ETA - WINNER INFO (comments now closed - thanks everyone!) >>>
Crafting with my niece and nephew is a great way for us to bond. The special moments and laughter during arts and crafts time with their "not-so-artsy-but-tries-to-be" auntie are memories I hold dear in my heart. My favorite thing to do is trace an outline of our hands, note the date, and watch how their hands grow each month. I can't wait to do this with smencils!!! I'm a huge fan of eco-friendly products and just became a fan of Stubby Pencil Studio. Arts & crafts time is going to be much more fun with these cool products.
Posted by: Julie
(ENJOY Julie!!!)
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I was recently introduced to the cutest little eco-friendly website for crafty kids (& mommas!) >>> Stubby Pencil Studio!
This family-run small business stocks a whole range of "green" art supplies, toys, books, and more. The owner, Kate, was sweet enough to send Evan and I a few products to "test" out. ;) And I'm so glad that she did, bc I've now discovered what I'll be gifting all of ev's friends with for upcoming birthdays!
My favorite from our artsy little box of goodies were the vibrant colored baby pencils. ((we all know that i'm a sucker for color!))
We've been working on writing letters and writing evan's name here at home - and these pencils were perfect for me to first draw the letters of his name, and then have him trace over them with various other colors. And when that was done we drew some of evan's current favorite coloring subject matter -- "Spaceships & Bugs"!
Evan's favorite was the super-cute little package of crayon rocks. Perfect for him to hold, and totally fun bc he kept telling me that "it's a rock, momma!". ;) Plus they're made from non-toxic soy wax. BONUS!
We also spent some time painting during our artsy-crafty afternoon using these preschool watercolors along with our little table-top easel. I love that the brush that came with this set is more of a REAL paint brush than the flimsy ones that kids inevitably get accustomed to.
And finally we broke out these beeswax crayons to draw some more "spaceships" with ;) - i was SO impressed by how incredibly colorful and smooth these crayons were to color with.
Kate was kind enough to not leave baby Noah out of the mix - and sent him the cutest little wooden clicking fish toy (made by plan toys). We LOVE wooden toys in our house. Noah loved it too - as proven by the fact that it went straight into his mouth. ;)
and now to the give-a-way part... woohoo! :)
Kate put together this AMAZING give-a-way for one of my blog readers... an eco-friendly Easter Basket...
Filled with: Felt Flower Garden Basket: 6x9 Ecojot Sketchbook, E-color-gy Washable markers, Set of 10 Smencils, Soy Crayons, Mary's Softdough Rainbow Tub, Softdough Tool set, Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops, Color 'n Kids Garden Pals cards, Double Pencil Sharpener. Spring Top Pencil, Color Blackboard chalk, and more… (Approx value $100).
....JUST LEAVE ME A COMMENT and tell me either what your favorite crafty activity is to do with your kids OR what your favorite product is from Stubby Pencil Studio - and you'll be entered to win.
You can grab extra chances at winning by following Stubby Pencil Studio on Twitter HERE - or by tweeting yourself about this give-a-way - or by "liking" Stubby Pencil Studio on facebook HERE. Just leave me a comment for each ;)
I'll leave the give-a-way open until Friday night - good luck & happy crafting with your kiddos! :)
We love to make handmade cards for Grammy and Grampy! They REALLY love receiving them!
Posted by: MCC | March 15, 2011 at 04:39 PM
I follow Stubby Pencil Studio on twitter! @huddyma
Posted by: MCC | March 15, 2011 at 04:40 PM
My daughter loves painting. I don't blame her, what's more fun than getting messy when you are 2. :)
Posted by: Colleen S | March 15, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Love these great products. My favorite craft is to set up the easel on the deck on a pretty day and paint what we see. SOmetimes it's cloud, others days it's the cardinals in the trees and with my daughter, there's almost always a PINK flower in there somewhere. Great giveaway!
Posted by: Leslie Murphy | March 15, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Now those are all awesome!! I love that they are natural and fun! In our household we really love painting, but all things craft are high on our things to do list each day! Thanks for the chance to win - we would definitely put all of the basket to good use!
Posted by: Erin | March 15, 2011 at 05:04 PM
The grandparents gave my DD a subscription to Highlights High Five Magazine, and we really enjoy doing so many of the crafty things in there. Usually involving scissors, glue, and coloring. Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: JenRay | March 15, 2011 at 05:07 PM
Oh those crayon rocks look like a MUST HAVE for my 2 little guys! What a fabulous giveaway!
Posted by: Lexi | March 15, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Oh man, I'm drooling over those bright colored baby pencils, too! I have photo envy with all the vibrant ones you post. Hooray for color!
We love all things arts and crafts at our house. Big brother writes stories in his journal, middle brother draws the pictures, and little bro drools and grunts in approval. :) It's a good ol' time. We also love us some homemade Kool-Aid playdough and recycled crayons (I did a tutorial a while back on these ones here: http://miskamiller.blogspot.com/2010/05/around-house-kiddo-crafts.html So fun and so easy).
So excited about Stubby Pencil Studio--thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Mis | March 15, 2011 at 05:25 PM
how cool are those!?
My girls and I like to color together. Love that because it is still one of my favorite things to do!
Posted by: shelby | March 15, 2011 at 05:25 PM
Now following Stubby Pencil Studio on Twitter. :)
Posted by: Mis | March 15, 2011 at 05:27 PM
Just tweeted about this little gem of a giveaway. @miskamiller
Posted by: Mis | March 15, 2011 at 05:33 PM
We love sketching together...especially my daughter and I!
Posted by: Amy | March 15, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Liked on facebook, too!
Posted by: Amy | March 15, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Wow, how fun for the grands! Back in the day we made play dough and the kids loved it! Especially liked making up their own colors!
Posted by: Ruth Askea | March 15, 2011 at 05:36 PM
What a great giveaway!! My kids love to draw...robots, spaceships, landscapes. Our favorite though were special "craft" days with my mother-in-law. She would collect toilet paper rolls and the kids would make ghosts and witches for Halloween, bunnies for Easter and leprechauns for St. Patrick's Day. She had tons of little things to decorate with...paint, clay, felt, lace, pom-pom balls, eyes, pipe cleaners, hats, etc. We had so much fun!!
Posted by: Jen | March 15, 2011 at 05:41 PM
i definitely love painting with my kids! it's fun to see how they each approach painting (and color) so differently! thanks for this giveaway...it looks amazing!
Posted by: Kimber-Leigh | March 15, 2011 at 05:41 PM
i am following stubby pencil studio on twitter!
Posted by: Kimber-Leigh | March 15, 2011 at 05:42 PM
I love all the craft products! Its so hard to pick! I also love the beeswax products (they remind me of my grandfather who was a bee keeper). Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Lisa Henderson | March 15, 2011 at 06:00 PM
My daughter is only 13 months, so no craftiness going on here yet but the crayon rocks look so fun!
Posted by: Alison Patalon | March 15, 2011 at 06:18 PM
I liked them on Facebook!
Posted by: Alison Patalon | March 15, 2011 at 06:19 PM
I'm following them on Twitter!
Posted by: Alison Patalon | March 15, 2011 at 06:20 PM
Ooo! We love wooden toys too. We have a ton of Melissa & Doug because they sell them at our local Toys R Us. I can't wait 'til little E is old enough to start crafting with me. I hope he's a painter!
Posted by: Laura - The Stampin' Soldier | March 15, 2011 at 06:30 PM
I like Stubby Pencil Studio on Facebook. Thanks for the happy discovery!
Posted by: Kellie | March 15, 2011 at 06:31 PM
oh my goodness! we have a soft spot for art supplies in general so this is right up our alley! our 'go to' art activity is painting...i buy small canvases in bulk and my little one has an 'art gallery' wall in her room :) thanks for the chance to win such an awesome prize!
Posted by: kinsey | March 15, 2011 at 06:31 PM
My 2 kids and I love to craft together. Whether it is play doh or paint or letting them use my punches on scrapbook paper scraps--we love it all!
Posted by: rebecca keppel | March 15, 2011 at 06:32 PM