lot of tutorials out there, but I like this one best {HERE}.

Click above to follow me on Bloglovin! :)

Be sure to stop by Teaching is a Gift and A Teacher Without a Class Blogs to show them some Bloglovin' LOVE too! :)

Have a great weekend!

4th of July - Currently

Hi there!

The last few months, I have participated in Farley's link up, Currently!  I love this idea.  I like the creative style, but I also like taking time out to reflect in order to answer the questions.  It also is FUN to "meet" some new bloggers, and visit other's pages.

If you haven't visited Farley's Blog,  Oh' Boy Fourth Grade, click on the link below!   You will be happy that you did!

The last few days,  I've been feeling a little bit under the weather.  That is almost funny, because the "weather" is what started making me feel a bit crummy.  Living here in south has it's charms, but excessive heat is not one of them. :) It's hay season... believe it or not, I'm thankful to see the hay being cut.  Last year, this time, we were in the middle of a pretty bad drought. The grass didn't grow hardly at all, which meant farmers across the country had to sell out their herds (which made prices on milk, meat go way up).  The grass in the fields in places are so tall that you cannot see the deer, and my herd of goats when they are out grazing.  It's perfect for the deer to have their summer fawns.  

Listening:  I am listening to the show Numb3rs on Netflix.  I can't believe they stopped making this show.  I like the characters, but also all of the "math" talk.   I like to play movies while I am working.  The noise helps me focus.  

Loving:  It's hard not to think about the freedom that I have living in the U.S.  4th of July isn't about picnics and fireworks to me.  I love that I can write what I want to on my Blog.  I love that I have the freedom to draw, create, and share with teachers all over the world.  I love that I have the freedom to be ME.  

Thinking:  I was thinking about all of the tasks I completed today. Not too bad!  I gave my Facebook page a mini-makeover, including re-doing the "freebie" page.  I am in the middle of giving my Blog a little face lift.  I also designed a couple custom orders.   

Wanting:  Not everyone that you will come into contact, or network with always have your best interest at heart or appreciates/likes you for who you are.  Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that not everyone claiming to be my friend really were. Nobody should ever have to apologize for being who they are, or for being too smart or funny, or for being better at something.  The friends I cherish love me unconditionally WITH my flaws, smarts, and sense of humor! So my WANTING is "to forgive" those who were unkind to me this week. The loss is theirs. A heavy weight has lifted from my heart, and shoulders. My smile has returned, and I am free to be me. Just me. ;)

Needing:  A.cabana.boy.to.make.me.a.fresh.drink! :)    Yep, the "cabana boy" has been on my Currently before.  A girl can hope, right? :)

Tips/Tricks/Hints:    I don't know about you, but I think of my Blog (or website) as an extension of me.  Just like I move things around in my house,  I also like to move things around and change the "DECOR" of my pages.  I know some may question if it's a good thing to do or not with branding, but it definitely CAN be a good thing for branding.  I try not to go more than a month or two without changing some little thing on my Blog. My customers and readers notice it right away, which is good thing!  It tells me that they are paying attention, and enjoy seeing what I have to offer!


I hope that everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July here in the States - and a fabulous SUMMER!!

Let's Talk About Blogs, Baby.....(Link Up)

Happy Friday!

I was completing my morning ritual of perusing Pinterest *sigh* and I stumbled upon the "Let's Talk About Blogs, Baby" link up over at First Grade Smiles!   The idea is that each Blog that participates fills out a blank question grid, and then adds their own question about Blogging...  Sounds cool, right?  I decided to jump in and participate.

Below are my answers to the questions:  (Click on the image to go back to First Grade Smiles, so you can link up your own answers!)

I'm fairly new to writing my own Blog,  though I am not new to having my own website.  When I first began Blogging (a year ago), I thought that there was some great mystery in having one designed.  As I have spent hours Blog stalking, I have come to realize that a Blog is basically a virtual snapshot of WHO the Blogger is.

In many instances, you can read the carefully worded prose and almost hear the person talking. I can't tell you how many Blogs I have come across that I find myself wanting to read MORE either because the writer is hilariously funny, or is so creative that it makes Martha Stewart seem more like Home EC 101 back in high school rather than the crafty Diva she really is.

Each Blog is a unique experience. I tend to pick Blogs that are not so cluttered with buttons and links on both sides of the Blog (I prefer a minimalist display).  I love to look at PICTURES!!!   I also love it when people leave sweet comments. Comments that are self promoting asking me to follow their store or buy their product, not so much. :)

One little piece of advice that I have come to really take to heart <3 and that is to be ORIGINAL!!!  It can be really tempting when you come across a Blog that you really like and want to duplicate it.  The problem comes in where the focus is so much on being like someone else, that identity of the Blogger is lost.  A friend of mine commented not too long ago about wanting her Blog to be just like the "biggies" and I thought to myself how funny that was.  Her Blog is one of the best that I've seen, and she was worried about it not being like someone else's.  Keeping up with the Jones' Bloggy style?   I think not.  The best Blogs are a reflection of the person who writes on it.  Show a little of who you are, be a little daring, think OUTSIDE the BOX!!!  Write something about yourself, share with your readers that there is something more to you than a page with graphics, cute fonts, and a long post with products for sale.

A REALLY good Blog is one where the person reading it becomes engaged, and wants to read more.  All Blogs, especially this one, are works in progress.  So today I share this with you,  and tomorrow I will probably post something about my goats or purple poodle purses ( a joke with a friend.)   Remember to HAVE FUN.  Even if your Blog is designed to be a tool for your budding business, if it isn't fun (and causes stress or anxiety...(code for need for CHOCOLATE), then something is out of balance and it needs to be sorted out.

If you have some Bloggy advice,  be sure to stop by First Grade Smiles and leave some Bloggy Love!  I'd love to hear from you too!

Happy Blogging!!!