Wednesday, September 3, 2014

#chevronforlife

My name is Christina and I have a chevron obsession!  It's true.  Well, at least in terms of my classroom decor and design.  Over the summer, when brainstorming what new theme I wanted for my  classroom this year, I kept coming back to chevron.  I couldn't shake it.  Sooo, I decided to embrace it.  (Like full arms, bear hug style!)

My earlier post (in case you missed it) - Burlap, chevron, hot glue...ohh my! - chronicles my adventures in making my classroom curtains... no sew style!  But the love of chevron and wanting to incorporate it into my classroom did not stop there.  Oh no ma'am, no sir!  


Shortly after moving to Alabama, I was quickly made aware of several Facebook trading pages that were available for residents of my city and neighboring cities to join as a way to view and post items (i.e., furniture, clothing, books, etc.) for sale.  Over the summer, I would visit these trading pages several times a day hoping to find a "bargain-of-a-deal" for an item that I couldn't live without.  Well, one day in June, I hit what I considered to be the jackpot.... this light yellow and gray chevron bookshelf posted by Brianne over at Chic Pickins Furniture.  


At the time I acquired the shelf, I wasn't exactly sure where or how I wanted to use it in my classroom.  All I knew is that it matched my theme perfectly and I had to have it!! 

Today, the shelf is located in the front of my classroom (next to the dry erase board) and used to hold math games, manipulatives, and student activity workbooks.  It was the perfect purchase and I have received SO many compliments on the great work done by Brianne at Chic Pickins Furniture.  I would reach out to her later in the summer for more of her beautiful craftsmanship...keep reading!

  
  I used leftover burlap from the curtain project to give my plastic containers and crate some extra flair and help bridge the overall theme together.  The plastic containers, which were purchased at my local Dollar Tree, can actually be found all over my classroom for storage of supplies.  After adding the burlap fabric (with hot glue) to the container, I attached the super cute chevron supply labels (laminated) shown above and below.  The chevron supply labels were purchased from Amanda over at her TpT store Teaching in a Small Town.  There are over 100 pre-made labels found in this set and editable versions via PowerPoint and Keynote...how awesome is that!  I have used these labels for virtually everything...supply containers, schedule, table numbers, classroom library...everything!  I absolutely LOVE them!


Here is a close-up view of more storage containers with the chevron supply labels. These are located on the back wall shelving unit in the open cubbies below the burlap chevron curtains.  I have always wanted an organized area dedicated just for supplies!  Yaaayy for dreams coming true!! 

As teacher planning week was drawing to an end, I acquired the shelves shown below from another teacher at my school.  


Although a great and FREE find, these dark black shelves just didn't match the natural and bright colored theme that I was going for in my classroom.  Eek, what to do with less than a week before the first day of school?!  

Without hesitation, I contacted Brianne and she was ready and willing to take on this "rushed" job!  Yippee!  When we met to drop off the shelves, I asked her to make one shelf just like the light yellow and gray that I previously purchased.  I also requested that the other shelf use the turquoise blue color (in place of the gray) from the curtains that I made.  I provided her with a fabric swatch of the Keepsake Calico Blue-Ombre Chevron and she was off to do her magic, promising that both shelves would be finished and delivered prior to the first day of school!  Wow, isn't she just great?!  I couldn't wait to see the final product!

Ta-daa, here they are!!  I was giddy and grinning when she dropped these beauties off at my school the day before school started!  They are absolutely perfect!  Thank you SO much, Brianne!  Folks, I'm telling you...if you're in the north central part of Alabama please check out Chic Pickins Furniture.  She is so sweet and does AWESOME work to refinish antique, vintage, and even new furniture!
























These shelves are located right at the entrance of the classroom and hold the student mailboxes.  The mailboxes are the plastic containers purchased from Dollar Tree (didn't use the lids), trimmed with burlap fabric and freebie student numbers from A Cupcake for the Teacher TpT store.

  
The pink wicker basket is labeled using the round chevron supply labels and holds student's daily folders.  The blue mailbox is where students are instructed to place "Ms. Gartman's Mail" (aka notes from home, lunch money, change of transportation forms, etc.).  The white bucket is also trimmed with burlap fabric and a round chevron supply label that reads, 'To the Office".   This area of the classroom helps to keep both myself and the students organized and informed.  And, not to mention, it's a great "first view" as guests walk in and are welcomed to the room! :)


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