Welcome friends! Today I have the pleasure of reviewing Jennifer Casa's awesome new book: Teach Yourself Visually - Crafting with Kids.
First a little disclaimer. Jennifer is my friend, I have loved reading her blog for years, two years ago I won some gorgeous wool in a giveaway on her blog and I have purchased some of her lovely creations from her etsy shop to gift to family and friends for Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. So when Jennifer asked me if I'd like to review her new book in a blog tour I jumped at the chance. I was sure it would be filled with fun and creative ideas to make with kiddos....
But then I received this book and saw that it had 75 fun crafts and projects (yes 75!), each illustrated with numerous step-by-step color photographs and using common materials we have on hand and divided into chapters for seasonal making, game playing, gift giving, party celebrating and more!
Immediately, my kiddos were inspired to grab what we had on hand and create Button Botanicals on page 71. More on that later....
This book is great for so many reasons.
First, every single project is accompanied by so many photos that you don't even have to read (heck, you don't even have to know how to read) the instructions to get the urge to begin making. The moment this book arrived at my house my kiddos began flipping through it's 240 pages and rummaging through our craft supplies. What's so wonderful about this book is that although Jennifer provides clear and easy to follow step-by-step instructions the photos provide so much inspiration to get the creative juices flowing that kiddos can easily put their own spin on the projects. This is a must at my house - my kiddos love to be inspired to make but they often rebel if they feel that they have to follow precise instructions.
Second, I love that most of the projects call for craft materials that most people already have on hand. You can complete so many of these projects with just paper, paints, fabric scraps, glue, buttons, foil, toilet paper tubes, popsicle sticks and yarn. We always have these items lying around the house but need ideas to use them in new and creative ways and this book does just that. When I was reading this book I often had to stop and say, "Why didn't I think of that?" or "So that's how you make a Kaleidoscope out of two toilet paper tubes!"
This brings me to my third point. This book is not just for kiddos - it's also great for grown people. I loved learning about how to make dyed t-shirts, easy play dough, tissue paper sun catchers, marbled paper, and button barrettes.
Around here we love collecting buttons and coming up with new, fun ways to create with them. So button botanicals was the first project we tackled. We already had these canvas boards, some poster paint, buttons and glue so off we went.
Even the just turned twelve year old boy was inspired and had a blast making. And he gifted his creation to his mama! Then he told me he wants to make watercolor cards (page 148) next. I just love what a great book can do!
Teach Yourself Visually Crafting with Kids
Here's the blog tour schedule for more reviews, interviews and chances to win:
Tuesday, April 5 (release date) - JCasa *handmade
Wednesday, April 6 - The Crafty Crow
Thursday, April 7 - Sparkle Power
Monday, April 11 - WhipUp
Wednesday, April 13 - A Stitch in Dye
Friday, April 15 - Smile and Wave
Monday, April 18 - Elsie Marley
Wednesday, April 20 - Maya*Made
Friday, April 22 - Stitches in Play
Tuesday, April 26 - Aesthetic Outburst
Thursday, April 28 - Artsy Crafty Babe
I"M number one! Hope this is the lucky one. I'd love to win this for my grand daughter!
Posted by: Bettina Groh | April 22, 2011 at 11:05 AM
I've had my eye on that book--would love to win a copy!
Posted by: Amy | April 22, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Would love to win this for my grand daughter!!
Posted by: Bettina Groh | April 22, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Oh my gosh that book looks wonderful!! Avery is at an age where she wants to do crafts every moment of everyday and sometimes it's hard to come up with something new to do with her. This book sounds perfect for the kiddos! I love that so many of the crafts are done with items on hand, perfect!! Thanks for the reveiw and the giveaway! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: Andrea | April 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM
The book looks amazing,I would love to win a copy to inspire my 7 year old and 14 year old to craft together!
Posted by: Alison | April 22, 2011 at 12:11 PM
What a wonderful book and generous giveaway!
Posted by: Mona | April 22, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Looks like a great book!
Posted by: Lorie H. | April 22, 2011 at 02:51 PM
This is great! I am so excited! Thank you!
Posted by: Anastasia | April 22, 2011 at 03:56 PM
This looks wonderful! i'm sure my boys and I would get tons of use from it. benjamin.and.christina(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: christina | April 22, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Oooh this looks wonderful! My Bug and i love crafting together. bellgirlsblog [at] gmail [dot] com
Posted by: Bellgirl | April 22, 2011 at 05:48 PM
i loved reading your review! so generous of you too for two!
Posted by: kendra | April 22, 2011 at 06:09 PM
It would be fun to have this book!
Posted by: Anna | April 22, 2011 at 06:20 PM
We love it. Thanks.
Posted by: rosesmama | April 22, 2011 at 06:24 PM
I can hardly wait until our family can get our very own copy! Thanks for hosting and sharing so many peeks inside.
Posted by: Nancy | April 22, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Hello,Larissa!I like reading your blog content because some of your thoughts or daily doings are just like light rays that help me to improuve and simplify daily life of my family and to make it happier!Thank you,Larissa,very much!
Posted by: Natalka | April 22, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Thanks for offering two chances to win this book! I love seeing a boy in the mix as well!
Posted by: Melissa | April 22, 2011 at 07:27 PM
this book DOES look amazing for so many reasons! My kids and I would be tickled to win a copy!
Posted by: Bridgett | April 22, 2011 at 07:30 PM
How fun to find your blog - thanks Jennifer, for steering me here! I teach preschoolers with special needs, and these projects sound perfect for my classroom. Pick me! Pick me!
Posted by: Kristin | April 22, 2011 at 08:40 PM
The book looks very inspirational! Thanks for the chance!
Posted by: Ashley | April 22, 2011 at 09:27 PM
This book looks just delightful. I'd love to do some of the projects with my kids. Thanks for the chance to win!
winterwrens at gmail dot com
Posted by: Kathy | April 23, 2011 at 12:33 AM
That's awesome! I hope my boys are still going to be doing art with me at 12! AND gifting it to me!!! Thanks for the generous book chance! And thanks for sharing your endeavors!
Posted by: Cassandra | April 23, 2011 at 01:58 AM
So awesome. This book would be great for summer break!
Posted by: kelli | April 23, 2011 at 03:05 AM
We'd love to make some of those cute projects! [email protected]
Posted by: mountain girl | April 23, 2011 at 08:12 AM
love it! my girls would love it even more :)
Posted by: Denise | April 23, 2011 at 09:25 AM
What an amazing resource to have on-hand, would love to win this book! As my little one is getting older I'm always looking for fun and creative ways for entertainment/crafts. Thanks for the chance to win.
nlczerw(at)gmail(d0t)com
Posted by: Nancy | April 23, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Thank you for sharing....just wrote this down. It'll be a great resource this summer when the heat really hits here in TX :)
Posted by: Amy J | April 23, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Sounds like an inspiring book!
Posted by: Jill | April 23, 2011 at 12:18 PM
That would be just wonderful to have a book like that in a house! Thank you for a chance.
Posted by: dita | April 23, 2011 at 01:34 PM
I liked what you had to say about it teaching adults too... I'm the same way, with lots of crafting stuff but needing new ideas on how to use it!
Posted by: Rachel M | April 23, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Thanks for the giveaway! this book looks really good. I'd love to do some projects with the kids at the local school.
Posted by: mary sather | April 23, 2011 at 03:13 PM
Love the button botanicals! We would love to jump into this book and it's great activities. Thanks!
Posted by: Cindy L. | April 23, 2011 at 03:48 PM
yes, please!
Posted by: laura | April 23, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Love this giveaway!
Posted by: Shelly | April 23, 2011 at 09:58 PM
This book looks FAB! Summer is coming and this would be an excellent diversion! Thanks for the chance :)
Posted by: Gemma | April 23, 2011 at 10:53 PM
This book looks so great! My daughter is just getting old enough we can start crafting together.
Posted by: Shelley | April 24, 2011 at 12:59 AM
This project is exactly what my son needs this week! Perfect. Love it.
Posted by: Amanda | April 24, 2011 at 07:08 AM
Oh my, would I ever like to get my hands on this book. A granddaughter would be the very happy recipient of all this craftiness with her nana. Such fun!
Posted by: Lydia | April 24, 2011 at 07:34 AM
I'd love to win a copy for crafting with my kiddos. Thanks for the give away!
Posted by: Cheryl | April 24, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Sounds like a wonderful book to have on hand when the grandchild comes over!
woolyknitsnbits(at)live(dot)ca
Posted by: woolyknitsnbits | April 24, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Posted by: tara | April 24, 2011 at 11:42 AM
I would love to try out this book with my kids!
Jess
jbeedelightful.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jessica | April 24, 2011 at 10:19 PM
This looks exactly like the kind of book I need. One that kiddos AND mama can easily follow! Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Beetnik Mama | April 25, 2011 at 07:54 AM
Sounds like a lovely book with a lot of great craft ideas! I'd love to win this book from my kids.
Posted by: Nataliya | April 25, 2011 at 10:15 AM
This book looks awesome. I have 3 little ones, a 3 year old and 2 year old twins. I am always looking for creative things to do with them. I would love to win this book. Plus all these give aways are helping me find new blogs to add to my addiction.
Posted by: Amy | April 25, 2011 at 06:46 PM
Oh Larissa! How fun for all of you to have more time creating!! This book looks like one awesome family treasure. I'd love to have one of my own. Thanks for the detailed review!
Posted by: kristyn | April 25, 2011 at 09:05 PM
what a great book...how wonderful of you to spread the word for Jennifer. It really looks loaded with great ideas. your kiddos did a great job with their button art! Sometimes a great resource full of ideas is just the thing to jumpstart their creativity.
Posted by: Lisa Q | April 25, 2011 at 10:14 PM
My daughter would love to make some of these projects! Thank you!
Posted by: mountain girl | April 26, 2011 at 11:19 AM
loved your last post! i came across your blog and jcasa's around the same time and love hearing updates from both! her book looks like my word for the year "present" - working on being more "present" for my family. thanks for the giveaway -
[email protected]
Posted by: Beth Lehman | April 26, 2011 at 03:11 PM
This looks like a great book, my son is 7 and I was worried it might be too young, but am pleased to see that your kids seem to like it. Would love the chance to win, thanks!
Posted by: Kirsten | April 26, 2011 at 09:03 PM
What a fantastic looking book! Love how it is laid out, so simple but compelling.
Posted by: Rosemary | April 27, 2011 at 12:14 AM