Fifth Annual Pay it Forward Giveaway

Happy happy and merry merry to each and every one of you!
I started this giveaway five years ago. 

I love it!

To wake up each day, and have what you need to feel safe, taken care of, productive and happy is such an incredible blessing. I don't know if it's getting older that makes me feel this even more strongly - but every year that I do this Pay it Forward Giveaway I find myself feeling so overwhelmingly sad for anybody who struggles in such a way that it makes it hard for them to wake up each day and do what it takes to get through it.  Then, I sit here - in my cozy bed, on my computer and I'm just astonished at those who get by with much less and feel blessed anyway.  Our world and the people in it are just a wonder!

Each year, for the last five years, I've asked that you name a charity that is near and dear to your heart, in the comments below.  If you feel comfortable doing so, I'd like for you to share the reason for choosing this charity.  I think, in sharing your story, you can touch the hearts of so many.  We all walk this earth with a story in our hearts - having to endure the many storms that sometimes breeze by, others come at us like a tornado and still others almost rip us apart like a hurricane.  You just never know who your story will reach and whose life you may change - just by sharing it.  I like for you to do this in the comments with the hope that others may feel moved to share theirs and may also consider paying it forward themselves by choosing a charity to give to. 

This year, I'd like to give 100 dollars in your name or the name of someone special to you, to a charity of your choice.

We've given to several wonderful charities over the years.

Year One:

Kisses From Katie

Year Two:

Stephen Siller

Year Three:

Wounded Warrior Project

Year Four:

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Thank you so much for entering this giveaway!

 I just can't think of a better giveaway - especially this time of year.

Hugs!!!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Update:

I am so happy to tell you that a parent at my school contacted me and asked to match my donation.  That means $200 dollars has been donated to Black Dogs & Company Rescue!

That's what paying it forward is all about...

xoxoxox

Meet Trashy Crafter! {Sneak peek at my classroom too!}

Happy Friday - but really, is there such a thing when you are a teacher during the summer?  I was just thinking about that this morning.  It's all about perspective.  Give me a Friday in November, and I'm all about it.  TGIF! Give me a Friday in the summer - especially AUGUST - and I'm thinking "Fridays in the summer are reminders that another week has flown by..."  Alright, enough of that half empty garbage.  I *am* slightly geared up for the start of another great school year...see...

So, if you remember, I'm doing a little giveaway with Kim over at The Trashy Crafter. 

 You can enter {here} if you haven't already!

We thought we'd do a little Q & A to help you get to know her better. I was so tickled by her story and I'm sure you will be too!

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

My name is Kim Franklin, and I am the person behind Trashy Crafter, along with my Mom Helen and my boyfriend Dave.  We create jewelry from damaged books and repurposed beads from broken necklaces. I have a full time job, and work on Trashy Crafter before and after work and on the weekends.  My goal is to pay off my student loan in the next two years. 

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE RECYCLED LIBRARY BOOK JEWELRY?

My Grandma taught me about crafts.  She, herself, was a crafter and passed down to me all I know.  It was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Bryant, that taught me how to roll paper beads.  We made magazine and newspaper beads. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE ONE PIECE OF JEWELRY?

It really depends on the type of paper; some books have really thick pages, these take much longer, some have thin pages, these take really long because we have to double or triple the paper for the bead.   On average a 3 piece bracelet set can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. 

DO YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR "TRASHY CRAFTING" IS CHANGING THE WORLD?

I really do, my goal is to not only make people think differently about waste, but also to embrace the past and memories associated with it.  The world is so fixated on the future that it seems people forget to reflect and remember, and I think that my jewelry not only helps with the worlds waste, it also give people joy and happiness in a hectic world.  A person can remember a book their Mother or Grandmother read to them, or a book that changed their life, or a map from a road trip etc.  It's a huge honor to be the person bringing happiness and memories to the world :)

DO YOU ACCEPT DONATIONS? HOW WOULD PEOPLE DO THAT?

I do accept donations of popular children's books, novels or even maps. And also accept donations of broken bracelets and necklaces for repurposing in my jewelry.  If you would like to donate, shoot me an email at trashycrafter@gmail.com, often times if you have something I could really use I will give you a free thank you gift :)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING JEWELRY?

Well, I have been crafty since I could hold scissors and not eat the Elmer's glue, and have made jewelry all my life.  I used to be more into the hemp making jewelry as a child and teenager, but love making recycled book beads.  What I love most about jewelry is the ability to be playful with the colors, textures and patterns of the beads, it's my favorite part of the process to pick out the used beads from the swap meet and created the jewelry when the book beads are finished. 

YOU MAKE JEWELRY FROM RECYCLED LIBRARY BOOKS, YOU MUST BE AN AVID READER, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME?  

That's really hard, I was always a weird kid in that I preferred to read history books and biographies about successful people, LOL.   I do love Dr. Seuss, my Grandma bought the monthly book club membership for me, and I LOVED getting a new one in the mail each week.  I would have to say Hop on Pop!   My favorite books now are all marketing and business books, I nerd out on stuff from Gary Vaynerchuck, Seth Godin and Napoleon Hill. 

Thanks so much, Kim, for sharing a little bit about yourself.  I hope my readers are just as touched with your story as I was.  I'm really looking forward to wearing my bracelets to school and sharing their meaning with my teacher friends!  You thought business was booming before...you just wait until my staff hears about you and your sweet, sweet bracelets!

If you haven't entered...take a few minutes to do that now. I made it really easy!!!  Just a few clicks and you're entered!  

Happy Friday! {Or is it....}

HUGE Firstie Friends Giveaway!

Hello friends! Are you ready for a HUGE giveaway? Some AMAZING teacher bloggers have put together a fantastic set of prizes for you. We have 42 bloggers participating, so we are giving away a prize pack of 14 products each to 3 winners! :) You can enter on the Firstie Friends Facebook Page, and you can earn a LOT of entries. Go to the tabs under the header picture and click the tab that says "Giveaway". The giveaway will end on Monday, August 4th at 8pm CST. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for reading! Good luck in the giveaway!

Great Give Away Over at Teach it With Class

Happy Sunday!

Randi over at Teach it With Class is offering some AWESOME stuff - like....

A 10 dollar gift certificate over at Scrappin Doodles...who wouldn't want some cash to spend on some mighty cute clipart? Or, if you're not lucky enough to receive the 1st winner prize, don't worry - you could win the uber cute Thanksgiving book "Turk and Runt" by Lisa Wheeler.  Never fear...if you aren't the 1st or 2nd winner you may just be the 3rd and can choose any three items from her TpT or Teachers Notebook stores.  Sweet stuff, eh?

Head on over and enter!