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Tuesday Tales: Drawing Animals Shape by Shape

Posted on October 13, 2015 7:08 pm by TheAngelForever

It’s no secret that I love coloring and drawing. From an early age, I would take out Ed Emberley drawing books from the library just to doodle and draw for fun. My boys have definitely caught the drawing for fun bug. We have a great collection of drawing books that the entire family enjoys. When Sixth&Spring contacted me to review the new Christopher Hart book for kids, we said yes and could not wait to check it out.

Drawing Animals Shape by Shape: Create Cartoon Animals with Circles, Squares, Rectangles & Triangles – Drawing with Christopher Hart – Published by Sixth&Spring Books – ISBN 9781936096954 – $14.95 – Spiral-bound 176 pages – Ages 4 and up

Drawing Animals Shape by Shape is broken up into different segments by animals of course.There are dogs, cats, farm animals. woodland creatures, safari animals, feathered friends, water animals, reptiles/bugs, dinosaurs, and more fun options in the table of contents. Kids of all ages will see the easy to follow step by step directions using simple shapes layered onto of one another until you see the featured animal friend before you. It truly is fun to see how an oval with some rectangles, circles, and triangles makes Fido the dog’s face come to life. The spiral bound book is filled with over 100 cartoon creatures for your budding artist to replicate.

Moments after the book arrived, the kids ran off with it. They immediately pulled out some notebooks and colored pencils to practice drawing. After some time, they came over to show me several of their drawings. One of the first that was completed was the very fitting Art Loving Hippo.

The animals within the book would be great for kids to draw and tell stories, or to create their own fun cartoon stories. The lively creatures within actively engage even those that don’t think they can draw. This book will be on my birthday and holiday gift giving list because it will appeal to a wide variety of kids. Pair this up with a nice drawing notebook, colored pencil set, and voila the perfect creative package. I know my boys are already asking about the original Drawing Shape by Shape – Create Cartoon Characters with Circles, Squares & Triangles. The book has been a great addition to our rainy weather activities and will be fantastic on snow days that are bound to happen in a few months.

Giveaway Time!

Would you like to win your own copy of Drawing Animals Shape by Shape? One random person that answers the following question will receive a copy of the book.

What type of drawing book would you love to see by Christopher Hart next? Remember he already has made over 50 drawing books!

Bonus Entry:

As always, Tuesday Tales is all about sharing our love of books. What are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?

This giveaway ends on Friday, October 23 at 11:50 PM ET. Only open to US and Canadian residents that are 18 and older.

Disclosure: As noted above, I received this family drawing book from Sixth&Spring Books to review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
arts and crafts books giveaway Tuesday Tales

Everything You Ever Wanted Book Review and Giveaway

Posted on May 5, 2015 1:31 pm by TheAngelForever

I received a copy of this book as part of a campaign with Global Influence in exchange for my honest review on Tuesday Tales.

Reading has always been part of my life. As I blogged more over the years, I knew that I wanted to focus attention on books that we read via Tuesday Tales. Parenting has shown me that a lot of my reading revolves around my kids and our family. Reading time with the boys, keeping up on what my middle school kiddo is reading, and assisting with various projects. I have to admit that I crave more ME book reading time. One of my goals in 2015 is to be a little more selfish and stay focused. Reading books that I enjoy is one of those items. While I always have a pile of books and even more waiting for me on my Kindle, I often have a hard time deciding what to read next.

About a month ago, I saw people on Facebook buzzing about a book that they were devouring. Moments later I snagged a Kindle copy of Jillian Lauren’s first memoir called Some Girls: My Life in a Harem. I could not put the book down. Any chance I had, I was reading because I wanted to know what happened next. I was truly fascinated with her life experiences and how one thing lead to another. I felt like I was sitting there with her when she left the United States to go to spend time in the harem for the Prince of Brunei. When the book ended, I was lucky enough to know that another memoir would be released soon. Thanks to this, I didn’t have to wait and wonder as long as others who read the book when it first came out. As luck would have it, signed up to take part in this review days later.

Everything You Ever Wanted: A Memoir picks up with Jillian Lauren’s life story. She has moved to California and is transitioning her life after the Brunei harem and drug addiction. While going to cosmetology school, she meets her rock star husband. After time, they decide to start a family. Many readers will connect with Lauren’s struggle with infertility and decision to adopt a child. Through her own powerful words, we go with Jillian and Scott to Ethiopia where they adopt their son.

Jillian’s journey home with Tariku was the beginning of her second act. We get to see how her role as mother helps her to get some closure on events from childhood. There were tears in my eyes as I read about losing her friend to drugs while fighting for her son and his special needs.

Once again, a truly remarkable book by Jillian Lauren. She has a way with words that hooks the audience in so we connect. Jillian does not hold back and sugar coat things, she tells us how she felt in the heat of the moment. As the mother of a child with special needs, I applaud being open and honest especially with your feelings that vary from day to day. Living in the moment can be difficult, but sharing it with everyone else is another story. I applaud Jillian for sharing, caring, and helping others in the process of writing her beautiful memoir.

Giveaway Time!

Would you like to win your own copy of Everything You Ever Wanted? One random person that answers the following question will receive a copy of the book.

What is a book that you have you read recently? Let me know the name of the book and briefly what you thought of it. It is Tuesday Tales and it’s fun to share our love for reading.

This giveaway ends on Friday, May 15 at 11:50 PM ET. Only open to US residents that are 18 and older.

Disclosure: As noted above, I received this book to review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
books giveaway Tuesday Tales

Holiday Cards and More from Tiny Prints

Posted on October 7, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

The leaves outside are almost finished turning colors here in New York State and I am already thinking about the holidays. Why? While Christmas is always on December 25, Chanukah is the earliest I can recall. We will be lighting our menorah during Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgivukkah is actually something people are talking about this year and making fun recipes to work on. Thanks to a wonderful sponsored campaign from Tiny Prints, I will be able to work on my 2013 holiday cards and personalized photo gifts before things get too hectic. These are just a few of my most recent purchases from Tiny Prints.

While I will probably stick to sending out New Years cards to family and friends, I love being able to have choices. With Tiny Prints holiday card selection, I can make some for Chanukah, Christmas, or New year 2014 wishes. I literally could and probably will spend hours looking for just the right cards. This year, you can also add trim options that include square, rounded, bracket, ticket, and scallop. Contemporary, Classic, Vintage, Full bleed photos, All That Glitters, Bold Expressions, Simply Chic, Woodland Wonder, and The New Tradition are some of the new design styles included this year. In addition to this, Tiny Prints offers matching address labels and envelope lines.

Some of my favorites designs this year are the Dreidel Frame, Best Hopes, Fun Cut Outs, and Wondrous Season.

Of course, I can also shop for personalized gifts found on the Tiny Prints website. My photo mug, pictured at the top, is a wonderful size and gorgeous. I adore how it shows a magical adventure to Walt Disney World with my family. In addition to this, I adore the custom notebook that I made and think that would be perfect for a special teacher. I know I will be spending more time checking out gifts for family and friends because I can trust the quality of Tiny Prints from previous experience.

Giveaway Time:

Thanks to this Holiday campaign with Tiny Prints, one reader (US or Canada) will receive $50.00 off your total order at Tiny Prints (plus free shipping). Imagine the fun you will have when ordering some new items for the holiday season, whether it is cards to send out to family and friends, or some personalized gift items.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Head over to the Tiny Prints Holiday Cards page and comment below on your favorite card.

The following Bonus Entry may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comment each time you complete this item.

1 Bonus Entry – Visit Tiny Prints Holiday Cards and pin your favorite card to Pinterest. Tag #TinyPrintsCheer and leave a link to your pin in the comments below.

Please follow the rules above within the comment section. For additional ways to win Tiny Prints items, be sure to check out the #TinyPrintsCheer Pinning Party™ taking place on October 8 at 2:00 PM ET. My giveaway begins October 6, 2013 and ends October 21, 2013 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 24 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected.

Additional Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a Global Influence campaign where I will be receiving credit for a future order at Tiny Prints. As noted, we have already purchased several Tiny Prints products before, and the opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Categories:
gift ideas giveaway holidays sponsored post

Verizon LG Optimus Zone Smartphone Giveaway

Posted on August 5, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As a Verizon Lifestyle Blogger, I have had the chance to learn a lot about Verizon Wireless, products that they sell, and services that they provide. TechyDad and I have been customers of Verizon Wireless longer than the eleven years we have been married. One of the latest items that I am learning more about are the prepaid phones and plans that are available. My oldest son is in his last year of elementary school. Thanks to this, we have to think about getting him a phone for security reasons for the start of middle school.

Why a Prepaid Smartphone?

Prepaid smartphone allow individuals and families to have a flexible way to utilize a phone with a data plan. The phone does not cost as much as some of the higher end options and there is no annual contract required, so there is no long term commitment. The phones comes with unlimited talk and text and then you select one of two data plans. For $60 a month, you get 2 GB of data and $70 allots you 4GB on Verizon’s 3G network. For young cell phone users, it keeps them safely in a plan where you will not have to worry about extra data charges. Replacement phones are will not cost you hundreds of dollars if lost, stolen, or broken. As a parent, I am intrigued in these options for my son once he gets a phone of his own.

Verizon Wireless currently offers several Prepaid Devices that you can purchase from them. One of the smartphones is the LG Optimus Zone pictured above. That is the same phone that Verizon sent me to giveaway to one of my readers. Some of the features of the phone include:

Android 2.3.6
3.2” QVGA Display
3.2MP Camera
3G – WiFi Capable
Take Notes with QuickMemo™ (I had this feature on my Lucid 2 by LG and adored it)

Giveaway Information:

Verizon Wireless would like one lucky winner to have a chance to win their own LG Optimus Zone prepaid smartphone. The package above includes the phone, battery, travel adapter & USB Cable, and information from Verizon on the prepaid plans and how to set it up. It is important to note that NO service from Verizon is included with this giveaway. Please be sure to see the rules listed within the Rafflecopter widget and below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section and Rafflecopter. Giveaway begins August 5, 2013 and ends August 26, 2013. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only.

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I often receive devices to test out and share ways that I use my cell phone to make life easier. Verizon is providing the LG Optimus Zone to my winner, no other compensation was received. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

Categories:
giveaway Technology

Tiny Prints Back to School Giveaway

Posted on August 1, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

August is here and for many across the country that means Back to School month. We actually do not go back until the week after Labor Day, so I have a little more time to get the kids ready for school. Of course, that does not mean that I have been waiting to get supplies. I posted about our list recently and we have slowly been working on it. The other night we went hunting for some composition notebooks. I handed TechyDad the list to begin shopping with the boys while I went to the craft store. When I met back up with them, our school supply list had vanished. Since I did not have the complete list and forgot to look at my own website (ooops), we grabbed the notebooks and called it a night. To finish up with getting our supplies, I am going to add the list onto an app on my phone so I will not forget the paper or misplace it. Then, this week, I am going to have the boys help me to organize each of their items into their cleaned backpacks for storage. If everything is ready right before school, labeling them will be quick and easy.

When I was recently asked to participate in a Tiny Prints Back to School giveaway campaign with Global Influence, I jumped at the opportunity. I am a big fan of their products and customer service. Personalized items, unrelated to this post, that I ordered a short time ago arrived in less than a week. Thanks to this, I have confidence when sharing their latest Back to School selections.

Organizing for Back to School routines is not an easy process. Tiny Prints can assist you with their stylish items that are ready for you to personalize so you have them when the time comes. Parents can look at their planners, calendar notebooks, play date/emergency cards, and personal stationary. In addition to this, you can buy your children fun stickers to use on their school supplies so their know what is theirs. Lunch box notes to brighten their day and allergy cards are also available. If you have older children, do not fear because Tiny Prints has items for teens or college kids heading off to school including lined notebooks, contact cards, dorm art, and moving announcements. As a teacher, I love their selection of items that would make great welcome back to school presents. Say thank you in advance to the person that will be spending a large amount of time with your children. Tiny Prints has teacher stationary, classroom wall art, thank you cards, mugs, as well as iPhone and iPad cases.

Giveaway Time:

Thanks to this Back to School campaign with Tiny Prints, one reader (US or Canada) will receive 5 sets of 24 gift tag stickers, 1 – 5×8 lined notebook, and 100 – mommy/play date/contact cards. Shipping is included for winners in the US, but should the winner be in Canada, they will need to add international shipping costs. This prize pack is the same item that I will be receiving for sharing this information.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Head over to the Tiny Prints Back to School Page and comment below on your favorite product

The following Bonus Entry may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comment each time you complete this item.

1 Bonus Entry – Visit Tiny Prints Back to School Page and pin your favorite product to Pinterest. Tag “Back to School” and leave a link to your pin in the comments below.

Please follow the rules above within the comment section. Giveaway begins August 1, 2013 ends August 20, 2013 at 10:59 EST. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 24 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected.

Open to US and Canadian residents only (please see the note above about shipping to Canada).

For additional ways to win Tiny Prints items, be sure to check out the #TinyPrintsSchool Pinning Party™ taking place on August 5 at 2:00 PM EST. Be sure to RSVP at Resourceful Mommy’s page where there are additional details. In addition to this, reader can win even more prizes with the Back to School Pin It to Win It Pinterest sweepstakes, taking place from August 5 – 28.

Additional Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a Global Influence campaign where I will be receiving a prize package like the giveaway winner. As noted, we have already purchased several Tiny Prints products before, and the opinions expressed are 100% my own.