I was working on the TpT Seller Makeover Challenge...and taking my listings to the next step...adding links to similar products and what not... 

You know something?  Adding all those links is. TEDIOUS.  I mean, really, really tedious!  

There has to be a quicker way...

So, light bulb moment...it may not be easier, but I'm all about copying and pasting!

I was thinking about how to link all my monthly themed two step word problems together.  Last night, I spent over an hour copying code and pasting all my Practice Me Dolch packets...  I did not want to spend that time today doing this!  Besides, I'm supposed to be packing and cleaning for the beach, not working on TpT stuff!  {Shhh!!!  Don't tell the hubs!}

So, what to do???

And this is what I thought of....

I opened up Word Notepad and starting typing the link code... In case you don't know, this is what you type:

<a href="THE URL OF THE PAGE YOU WANT TO LINK">THE NAME OF WHAT YOU ARE LINKING</a>

SN:  If you are typing the link in Word, it will automatically want to make the link a clickable one...when the url turns BLUE, immediately hit undo or ctrl z... it takes out the " " and will mess up your coding...

BIG SN!!! -->  Don't type your code in Word!  Use Notepad...  I didn't click the links when I went to see if the entire document would paste... you completely lose your formatting and get the APPEARANCE of clickable links!!  Ugh... nothing is ever easy, is it??

and ta-da! you have a clickable link!

Go to your TPT page and go where you edit your product's listing.  Paste the code where you'd like it to show in your product description.

I am copying and pasting the whole shabang and then deleting the one I don't need onto my product listing... for example, if I'm copying this into my December Word Problems, I'll take out that link because I obviously don't need it again!

Definitely save the Word Notepad document so you can use it again if you create similar products that you'd like to link.  I saved mine where I keep all my product files.

Time saver!!!  Where was this idea last night??

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Owls and Lessons, Etc.

Are you up to the TPT seller's challenge?

I'm trying!  

Last summer I sat down and went through my store and updated covers, made a few new units, and even changed the name of my blog!  It's taken a bit to recover from the switch, but I am happy that I did it.  It's much more ME!

So, what product did I choose to revamp?  I chose to look at my Tic Tac Toe Plus games and work on making them a better overall product.  

Before, they looked like this:

 

Not too bad... colorful, cute clip art and fonts, but it just wasn't right.... and why separate them?  So, I played around with a few ideas and came up with a cover for the both!  Bundle baby, bundle!!

I like this much better!  The background isn't as busy, the title is in a clearer font.  I included small pictures of the actual games, and my newer blog button.  I think it's a much better fit, and better fit for the other product covers in my store!

So, are you accepting the TPT seller challenge?  It's been fun taking another look at my products, not to mention getting to meet fabulous new bloggers!  Check out the challenge for yourself!  (Click here for my previous blog post to link back to the TPT challenge!)

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Owls and Lessons, Etc.

Has it really been 3 months since I last blogged??

Hmmm.... yeah, unfortunately it has.  Sorry.

What's happened in the last 3 months?

Well, let's make a list...

-sold my house

-moved into a new house

-began renovating my new house

-finished my 11th year of teaching

-packed up and cleaned out a classroom

Can't wait to show you all some before and after pictures!  Right now we are taking down wallpaper...When I say we, I mean my husband.  Poor guy.

So, what's new?  Well, I'm currently working on the TPT seller's challenge, hosted by some very lovely ladies at {Third in Hollywood}, {Sparkling in Second}, (Peppy Zesty Teacherista}, and (Teach, Create, Motivate}.  Stay tuned for this upcoming blog post (hopefully not in 3 months!!!)

I just started a new account on Instagram to separate my personal and teacher lives a bit.  You can now follow me {@owlsandlessons} or click on the IG tab at the top of this page for a direct link!

I'm also really, really excited to start back with the Monday Made-its hosted by Tara at 4th Grade Frolics!  I enjoy looking through and getting ideas for my house and classroom, and even linking up!

I just completed a little sign for my new kitchen... and I love, love, love it!  I'm currently working on one for my living room, but it is in the very rough stage...

Anywho, I saw this pin on Pinterest awhile back...

Original Post

That really caught my attention.  I am a total fontaholic, and to be able to copy some of my favorite fonts to make a project, well, say no more!!  So, I found a script font that I loved {Sweet Pea} and went to town!

Only problem I had was that the printer I used was a laser jet, not an ink jet, so the transfer was a little more difficult.  I used Powerpoint to reverse my words and then traced over it.  It was good enough that I could see a basic outline to paint by.

My board was one that I'd made a few years ago...

Cute idea, but I had no follow through.  The kids broke off the clothespins and I chucked it into my cabinet until I found it the other day...

So, the turquoise color was my base color and it had a varnish over it... I painted the yellow over top and then before it had completely dried, I literally beat the heck out of it.  Hammer, nails, chains, screwdrivers, you name it.  That was a great stress reliever!!  I also took a little darker brown and with a sponge, dabbed a little around here and there to add a little "dirt" to it.  I really love how it turned out!  I have it on my stove in my kitchen.

This is the finished product :)

And in my kitchen...

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Owls and Lessons, Etc.