Water Bottle (Pittsburgh) Penguins

I saw the cutest project on Pinterest where penguins can be made out of water bottles and have been dying to make them with my students ever since. After saving up our bottles of H2O, we simply cut wings and feet out of black construction paper and adhered them to the bottle using double-sided tape. Using Poly-fil, (for whatever reason, I had a ton of it) we filled the bottles (the instructions on Pinterest call for cotton balls) to the top. We cut thick strips of black, tissue paper to wrap around the tops of our bottles and cut fringe into it to resemble feathers. The students were instructed to cut out their own beaks and eyes out of construction paper and adhere them to the bottles. Wa-lah!...except, we weren't that impressed and thought it needed a little somethin' somethin'...



Here's a pic of the original water bottle penguins. LOVE!!!



 Enter my staff's collective brilliance in suggesting we make them Pittsburgh Penguins, in honor of our favorite (and best ever) hockey team! We quickly printed and cut out Penguins logos and hockey stick and puck clip art found online and adhered them to our no longer lame birds. Unfortunately, the penguins were sent home with the students before I could suggest jerseys and names for them, but maybe simple is better...maybe! Anywho, as our team moves on to the second round of playoffs, all I can say is...

LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Upcycled Flip Flops



Former floral flips flops turned turquoise-embellished flip flops

Due to a last summer doggie snafu (i.e.-I allowed my pup to be in the same room as my adorable and formerly floral flip flops; fifteen minutes later, the attached flowers were no more), I was given the opportunity to upcycle a pair of flip flops into a "new" pair for this summer.



Original flip flops

 

The culprit-She's lucky she's cute!

Using a craft epoxy, I glued turquoise beads I had in my collection on the fronts of the flip flops (where the cute flowers used to reside) in a simple pattern. After they had completely dried (overnight), they were as good as new!



Upcycled flip flops