Flower Loom Crafts Book Review

Another Fantastic Craft Book for you!

American Girls

"Flower Loom Crafts"

On a trip to town, Caidee and I decided to stop in and browse at some books. I took her to the kids section to have a seat and read a little, when we saw this book. This is so fun and easy to do. Oh My! My daughters fell in love with it and gazed at it all weekend saying, "Mom, we need to make this!" Over and over. So as we drove, I made our first one.

It was so easy to make. We just took the large loom, followed the simple instructions on how to make a double layer flower and I was done. It only took me a matter of maybe 20 minutes. But only because we were in a bouncy truck and because my girls kept wanting to see. LOL Really I think you could make these in less than 10 minutes for the larger ones. Less for the small and medium sized flowers.

There are so many examples in this book for how to use your flowers.  You can make scarves, hair clips, dress up your clothing, book bags, hats and so much more.  With the simple instructions, you will have you little one making flowers in no time. I definitely recommend this book! 

This book would make great a gift for anyone too!

While many reviews are created as a result of receiving a complimentary product, the following content was provided by Trendy Treehouse because it is a product that we believe in and purchase regularly. The item reviewed was  purchased on our own and was not compensated in any way for a review. Disclaimer/Terms of use.

Continue Reading ...

Shred Sled Review

Are you ready to SHRED!?

Start shredding in no time with the Shred Sled, the next generation caster board. The first 4-wheel, dual-deck inline caster board, the Shred Sled makes it smoother and easier to start carving up the streets. How it works: Shred Sled’s two boards and flexible connector allow both boards to rotate around the vertical and horizontal axes so it’s easy to maneuver the board. The best part is you don’t even have to push off! For better control and traction, each deck has a grip surface to maximize traction and stability while the concave decks make for better foot control.

The 4 x 80mm polyurethane wheels and ABEC-5 bearings are smoother and stronger than standard hardware and unlike other boards, rarely need to be replaced. Riding the Shred Sled feels like a combination of snowboarding,skateboarding and surfing and it’s much easier to control than older 2-wheel generation boards. Great for strengthening the legs and waist muscles, Shred Sled encourages kids to get off the couch and get active outdoors.

The Shred Sled is Available in black, blue or red. Weight: 8.7 lbs; Dimensions: 9.055″W x 32.87″L x 4.72″. For Ages 8 years and up. Approx. Retail Price is$119.99 and is available NOW!

*Be sure to wear a helmet and safety gear when using the Shred Sled*

★ I got the coolest Shred Sled to review. This unique skateboard is amazing. Boys you are going to have fun with this. Well anyone is really. Our whole family has tried this out and it was a real hit. A little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it it is really fun. And I have to say great exercise too! The Shred Sled definitely encourages kids to get up and go get active! I would recommend the Shred Sled for any family. They would make great gifts for any birthday or holiday. Get yours today! ★

Where to buy the Shred Sled : http://www.shredsled.com/ or see a list of retailers athttp://www.shredsled.com/WheretoBuy.aspx

Things that I love...

• Easy to Maneuver – with Vertical & Horizontal Axes
• Not just for kids- the whole family will have fun with this unique skateboard
• Great exercise – strengthens the legs and waist muscles
• Encourages kids to get out and get active
• Where to Buy – over 250 independent skate and surf shops around the country
• Follow the Shred Sled on Twitter
• Check out their Facebook page for great current information
• Featured Shred Sled Videos – Check out these awesome videos!
• YouTube – Go check out their cool videos on their youtube channel
• Testimonials – Here what their customers have to say!

The featured product {s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Trendy Treehouse Disclaimer/Terms of use.

Continue Reading ...

Family Fun Projects

I don't know about you, but I "LOVE" Family Fun magazine. I have been using their ideas for years. I just wanted to share some of their wonderful Spring Crafts with you all, just by chance that you haven't seen them yet. LOL I am sure you have!

Keep it Under Your Cap

These are adorable magnets to use on your fridge door and message boards. I love them. Adding the jewels was a nice touch.

Backyard Feeder

Grab those extra plastic bottle and some cheap Dollar Store wooden spoons for this simple craft. You birdies will thank you! 

Driveway Signs

Aren't these the cutest! How easy would these be to make with your kids. I can't wait to make some to put around their play area. The would be cute in a garden too! Make your own plant markers.

Easy Wreath Bird Bath

This is so simple. I love it. I can't wait to make one of these. Watching birds play in the water is fun for the kids. What a great idea.

Make sure you go check out these fun projects and put them on your list for this summers projects. I am! Have a great day!

Continue Reading ...

Pajama Birthday Party

My daughter recently turned 7 and wanted to have a pajama party with her friends. No sleep over just a fun night to get her lil girlfriends together for some fun. It turned out to be the cutest party and I just had to share the photos. Who knows, I may even inspire you to host one of your own. LOL

As soon as the girls arrived, they made their first stop at our "Beauty Station" They got their hair fixed, a little bit of eye shadow, super start stickers, perfume and a dose of GLITTER GIRL hair spray. Oh and I can't forget a little body glitter too. Gotta glitter these girls up. Hee! Hee!

After being pampered they got to take their new comb and choose from a variety of fun things (hair clips, candy, rings, rubber bands, ect.) for their goody bags.

The girls danced to some great tunes as they waited in line. They were so adorable.

Then on to the nail station. These cuties don't have their hair and makeup yet. LOL Each girl was able to choose from a variety of polish and enjoy candies while getting their nails done. They loved it!

I loved the set up. My fun friend Debadoo had this terrific idea to trace my daughters hands on paper doilies so the girls knew where to place their hands.

After getting all pampered up with Hair, Make-up and nails polished the girls danced the night away. Well at least until it was present time. 

Cass was so excited and had so much fun with all her new presents. In the picture below, she was excited to get not only money but her very own visa card. WOW! Her best friend really wanted to read all the cards. It was adorable. They are always together. In fact we are headed to her party tomorrow.

The Cake ~ a beautiful cupcake sunflower cake we found at Safeway. Mommy was sick and just couldn't do the cake. But loved this.

It was a very fun party and the girls had a blast. I would definitely do this kind of party again and again.

Just had to throw in the crazy pic too!

Happy 7th Birthday to my Sweet Cassidy!!! Love Momma and Daddy!

(below, dinner with Nana & Papa)

Continue Reading ...

Cap City Stunts Feature

Cap City Stunts is an amazing Stunt Team that offers the best in entertainment for any event. They started out performing at Home & Garden shows and School Assemblies in April of 2006. Since then they have sky rocketed to be one of the most respected professional stunt teams in the world. Cap City Stunts philosophy is based on keeping things simple an being self reliant in order to be able to provide their services at a fair price.

Cap City Stunt Team is based out of Sacramento, Ca but has teams through out the U.S., Spain and Finland. They provide positive message assemblies for schools through out the U.S. and Canada and always do what they can to provide the best performance.

Each of Cap City's Stunt riders are well taken care of and have the best reputation with the BMX community. Each stunt rider is dedicated to giving the best show you will ever see.

★ I had the opportunity to see a great performance from Cap City Stunts at my kids school. It was reward day for the kids. All who had good behavior and reached their AR goals were able to go to the show. They were all very excite. Rick De Laney is a great speaker and made the show very exciting with music, stunts and sharing with us what the other stunt rider, Pete Brandt was doing. I loved how they started out their show. 

They picked 2 kids out of the audience and had a break dance dance off. It was so fun. We have one talented kid in that area and he was picked. It was too perfect. That was a great start for the kids watching. After the dance off each of the kids got a poster. Very cool. Then on to the amazing stunts performed by both Rick and Pete. The best part as a mom was listening to Rick talk about how to react to bullies and to make sure you follow your dreams. My son in particular was having trouble in these areas lately and I was very impressed with what my son got out of it. Honestly he really is looking at the teasing differently. He doesn't care as much. Thanks RICK!!! Then it was on to more fun stunts. Including a stunt that included 4 of our teachers. That was so fun for the kids. Pete jumped across the teacher as they lay out on the ground. Very, Very cool. After the show they stayed and signed autographs for the kids. 

They make sure to spend as much time as they can so all kids get a chance to visit. My kids were very excited because on the way out, I was parked by their car, my son asked, "Do you think they would take a picture with us?" I said, " It doesn't hurt to ask." I did and they were happy to. I even got in on one of the pictures. LOL We talked a bit and they even gave my Cass an autographed poster for her bday. (It was her bday the day of the show). She called her Daddy right away to tell him. All in all, I would have to definitely recommend Cap City Stunts for your next school assembly or special event. ★

Cap City Stunts offers....

• School Assemblies ~ packed with exciting music, cool BMX bikes, exciting BMX stunts and great positive messages. Teaching kids to follow their dreams, to stay drug, alcohol and tobacco free.
  
• Special Events ~ Fairs, Festivals & Community Event Entertainment.
  
• Private Parties ~ Make your birthday party, block party, mitzvahs or other special party an unforgettable success.
  
• Bicycle Rodeos ~ comprised of an obstacle course that mimics "real-life" situations. Students practice avoiding road hazards, scanning for automobiles, correct riding techniques, bicycle safety checks, and intersection safety. Additionally, students and parents learn how to properly fit helmets.

More great things to check out.....

• Cap City Contact Info ~ Get more info about booking your show
  
• Useful links ~ Flatland BMX info, General BMX info, BMX links and other useful links
  
• Pics from shows ~ but you just have to see them in action to get the full effect
  
• Video Clips ~ Various BMX stunt shows to view
  
• Media Info ~ TV News Appearances and News Articles
  
• Discounts ~ Check out discounts available for your show
  
• Area Requirements ~ learn requirements for Ramp shows and Flatland shows

Follow Cap City Stunts on......

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Linkedin, and Plaxo

Continue Reading ...

Crystal Gardens Tutorial

Want a fun project for for you to do with your kids? Try a Crystal Garden. It's amazing how your garden will change on a daily basis. But just remember, once your garden is set DO NOT TOUCH, it may disturb the unique process. I found this great recipe in "Crafty U"

What you will need....

• Freezer bag
• 6-8 charcoal briquettes
• hammer
• small bowl
• distilled water
• Pyrex glass bowl or pie plate
• Jar with airtight lid (canning jars are perfect)
• 1 c of ammonia
• 1 c and 2 tbsp of non-iodized salt
• 1 1/2 c laundry bluing
• Food coloring

Step 1 - Place briquettes in freezer bad and break into chunks with a hammer. About 1 inch in size. Put chunks into your small bowl and cover with distilled water. When completely saturated (bubbles will stop floating to the top) drain out excess water and transfer pieces to your pyrex bowl or pie plate.

Step 2 - Using your air tight jar, combine ammonia, salt and laundry bluing. Mix well. Pour half of that mixture over your briquettes and then cover you jar with air tight lid. until you need it again.

Step 3 - Scatter drops of food coloring over the briquettes. Then sprinkle Salt over also.

Step 4 - Set your project aside in a safe place (away from young children and pets). Check it every day to see the growth process. When the bottom of your bowl becomes dry, add a little more of your ammonia mixture. But remember to shake up mixture before adding. The settled mix will not work as well. Do not pour over the crystal they are fragile. Just add to the bottom of your dish.

GROWN-UPS.... The mixture, which contains dissolved salt, is drawn up through the pores in the briquettes and evaporates, leaving behind layer upon layer of salt-crystal formations. This process continues until all the liquid evaporates. The colors come from the liquid absorbing the drops of food coloring on its way up.

This is nice to know because little ones may ask questions like How does this work. Now you know and you can act like you knew all along. LOL

Have fun and please share your Crystal Gardens with us. Email pictures to trendytreehouse@me.com

Continue Reading ...

Grass Buddy Tutorial

This is the easiest fun craft to do with your kids. 

These "GRASS BUDDY'S" are not only easy, 

but they are so quick to grow. My kids found these fun projects at our local Home & Garden show. One of many things they had to offer for kids to have fun while Mom & Dad shopped around. LOL

Heres what you will need....

• lady's nylon knee highs
  
• soil (I would get some that has extra nutrients in it)
  
• grass seed (you can also use herbs)
  
• some silly eyes with a sticky back
  
• a small pot for support
  

How to make them...

• First take the nylon and place it inside the small pot, folding it over the outside of the pot to hold in place.
• fill the bottom with about 2 tablespoons of grass or herb seeds
  
• top off with soil (press firmly and pack the soil tight)
  
• tie a knot in the nylon to keep shut
  
• turn over your Grass Buddy and place silly eyes is desired position
  
• soak your creation in water until completely wet through and through
  
• place on a saucer and watch it grow (once it begins to sprout, in about a week, trim the nylon on just the top, allowing the grass to grow freely
  
• trim and care for your Grass Buddy ~ Don't forget to name him. LOL
  

I suggest....

• once your grass buddy is growing hair, have fun shaping it in different styles. Like a mow hawk for bows or adding a bow for girls.
  
• use puff paint to paint on clothing for your lil grass buddy
  
• add doll clothes and shoes. How cute would that be.
  
• get fun stickers for the face, ears, clothes
  

Continue Reading ...

Three Jars Review

"Three Jars will transform how your kids think about money!" Raising a financially responsible child is easier than you might think... It’s a matter of building responsible money habits into the fabric of your child’s daily routine. Like brushing teeth, the earlier you start the better.…and it has never been more important.

THE GOAL....

Financially responsible kids get ahead and lead happy, purposeful lives.

If you’re like me, and lots of other parents, you want to raise financially responsible kids. Partially it’s because we want them to eventually move out and stand on their own two feet. But mostly it’s because we want them to do well, to get ahead and lead happy, purposeful lives.

Our kids have wonderful dreams, and we want to see them achieve those dreams.

It Starts with You! 

Only parents can get their child on the right path. But Really, it’s Up to Them! Practice makes perfect.

On Three Jars......

Kids use their own money ~ not yours ~ to make financial decisions, developing healthy money habits that stick.

Kids instantly develop the savings habit, setting aside a portion of every dollar earned from day one. They learn savings fundamental: like set and stick to long-term goals, practice patience, and don't break financial commitments!

Kids learn the value of a dollar. Kids obtain cash from their Spend Account

 or gift cards from more than 30 of their favorite retailers, with parent approval. Three Jars makes young shoppers wiser and more willing to save for what they really want.

Three Jars gets kids involved, with helping people, animals, and the environment ~ and every child gets to share! By using points earned on the site, kids direct Three Jars monthly donation to causes they are passionate about. Kids can also donate from their own Share Account to causes on or off Three Jars.

Kids earn.... Allowance, one-time projects, even lemonade stands are great opportunities for kids to learn about money. Keeping track of chores and assigning odd-jobs has never been easier.

The whole family celebrates! Parents celebrate that Three Jars has solved perhaps their most vexing parenting challenge: How to raise a financially responsible and compassionate child. Who knew it could be this easy? And kids celebrate their new sense of empowerment. From charting their own financial future to making a genuine difference in the lives of others, ThreeJars kids make their mark!

★ I have had the opportunity to use Three Jars with 2 of my children for a few weeks now and I have to say that we all LOVE it! It was so easy to set up and took me only a matter of minutes. Each of them have their own password for their accounts, which makes them feel so grown up. Three Jars has actually helped make them more responsible. With chores, special projects, earning, saving money and most importantly how to share their own money. They have even told friends about this. My daughter is so PROUD of herself, she took this experience in to share with her classmates. Her teacher was very impressed. She shared all about how she is saving up for her very own art supplies. She loves to draw. Our family was so excited over all this, we decided to take the kids shopping for food for the local food bank. As we drove to the store we talked about how we can help. You would be amazed at how bright your kids are, how many questions they ask and how interested they truly are. Three Jars has allowed our family a great resource to help our kids learn how to save, spend and share. We have always casually talked to them about those things, but to have it all there for you was so amazing. You will love it! See Testimonials Here from real parents using Three Jars. ★

Things that I love....

• So EASY to use..... When you set up your account, each child gets their own profile and password. (completely safe, Three Jars NEVER shares any of your information with outside parties) You set up your child's account with a starting allowance and place different % into each SAVE, SPEND, and SHAREaccount. Set up chores and projects, upload a photo, if you like, then you are ready to go! It's that easy. Gotta love that.
  
• Your child learns to SAVE.... The parents get to choose how much of their child's allowance goes into savings. The kids even learn about interest because parents pay earned interest on all money saved.
  
• Your child learns to SPEND.... Your child gets to make cash or gift card request to the parents. If parents approve, the request is made. It the parents do not approve, the request is declined. So parents you still have a chance to step in and make sure they are making a smart purchase. Great time to sit down and talk about how to spend their money.
  
• Your child learns how to SHARE.... Three Jars has great opportunity's to share their money with some really great organizations. Whether it's helping to feed hungry children or saving the seals, your child will see and learn how great it is to share. (I also would take this time of sharing to talk about how you can share in your own community as well. ThreeJars loves to hear from you, so sharing how they inspired you and your child to share at home to, is a reward in itself.)
  
• Membership.... This is one of the best parts, you can get a free trial at no cost to you for 15 days. Cancel at anytime with no hassle. Thereafter, only $30 per family per year. $30 for the whole family for 1 whole year, had to say it again, WOW! I have 4 kiddos and I think that is just a great price to teach my kids about how to save, spend and share.
  

So, Give your child the boost they need – it will be a gift for life. Money Wise, Caring Kids!
A gift for the whole family. Raising financially responsible kids isn’t just about the money.
It’s about raising the whole child: financially responsible and socially compassionate.
The funny thing is our kids want that too! They’re just not going to ask. They wouldn’t know how.

The featured product {s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.  Disclaimer/Terms of use.

Continue Reading ...