Wow, I was scared to give this a try even though I really wanted to. I was overthinking it and watching too many videos. I finally decided to just do it as Nike says. I was sent a 24 piece pre-mixed pourable paint set by Hippie Crafter. I grabbed a couple of canvases and got to work. Check out my video below to see it all as it actually unfolded. I highly recommend this kit. Check out all the creative Hippie Crafter products at HippieCrafter.com.
Filed under Art, Craft Tutorials, Crafts
My kids are very creative, they love to sketch, paint and color. I was looking for a durable art set that was compact and had an array of features, and could be used when traveling. I found that in the Faber Castell Do Art Travel Art Easel.
This 3-in-1 easel folds flat and all the supplies store inside in 2 removable drawers. The easel can be used as a drawing easel, white board, chalk board or lap desk.
Pull our the drawers on the side and you will find, Faber Castell Jumbo Beeswax Crayons, Colored EcoPencils, markers, chalk, dry erase marker with built-in eraser, pencil sharpener, sponge eraser and sketch pad.
Check out our video below:
The Do Art Easel is great for kids ages 4 and up and is recommended by art educators. I really like that it folds flat and my kids have a variety of options when they use it. It is nice that all the supplies are tucked securely inside and it is easy for them to access them when needed.
We think the Faber Castell Do Art Travel Easel makes a great gift and have added it to our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide at Mommy Ramblings.
Faber Castell is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own Travel Art Easel! Thank you to Faber Castell for the review easel and for sponsoring this creative giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US Residents.
Faber Castell Do Art Travel Easel Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Filed under Crafts, Creative Activities, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide
I am so blessed to live in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York. The Hudson Valley Region has so much to offer in breathtaking beauty and diverse culture. We love living only 90 minutes from NYC, so we can attend shows and events, and still live surrounded by trees, meadows, lakes and rivers.
As a hobby photographer, I rarely take a walk where I don’t have my camera around my neck. With the advances in technology, smartphones provide us with a camera we have with us everywhere. I am forever snapping photos and recording video of my amazing surroundings. I love sharing my photos and videos, so others can experience the pristine beauty.
Picturing America: Thomas Cole And The Birth of American Art by Hudson Talbott, is a stunning biographical picture book and an excellent tool to introduce children to Thomas Cole. This book is so beautiful and filled with fascinating information about the life of Thomas Cole.
Picturing America gives us a bird’s-eye look into Thomas Cole’s life. From his humble beginnings and immigration from England to America, to his development of a new painting style that became America’s first formal art movement: the Hudson River School of painting. The pages of Picturing America are peppered with some of Cole’s most beloved paintings, beautifully framed by Hudson Talbott’s watercolor illustrations.
You can see more in my video review and reading of Picturing America below:
As a resident of the beautiful Hudson Valley, I am thrilled to announce that Penguin Young Readers is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Picturing America! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US Residents.
Picturing American Hardcover Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Do you love taking photos like I do? Do you have an awesome shot from a recent trip? If you do, you might be happy to learn that AdoramaPix has these amazing Hexagon Metal Prints that are so different and really make your photos pop! Just take a look.
AdoramaPix helps people turn their digital photographs from abstract computer files into beautiful keepsakes designed to last a lifetime. Their contemporary metal prints capture memories in rich color and vibrant detail. Because your images are infused right into the metal, and not painted on the surface, their metal prints are extremely durable. Not only will your metal image be water and weather proof, but scratch resistant as well. You can even clean it with glass cleaner. Your memories deserve to live in true, archival luxury with AdoramaPix metal prints.
With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation Time coming up, these would make a great gift! Mommy Ramblings’ readers can take 25% OFF Hexagon Metal Prints by using promo code PXHEXMTL25 when they check out. Offer expires June 15, 2016.
You can find more fun gift ideas HERE.
Filed under Art, Family, Gift, Gifts, Home, Home & Garden, Life, Photography, Sale, USFG
I guess I would consider myself a pretty creative person. I love trying my hand at new things, enjoy art projects, crafts, DIY and more. I would say it has rubbed off on just about all of my 5 kids in some way, shape or form. We love painting river rocks, making ornaments, tackling a new DIY project together and making all kids of things. My daughter is a champion knitter as well. My husband joins in too and so I think all 7 of us are a creative bunch.
If you have a creative child or maybe you want to do your best to inspire some creativity, I have something great to share. Smart Art Box is a month subscription art box. Every month it arrives filled with the instruments and supplies to inspire the artist in us all!
Each month, your box will feature a range of top-shelf FULL SIZED art supplies – from acrylic paint to polymer clay – plus a project to go along with it to help teach and inspire your inner artist.
The project’s are unique and cultural. We create projects that give a quick step by step to help those who are new, and guide those that are seasoned. We also provide tips to help new and old artists gain invaluable new skills.
With each medium come the tools to manipulate it and bring out the strength that each style can achieve.
Smart Art was created by a small group of friends, driven by the desire to see the world and experience the culture created by historical visionaries. Along the way, they found inspiration in the many mediums found everywhere, from the poorest of villages, to the most prestigious of cities. Each medium expressed the artist’s individual communities, heritage and personality. For this reason, inspired by the passion portrayed in their art, a new determination was born to pursue and discover the many exciting art mediums across the world.
Together, they are committed to ensuring artists understand art and it’s many mediums throughout time in order to create a better understanding of the world around us. Their mission is to deliver products that kindle creativity, stimulate exciting new techniques and establish a deeper connection with art for everyone.
We received our Smart Art Box and were so impressed with everything inside, full size products, everything we need and instruction to guide and inspire us. I will be updating very soon with our masterpieces. This is certainly “Happy Mail“ for a family like ours and I would bet it would be for yours too!
You can visit Smart Art on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Let me know if you do try Smart Art Box of if you are already receiving monthly creativity delivered to your doorstep.
I was provided with a Smart Art Box to facilitate this post as a blogger working with @SocialBttrflyCo. As always my words and views are always 100% my own.
Things That make me say WOW! Decisions, Decisions…some are hard and some are like this:
Not a bad deal and not an add on right? Might want to get a few at that price. Let me check the price on 2.
I don’t care what kind of math you are doing, you would have to be smoking something to think that is a good deal. Stuff like this never ceases to amaze me. I see it all the time at Walmart too. Where you spend more buying multi packs of products. Chobani Yogurt I can buy individually and hand pick each flavor or buy the multi pack and spend more for 2 flavors. Really makes you wonder who is in charge of this pricing. So have you seen any funny ones lately? Would love to hear. Just leave me what you found in the comments.
Don’t you hate writing with messy, dusty, chalk that gets all over your fingers? I remember in college one professor hated to write with it, any time he absolutely had to, he would always say that he was risking getting cancer to write on the board. He was talking about the chalk dust. Anyway, with most chalk boards you don’t have many options besides using white or colored chalk. If you’re looking for an easier option, one that is colorful, neat, non-toxic, eco-friendly and FUN…I have the answer. Fun Chalk, Liquid Chalk Markers take chalk to a whole new level.
Here are just some of the benefits of these Chalk Markers:
* 8 Bright, Eye Catching Colors
* Long lasting, quick drying ink
* Clean-up is quick and easy. Simply wipe off with water and a cloth.
* It’s dust free making it a prime choice for those with asthma or allergies
* Non-Toxic, xylene-free, odor-free
Plus, FUN CHALK’s Chalk Markers are environmentally friendly and conform to all the requirements set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials and the European Standard for Toy Safety Testing.
FUN CHALK has been tested and APPROVED by moms, kids and teachers. It’s time to let your imagination and creativity take flight. BUY our Chalk Markers now and receive FREE SHIPPING! Just click add to cart. Your purchase will be backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
IMPORTANT: All liquid chalk is meant to be used on non-porous materials. We recommend that you test FUN CHALK on a sample or inconspicuous spot on the material you are going to use.
I recently test drove the 8 piece broad liquid chalk markers. There is a little trick to get them started. First you push down on the tip to release any pressure, then you shake it vigorously and then depress the tip while holding it on a piece of paper until you see the color filling the tip and it flows. After that, it is time for fun!
I used them on my black dry erase board and they worked great! The eye-popping, vibrant colors made leaving messages or drawing pictures really fun! You can use the markers on non-porous blackboards, mirrors, windows and plastic. Use them at your next business meeting, on your family message board, to decorate windows or whatever. The easy, wet cloth erase will make cleanup a snap. There’s also a set of 8 fine tip fluorescent colors available. You can purchase the high-quality chalk markers on Amazon.
Fun Chalk is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a 8 pack of broad Fun Chalk, Liquid Chalk Markers.. Thank you to Fun Chalk for the review chalk markers and for sponsoring this vibrant giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Fun Chalk, Liquid Chalk Markers Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Filed under Family Fun, Giveaway, Home, kids, Kitchen
My seven-year-old loves drawing and he’s really becoming quite the artist. He was thrilled to see Draw-A-Saurus arrive. A quick scan of the pages filled him with inspiration to create. I have no doubt our home will be filled with his dinosaur drawings and I am sure his little brother will be trying his best to follow right along. If you have a dino-loving artist in your home or on your gift list this holiday season, this book would be the perfect fit! Mommy Ramblings is adding Draw-A-Saurus to our 2014 Holiday Gift Guide. Keep reading to see how you can win a copy in our giveaway.
This in-depth yet accessible dinosaur drawing guide combines humor, creativity, and the latest dino research to show artists young and old how to breathe life into drawings of their prehistoric favorites.
Prehistoric Pencil Power!
Even though they lived some 65 million years ago, dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles continue to rule today. From movies to comics and cartoons, these ancient, giant beasts are everywhere you turn. Of course, who wants to just read about or watch these dinos when you can learn how to use pencils, pens, markers, and more to draw your very own?
Cartoonist James Silvani combines easy-to-follow art exercises with the latest, greatest dino-facts to help you create fun and cool dinosaur doodles all by yourself. With lessons on old favorites like T-rex and stegosaurus, as well as lesser-known (but still awesome) creatures like the massive argentinosaurus, Draw-a-Saurus has everything the dinosaur fan could ever ask for (outside of their very own pet dino!).
With easy-to-follow art exercises that mix creativity with the latest dino-facts, Draw-A-Saurus has everything the dinosaur fan could ever ask for.
JAMES SILVANI is an artist and illustrator and has drawn characters for Disney, Warner Bros.,Dreamworks, Lucasfilm, and Marvel Comics. Currently he is a comic book illustrator for titles likeDisney’s Mickey Mouse, DuckTales, Darkwing Duck, and The Muppets. Silvani has drawn dinosaursand other prehistoric beasts since childhood, and now puts those skills to use in art workshops atlibraries, schools, and comic book conventions. Silvani is a resident of Kihei, Hawaii.
Would you like to win a copy? Random House is sponsoring a giveaway and one lucky blog reader will win their own copy of Draw-A-Saurus. Thank you Random House for the review copy and for sponsoring this dino-riffic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Draw-A-Saurus Dinosaur Drawing Book By James Silvani Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Filed under Books, Christmas, Holiday, Main Page Post, Mommy Ramblings, Review
Are you back to school shopping for your children? Maybe going through clothing they have outgrown, wondering what to do with it all? If you are, you may be interested to know how Schoola can help you and your child’s school. Schoola is an online shop dedicated to recycling brand-name children’s clothing, with 40% of the proceeds going to schools in need. The innovative new program – which saves parents money and gives back at the same time – has been heralded by Fox News, the LA Times, Forbes and Parenting Magazine.
Mommy Ramblings was selected to participate in a special campaign called “20 Days of Schoola” Adopt-a-School. Mommy Ramblings was given of choice of 3 deserving schools and it was hard to choose, but we selected a small school in the Bronx called KIPP Academy. KIPP Academy has a goal to raise $25,000 to fund a music program. KIPP Academy works hard to support kids who need all the help they can get. Ninety-five percent of its students qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch. More than one in seven receives special education services. Music helps KIPP Academy reach and engage every child who enters its doors. The slogan on the Music Room wall sets the stage—All of Us Will Learn Music. No matter what backgrounds they come from or what challenges they face, they learn lessons together that will serve them the rest of their lives.For more about Kipp Academy and how Schoola helps schools in need watch the video below.
I was blessed growing up to be able to go to a school that had the funding to offer all kinds of great in school and after school programs for students. Sadly many schools today cannot offer as much to students and so students are denied the opportunity to participate in art, music and sports programs that can stimulate and nurture natural or learned talent.
My older children were also able to participate in programs like I was and their school years were enriched with music lessons, great art programs, sports programs, extra curricular programs and more. My younger children who are just entering school are also able to do the same, but many schools have been impacted by lack of funding and have had to cut programs like music, art and sports.
You can shop on Schoola for back-to-school clothing, even clothing new with tags and for every transaction that is processed by going through this link, Schoola will donate $1 to KIPP Academy. That’s not all, everyone that requests a donation bag through the same link will help too because Schoola will donate $1 for every requested bag to Kipp Academy. Perhaps the best part is, if you send in a donation bag of clothing, you can fill out the name of a school you support and for every $5 in sales, Schoola will donate $2 to the school you selected!!! That’s a real win-win for Kipp Academy and the school of your choice!!! You can follow Schoola on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on all the latest happenings.
Filed under Uncategorized
I’ve just been given the opportunity to review the Make A Plate Art Project from Makit and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you. If you want to follow along, my readers save 30% on their Prepaid Art Plate Kit (that’s a savings of over $5!) – USE PROMO CODE: USFAMILY at Makit!
Makit has been in business for over 40 years. Make A Plate kits allow children to let their creativity soar in crafting a lasting gift for Mom, Dad, Grandparent or teacher. All Make A Plates are nontoxic, BPA-Free, dishwasher safe and proudly made in the USA.
Can’t wait to share our results with you!
Filed under Uncategorized
