2012's Blog Best & Brightest!! Something New & a Few Free Backgrounds!

I am linking up with Christina. Bainbridge @

To join in on the fun of reviewing the best and brightest blogger moments of 2012!

My Most Popular post this Year is my post labeled: It's A-L-I-V-E!!! & a Freebie... This post contained my PDF or Portable Download File that I created, which included a list of most of the FREE frames and borders I had posted on my blog! This file was so popular that it was featured on several big network blogs and people seem to really like the freebies!! hahaha On TpT, I have over 65,000 downloads of my Free frames and Borders; however, I realized that I only have about 200 thank you's...that is a lot of UNthankful people...bwahaha! Thanks a million to all of you who do take the time to write a little, "thank you" for the freebies I post and upload onto TpT! It really does mean a lot to know that my hard work can produce smiles and joy! I hadn't realized how many people don't say thank you. Knowing this makes me extra blessed by those who take the time to leave some kind words...thank you to the THANKFUL..hahaha! Just because I may put something up for free, does not mean that it was easiest to create or that it was not the best quality. I always try to put forth my best and offer good quality freebies that you will actually use - I have a giving heart and your thank you's and excitement is the best complement someone can give!! This year has been full of ups and downs. I laughed with some of you, I cried with some of you & I joined many of you to celebrate milestones and giveaways. A couple of my blogging friends lost loved ones this year & their well being is always on my mind.  I am so proud to know how many of you rise, without even blinking, to help when someone is in need and even if they don't ask. I love that we are here for one another, to bring each other up, and to celebrate in each others successes. 
I have so many wonderful blogging friends who have had amazing successes this year as well! Krista & Julie from Reading Olympians reached their goal this year and have had tremendous growth and success with their program! Come mid January, The Reading O girls and I are going to be "Passing the Reading Torch" with a really fun linky! We will have the sign up for the linky up in a couple of weeks and I am really excited for this one!
Deanna Jump, the sweetest darn TpT millionaire, made headlines all over the place & brought a wave of positive attention to teachers who are not just teachers, but who are professionals in their field and published authors helping people around the globe!! Many successful TpT sellers have had to struggle with some jealous co-workers or ignorant comments from the public who believe that teachers should not make money for their professional knowledge and talent...I say BOO TO YOU who BOO MY FRIENDS!! They are the most dedicated and hard-working men and women I know & I am SO PROUD of their accomplishments! I love working with other women and men who go to great lengths to put forth their very best of themselves!! 
Erica Bohrer from  is one sweet lady of whom I am always inspired by. She published another book through Scholastic this year and I see her influence all over the education blogging world! Congratulations Erica!!! She is another blogger friend who is whole-heartedly dedicated to her work and contribution to education! Her heart is bigger than TEXAS and her talent is...well...UH-MAZING! 
I could go on and on... I will give mention to one more friend... My ARIZONA B-Gal Pal (B stands for blogger..hahaha) has soured to the top ten list on TpT in the state of Arizona and she has more than surpassed her goals! Congratulations Linda, from

I am so excited for the successes you have had this year!!  Her resources are well put together and I LOVE her creativity!!! Thanks for making me laugh, friend!!

Okay...one more... duo actually. This is a husband and wife FIREBALL blogging team!! They are such a cute couple and I loved working with both of them this year!! Meet Katie & Justin Knight...I am amazed by their talent and dedication & I am obsessed with both of their blogs! Katie is also very lucky, because her other half  is quite the chef!! I love Katie's giving heart and nurturing words as much as I love Justin's humor and his boldness to take on subjects in education that many bloggers might tend to shy away from! I am so glad to know you both!!

      Another ongoing piece of goodness is my Frosty Linky.... I had a huge positive response to my, "Frosty Takes on the Globe" linky and Frosty is now making his way across the United States! He is visiting classrooms all over the world and allowing us to connect with each other and take a peak into the lives of hard-working teachers and their blossoming students.   As this year comes to an end,  I am finally happy with my own personal blog design - I have to say that it has continued to develop into something quite spectacular really. I am always learning more and discovering how technology can transform something ordinary into something exquisite!
The very last accomplishment for this year is my newest digital background sets, which I call... THE CUTEST BACKGROUNDS EVER!! hahaha I uploaded several sets yesterday, as well as a full-blown mega set with 190 backgrounds to choose from!! I know from personal experience this year, that the cover pages of your products make the initial impression on someone browsing for resources and products! If you can "flash" them a little bit, then you have a better chance to increase your sales. What is a better way to flash potential buyers than with my CUTEST BACKGROUNDS EVER...tehehehe!!!  I included all of my favorite colors in this set (minus grey) & I love how colorful it is!

You can find this set, along with the smaller sets, on...

TpT, Etsy, or Teachers Notebook

You can also purchase them directly from me by sending me an email... Sorry, I have not put these up on my blog store just yet. With a 91MB sized file, you can imagine the time it takes to wait for this baby to upload onto these sites...hahaha... 

Here are a few FREEBIES from this set that didn't quite make the cut. I actually created them specifically for all of you.. Enjoy!

Please read my TERMS OF USE before using any of my graphics for personal and/or commercial use... thank you! 

Have a Safe & Happy New Year!! Thank you for visiting!