Buzzmills

KCW Day 3, Batgirl Begins...

Okay, so first things first...I announced the winner of the Sparkle Stories audio books, check it out, maybe you won!  Also, check out the post if you haven't heard of Sparkle Stories and want to hear more about them and why we love them so much!  We really do!

Also, I'm trying to get together my own little Make it Up project even if it's not a whole series this year.  I just need a bit of husbandly assistance and he's been off gallivanting working in Costa Rica for the past several days so...anyway...here's a teeny tiny peak... And now...moving on to today's KCW...Just this week, on the way to the grocery store, I realized that we now have a Jo-Ann fabric just down the road!  Now, there is a fabric store a mere 12 minutes away from me.  Never have I ever had a fabric store any closer than 20-30 minutes away, so this is kind of huge for me...
And, a little ridiculous considering a live in a suburban area and before that a metro area!  But anyway, I digress...

I headed off to Jo-Ann today in search of Halloween costumey fabrics.  Oy!  I'm not sure my little brain can really handle fabric and craft stores together, too much!  I managed to get fabric for Violet's costume, but am still at a loss for Henry's at the moment.  I also managed to only come away with two extraneous yards of fabric...
I simply could not pass up those luscious flannels!  I'm hoping, if there's time to make Henry some red plaid parsley pants (although who knows if he'll where them) and Violet a Debbie's birthday dress.

Despite spending nearly an hour actually at the fabric store I did still manage to get a little bit of sewing done as well.  The beginning of Batgirl in fact... The shirt is another Bimaa Hoodie Sweater (sans hood so far), and the leggings are another pair of Fancy Pants but sans bum panel (I just made them using the front for both the front and back). I made them out of navy blue swimsuit material.  We are aiming for the "original" Batgirl look and swimsuit material was the only thing that I could really fine with enough stretch and that had the right shiny super hero look. 

I was worried that it would look too, um, trampy, but I made the shirt a size 6 so that it would be a bit baggy and so that we could fit another shirt underneath it if needed, and I don't think it looks trampy at all, phew!  I was also a little worried how all of that swimsuit material would feel on...Violet assures me that it is super duper comfy! And, oh my goodness, thank goodness I didn't let the grumps from Henry yesterday get me down, because this girl LOVES her costume, even in it's half made state!  I couldn't even begin to count how many thank yous and hugs and kisses I got from it! YAY!
Alright though, enough chit chatting, I've got a hood, mask and cape to make!

How's your sewing going?  (Hey, that rhymes!)

Sparkle Stories, a Review, and a GIVEAWAY!...

I am so very excited to share today's post with you!  And, a giveaway too! 

But first...let's start here...Remember way back, a year ago...yes, I know, it's hard to remember back that far...

Well, let me refresh your memory...cue fade into the past with twinkly stars all a flutter...

Last year at this time we were in the middle of Make it Up, stories and stuff by kids and their parents...In case you need a little refresher (or if you missed it the first time around) here is a link for all of the posts in the series.  We had so much fun last year with all of the great stories and crafts that everyone made.  We were on a storytelling roll...

And then...we sloooowed down.  I'm not sure what it was exactly.  Maybe everyone got busier.  Maybe it was because the summer ended and we weren't spending time outside going on as many adventures.  Maybe it was just because there was a shift in our play modes, more book reading, more independent play, less storytelling...

But, I am happy to say that over the summer our storytelling senses returned, not quite as often as they had the previous summer, but we were telling them. 

And then, we went to the beach...and on our way to the beach we got a special surprise for the trip, a few Sparkle Stories...and we were inspired again.
Sparkle Stories are online audio stories for children and families and we love them! 

We heard our first (At Home with Martin and Sylvia) story early in the morning in the car as we headed to the beach.  We needed a break from the music and the constant changing of activities, from etch-a-sketch to drawing to peg doll playing, etc., in the back seat. 

We all got quiet and listened...

Since that first story we are hooked.  We have enjoyed so many of the different Sparkle Stories.  There are five different story lines to choose from for ages 3-10!  But really, those ages are just a guideline, because you want to know a secret...I love listening to them as much as the kids do! 

As a child, and now as an adult, I love listening to the story telling of Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion.  Violet and Henry have enjoyed listening to them as well and refer to it as "silly radio", but, as you may know, those stories are often filled with adult themes.  I've always wished that there were child friendly audio stories for them to listen to as well...

And we have found those in Sparkle Stories.  Listening to stories gives children a chance to sit still, to listen, to "fall into" the story.  It gives them a chance to visualize the story and the characters on their own. 

So far we have mostly been listening to and getting to know Martin and Sylvia Stories about a brother and a sister and their adventures, imagination, school lessons, neighbors and more.  These stories are sweet and funny (I often find myself giggling).  Violet and Henry enjoy them so much, in part because they see themselves in these characters.  Martin and Sylvia are our friends and come up in conversation often.  Martin and Sylvia have inspired us to go on treasure hunting adventures... And always have us wanting to try and explore new things and places. 

We've also had a brief trip into the magical Willowbee Tree listening to the two stories from the sample pack.  The Willowbee tree stories are about three children who find a magical tree, a tree that takes them to far away places and on far away adventures...

We found these stories particularly enjoyable because, to us, they feel a little bit like our Pippa stories and Supper Tree Farm stories put together...

And, most recently, we've been learning about a few new animal characters from the Junkyard Tales series in their seasonal Halloween audio book.  Oh the curiosity of Benjamin Thompson the cat and the mysteries and excitement he finds..it's hard not fall in love with him and his friends!

We love listening to these stories when we need a change of pace, or quiet time, or a rest.  Often we find ourselves gathered together in our office/guest room/sewing room space, the kids at a make shift table working with clay or playdough or collage materials, and I sewing all while listening to stories together.  It is peaceful and fun!

Another one of our favorite times to listen is at the end of the day during dinner preparations.  The time of day where everyone begins to tire and patience is sometimes wearing thin...I suggest a sparkle story and Violet and Henry cheer!  They curl up on the couch and listen quietly. 

It makes me smile to see them enjoy these stories so much.  I am so glad to have found them and am excited to listen more. 

We currently have a subscription to At Home with Martin and Sylvia which means that we get a new story every Friday!  The stories follow the course of the seasons and the changes in weather and activities so we are often able to draw on our own personal experiences while listening.  But, aside from subscriptions, there are many other ways to listen with their sample story packs and audio books, plus there are podcasts to enjoy as well!

David and Lisabeth have created such an amazing cast of characters for children (and their parents) to listen to.  I promise you that you will love and enjoy these stories so much as a family, we do! 

Please go an check out their blog too for announcements, free stories, and hands on activities as well.

So, now that I've got you wanting to listen...as I mentioned at the beginning...Lisabeth and David have been so so generous and have offered to giveaway their two Halloween audio books,  Martin & Sylvia and the Junkyard Tales Halloween stories!  

That's six Halloween themed stories for you to enjoy as you plan and make your costumes and decorations or just to get in the "Halloweeny" mood!   

How to enter:  Leave a comment below...tell me what is your favorite part about fall right now? 

For additional entries:  Like Buzzmills on FB, Like Sparkle Stories on FB, follow me on Bloglovin' (or Feedly, or however you'd like...)  Leave a comment letting me know which additional entries you did. 

There are up to four entries per person possible! 

Giveaway is open from now until 10/22 midnight EST.

Good Luck!  And, in the meantime head on over to give some of the stories a try!

***The Giveaway is now closed***

The winner is...

 Celina who said...

oh I never tried an audio books before! I used to love them as a kid and the kids listen to a few at school, but I never thought of actually getting some for the house! My favorite thing about fall is all the beautiful colors surrounding us.

Congratulations Celina!  Look for an email from me soon!

We are still "Making it Up"...

Make it up, the series may be over, but our storytelling isn't! 

In fact, a couple of weeks ago we received a package in the mail.  Part of the package, I knew about, I won a giveaway from Stumbles and Stitches, YAY, but inside the package was also a nice little surprise from Angel.

A felted wool play mat and some figurines that she had made.  What a sweet surprise it was to open a box and find such a lovely and unexpected gift!  The kiddos immediately began to play with it and make up and tell stories between the two of them. 

It kept them fully occupied for at least forty-five minutes straight that day, and they continue to enjoy it!  Thank you so much Angel!

Along with the play mat, we also recently brought out our box of flashcards again. 
It had been a while since we used these as "story cards".  Originally we bought a set of flashcards to help Violet learn new words when she was little and also to learn letters, etc.  But, we found another great way to use these flashcards - to tell stories. 

One night last week, after dinner I was feeling a bit frazzled from the day.  I was not looking forward to the hyperactivity that often occurs between dinner and bedtime, so I pulled out or "story cards", explained the "rules" and we were off...

I shuffled the cards, Violet took the top card off of the deck and began the story using the object on her card.  Once she was finished she discarded her card and passed the deck to Henry, and then to Brad and then to me.  Our story wasn't finished until the deck was.  Most of the time Henry's part of the story involved someone or something getting eaten.  It turned out to be quite a long story (about twenty minutes), but it was so much fun, there were a lot of giggles, everyone was involved...and no one got hurt or argued which is often what happens during the hyperactive after dinner moments! I call it a success!

And, we are still playing with our Supper Tree, and friends...

These were my favorite to make.
In fact, I think it will soon be time to make some more of these little characters...

I may need to have Brad and the kids come up with some new characters in the storyline just so that we can make some more action figures!  We had so much fun making these guys the last time around.  Seriously, I was completely engrossed in the peg people making. 
And Henry and Violet really enjoyed picking out and planning the clothes and drawing the faces. 

Very fun.  Good thing I've got many more peg people in my stash.

I hope you are still telling stories too! 

Make it Up: Recap...

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to my fellow bloggers who contributed to Make it Up these past couple of weeks!  I was so impressed by everyone's crafts, and stories.  Even more so, I was thrilled to hear how much everyone, parents and kids alike enjoyed it.  My hope is that these past couple of weeks have inspired people to loose their inhibitions (a bit) and let your mind wander with your child's and take an magical fantasy trip into a story. 

A Pocket for Pippa (me, Buzzmills)

Imagine it in a Fort (Inspired by Family Magazine)

A Whale of a Tale (Small and Friendly)

Give a storytelling kit as a gift (me, Buzzmills)

Attack of the Alien Kangaroos (Kids. Stuff, World)

Supper Tree Farms (Brad, my husband)

The Adventures of Ben and Ian (Stumbles and Stitches)

Mathis and the Big Balloon (Petit à Petit and Family)

Monkeys and Elephants (Craftstorming)

We've all been waiting for you (Little Stories)

As much as I enjoyed hearing the stories that were told, I also enjoyed learning how the stories were told.  The reminders that story telling while in the car, or at the dinner table or while waiting for something is a great way to calm children down.  Storytelling helps little minds do something instead of allowing them to become "bored".

Thanks so much for telling stoies with your kiddos  (making the crafts to go along with them is a bonus for everyone!).  Here's to storytelling, here's to imagination, here's to inspiration and here's to making it up!

Before I go, it's time to announce the winner of the Show Me A Story: 40 Craft Projects and Activities to Spark Children’s Storytelling.

So, without further addo...the winner is (chosen by random.org).

#8, Mathis and the Big Balloon.

Congratulations, Celina! 

Have a lovely day.

Make it Up: Last day to link up...

Just a little reminder, today is the last day to link your stories and crafts up for Make it Up!  Go here to link up!

I hope to announce the winner tomorrow...if I'm a little late, please forgive me, it likely means that our power is out (from Sandy).

Have a lovely rest of your weekend, and if you are on the East Coast, be safe!