In celebration of the network's fifth birthday, Sprout, the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers, will premiere its first-ever, long-form original series Noodle and Doodle on Saturday, September 25 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Produced by Sprout, this new series (26 x 11' episodes), featuring arts, crafts and cooking for preschoolers and their families, will debut within the network's signature, live morning block, The Sunny Side Up Show, which is expanding to include weekends. Noodle and Doodle will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and again at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Hosted by Sean, Sprout's co-host of The Sunny Side Up Show and master artist, Noodle and Doodle features arts, crafts and healthy recipes inspired by real preschoolers' experiences. With his new friends Noodle, a loveable puppet who likes to help in the kitchen, and Doodle, a virtual, electronic friend who lives in a tablet style device, Sean leads real preschoolers and viewers at home to make all kinds of kid-friendly creations. Sprout viewers will discover healthy recipes and clever crafts that families can create together using materials from around the home, as well as recycled elements from the items used in the actual recipes. All of the cooking and crafting takes place inside a whimsical double-decker bus where Sean and his helpers demonstrate step-by-step "how to" creations in an engaging, simple way that families can recreate at home.

Also along for the ride is Sean's dog Doggity, an adorable beagle with the special ability to take viewers into his imaginary, animated world where culinary canines use teamwork to solve problems and cook up treats in their own kitchen. This segment on Noodle and Doodle is called Doggity's and was created in conjunction with series creator John McCoy working with the design and animation team of Ka-chew!, a division of Klasky Csupo, the production company behind smash hits like the Rugrats and Wild Thornberrys.

"Noodle and Doodle is the perfect addition to weekends on Sprout as we expand The Sunny Side Up Show - our top performing original program for viewer engagement - to seven days a week," said Andrew Beecham, senior vice president, programming at Sprout. "Since the live block launched in September 2007, Sprout has collected over one million viewer submissions, and we anticipate even more viewer interaction now with the launch of Noodle and Doodle."

He continued: "We are so excited to be debuting this first-ever, long-form original series. This is also the first time that Sprout is making an original program available for international licensing."

A companion website with sharing galleries, how-to videos, games and more will be available at SproutOnline.com after September 25. For additional information on Sprout programs or schedules, or to play games, download free coloring pages or find great activities for kids, visit SproutOnline.com. To find out where Sprout is available in your area, call 1.8.SPROUT.411 or go to SproutPlease.com.

Recycle an old tank top into a beach bag. All you need is some fabric glue and decorative trim.

You need:

• Tank Top
• Rick Rack or Other Trim
• 1 Yard of Cord
• Appliqués
• Fabric Glue
  
• Small Scissors
• Safety Pin

Instructions:

Using a small, pointed scissors, open up about 1" of the hem of the tank top. Attach safety pin to the end of the cord and push the pin with the cord through the opening into the hem. Work the pin and cord around the entire bottom until you reach the hem opening again. You should have both ends of the cord sticking out of the hem opening. Remove safety pin.

Pull cord end gathering up the bottom of the tank top as tight as possible. Tie ends together, double knotting. Trim ends. Push the  knot up inside the hem. Glue a large appliqué over the opening on the bottom on the bag. Decorate edges with rick rack and appliqués.

Source: www.makingfriends.com - Summer Crafts

We all like to stylize our homes with most recent gizmos and electronic gadgets which add to the general ambiance and feel of our rooms. Plasma and LCD Television sets can be excellent equipment to spruce up your home. We obtain furniture for so many reasons and your TV furthermore calls for furniture like TV stands, which is fashionable, manageable and can also maintain your highly-priced TV set securely.

 

Acquiring a TV stand, particularly designed for plasma and LCD, really needs to be broad and powerful to be able to prevent avoidable deterioration to the TV set. The plasma stands are also a wonderful means to aesthetically combine to your home entertainment setup based upon the layout you opt for which subsequently will depend on the existing room's interiors. You can find countless possibilities readily available in the market to make a preference. However, before you decide to spend your hard earned money on a full entertainment center, there are few essential points to be kept in mind about plasma stands and LCD TV stands.

 

Many plasmas and LCD TVs require wide TV stands which are obtainable in different types and thus you need to be sure you are opting for the one that best fits your necessities. The primary stage of creating the perfect entertainment center is to consider the space or room available. Calculate the area of living room or bedroom where you would like the plasma stand to be positioned. This will help you estimate how wide the stand needs to be, staying away from the chance of purchasing Plasma stands or LCD stands of more than or below size.

 

Another thing you want to take notice of is the dimension of the LCD TV or plasma TV you have. You undoubtedly don't need to purchase a wide TV stand just centered on the measurement of the room's area.

 

Once you are crystal clear about the measurement of the TV screens and space, think of the type of wide TV stands or consoles you will require. Know what you want and decide on it. There are stands which provide easy flat surface where the LCD and Plasma can be attached with ease. In case that you want a storage area underneath the surface to fit in your DVD player, cable boxes, tape collections, home theater system, etc, there are stands which come along with spare cabinets under the surface.

 

These TV stands are additionally readily available in different colors made from numerous resources. They likewise also come in wood in order to match them up with your room interiors like the ones in Greentea Design, making your room look elegant and stylish. So, decide what you want and enjoy the process of completing your own home entertainment center.

Pinwheels are an age old craft that your Grandma will remember. Put together these pretty wind decorations and stick them in your garden.

Be sure to explore all of our fun summer activities including great crafts for kids, summer printables, fabulous recipes, outdoor fun and more!

What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Print the pattern onto plain copy or printer paper.
2. Cut the square pattern out, cutting on the solid lines.
3. Lay pattern on top of colored paper and trace the square. Cut out the square from the colored paper.
4. Keep the pattern square on top of the colored square. Either hold it in place with your fingers or tape it down lightly on two of the sides.
5. Cut through the pattern and the colored paper along the dotted lines but do not cut in to the center circle.
6. Use a thumbtack or stick pin to poke out the holes in every other corner as indicated on the pattern. Set the pattern piece aside.
7. Take one corner (one with a hole) and fold it toward the center of the square. Fold the next corner that has a hole and fold it toward the center on top of the first holed corner. Repeat with the other two corners with holes until all four are folded into the center. Glue the folds to each other and to the center. Hold together until dry.
8. Push the thumbtack through the center of the pinwheel and into the eraser of the pencil. Make sure the pinwheel isn't touching the eraser or it won't spin.
9. Glue some sequins to the flaps of the pinwheel and let dry.
   

Tips:

• You can use plain white paper and have children color with crayons or markers to decorate before cutting out the pinwheel pattern.
• Decorate with lightweight items such as sequins and stickers or glitter glue. Items like buttons and craft jewels are too heavy.
• If the pinwheel isn't turning properly, try using a longer stick pin rather than a thumbtack to allow more room between the pinwheel and the eraser.

By: Amanda Formaro, Difficulty: Easy, Age: 7 and up
Source: Crafts Kaboose

If you happen to be heading up to Vermont this summer on vacation, stop in at Frog Hollow: Vermont State Craft Center in Burlington, VT on the Church Street Marketplace (85 Church Street).

They carry a selection of crafts by Vermont artists like ceramics, glass and photography.


June's featured artist at Frog Hollow is Deborah Holmes. She does quintessential Vermont landscapes, and local landmarks fill Deb's magnificent watercolor paintings.

A local craft makes a great souvenir.  I also recommend the local Lake Champlain Chocolates, they're delicious!

Today at the Licensing International Expo, children's publisher Highlights for Children announces a slate of four licensing agreements, among the first to bring Highlights' "Fun with a Purpose" brand to toy shelves across the U.S.  Highlights is partnering with Discovery Bay Games to create board games and card games. The company's new partner Horizon Group USA will create a collection of Highlights craft and activity toys. Trends International will introduce a line of Highlights activity calendars. Highlights has also signed an agreement with Ravensburger USA, Inc. to develop a brand-new, engaging and top-quality line of 2D puzzles and 3D puzzleball designs.

The history of Highlights as a children's publishing powerhouse is the foundation for this new licensing effort. Generations have grown up reading its flagship title, Highlights, currently the best-read children's magazine in North America. The special connection Highlights holds with parents and children is behind the success of its magazines and book club titles such as Puzzlemania, which reaches more than three million families each year. Translating acclaimed Highlights puzzles, imagery and children's activities into educational and fun toys and products is an exciting step in the company's 64-year history.

"We're proud to have partnered with companies whose focus is the same as ours - providing engaging high-quality, creative products for families," says Highlights VP of Licensing, Robin Sayetta. "Crafts, activities, games and puzzles have always been a part of our magazines. Now, with our first partners, we will bring these activities from the pages of our magazines to store shelves."

Horizon Group USA and Highlights have signed a multi-year agreement to create a collection of Highlights "make your own" craft and activity kits. Horizon will adapt existing and new Highlights puzzle, game and activity content to 3D formats that expand and enhance these time-tested experiences for children. A combination of tried-and-true components like stickers, markers and crayons, and new color and paper technologies, will add fun and creativity to the line. The collection will debut at specialty and mass retailers beginning in fall 2010.

Discovery Bay Games and Highlights share a commitment to families, education and fun. The game maker's mission is to bring friends of all ages and families together to play, interact and laugh together. The product line will launch in 2011 with three original games that will take inspiration from Highlights content as well as its philosophies about children and play.

Trends International, LLC, the leading publisher and manufacturer of licensed posters, calendars and creative fun, has signed on to create 2012 calendars that will leverage Highlights' diverse games and activities. The calendars are planned to debut in the summer of 2011.

Ravensburger USA, Inc, a division of the European-based leading, family-owned company for meticulously-made and beautifully designed puzzles, games and arts, and crafts products will produce a variety of puzzles featuring Highlights unique imagery and content. The new Highlights puzzles from Ravensburger will perfectly capture Highlights play activities and illustrations with products that encourage togetherness and inspire learning and creativity, including traditional flat puzzles and innovative 3D puzzleballs. The premiere collection will debut at Fall Toy Preview in October 2010.

Established as a craft company in 1912, Horizon Group USA has grown to become the leading creative kids craft resource in the US marketplace today. Their product lines are composed of craft activity kits, coloring products and stationery based play sets. With an emphasis on destination type programs, Horizon seeks to take advantage of Highlights' rich library of assets and revered content. By pairing that with their own creative team's abilities, Horizon seeks to create innovative and purposeful twists on traditional play-patterns.

Michaels, North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, will host a series of free and under $3 Father's Day gift-making events featuring unique projects such as Duck Tape wallets, foam can hugs, T-shirts, picture frames and more.

The workshops start Saturday, June 5, and will take place on weekends and weeknights leading up to Father's Day so moms can bring in the kids to make creative gifts for Dad.

• Saturday, June 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Kids can capture favorite memories of Dad with their own build-a-book from Klutz. Ages 3 and up welcome. FREE while supplies last.
• Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Kids can create a camo-style frame for Dad's favorite Father's Day photo. Ages 3 and up welcome. FREE with purchase of $1 wooden frame.
• Sunday, June 13, 1 - 3 p.m.: Kids can personalize an ordinary coffee mug to create a unique Father's Day gift for Dad. Ages 3 and up welcome. FREE with purchase of $1.99 mug kit.
• Tuesday, June 15, 6 - 8 p.m.: Dads can keep their drinks super cool this summer with a one-of-a-kind, hand painted can hug. Ages 3 and up welcome. FREE with purchase of $1 can hug.
• Thursday, June 17, 6 - 8 p.m.: Kids and dads love versatile Duck Tape, and Michaels will show kids how to make Dad a colorful tape wallet that's durable, creative and flat-out cool. Ages 6-12 welcome. FREE while supplies last.
• Friday, June 18, 6 - 8 p.m.: Kids can give Dad the gift of creativity with a handcrafted T-shirt. Ages 3 and up welcome. FREE with purchase of a $2.50 T-shirt.
• Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Kids can express their feelings for Dad with a handcrafted, heartfelt Father's Day card. Ages 3 and up welcome. FREE while supplies last.

"Kids will have as much fun making gifts as the dads will have receiving them - especially the Duck Tape wallets, which are so popular right now," said Michaels Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Paula Puleo. "Michaels has lots of ideas for kids of all ages to make memorable, personalized gifts that show Dad how much they care."

Other creative Father's Day gift ideas include a Duck Tape tie, a personalized BBQ apron, a desk organizer or a wooden tool caddy. Michaels has ideas and instructions for more personalized and affordable Father's Day gifts at www.michaels.com/fathersday.

Beaches Resorts, the family travel experts with four Luxury Included® resort locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, proudly announce the addition of two major partnership extensions, bringing two programs to Beaches Resorts: the immediate introduction of Martha Stewart Crafts Studio(TM) at Beaches and the fall debut of Sesame Street's Big Bird as part of Beaches Resorts' extended partnership with Sesame Workshop.

For nearly 20 years, Martha Stewart and her team of experts have been inspiring crafters of all ages and levels to create beautiful things. Now, beginning immediately, Beaches Resorts will exclusively offer five unique Martha Stewart Crafts Studio™ classes using Martha Stewarts Crafts™ tools to glitter, stencil, paint and more, in which Beaches Resorts guests will come away with a handcrafted, personal souvenir of their stay.  Postcard, Punch and Stencil Fashion and Glitter classes are recommended for family members 6 and up with Scrapbooking and Stencil Fashion classes recommended for ages 9 and up, but younger kids are welcome if accompanied by an adult. All classes cost $10 each with the exception of the Postcard Class, which is $8.

Starting August 22nd, Beaches Resorts, in celebration of their continued partnership through 2015 with Sesame Workshop - the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, will welcome Big Bird to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa and Beaches Negril Resort & Spa.  Big Bird joins Sesame Street friends Elmo, Zoe, Grover, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, The Count and Bert & Ernie for the exclusive Beaches Resorts' Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street.

According to Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, Beaches Resorts' parent company, providing exclusive opportunities for guests with companies that share Beaches' core values of service and quality has helped the resort company differentiate itself in a marketplace where value matters.  "Martha Stewart and Sesame Workshop are two highly recognizable and trusted consumer brands," said Stewart.  "We are proud to call them our partners and even more so, to delight guests of all ages with these exclusively unique and enriching experiences - from Baking with Cookie Monster for toddlers to Scrapbooking for teens and tweens."  

North America's Largest Arts and Crafts Specialty Retailer Selects Demandware to Help Deliver a New Online Experience for its Customers

Demandware, Inc., today announced that Michaels Stores, Inc., North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, has selected the Demandware® eCommerce Platform to re-platform its website and deliver the seamless integration of content and community to its customers. The initial focus will be a site redesign with emphasis on branding, improved search and navigation, customer reviews and enhanced social networking capabilities.  

Michaels Stores, Inc. is North America's largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall decor and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself enthusiast. Michaels Stores owns and operates more than 1,020 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada, and over 140 Aaron Brothers stores.

"Michaels.com will become an online destination that fosters creativity and informs purchasing decisions, which will drive online visitors back to our physical stores," said John Rowe, general manager of strategic marketing, Michaels Stores, Inc. "Demandware provides out-of-box functionality that is scalable to our growing brand and future ecommerce needs, and will help inspire our customers with a seamless cross-channel experience.'"

Michaels Stores will re-launch Michaels.com using Demandware, and will focus on providing a distinctive and social experience to its visitors. New features on the site will include enhanced customer ratings and product reviews, as well as rich media. Michaels.com will also feature a hosted social community, contests and user-generated content that will help to inspire and educate online customers.

"Michaels Stores, as a leading craft retailer, has a unique customer base that thrives in a collaborative community setting, and Demandware can provide the necessary foundation to bring that setting online," said Jamus Driscoll, vice president of marketing at Demandware. "Working with existing Michaels vendors and partners, we look forward to helping Michaels Stores expand its online presence and become a true multi-channel retailer."

Week of gift-making workshops held in all U.S. and Canada stores.

Michaels, North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, announces it will host a series of Mother's Day gift-making events throughout the first week of May so that families can make personalized gifts for under $3 that Mom will treasure for years to come.

The workshops, to be held in all 1000+ U.S. and Canada stores, will each feature a free or low-cost gift project for kids of all ages:

• Saturday, May 1 (1 - 3 p.m.): Kids can create gem earrings or a glass bead bracelet to keep Mom stylish. Cost: FREE
• Sunday, May 2 (1 - 3 p.m.): Kids can personalize an ordinary coffee mug with paint markers. Cost: FREE decorating supplies with purchase of a $1.99 mug kit
• Monday, May 3 (6 - 8 p.m.): Kids can make Mom a flower corsage to complement a favorite outfit using silk flowers. Cost: FREE corsage supplies with purchase of silk flowers, $1 and up
• Tuesday, May 4 (6 - 8 p.m.): Give Mom a spa day with a home spa package wrapped in a painted clay pot. Cost: FREE painting supplies (does not include spa stuffers, $1 and up)
• Thursday, May 6 (6 - 8 p.m.): Kids can decorate a Mother's Day t-shirt with fun designs made from handprints. Cost: FREE workshop with purchase of $2.50 t-shirt
• Friday, May 7 (6 - 8 p.m.): Kids can personalize and decorate a wooden picture frame to hold a favorite memory of Mom. Cost: FREE decorating supplies with purchase of $1 frame
• Saturday, May 8 (10 a.m. - Noon): Kids can make a personalized card to wish Mom a Happy Mother's Day. Cost: FREE
• Saturday, May 8 (Noon - 1 p.m.): Kids can decorate a sweet treat at the Wilton cookie decorating event. Cost: FREE

"Our workshops are a convenient and inexpensive way for the entire family to make Mother's Day special," said Michaels' Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Paula Puleo. "Moms especially love to receive thoughtful, handmade gifts from their children."

More homemade Mother's Day gift ideas, with instructions and materials lists, can be found at www.michaels.com/mothersday. Gift cards are also available for purchase online or in stores and make great Mother's Day gifts.

For Moms who love crafting, Michaels launches its new Facebook fan page with "The Search For America's Most Creative Mom" contest starting April 27th through May 11th. Fans can nominate the special moms in their lives and share stories and photos of her creations for a chance to win a $1,000 Michaels gift card. No purchase necessary to enter or win the contest, see rules for complete details. Michaels' Facebook page will also feature heartwarming Mother's Day e-cards, quick and easy handmade gift ideas for Mother's Day, plus much more at www.facebook.com/michaels.