Creative Kismet » Fun kid stuff

An Awesome Interview & Giveaway

Creative Kismet — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:04:40 +0000

As the summer activities start winding down it’s time to start getting out the books and doing a bit more reading. Dallas Clayton, the author and illustrator of An Awesome Book, and I thought it would be a great end-of-summer treat to give away his very awesome book!

I am super excited to share this really fun book with you. It’s about dreaming big, and you know I love that! My kids and I have read it a hundred times, so we came up with some silly & fun questions together. Mostly they are about dreams and bedtime and reading. All good stuff.

Click on the image and read An Awesome Book online for free!

What is the best dream you remember having as a kid?

Most of the dreams I had as a kid were about magic places and exploration. I wish I had a dream journal from ages 6-12, I bet it would read like the most nonsensical comic book/adventure series ever. Lots of time travel and super powers I’m sure. More parents should have their kids keep dream journals, specifically for the ability to reflect on them once the kids are all grown up.

Did you have a stuffed animal/friend that you slept with at night. Does your son?

I had a rubber snake that I would chew on. I grew up on a farm and apparently the rubber snake was some sort of gag gift from my parents friends, but I just took to it so there’s all these photos of me running around naked chewing on this realistic looking rubber snake. There was also some issue of my grandparents thinking the snake was totally disgusting. Fear of snakes maybe? I dunno, these are just the stories that you hear your parents tell that stick with you. As for my son he keeps a roving cast of stuffed animals each one carrying a special meaning depending on the day. His current favorite is a long-tailed cat named “Billy.”

Do you have a good trick for keeping away bad dreams?

Before you go to bed try to remember all of the amazing things in the world that make you happy and that you are lucky to have in your life. This should do the trick. (It’s also great for when you are getting frustrated about something petty.)

Did you have a favorite book or story that you liked when you were a kid?

I was a big fan of the superfudge series, also anything by shel silverstein, Richard Scarry, Roald Dahl, and Dr. Seuss. Those guys rule!

If you could dream up a machine that made/did 3 different things at once, what would it make/do?

It would make people happy, create food for the masses, and allow me the ability to fly.

We love the illustrations of your book, what is your favorite animal/creature to draw?

I’m honestly just learning to draw. An Awesome Book was the first book I ever drew and now I’m painting and drawing all sorts of things I never could before, but currently I’m a big fan of dinosaurs. Sidewalk chalk and dinosaurs can’t be beat.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying that you’d like to share?

Dream Big!

Big thank you to Dallas for sharing a little bit about himself and his dreams. You can watch a short video about the children’s literacy foundation that he set up around the book here, and read An Awesome Book online for free. Also check out the mural he was commissioned to make on a children’s clothing store this month. It’s pretty rad.

***To win your very own copy of this great book, please leave a comment by August 26th, and I’ll announce a winner later this week.***

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snack baggies and napkins

Creative Kismet — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:45:50 +0000

As usual, the sewing request start coming in during the first week of school. Of course, I am happy to oblige. I’ve been wanting to make the little snack baggies and napkins for a while and was excited to get the request. I’ve also been asked to make new place mats for lunch time. I’ll be showing you those tomorrow.

funny guys

Creative Kismet — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:42:49 +0000

I had to share this funny picture of my guys. It totally cracks me up. They wanted me to take a picture of their lego creation (a constant around here) and we chanced upon this funny head eating lego creature. Now we are on a mission to do more trick photography. We tried a few in Oregon that I will share later.

I’ve also been working on a project that involves a bit of embroidery. A nice meditative project to do after a busy vacation.

teacher gifts

Creative Kismet — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:57:43 +0000

Only 2 days of school left. What am I going to do all summer, stuck in the house because of the heat, with two active little boys? Wish me luck, or even better, send some ideas my way!

We just finished E’s teacher gifts. He has one teacher and an assistant which helps out in his montesorri classroom. They are both awesome and we are so lucky to have spent time with them this year.

We painted little clay pots with chalkboard paint and inside we put a packet of basil seeds with a special note stuck onto it that reads, “Thanks for helping me grow”. Then we put in a felt flower and felt leaf topped pen, a couple more pens, some chalk (to write on the pot with), a painted rock bug and a chocolate bar.

Once these next two days are over, that means my guy will be a 4th grader!! Can you believe it? I sure can’t.

chalk board pantry door

Creative Kismet — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:35:59 +0000

I decided to paint our pantry door with chalk board paint. The hubby was skeptical, but he’s learned to trust my home decor ideas.

I used chalk board paint to cover our very old and shabby white door. I think it looks so much better now.

I have regular chalk and I bought some chalk ink markers that are WAY cool. They wipe away only with water or cleaning wipes. We are using the regular chalk to make daily changes to our board and the markers for the more permanent stuff. So fun and a great idea for an organized family!!

Check out all of the great chalk board ideas on google..WOW!!

Have a great weekend~

let’s go shopping

Creative Kismet — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:02:06 +0000

I had planned on making my little I-guy some felt food for his birthday, but time got away from me. Fortunately, my lovely sister came to the rescue with some felt food for him from Oceantribes on etsy. Yay! There were more veggies in the mix, but they are missing in action.

I made a burlap bucket (pdf pattern from Maya Made) for him to keep all his play food in. He uses it to “go shopping” and it fits perfectly under the sink of his play kitchen.

my baby is 5

Creative Kismet — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:46:21 +0000

You can’t really tell from the pictures but it rained all day, was gray and cold. But that didn’t damper or darken my little guy’s day. He has a light of his own that he shines brightly every day. Always happy, chatty, funny, and ready to go anywhere and do anything without complaint.

He woke up early ready for the much expected abundance of love from mommy, daddy and brother. He is very much loved every day, but today was extra special of course because of the presents, specially requested food and all the cards in the mail from loved ones.

He didn’t ask for much, just a penguin made by me. So, every little gift was a big surprise. He said, “Everyone must love me A LOT!” They sure do, little buddy!

name plaques and giant rutabagas

Creative Kismet — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:43:18 +0000

I made these little name plaques for a friend who will be visiting her nephews this weekend. She wanted to give them a gift for their rooms.I finished them up with ribbon for hanging.

We also picked up our CSA produce today to find these giant rutabagas. The box said, “do not fear the rutabaga”. Ha! I thought that was cute. We peeled them, and cut them into “fries” and roasted them with a bit of oil and salt. They were very yummy–nothing to fear at all.

caterpillar book

Creative Kismet — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:24:26 +0000

Like our caterpillar book? Made it with my I-guy. He LOVES Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar book and he wanted to make his own version. See the leaf with little egg?

Originally, I was trying to remember how to join square pieces of paper so that it folded into a little book. I had made these when I was little (grade school). Once I figured it out, I put I-guy to work decorating it.

He loves doing projects like this and was very happy to oblige. Especially because I opened up my art supply box. He really loves getting into the art supplies.

We very carefully and slowy wrote our own story. We read it often and he has been ever so pleased to share his book with anyone who will look.

Ruby doll & other gifts

Creative Kismet — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:55:08 +0000

It took me forever to get a christmas package together for my dear little niece Ruby. I finally sent it off last Thursday and she received it in the mail today! Hooray!!

I had wanted to make a wee wonderful doll, but that didn’t happen. I couldn’t handle the idea of making little clothes, at the time, but would love to tackle the project at another time when it is less stressful.

I made another barrette holder too, with sweet little felt covered barrettes.

They were so much fun to make. I might have to make a few for me, just cuz.