Summer Project #1- Book Labels!

For most of us, it's safe to say that summer has officially begun.  I have had 2 weeks off, been to a few workshops, and had lots of time to catch up on all those pesky little chores and things that we don't get to during the school year (i.e. dentist, doctors, returning purchases that have been forgotten about, and so on and so forth!).

Now, though, it's time for all those fun projects I've been dreaming about in my head for the past few months!  And of course, I'd LOVE to share my work with YOU!

So here goes-- Project #1: "This Book Belongs To..." Labels

I don't know about you all, but I have SO many random books in my classroom library.  And believe me, I'm NOT complaining!  I LOVE having such a wide assortment for my kiddos to choose from.  My only problem, though, is that they come from so many random places.  Most of my books are second-hand & used, so most of the time, they have someone else's name written in them.  :(

BUT, that's no problem for me, once I get going!  My solution, you may ask?  Making my own sticky labels to cover up other names and to put my name on!  Get's 2 birds with one stone!  :)

So here's a quick little break down of my project from the past few days:

Supply List:

1. Color Printer
2. Full Page Shipping Labels (I used Staples' "White Shipping Labels", compatible with Avery #5165)
3. ek Tools "Flourish Square Large Punch" (item #54-30077.  I purchased mine from Michael's)

Now, I created a few different, fun templates in Word to print out!
 

So, now, here are the "official" directions:

Step 1- Fill in name on each label.
Step 2- PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!  I can't tell you how many "test sheets" i printed out to make sure that all the sizing was correct and the words were exactly where I wanted them!  (And, as a side note, I sent the file to my teammate, and when she printed it, things were a little bit "off", too!  So it just shows you that every computer and printer are different!)
Step 3-  Practice punching!  I flipped the punch over, so I could see exactly what I was punching out.  It took me a few tries to get it perfectly punched and to learn how the punch works!

Step 4- Now, I loaded the labels and printed one sheet at a time.
Step 5- I punched out the labels...CAREFULLY! :)

Step 6- I just peeled and stuck them in my books!  Easy as pie!  :)

Now, just comes the part of sticking them into all my books!  I'm probably going to have to budget a few hours this summer to go up to school and stick away!  Maybe I can even "con" a few friends to help out one evening.........hmm.......

Okay, ready for the BEST part of it all?  I feel SO guilty for not posting in such a long time, and so guilty for not having any GIVEAWAYS in such a long time, that I'm going to have a big one NOW! 

**Want to win a free copy of these "This Book Belongs To..." Labels to make your own labels like mine?  Here's an EASY, FREE WIN for the first 3 followers:  Simply leave a comment below telling me how you're spending your summer!  Any projects for next school year?  Or are you just resting and relaxing?  I'd love to hear about it!  Leave your email address, and I will send you a free copy of this file!  But hurry!  It's only for the first 3 followers who comment!

Happy Thursday!  Can't wait to post again soon.  (I went to a 2 day Alan November workshop earlier this week, and I've got such great info to share!)

P.S.- I want to give a BIG shout-out to Rebekah, who sent me such a SWEET note through Kontactr while I was writing this post.  It TOTALLY made my day, and gave me such inspiration to keep sharing my ideas with you all!  :)