Be sure to check out the Sunday flyer for Michael’s.  There is a 50% off coupon in the flyer.  A few other things I saw on sale:

Shoreline Accents are 30% off
Spring label floral is 50% off
Entire stock of baskets is 40% off
Home Collection & Collage wall frames are 40% off
Entire stock of stretch canvas, Strathmore & Canson artist pads are 30% off
Apple Barrel paints are 2 for $1

Remember that some stores accept competitor’s coupons.  It’s good to ask and know their policies.
Michael’s stores also have children’s craft activities on Saturdays.  You may want to check you store’s schedule.

1st turkey – I know this one looks a little funny, but it was done by my daughter when she was only 16 months old.  We made our own patterns for this one.  We just drew the turkey body, cut out some feathers, and that little red gobbler thing under the turkey’s chin.  What is that thing called anyway?
Click to read more.

This week at preschool we learned about the weather.  To go along with the weather theme, I had my darling students make these adorable handprint crafts.  (Get it . . . March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb?) 
Parents love handprint crafts.  They are great keepsakes.  I love a thrifty craft.
 
For the lion, I made a mixture of yellow and brown (just a little) paint to make that sort of mustard color.  I painted the children’s palms with the paint and made a handprint on paper.  For the lion’s mane, I cut up small strips of brown …read more

  
 Just as promised, I have some pictures of the Valentine crafts that I suggested for this week.  At the top are samples of the heart collages we made.  (Once again, I love the die cut machine.  What a time saver!)  Next, are the painted hearts we did with marbles.  And finally there are the Valentine cards for the parents.  The card on the left doesn’t have the handprint made into a heart.  It is way too hard to get a toddler to hold their hand still to make a heart. For instructions on these crafts, click over to my post on Valentine’s Day …read more

Christmas is just days away.  Are you ready?  I’m sure many of you have Christmas presents to wrap, cookies to bake, and a few last things to pick up.  Don’t forget to check out Better Homes & Gardens.  They have tons of great ideas to help you be creative and successful.  Here’s a few links to get you started:
Breakfast Breads
Chocolate Cookies
Creamy Cheesecakes
Winter Desserts
Cookies for Kids
There are many other recipes and ideas at the BH&G site.  Be sure and stop by.  Don’t forget to check out their “Family & Crafts” section.

I’ve been sick this weekend and now you are getting benefits from my downtime.  I have been surfing the web today for ideas for children’s Thanksgiving crafts and activites.  Below I have provided you with links for 10 sites that I think you will find very beneficial.  I have bookmarked them all under my favorites. 
Annie’s Home Page – coloring pages, stories, games, links to other sites, and craft ideas.  Annie linked me to some other great sites.
Enchanted Learning – crafts, decorations, printouts, worksheets, and activities.  Cute craft ideas.  I used one them with my 4 year old preschool class last …read more

Ever wonder what to do with all that artwork and crafts your kids make for you?  I hope to make up some preaddressed envelopes addressed to my parents and grandparents.  That way I can send some of the art and crafts to the rest of the family that live out of town.  They can feel apart of my kids lives and I don’t have to feel guilty for not keeping everything and fill up my house with “lovable/collectible” stuff.

Picture courtesy of crayonking