Kwik Stix Review and Giveaway

My daughters and I were recently blessed with the opportunity to review Kwik Stix from The Pencil Grip, Inc. This was a great blessing to our family because my three daughters absolutely love to be creative. They couldn't wait to paint with them and create their own masterpieces.  And, after creating their first masterpiece they were hooked and quite frankly so was I. We are definitely huge fans of Kwik Stix. We love them! 

What are Kwik Stix?

Kwik Stix are no mess, fast drying tempera paints that are fun for children of all ages. No smocks, no brushes, no cups, no water and best of all no mess. And, they dry in 90 seconds. No more hanging pieces of paper everywhere, waiting for them to dry and hoping they don't drip! It seriously doesn’t get any better than that.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they are to use. You simply upcap, twist, and paint. It's so simple and fun! Usually painting at our home consists of a ten minute set up, painting, and then the dreaded 10 minute or more cleanup. Sometimes painting can turn into a huge mess. That is no longer the case with the awesome Kwik Stix. It has never been easier for my daughters to paint. They had a blast painting and creating. They decided to create homemade Christmas cards for our family and friends.

They also created beautiful pictures on paper and wood. I was very impressed at how vibrant the colors were on all surfaces but, especially on the wood.

Final Thought

I thought Kwik Stix were a genius idea. I was blown away at the ease of use and I loved that they came in a tray in a box for easy storing. When we were finished painting, the girls were able to place them back nicely in the tray and then in the box and hand them to me to put with the other art supplies for safe keeping. 

They didn't stay put up for long, because my youngest daughter decided that she wanted to paint some more. You know what? I was totally okay with it! I knew there would be no messes and that she would be able to spend her time doing something creative and best of all something she loved to do. In the past, I think I may have cringed and possibly said not tonight, because I wouldn't have wanted to deal with the paint mess. I'm so thankful that I don't have to worry about any of that any longer. 

Also, my daughter accidentally laid her arm over where she had just painted and she was so upset thinking that she had paint all over her shirt sleeve. She didn't! I told her that they dry super fast, but I think she was a bit skeptical. She was in awe and very thankful that she didn't have to go change. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Pencil Grip, Inc. is giving away a 6 pack of Kwik Stix to one of my lucky readers. 

Good Luck! 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to The Pencil Grip, Inc. for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and blogpost. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Are you wanting to buy Kwik Stix?

Kwik Stix come in a variety of sizes. You can get them in a:

6 pack

12 pack

96 pack

 They would make excellent Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers. 

Like our blog? You can Subscribe and/or check us out on
Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest

 Enter your email address:
 
Delivered by FeedBurner

ARTistic Pursuits ~ Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition ~ REVIEW

Are your children fans of art?

 I'd like to share with you today our new favorite art curriculum from ARTistic Pursuits. We recently received Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition for the purpose of a review and my daughters and I think it's pretty wonderful. I was all already familiar with the quality of products from ARTistic Pursuits but I just have to note that once again I was completely blown away at the amount of information given and the way it is presented. ARTistic Pursuits makes learning art fun and enjoyable. I appreciate that. 

What is Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition?

Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition is a wonderful art instruction book that is perfect for the child who wants to learn how to draw more realistically but does not know actually how or where to start. Fourth and fifth grade students can begin this book without prior knowledge of art and work independently without the need for parental instruction. Throughout this book, my children began to learn and see the elements of art in nature and in artwork by American masters. 

This art book focuses on the elements of art and the principles of design. Each topic is explored in four unique ways and is fully covered through a process of learning that builds on the others through simple yet engaging lessons. 

In the beginning of this book I found a page called Getting Started. This helpful page includes a list of the contents as well as a list of the art supplies needed to work through the book. I had most of the items listed  because most of the items were things that we use in our homeschooling on a regular basis.  I did have to go and purchase a few things.

The four unique ways the book teaches are:

• Building a Visual Vocabulary

The first page of each unit showed my daughters which topic to focus on. Each topic was thoroughly explained through words and pictures. Each assignment allowed my daughters to observe the topics in their own environments and allowed them to create works of art from their own observations and ideas. 

• American Art Appreciation and History

The second and third page of each unit taught my daughters how each topic is used in master works of art and how to apply what they had learned to their own works. They were also taught about new artists and the times those artists lived in. 

• Techniques

The fourth page of each unit taught my daughters how to use materials and tools of art in their own original works. 

• Application

On fifth page of each unit my daughters were instructed to do a final project incorporating the new techniques they had learned.

Throughout the units covered in Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition my daughters began to learn how artists can draw objects in a bunch of different ways by focusing on one element at a time.

They learned all about 

• space
• line
• shape
• texture
• value
• form

 They had the opportunity to use these elements separately and all together. One of the things that my daughters loved was the fact that they were able to choose the subjects they wanted to draw. This resulted in meaningful works of art and allowed them to be a creative as they wanted.

Learning through trial and error

In the very first lesson my daughters learned about space. They learned that space can be turned horizontal or vertical to best fit the subject. It was fun to see my daughters learn to determine this before beginning. In one instance my oldest daughter also learned by trial and error. I noticed as she began that she should probably turn her paper, but I allowed her to do what she wanted, because maybe I wasn't seeing her vision. It became obvious to her that she hadn't chose the correct way and she payed more attention in the rest of her works of art. It was fun to see them learning how important it is to allow the right amount of space to best showcase a subject. I'm really glad that I didn't speak up and say something. I believe it was an important lesson learned, allowing her to see the difference space makes through her own trial and error.  

I feel that the very first lesson helped pave the way for the following lessons. My daughters began to really pay attention to what they were learning and began to use their new found knowledge of elements in their own works of art. One of the things that I enjoy about art is the fact that a person can have their own visions of how they want their subjects to be drawn. ARTistic Pursuits does a wonderful job of teaching the topics but also allowing students to be as creative as they can and want. I like this and like that my daughters enjoyed learning with Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition.

 My girls spent about two days a week for about an hour each time working through the book together, but I also found them drawing on their own time. This assured me that they were indeed learning and having fun with it. I'm glad that art is something they enjoy and I feel very blessed to have been able to provide them with such a wonderful art curriculum.




I also liked that I found an evaluation sheet in the back of the book. This sheet allows you to calculate a number and letter grade for each project within each unit. I didn't find this immediately but when I did I tried to remember it for the rest of the projects. 

How much does Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition cost?

You can currently purchase
 Elementary 4-5, Book 1: The Elements of Art and Composition for only $47.95

Want to connect with ARTistic Pursuits?

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ArtisticPursuitsInc

Click below to read more reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

Like our blog? You can Subscribe and/or check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest

Enter your email address:
 
Delivered by FeedBurner

Random 5 on Friday ~ Aug 29

1) Our homeschool co-op group starts meeting back up in September. I know my daughters are really looking forward to it.

2) I have been reading Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims to the girls. It is such a wonderful book. We are all absolutely loving it. My daughters all love horses and in the book there is a talking horse that can time travel. They think that is the coolest thing and they never want me to stop reading.

3) My youngest loves painting and has been doing it often. Below is her version of The Starry Night.

4)The county fair went very well for my daughters. Out of 11 combined entries, they received 6 first place ribbons.

5) The house buying process is moving along. I'm learning new things everyday. We had an estimate done for siding because, it desperately needs new siding. I'm so happy that it is going to be done. Unfortunately, I can't settle on a siding color. There are so many options.

Like our blog? You can Subscribe and/or check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest

***********************************************

I'm linking up at The Pebble Pond. Click below to check out other great Random 5 on Friday posts.

Random 5 on Friday ~ Aug 22

1) We had an appraisal done on the house we are buying. I'm anxiously awaiting to hear back. Why does this have to be such a long process?

2) We started an earthquake unit study this week. It's been pretty fun. The day we started it, we had 20 earthquakes that day alone in Oklahoma. Makes me anxious.

3) My daughter brought me the biggest wasp looking thing I had ever seen in my life the other day. Apparently she found it still alive swimming around in our pool. I had never seen one before and really had no idea what to tell her it was. After much research we determined it to be a tarantula hawk. We learned it is the state insect of New Mexico and happens to have one of the most painful stings of any insect. Sure glad no one was stung.

4) My friend and I have started walking a few miles several times a week. We downloaded a neat tracker that shows us our routes, calories burned, and speed. It sure feels good to know that I'm getting some much needed exercise in.

5) The county fair is in full swing. My daughters really look forward to it every year. This year we had 11 entries combined. My oldest daughter made a guitar out of sticks and rocks. I love the way it turned out.

I'm linking up at The Pebble Pond. Click below to check out other great Random 5 on Friday posts.

ARTistic Pursuits Review

Hello friends! Are you a fan of art?

Today I'm excited to share our newest review with all of you.











My daughters and I recently had the opportunity to review Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture from ARTistic Pursuits. I'm so glad that we did. This review was a blast. My daughters love art and crafts so the Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture book was perfect for them.

What is Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture?

Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture is an art curriculum book written by Brenda Ellis and published by ARTistic Pursuits. It features 36 amazing art lessons that focus on modern art compared to earlier works of art. The book guides students to create meaningful art from their own ideas. Much of the books focus is on the art movements that had a great influence on our culture. There is a materials list found at the beginning of the book and it can be found on their website as well. Each lesson includes art by a featured artist or movement and explains different styles and processes. I was thoroughly impressed that each lesson asked questions that prompted my child's imagination and inspired a creative attitude in them. I felt that my daughters weren't learning to copy artists but instead learning different forms and styles from the lessons and creating their own works of art. 

How did we use and what did we like about Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture?

Before even starting the book, I reviewed over the materials list and gathered the materials we would need. I was able to find some in our home and I purchased the rest of the materials at our local hobby lobby store. We used this book several times a week. We tried to stick to only completing a lesson a week, but sometimes we completed more than one. Each time we opened it, I felt that we were in for a real treat. Have you ever got ready to start a curriculum, only to feel like you dreaded even doing it? Well friends, this was not the case with this book. We always knew that we were going to have fun when we opened it and were always excited about learning new art techniques. I felt that the book offered a tremendous amount of explanation, which made each lesson easy to understand. Although, we did find some spelling errors and were left a bit confused in a couple spots, but it was nothing we couldn't skip over. When we would start a lesson, I would read out loud to the girls, we would then look at the pictures, and lastly I would ask them the questions. After the questions the girls and I would read over the project and they would create their own works of art. We loved that each lesson gave example pictures. This helped my daughters, to be able to see these. I always reminded my daughters that it was their own art they were creating though. They were learning the techniques and styles and I felt they needed those guidelines, but I never felt that there was any wrong way for them to do it. A couple times my oldest daughter would feel a bit frustrated because she felt that her art wasn't as good as the illustrations found in the book. She has always been a bit of a perfectionist and it really bothers her if she feels like something is not right. I always reminded her that her art was just as beautiful and that she was doing a great job. My other daughters, who aren't perfectionists, had an absolute blast completing the projects and always wanted to do more and more.

My favorite part of this curriculum was not having to prepare for each lesson. The lessons are laid out so well, that it's really refreshing to just be able to open the book and begin. A favorite for my daughters was just being able to be creative and also being able to use materials they had never used before, such as the oil pastels. The also enjoyed learning about techniques they had never learned before. Some of the techniques my daughters have learned so far are shading, blending, tinting, and sculpting. They are eager to learn more.

My daughters enjoyed the lessons so much, that I think we are going to stick with Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture until it is completed. We still have quite a few lessons to do and I know there are certain lessons that my daughters are really wanting to get to. I love that ARTistic Pursuits has a full range of curriculum available for all ages and I'm thinking about purchasing a few more different books for next year.

I do recommend having something to keep everything together. At the end of each lesson, we gather the supplies and put them in a container used specifically for our lessons. This has helped with clean up and also helped keep all the supplies handy for our next lessons.

What does Early Elementary K-3, Book 3: Modern Painting and Sculpture cost?

This particular book can currently be purchased for $47.95 and is recommended for grades K-3. Also as I noted above, there is a material list in the book and some supplies will need to be purchased at an additional cost. 

ARTistic Pursuits offers curriculum for Preschool through High School, so there are many books to choose from. If you are looking for a fun art curriculum then I highly suggest checking their website and looking over the different options. 

Connect with ARTistic Pursuits on Facebook

 https://www.facebook.com/ArtisticPursuitsInc

*******************

Click below to read other ARTistic Pursuits reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

See The Light - The Gift of Love Deluxe Set Giveaway and FREE Copywork!

*This Post Contains Affiliate Links

 The Gift of Love Deluxe Set 

$25.00 + FREE SHIPPING!
(Free Shipping is for US only)

You save 33%. 

This incudes:

• The Gift of Love DVD (143 mins)
• Apocket Size – 6 inch See the Light Black Light (batteries included)
• EXtreme Colored Pencils
• Fluorescent Chalk

Use Coupon Code: NOVEMBER

Offer is good through November 30, 2013.

Free Copywork

Be sure to download your FREE Luke 2 Copywork to go along with the November’s special, The Gift of Love Deluxe Set.

Now for the Giveaway!

See the Light will be giving away THE GIFT OF LOVE DELUXE SET. 

They will be picking a random winners November  15th at 11:59p. Winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. All entries will be verified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Legal Disclosure: No purchase necessary to win. Void where prohibited. Valid only in the United States. Must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Winner will be selected by Rafflecopter and will be notified within 48 hours of the contest’s close. Facebook is not affiliated with this giveaway and the act of liking a Facebook page is not required to win.