Book Review - Creative Card Making Pack

About the Book
Young kids don't need to be artists to make amazing, home-crafted cards that are brimming with color, flair, and style. All they need is this kit and their imagination The Creative Card Making Pack lets them tap into their artsy side with this collection of pre-folded cards (or use a blank card of your own), templates, picture sheets, and step-by-step instructions to help them create:

• Pop-up cards
• Collage cards
• Cut-outs
• Free-standing cards
• Birthday cards
• Christmas cards
• So much more

Kids will discover some simple techniques for cutting and folding, the art of surface decorating, beautiful design ideas, and more that will help them make cards that shine with creativity and fun.



My Take on the Book
If you have someone in your family that loves to be create cards then this book has a ton of great ideas for creating some very cool cards that you can give to others as gifts. My daughters loved using this to design some very fun cards that they never would have been able to create before. Highly recommend this book for all!

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Book Review - Bead It, Iron It, Love It!: Over 300 Great Motifs for Fuse Beads

About the Book
Pixel art using melty beads is the latest cool craze to hit the crafting community. All you need to get started is a peg board, a bucket of beads, and an ordinary iron! Discover how easy it is to create unique, eye-popping accessories and jewelry out of fuse beads. This creative how-to book shows you how to transform simple beads into charming jewelry and home accessories using simple beading and melting techniques. You'll find:

• Over 300 motifs, with patterns for the seasons, flowers, celebrations, geometric shapes, under the sea, animals, and more
• 15 projects, including brooches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, coasters, bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, and more
• Step-by-step instructions for all of the essential techniques, from fusing and beadweaving to attaching findings
• Tips, tricks, and materials needed to get started
• Blank grids so you can create your own designs

So go ahead bead it, iron it, and we bet you'll love it!


My Take on the Book
My daughters love to create with pearler beads. This book has a ton of great ideas for someone that loves to create with these. The images make you see how to create these and while there are not true patterns within the book the images are ones that they were able to follow to make some fun creations. My daughter even made me a Tardis! This book was so much fun!

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Book Review - Accessorize Yourself!: 66 Projects to Personalize Your Look

About the Book
This how-to book is jammed with DIY accessories to brighten your closet! Sparkle and shine from head to toe with glam scarves, bags, and jewelry. The projects in this book are gorgeous, achievable, and affordable and best of all, everything you make will have your own personal style after you craft it yourself!



My Take on the Book
The authors of this resource book have brought to the reader over 60 projects to make. The projects range from easy like a button bracelet, to more difficult like the necklace that uses embossing, stamping blocks, and metal blanks.

There are projects for belts, hats, jewelry, hair accessories, and much more. The authors included a photograph of the finished project. Some projects have additional photographs if there is a part of the project that needs additional details.The materials are listed along with detailed step by step instructions.

In my opinion , most of the projects would be for an older child.


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Book Review - Girl Plus Pen: Doodle, Draw, Color, and Express Your Individual Style

About the Book
In this addition to the Craft It Yourself series, designer and artist Stephanie Corfee will inspire you to create one-of-a-kind doodle drawings that are fresh, fun, and express your unique sense of style. Doodle everything from simple swirls, swooshes, and scallops to intricate and detailed designs that you can give as gifts or hang on your wall. Work on lettering and word art, plus decorative doodles perfect for prettifying just about anything. Be inspired to use your doodling skills on everything from paper and pebbles to scarves and snapshots. Packed with step-by-step instructions, artistic prompts, and helpful tips, this book will help any artist's pen move and creativity flow important steps on the way to discovering your own unique, artistic voice. All you need to start is your creativity . . . plus a pen.



My Take on the Book
When I saw this book, I thought of my youngest daughter who loves to color and draw. She enjoys art projects , making gifts, and cards.

Stephanie Corfee takes the "worry" out of being creative. She tells the reader not to be intimidated by a blank page or the feeling that your drawings must be perfect. Stephanie gives the reader suggestions for the tools to use in the book, step by step exercises, and lots of hints on each page.

Each page has a different kind of activity. There is no right or wrong way to work on the art page. This is your book of drawings/doodlings and it should be fun. I know just looking at it, it will provide someone with hours and hours of creative choices.

At the end of the book, the author shows the reader how to extend the drawing concept to clothing, rocks, and other objects. I really think if you enjoy drawing or doodling that you will thoroughly enjoy Stephanie's book.

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Book Review - Mason Jar Crafts for Kids

About the Book
Mason jars are no longer just for canning. Today we use them to drink from, to cook inside, and—with almost limitless possibilities—to craft with. In this fabulous new book, Linda Braden, author and owner of MasonJarCraftsLove.com and ItAllStartedWithPaint.com, offers up a collection of fun and creative Mason jar crafts for kids. Her ideas include everything from wild science experiments and delicious edible treats to holiday decor and gifts for the whole family. Kids won’t want to miss the fireworks in a jar or the lava lamp jar projects. And who could resist a Mason jar cupcake or a rainbow Jell-O jar? There are instructions for how to make your own lantern jars, snow globes, and even a Mason jar terrarium. This book will keep little hands busy all year round, with dozens of easy do-it-yourself projects.

Accompanied by photo tutorials and helpful step-by-step instructions, these projects are kid-friendly and offer a variety of options for both beginning and more advanced DIY fans. Each project is complete with age recommendations, a list of supplies you will need, and safety precautions. These projects are great for crafting with a big group or alone with your child, and perfect for long summer days, rainy weekends, and holiday preparation. Be inspired and discover the endless possibilities with the world’s most famous jar!




My Take on the Book
If you are searching for projects to do with your children, this book has 31. The table of contents shows summer crafts, holiday crafts, storage ideas, gifts and even science experiments using Mason jars.

Looking through the activities there was a home play-dough recipe and you store the dough in the mason jar. Another idea was to make bunnies, chicks, jack o lanterns, or even Santas using a Mason jar as the head, acrylic paint to color, and adding felt for ears , feathers, google eyes etc. to complete the jar. You could fill them with holiday candy or use for storage.

Decoupage was another interesting use for the Mason Jar. Take photos and adhere them to the jar, then use the jar for a vase or storage. 

So many easy to make crafts with easy to locate materials.


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The Zoom Loom Is Great For Tweens!

About the Zoom Loom
Schact has taken a simple design and transformed it into an efficient and comfortable little loom. If you've ever woven on a pin loom, you'll love our new and improved model. Small and compact, the Zoom Loom is easy to take with you. Weave anywhere, any time.

• The sloping interior edge guides your weaving needle.
• Graceful extended sides are easy to hold.
• Molded-in instructions on the front and back are always there when you need them.
• A handy slot holds the starting yarn without knotting.
• Made in Boulder, Colorado!

The Zoom Loom comes in an attractive carrying case. A 6" weaving needle and a 3" yarn needle are included, as well as a full-color instruction book with three projects. An instructional video is available



 
My Take on the Zoom Loom
This kit is for those within the ages of 10-100. It is a 4 by 4 sturdy plastic hand held loom, with a 6 inch weaving needle and a 3 inch sewing needle. The kit included directions with illustrations and step by step written directions. The booklet of directions included three patterns: a scarf, a placemat, and a reader case.


Before I used it with my nine year old, I used the directions and yarn I had at home, to weave the loom. The illustrations were essential to understand the written directions. As I wove I found that if I did not use a finger to hold down the yarn each time I made a curve, then the yarn would slip. This was not in the directions but something to be aware of as you wrap the loom.

My daughter then began the weaving. Because we used two different colors of yarn she was able to see if she made an error in her weaving pattern. She finished one square easily.

So in preparing the loom again for weaving a second square, I allowed her to look at the illustrations and we went through the step by step directions together.

She was able to accomplish this with a little help.

I feel, because she has learned other crafts that the loom and directions were maybe easier for her to handle.


This is a great activity to take on a trip as it is easy to carry and the materials are simple. I think it would make a nice gift for someone who enjoys crafts.


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Have Fun This Summer With The ALEX Toys - Craft, Fuzzy Wuzzy Knitting Kit

About the Product
The ALEX Toys - Craft, Fuzzy Wuzzy Knitting Kit,  lets kids create fabulously fuzzy accessories. Make a headband, fingerless gloves, bracelets and more! The kit contains (6) bright colors of soft fuzzy yarn, plastic knitting needles, plastic sewing needle and illustrated instructions with lots of fun, easy project ideas. This knitting kit comes packed in a beautiful keepsake tin. The ALEX Toys - Craft, Fuzzy Wuzzy Knitting Kit is recommended for children age 7 and up. ALEX Toys takes the mission of providing children with quality creative products that foster personal expression and build self-esteem to heart! ALEX products are currently sold in over 80 countries worldwide in specialty toy and retail shops.


My Take on this Kit
Alex Toys sent a box of colorful and fuzzy yarns, two knitting needles , and sewing needle and a booklet of directions in a colorful metal storage case. My oldest daughter and I sat down with the yarn and directions and proceeded to follow the excellent directions and begin a project in the booklet. She was going to make a headband.

The directions were not only written, but had illustrations too. There was a web site you could use for video directions too.

The booklet included projects for: bows, headbands, gloves , a purse, and directions for making tassels and pom-poms. There were explicit directions for knitting-casting on, the knit stitch, and casting off. Another section showed how to fix mistakes and changing colors. Once these basics are learned , there would be many booklets your child would be able to use to make more advanced projects.

The yarn was thick, colorful and fuzzy. It will make great projects. With summer here there is time to explore crafts in depth and knitting is something my oldest daughter has wanted to learn.

If you are looking for a gift for a child who enjoys crafts, this may be one to think about seriously.

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Book Review - Loom Magic! 25 Never-Before-Seen Designs for an Amazing Rainbow of Projects

About the Book
An unofficial, one-of-a-kind guide to beautiful and fun Rainbow Loom projects!

This book includes twenty-five new rubber band loom projects, including bracelets, sports-themed charms, key rings, pendants, and even a working slingshot. New crafters and dedicated fans will enjoy creating the wide variety of projects in this collection, including:

• Cell phone case
• Daisy chain bracelet
• Watch band
• Octo bracelet
• Blooming beaded bracelet
• Sports fan keychain
• Matching barrettes
• Pencil topper
• Rainbow ring
• Nunchuks
• Rocker cuff bracelet
• Snowman ornament
• And many more!

My Take on the Book
My daughter was so excited when I received this book to review. She has been all wrapped up in the craze that these rubber band bracelets have become so seeing all of these new ideas being shared was so amazing to her and it opened her mind to what was even possible. I was impressed with the breadth and depth of the book. I will say that there were some of the projects that required two looms and we only have one at the moment, but that being said the ideas were still great. Also, the book does a great job at taking you step-by-step into making the different projects which was nice and something that not all books do. The images and steps listed in the book were easy to follow and the results were as you would hope. All-in-all this was a great book that is worth the price, especially if you also have a child that loves creating in this new medium!


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Product Review - Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils Kit

About the Book
A "twisted" colorful collection of Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils. Over 65 pieces in a durable, portable carryall case! Includes 25 Twistables Colored Pencils and 40 sheets of paper.



My Take on the Book
These colored pencils were cool! I loved how easy these were to travel with and the case they came in made them work very well for the budding artist. Also, in the fact that it came with drawing paper this kit can be used anywhere to make great pictures. Combine with that the fact that you get some great colors and you can make some very cool creations. My daughter and I had a lot of fun using this to create some great items for our fridge and she also has been giving some to other family members as well. Highly recommend this to all!


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Text-UR Foam Brings All Senses Into Play!

About the Book
Set aside those crayons and construction paper, it’s time for something totally different! text-UR® Foam from Fibre-Craft is the new craft item that brings craft foam to a whole new dimension. You’ll literally feel the fun by combining interesting textures with an added 3D element to make craft projects stand up and stand out!

Priced from $2.99 to $8.99 even kids on a budget can relish the art of making something with their hands, no drawing, coloring or painting required. Use the 3D space-urs™, which are peel and stick, stackable squares included in most text-UR Foam products to create an instant wow effect and make ordinary arts & crafts projects extraordinary. The 3D text-UR Foam sheets come in 6 bright colors and cool textures like Wavy, Scaly and Terry Cloth! Parents will quietly celebrate as kids unplug from their computers, TVs and hand-held gadgets to participate in this seemingly lost form of play. Concentration, dexterity, creativity and patience all come together when kids stop and sit down to create art. Maybe that's why there's art in this smart form of play. Look for Fibre-Craft's text-UR® Foam product kits at Michaels, Joann's, Meijer and A.C. Moore, and make sure to check out the text-UR® Foam website for fun product ideas.

My Take on the Book
Creative Hands has gone a step further in the foam product for creative arts with children. They have produced a foam product that has texture on the surface.

I enjoyed an afternoon using two kits that were sent to me with one of my daughters. She loves to use the foam shapes, so I knew this new product would create an enjoyable afternoon for her. The pieces are colorful. The shapes are all different so the child can create designs.

The first project was a turtle that once decorated would stand up. The directions were excellent. This 3-D project included small squares of sticky foam that you placed underneath the decorative pieces to create the 3-D effect. She was able to complete the project by herself once we viewed the directions together.

The next project included 6 cut out animals to decorate. I allowed her to decide how she wanted to decorate them, although there were suggestions for the designs. Some she created with the 3-D effect and some she left 2 dimensional. But this packet again produced success for her. The added feature for the second foam packet was it included magnets so she was hanging them on the refrigerator.

She was eager to show the rest of the family.
I would highly recommend these kits to adults who enjoy providing creative projects for their children.



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Book Review - Tape It & Make More

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

About the Book
In 2012, Barron's #1 best-selling Tape it and Make It took the crafting world by storm, turning the humble roll of duct tape into the trendiest craft item since glitter glue. Everyone from creative school kids to famous fashionistas began exploring the infinite uses for the toolbox staple, using it to create everything from tote bags to toys to housewares!

And just when you think we've done everything there is to do with duct tape, Tape and Make It author Richela Fabian Morgan wows us with once again with another round of creative ideas in Tape It and Make More . Who would have imagined that you could make so many unique and amazing items with duct tape?

• Accessories-- earrings, hats, slippers, a beaded necklace, a bowtie!
• Housewares-- pillows, a planter, a shower caddy, a hanging room divider!
• Bags--a sophisticated satchel, a toiletry bag, an iPad case!
• Toys-- kites, juggling balls, a frisbee, an airplane, a hand puppet!

With easy-to-follow instructions, tips on tools and supplies, more than 500 full-color illustrations, and more than 100 cool new projects, Tape It and Make More will inspire crafters of all ages to take their duct-tape activities to new levels!



My Take on the Book
My daughter in the past year has become obsessed with making duct tape creations. From wallets to purses to glass cases and more she has tried quite a bit. This book was a great gift for her because it was filled with so many great ideas even beyond what she has already done. The ideas are laid out in a way that is easy to follow and even for younger people (my daughter is almost 9) she could follow and make the projects herself. If you have a child that loves using duct tape to create a ton of cool objects then I encourage you to check this out today!

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Book Review - My First Creativity Book: Princesses

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

About the Book
Here is a new title in Barron's growing My First Creativity Books series. A clever princess is needed to keep this kingdom in order. Connecting dots for royal surprises, solving kingdom mazes, decorating for a garden party and making a beautiful crown are some of the activities in this fun-filled book.

Based on the popular Creativity Activity Books for older children, these titles are made smaller to suit little hands and are filled with activities that appeal to boys and girls in pre-K through second grade. Every title in the My First Creativity Books series features:

• Clever coloring exercises
• Easy connect-the-dot drawing projects
• Spot-the-difference illustrations
• Mazes, puzzles, and simple construction activities
• 200 full-color stickers
• Fold-out scenes for sticker play

Developed by educational experts to stimulate younger kids' imaginations, My First Creativity Books offer children many hours of learning fun. Illustrations include 28 pages in color.



 
My Take on the Book
This was a great book filled with some great activities placed within it. My daughter had been ill and his was the perfect book to help her through her illness. She loved the mazes as well as the stickers but beyond that there was so much more that kept her engaged and entertained throughout this and provided hours of fun. This book will provide your princess to be with hours of fun too!

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Fun DIY: Old Crayons, New Craft

SheKnows.com has a creative and eco-friendly solution to repurpose those broken crayons lying around playrooms across America. One of our fabulous contributing writers, Jennifer Kirk “melts down” a step by step process to turn trash into treasure by finding a creative use for ice cube trays!

For the full how-to on this colorful project, visit SheKnows.com:

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/979355/make-old-crayons-like-new-with-diy-craft

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Crafts to Count Your Blessings from The Odd Life Of Timothy Green

This time of year is all about telling loved ones how much they mean to us and counting our blessings. Share this message with your children this weekend with crafts that are designed to help facilitate conversations about who and what we are thankful for in anticipation of seeing the recent release of Disney's THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN which came out on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Platforms on December 4.

An easy to assemble Blessings Box made of cut paper and filled with a chocolate is a sweet way to express how much and why you appreciate a special person in your lives, making a great holiday gift kids can make for a coach, teacher or friend. Printable Wish Leaves help kids describe the kind of person they wish to be and can be used as a decorative reminder of their goals. During the holiday season, giving thanks is an important message and Leaf Behinds help kids give the gift of "Thanks" when they want to convey gratitude of good wishes to someone who has made a difference in their lives.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Crafty Bands - Design-It-Yourself Custom Charm Bracelets

About the Product
Epiphany Crafts, an arts-and-crafts company offering create-your-own buttons, charms, embellishments and bracelets, has launched a new line of design-it-yourself custom charm bracelets for kids, Crafty Bands.

The perfect gift for ages 8 and older, Crafty Bands allow children to tap their imaginations and create truly custom charm jewelry with and for their friends. Using the innovative Shape Studio Tool, Crafty Bands are affordable, easy and safe to craft, allowing users to mix and match colorful bracelets and accessorize with personalized charms created from photos, magazines and more.

With Crafty Bands, kids are no longer limited to pre-made charms with pre-printed designs. Here’s how easy it is to create a Crafty Band:

• Simply find a cool design or picture in a magazine or on the Internet
• Slide the design into the innovative Shape Studio Tool
• Place the Bubble Cap over the design
• Close the lid and press
• Remove the Bubble Cap and glue it into the Crafty Snap Setting
• Close the Crafty Snap Setting through the band

“Crafty Bands are affordable products that inspire creativity, encourage crafting, and promote social interaction for children―not to mention that charm bracelets are such a popular item with kids to wear and to trade,” said Brian Fogg, co-founder of Epiphany Crafts. “Crafty Bands are unique because they allow children to express their individuality by designing charms that best fit their personalities and interests. Crafty Bands are easy and safe to create, providing the catalyst for hours of open-ended activity either individually or with family, friends and school mates.”

The Crafty Bands Starter Kit is priced at $29.95, and includes the Shape Studio Tool, four Crafty Bands, 20 Crafty Snaps, 20 Bubble Caps and adhesive. Refill Kits, including four Crafty Bands and 20 Crafty Snaps, are priced at $6.99.

Crafty Bands are available to order online or by visiting www.paperwishes.com or www.hearthsong.com. For more information on Crafty Bands, please visit www.craftybands.com and on Facebook.

My Take on the Product
This was a great kit that allows you to be in control of the design! Not only does the kit itself come with a ton of bands that you can make to your own specifications, but with the fact that they are interchangeable, you get the the opportunity to change things after you make them which make your creativity limitless. My eldest daughter had a blast trying this out for herself, and she even had a friend over and they both had fun mixing and matching the bands and making new things over and over again and your kids can too!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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BRAVE- DIY Tartan Elbow Patch Cardigan

In anticipation of tomorrow's release of Disney Pixar's BRAVE, PSIMadeThis.com's Erica Domesek tackles tartan, one of the biggest trends on the runway this season and demonstrates how you can incorporate it into your wardrobe with an easy DIY fashion project. Get inspired by spunky princess Merida and go mad for plaid with this fun and easy project!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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