Archive for the ‘Homeschool Art’ Category

Bubber – Oh, We Have Been Having Fun!

Monday, December 21st, 2009

The following review is is reposted from the Classless and Lovin It blog

We received a package from Timberdoodle and everyone in the family has been enjoying it in a big way. We’ve received packages from Timberdoodle before and they are always a hit. Even if it is a “boring” homeschool text, the kids are thrilled because Timberdoodle sends stickers with every order. Who doesn’t love stickers?

This package was different from any package we’ve received from them before. Our Timberdoodle box contained a bucket of…….Bubber. Have you heard of Bubber yet? This was new to me. The bucket felt as if it could be empty, but upon opening, we discovered a modelling compound that is nearly indescribable.

Originating from Sweden, it is called the lightest modelling compound on earth, and I believe it. Yet as light as it is, it can hold it’s shape in an amazing way. It is soft and silky, yet crumbly and dry. It isn’t cold and clammy like play-dough, rather, it is warm and nearly feels like it is melting in your hands….but it’s not. My four year old described it well. She said it feels “like warm snow.”
We were also given several great accessories to go with our new Bubber:

The Castle Mold Set, which would also work great with Moonsand. The Spoon KnifeAnd my favorite, the Mirette. This little tool is very inexpensive, at only $2.25, but it is so perfect for any clay, play-dough, or bubber type activities.

We all played with it for hours the first day. The kids have asked to play with it again every day. My BIG kids have asked daily! And the biggest kids in the house (my husband and myself) have enjoyed it right along with them.

It forms well, but doesn’t work in more detailed molds because it just isn’t heavy enough to come out well. But when compressed into a simple mold, it comes out looking like a foam noodle and feels just as firm! There is something so tactile-pleasing about squeezing this stuff, cutting it, and shaving slivers off of bubber-towers with the mirette. I was not surprised then to read that Timberdoodle describes it as being “an excellent source for tactile stimulation, improving gross- and fine-motor skills in a satisfyingly gentle way.”
So now the really important parts: Cost & Clean-up
Cost is $10.50 for a 4 oz bucket of Bubber. One 4-oz bucket kept all four of my children playing contentedly without argument…and even sharing some with mom and dad. Ours was white, but you can also order it in 5 other colors. Keep in mind, Bubber never dries out. So when you sweep under the table the next day and find a piece of bubber….it’s not trash! Big plus.

It is an easily crumbled product and it is sooooo fun to crumble, however, the pieces don’t smear into the carpet and they vacuum very easily. We use a large cookie sheet with raised edges to keep most of it contained. I don’t do it because I’m worried about clean-up, I just want to keep every crumb of this amazing stuff so we can keep playing with it for a long, long time.
If you are somehow able to resist the allure of Bubber, I highly encourage you to still check out the website. Timberdoodle is a family company that I am happy to give my business. The Deffinbaugh’s and their five children (now grown and working in the company, too) make every order a personal experience. Competitive pricing, Painless return policy, Extremely fast shipping every time I’ve done business with them….And don’t forget the stickers.
For other reviews on this product, check out Mamabuzz.
The preceding review is is reposted from the Classless and Lovin It blog
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PrismaColor 132-Piece Pencil Tin

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

PrismaColor 132-Piece Pencil Tin

PrismaColor 132-Piece Pencil Tin

We first tried Prismacolors after a professional artist told us there was nothing like them. We found and purchased them in the Timberdoodle catalogue and will never go back to the ordinary-brand colored pencils. Prismacolors lay color with ease, and you can shade, blend colors, or create sharp detail. The variety of colors allows one to get realistic effects whether on landscapes or portraits. I’d recommend a large set, since Timberdoodle has such steeply discounted prices. But if you’re not sure, go ahead and try a smaller set. You will be amazed.

5 stars

Robin Steinweg
Prairie du Sac, WI

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Bubber

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Bubber - 4oz Bucket

Bubber - 4oz Bucket

I bought one bucket of Bubber for my 4 year old great niece.  We played with it for three hours straight!  She loves it.  I ordered another bucket so we would have two colors.  Though it doesn’t “model” as nicely as play dough, I really enjoy playing with it:-) She always chooses the Bubber to play with after we finish her school work:-)  It is well worth the money.

5 stars

Ronnie
Cheyenne, WY

Bubber is an amazing new product imported from Sweden; contrary to its playful name, Bubber is destined to become a workhorse in the educational market. See the numerous sizes and colors of Bubber.

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The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

Monday, September 28th, 2009

The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

The Best of Sewing Machine Fun for Kids is wonderful for teaching kids the basics of sewing and sewing machines.  My daughter loved this book.  I liked it because she was able to read the book and understand without me being right there to answer a question every 2 minutes.  With the practice sewing projects on paper, it gives the kids a chance to get used to sewing before trying a flimsy fabric.  Great book, I’ll use it for the next daughter when she’s old enough.

stars_4

Julie
Mount Joy, PA
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PrismaColor 60-Piece Colored Pencil Set

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

PrismaColor 60-Piece Pencil
PrismaColor 60-Piece Pencil

I’ve been using Prismacolor pencils for over 20 years, and I really think they are the best pencils on the market.  Their blending capabilities are superb, as is the selection of available colors.  Because the lead is so soft, it is easy to create varying depths of color using a single pencil.  I’ve used a wide variety of Prismacolor products and find them all to be of superior quality.  I love the fact that my 9 year old son is using the same pencils I use, and loving them too.  If you are looking for professional quality art supplies, you won’t be disappointed in these pencils.

5 stars

Janine
Penacook, NH
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Draw-Write-Now

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Draw Write Now

Draw Write Now

Draw-Write-Now is an easy and exciting way to teach drawing skills and story writing too.  Even if the child is apprehensive about drawing, he can start by tracing the outline of the picture, then fill in the details and color.  Each book offers much in the way of geography, history and science plus art, handwriting and journaling.  Our children, from ages 4 to 14,love them! The free workbook is a wonderful way to keepsake their work.

stars_4

Kathy
Osseo, WI
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Kumon My Book of Pasting: Jigsaw Puzzles

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Kumon My Book of Pasting: Jigsaw Puzzles

Kumon My Book of Pasting: Jigsaw Puzzles

My 5 year old son was learning to read well but frustrated beacause he could not write his letters neatly or as they appeared in the book. I thought he lacked the physical dexterity to form the letters well.  I read the discription for Kumon My Book of Pasting: Jigsaw Puzzles in the Timberdoodle catalog and it sounded like the right thing to help him. They worked very well to improve his writing and he loved them! I knew I could trust what was written in the catalog, the people at Timberdoodle always describe things well and I know they only sell things they believe in.

5 stars

Kristin
WI

View additional Kumon Workbooks.

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Stikfas

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Stikfas

We had purchased some Stikfas many years ago from a toy store, but then were never able to find them again.  The action figure is a great imaginative toy for a child.  The simple details are great for an active boy to play out scenes using the variety of pieces included in the set.  The pieces are small and could be a danger to a toddler.  Caution must also be used when changing out the figure’s pieces.  The connection points of these plastic figures can be broken if extreme pressure is applied (as in forcing the pieces together).  Despite the fragile nature of the small plastic pieces, I would still highly recommend these toys for a boy interested in action figures.  The simplicity and lack of facial detail allows a child to play without the constraints of replicating scenes from TV or other media (allowing free creative play).

stars_4

Tanya
Knoxville, TN
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Complete-A-Sketch

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Complete-A-Sketch

We really like Complete-A-Sketch technical drawing course for our son.  It is helping him to develop his talent and skill very well.  The instructions are clear.  Each drawing is a bit more difficult and my son enjoys this very much.  We did have to make him go slow enough to really practice and then master each drawing at each step in the directions: free hand trace, free hand with no trace, then technically with no trace lines.  We are looking forward to him finishing the Complete-A-Sketch course and would recommend it to others.

stars_4

Heidi
Sarasota, FL
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Drawing Textbook

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Drawing Textbook

Drawing Textbook

We have spent many happy hours implementing the simple techniques in this Drawing Textbook. It is amazing what you can draw after just learning the foreshortened square and the foreshortened circle.
I love the simplicity and the price of this program that has been a help to all age levels in my family, including me! If this product has any short-comings it is the lack of life-like drawing techniques.

stars_4

HARMON
OAKLAND, OR

The amazing Drawing Textbook is only $8.75.

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