How to Draw Cartoons – It’s easy!

April 4, 2013 by Jill 33 Comments

My children have been having a ball learning how to draw cartoons!

See the Light offers a FUN dvd, Art Projects – Cartooning. This DVD is geared for all ages making it an entertaining family activity. In Art Projects – Cartooning the artist, Pat Knepley, teaches you the history of cartooning, line, space, shape elements, and exaggeration and movement concepts.

My children ages 16-6 all completed this lesson together. The lesson takes aprroximatly 60 minutes to complete, however, they broke it up into 2 days. They did pause the video several times in order for my 6 year old to catch up. They all completed the lesson at ease and were thrilled to show me their master pieces.

I have to admit, I was highly impressed with the outcome.

We were able to get the supplies at Walmart required to complete the lesson.

Materials Needed:

•Several sheets of plain white paper (any size)
•A #2 pencil
•A pencil sharpener
•Good white or gray kneaded eraser
•A fine point black marker
•A thick black permanent marker

My children continue to draw creative cartoons. I am having so much fun seeing all their creative people on the refridgerator. It makes me smile.

We would all love to see a second DVD in cartooning.

Buy It

You can purchase Art Projects – Cartooning for 14.99 on See the Light’s website.

Win It

See the Light wants one of my readers to have their own Art Projects – Cartooning. This is a 14.99 value. I will be picking a random winner on April 18th at 12a. Winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This promotion is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with Facebook. I received this product in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Filed Under: CENTSible Homeschooling, Family, Giveaways, homeschool products, parenting, reviews

The Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up Party – 4/4

April 3, 2013 by Jill 2 Comments

It’s time for the new AWESOME weekly Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up that starts new every Thursday morning.

Homeschool Giveaways, Smockity Frocks, Pennington Point and I have decided to have a spot where you can be sure to find the latest and greatest homeschool giveaways in the community, but we need your help spreading the word.

Feel free to link up as many giveaways that you are hosting as long as they are family friendly with their title and end date.

Here is an example: Math Essentials – 3/15

Please link back to one of the hostesses on your giveaway post, so others can join in on the FUN and feel free to grab our button.

<center><a href=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/category/giveaways/”><img src=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hsgbutton.jpg

Be sure to join us every Thursday! Feel free to link up throughout the week, as well.

Filed Under: FREE Stuff, Weekly Homeschool Giveaways Link Up

The Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up Party – 3/28

March 27, 2013 by Jill Leave a Comment

It’s time for the new AWESOME weekly Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up that starts new every Thursday morning.

Feel free to link up as many giveaways that you are hosting as long as they are family friendly with their title and end date.

Here is an example: Math Essentials – 3/15

Please link back to one of the hostesses on your giveaway post, so others can join in on the FUN and feel free to grab our button.

<center><a href=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/category/giveaways/”><img src=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hsgbutton.jpg

Be sure to join us every Thursday! Feel free to link up throughout the week, as well.

Filed Under: FREE Stuff, Weekly Homeschool Giveaways Link Up

The Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up Party – 3/21

March 20, 2013 by Jill Leave a Comment

It’s time for the new AWESOME weekly Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up that starts new every Thursday morning.

Feel free to link up as many giveaways that you are hosting as long as they are family friendly with their title and end date.

Here is an example: Math Essentials – 3/15

Please link back to one of the hostesses on your giveaway post, so others can join in on the FUN and feel free to grab our button.

<center><a href=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/category/giveaways/”><img src=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hsgbutton.jpg

Be sure to join us every Thursday! Feel free to link up throughout the week, as well.

Filed Under: FREE Stuff, Giveaways, Weekly Homeschool Giveaways Link Up

Scholastic Storybook Treasures: The Springtime Collection (3 DVD set) GIVEAWAY- 3 winners!

March 20, 2013 by Jill 70 Comments

Have you heard of the entertaining, Springtime Collection 3 DVD set? They are a big hit in our home!

Bunnies and chicks take over! My children love to watch as Max and Ruby hunt for Easter eggs in Max’s Chocolate Chicken, or as a crazy-eyed chicken and all his panicked friends try to run away from a falling sky in Chicken Little. Plus, families can learn a fun baking recipe with The Red Hen! With celebrity narration by Lily Tomlin, Randy Travis, Michael McKean, and more!

Max’s Chocolate Chicken…and more stories by Rosemary Wells – Also Includes: Max’s Christmas / Morris’s Disappearing Dog / Otto Runs for President / Max’s Christmas – Spanish Version
The Ren Hen…and more cooking stories – Also Includes: Bread Comes to Life / How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? / Arnie the Doughnut
Chicken Little…and more zany animal stories – Also Includes: The Great White Man-Eating Shark / The Three-Legged Cat / Dooby Dooby Moo

The Springtime Collection includes 13 Award-Winning Stories in a 3-DVD collection. It is geared towards ages 2-7, but my 8 year old has really enjoyed the stories, too. He likes to read a long with the words on the screen. There is a total of 12 stories

My children have enjoyed all of the DVDs, but fell in love with The Red Hen. The Red Hen stories are all about cooking. We are going to make homemade bread sticks on Friday after we watch the movie for tenth time. They will also enjoy coloring this FUN coloring page.

Scholastic Storybook Treasures would like to give (1) The Springtime Collection and (2) The Red Hen DVD making a total of (3)winners. I will be picking the 3 winners on April 4th at 12a. All winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This promotion is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with Facebook. I received this product in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Filed Under: Family, FREE Stuff, Giveaways, Weekly Homeschool Giveaways Link Up

The Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up Party and Media Angels Giveaway- 3/15

March 13, 2013 by Jill 14 Comments

Have you heard of Media Angels? I had the opportunity to meet the president, Felice, at the BEECH conference last month.

Media Angels, Inc. is a company dedicated to serving Jesus Christ in the fullest through curriculum, webinars and services we provide. Since 1994, Media Angels has served the needs of Christian parents, home educators, students, teachers, and those interested in the writing and publishing process.

A note from Felice:

Whether you have a child with special needs or a child that is gifted, or perhaps someone that is inbetween this expo event is filled with hints, tips and methods to bring your homeschool to a new level. Learn ways to improve on teaching the reading, writing, and math as well as the subjects often forgotten such as science, history and art and music. What are proven techniques to deal with special needs issues or how can you learn along with your gifted child? These and many other topics will be explored by our wonderful hand-selected speakers of this set. This set is included in our bundled year-round expo! Listen live or listen On-Demand on your time. You will have access to the information to use again and again.

I am so excited that Media Angels is giving away (5) Exceptional Child Expo’s priced at 19.95 each. I will be making (5) random winners on March 28th at 12a. All winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This promotion is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with Facebook.

It’s time for the new AWESOME weekly Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up that starts new every Thursday morning. Homeschool Giveaways, Smockity Frocks, Pennington Point and I have decided to have a spot where you can be sure to find the latest and greatest homeschool giveaways in the community, but we need your help spreading the word.

Feel free to link up as many giveaways that you are hosting as long as they are family friendly with their title and end date.

Here is an example: Math Essentials – 3/15

Please link back to one of the hostesses on your giveaway post, so others can join in on the FUN and feel free to grab our button.

<center><a href=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/category/giveaways/”><img src=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hsgbutton.jpg

Be sure to join us every Thursday! Feel free to link up throughout the week, as well.

Filed Under: FREE Stuff, Giveaways, Weekly Homeschool Giveaways Link Up

The Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up Party – 3/7

March 6, 2013 by Jill 8 Comments

It’s time for the new AWESOME weekly Ultimate Homeschool Giveaways Link Up that starts new every Thursday morning.

Homeschool Giveaways, Smockity Frocks, and I have decided to have a spot where you can be sure to find the latest and greatest homeschool giveaways in the community, but we need your help spreading the word. So please share the good news!

Feel free to link up as many giveaways that you are hosting as long as they are family friendly with their title and end date.

Here is an example: Math Essentials – 3/15

Please link back to one of the hostesses on your giveaway post, so others can join in on the FUN and feel free to grab our button.

<center><a href=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/category/giveaways/”><img src=”http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hsgbutton.jpg

Be sure to join us every Thursday! Feel free to link up throughout the week, as well.

Filed Under: FREE Stuff, Giveaways, Weekly Homeschool Giveaways Link Up

Teach Your Children About Forgiveness the FUN way!

March 6, 2013 by Jill 10 Comments

The Jospeh Story has always been fascinating to me because forgiveness has always been a challenge for me.

And I am always inspired and encouraged by the righteous character Joseph portrayed after being sold for slavery and betrayed numerous times, but he still demonstrated a heart of forgiveness.

Grapevine Studies assists you as you train your children in His Holy Word. Grapevine Studies provides effective, easy-to-teach Bible curriculum to disciple ages five to adult.

This month we are stick-figuring through the Story of Joseph. The story of betrayal, forgiveness, and restoration comes alive in our school room each day. It is so exciting to watch my children draw and meditate on timeline of the remarkable man, Joseph.

In the Joesph study your students will see how God used difficult circumstances in Josephs life to prepare him to save thousands of people, including those who mistreated and betrayed him. The Joseph study can either be used as a 14 weekly or 50 daily lessons.

The Grapevine Studies, Multi-level option, works wonderful for my family since our children range from 16-3 years of age. However, I decided to concentrate on this fabulous lesson with only my younger children. Each day my younger children come to our school room prepared with their Bible, Bible notebook, and coloring pencils/crayons.

First, we review the timeline events from the previous day. I ask several suggested questions that are provided in the teacher’s guide. Next, we all look up the recommended scripture for the lesson. My 8 year old son is responsible for looking up all scripture references. While he is reading the scripture passages, I draw the stick figures on our large dry erase board.

While the children are copying the simple stick figure artwork on their own notebook pages, I review and expand on the scripture passages related to their drawings. Also, we take turns looking up any key words in the Bible dictionary. Sometimes map work is required and we look the destination up in the Bible Atlas. The last part of the lesson for the day, the children draw their favorite part of the lesson on the drawing review page and copy the scripture for the day. We talk about their picture the next lesson. This helps with retention. My three year old even tries her very best to draw the stick figures on her own notebook pages with the new traceable lessons for younger children.

My three year old thought that those mean brothers needed to go to time out and get lots of spankings for throwing Joseph in the pit. We extensively talked about how hard it must have been for Joseph to forgive those mean bubbas. This story really has had an effect on her.

Take a peek in a sample lesson.

Buy It

You can purchase the ebook, Joseph Mult-level Bible Study teachers guide for 16.95 and the student guide for 11.95.

Check out the FREE eLesson of the Lord’s Suppers and other specials this month.

Win It

Grapevine Studies wants one of Blessed Beyond a Doubt’s readers to have their own copy of Joseph Teacher and Student ebook to share with their family. I will be picking a random winner on March 14th at 12am. Winner will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read how our family loved the Grapevine Studies Beginner Old Testament Study and The Birth of Jesus Study.

How do you make the Joseph Story come alive in your family?

I received this product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own. Read my full disclosure.

Filed Under: Family, Giveaways, parenting, Weekly Homeschool Giveaways Link Up

Kindle, Nook, and Amazon HUGE Giveaway – 10 Winners!

March 3, 2013 by Jill 20 Comments

Lorrie Flem with EternalEncouragement and Carrie Fernandez with Homeschool Giveaways have teamed up to bring you an awesome giveaway. Several bloggers are participating with us to be able to offer you some incredible prizes! Be sure to checkout each website below. You will find free printables, encouragment, ebooks, and more!We will draw 10 winners ~ here are the prizes:

First Place Winner will receive a Kindle Fire AND a $100.00 gift certificate
to the Eternal Encouragement Shop.
Second Place Winner will receive a Nook Simple Touch eBook Reader
(Wi-Fi Only) and a $50.00 gift certificate to the Eternal Encouragement Shop.
Third Place Winner will receive a $50 Amazon card and a $25.00 gift
certificate to the Eternal Encouragement Shop.
Fourth through Tenth Place Winners will receive $25.00 gift certificate
to the Eternal Encouragement Shop.

*Each gift certificate can be used on the items of their choice.

Are you wondering what you can find at the Eternal Encouragement Shop? Let me share some of the awesome titles with you:
Winning the Whining War and Chart, 4 Creative Secrets To A Happy Home,
Teaching Self-Control from Toddlers to Teens, Teach So They Learn & more!

How to Enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Each extra entry
will increase your chances of winning. If you do not see the Rafflecopter
yet, please allow it a minute to load!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: FREE Stuff, Giveaways, Kindle Books

Is Homeschooling Really For Us?!

February 18, 2013 by Jill 13 Comments

Is your homeschooling experience turning out to be more stressful than you anticipated? Is there a little more friction and a little less joy than what you thought you signed up for? Maybe you’re even wondering if it’s time to send your children to school. Maybe this homeschooling thing just isn’t for you.

If that’s you, there is one thing I know. You are not alone. Though not all admit it, many have asked the same question. In fact, it is because one brave reader was willing to ask that I wrote this book. She was discouraged with how things were going in her home. Her children weren’t doing their work and even her husband was beginning to be irritable because of the stress that homeschooling had placed on their family. This mom was desperate for peace in her family and understandably wondered if sending her kids to school would be the answer they all needed.

There is no way I could answer her question because it is not mine to answer. I didn’t want to offer superficial advice like “You can do it” or “Just make it work, you don’t want to send your kids to school.” I definitely didn’t want to give her condemning answers like “You just don’t have your children’s hearts.” I wanted to respond in kindness, with an open mind and with helpful thoughts — not just a quick, one-size-fits-all answer to her question.

When we ask ourselves if our children are better off in school, its because we love them, and we want what’s best for them. When we get to this point, it’s time to take a good hard look at what is going on in our homeschool and brainstorm possible solutions. I believe that most homeschoolers don’t necessarily want to quit, we just don’t have the tools to discern what the real issues are and how to overcome the obstacles.

That’s what this book is about. Written by someone who has asked this question more than once, it’s an empathetic and honest look at the struggles that can accompany homeschooling. You will not find arguments for or against homeschooling. There are many blessings that come with homeschooling and many books that extol them. This is a book written for those who already believe in those benefits but are having difficulty experiencing them.

You’ll find thought-provoking questions to lead you through three meetings; one with yourself, one with your spouse, and one with your children. (Just as a side; please note that you will not be meeting with your extended family or your neighbors!) My hope is that you will find answers to questions you didn’t know to ask, and in so doing, be equipped to create a homeschooling environment that works for your family.

If you still decide that homeschooling isn’t for your family, that is truly your decision and the homeschooling community would do well to respect that. But please, if you’re struggling, don’t quit until you’ve read this book.

Beth would like to give (3) of Blessed Beyond a Doubt’s readers a copy of her new eBook, Is Homeschooling Really For Us. I will be picking (3) random winners on Friday, February 22 at 11:59p. All Winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beth Cranford has been married to her best friend for 21 years. Together they raise and educate their two children in middle TN. Beth has a passion for helping Christian parents design and implement an education that honors and nurtures their children’s individual design, equipping them for a life of freedom and power. You can find her at http://bethcranford.com/homeschooling-2/