Teacher Gifts--- Crochet Pattern Update

Just wanted to show you what I made for my daughter JK teacher as a Christmas gift....

Little Pink Thread's Bulky Neckwrap

Another view

 I tried to use a pattern I had but it wasn't turning out how I liked it and after frogging the entire thing, I decided to go with the flow and create a one-of-a-kind. So I created the neckwrap off the top of my head and I am proud of how it turned out! I posted the patttern on my Facebook page, Little Pink Thread, in the "Notes" section...BUT only until December 31st...so if you want to try it for yourself please drop me a line at littlepinkthread(at)rogers(dot)com or come by the Facebook page and check out the my listing for the pattern at a very reasonable price if you want it!!!
I used Bernat's Roving yarn, it has 109 yds in a skein. The colour is PLUM.  I love the yarn for its super bulkiness and soft feel. The pattern reminds me a lot of a cardigan with the rolled down collar.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Lovable Labels Holiday Giveaway Winner and What's been goin' on here!

Hi Everyone....
Well,  it is a busy one around my home as we ready for the big guy in red to make a stop here. I don't know about anyone else's house but my little ones are not heeding the warnings of ending up in the "Naughty" list for their behaviour...it seems that Princess B has grown into an attitude full of sass back, while Monkey has become a somewhat of a copycat. Even our elf, Little Gene, watching over them doesn't hinder their performance. One night about a week ago, I was trying to get the tree branches opened up so I could decorate, which took 4 days by the way to do, and the kids we very silent in the family room with Treehouse on. Mommy thinking Monkey fell asleep and Princess was watching Dora...when Mr. came in and walked into the family room to find the two of them behind the sofa playing in the decorative sand that was up on the mantel. Well it was EVERYwhere... let's just say time out was handed out to them, and privileges revoked for both for 24 hours of being able to watch their favourite Treehouse program. All under Little Genes watchful eye...the next morning he remained in his hiding spot to our dismay...and I later found out he was touched...losing his ability to report to Santa for 24 hrs...very upsetting to the kids and Princess apologized to Little Gene on their behalf. The following morning they woke to a letter from Little Gene telling them Santa was watching  and how important it was to behave.

Little Gene's first night the toys held a good ole fashion
maritime kitchen party for him, look at all who came.

He brought the kids new Christmas books

I have been busy with orders in the shop for hats as well as the kids have both been sick and the Mr. had a really bad case of the "pink-eye" (so bad he tool off a week of work and it affected both eyes)... Now working on Christmas gifts for teachers and family...due to cost of shipping we went with gift card this year.... Also I got a new niece for Christmas too...my baby sister had her baby 11 days overdue. Miss Eleanor Marie-Helene, or "Elea", arrived on December 8th, weighing in at 9 lb. 2 oz. (their first babe).


Before I forget and ramble on here is the name of the winner of the Lovable Labels Giveaway as picked by random.org...#1

and #1 is Ms. Cindy Keery

Cindy, congratulations on being chosen and I will be emailing you shortly to let you know please reply with 24 hours so I can get you in touch with the wonderful people over at Lovable Labels.

Thank you to Lovable Labels for the giveaway!

P.S. I will be taking a break until the new year to enjoy family, will be back with loads of book reviews and a couple fun tutorials and crafts for you all plus some learning printables for you too.

Please have a wonderful holiday, no matter what you celebrate! Have a safe and healthy 2012! I really wanna thank you all for reading my little blog and hope you will continue to do so in the new year!

CLOSED---Lovable Labels Holiday Gift Seals and Holiday Return Address Labels Review and Giveaway-EXTENDED 'til Dec.20th

Happy Holidays to all of you!
I was given the chance to review some more of Lovable Labels products in time for the holidays. If you haven't heard of Lovable Labels then here is a little tidbit about them.

Who are Lovable Label?
In 2003, Lovable Labels became the result of one mom's need to keep track of her child's stuff when in daycare. This mom saw the necessity of labelling belongs when in this setting and branched into labels for all need of parents' when sending their children into the world where things disappear, school, daycare and extracurricular activities and the like. Recognizing the need for personalized labels that are tough, durable and could stand the ultimate tests of everyday use and time. They continue to strive to develop inovative and useful products, many of which have came from customer feedback and suggestions from parents just like you!
What are Lovable Labels?
Lovable Labesl specializes in durable tags and labels that are personalized to the child. They have developed the best quality labels that are not only durable but beautiful too! Their labels are waterproof, dishwasher and microwave safe, washer and dryer safe, sun safe, bleach safe, sunscreen safe, and temperature safe. Lovable Labels has you covered from their shoe labels to multipurpose labels and clothing labels.
Why Lovable Labels?
Lovable Labels are needed because kids lose stuff! No matter where they go they always misplace their things and some never make it home. Lovable Labels to the rescue! With durable, affordable and unique designs, their labels have got you covered. Lovable Labels also help save you money by not having to keep replacing your child's belonging because they come home with them!

So in the spirit of the Holidays, Lovable Labels offered me the chance to review their Gift Seals and Return Address Labels. We chose this design called "A Green Christmas". Other styles can be found by click the picture below...really it was hard to choose but because I am a huge Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer fan it was this one by a landslide...

You can definitely get into the festive season with these Holiday inspired Gift Seals and Holiday Return Address Labels!  There are six great designs to choose from with very cute names, like "Starry Nights", "Winter Wishes" and "Jingle all the Red".  These self sealing gift seals with matching address return labels will be making a stylish statement when used to decorate my envelopes and gifts this year!
Each pack contains 60 Gift Seals and 90 Address Labels.
Dimensions (Address Labels): 6.5 cm x 3.75 cm (2½" x 1½")
Dimensions (Gift Seals): Diam. 2"
With a Price tag of $21.95 CDN
I am totally in awe of the quality of the labels. This is how they arrived....

Isn't it beautiful packaging???

I found the labels inside like this....

The labels and seals are very vibrant in colours and cute! They are a good size label and seal as well. What a great way to show you Christmas Spirit when sending out you cards this year! I can't wait to finish my cards and drop them in the post and then wait to hear what my family thought of them!!!!
Thanks to Lovable Labels for the chance to try out and review their latest addition to their arsenal of already stunning labels, just in time for the Holidays season!

So here is the best thing about blogging....Lovable Labels has offered one reader of AM2CW, their own Holiday Gift Seal and Holiday Return Address Label set (winners choice of one of the six designs)!!!!!
Here is the details on how to get in on a chance to win your own Holiday Seals and Return Address Labels from Lovable Labels ($21.95 value)
Mandatory entries: (please leave a separate comment for each entry as well as email address if one is not attached to your profile or you are entering the contest under the "anonymous" alias)
1. Must follow AM2CW on GFC to be eligible! and Answer this question: What is the name of Rudolph's crush in the movie "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer"? (2 entries)
2. Two choices here for this mandatory entry:

• a. Follow Lovable Labels on Twitter (@mylovablelables) and leave them a tweet telling the AM2CW sent you [2 entries]

OR 

• b. Like Lovable Labels-Headquaters on Facebook and tell them AM2CW sent you [2 entries]

3. Follow AM2CW on Facebook and Twitter (links to the right) [2 entries for each]

Bonus entries:
4. Mention this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, twitter and leave the link to you blog or facebook status or you social media handle (name) {2 entries for each]

The Giveaway will run until December 15 20th 

Winner will be announced by December 16 21st!

Please note: The winner will have 48 hours to contact me once you receive an email from me telling you the great news! Please respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Winner will be chosen via random.org.

Must be 18 years of age to be eligible.

Open to  Canada and US residences.

 Thank you very much to Lovable Labels for this review and giveaway!

**Disclosure**The Product in this review was provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are that of my own and are not influences by monetary compensation.

Craftaholics Anonymous's Christmas Gift Exchange 2011!

Hi everyone,
I decided this year to participate in the Christmas Gift Exchange over at Craftaholics Anonymous. Linda does this twice a year and I missed out on the Summer one so I signed up for the holiday version.

I received my partner who was Cindy over at Creating at Home, a DIY blog about baking, cooking,  and crafty stuff. She is a fellow Canadian from the West Coast.
Here are some of her projects...

cute, eh?

WOW!!!

So today I received my gift from her and feeling like a little kid on Christmas morning I almost tore into it with taking a picture of it!!! I love receiving things in the mail....

This is what I found upon opening the package...

Beautifully wrapped

Lovely note and Card (her daughter made)

100% silk handbag Cindy made me!!!
Already claimed by Princess B!

Thank you soo much Cindy for a lovely gift...I hope I have gained a friend I know I have gained a new craft blog to follow!!!!

I will post tomorrow or check out Cindy's blog to see what she received from me!!!

The next Handmade Exchange is slated to next year so if you have a chance sign up!!!

Read-to-Me-Mama- Mondays #5

In this edition of R2MM Mondays, we were able to review a series of books by Nicholas Oldland (author /illlustrator) of the three titles we received.

Big Bear Hug, 

© 2009, 

4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages, 

Ages: 3 to 7, 

Grades: Pres

chool to 2, 

Hardcover Jacket, ISBN:978-1-55453-464-7, $16.95 CAD

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Science & Technology

Life Science
habitats
ecosystem
READING LEVELS
Fountas & Pinnell I
Grade Level 1/2
Reading Recovery15-16
Accelerated ReaderLG   2.5
About the book: 
Bear is a hugger...yes a huge bear is wandering through the forest and he's hugging everything he sees! A beaver? And a moose? And a bird? And a tree?Welcome to the world of Big Bear Hug, a contemporary fable about a bear who has an appetite for hugging everything in sight - even creatures that bears have been known to eat. One day, the benevolent bear meets up with a human. This human proceeds to do something the bear cannot understand: he raises his axe and begins to cut down a tree. Suddenly the bear doesn't feel like hugging anymore and must make a difficult decision on how to stop this destruction in his forest. The environmental message of Big Bear Hug is both funny and powerful, while simple enough to engage very young children and show them the awesome power of a hug.
My Review: I love the premise behind this story...of which there are many. First, the bear hugs everything he sees...even things he has been known to eat. Second, when faced with a decision, bear realizes he must take stand and make hi point known to the human. And third, the environment message underlying that leads you to ask "what would the animals do if they took a stand on the harvesting of trees?" makes you wonder if all humans in the forest would meet the same demise as this one did???? I love the things that come into my adult brain when I read this, especially because I was raised in a town where the forestry industry is the main staple of income for most. What if the animals all rebelled to the cutting down of trees...how would they do it? What would be the end result? This book brings to a lighthearted look on the ecosystems and habitats of animals a great way to touch briefly on the environment as well. I discussed with Princess B, what bear could have changed to his reaction in the trees being cut down. We also talked about emotions and how they get expressed differently in various situations.

Making the Moose Out of Life, © 2010, 4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages, Ages: 3 to 7, Grades: Preschool to 2, Hardcover Jacket, ISBN:978-1-55453-580-4, $16.95 CAD

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Language Arts

Picture Books

READING LEVELS

Fountas & Pinnell I

Grade Level 1/2

Reading Recovery15-16

About the book:

Moose is from the start of the story, quiet and reserved in his character. This moose may live in the wild, but he doesn't act it — he watches from the sidelines as his friends have fun. Every now and then, he wonders if he's missing out on anything. When the moose finally takes a chance and goes on a solo sailing trip, a raging storm carries him far from everything he knows. Will he curl up in a ball and cry, or make the 'moose' of it? This once mild-mannered moose, soon learns how to take life by the antlers.

The moose's unlikely hero-journey is a lighthearted, contemporary fable that celebrates living life to the fullest.

My Review: This is a great read to show how not everything we do is set in stone, and when we are faced with a dilemma we must make the 'moose' of it. Live life to its fullest potential. this book introduces kids to the idea of making friends as well as getting to know yourself. The pun also kept me interested as an adult. It talks of how trying something new gives you confidence and self-esteem.

The Busy Beaver, © 2011, 4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages,  Ages: 3 to 7, Grades: PreSchool to 2, Hardcover Jacket, ISBN: 978-1-55453-749-5, $16.95 CAD
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Language Arts

Picture Books

READING LEVELS

Fountas & Pinnell I

Grade Level 1/2

Reading Recovery15-16

About the book:
The busy but careless beaver spends his days following random impulses, rarely thinking things through and leaving in his wake a devastated forest filled with stumps, half-nibbled trees and injured, homeless animals. But then one day the beaver finds himself on the wrong side of a falling tree, which as it turns out, is just the thing to knock some sense into him. After reflecting on his behavior, he decides to make some changes. Soon, the now wiser and gentler beaver is getting down to the business of making things right, much to the delighted surprise of his forest friends. This charming story which gently teaches youngsters how to take care with others, as well as the world around us.
My Review: I love the idea behind this book that if we rush through things without taking the time...things don't get done right. This is something for my new JK'er, she rushes everything and fails to take her time just so she get things done. This leads to carelessness and messy work along with disorganization in the long run. It shows how if you just slow down and look around you notice how things were not done in the greatest of your potential and could cause harm others around us.



This series of books by Nicholas Oldland, are colourful and the illustrations are stunning. Oldland has wonderful ideas that come to life in his 3 books here. We really enjoy reading them time and again.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Kids Can Press for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.