Made-it Monday + a Giveaway!

I had a great time at the Gaylord Texas Resort down in Grapevine TX this weekend. Our marriage retreat covered the 8 Habits of Successful Marriages. The most interesting part for me was discovering our love languages - my husband and I are total opposites and it helped us to learn about those differences!

The hotel was gorgeous - here's the view from our balcony of the indoor courtyard:
Here are some of my favorite memories:
We were walking up the sidewalk to the hotel, and my two older boys were in front of us. They got to the crosswalk and my 8 year old started to cross. My 10 year old threw out his arm in front of his brother in that classic "mom" move - you know when you're in the car and have to put on your brakes hard and your arm naturally goes up in front of your passenger? - he had seen a car coming down the street and his first instinct was to make sure that his brother didn't step into the crosswalk! I just loved that example of brotherly love!

Speaking of brotherly love, my middle child is outweighed by his younger brother by at least 10lbs. Still, he's got that older brother mentality, so when it looked like my youngest was having difficulties while swimming, Tommy swam over and carried him to safety. Granted, my youngest wasn't really in danger (especially since I was right there) but Tommy wasn't taking any chances lol!

My husband and I also had a "date night" on Saturday since day care was provided. We headed over to the hotel's nightclub because they had an 80's band playing. We have not been to a club in 3 years, so it was interesting to see that scene again - definitely not something I'm missing lol! As I sat on the balcony, talking with a friend's wife while the guys made a drink run, a group of people stopped right in front of our couch. We watched in curiosity as one of the men got down on one knee and proposed! Their friends were taking pictures with their iphones and I just know that I am now in the background of all their engagement pics ;P  Since the girl and the guy both had to juggle their drinks while putting on the ring, and the girl didn't seem entirely sure what was going on, I'm not sure if they even remembered getting engaged the next day!

Anyways, I did miss being able to blog and stalk this weekend, so when we were leaving I picked up a few items in the gift store. I didn't have anyone at home to buy souvenirs for, so I thought why not have a giveaway?!
Texas coffee, Texas Chicken Seasoning, Texas mints and a candle made in Tyler, TX!

This morning I also made a Hobby Lobby run so I could create a Cowgirl clipboard! I'm linking it up to Monday Made-it over at 4th Grade Frolics:

I took a regular clipboard from Walmart and spray painted the back and sides with silver:

Then I used my handy dandy Mod Podge and a sponge brush to adhere some neat denim scrap paper to the front:
 I also gave the paper a mod podge coat (or two!)
 Once the Mod Podge dried, I flipped the clipboard over and used an exacto knife to trim the edges.

 I took the scraps and finished the top of the clipboard, again putting another layer of Mod Podge.

Next I picked some coordinating ribbon. I used 3 colors and I chose to do an ABBC pattern since the blue was sheer. I cut it into pieces about 3 inches long - about 16 pieces of pink and cream and double that for the blue. Then I just tied the ribbon onto the metal of the clipboard:


Next I took some fun cowgirl stickers and arranged them to my liking on the board before sticking them down and painting a final coat of Mod Podge over the entire thing:

 Didn't it come out cute?!

So now I'm going to have a Texas Giveaway! To win this little prize package, just follow the rafflecopter instructions. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh! I was reminded today that my blog is up for a Fascination Award. Normally I wouldn't ask for votes, but it just so happens that the winner will be declared on July 2nd which is my birthday! So, if you've enjoyed my blog and would like to help me win a great birthday present, please click the image below and vote for me :)
http://www.accelerated-degree.com 

30 comments:

Tara said...

That clipboard turned out super duper cute!!! I love all the ribbons!!! Thanks for linking up:))

4th Grade Frolics

Erica said...

Cute project! COngrats on your nomination!

Erica

Sprinkles to Kindergarten

Cindy said...

Howdy! Love the clipboard!! :o)

Cindy
ccfirstteacher@gmail.com

Jenna McKeel said...

Your clipboard is really cute. I've made one clipboard and I want to make more this week (at least one for each subject).

mcoop1125 said...

Cute clipboard! Don't you love making fun things like this in the summer?!
Michelle
mcoop1125@gmail.com

Delighted said...

Very cute! I just might have to give it a try!

imgoingfirst@gmail.com

Lisa R. said...

The Gaylord Palms is so beautiful. We have one here in Orlando & I love it. Your clipboard came out amazing!! :)

Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure

Anonymous said...

The clipboard turned out so cute! Great idea to wait until you've already attached the paper to trim the edges. I imagine it's a lot easier to get them even that way.

Kara
Spedventures

Sara {Miss V's Busy Bees} said...

Love this clipboard! It's way too cute.

Sara
Miss V's Busy Bees

Heather said...

That clipboard is SO cute and looks super easy to make. So glad you had a wonderful trip!!

Heather (heathernnance@yahoo.com)

Katie said...

I just found your blog and I'm so glad I did... you're my kind of teacher! haha. I love the western theme!! I'm your newest follower :)

Katie
Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans

Kindertrips said...

Your clipboard turned out so cute! You made it look so easy!
Jennifer
kindertrips

Allyce said...

That clipboard is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!!!

Mrs. Brown said...

Howdy! I am from North Carolina. Cute clipboard!

kellybrown28021@gmail.com

Elizabeth said...

We went to the Gaylord when they had the ice sculptures a few years ago. It was awesome :)

Love the clipboard.

Elizabeth

Fun in Room 4B

Kelly said...

I'm glad you had a great trip. I keep seeing these clipboards. I've seen some with duck tape and some with fabric. Hmmm, maybe I'll have to maake both! : )

Kelly @ http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/06/monday-made-it-4.html?showComment=1340651893994#c75604158359245333

Shawna Rogers said...

Thanks for the tutorial on the clipboard. I have made several of these but have done them differently! I have blogged about your giveaway! Check it out here http://www.kindergardenseeds.blogspot.com/
Now I have to go figure out how to add a blog roll to my blog! Fun times learning new things!

Love your blog and following fellow Kinder lovers from all over!! Keep up the great work!

Rachel said...

Love it!

Amanda said...

Wow what a beautiful hotel you stayed at! Sometimes I feel that my boyfriend and I speak very different love languages too! But it's funny how your love language changes! If you had told me that having someone clean the kitchen and vacumn the floors would make my heart melt versus a love note, I would've thought you crazy! Loved your clipboard too. I live in Austin!

Amanda
Reaching for the TOP!

Jay Pea said...

Love the Gaylord and Texas!!
The clipboard is just darling!
Jana
Jprowell11@gmail.com

Andrea said...

I love the cowgirl clipboard and if I don't win I am going to have to try to make one! :)

Andrea said...

very cute clipboard. thanks for the giveaway!

mondragondrea@gmail.com

Lori R said...

Cute clipboard!
lraines78@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog. You are one of the first that I read each day. I always look forward to what you are going to blog about. You are great! Very cute idea with the clipboard. You make it look so easy!
Kathy Switzky
kswitzky@usd345.com

Allie @ The Gypsy Teacher said...

I upcycled a clipboard for Monday Made It too, a couple weeks ago! I love your cowboy/girl theme! I'm after you in the To Bee Continued linky that Michele at The 3 AM Teacher is having, and I see you haven't written your post yet. Don't worry! I was supposed to post Sunday, and completely forgot! Would you still like to post? You can email me here: allieelliott@yahoo.com or come comment on my blog The Gypsy Teacher
Allie

Anonymous said...

So glad you have family time!! Cathy

Kate said...

This is awesome! I love this! BTW, make sure you stop by my blog and join because my first giveaway is going live in less than 24 hours!

Tamera Wilson said...

So jealous of your marriage retreat in TX. My husband & I went to one last year sponsored by our church and it was soo worth it. We always have to remember- no matter how crazy life gets - to make time for one another.
Crossing my fingers to win the giveaway.
:)
Tamera
http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com

Mrs. Jackson said...

Just found your site. Very cute clipboard! I'm a sucker for ribbon :)

Laci Maniscalco said...

The theme at my school for the coming year is western!! This clipboard would be a perfect fit!!

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