4th Crafts and the last GIVEAWAY of the week

This fun week has just flown by!  I want to thank everyone for stopping by!  If you haven't entered to win there are still 4 giveaways to participate in! 

Today, I wanted to share some craft ideas with you!  C and I did some 4th of July inpired paintings and we wanted to share!

Painting with cookie cutters.  This was fun and easy!  The cookie cutters acted as stamps and made this beautiful collage.

Fork Painting.  C wasn't much into this, but I think with more spreading of the fork it can look like fireworks bursting in the sky.  What do you think?

Fireworks Finale Painting!  We used a sponge and lots of different colors.  Doesn't look like a fireworks show finale?!

I am very excited for the 4th to get here...these painting will be a fun festive way to decorate my fridge!

Do you take lots of pictures on the 4th of July?  Do you digital scrapbook?

Then, the giveaway I have today is for you!

Aren't these digi scrap papers adorable!  Think of all the layout possiblities!  Don't digit scrap?  Print them out and use them for various projects!

This 12 pack of 12x12 paper was created by JCG Designs on Etsy.  Janeen is the creator of JCG Designs.  She also has a shop full of adorable birth announcements!

Want to WIN your own 12 pack of digi papers?

MANDATORY: Go to JCG Designs.  Tell you favorite paper collection or suggest a new color scheme.

For extra entires:

-Follow Me & Marie Learning's blog

-Grab a button or list me in your blog links on your blog

-Fan Me & Marie Learning on Facebook

Giveaway ends June 29th @ 11:59 CST

One lucky winner will be chosen at random.  Winner will recieve digi paper pack through e-mail.

HAVE YOU ENTERED TO WIN...

Bow and Headband Set- Ends tonight

Star and Stripes Preschool Learning Pack

Sparkler Holders

Planning a Patriotic Preschoolers Playgroup (with GIVEAWAY)

I love to plan little playgroup parties for my daughter and her little friends.  They get some great social playtime and I and the other mommies get great social time as well!  I have planned several playgroups...Lil Punkin Playgroup for fall, Toddling Turkey Playgroup, where we made cute little turkey feather hats and the Naughty or Nice Holiday themed playgroup where we did a little book exchange.  Well, now I'm hosting a Patriotic Preschoolers Playgroup.  I thought I would share my plans before the playgroup occured in case any of the mommies reading wanted to plan thier own!

The playgroup itself is quite easy but FUN!  I always plan 2 crafts, a snack, sensory play and plenty of time for free play!  I usually think of something fun to give the kiddos to take home.  Sometimes, we as a group of moms bring different things to fill goodie bags.

For the Patriotic Preschoolers Playgroup here is plan... (please feel free to use some or all of these plans if you are planning a July 4th themed playgroup)

Snack: Patriotic Pudding.  I plan on making a large batch of vanilla pudding.  Each kiddo will get to choose to make red or blue.  I will add thier choice of food coloring while they get to stirring!  I will also have red, white and blue sprinkles on hand to make this pudding sparkle!

Crafts:

-Star Sun Catcher
Materials: clear contact paper, the star template, red, white and blue tissue paper
Using the star template (printed on cardstock) I will cut around the outside and the inside of the star.  I will add contact paper to the inside of the star.  I plan on doing all of this ahead of time.  When the kids are ready to craft, they will tear red, white and blue tissue paper with thier fingers (fine motor) and stick it to the contact paper.  I will encourage them to fill all the sticky side up with tissue paper.  When they are done it can be taped in a window as a festive 4th of July sun catcher.

-Star Studded Leis, from Family Fun
 I featured this craft idea during Red, White and Blue week on Tuesday.  If you missed it, here is the link to making the leis.  All you need is straws, some kind of string to use as the base of lei and craft foam sheets (but I might just use construction paper or card stock). 

Sensory Table
I am the kind of mom that allows her sensory table inside during the winter filled with beans, colored pasta and many other things (I will say rice does draw the line!).  If you are not comfortable with it, no worries... you don't want to be worrying about the mess all through the
playgroup and not enjoying your time with friends.  But, if it sounds like fun then first what you need is a sensory table or sand and water table.  If you don't have one you can easily use a large shallow plastic tub.  Or, create several sensory stations by putting the materials in cake pans.
 
For the Patriotic Preschoolers, some of the ideas I had 
- color pasta red and blue (use rubbing alchol + food coloring and submerge pasta)
- use plastic stars (like buttons from the craft store)
- confetti or pieces of red, white or blue curling ribbon
- tissue paper squares (left over from the craft)

For this playgroup I found adorable little red and blue necklaces in the dollar bin at Target.  The kiddos will be going home with these and also a set of their own sparklers (but these sparklers will not be the kind that can burn them!)  We will have dipped large pretzel rods into white chocolate (melted white chocolate chips) and added 4th of July sprinkles.  To store and give out these yummy 'sparklers' I will use these ADORABLE Sparkler Holders from Print your Party.

Print Your Party is owned and operated by a pair of sister in laws and they create the cutest party supplies that you can print right from your computer!  They have designs for weddings, birthdays, baby showers and so much more!  Need printable invites?  They have them and will customize!  Their graphics and designs are amazing!  These products will defiantly get noticed at your party as being sleek and adorable!

I got the chance to try out their Sparkler Holders for my party.  They are SO easy to create.  First, I downloaded the Sparkler Holders, very simple. Then, I printed (on cardstock), cut out the holders and add slits (a craft knife is needed). Done! You can print as many as you need.  There are three designs included.  Note: these Sparkler Holders were created for real sparklers, but for the age of the children at the playgroup we will be doing edible sparklers :)

Will these not be the cutest way to give out a fun party favor at your 4th of July bash?  It's all in presentation!

Want to WIN your own Sparkler Holders printable from Print Your Party?

You have 5 chances to win!

MANDATORY: Visit http://www.printyourparty.com/ and look around.  Come back and suggest a new printable to be added to thier site.

Extra Entries:

-Become a Fan of Print Your Party on Facebook

-Follow Print Your Party's blog

-Follow Me & Marie Learning's blog

-Grab a Me & Marie Learning button (or have me in your blog list)

::: Please leave a seperate comment for each entry :::

Giveaway will end June 28th @ 11:59 CST

One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

Have to entered to win...

4th of July wand -  Ends TODAY!

Bow and headband set

Stars & Stripes Learning Pack

 

Stars & Stripes Learning Pack GIVEAWAY!

The 4th of July themed Learning Pack, Stars and Stripes is officially available!  This themed pack contains 3 pages of lesson plans and activities from the cognitive, motor and language areas of development.

Use the fun of the 4th combined with our learning pack to make learning memories that will last.

Check out all the great activities this pack has to offer:

-3 pages lesson plans (material list included)

-Star Sort - a sort by color and size
-Gameboard - open ended for different activities
-Patriotic Shadows file folder game
-Fine Motor Flag -Art ideas
-Vocab

-Puff Ball Pinch

-Movement song

-Book: I see Red, White and Blue

 -Kaboom! Uppercase letters to lowercase match
-ABC order flag
Artwork: www.digiwebstudio.com

Want to WIN one of your own?  You have 5 chances to win!

MANDATORY: Visit http://www.meandmarielearning.com/ and look around.  Come back and tell me a product you would like to see created for the store.

Additional Entires:

- Follow Me and Marie Learning's Blog

-Grab a button!  Leave me a link to your blog where the button is displayed

-Become a Fan of Me & Marie Learning on Facebook

-Tweet about this giveaway and link to http://www.meandmarielearning.blogspot.com/. Leave me a link to your tweet.

**Please leave a seperate comment for each- this increases your odds of winning!**

Please Note: The winner of this giveaway will be asked to go to http://www.meandmarielearning.com/ and create an account.  A coupon code will be provided at checkout to make the product free.  If you do not wish to do this, please do not enter the giveaway.

Giveaway ends: July 26th @ 11:45pm CST.

One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

Have you entered to win::

Rest Mat Cover Tutorial (ends tonight)

4th of July Wand

Bow and headband set

All Dolled Up GIVEAWAY -- Red, White & Blue Week

The 4th of July is such a fun time to show off your patriotic spirit.  I love getting my C all spiffed up in the red, white and blue!

Check out the ideas below for some fun Patriotic wear!

(and for a giveaway!!!)

*Striped Stars T-Shirt by Disney Family Fun - This shirt is made by stamping paint with corrugated cardboard.  I loved how preschoolers could easily partake in this project.

*Star Studded Leis by Disney Family Fun - these look both fun and EASY!

*Patriotic Water Bracelets by FamilyCorner.com - We haven't tried these, but just might- how fun!

* For an easier bracelet idea: use red, white and blue pony beads and thread onto a pipe cleaner.  This would be great time to work on patterning!

* Make your toes red, white and blue (another great patterning activity)!

* Create a fun 4th of July Hairbow.  I created the one on C  below using a tutorial from The Ribbon Retreat.  They are easy and fun to make!

Don't want to make your own bow?  How about WINNING one?

All Dolled Up (another project of mine) is giving away a bow and headband set to one lucky reader!

I am the owner of All Dolled Up, Accessories for Little Ladies.  I have been creating bows for 2 years now and selling them at craft shows with my mom.  It is a fun little project and I recently started posting them on Facebook for others to buy. If you are interested in any of the bows or other items on the All Dolled Up Facebook page please e-mail: meandmarie18@gmail.com.

Now, on to the GIVEAWAY!

Prize: A 4th of July bow and red crochet headband (pictured above)

MANDATORY: Visit All Dolled Up's Facebook page. Click on the photos tab. Choose your favorite product.  Come back and tell me about it!

Extra Entries:

-Become a Fan of All Dolled Up on Facebook

- Follow Me & Marie Learning's blog

- Grab a Me & Marie Learning blog button

Giveaway will end on July 25th at 11:59 PM CST

One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

Have you entered to win a Kindermat Cover Tutorial from Baby Kay's Boutique?

Don't forget to enter to win a 4th of July wand from Sweet Bowcrations!

Red, White & Blue week- a GIVEAWAY everyday!

Welcome to Red, White and Blue Week at Me and Marie Learning!

All this week we will be gearing up for the fun and festivities of the 4th of July.  We will have a patriotic themed giveaway EVERYDAY!

To start this week off with a BANG... I have a little something for your little one!

                                        

This ADORABLE 4th of July wand is from Sweet Bowcrations on Etsy.  Abby, the owner of Sweet Bowcrations is a work-at-home mom with 3 kiddos.  Her Etsy shop has tons of girly bows and cute clothing for little ladies.  She also has another shop on Etsy, Sweet Bowcrations Baby specializing in baby items and clothing up to 2T.

When the 4th of July wand arrived at our house (very promptly I might add) my little C was so excited!  I knew she would love it, but I underestimated how much she would love it!  We used the new wand for many things...dancing along to music, practicing positional words (above, down low, around, up and down, etc.) and turning our dog Sammy into a frog!?!  That will teach Sammy to eat C's snack right out of her hand!

I love the quality of this product.  The wand stick it self is thick (there is no chance my little one is going to break it) and it is wrapped with adorable paper.  The ribbons are securely attached and they are real ribbon (as opposed to curling ribbon).  Also, the ribbon is not too long (which is great because I do not have to worry about a choking hazard).

I think this wand will be a great alternative to sparklers when the 4th of July rolls around.  While the big kids in our neighborhood are doing sparklers, my little 2 year old can wave her beautiful wand around!

Want to WIN a 4th of July Wand for your little one?

MANDATORY:  Go to Sweet Bowcrations and look around.  Come back here and comment on your favorite item in the store.

For ADDITIONAL entries:

- Follow Me & Marie Learning's Blog (on the right sidebar)

- Join Sweet Bowcrations Facebook page

- Blog about this giveaway and Red, White and Blue Week here at Me & Marie Learning (please leave a link to the post).

Giveaway will end June 24th at 11:59PM CST. One lucky winner will be drawn at random.

Have you entered to win a Kindermat Cover Tutorial from Baby Kay's Boutique?

Tot School- 28 months

Summer has certainly arrived here in the midwest! We are trying to stay cool!
Here is a couple of happenings from our week...

Sidewalk Chalk ABC's- C loves to sing her alphabet and can get all the way through without any mistakes.  So, I wrote the alphabet A-Z in sidewalk chalk and let her drive her car and musical toy down the ABC rode as we sang.  Sorry I don't have a pic (the rain washed away our alphabet last night!)

Pool Time - Fun with cousins in the pool.  C did a great job with floaties on!

Pottery Painting- We went to paint pottery for Daddy for Father's Day.  C really enjoyed this.  I can't wait until we go pick it up and see the finished product!

Pattern Block Play: Over at my mom's house we played with an old Discovery Toys pattern block set.  C names all the shapes (except the rhombus) and even worked on a couple of the cards that were with the set.  She matched up the shapes with it's designated colors.  It was neat to see how on her own she was matching up the shapes using 2 attributes (the shape and the color).

Tow Truck Puzzle:  C played with her tow truck puzzle again this week.  You might have seen this on the post, C's Favorite Things.  It is def. a favorite!

Star Sorting: I got a package of 4th of July star buttons (Hobby Lobby) and let C sort them in a muffin tin. We sorted by color and then I helped her sort by size.

Have you entered to WIN a Kindermat Cover Tutorial?

Have you joined the Crayon Pals group?  A penpal group for little ones.

For more info on Tot School please visit: http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/

Rest Mat Cover Tutorial- GIVEAWAY

This giveaway has ended.  The winner is Outnumbered Mama!

Kindermat Cover Tutorial - Baby Kay's Boutique

My little C will be heading to preschool next year.  While I will be teaching pre-k, she will be in a 2 year old class.  I am SO excited for her to get go and have her own teacher and classmates!  I am getting geared up for next year and found this wonderful tutorial on making a Kindermat cover, with a pillow. Kindermat is a type of rest mat that kiddos lay on when taking a nap.  Many preschools, daycares, Mother's Day Out's and even some kindergarten classrooms use them.  This is the red and blue mat you find everywhere around back to school time.

The creator of this tutorial is Teresa from Baby Kay's Boutique on Etsy.  She is a stay at home mom with two little girls of her own.  Baby Kay's Boutique has patterns and tutorials for buy 1 get 1 half off- all the time!  She has adorable patterns for kids clothing and a no-sew tutu e-book (right up my alley).

The tutorial came through e-mail in a PDF file.  The document itself was 10 pages long and in color.  I printed the tutorial and gathered my materials from the very helpful material list included.  All I needed was fabric, velcro and a sewing machine! 

Following the tutorial was really easy.  Pictures are included, which I loved because I am a visual learner.  Also, the text is large, which is was quite helpful while following along during the project.  My mom helped me with this project.  I can sew...somewhat, but I am still learning!  She (being a woman who has sewn for quite sometime) found the tutorial really well written.  I, as one with limited amount of experience, found the tutorial very clear and easy to follow.  We never had any questions as to what the instructions were saying (a big plus for someone new to sewing).  After about an hour my little C had an adorable and cozy Kindermat Cover ready for preschool. 

 The mat fit just right inside the cover.  The travel pillow fits great as well.  I liked that the pattern had a pillow attached, seeing as C loves her pillow.  The travel pillow is a nice size and easy to find, I got mine from Wal-Mart. Once the cover is on the Kindermat still folds up great and the pillow just lays on top. Now we are all set!

She adores it and wants to take all her naps on it!

Would you like to WIN your own Kindermat Cover Tutorial from Baby Kay's Boutique?

Now is your chance! You have 4 chances to win.

MANDATORY: Visit Baby Kay's Boutique. Come back and leave a comment suggesting a new pattern or tutorial idea for Baby Kay's Boutique Etsy store.

For EXTRA entries:

- Leave a comment telling which tutorial you like best from Baby Kay's Boutique.

- Follow Me & Marie Learning's blog

- Grab a Me & Marie Learning button

** Please leave a seperate comment for each entry **

This giveaway will end Wed. June 23rd at 11:59 pm CST.

One lucky winner will be drawn at random.  The winner will recieve the free tutorial through e-mail by Teresa of Baby Kay's Boutique.

Red, White & Blue week is coming!

Red, White and Blue Week is coming to Me & Marie!  All week long (June 21-25) you will find:

• GIVEAWAYS!  5 giveaways, including the Stars and Stripes Learning Pack (not yet released).
• Fun activity ideas for preschoolers
• Tips on hosting a Patriotic Preschoolers Playgroup
• McLinky for everyone to add thier own ideas

Don't forget to stop by- there will be a giveaway everyday!

Grab a button and come have some fun!

Also, don't forget about the Summer StockUp Saturdays Sale today: 50% off pretend play props!

Me & Marie Learning Sale- Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the kick off of the Summer Stock Up Sale at Me & Marie Learning- Printables for Preschoolers. 

Saturday June19th Sale

50% off Pretend Play Props

Come on over and check it out!

Crayon Pals

My little C loves to draw, do sticker art and 'write'.  She mainly does this just for fun and gives them to family members and hangs them on the fridge.  But, I got to thinking one day...to make her art and writing more purposeful, why not send it to a friend?  Then, a friend could send her a picture in the mail (much like Pen Pals), she LOVES to get mail! 

So, instead of 'The Sticker Club' where you have to buy stickers and send them to a designated person and then send a letter to even more friends... the Crayon Pals would be a much easier and enjoyable exchange!

Here were my thoughts on how this might work (all suggestions appreciated)...

- Each participant would be assigned a Crayon Pal.  They will be sent thier Crayon Pals address by the organizer (myself) through e-mail.

-A picture created by your child would be sent to thier pal.  It might be helpful to send a picture of your child with the picture your child created to give a visual reference of the sender, but this would not be mandatory.  Even though the group is called Crayon Pals, pictures will all types of art supplies are encouraged!

-Participants of Crayon Pals would be pre-writers (kindergarten and below).

-Have multiple children kindergarten age and under?  Each child will get there own Crayon Pal.  I will try to match up families with multiple children when possible.  This will make shipping easier.

Does this sound like a fun idea for your child?
Please let me know in the comments below if you are interested in participating.  Please leave your e-mail address (or e-mail it to me at meandmarie18@gmail.com), how many children and thier age(s). 

I will then send an e-mail to each person that is interested with more details!