“Draw Your Own Sun” art contest: 8th Continental Soy Milk (Review & Giveaway)

I am not usually a Soy milk drinker, but I had the opportunity recently to try out the new 8th Continent Soy Milk. I have to say that this Soy Milk is much better tasting than other brands I have tried. It must be because the 8th Continent Soymilk is made from United States grown soybeans. It really makes the difference in quality of products when they are made with better ingredients. My daughter really likes the Soy milk, and prefers it over our other brand milk. Maybe I will make a switch to Soy, especially if it seems to be better for her digestive track and immunity system.
About 8th Continent Soymilk
·8th Continent soymilk is made from U.S.-grown soybeans, and is an excellent source of calcium.
·It is the only American Heart Association-certified soymilk with less than 3 grams of fat.
·8th Continent soymilk is available in four different varieties: complete, regular, light, and fat free.
·All 8th Continent soymilks are lactose free, vegan, and Kosher U certified.

8th Continent sent me an art kit to help promote the new art contest going on.

From now until June 12, 2010, kids ages 5 and up can design a sun to possibly be the art displayed on the 8th Continent soy milk carton. Each day kids can enter to win, either online with an interactive drawing tool, or send in their drawings via snail mail. Here are the rules:
“Draw Your Own Sun” Art Contest
·Children five years and older can submit their own sun-inspired artwork at 8thContinent.com

·Entries can also be created online through an interactive drawing tool at 8thContinent.com
·Contest participants can submit one artwork entry per day through 11:59 pm EST on June 12, 2010
·All design submissions will be featured on 8thContinent.com in an online gallery where the public can vote for their favorite work of art.
·The number of public votes in the online gallery will determine 50 contest winners and a panel of judges selected by Stremicks Heritage Food will determine an additional 50 winners
·The 100 winners will each be recognized with $1,000 in art supplies for their school art programs – for a grand total of $100,000!
·Winning designs may also be featured on 8th Continent soymilk cartons beginning this fall!

***ENTER TO WIN***

8th Continent has offered to sponsor a giveaway for an "art kit" to a Sassyfrazz reader. Included in this kit is a pad of drawing paper, crayons, colored pencils, bowls, cereal, coupons and a coupon for a free carton of 8th Continent Soy milk. With this kit you can draw your own inspired sun shine to enter into the contest! This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest ends on June 2, 2010. To enter, tell me what your favorite breakfast item is. Also, what kind of dairy/non- dairy product does your family drink?

**For more extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about what you have for breakfast! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

I was contacted directly from 8th Continent Soy Milk to review and share information about their products. I received the “Art Kit” for review to facilitate this review. 8th Continent will be giving away the same kit to the winner on this post for a prize.

KidsCraft Playhouses : Review & Giveaway!!

When my kids can use their imagination with play, and step into creativity...I am all for it! I was recently sent a really fun Playhouse for my kids to explore, decorate, color/marker, and make their own. (I helped a little) KidsCraft Playhouses: made from 100% recycled materials, are cardboard playhouses that fit 2-3 kids. I was sent the Shuttle Imagination to review, and my kids were thrilled! The Shuttle came in one large box, and the set up only took a little while. I like how the cardboard is sturdy...because my kids are busy, and they need something that will hold up to their test.
Here is a picture of my little guy, Cole age 1, entering the spaceship. Cole was so excited about going inside to be with his sister. He loved just going in and out.
As you can see, my daughter loved the Shuttle Imagination, too! She was so excited and could barely wait for me to put it together. She loved looking through the holes, which were designed like space shapes: circles, stars, flying rocks, etc.
Easily the Shuttle Imagination holds 2-3 kids comfortably. I love that the KidsCraft Playhouses are built for more than one child, because kids love to play together.
Peek-a-boo Madelyn! She loved looking out at her brothers. Isn't she cute?
Here is Caleb looking out, he loved this new playhouse, too. Here is his design around his face that he decorated. I think that the KidsCraft Playhouse is a great place for kids to let out their creativity and draw all over something (that is OK) and they can make it their own. I also love that this playhouse is already ready for kids to play in, you just need to assemble it for them. I have made many play houses out of card board boxes, and it is tough getting scissors through the card board, and it doesn't always look that great. However, the KidsCraft Playhouses are designed with saving the parent's time in mind (in my opinion).
The kids all had a great time coloring, thinking, drawing, and picking just the right colors for their Shuttle. It was fun to see them so hard at work.
I love Caleb's person on the side of the Shuttle. :) It is just precious to me...
I highly recommend the KidsCraft Shuttle Imagination to you. I was thrilled with this product, and my kids absolutely love it. This makes for a great indoor project when it is raining or snowing out...and my kids have so much fun in it all the time. (especially when I am making dinner).

*KidsCraft offers two designs: Shuttle Imagination ($69.95) and Creation Cottage ($59.95).
The Shuttle Imagination measures 39”L x 34”W x 72”H. Fin attachments are 12” long.

About the creators:
Two dads and a grandfather from Atlanta got a first hand look at how the cardboard box captures a child’s way of thinking. While packing up their financial services business, moving from one office to another, their kids tagged along. Although the fathers brought along playthings like coloring books and crayons for the 3 to 7 year olds, it was the empty boxes that captivated the youngsters. The dads saw the sparks of a business and KidsCraft Playhouses was born.


***WIN IT!!***
KidsCraft Playhouses is generously sponsoring to give a playhouse away (winner's choice of style: Creation Cottage or Shuttle Imagination)!! This contest is open to those in the United States (bloggers or non-bloggers). To enter, you need to go to the KidsCraft website and find out one interesting thing about the company. Contest will end on April 27th at midnight.
**For extra chances you can: become a fan of KidsCraft on Facebook, follow KidsCraft on Twitter, blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment KidsCraft company and the use of their playhouses. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This post was written for KidsCraft.com, who supplied a playhouse for me to review. I was also offered a chance for my readers to enter a giveaway with the sponsorship from KidsCraft. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Art House Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals (review and 2 for giveaway)

My kids love art, drawing, and being creative. Being a home schooling family, I love coming across products, videos, and other things that will bring my kids into the "educational realm" and encourage them to grow.
I was sent the DVD: Art House volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals to review and I thought this DVD was super!
The DVD is hosted by Teacher Emily and her Art House gang. Emily teaches how easy it is to draw fish, monkeys, birds, dogs, and more. The animation of the animals is great, and the music and colors used in this DVD is wonderful! My kids loved watching the animals, and then watching Emily draw them. My kids were fascinated with the DVD. The animation is by Brad Abelson (The Simpsons), and the music is from the award-winning composer Peter Scaturro.
There will be future titles in the series that will be released in 2010 (vol. 2: Start your Engines, vol. 3: On the Farm, and vol. 4: Under the Sea).
This DVD comes complete with printable coloring book pages, which are great to give kids to encourage them to be artistic.
Recommended for ages 3 and up, Art House Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals is available at InTheArtHouse.com and www.amazon.com.
Endorsed by KIDS FIRST!, the initial title in the series Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals is available now for a suggested retail price of $17.99.

Win : Art House Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals (2 winners)
You have the opportunity to enter to win Art House Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals! I have 2 extra copies to giveaway. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until December 7th, 2009.
To enter, leave a comment about something you like to do with your kids for art.**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was sponsored by In The Art House. They have supplied me with a DVD to sample for review and information to share with my readers. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review. I am sponsored by the company to offer a giveaway for my readers, as well.

Art For Baby (book review & 3 giveaways)

I had the opportunity to review a new book called Art for Baby, which is a board book compiled of twelve black and white images. These images were created by leading modern artists: Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Julian Opie and 8 others. The images in this artistic book are large, simple, and my baby Cole loves it. Cole loves touching the pages, and his eyes light up with the visuals.

There are pictures of shapes, designs, faces, animals, fruits, vegetables and scenery. This book is designed to "help babies recognize and connect with the world around them."

From the book:
Research by leading child development experts suggests that focusing on high-contrast images is the first step to picture recognition in newborn babies. This skill is essential to the development of your baby's understanding of images and words. As they delight in looking at the pictures and concentrating on the vivid shapes, even the most restless children can be engrossed and calmed by the black-and-white images.

Included in this contemporary art book for babies is a set of two friezes. Each frieze consists of pictures used in the book. On the back of the frieze is a blurb about the artist. I like that the information explains a little about the meaning behind the artwork. I thought these were fun to read, and fun to talk to my kids about.
This book came out in September ~ Published by Templar Books, an imprint of Candlewick Press. SRP $19.99.

You can enter to win a copy of this book for your baby! I have three copies of this book to giveaway to my readers!
This giveaway is open to residents of the USA (bloggers/non-bloggers), and will end on November 12th, 2009. TO ENTER: Leave a comment about a fun activity you and your baby enjoys...and if you aren't a parent of a young child...leave a comment about something you used to enjoy.
You can come back once each day throughout the contest and enter again by just leaving a friendly comment relevant to the contest, but you MUST do the first entry. **For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was sponsored by Candlewick Press. They have supplied me with a free book to keep for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review. They have offered to sponsor a giveaway for a prize for my readers.

Let your kids show their "creative side" with TeeJuice!

My kids LOVE doing art projects, and I love exposing them to new ways to show their creativity. I was happy to review for Jacquard Products again, and try out the TeeJuice Fabric Markers. I know markers on clothes is usually a bad idea, especially when Mom doesn't know about it until later. However, the TeeJuice Markers are kid friendly, mom approved (me) and made to use on clothing. I think it is a good way to show that your kids can do this activity on their clothing, as long as it is done with Mom's approval. As you can see, Caleb was totally getting into his drawing. He loves doing projects like these, and he wears his design with pride. He loves telling people that he made his shirt all by himself.
I think he did a pretty good job! I like that there are three different options for the size of markers you wish to use with the TeeJuice markers: Broad Tip (big tip, like a bingo dotter), Fineliner (similar to the width of a pen), and Medium Point. Caleb liked using all three, and he was able to use them with plenty of ease.
You can use TeeJuice markers on any fabric (cotton, jean, leather, etc.) and then you can “lock in” the color by ironing it. After you do those steps, your finished product will hold~ and you can safely wash it and the color will stay! Here is a pair of jeans that my oldest son, Nathaniel, decked out:
He drew on the back pockets, too. He had a blast putting his personal touch on his jeans.
All three sizes of the non-toxic TeeJuice Fabric Markers are available in eight vivid colors: Golden Yellow, Red, Blue, Black, Chocolate Brown, Orange, Purple and Emerald Green. The pens are available individually or in box sets. Individual Medium Point and Fineliner Pens, MSRP $2.99; Individual Broad Tip Marker, MSRP $3.99. Box Set of Medium Point or Fineliner Pens has 5 colors and Box Set of Broad Tip Markers has 4 colors, MSRP $14.99.
Being a home school mom, I have thought of seeing if my kids would like to enter one of their designs in the TeeJuice weekly or quarterly contests held at http://www.teejuice.com/. Each week, a design is chosen from each of the four themes: Fun & Games, The Edge, Beauty & Beast and Holiday/Seasonal. Entrants are separated into two age brackets, 12 & under and 13 & up. Quarterly awards are given based on overall creativity and artistic value. Prizes range from gift baskets to cash prizes. I think that it would be a fun way for them to really put their time and care into their project.
To learn more about the contests or TeeJuice Markers, click here. Jacquard Products have so many great products and activities to do!
This review was sponsored from TeeJuice and Jacquard Products. They have supplied me with product to review and keep for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Ready, Go Play-Doh contest!

I love art, and I love doing art with kids! Play doh is a great art for younger children to participate in, and our household digs play doh!

Thanks to Mom Central , I have found out that Play-Doh wants to embrace the idea of creating food. Play-Doh has created a “Ready, Go Play-Doh” contest where our kids can come up with their own Play-Doh “food” creations for a chance to win a makeover of both their playroom and their school’s playroom. You can visit www.ReadyGoPlayDoh.com to enter by uploading a photo of your child’s food-inspired Play-Doh creation along with the “recipe” to make it.
The grand prize winner of the “Ready, Go Play-Doh” contest will win $10,000: $5,000 for a playroom makeover as well as a $5,000 “Doh-nation” to their child’s school. Contest entries will be accepted through September 30, 2009. On October 15, 2009, the ten finalists will be posted on ReadyGoPlayDoh.com and the public will vote on who receives the $10,000 prize! The website will also feature a gallery of entries, so even if you don’t win, everyone can see your child’s creation. So, grab those containers of Play doh, and see what your child will imagine up to eat.

The *NEW* Trix Swirls & Creative Kid gift basket (plus 2 giveaways)

I have never tasted a cereal that tasted so fruity before I tasted the new Trix Swirls cereal! The cereal was so colorful~ like tie dye. The taste was sweet and it included the great Twix flavors of lemony green, berry berry blue, and rasporangey orange! MyBlogSpark sent me the Creative Kid basket to review which included: one box of the new Twix Swirls cereal, a tie dye apron, watercolor paints, brushes, supply box, sketch paper and watercolor pencils.

Caleb was super excited to wear the apron, and it matched his new shirt that he just made, so that was very cool! The kids both loved the cereal, too.
My kids love to do art projects. They fully enjoyed painting and talking about the colors. We talked about how the colors look when they mix~ just like the Trix Swirls cereal.
It was such fun watching the kids create their masterpieces. They do the art activities almost daily, and the watercolor painting is top on their list now. We really had a great time reviewing the Trix Swirls cereal, and having fun with the Creative Kid gift basket!
Thank you MyBlogSpark for the Creative Kid Basket and Trix Swirls cereal! We heart you!!
You have a chance to win a Creative Kid gift basket, too! There will be two winners! Here is what you can win: a sample of the product along with a colorful apron, a set of watercolor pencils, watercolor paints, brushes, a sketchbook, and an art supply box!! To enter: ask your kids how they think the colors got together (did they dance around? Spin with one another too quickly? etc.), or You can ask what are some of their favorite things they would swirl together? Contest ends on August 13, 2009.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or facebook this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

Let's get creative!

The Learning Tower, from Little Partners, is such a big hit at our house. Not only does it serve well as a step stool to aid at the counter top, stimulates hours of imaginative play in the themed "play house," it is now a great place to get those creative juices flowing from ideas created in the mind down on chalkboard or dry erase board!
Let me introduce to you the all new Little Partner's Art Easel! The Art Easel attaches very easy to the Learning Tower!The Art Easel is a two-sided art board! One side is a very nice chalk board, and the other is a magnetic dry erase board. How fun is that! Kid's can enjoy 2 very fun, and creative ways to show their Picasso-side. The Art Easel comes with a magnetic strip (like a ruler) to use to hold the kid's paper in place. There is also a detachable art supply tray that has two built-in paint pot holders which can be fitted with plastic cups or paint pots. The tray holder also has an indented area that holds a pencil, an eraser, paint brushes, chalk and markers. I am really happy that the tray is made very accessible to remove for easy cleaning! We all know kids can be messy!
My kids are constantly drawing and creating on their new Art Easel. I have a hard time getting them to finish their masterpieces and putting the chalk down. The only suggestion I would give Little Partners is to offer an eraser for the chalk board and dry erase board.
The Art Easel is a super addition to the Learning Tower's accessories! The Learning Tower comes in Natural, Cherry, Soft White and Black colors. New for this year, little Partners will introduce five new colors for the Learning Tower: Red, Pink, Apple Green,
Royal Blue and Azure Blue. The Art Easel comes in 8 fun colors, besides the natural color: Dark Cherry, Ebony, Soft White, Red, Azure Blue, Royal Blue, Pink and Apple Green. The Art Easel has a suggested retail price of $69.99, and you can purchase them at several locations! Thank you Little Partners for adding the super Art Easel to your great product line! My kids and I thank you!

Sakura of America: Great Art Supplies~A Review

I have always enjoyed using fun pens when I work on my projects, or just write a note. I think things always look better when written with sparkles or metallics! I was really excited to try out some of the great art products from Sakura of America! I was really impressed with the selection I got to sample! The Metallic pens are really pretty on paper! I love the look they create! Gelly Roll Metallic gel ink pens feature: Archival quality ink – chemically stable, waterproof, and fade resistant; No smears, feathers, or bleed-through on most papers; Writes on both light and dark papers as well as glossy and matte surfaces. The Gelly Roll Metallic collection (16 pens) retail for $20.64. With that you get: 2 gold, 2 silver, 1 each: red, pink, purple, emerald green, blue, sepia, burgundy, hunter green blue/black, black and copper. There are other packages ranging from $1.29 (single)-$12.90 (10 pack). The Gelly Roll Stardust gel ink pens have a superior glitter effect to them when contacted with paper! I think these are my favorite. It really feeds my doodling addiction while talking on the phone. My kids (and even my husband) were impressed with these pens! The Gelly Roll Stardust collections (16 pens) retail for $27.04. The set includes: 2 each: Red-Star, Pink-Star, Purple-Star, and Silver-Star; 1 each: Golden-Star, Copper-Star, Rose-Star, Sky-Star, Lime-Star, Green-Star, Blue-Star, and Marine-Star. Sakura offers other packages starting at $1.69 (single)- $10.14 (6 pens). Stickler Kits are a really fun way for kids to express themselves! The Sticklers contain outline stickers with 3- 3-D ink pens. There are 2 different kits available: Glaze (3-D ink pens provide glossy transparent colors) and Soufle' (3-D ink pens provide an opaque matte pastel color). There is also the option to chose either gold Sticklers stickers, or silver. It is fun to color in the stickers, and attach them to fun projects. You can put the stickers on many surfaces: glass. metal, paper, wood, plastic, and transparencies. Some put the stickers on their cell phones, game boys/DS, MP3 players and other electronic devices. What a fun way to personalize your things. Sticklers kits retails for $5.99. You can order sets in 2 packs ($3.96), 6 packs ($11.88), and 10 packs ($19.80). Sakura of America offers oil pastels that are fun for any age artist from beginner to advanced. I got the Cray-Pas for review, and this is a great set of oil pastels. The Cray-Pas Jr. Artist is for ages K-8 grade students. Another product from Sakura is the Cray-Pas Expressionist, and that is for the emerging artists, high school students and college age. Cray-Pas Jr. Artist Chubbies retail~12 pack: $9.00. The regular Cray-Pas Jr. Artists (25 pack) retails for $3.80, and the Expressionist (12 pack) retails for $5.90. There are other options available with different price ranges. Sakura offers annual contests for anyone in the K-8th grades, and they can enter to win with their creations. Sakura of America sells through wholesalers and distributors in North America, and to independent and National retailers. Online purchases are available on their website via Shopatron. I think that Sakura's products are a great asset to help children (and adults) spark creativity. Their products also make great gifts!