Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester

Mod Fam Find: Friends and Family Sale at Chronicle Books

I heart Chronicle Books - their books are the perfect blend of visual candy and quality content and I often find myself browsing through their website for interesting reads for our girls and for myself.

Check them out yourself and take advantage of their Friends and Family Holiday Sale where you can enjoy 35% off PLUS FREE ground shipping!  Just use promo code FRIENDS at checkout. (Good till December 5th.)

Here's what I've added to my shopping cart so far:

Just Between Us:  A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal for Girls and Their Mothers. (Was $15.95, sale price $10.40)

 
With the approaching holidays, I find myself getting more and more reflective of how time has flown and wanting to look at old photo and scrapbook albums.  I had a sneak peak into this book and really liked the prompts listed in this book.  I would get ALOT of use out of this as journaling prompts not just for one child but for both, and not just once, but over time as it will be interesting to also note how our responses change over time.

Mini Lunch Notes (Was $9.95, sale price $6.50)

 
I am super excited to get these!  We have officially made it through a quarter of lunch-packing and daily lunch notes.  (I would make/print the lunch notes in batches on a weekend and pull one out to write on for the day.)  These would be such a great way to mix things up and I am tickled pink by the illustrations too.

Heroes of the Environment (Was $16.99, Sale Price $11.05)

 

This book features 12 people who have in their own way, have done great things for the environment.  I like the theme of relating the story to a child by describing the experiences these heroes had as children, witnessing some of the ecological issues, that gradually fueled their passion for finding a solution.  I think that for Naia (5-year-old), this could be a great way to tie into why we do some of the things we ask her to do like turning off the lights, not littering, and recycling.

The Ivy and Bean Secret Treasure Box (Was $19.95, Sale Price $13)

Naia LOVES to read and as my husband would say, It's time to graduate to "Chapter Books". So I have been looking around for age-appropriate and values-appropriate books for her and came across Ivy+Bean.  It's touted as a good "transition read" for those who are past easy reader books but not quite ready for middle school books.  Also the baseline themes of friendship and siblings and family will really appeal to Lil' Ms Social Butterfly.  Honestly, I am a little intrigued by what Ivy+Bean get up to as well! 

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated directly by Chronicle Books for this post however I am a member of their affiliate program.

Winner of the Artist Case + Our Little Messes Discount

We have a winner of the Our Little Messes Artist Case giveaway, 

 
 

Of the 62 entries, entry #11 is the winner - congrats Kara on winning an in-stock plain or monogrammed artist crayon case of your choice!  I have emailed you with further instructions.

For those who did not win but LOVE Our Little Messes - they have graciously offered a 20% discount off all in-stock artist cases to my readers!  Fer shizzles!  Just mention "GHD Blog Giveaway" and the difference will be refunding via PayPal.  This discount is good till November 30th but get your purchases in early so that you get to select from fabric designs that you like before they are sold out.

 

You can find OurLittleMesses here,

Etsy Store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/OurLittleMesses
Website:  http://www.ourlittlemesses.com
Blog:  http://ourlittlemesses.blogspot.com/
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ourlittlemesses
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/ourlittlemesses

Artist Cases from Our Little Messes (Mod Fam Find)

 

Over the last few months, a little artist has emerged in Naia and it has been so heart-warming to see what she draws when given some paper and crayons.  However, when she runs out of paper, she has to come to me and ask for more so I have been directing her to my stash of scrap papers to draw on and then filing them away with the intention to bind them into books using my Cinch book binding system.  So when I saw Our Little Messes's artist crayon cases, the "this-is-perfect!" moment hit me - here is a product that houses everything she could need in an organized manner and is visually adorable!

When I received the cases, I was so impressed by the quality and thought that went into it - the cases are interfaced so they feel substantial and sturdy without being too heavy for a young child to carry. 
As you can see, the fabric colors are bright and cheery and just perfect for inspiring creativity. (Naia got one in the Retro Umbrella fabric and Gianna got one in the Apples & Pears print)  The velcro clasp is kid-friendly but sturdy that both a five-year-old and a two-year-old can independently use the case without help.

Function-wise, the interior crayon pockets are just right for the twistable crayons that come with it and behind the paper pad is a stiff board for some extra sturdiness as a drawing surface. 

 
 
These cases are useful as well as on-the-go activity options for the girls.  During errand runs last weekend, they drew quietly in the car and I kept thinking how thankful I am to have found Our Little Messes!  
(No worries, I was not driving while taking this photo.  Driver's side of the car is on the left here in the US.  I had already stopped the car and saw them so engrossed that I had to take a photo)

It has been a couple of weeks since we received the cases and both my girls use their artist case daily -  Naia is already midway through her second paper pad and whenever she feels a "moment", she can just say, "I'm going to go draw" and pick up her case.  Her little sister follows shortly behind her with her own little case.  Love it.

Well, thanks to Our Little Messes, you will have a chance to win a in-stock plain or monogrammed artist crayon case!  You can view all of the fabric options here (Updated 11/10/2010 Link =>) view all of the fabric options here (4th photo).

In order to be entered to win, you have to visit Our Little Messes etsy store and leave a comment here with which is your favourite item (does not have to be an artist case) from their store.  While you are there, check out some of their other beautiful creations like fabric notebook covers, baby bips and burpcloths, and crayon wallets.  And say hi to Amy & Diane, the lovely ladies behind Our Little Messes at their facebook page.

For extra entries, do each of the following and return to this post and leave a comment.  If you are following on twitter or tweeting, leave your twitter handle.  If you are sharing a link to this giveaway, leave the link in the comment so I can verify your entry.

1. Follow me on twitter @gracehester
2. Tweet about this giveaway, please include @gracehester @ourlittlemesses and the hashtag #giveaway in your tweet.
3. Share this on facebook/blog/other social channels

This giveaway is open to international participants with shipping covered for US and Canadian residents, and a shipping credit equivalent to US shipping applied to International shipping.  The giveaway ends on November 10th at 8pm.  Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be announced on this blog shortly.

You can also find OurLittleMesses here,

Website:  http://www.ourlittlemesses.com
Blog:  http://ourlittlemesses.blogspot.com/
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ourlittlemesses
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/ourlittlemesses

Disclaimer:  I was provided with one artist crayon case for a review and purchased an extra one. (Moms of multiple kids will understand why.)  Our Little Messes has very generously provided the giveaway prize in addition to the review/purchased cases for one of my winners.

Winners of Skip Hop Zoo Packs and Zoo Lunchies from CSN Stores

Here are the winners of the Skip Hop Zoo Packs and Zoo Lunchies from CSN Stores.

 

Kathleen from KatyDidandKid!
 

And Robin!!! I have extra exclamation marks because I actually know who Robin is :o)

Congrats to both of you and I will be in touch via email with instructions on redeeming your prizes!  Thanks CSN Stores for sponsoring this giveaway!
 

 

 

Giveaway for Skip Hop Zoo Packs and Zoo Lunchies (Mod Fam Find of the Week)

 
(OK so a little late since it's NOT Thursday but it was well worth the wait!)

Our family really likes today’s Modern Family Find via CSNStores.com - small kids' backpacks and lunchbags from Skip Hop featuring different animal faces, and aptly named "Zoo Packs" and "Zoo Lunchies".  I first discovered Skip Hop when CSNStores offered me an item from their many stores to review.  I decided on the Skip Hop Vine Floral Organizers because I was working on a reading nook in the girls’ room and figured it would be perfect to hold some coloring pencils and notepads and Naia’s mini albums.  When it arrived, I was so impressed by the quality of the item and began to check out their other offerings.  When it was time to purchase a school bag and lunch bag for Naia, I knew the handful of etsy sellers or design studios I wanted to go with and Skip Hop won out with their zoo packs!  Unfortunately, when the Dog backpack arrived, the size was too small for Naia’s needs (this inexperienced mom forgot to factor in the size of poly folders) but it was the perfect size for Gianna so we kept it.  She loves carrying it to school on Mondays when we have to bring in her blanket and a change of clothes for the week,

   

 
The Penguin Lunchie for Naia was a winner though!  Both girls are getting compliments on their backpack/lunchbags because they are a slight departure from the “in-your-face-licensed-characters” ones you see and the design is so unique.

Check out the array of offerings they have for their Zoo Packs,

 
And their Zoo Lunchies.  How fun right!?

 
Apparently, kids of celebrities moms like Gwen Stefani, Jessica Alba and Heidi Klum have been spotted carrying their backpacks and lunchies.  But celebrity-endorsed or not, these are definitely kid-friendly and modern mama-friendly so they get the Modern Family Find stamp-of-approval.

Here's the extra great news:

Initially, I had written up this Mod Fam Find without the intention of conducting a giveaway.  But I wrote to the CSN promotions team to see if they would be interested in sponsoring one and they generously stepped up to the plate by offering not ONE set, but TWO sets of backpack/lunchie combinations!  So two winners will get to pick one backpack of your choice and one lunchie of your choice for a set! (Selections subject to availability.) 

In order to be entered to win, you have to visit the Skip Hop section at CSNStores and leave a comment here with which is your favourite Zoo Pack and Lunchie combination.

For extra entries, do each of the following and return to this post and leave a comment.  If you are following on twitter or tweeting, leave your twitter handle.  If you are sharing a link to this giveaway, leave the link in the comment so I can verify your entry.

1. Follow me on twitter @gracehester
2. Tweet about this giveaway, please include @gracehester @csnstores and the hashtag #giveaway in your tweet.
3. Share this on facebook/blog/other social channels 

This giveaway is open to just US residents and will end on October 19th at 8pm.  Winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced on this blog shortly.

Winner of The The Twinery Giveaway

I am still a little underwater but wanted to announce the winner of The Twinery giveaway!

Congrats to Malinda!

You should have received an email from me by now on how to redeem your prize.  Thanks to all for participating!  Sorry for the drive-by post but much to do this evening for me!  And I hope to make it to bed before midnight.  Onward we march!

Using Baker's Twine for Tags (Printable Download Freebie and Tutorial)

When I hear or read the words, "baker's twine", I get nostalgic and remember standing in a bakery, looking up on a big spool of baker's twine hanging from the ceiling to tie up outgoing white packages filled with freshly-baked goodies.  Baker's twine has gained so much popularity since those days, basically for its alternate uses in crafting projects such as being used to add a chic touch to a pretty package, as strings for tags, or for scrapbooking.  (See this round-up of inspiring uses for baker's twine.) 

I decided to order a spool of baker's twine from The Twinery one to tie my outgoing packages of framed prints or maybe to tie around the soon-to-be released 2011 calendars! (Bam!  Just snuck a sneak peak on ya!)

When my spool arrived, I ended up also using it to make some tags as a "cheer-me-up" surprise for a friend going through a tough health situation and I took some photos of the process.

First, I designed and a letter-sized printable sheet of tags - you can download the printable tags freebie here.  It prints nicely onto letter-sized paper.

Printed the file on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper, 

Trimmed the tags down to size, 

and just because I like rounded corners, I rounded the corners with my We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile corner chomper,

Then I used the We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile eyelet punch toolto punch a hole where I was planning to string the twine,

and threaded the twine through the hole to finish off the tag!

I love the teal and white color that I purchased but The Twinery also has a sampler pack with 8 colors in it!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a spool of your choice or a sampler pack!