Monday, January 23, 2012

Posted by in book, book-Movie, crafts, giveaway, review | 11 Comments

NEW E-Book – The Joy of Melt and Pour Soap Crafting (review & giveaway)

ABOUT-
“The Joy of Melt & Pour Soap Crafting” is written by someone who learned how to work with crafting glycerin melt & pour soap the hard way — with only a single page of instructions to follow! From 2004-2009 the author ran an online business, Everything Shea Aromatic Creations, selling 85+ varieties of soap. If you’ve always wanted to make your own soap, here’s an opportunity to learn just how easy it really is!”

My Thoughts-
I was very excited to learn how to make homemade soap. I’ve always thought they’d make a fun. personal gift for family and friends.
“The Joy of Melt & Pour Soap Crafting” says it’s for beginners to the everyday crafter. At first I was a bit overwhelmed with the book, it used a lot of terms I had never heard of and talked like I knew something about soap making. But I decided to not give up on the book right away and I’m glad I didn’t. By the end of the book I couldn’t wait to head to the craft store and get everything I needed to make my own soap. I felt ready and knew I’d make some great soap. Maybe not perfect soap but at least better then I would have if I didn’t have this book.
Below are some photos of the steps I did in making my special soap. I went with a clear base, green Tea & Cucumber scent and added a few special “toys” to make them what I’d call “Cucumber Tea surprise”. They didn’t turn out perfect but I still love them and so did Lee and Moo. I did mess up the scent a bit and is stronger then I wanted, but you learn from trying, I know next time to put a bit less in.
If you’re looking for something to teach you how to make your own soap I highly recommend, “The Joy of Melt & Pour Soap Crafting”. Just keep in mind, you’ll want to read the whole book before you start. Every tip is helpful.

Cutting up the base soap-

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Measuring the base-

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Stirring in the the scent-

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Pouring the mix into the molds-

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Waiting and cooling-

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FINISHED!!! (I forgot to follow the step on making sure there were no bubbles in the soap, but since this batch for just for my family, it’s ok. Next time I’ll remember)


FIND it-
Author’s website
everythingsheacreates.com
twitter
amazon
B&N

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Posted by in children, crafts, fashion, hair accessories, kids, review | 0 Comments

BoW’n Voyage review

ABOUT-
BoW’n Voyage started as my attempts to make bows for my little Girls, and as a distraction from my Husband’s 10 month deployment. With the inspiration of a Friend starting her own Photography business I decided that I would try my hand at selling the Bows I love to make.
I started my Facebook page in Jan of 2010, however it really took off in February of 2011! I am loving the networking, and the amazing WAHM’s, Working Momma’s, and SAHM that I get to interact with every day! I love to be able to give things away, and help people have a better day! Life is a Voyage and it is meant to be enjoyed! So have fun and order some accessories”

My Thoughts-
I won a giveaway at Laura’s Barefoot Books facebook page a few months back from a company called BoW’n Voyage and I wanted to share about them with my readers.
I LOVE our bows we got 6 bows in all two of each style. The ones in the photo below are Lee’s favorite.
Each bow although matching are unique which to me means that no one else will have the same ones I have. The are put together well and after many wearings have not fallen apart. The slip easy into the hair and does not pull(that is very important to Lee).
BoW’n Voyage has a TON of hair clips to pick from and all at amazing prices.

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Disclaimer- I won this item from a giveaway. I was not asked to write a review. This review reflects my personal opinion of the product and may differ from yours.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Posted by in book-Movie, children, Christian, crafts, DVD, family, review | 1 Comment

See The Light- “The Crossmaker” DVD

ABOUT-
“Explore The Bible Through Interactive Art | The Crossmaker. Meet Dominic, the son of a carpenter, who finds himself drawn into the unforgettable trial of the man called Jesus. Share in this amazing adventure that takes Dominic from Christ’s crucifixion to a place of redemption, and a face-to-face meeting with the risen Christ! See The Light chalk artist Gloria Kohlmann draws her stunning interpretation of the Easter Story.”

My Thoughts-
I had the chance to review the Christmas story in Dec last year done by the “See The Light” people and when I heard about them coming out with an Easter version I couldn’t wait to see it.
I was even more impressed with the artwork and story told for the Easter DVD. The story is told from the view of a young boy named, Dominic, a carpenters son. He was asked to make one more cross, Dominic hated making them and hated even more delivering them. He knew what they meant and hated knowing the death was on his hands. When he found out this particular cross was for an innocent man, it made his heart even more heavy. Then when he realized it was for the Son of God his burden felt almost too heavy to carry. But three days after the Son of God was killed a man started talking to him on the road, when Dominic looked up he realized it was Christ and found true forgiveness.
This story was told by a “grandpa” to some kids. See The Light used beautiful chalk drawings to illustrate this story. And the “grandpa” did not sugar coat the story of the death of Christ. He shared about the bloody beating and the thorns placed on Christ’s head, he talked about the pain and the ridicule.
Even though it’s hard to share those kinds of things with your kids I feel it’s important for them to know the depth of His love for them, what He went through for them and that He did it so we could go to Heaven.
In the special features there is the “Salvation Message” all done it chalk art, with Scripture and the message of Christ. I highly recommend you watch this with your kids. And I would recommend this DVD to your family, it’s the perfect segway to teaching your children about Christ and Easter.


FIND it-
website
facebook
twitter
youtube
amazon
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* Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate my review. This post reflects my honest, personal opinion and experience with the product which may differ from yours. Product information courtesy of the sponsor. No monetary compensation was provided for this post.

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Monday, February 21, 2011

Posted by in Canada, children, crafts, family, kids, Kitchener Waterloo, necklaces, review, Toys, women | 1 Comment

“Bring on the Sunshine” event

Today is “Family Day” here in Ontario, Canada. So there is no school or work today so that families can spend time together. This morning Chris and I were looking something fun for us to do and Chris found online an event called “Bring on the Sunshine- Celebrating Africa, Family, Community and Culture” that was held at Forest Hill United Church in Kitchener. With February being Black History month we were excited to bring our kids to this event and hoped they would learn more about another culture.

Once we got there we were given a brochure that told all about the events we could participate in throughout the day and throughout the church. The first one we went to was a musical event. the guy made sure each of us had some kind of drum/cowbell/and other percussion instruments to play. He talked about the tribes in Uganda and the importance of community and how it is a family. He used the phrase “it take a village to raise a child” and how everyone in the village has a hand in raising the children and taking care of the elders/sick. Really, I got chills from this, I wish North American culture was more like this, we really don’t care for others around us and when someone is in need a lot of the times we feel they are a burden. What he said was not true from where he came from. He then shared about music and the importance it is to the community and how they each work together to form beautiful music. He lead us through some chants and rhythms they do. I had so much fun and so did our girls. Lee has really great rhythm.
After this session we got to look around at some artwork that I totally fell in love with.

We then walked around a bit listening in to different music session. After that we found the “market place” were we could visit many booths and purchase items. Lee picked out a cute little boy doll that she is totally in love with now. She hasn’t put him down or had him out of her site. She tells me she loves him because he is “soooooo cute”.
This was thanks to nandikids.ca.

We got Moo a handmade doll made by the teenage girls at the “Eagles Wings Children’s Village” taking care of orphans in Uganda. 100% of the proceeds go right back the orphanage that provides, “healthy food, safe drinking water, clean clothes, comfortable beds and heath care”. I encourage you to visit the website for more info and on how you can sponsor a child. The dolls are so cute, they even are carrying a baby on their backs.

I picked out a Paper Beads necklace made by the women in the Wakisi Village, Uganda. The group is called “@the Source beads“. 100% of the proceeds from each sale provides:
* Food for 40-60 school children.
* Poverty relief for a destitute family in Wakisi Village.
* Education for orphaned children

I was so glad we went, we had so much fun and learned a lot.

This event was organized by the Zimbabwe Canada Association in partnership with Forest Hill United Church and Positively Cultured. Thank you to ALL who helped out and put this together. I hope you do it again.

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Posted by in children, crafts, kids, review, Toys | 1 Comment

WeVeel- Craft & Toy Company‏- Review

ABOUT-
WeVeel- Craft & Toy Company
“WeVeel™ is a US brand founded by leading stationery manufacturers, craft inventors and toy designers.
With offices in Dallas, and Ningbo, China, the WeVeel™ LLC team has over 50 years experience developing innovative products for the world’s largest companies.
Our mission is to create, “A Whole New World of Creativity” by introducing surprising new ways to create, share and experience color and design.
All WeVeel™ products are fun, safety tested and non-toxic.”

My Thoughts-
I got to review three toys/crafts from Weveel Craft & Toy company. Below are my thoughts on two of them. The 3-Donkulous™- Sidewalk Chalk is an outdoor activity and with a ton of snow outside right now I just can’t try it out now, if it’s as good as the rest of the crafts we have worked with I know it will be great.

The first thing I am going to talk about is, WeVeel Magic™- Envelope Packs. You draw on special paper with special pencils. You can use their stencils or draw your own picture. After you’re done drawing your picture you take their special transfer sticky type paper, you lay it across the picture and rub with the stick provided. Carefully peel the transfer paper and then you can stick it to whatever you want. I stuck mine to the top of my computer, Lee stuck hers on the window. It was fun and easy to use, lee couldn’t get enough of it, she LOVED it.

The other craft I got to try out it the 3-Donkulous™- Envelope Packs. This was my favorite. You can use their stencil or draw your own photo. I used their stencil and Lee had me draw a heart for her to color. When you are using the special markers it the color goes on dark ten lightens up as it drys. Once you’re done put on the 3-D glasses and see your picture come to life. Below are some photos and a video of this project.



Overall I am in LOVE with the WeVeel- Craft & Toy Company. They are easy to use and create a little “magic” in your little one’s life. There is an endless possibility of use of imagination.

FIND it-
Website
facebook
Twitter
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* Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate my review. This post reflects my honest, personal opinion and experience with the product which may differ from yours. Product information courtesy of the sponsor. No monetary compensation was provided for this post.

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Sunday, January 30, 2011

Posted by in baby, Canada, children, clothing, crafts, giveaway, kids, review | 155 Comments

B:Mod Designs- Review (CLOSED)

B:Mod Desgins- “Handmade creative clothes for kids and funky leg warmers!”

My Thoughts-
B:Mod Desgins creates and hand-makes all her items. I had the joy of reviewing her bright heart leg warmers. I love seeing my girls in legwarmers, they are just so cute. And to get a chance to review handmade in Canada legwarmer makes it even more enjoyable.

When I first got the legwarmers I actually emailed the owner of B.Mod designs to make sure I heard her correctly about them being handmade because they were put together so well. And it’s true she designed and made them herself. WOW!!!
The fit Lee perfectly. She wore them to dance class and looks so cute.
So what can I say? They are cute, fit well, very well made, handmade in Canada and just amazing.
I recommend you to check out B:Mod Desgins today. There are a lot of legwarmers to chose from and onsie/legwarmers sets as well. They also come very nicely packaged, you can see how below.

FIND it-
Etsy
Facebook
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THE GIVEAWAY

1 reader will win their choice of leg warmers from B:Mod Designs

TO ENTER. REQUIRED before you do any extra entries!! (please leave a valid email so I can contact you if you win)

1. Tell me which leg warmers you would pick

EXTRA ENTRIES (please leave separate comments for each entry)-

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-Tweet this giveaway and leave a status link (1x daily)
“Winners choice of Leg warmers from B:Mod Designs- http://www.bassgiraffe.com/?p=3940 #giveaway #win Feb 18th @bassgiraffe”

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-Vote for me on Picket Fence (left side-bar)- 1x daily

A HUGE thank you to B:Mod Designs for sponsoring this giveaway. And thank you all for joining.
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* Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate my review. This post reflects my honest, personal opinion and experience with the product which may differ from yours. Product information courtesy of the sponsor. No monetary compensation was provided for this post.

** OPEN TO US & Canada

*** Giveaway ends Friday February 18th at 11:59PM EST

**** Please do not use more then one account to participate. It’s not fair to others who want to join it. Thank you.

*winning disclaimer- The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for sending this product. bassgiraffe’s Thoughts can not be held liable for lost/damaged items.
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