Tuesday

O is for Octopus!


I'm really happy to tell you about Donna and her ready-made craft kits. For one, I'm not super crafty and I love that the kits come with the pieces all cut out and ready to go. A non-crafty person's dream!! Everything I need is already prepared for my child (and me...since I'm the one that would be doing the prep work!)


With this craft came a corresponding letter worksheet and a color print-out of a recommended book to accompany the craft. I promptly requested the book, "An Octopus Followed Me Home"  by Dan Yaccarino from our local library to read it before presenting the craft. However, after weeks of waiting, I still wasn't able to get the book from the library. :( I still want to read it though!


I love that this craft ties in various learning genres. Donna says, "The 'O is for Octopus' craft teaches color with multicolor tentacles, teaches numbers 1-8, and encourages small muscle development with the use of brads. It is suggested for children ages 4+ with supervision, because of the small parts. The kit is designed to be completed by the child without the use of scissors, glue or paint. Completing the project provides a wonderful sense of accomplishment for young crafters. Each kit is made by me, and was developed for a Tiny Tots Craft Class at a major chainstore. It has been kid-tested and mom-approved! I will be listing many different kits over time so they could be used as an ongoing activity for playgroups, daycare, parent one-on-one, or special grandparent time.

Each kit comes with a book suggestion, and a coloring or activity page - everything you need for some quality time with your child. I will be happy to provide a large number of kits at a discount. Just ask!" (which makes me think Donna would be a great resource for craft kits for Sunday School classes as well---because I can never seem to come up with a good craft for 3 year olds!) I also think these craft kits would be great to send to orphanages because you don't always have craft supplies readily available overseas.

I let my just-turned 4 year old do this craft by herself. I love that it was set up for her to do it independently because it gave me a chance to observe her ability to follow directions. I gave her a few instructions, but other than that, she did it completely on her own. I loved that everything was ready for her too--that way there was no frustration--only a sense of accomplishment.



Here's a little background behind Donna and her crafts...After she "retired" from a commercial art career, she began focusing on kid's arts and crafts. She developed and taught a tiny tots craft class at a local store. She was amazed at how eager even the youngest crafters were to make their own craft items with minimal help.  She became obsessed with putting together craft projects that the kids could do on their own using scissors, tape, glue or paint.  She eventually worked her way through the alphabet and holidays, devising a themed craft for each letter and holiday. Although Donna is no longer teaching this class, she is hoping she can still reach young crafters with her easy-to-do and satisying craft kits.


I'd also like to tell you a little about Donna's mission behind her crafts. She conducts children's craft classes for ages 3-12 and designs and modifies each craft project based on age, ability and easy of completion. She has volunteered at a children's rehabilitation hospital doing art with children with limited abilities. Her goal is to expose all children to the joy of arts and crafts and the wonderful sense of accomplishment that they bring. She believes that she is using her God-given gift and touching young children's lives in a positive way.

And here's a few of my other favorite craft kits that she offers:




And, Donna is offering one of her craft kits as a giveaway!

Here is what you can do for a few chances to enter. Please be sure to leave separate comments for each entry that you complete. Thanks!
  1. Check out Donna's etsy shop and tell me which craft is your favorite.
  2. Follow Purposeful Homemaking.
  3. Sign up for Purposeful Homemaking e-mails.
  4. Blog about this giveaway before August 23. Please leave the post's URL in the comment section.
Giveaway ends at midnight on August 24, 2011. May the most crafty-challenged person win! :)

Disclosure: Although I was given a craft kit to keep, I have done my best to give my complete and accurate opinion of this product.

63 comments:

latanya t said...

I is for ICE CREAM

dlatany at gmail dot com

latanya t said...

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Amanda said...

I like the L is for Ladybug and the W is for Watermelon kits.
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Amanda said...

Follow you via GFC - amanda alvarado
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orangefukurou said...

My favorite is T is for TURTLE craft kit
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orangefukurou said...

I follow Purposeful Homemaking

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orangefukurou said...

signed up for your email
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Unknown said...

So many great craft kits to choose from! My little guy would like T is for Turtle. Then again, the C is for Clock is pretty cool, too - he's learning his numbers and would love a chance to incorporate that into a craft project!
ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com ☮

Tattin' Kat said...

She has some cute ideas. I like the Turtle craft.

Tattin' Kat said...

I follow you

Tattin' Kat said...

I receive PH e-mailsb

Cali said...

I like the x is for xylophone craft.

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Cali said...

I follow you via gfc.

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Unknown said...

Oh it is sooo hard to choose a favorite!!! I love them all!!! If I had to choose, I think it would be the undersea aquarium!
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Unknown said...

email subscriber
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bUrMaN's said...

L is for ladybugs- the girls around here love ladybugs!

Tara said...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73197390/m-is-for-monkey-craft-kit
taraz9 at excite dot com

Tara said...

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Linds said...

Rainbow fish! Easy enough for my 18 month old.

Linds said...

Follow you via email:
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Sarah Hull said...

They are so cute and creative! I really like the RAINBOW FISH Craft Kit!

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Sarah Hull said...

I follow Purposeful Homemaking.

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I am signed up for Purposeful Homemaking e-mails.

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daivabaum said...

I follow you via Google Friend Connect.
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Nick Ashley Reagan Coen & Ike said...

I LOVE the halloween ones and the Rainbow fish and T is for turtle! So cute!

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Nick Ashley Reagan Coen & Ike said...

I follow you on gfc! (Nick, Ashley, Reagan, Coen & Ike)

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Unknown said...

i think my kids would love D is for duck!!
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Unknown said...

i follow you on gfc!
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Anonymous said...

i like the crocodile noteclip
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Anonymous said...

i follow you gfc
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Stephanie-jean Life:SemiCrunchy said...

T is for turtle
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Stephanie-jean Life:SemiCrunchy said...

follow you :)

Erin S said...

The monkey & Turtle are cute erinnsluka@gmail.com

Shanna said...

The Undersea Craft Aquarium looks fun.
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Shanna said...

follow you!
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Shanna said...

Just became an e-mail subscriber!
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Shannon Alexander said...

i love the undersea craft aquarium
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Shannon Alexander said...

i follow you on gfc
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Shannon Alexander said...

i get your email
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Jenn @ Organic-Mama.ca said...

C is for CLOCK craft kit is my favourite!

mail@organic-mama.ca

Jenn @ Organic-Mama.ca said...

gfc follower (organic mama)

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Brandi said...

A is for Apple

bwoody70 at gmail dot com

Mama Chocolate said...

The colors and shapes placemat looks cool!

Mama Chocolate said...

I follow Purposeful Homemaking via GFC
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Mama Chocolate said...

I subscribe to your emails!

Mama Chocolate said...

I blogged about it here: http://www.mamachocolateblog.com/low-entry-learning-resources-giveaways.html

Serendipity Stitcher said...

I like the K is for KANGAROO craft kit.

pkgbest at gmail dot com

Serendipity Stitcher said...

I follow you via GFC

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Serendipity Stitcher said...

I am signed up for your emails


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Cat said...

Seriously, how do you choose? I love the crocodile noteclip, but the color and shape placemat is great! Oh, and that Yak...SO cute!

Cat
thechattycat (at) gmail (dot) com

Cat said...

I am a follower.

Cat
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Lisa @ Our Country Road said...

Oh wow! Great sets!! Thanks for letting me know about her! I love the octopus. The turtle is cute, too!

Lisa @ Our Country Road said...

I follow you too!

Lindsey said...

I love the O is for Octopus craft kit

lindsey. grimes@ yahoo.com

Lindsey said...

I follow you

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Lindsey said...

I signed up for emails

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Mrs. Martinet said...

I would choose the F is For Frog set.


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Mrs. Martinet said...

I follow your blog via GFC as Mrs. Martinet.

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sindy murray said...

i liked the COLOR and SHAPE Placemat Kit smlionlamb at gmail dot com

sindy murray said...

GFC follower sindy
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sindy murray said...

email subscriber!
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