DIY Thanksgiving Turkey Centerpiece Kids Craft

Thanksgiving

Free Pattern, No Prior Sewing Experience Required

I just love Thanksgiving not only because it celebrates our American history, but because it's a great time of year to make some really easy creative holiday art projects while spending quality time with family and children. Here's a charming Turkey Soft Sculpture Centerpiece idea from the Craft Magazine website Sewing.org

Image from Sewing.org

This post contains Amazon affiliate links

No sewing machine is needed. Since this is hand sewn it's the perfect craft for older kids to make. Just a few supplies are required: 30 x 30 cm felt in your choice of 4 colors, embroidery floss, some polyester fill stuffing, and some miscellaneous notions from your button box (or just cut buttons off an old piece of clothing you no longer want).

That's right. This festive felt turkey centerpiece is made with a needle and thread and no sewing machine or previous sewing experience is required! Kids with the skills or ability to learn the simple blanket embroider stitch will enjoy making this with a teen sibling or an adult to guide them. 

A wonderful heirloom to make for your own family or to bring as a host or hostess gift for Thanksgiving Dinner.

 

FREE Instructions and Downloadable Patterns

All Supplies Available on Amazon

Get your supplies for this project on Amazon by clicking on the images below. Disclosure: MBE participates in the Amazon affiliate program and will receive a bit of compensation (at no extra cost to consumers) when you make purchases using MBE's sales referral affiliate links.

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Pokemon the Movie Review Giveaway

GIVEAWAY

Pokemon the Movie: White Victini and Zekrom

Feature film Pokémon The Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom, suitable for kids ages 7 and up is showing in select theaters nationwide for a limited engagement for one weekend only: December 3-4. Even big kids who grew up on Pokemon trading cards who are now adults will likely enjoy this special entertainment opportunity.

To help celebrate the upcoming showings of this film, Mommy Blog Expert is hosting a contest with Cinedigm supplying prize packages for 3 lucky readers of this blog.  Read on for details on how to win this sweepstakes giveaway of some awesome Pokemon merchandise.

Pokemon the Movie:
White Victini and Zekrom

GIVEAWAY CONTEST

3 winners get this prize package

• 1 Pokemon™ Zoroark: Master of Illusions
• 1 Pokemon™ Black and White Manga vol 1
• 1 Pokemon™ Black and White Limited Edition Drawstring Bag
• 1 Pokemon™ Black and White Emerging Powers Trading Card Game Booster Pack
• 1 Pokemon™ The Movie Black and White Victini and Zekrom poster

HOW TO ENTER

 
Leave a comment(s) below this post.  Contest ends December 6, 2011 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Three winners will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email.

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you want to win this prize.  Don't forget to include your email address, Facebook or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Additional Extra Entries

Get extra entries to win for doing any combination of the easy options listed below.  Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your extra chances to win.

1.  Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter

2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook

Earn Up to 3 Bonus Entries Daily til contest ends on 12/6/11
You can rack up even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day.  Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Copy, Paste & Tweet:
Pokemon Movie @CinedigmEnt GIVEAWAY 3 winners get 5-prize pk DVD video + http://tinyurl.com/6tadque Enter Daily til 12/6/11 #Pokemon

LOTS More 
Family-Friendly Giveaways!

ENTER Them All HERE

FTC Disclosure: Cinedigm Entertainment has provided the prizes for this giveaway. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Veterans Day Weekend Freebies, Savings Deals

Military Appreciation

Veterans Day 2011 which occurs on 11/11/11, is just one example of a palindrome. As defined by Wikipedia a palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either direction. A bit of history: the palindrome dates back to at least 79 AD. America's consumer businesses of all types are generously honoring retired veterans and active military personnel for their service to our country with lots of giveaways, discounts, and deals to show their appreciation today and over the weekend.

To show his own devotion, the Coupon Sherpa has compiled a comprehensive list of 35 Veterans Day Freebies, including these 11 special deals. The coupon expert reminds those who wish to take advantage of these offers to remember that showing some form of military identification may be required to grab these free and frugal opportunities. It's also highly recommended that you call ahead to make sure your local franchise is participating.

1. Cabela's Outdoor Store 

Employee discount of 5% to 50% - Nov. 11 to 12. Applies to: Veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel

2. Chili's

Free meal - Nov. 11. Applies to: Active duty and veterans Chili's is offering a choice of one of six meals on a dine-in-only basis. Beverages and gratuity not included.

3. Denny's

Free Grand Slam breakfast - Nov. 11. Applies to: Active military or veterans. Available only at participating locations.

4. McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants

Free lunch or dinner entrée - Nov 13. Applies to: Veterans. This is the 13th Annual Veteran's Appreciation Event at McCormick & Schmick's.

5. Grace For Vets

Free car wash - Nov. 11. Applies to: Active duty, veterans and service personnel. Since 2004, thousands of car-wash businesses have participated in this national event, sponsored by Grace For Vets.

6. Hy-Vee

Free breakfast buffet - Nov. 11. Applies to: Active military and veterans. Available at participating Hy-Vee grocery store with in-store dining.

7. Macy's

Use promo code VET15 and receive 10% to 15% off - through Nov. 13. Applies to: Everyone.

8. Spaghetti Warehouse

11-cents meal with coupon - Nov. 11. Applies to: Everyone. Like Spaghetti Warehouse on Facebook and get a serving of lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, or any original recipe spaghetti entree for just 11 cents.

9. SUBWAY

Free six-inch sub - Nov. 11. Applies to: Veterans. SUBWAY restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere.

10. Bed & Breakfasts

Free night's stay - Nov. 11. Applies to: Active military and veterans and one guest. B&B for Vets is offering veterans a free night's stay at more than 485 participating bed and breakfasts across the US and Canada.

11. Texas Roadhouse

Free lunch - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 11. Applies to: Veterans and active duty military. Dine-in only.

Thanks to CouponSherpa for providing these resources that honor our past and present military. For the rest of the Veteran's Day special deals list, visit their website.

FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Ultimate Moms Club Sweepstakes - WIN A Trip to Hollywood for 2, Plus $5K for Your School

Sweepstakes

Here's a really fun contest opportunity just for moms that I entered myself that I'd like to also share with all my loyal Mommy Blog Expert's mom readers. Thanks to a partnership between TV Guide Network's Hollywood Moms Night show and 8th Continent Soymilk from Heritage Foods, a new sweepstakes announced today will bring one lucky mom and a friend to Hollywood, plus a significant charitable donation will be made in the winner's name.
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

The sweepstakes grand prize winner will receive a lavish  all-expenses trip for two to Hollywood that begins with you and your mom friend being pampered for the day. You'll also be styled with a new outfit for the nighttime event where you'll get to meet and chat with two of the show's moms: Alison Sweeney (The Biggest Loser) and Ali Landry (former Miss USA). And, to top it all off, a $5,000 donation provided by Heritage Foods will be donated to a local school of the prize recipient's choice.

This exciting contest launches the new microsite Ultimate Moms Sweeps that will be dedicated to connecting moms, providing the platform for us to share resources and knowledge with each other. Mothers are invited to participate in the online conversation and enter for a chance to win this contest from November 10 until December 18 by submitting topics that you'd like to discuss at a moms’ club. In addition, everyone that enters will receive a $1 off coupon from 8th Continent Soymilk.

Hollywood Moms Night is a one-hour television special premiering on TV Guide Network on Sunday, November 27 at 8:00p.m. ET/PT.  TV Guide Network, the entertainment insider network that celebrates Hollywood, its stars and shows, is seen in more than 82 million homes nationwide and online. 8th Continent Soymilk -- which is made from U.S. grown soybeans that aren't genetically engineered --  are available in a variety of flavors and are lactose- and gluten-free, vegan, and Kosher U certified.

What kinds of mom topics concern you most? Worrying about your child? Balancing work and family? Making sure you don't neglect yourself? Would love to hear your comments on this.

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

How to Take Your Kids & Family to National Parks FREE & Find Deals and Discounts on Hotels Nearby

Family Travel

I grew up on family road trips to national parks and my hubbie and I are also raising our own kids to appreciate all that they offer. So, I'm particularly excited to be sharing this post with you. America's Best Idea - our national parks - gets even better with a generous number of fee-free days throughout the year at more than 100 participating national parks -- the Grand Canyon for example -- that usually charge entrance fees. However, note that other fees such as reservations, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are typically not included with these free days. I'm so happy to let you know that the last Free National Park dates in 2011 are coming up this Friday - Sunday, November 11-13, Veteran's Day Weekend. What's even better? Some of America's national parks are even free 365 days a year, so you'll definitely want to check the details on the NPS.gov website.

Me at Saguaro National Monument, Tucson, AZ

1968 Vintage photo by my Daddy, MommyBlogExpert.com

2012 NPS Fee-Free Calendar 

January 14-16, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend 

April 21-29, National Park Week

June 9, Get Outdoors Day

September 29, National Public Lands Day

November 10-12, Veteran's Weekend

Save on Accomodations Near Parks Too
Here's another great resource for discounts and saving money on hotels in or close to various National Parks. 

What parks have you been to with your kids and which are your favorites and why? Please leave a comment and share.

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FTC Disclosure: This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.