Friday, November 6, 2015

SSS: Thanks

Sharing a card for the Simon Says Stamp Thank You challenge.
The zig zag was made with a stencil with colored texture paste.
The "Thanks" stamp is by Winnie and Walter.
The flower stamp (hero Arts) was stamped, colored and cut out.

 
close up view:
 


Thanks for stopping by,
Kelly

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Best Pencil Sharpener Review and Gift Idea

Gift idea (scroll down)

Wanted to share a product discovery with my followers.
A teacher in my building ordered these pencil sharpeners and they are FANTASTIC!
I have been so frustrated with the lead in mechanical pencils snapping off constantly and regular pencils being eaten by manual sharpeners. I used it in a friend's classroom and got a sharpener to do an objective review from the company, ClassroomFriendlySupplies..

Overall, I found the sharpener is easy to use, sturdy for classroom use, and certainly effective.  I have never had a manual sharpener give the point that this sharpener provided.  I sharpened Ticonderogas as well as "cheap" pencils with equal success.  The cheap pencils weren't chewed down to the nub!!!
 
I do not recommend sharpening colored pencils in it.  I think the lead is too soft.  I tried a few Crayola colored pencils and had success with a few and then one tip broke off. BUT, watching THIS video, I was able to remove the blade, poke out the white pencil lead and had it working perfectly in under a minute. 

 
 There's a video HERE showing the company's website
as well as how to use the sharpener.


PULL out silver part

 
PINCH Black tabs. INSERT pencil, release tabs

 
TURN handle. It come with a surface clamp (not shown).


PINCH Tabs to release




These will be adorable and practical Christmas gifts for the boys' teachers this year. 
I fired up my Silhouette and cut the owl and letter out of black vinyl.
(The recipient, Mrs. P,  loves owls). 
I used the same download and cut a bigger owl for the matching gift bag.
 

 
 
 
 
 
These retail for $24.99, but if you buy three, they are $17.99 each.
I am going to get these for the boys' teachers for Christmas and take advantage of the bundle pricing.  Also, if you are in PTA, you could take advantage of even better pricing with larger bundles.  There are SIX colors to choose from to match school colors, the classroom décor or just go neutral with the black. 
 

As a teacher myself, I think these are AWESOME gifts.
They can be given "as is" or decorated up and personalized.
I am entering this decorated project into the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge
Thanks for stopping by,
Kelly


 
I was not paid for this review and I do not receive compensation for the review. 
I was given a free sharpener to review and share my honest opinion.