COOL AMAZON FINDS FOR THE YOUNG ARTIST OR CRAFTER IN YOUR LIFE

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I am blessed to be surrounded by artists in my family. My husband, Larry, has always had artistic talent. He has done acrylics and oil paintings, sketches, and various other media. Back in high school, he even had a showing of his work at our local library! Here is one of his landscapes.

In the late 60s, wide-eyed kids and animals in artwork were a big hit. Larry painted this in junior high.

In junior high or maybe younger, Larry made this rooster plaque using dried beans and corn (it was a Scout project).

Two of our sons inherited their dad's artistic talent.

Our son, Eric, has won numerous local, state and national art awards and below are small samples of his work.

Eric was asked to paint basketballs for the Winter Homecoming King in high school.

Eric painted this on our window one Christmas.

Halloween creativity.

This pastel piece won Eric the Governor's Art Award when he was in 8th grade. He went on to win other Governor's Art Awards in 10th and 12th grade, too!

Eric is also the artist behind our Easter Egg Art.

Eric's older brother, Jared, also won the Governor's Art Award when he was in high school, too. That's Jared with Gov. Miller, who was such a pleasant, friendly man. They had a lovely reception at the Governor's mansion for the award winners and their families (there were award winners from each Nevada county). The drawing of Rob Zombie (IYKYK lol) was done in charcoal.

So, it is no surprise that some of the grandkids are interested in art and also crafting; Staci and I both scrapbook, sew, make various crafts. Oakli loves to try any media!

Oakli and her water coloring a few years ago.

Since granddaughter Oakli, who just turned 8, loves to draw and craft too, I ordered some supplies for her for her birthday. Artists need drawing paper and this drawing pad from Amazon 
has 50 sheets of 9" x 12" paper to please!

🎨🎨🎨

Oakli's self-portraits.

Oakli went thru a period of drawing sweet little square cats. To make sure Oakli has a variety of supplies for crafting, I also gifted her these DESIGN-EDGED SCISSORS for whatever she may want to try next. I use those often for scrapbooking and trimming photos, making frames a bit fancier, etc. Oakli also likes to color her own stickers and this FUN BOOK would make a great gift for all young artists!

One thing I was told as a young mom by a preschool teacher was that you never ask a child "what is it?" when they share their artwork with you but instead say, "tell me about your picture!" I found this to be valuable information over the years. Another thing she taught me is to never throw the artwork away in front of a child--display it on the fridge or somewhere for a while OR ask about it, set it aside and later, while alone, toss it. As a mom of 8, you can't possibly keep it all (though I tried for a few years lol).

Thanks for stopping by and viewing my post on my family of artists and ways that you can encourage art!

FUNTASTIC FRIDAY LINK PARTY 574 AND COZY WINTER IDEAS

Happy Thursday Friends. Let's have a get together. Looking forward to seeing what you have all been up to in the New Year.

Hello and welcome to the 3rd Funtastic Friday of 2026! This week, here in northern Nevada we have finally gotten some sunshine, after almost 3 weeks of rain and overcast skies. Not that I mind the rain or the overcast but I was beginning to forget what sunshine looked like! Usually, February is pretty mild and even on the warmer side so we will see what next month brings us.

Here is an oldie but a goodie: thinking about going back to college? Finishing a degree that you got sidetracked from? Maybe just beginning a degree program? I went back to school at 43 and earned my Associates of Registered Nursing! I then completed a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in the next 11 years, mostly while working full-time (those were online programs so made things easier). I have updated my TIPS FOR RETURNING TO COLLEGE post if you are interested in doing just that!

If you have any questions for me, comment below!

MEET YOUR HOSTS

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Features from last week

MOST VIEWED 

Possibilities by Thrifting Wonderland 

Lucky Draw 

Marshmallow Snowmen by Serenity You

Michele Pick

Candle Making Ideas and Inspiration by Sonata Home

Heidi's Pick 

Painted Credenza Makeover by  Sonata Home Design 

 

Donna's Pick

Baked Dill Pickle Ranch Chips by Our Tiny Nest 

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ON TO THIS WEEK'S PARTY!

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We are your online friends. 

Let’s interact, comment, and enjoy one another while supporting each other.

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Click here to enter

FUNTASTIC FRIDAY LINK PARTY AND JANUARY IDEAS

Oh my gosh! I forgot to post the party Thursday night! I'm sorry!

Here we go!

MEET YOUR HOSTS

PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Donna & Staci @ Two Chicks and A Mom 

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Heidi @ Building Our Hive 

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Michele @ CoastalBohemian 

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Features from last week

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Holiday Cranberry Orange Scones by

 Seasonal and Holiday Recipe Exchange 

Lucky Draw and Heidi's Pick

Earring Making for the Absolute Beginner by My French Twist 

Michele Pick

Bubbly New Year's Eve Table by Ann's Entitled Life 

 

Donna's Pick

Easy DIY Painted Snowman Mason Jar by Hunny I'm Home 

If you were featured, please grab a button to share on your blog!

ON TO THIS WEEK'S PARTY!

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3. Old posts are welcome.

4. Comment on at least one post at the party.

5. Follow the hosts on as many platforms as you can.

We are your online friends. 

Let’s interact, comment, and enjoy one another while supporting each other.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

ONE HOUR BABY BLANKET (FOR NEW GREAT-GRANDBABY)

Here I am again with another ONE HOUR RECEIVING BLANKET that I made recently. Actually, I made two. We have a new baby in the family and so I had a good reason to sew a couple of these easy flannel blankets. Little Santiago made his appearance on November 24th, 2025, and we are so excited to welcome him to the family! Unfortunately, he lives in Arizona and I live in Nevada so seeing him won't be as often as I would like 😞

I did make a cowboy blanket before for a friend's new baby and i had plenty of fabric left so made one for Santi. I know that bears and cowboys are a favorite of the parents so I found fabric at Michael's online that was cute. We live in a fairly small town and our Walmart recently remodeled and took out the majority of their fabric section--thanks a lot.

Cute fabric!

 

Zigzag finishing seam with coordinating colored thread.

I do love to sew these blankets since they do go together so quickly. I made four last year; two were for friends who had babies. A good friend made a blanket like these for my daughter, Staci, when she was born and so this has been my go-to for new baby gifts pretty much ever since. Below is the blanket that I made for Staci's daughter, Oakli, when she was born almost eight years ago.

Below are Oakli's, Staci's and Ali Rose's blankets. All three still have theirs!

So, if you are so inclined, follow the link at the beginning of this post to get full details on making a ONE HOUR RECEIVING BLANKET!

Thanks for stopping by!

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