{Giveaway} Notebook Tee for Back to School

This giveaway is now closed.

I decided to open a separate post for the giveaway entries so I don't have to sort through who commented and who entered. {lazy?...maybe - but I have a super busy month so...}

There was only one person who entered so far so I just copied her entries to here.

Onto the giveaway! I am giving away this top to one lucky winner! It is a girls size 4T {Circo Brand from Target} or a boy size 4T {Walmart Brand Tee}. Only front is painted, but I will paint the back if winner prefers it that way.

Want to make this? Click here for the tutorial!

Mandatory Entry:
{please leave your email address with each entry comment}

Let me know what your child is most looking forward to about school.

Extra Entries {make sure you comment the mandatory entry first}:
{please leave your email address with each entry comment}

• Become a follower of this blog. {if you already are, let me know}


• Blog about this giveaway and include your post link. {please do not copy this tutorial but feel free to use one photo from it.}


• Follow me on Facebook.


• Post on Facebook using @Tutus & Tea Parties in your post {tag me}.


• Follow me on Twitter.


• Post on Twitter using @tutusteaparties in your post {tag me}.


• Comment on my new back to school treasury and let me know your Etsy username.

Contest is open to US residents only. A winner will be drawn using random.org on Thursday, August
25th and will be notified via email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. {please be sure to check your spam folder}

{Tutorial} Notebook Tee

It's almost that time {here in NY at least} for back to school!Although my daughter is 2 and has quite some time before I send her off on a bus...I wanted to make something for one of you amazing readers {well, not for you...for your kiddo}. First, here is a tutorial in case you don't win {or aren't the crafty type}:

You will need:

• fabric paint in light blue and red
• a foam brush
• a t-shirt, onesie, or tank
• cardboard or old cards
• a new folder {or a old one in super condition}
• iron

What to do: 

Step one: Wash, dry & iron your shirt.

Step two: place cardboard or a couple cards between the shirt so the paint won't leak through {sometimes I forget this step and end up with an un-giftable shirt...or one for keeps}

Step three: Spread light blue paint along the folded edge of your folder & starting with right below the bottom of the arm, press in as straight a line as you can. {no need to be perfect and it's a-ok if some spots are missed. I think it looks better that way.}

Step four: Use something as a spacer or measure even spaces and continue down the shirt with the lines. {mine were a little over an inch apart}

Step five: Wipe the blue paint off the folder edge as much as you can {or use a second folder} and on to the red paint. Spread the paint and make the line a little to the right of the right arm. {unless your folder is the length of the shirt, you will need to re-apply some red paint and line it up to continue down the rest of the top}.

And there you have it. A cute back to school DIY top for your little cutie. Best thing is, it can be for a girl or boy {if you use a boy tee}! You can even do the back if you'd like. Just try to make the lines with the same spacing to match in the back. 

I'd love to see your project if you try this. You can post your flickr/photobucket link in the comments or email me at totshop728@yahoo.com. :)

Now, onto the giveaway! I am giving away this top to one lucky winner! It is a girls size 4T {Circo Brand from Target} or a boy size 4T {Walmart Brand Tee}. Only front is painted, but I will paint the back if winner prefers it that way.

If you make one I'd love to see it! Email me or post it to my new Flickr Group! 

To enter this giveaway - CLICK HERE

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{Helping Children Learn & Grow} Encourage Learning

The first few years of life are essential for learning and you are your child's first teacher. Relationships, feelings, language, cause & effect are all learned during these years and learning should be encouraged so your child will grow & love to learn new things!

Children are naturally curious and if you encourage their curiosity they will continue their search for knowledge with confidence & excitement. Here are a few tips to encourage curiosity and learning:

• Answer your child's questions...all thousands of them. {try not to ignore the questions, even if they just asked it 5, 10, and 15 minutes ago too}


• Let them explore, even if they make a mess in the process. {just make sure they are safe}


• Encourage experimentation. Children are constantly wanting to see what happens when I do this? but if it is something that is dangerous or not allowed {such as dumping sand out of the sandbox} try to encourage them to try something similar {such as, lets see what happens when we dump the sand in this bucket/strainer}.


• Take your child to see different places. Take a trip to the zoo, park, library, mall, or anywhere that is a safe place to walk around or play. Ask questions such as "what do you see over there?" to enhance their exploration.


• Expose your child to different  experiences. Swinging, sliding, pushing, pulling...all of these can be explored with you as the commentator {look what happens when we push this button. Hear that sound? That button rings the doorbell}.


• Pretend. Read books together, play dress up, act out animals, have a tea party {that's our favorite}. Anything goes.


• Limit TV time. Educational shows are great, but it gives your child all the answers instead of them exploring and coming to their own conclusions. If you do have TV time with your child, try to be involved as you are watching.


• Include learning in everyday activities. Teach your child numbers, colors, & letters just by saying them out loud each day {How many balls are you holding? You're holding two balls! What color balls do you have? You have one red ball and one green ball.} You get the idea.


• Most importantly, make learning fun. Excitement is contagious! Always be encouraging, even if your child doesn't seem to be getting it or paying attention. They are listening and storing it...believe me! One day they will just blow you away with how much they know and learned from you.

'Learning is Fun!' by crocheting4baby

Some of my favorite toys for helping children learn and play.

READY TO SHIP// Mag... Cerra $16.00	Elephant Matching M... sarahbain $14.00	Mail and Mail Bag f... missprettypret... $29.00	The Elements Playsi... MyBeautifulGir... $35.00
organic BALANCING T... smilingtreetoy... $32.00	Minky Rag I Spy Bag... KNHDesigns $17.95	Wooden Rainbow Matc... BlackbearyMoun... $23.00	Children's Alph... AllThingsUnder... $32.00
Goldilocks Finger P... raindropstops $32.00	Wooden Alphabet Mag... UrbanHomestead... $25.00	Lacing Beads MamaMayI $28.00	Lacing Toy - wooden... littlesaplingt... $20.00
Felt Toy Handmad... TomomoHandmade $35.00	FELT PIZZA SET - 8 ... onenonly88 $30.00	Beautiful Fabric Te... LollieBlossom $35.00	Stacking Animal Puz... manzanitakids $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

{Toddler Tuesdays} Popsicle Stick Puzzles

Building on your child's play can help them with early literacy and letter recognition. Today I have put together a tutorial on how to make your own word puzzles. Depending on the age of your child, you can make the words longer or shorter. You can even do a picture of an apple with only the letter "A" on the puzzle.

For this project, you will need:

• Popsicle sticks {the fat ones are better for the younger ones}


• A printed picture of a simple word such as "corn" or "pig" {or you can draw your own}


• Glue or Modge Podge


• A razor {unless you are drawing your own picture onto the sticks}

You can also laminate the picture for a longer lasting puzzle if you choose to. If you do not have access to a lamination machine, I usually put packing tape on each side to cover the picture and cut around the edges.  

1. Line up your Popsicle sticks {as many sticks as the letters of your word}  and place masking tape to hold them in place & turn over.


2. With a Sharpie marker, write one letter of the word on each stick {if you are writing one letter you can write it over a few sticks}


3. Glue on your picture and let it dry {if you laminated your photo you can use hot glue}.


4. When dry, remove masking tape and carefully use a razor through the sticks to cut back into separate pieces. 


5. Help your child put the puzzle together {give your child a chance to try before helping} For Bug I usually put them on the table in the correct order and she pushes them together.

{Don't mind the naked baby, she's potty training!}

Remember to talk to your child as you put the puzzle together. Say each letter as they grab a stick and say the sound that letter makes. Ask questions and interact. {"What do you think this will be a picture of?"} Most of all, have fun! 

Shared on:

http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/08/show-and-share-saturday-link-up-4/

Ouchie Pouch Winner

Thank you to all who entered to win the Ouchie Pouch from  Snuggly Monkey! I used random.org to determine the winner. And the winner is...

Comment #27, sandyandcosmo!

sandyandcosmo said...

I love the fabric coiled baskets, very pretty!

Congrats! Look out for an email from me {don't forget to check your spam}

Didn't win? No worries, there are still two open giveaways to enter. 

Reetmomma - $40 Shop Credit {Ends 8/26/11} Open to US Only

WhittiesKnitties - Pair of Booties {Ends 8/19/11} Open Worldwide

and don't forget about my Facebook Giveaway Album: 

Tutus & Tea Parties Birthday Bash Giveaway Album {Ends 8/25/11} 

Please read rules in photo #2 and agree.

{Mmm, Mmm, Mondays} with Selina from CreativeJuicesDecor

I am so excited to introduce to you Selina from CreativeJuicesDecor. I love her blog! She has such great DIYs {one of which the hubs and I are working on doing} and great decor ideas! She is here today to share a juicy treat for you and your tot. Enjoy!

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Hello Tutus and Tea Party Readers!  I am Selina from CreativeJuicesDecor.  I have a collection of DIY projects, crafts and recipes.  I hope you will come stop by.

Today I am bringing to you a fun summer beverage.

I’m actually not a huge watermelon fan but this drink was so delicious and refreshing that I’ll be making this every time I buy a watermelon.

Watermelon Icy (inspired by Pie Birds)

3-4 cups FROZEN watermelon cubes

1 banana (frozen or non frozen is OK)

1-2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tbsp. agave nectar (or sugar, maple syrup etc.)

1/2 cup water

Throw into your blender and serve right away!  EASY and I promise you’ll be delighted by the taste

I'd love to show you a few of my favorite posts like this clock pottery barn knockoff or how to use an old map for canvas art!  Thanks Lauren for having me!

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For ours, we followed the same recipe but used cantaloup. It was so yummy, I even had some and went back for seconds! Thank you so much for the great recipe. Maybe we will be using the leftovers to make ice pops!

 

{Freebie Friday} Win a $40 Credit to ReetMomma

This giveaway is now closed.

Happy Freebie Friday! Today Rita is giving you all a chance at winning a $40 credit to her shop reetmomma! Woo hoo! She has adorable handsmocked clothing that would be great for passing down to future generations! First, lets find out a little more about Rita...


Tell us a bit about yourself.

I come from a family of talented crafters...as children growing up, we all learned to use a sewing machine -- even my brothers! My grandfather was a cobbler, my father restored toy trains, my sisters have craft shops (one is even on Etsy), my brother and son love to woodwork (as do I)... and the crafting list goes on.

What made you want to become an artist?

It's in the genes!

What is your favorite item to create?

My true passion is creating children's clothing and accessories.

What advice would you give to new artists on Etsy?

Hang in there...hard work will be rewarded with success!

How do you promote your work?

I am not very good at promoting my work, but I am learning and working on that.

Do you have any websites connected to your shop?

I have a FB page for Etsy, but am not well-versed in the 'liking' 'blogging' 'tweeting' scene.

What is the inspiration for your work?

All the beautiful children in the world with their big hearts that love unconditionally.

Do you have a job outside of Etsy? How do you handle both?

By day...I design computer software (there's that design element again) and have been for almost 20 years. By night...I construct children's clothing. I see new ideas with potential everywhere I go! But, there just aren't enough hours in the day to run with them. When I travel for my day job I always have needlework with me to stay busy while spending nights in my hotel room.

What are your goals for your shop?

my goal is to grow my hobby into a fun, whimsical shop with steady orders/sales so that when I retire from my day job I can still keep busy with the artistic side of life and stay connected to babies, toddlers and small children.

Enter below to win:

$40.00 Shop Credit

{I would totally get these for the whole family if I were to win. Too bad I can't enter my own giveaway!}

Mandatory Entry:

{You must complete this first before submitting any other entries}

Visit reetmomma on Etsy and comment your favorite item from Claudia's shop.

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Extra Entries:

{Leave a separate comment for each that you complete}

1.} Heart reetmomma on Etsy.

2.} Subscribe to reetmomma's shop RSS Feed.

3.} Add reetmomma to your Etsy Circle.

4.} "Like" reetmomma on Facebook.

5.} Become a follower of my blog.

6.} Enter in another giveaway on this blog and let me know which one you entered.
7.}  Blog, Tweet, and/or post on Facebook about this giveaway using the "Sharing is Caring" buttons below  & post the link where we can find it. {one entry for each you complete}

 

Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011. Sunday, August 28, 2011 a winner will be randomly drawn from eligible entrants and notified by e-mail, and the winner's name will also be posted here. If no email is listed I will choose another winner. Winner has one week to respond to my email to claim his/her prize after initial contact.  I am not responsible for the shipping of this prize.

Contest open to US residents only.