LilSugar

Pimp Your Crib: Frame Your Lil Artist's Artwork

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:00:30 -0800

A picture says a thousands words, especially if the artist is still learning his. So instead of covering your refrigerator with your tot's latest creations, frame them.

The simple way to do it is with the Dynamic Artwork Frame (pictured, $25-$35), which easily opens and closes without having to remove it from the wall. This frame will also store up to 50 more pages behind the picture that is being displayed. If you're watching your budget as much as your budding artiste, then you can also just pick up a 8.5 x 11 Document Frame for around $8. Your child will be bursting with pride each time a new piece of his art is put on display, and you'll be thrilled with how neat it (and your fridge) looks.

Lil Find: Taro Gomi Drawing Books

babysugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:32 -0700

When your tot grows tired of the yellow lined legal pad, treat him to a super special Taro Gomi drawing book.

Since there are four different books to choose from, there's one for every lil artist.

If your honey needs a little direction, Scribbles ($14) or Doodles ($14) might be the right choice as they gives wee ones an image to build on for every page.

To see what else there is to choose from, read more.

If your kid is into paints and drawing, he can expand his imagination and talents on the plentiful illustrations in Squiggles ($14). And if you're trying to teach your babe a thing or two about the seasons, check out Doodle All Year ($12) where springtime animals, Summer fruit, Fall foods and Winter weather are all topics of doodling discussion.

One thing is certain, your sweetheart will be a busy bee with all of those pages and crayons. You can put "Mommy are we there yet?" to rest with a lil help from Taro Gomi.

Doodles by Taro Gomi ($14)	Squiggles by Taro Gomi ($14)
Scribbles by Taro Gomi ($14)	Doodle All Year by Taro Gomi ($12)

Kidoodles: Thanksgiving Tablecloth

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:29 -0800

Since Thanksgiving is next week, we thought you could use a simple arts and crafts project to entertain your kiddos and help you prepare for the holiday. Let your children be in charge of the tablecloth. They will appreciate the opportunity to get involved and relish the chance to get a lil messy - all in the name of helping out!

You just need the following items:

A piece of butcher paper (white works well with all colors)
A few sponges
Festive colored paints
A few pieces of blank paper
Scissors
Plates or bowls for paints
Markers or crayons

For my guide to making a kid-friendly tablecloth, read more

First, measure the table so you know how much butcher paper you will need. Once you have that, cut the paper and place it on a flat even surface like the floor or table top.

Next, draw whatever designs you want to use on the tablecloth and draw them on a piece of paper no bigger than the sponge you will use.

Once you have completed your drawing, cut it out and trace it on the sponge. Then cut along the traced line so you have your sponge design.

Now you are ready for the fun part! Put some paint in the plates or bowls and dip one side of the sponge into the paint. Gently press it onto the butcher paper. Voila! Use different colors and shapes to fill the paper.

Once it's all dried up, let your little ones draw on the paper and write "Happy Thanksgiving" or "I am thankful for ...", or a saying of their choice.

Finally, put the cloth on the table and ask your lil helpers to set it with plates and silverware!

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Lil Links: Boozing Baby Billboard Draws Attention

babysugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:30:32 -0700

Underage drinking billboard draws attention - The Mommy Files
Dolly Parton honored by Rebecca Romijn's name choice - Celebrity Baby Blog
Decal animal growth chart - Cookie
Wash those cloth grocery bags! - CafeMom
Smoking banned for teachers, but not students - ParentDish
Ava Jackman eats ice cream in her Flashdance gear - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Finding the mother gene - Fit Pregnancy
David Bowie in Lego form - The Poop

Tasty Treats For Halloween Bashes: Sparkly Cookies on Sticks

LilSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:00:35 -0700

If your little goblins won't be satisfied with fancy fruit lollipops, indulge their sweet tooth by making small sugar cookies on sticks.

These simple treats are easy to make and don't require a fancy production line. Just bake your favorite sugar cookies from scratch or a pre-made batter and impale round dough with lollipop sticks (can be found at a party or gourmet store) before they are baked. Ice with a simple sugar icing and decorate with sparkles or candy corn. If you're feeling adventurous ask your lil helpers to turn the cookies into pumpkins by drawing funny faces with candy or black cookie icing.

Wrap your final project in a cellophane bag with a ribbon for a pretty party favor.

Hosting a Halloween party this October? Whether spooky or sweet, we have you covered with our new designs for Pingg! Create your invite, then send reminders to your guests via email, SMS, and Facebook.

Check Out the Cool Kid Films That Are Set to Come Out

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:00:34 -0700

The Summer blockbuster season is drawing to a close, and with that we say goodbye to the group of flicks designed to give our lil ones a break from the warm weather. While many of us are eagerly anticipating the Fall movie season – including Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Where the Wild Things Are and A Christmas Carol, movie studios are already banking on their 2010 arrivals. Take a look at what will be entertaining our kids next year and let us know which you are most excited about.

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Turn In Your Used Baby Items For Some Cash

LilSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:10:00 -0700

Call it cash for baby clunkers. Like the federal government's program designed to remove gas guzzlers from the road, Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us are launching a program to draw attention to the number of baby products that should not be handed down or resold to a new generation of lil ones.

Beginning Friday, the stores will launch the Great Trade-In, allowing parents to bring in used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs in exchange for a 20% savings on the purchase of any new baby item by certain manufacturers – including Britax, Chicco, Evenflo and Graco. The three-week program hopes to target the 70 percent of recalled products that are never returned to stores. Before rifling through your used baby items, be sure to check out our tips regarding hand-me-downs to see if an item can be used again.

Don't Tell Mom, the Babysitter's Inked

babysugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:51 -0700

As a fairly laid back mom, there are few strict rules we have in our home, but one I hold steady on is using permanent markers on the furniture or themselves. I'll allow Crayola Washables around the house or finger paints in the bathtub, but Sharpies on the skin - no ma'am. I came up with this rule after my child so proudly decorated her hands with the black substance and walked around for days after with lines camouflaging her dainty fingers. When explaining the new lay of the land, I told her, "You can draw on paper, NOT on your body. No painting your body."

Having avoided any subsequent self graffiti, I hoped she understood my rationale. However, it was my babysitter who confirmed the learning for me. A lady of many tasteful tats, she texted me while my husband and I enjoyed our date day:

Ummm classic. Your daughter just saw the tattoo on my foot and told me I wasn't supposed to paint on myself and when I told her it wouldn't wipe off, she said, "Maybe you need a napkin" and brought me one. Wow. I am cracking up.

I guess our little talk worked. Now I'll just have to print this and save it for when she turns 18.

Ring In the New School Year and Win $1,000 Wardrobe From Tea Collection!

LilSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:55:27 -0700

The beginning of the school year is the "new" year for most families. Our lives revolve around our children’s schedules, activities and commitments. This year we're making school year’s resolutions to help you and your lil students prepare. We've been sharing our tips from how to make over your kiddo's lunch box to the best in eco-friendly backpacks and cool apparel for the professional parent. One lucky reader will also win a $1,000 wardrobe from Tea Collection!

To enter to win, log in to take this quiz. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz once you are logged in. You need to be a TeamSugar member to take the quiz; if you're not already a member, register here for an account and join in all the fun on the Sugar sites! Just click on "take the quiz" below and we will do a random drawing to determine the winner. US residents eligible only (sorry!). Click here for the official rules.

Take the quiz

Kidoodle: Jackson Pollack-Inspired Tees

LilSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:00:22 -0700

It's time to let the inner Picasso out! Arts and crafts projects don't have to be limited to a pad of paper or a piece of pottery. When your lil one's artistic genius is calling, put them to work on a canvas they can really showcase around town - a t-shirt.

At an event held by The Children's Place last week, I was reminded just how much fun it can be to give a preschooler some puffy paint, glitter, and decorations to embellish a shirt. While companies like Ralph Lauren sell kits ($50) to create a wearable masterpiece, the process can easily be re-created at home for a fraction of the price. To see what you need for this project, read more.

Buy a plain, inexpensive t-shirt in your child's favorite color, such as these for $3.50.
Provide an assortment of painting tools, such as fabric paint tubes for writing and drawing, puff paints for creating a three-dimensional effect on the shirts, and fabric markers for coloring in areas.
Depending on the age of the kids involved, provide googly eyes and plastic shapes that can be pressed into the puff paints for some added interest on the shirt.
Let the kids have at the shirts and then leave them to dry for at least 24 hours.

Mohri Floral Top - $29.00	Shibuya Floral Dress - $55.00
Aoyama Floral Dress - $39.00	Asakusa Dragon Tee - $25.00
Solid Cargo Pants - $25.00	Tokyo Hoodie - $39.00
Sukumo Pants - $39.00	Mohri Floral Dress - $39.00
Tea Collection Toddler's & Little Girl's Journey Pull-On Trousers - $39.00	Rhino Long Sleeve Tee - $23.00
Windowpane Plaid Pants - $28.00	Elephant Double Decker Tee - $25.00