Great freebie only available today!

It's been a while since I've posted about any freebies, and this one is just too good to pass up. If your kids are like mine, they like to draw or at least would like to learn how to draw better than they already do. This freebie is from the Homeschool Freebie of the Day website, and it teaches children how to draw various creatures and cartoon-like characters with step-by-step instructions. The "book" is 76 pages long. Many of the pages have instructions for multiple "items" to draw, so there are probably close to 100 different creatures/characters to learn. Something for every child!

I don't intend to print out the entire book right away, but I did tell my girls that I would let them pick a couple of pages that they are interested in starting to learn. This way I don't waste paper and ink on unwanted pages.

Just a reminder...this site only makes their freebies available on one day of the week. There is a freebie for every day Monday through Friday. This freebie is only available today (Monday, May 4), so if you're interested in it, you have to visit the site today to get it. Also, if you are interested in getting updates from them on which freebies will be available during the week, just subscribe to their mailing list, and they will automatically send you an email on Monday morning.

Happy Drawing! =)

Discounted Homeschool Products

About 10 years ago, we got a collection of Patch the Pirate cassette tapes, and over the years, they have gradually worn out to where we now only have about 3 or 4 that "work." There are sections of the tapes that will lose sound completely or will begin pulling the tape from the cassette. This past week, we finally broke down and started pricing CD's online. I had looked once before and found a site that offered a pretty good price on the individual CD's, but for some reason, we couldn't find it this past week. Jason got online for me and found another site that offers them even cheaper. Yay! They also offer the boxed sets which make the CD's even cheaper! Double Yay!! Individually, the CD's are $11.25, which is a pretty good price, but if you buy the boxed set, they are only $9.38 each! Sweet!

The site is http://www.homeschooldiscountproducts.com/servlet/StoreFront

The Patch the Pirate CD's are listed under "Music" subcategory "Majesty Music" on the left hand side of the page. This site offers a good variety of books--both curriculum and reading (Unfortunately, no A Beka Book stuff, though). If you place an order over $50, you will receive one free book, and they're not worthless books, either. I glanced through them, and they have "My Friend Flicka," "Pollyanna," "Swiss Family Robinson," some Bobbsey Twins books, and other various books on history, science, animals and crafts.

In the 25% off retail section, there were some books that caught my eye. They are entitled, "Draw Write Now." They teach the child how to draw and write using characters and stories from history, science, weather, etc. My girls love to draw and learn new things about history and science, so I thought that this might be a good way to "kill two birds with one stone." Individually, these 8 books are $11.25 each. If you buy the boxed set of all 8, they average only $8.44 each.

They also have sections for their 30% off, 50% off and 75% off merchandise. Many of these items are priced under $5.00, and some are even hardback. I always like to find books that are educational (both academically and spiritually), and one book that caught my eye in the 75% off section was entitled, "God's Smuggler." It is a hardback book that is only $4.99. Here is the description that they include:

by Brother Andrew

As a boy, Brother Andrew dreamed of being an undercover spy working behind enemy lines. As a man he found himself working undercover for God. His was a mission filled with danger, financed by faith, supported by miracles.

Told it was impossible to minister behind the Iron Curtain, Andrew knew that nothing was too hard for God. Crossing "closed" borders, he prayed, "Lord in my luggage I have Scripture I want to take to Your children. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see." And they never did.

For 35 years, Brother Andrew's life story has inspired millions to step out on their own journeys of faith. This young Dutch factory worker's near-incredible adventures testify to God's step-by-step guidance and hour-by-hour provision - available to all who follow His call.

I'm not sure what the recommended reading age is on this particular book, but I figure I can get it, preview it, and then decide whether or not it's appropriate for them.

There is a section under the categories that list Favorite Authors including C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Louisa May Alcott. Another section is Favorite Series, which includes Anne of Green Gables, Betsy and Tacy, Boxcar Children, Little House Books, Sugar Creek Gang, and the Trailblazer Books (stories about missionaries).

Orders placed with a total less than $150 have a minimum charge of $4.00 or 5% of the order total. Orders priced at $150 or more have free shipping.

I haven't had a chance to look through the entire site, so if you look through it and find something that you would recommend, please let me know. Thanks!

Hand Shadow Puppets

When I was a kid, I loved shadow puppets. I remember all the common ones going around...the eagle, the dog, the bunny, etc. This puppet show would have blown me away! It's pretty amazing--this guy is definitely talented. How in the world he was able to do "Satchmo" is beyond me...



This video clip was included on the "Homeschool Freebie of the Day" website because Tuesday's "freebie" is an ebook of hand shadows. Be sure you check it out tomorrow, if you want to download it. My kids loved the video, so I'm sure they will love to attempt some puppets of their own.

Freebies, Samples and other Cool Stuff

Before I start my list of samples, I want to give you some suggestions for these freebies. Some of the samples you come across may not strike YOUR fancy, but have you ever thought that someone else may enjoy them? Have you thought about donating things to the missionary closet at church or even helping out a college student? My sister is doing this for her daughter who is in her 1st year of college. She will request the sample for herself with one email address, and then request a sample for her daughter with a separate email address. I think it's a great idea! I am naturally a hoarder and can't stand the thought of passing up a freebie. If I can't use or don't want something, I will still request the sample and just pass it on to someone who can use it. This is a way to be a blessing to other people (in a small way) without having to spend a penny. =) Now, on with the list...

Mary Kay is offering a sample of mascara here.

Money Saving Mom has compiled a list of 10 feminine product freebies here. These are awesome! You get enough of these, and you won't have to purchase them for a while.

Schick is offering a free razor or trimmer sample here.

I love freebies that help me with homeschooling! Here are some free activities from Creative Teaching Press. There are ideas for a variety of subjects and grade levels. There are even some science experiments included.

Get a free Oatmeal Dark Chocolate cookie from Kashi here. I'm not sure of the ingredients, but if it has something that we can't have, I'll just give it to someone who can. =)

Check out the Storyline Online site for a listing of over 20 books being read by members of the Screen Actors Guild. Obviously, if you don't know anything about the book, you may want to listen to it before you let your kids listen. Each story begins with the actor introducing him/herself. There is an option to view the text as the actor reads, or you could turn it off and just listen. Pictures from the book are shown and even some light sound effects/music are included to give even more interest. Each story also has an activity guide with suggested things to do after reading the story. There is also a list of other books by the same author in case you like their style of writing.

How cool is this??? I love taking photos (as you well know, if you've been looking at my blog for any amount of time), and this would be really neat to try. I love the black & white and sepia effects, but I wonder what it would be like in color.

This Kids' Puppet Show Curtain is adorable and super easy to make! My kids would love it! They are constantly wanting to put on shows, and this would be a great way for them to do that.

I constantly find myself having little balls or scraps of yarn left over from some crocheting project and am never quite sure what I should do with it. It goes against my grain to just toss it out, so it just sits in a bag in a closet somewhere waiting for me to come up with an idea. Well, here it is! This is like making your own funky variegated yarn, and I'm going to have to try it.

The Girls' Special Project

Before I started this school year, I decided that I wanted to incorporate a HomeEc-type course for the girls. They already love to help out with cooking, and Alyx and Larissa have already started crocheting. My idea was to start teaching them some quilting and other basic patternless sewing projects. After thinking it through, I decided to also use my mom to teach the kids how to sew using patterns. I could do it, but Mom is so much better than I am and it gives me an "excuse" to make a trip up there for a week at a time every now and then. =)

Before we started school, Alyx had made the comment that she needed an apron to wear while she was cooking, so I decided to make that the first project. She was thrilled at the idea, and Mom was very excited to be able to teach them. As I said in the post about our Labor Day holiday, I took A LOT of pictures, so please forgive me for the abundance of photos. =) (In case you don't already know this, you can click on any picture to get a larger view, if you so desire.)

Mom gave each of the girls some special notebooks to take notes in during "class time."

She explained all the details of how to get the pattern, choose the fabric, get the notions, choose the size, decide how much fabric you need, etc...

After all the measurements were taken, Mom brought out the fabric choices. She had planned to make the aprons reversible, so she had bought 3 sets of coordinating prints. The girls are usually pretty good about sharing and doing things fairly, so we decided to let them choose their favorites. If there was a duplicate "favorite," then we would have to draw names or something, but they chose them without any trouble. I was so glad! =)

Mom pulled out the directions and pattern pieces and explained it all to the girls.

They each got to take a turn at cutting out the pattern pieces. And yes, Larissa concentrates so much better if she sticks out her tongue. =)

Before going any further, Mom sat the girls down and reviewed with them so that they could take notes in their notebooks.

They each took turns ironing pattern pieces.

Alyx ironed her fabric.

They all enjoyed using Granny's cool rotary cutter! =)

Alyx was so excited, she could not contain herself. She kept jumping up and down and giggling with delight. She would say, "Oh, I can't wait to see it done!" and "Thank you, Granny for teaching me!" She's so sweet! =)

Time to sew...Mom begins by showing Alyx how to thread the machine.

Mom used a scrap piece of fabric to let them practice sewing. Alyx thought it was a lot of fun. =)

Alyx started by sewing the first pocket.

She clipped the excess fabric outside of the stitches...

Pressed it...

And Voila! Her first pocket was complete!

Here she's sewing the pockets to one side of the apron and then shows the completed side.

She pins on the pockets for the other side....

Trims the excess fabric after having sewn it all together...

Turns it right side out...

And is all done!

Thank you, Granny!

Alyx immediately put her apron to work in the kitchen. She's putting some olive oil on some buns to be toasted under the broiler, measuring raisins, oats and walnuts for some oatmeal raisin cookies and has the cookie scoop ready to form the cookies. =)

Larissa was next. She ironed her fabric...

Loved cutting with the rotary cutter.... (and was quite the wild woman with that tool. Granny had to try to keep her under control.) =)

And was just as excited as Alyx was.

She had a chance to practice as well.

She began with her first pocket.

She learned to backstitch.

Here she was clipping the excess fabric and turning the pocket right side out. She is left-handed, but refuses to cut with her left hand. She's an interesting little girl. =) Note the tongue again aiding in her concentration.

She worked on sewing one of the straps.

Here she was showing the pockets she had pinned on.

She sewed on some pockets.

She put it all together to sew up.

It's all done!

Thank you, Granny!

Sydney was so patient to wait for her sisters to finish. Here she is ironing some of her fabric.

Here she was helping Granny with some measurements for a pattern piece.

She wasn't quite strong enough to cut by herself, so Granny helped out. She loved seeing that it actually cut the fabric, though.

Time to sew! Isn't she cute? =)

She got to practice, too, and she really enjoyed operating the presser foot lever.

She was the only one of the three that couldn't reach the pedal on the ground, so we had to set it on top of a dictionary. The pedal kept slipping off, so we had to wrap a towel around it to keep it steady. =)

Here she is working on her first pocket and trimming the excess fabric.

She helped sew on the pockets to one side.

Here she is sewing it all together. She really enjoyed pulling out the pins as they neared the presser foot. =)

All done!

Thank you, Granny!

Mom said that they did a fantastic job, and she's looking forward to teaching them another project. =) All I have to say is, I fear for the day that they each turn 16, because they have lead feet! They all had a "need for speed." =) No, really, they did very good after they got the hang of how much pressure to apply to the pedal and got more comfortable with the machine. I'm very proud of them! =)