Begin Again Lemonade Set GIVEAWAY and Review!!

 We were so lucky to be able to test drive this ever so clever lemonade set by BeginAgain. Is it the most darling little set you have ever seen or what?! I think so and the best part is it is durable and made from 100% recycled plastic! Pretty great, right?

 I have seen many tea sets, but this is the first lemonade set I've seen. Perfect for some summer fun! Since we received our set the kids have been playing all sorts of imaginative games with it. They had the usual lemonade stand of course, but their creative little minds have even served up lemonade at their "beach house" via our backyard. Look out for that wave!!

 I got to join in on the fun this day. Lemonade and a beach house...I can't complain too much!

 

 I love that BeginAgain makes high quality earth friendly toys, but, I love even more that my children love them just as much as I do. BeginAgain toys are available at Whole Foods and Amazon and there are so many creative ones to choose from.

 And guess what? In honor of this beautiful weather we are having as we are getting closer and closer to summer, my innovative friends over at BeginAgain are giving one of my readers their very own Lemonade set!

To ENTER leave me a comment here and tell me where you'd like to drink your lemonade, and for a second entry like BeginAgain on facebook here and let me know you did so on this post in your comment.

Good luck! Contest ends Tuesday May 14th 2013 at 8am (strange fact May 14th is also Dance like a Chicken Day, I swear!)

Winner will be randomly chosen using random.org

**Open to U.S. residents only

Mightee Kids is Pretty Darn Cool!

 I wanted to share with you again Mightee Kids. I was introduced to them a few months back and have been so impressed with this wonderful concept that I want to share it again and again. I am a huge supporter of Sevenly and I love that my kids now have their own charity t-shirts, too. Yes, these t-shirts are pretty cool and the quality is amazing, but it goes beyond that.....

 Each t-shirt has a cause and comes along with these handy dandy tools to help teach children in a way that children can understand. It is teaching my children compassion in a entirely new way. It is not only making children aware, but giving them the confidence to make a change and that is what I love about this concept. I don't want to scare my children with the worries of the world at such a young age, but if I can give them the tools to feel like they are helping to change the world--I can definitly get on board with that!
 Last month our t-shirt helped Kids on Bikes, an organization that helps kids in low income neighborhoods earn their own bikes. Emma loved hearing about this charity. After wearing her t-shirt to school last week, she told me she was sharing with her friends what the shirt was all about. I love hearing that!

This cutie has on a shirt from a couple months ago. This cause was to support Canines for Kids. Helping children with physical and emotional disabilities get assistance dogs. Pretty awesome!

April, is Autism awareness month and this t-shirt supports the Autism Society. I can't think of a more perfect way to start showing our support and teaching our children that we can make a change. Check out Mightee Kids, I think they are pretty darn cool, indeed!
Check them out and help spread the word...
Mightee Kids
Mightee Kids on Facebook
Mightee Kids on Twitter

Green Apple Supply is Awesome! And GIVEAWAY!!

I have found my online shopping heaven and I am excited to not only share it with you, but also give you the opportunity to win a $25 gift card to join with me in my eco-savvy artful shopping bliss. The founders of Green Apple Supply strive to bring eco-friendly products to all families by keeping cost down and prices low.

"By utilizing economies of scale, wholesale purchasing power, and personal product experience, we endeavor to make it easier for anyone to purchase Earth-friendly products.  We are keeping overhead low and this is a non-profit effort.  Products are sold as close to cost as we can, while still keeping the lights on. Why? Because we think it’s the right thing to do."
-Stephanie and Robert Tobor, fonders of Green Apple Supply

 Green Apple Supply was nice enough to send me a few eco-friendly art supplies to try and I have to say I am very excited to discover this wonderful paint kit by Glob. These natural paints are made from fruits and vegetables and smell delicious!

 Look at those colors, so beautiful. Emma loved mixing the paints herself. This set came with 6 colors, 6 compo-stable jars and lids and 2 bamboo brushes all for $12.60 (msrp $18!)
The Faber-Castell watercolor pad was the perfect addition to our paints and they happen to be one of our favorite art supply companies. You can find the paper and more of their products for almost half off on Green Apple Supply. 

 Another Faber-Castell favorite of ours is their beeswax crayons. Such a joy to color with beeswax. Have you tried yet?

We also had the opportunity to try these great recycled crayons. Emma loved that they had no paper wrapper and she could use any side of the crayon she pleased. The "Recycle" Stick Crayons also come packed in a super sweet box. They would make a pretty great gift.

I am so impressed with the great trustworthy products Green Apple Supply not only offers, but offers at the lowest prices I have seen, ever!

Enter here for your chance to win a $25 gift card by visiting here, Green Apple Supply and telling me in the comments below what Eco-friendly art supply you can't wait to get your hands on!
*Contest ends April 8th 2013 at 7am.
*Open to U.S. residents only.

Mightee Kids--Review!

 We received a very special box on our doorstep the other morning. It was from Mightee Kids a new company whose mission is "helping kids help other kids around the world." Sounds pretty wonderful to me!

 Emma was thrilled to receive a package. We opened it up and inside along with her new and very cool Mightee shirt was a little informative postcard explaining the cause. It had a animated picture card on the back. I read it to Emma, it was simple and easy for her to understand the cause and how she was helping. It also ended on a positive note, which I really liked. Emma felt like she made a difference and that is exactly how I want my children to feel in these early years of "changing the world."
This month the Mightee Kids cause is Say Cheese, supporting Smile Train which helps children around the world with cleft lip or palate get the surgery they need, but can not afford.

Each month Mightee Kids will have a new shirt with a new cause to support and teach your children about. For $25 a month you will get your very own tee and informative tools to help educate your kids. $5 of this cost goes directly to the cause! I think this is a great way to start teaching my children about helping others around the world that are less fortunate and do not have all that we do, but doing so in a positive way.

Check out Mightee Kids and make a difference with your kids today!

 www.mighteekids.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mighteekids

Twitter: www.twitter.com/mighteekids

Pinterest: www.http://pinterest.com/mighteekids

  

Magic Cabin $50 Giftcard Giveaway!!!

Large Lap Loom--Magic Cabin

 My friends over at Magic Cabin have given us a reason to dance! We get the pleasure to learn a new craft in our house, the beautiful art of weaving. I am extremely excited to not only give Emma this wonderful gift, but to also learn the art together.
We have already started breaking in our loom and it is beautiful, sturdy and comes with very clear instructions to get you started.
Now for the exciting part. I would love for one of you to join me on this new artful journey in exploring and learning weaving with our children. Lucky for us Magic Cabin thinks this is a great idea! So they are giving away one Lap Loom to one lucky Green Owl Art fan! Hip Hip Hooray!
(** UPDATE** The Lap Loom is now on back order with Magic Cabin. They are so nice to replace this giveaway item with a $50 gift card to Magic Cabin)
To enter check out Magic Cabin here:
http://www.magiccabin.com/
https://twitter.com/magiccabin
http://www.facebook.com/MagicCabin
http://pinterest.com/source/magiccabin.com/ 

And tell me in the comment section on this post what art you have always wanted to learn. In one week (Thursday December 13th 2012 at 7am) We will randomly choose one person to win their very own lap loom from Magic Cabin. Good luck!
(Contest limited to the U.S.)

Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway!!

I am so excited to share with you today The Terrific Twenty Holiday Gifts for 2012 from my friends over at Melissa & Doug! 

Melissa & Doug is my go-to for gifts every Christmas and with so many new great things to choose from I can't wait to get shopping! 

Check out their Terrific Twenty here and also enter for twenty chances to win these great toys over at Melissa & Doug on Facebook!!

My favorite this year is the limited edition Trunki! It's tie-dye! How cool is that? Your little travelers will never look so good. Because I love it so much and because my awesome friends at Melissa & Doug want to celebrate their Terrific Twenty with us....I am giving away a Trunki to one of you!

To enter to win this cool little travelers must have leave me a comment below telling me how you will do most of your Christmas shopping this year. Are you a late night web shopper? An early morning after Thanksgiving shopper? Or are you the one I envy who can make all gifts homemade? Tell me, please!
This contest will close at 7am on November 20th. A winner will be chosen randomly. Good luck!
I hope you win!!
For more chances to win head over to Melissa & Doug!

Mimi the Sardine apron GIVEAWAY!

 

We have had the pleasure of enjoying a beautiful Rose Garden Kids Apron by Mimi the Sardine for the past month and we have loved it so much that I must spread the word to you all. In our house we seem to get messy often and have several changes of clothes throughout the day. I absolutley love these aprons for many reasons.

 1. The organic acrylic-coated cotton easily wipes clean with each use. They can also be machine washed which I did finally test out the other day and it came out looking brand new, but the convenience of being able to just wipe down is awesome!
2.The high quality adjustable straps are wonderful. I can not tell you how often other aprons get tossed to the ground because they are not fitting properly on my daughter. With these great straps I can switch the apron from my 2 year old to my four year old with each having a nice snug fit that is comfortable to wear.
3. The kids love to wear them! The aprons come in all sorts of fun bright and happy colors and patterns. We have used them for art, cooking, gardening and more!

 

 Mimi the Sardine is a wonderful family owned company that makes high quality products that are so useful in my home everyday. Check out some of the other great things they have for the little ones and grown-ups too! On my shopping list is the Lunchbug for my soon to be kindergartener and an apron for myself.

Now is your chance to own a great kids apron too! 

All you have to do is "like" Mimi the Sardine on facebook and let me now you did so here.

 That's all! You will be entered to win one of their adorable kids aprons. 

Contest ends on May 20th, 2012 at 7pm when I will pick a winner using random.org. Good luck!!

Artterro Art Journal Kit review

 My wonderful and creative friends over at Artterro introduced me to their beautiful Art Journal Kits. I just love this company. They make open ended high quality children's art products and that is hard to come by.
Although I think this journal would be such a great tool for Emma to use as a creative board, I decided to try out the journal for myself. My desk is usually covered in little post-it notes and scrap pieces of paper with ideas that have come to me while out and about. A journal is just what I needed. I never thought of keeping an art journal, but it makes perfect sense.

 For the past three weeks I have carried the journal with me jotting down notes at any given moment my creative light bulb goes on. I use it for my art store shopping list and even just to doodle while I am on the phone or sipping tea while the kids are asleep. It has organized me in an artistic sort of way, but also is a wonderful creative outlet for me. I seemed to have left journaling behind when growing up and I don't know why. It makes me happy.
Emma has asked me for her own art journal like mine and that makes me even more happy. What a great way to show children to be creative, expressive and use their ideas.

The Artterro Art Journal Kit Includes: Spiral-bound (6.5 x 8) journal with solid book board cover to personalize, 14 inspiring project pages, 5 pages of beautiful handmade decorative papers, 6 solid colored papers, artist-quality drawing paper, and pocket folder to store pictures, scraps and found images. All for just under $13.
(I love the pockets, it allows me to save fabric samples and inspiring pictures that I come across.)

I think this journal is a wonderful thing that can be used in so many different ways. I need a entire journal dedicated to decorating ideas for our new home. I would have loved to have one while planning my wedding or babies nursery, but my first art journal is a collection of art I will be doing with my two sweet loves.
To get your your own art journal and more creative kits click here Artterro!

Kid's Garden Giveaway! DuneCraft product review

 Flowers are blooming all around us. Spring is here! My very lovely and innovative friends over at DuneCraft are helping us to celebrate. We had the opportunity to try out their very cute and very fun Mermaid's Growing Grotto kid's plant cubes and you may get to join us with our spring giveaway! Let me tell you about the fun we had learning and planting for spring.

 The plant cubes come with everything you need to start and decorate your ocean themed terrarium. The soil comes dried and compact into a little disc along with seeds, sea shells, gravel, plant stake, beach sand, background and decal. 

 Hydrating the soil was by far the best step for Emma. She added the water slowly to the soil disc and explored and watched as it expanded and filled the bottom of the terrarium. What a great learning opportunity and sensory fun. She got very involved in the planting process.

 

 

The rainbow seeds are teeny tiny little seeds that are just amazing to see sprout.  The instructions said the seeds would sprout in ten days and this was very accurate. On the ninth day, which happened to be Easter morning, we saw our first little sprout. It was an exciting day in our house. 

Once you have sprouts you can decorate the grotto! Another highlight for Emma. 

 

We really enjoyed our Kid's Plant cube and still enjoying it as our rainbow plant is growing more everyday. I love DuneCraft and all of their fun products for so many reasons, but mostly for giving children the opportunity to explore and learn all the while having fun and looking forward to what is next. These are definitely going to become my new go to idea for unique kid's birthday gifts.

Now is your chance to learn with DuneCraft too! In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2012 we will be giving away a Pirate's Cove kid's plant cube and Super Snow Jar, which I tried last month and is awesome! 

To submit your entry all you have to do is like Green Owl Art on Facebook and leave a comment here to tell me you did so. On April 22nd at 7pm contest ends and a winner will be chosen using random.org.  Good luck!!

Head over to DuneCraft to shop all their fun products!

Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty - review and GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to my friends over at Crazy Aaron's Putty World we got to try out some thinking putty this week and it is fantastic! First designed to be a desk toy; the putty can be used as a stress ball, hand therapy, squeeze toy or just because it's so fun and addicting to play with. I can not put it down!

Thinking putty is non-toxic, but because little ones like to stick most everything in their little mouths it is safe for age three and up. Emma loves this stuff, really she does. It is our new favorite go to item. Thinking putty has become our in car toy. Great for long drives. It saved us last weekend during a long weekend of house hunting drives and car boredom.

 

We have been content playing with our putty right out of the tin and enjoyed the hyper color one we got. Emma was thrilled by the changing color. There are so many options and fun ways to use it including science experiments and tricks. Check them all out over at Crazy Aaron's Putty World. 

I will be buying one to keep in the car, hubby's office desk and a few for the house. I love this product so much that I want to share it with one of you! To enter our putty giveaway all you have to do is:

1. Like Green Owl Art on Facebook.

and

2. Leave a comment here so I can add you to the drawing!

*Contest closes Thursday April 12th at 7pm when a winner will be drawn using random.org.

eco-eggs egg coloring kit- product review

Today we spent the day with family coloring eggs for Easter and thanks to my friends over at eco-kids we got to do it in earth friendly style with their awesome eco-eggs coloring kit! I came across eco-kids when trying to find a way to color eggs this year in a more natural way that is safe for my children and the world around them. These dyes are made of natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts. How wonderful is that? So, let me tell you about our experience....

 The preparation was really simple. You add the dye powder packets to 1/2 a cup of warm water each and mix. There are instructions for both hard boiled eggs and hollowed out eggs. We did hard boiled today. Now for the fun!

The kit comes with three colors; orange, blue and purple. To achieve other colors there is a chart for mixing. I loved this part and so did the kids. Color mixing is always fun and a great learning tool.

 

Some of the colors take a bit longer than a chemical dye to really get a deep color, but it's a good opportunity to cut out these adorable egg legs that come with the package. 

Sweet Audrie showing off our cute little egg legs, the frog and duck. You can also print out some other fun egg accessories and watch their step by step video on eco-kids site.

I absolutely love the color of these eggs. They turned out so beautiful and organic looking. I think they would make a great centerpiece on Easter day. Eco-kids has wonderful products that are great alternatives to keeping chemicals out of the home, but still allowing children to explore and enjoy art everyday. To get your own eco-eggs and other great products, check out eco-kids!
Happy egg coloring!

Super Snow review

I have been meaning to try Super Snow by DuneCraft for awhile now and finally did the other day.
Wow! We have been missing out! Super Snow is a wonderful product that allows children to explore, pretend and have quite the sensory experience.

  All you do is add a tablespoon of Super Snow to 32oz. of water and stir. It instantly becomes thicker and thicker and has a really neat sparkle to it, like real snow. Emma had has much fun making it as she did playing with it.

 After pretending it was real snow with her polar bear figurines in tow she grabbed some kitchen tools and it became her batter as she was transformed to a chef.

We eventually added some liquid watercolors and did some color mixing. Her final color was purple and she was more than thrilled when I suggested she take a little to school for show and tell that day.

I love products that get kids using their imaginations and asking lots of questions. Super Snow seemed to have endless possibilities for Emma and it was so simple to make, plus non toxic. We will definitely be doing this again very soon. What a fun way to fill several afternoons (day four and it's still out and getting used.) If you are afraid of a little mess this may be an outside adventure for you. I just laid a big tablecloth down to catch the fallen snow.
Check out DuneCraft to get your own Super Snow!

Sculpey Eraser clay

I stumbled upon this very cool product a few weeks ago while in Micheal's and finally got to try it out with Emma and my sweet nieces, Olivia and Abby. Sculpey Eraser Clay, here is a link to their site with some fun ideas for eraser making http://www.sculpey.com/products/clays/sculpey-amazing-eraser-clay It was a great project for all three girls ages 2, 4 and 7. It comes with everything you need to sculpt your creations and afterwards you bake for 20 minutes and are all set to erase. Olivia thought they could erase a little better, but they get the job done.
I think this is definitely something we will do again. If you try it, let me know what you think.

Fun product, Metallic Gel Sticks

I wanted to share with you all a fun product we have just discovered, metallic gel sticks. The ones we found are made by Faber-Castell. They are creamy and glide on almost like a lipstick. I also found black canvas which I did not know existed, but it does and was perfect to use our new gel sticks on. The colors appear so vibrant against the black and anytime Emma gets to use a canvas for her creative doings she feels so grown up and sophisticated. It's very cute to see and the canvas makes for a great keepsake or gift.