Bring Dinosaurs to Life with a Dinosaur Train Wall Mural

Dinosaur Train is an Emmy-nominated educational show on PBS Kids about a family of dinosaurs who encourage preschoolers to get off their couches and explore the world. Created by The Jim Henson Company, Dinosaur Train has been entertaining millions of children since its debut in 2009. Its mission is to introduce children to paleontology and discovery.

We love Dinosaur Train here, so when Murals Your Way offered us a Dinosaur Train mural sticker, I couldn’t say no. We have been actively working on making my 4 year old son, Quinn’s room a haven for him to go and wind down because of him having Asperger’s, so I thought The Pteranodon Family Takes Flight mural would be a perfect addition to his room. We measured the wall so we could get a mural that fit precisely correct and they sent it to us with instructions for hanging.

The mural came in three large pieces, to make installation easier. I’ll be honest and say it wasn’t easy putting it up. Each piece overlapped the one before by a few inches to make it simpler to line them up, but I don’t think it made it simpler at all. It was still quite difficult getting it all to stay in place while we lined it up and got it stuck on. This is definitely a two-person project, for certain. In total, it took us one hour to get it hung up.

Now that it’s done, I can honestly say it was worth it. The mural is brightly colored, well made, and looks fantastic on Quinn’s wall. It fit exactly to our measurements, so it looks like it was painted on. I am completely thrilled with everything about this mural, and would highly recommend Murals Your Way to anyone.

Murals Your Way is also being generous enough to offer a special, whopping 30% discount to 3G2S readers, which is considerable for these types of products. Go view their full selection of mural stickers and Dinosaur Train themed murals. This discount is only available when you shop through these links.


Thank you to Murals Your Way for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Personalized Gifts from INKtastic.com

Not too long ago, I shared about giving a mini girl's bedroom makeover to our daughter's room.  Well, shortly after, I had the opportunity to create a custom wall clock from INKtastic.  I was extremely excited to have the chance to design something that would coordinate with the wall decals and bedding in her room.

Since the clocks on INKtastic have a blank face and I wanted to use this clock as a learning tool for my daughter, I had to go online to find a blank clock template to use if I wanted her clock's face to have numbers.  Then I just used a graphics program to add the background design for the face.  I uploaded the background image several times and continued to make changes until I liked the results.

(Click on any image to enlarge)

After I finished the background, I was able to add text right on the website without having to put the text directly onto my image.  I was able to choose the font color, style, size, and positioning.  I was even able to add hearts to the text the same way.  Since the I was using an existing template that was not made in a high resolution, I could not submit my background image in a high resolution. Still the image came out fine for a simple design.  If you are using detailed artwork or a photo for your background, you should definitely try to use a 300dpi image, if possible.

The clock itself is very basic.  The frame, which is only available in black, is plastic and the hands are flexible and easily bent.  Still, the clock works and keeps the correct time, which is the most important thing.  It runs on one AA battery that just pops into the back.  This clock was also easy to hang.

Visit INKtastic.com to view a wide variety of personalized gifts, including clothing, vinyl decals, plush animals, bags, and more.  This 8" clock retails for $32.99.


Thank you to INKtastic for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a store credit for our contest prize.

Good luck in the drawing!

WallPops! Vinyl Decals Wall Art Kits

WallPops is an online retailer that features fun, romantic, contemporary, retro, and many more differently themed wall décor stickers. We were fortunate enough for WallPops to send us their Love Birds wall art kit to use in our home and offer our opinion about. I’ve reviewed a wall saying in the past and loved it, so was thrilled to try another wall sticker.

We’ve been having an issue finding a decoration that goes well behind our TV, so that was my initial thought upon seeing the Love Birds online. When it came, I was thrilled that it would work perfectly for that open space.

Love Birds features a beige-ish background and the tree and birds are white, so it will match just about any room décor. It is designed to look like you’re looking through a window, and thus comes in four repositionable pieces. To get it straight, we had to position and reposition several times and it stuck just as well the last time as the first and left no sticky residue. It is thick and well-made, not likely to wear out any time soon. I really love the way it looks and what it adds to our room. We’ve gotten many comments from people about how nice it is, and I am thrilled to have it.

WallPops can be found at www.wall-pops.com in many sizes, styles, and themes. The Love Birds set sells for $31.99.

Thank you to WallPops! for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive one WallPops! product of their choice (excluding Fathead and Euro Wall Decals).

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of wall decals offered by WallPops!. Then leave a comment telling me the name of the item you would choose to receive if you won this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3)  For 1 extra entry, "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here with the link to your Facebook profile.

4)  For 1 extra entry each, follow WallPops on Twitter and/or "Like" WallPops on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


5)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

7)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

8)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 10:00pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Kirkland's Set of 3 Lattice Cube Shelves

If you ask my husband, he would tell you that we did not need one more thing to fill our wall space.  Well, he would be wrong!  We desperately needed something to fill the odd space above the television in our living room.  We use to have a smaller television that hung on the wall, but our current one sits on a low entertainment center.  To make things more complicated, our thermostat is located on that wall, so we could not just hang a large piece of framed art there to fill the space.  Something modular, like this Set of 3 Lattice Cube Shelves from Kirkland's was the perfect solution.

This set of 8", 10", and 12" square shelves are a generous 5" deep.  Originally, I was considering just hanging the framed photos of our 3 children on that wall, even though they did not fill the space well.  These shelves were a much better fit.  It took us awhile to figure out a configuration that felt balanced to us.  I love displaying our family photos this way because it is much more interesting to the eye than just hanging them flat.

This set of shelves came with all the hardware needed to hang them, including anchors.  They are pretty heavy and are made of composite wood.  There are two pre-drilled holes on the back of each shelf.

I think these Lattice Cube Shelves would work best with a mission style or modern decor, but they can be transformed to fit any decor by adding your own special touches, such as artificial flowers, garlands, ribbon, etc . . .

To learn more about Kirkland's affordable home furnishings, visit Kirklands.com and Kirkland's on Facebook.  To learn more about the designers behind these products, visit MyKirklands.com.


Thank you to Kirkland's for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Set of 3 Lattice Cube Shelves from Kirkland's.

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to Continental U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.  Click here for official contest rules.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of home decor offered by Kirkland's. Then leave a comment telling me the name of one item you would love to display in your home. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3)  For 10 extra entries, join the Kirkland's Email List to receive exclusive coupons and more. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.

4)  For 1 extra entry, "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here with the link to your Facebook profile.

5)  For 1 extra entry, "Like" Kirkland's on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, September 5th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Silly Monkey Stories: When You Give a Monkey a Tree

Out of our three children, I think our daughter has the most active imagination.  All our children love pretend play, but she takes such delight in it.  She is also a wonderful storyteller at just 4.5 years old.  I think perhaps she might be a novelist some day (if her aspirations of being a rockstar/artist/dancer fall through).

Recently, we put up a wall decal in our dining area to add some whimsy to the room.  The decal is of a tree with blue flowers and 5 bluebirds fluttering about.  Well, I could tell that the gears in her mind were turning even before my husband and I finished putting the decal on the wall.

First, she showed me how she would be walking along, minding her own business, before discovering this beautiful tree.

Second, she told me how she would try to pick the flowers and then try to catch the bluebirds.

Next she showed me how all 5 bluebirds would sit in a row on her arm.  Last, she told me that she would need to climb the tree to reach the flowers that were way on top.

Click here to learn how to participate in Silly Monkey Stories.

Click here to read all my Silly Monkey Stories!

If you have a Silly Monkey Story to share, sign Mr. Linky below with the link to your blog post (not the link to your main blog page). Please do not forget to visit the other participants and leave them comments to let them know you stopped by!

Giveaway & Review: WallPops! Vinyl Wall Decals ($50 GC) [CLOSED]

"Room to Play" Product #10

If you have been following along my "Room To Play" Giveaway Event, then you must have seen most of the photos I have taken of my daughter's room. Although all the items we have added have matched beautifully, there was still something missing. When I found WallPops! wall decals, I knew exactly what that missing thing was . . . a wall border.

I know some people love clean white walls, but I am not one of them. I like using various color paints on the walls, hanging up wall art and wall storage, and even painting on murals. We have done all of the above in the past trying to create a space that was both decorative, functional, and balanced. For children's rooms I think it is important to have some things that are closer to their line of vision. I think that the Purple Poppie Stripe wall border vinyl wall decal from WallPops! really helped to pull my daughter's space together.

I had a little anxiety about applying the decal because I have not had much luck in the past with wallpaper and wallpaper murals. I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to put this border on the wall. Because the backing does not peel off in sections, I needed a second set of hands to hold the roll out while I peeled off the backing and smoothed the border into place. The decal is repositionable, so the few times I got bubbles, I was able to lift the decal off the wall and fix it. The vinyl is thin, but durable. It adhered to the wall very well. You can even see the wall's texture through the vinyl. It almost looks like the border was painted on.

To view the full line of WallPops!, visit Wall-Pops.com . You will find much more than just children's wall decor, such as Euro Wall Decals, dry-erase wall decals, stained glass decals for windows, and more.

Thank you to WallPops! for sending us decal samples free of charge to base this review upon and for providing additional product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive their choice of WallPops! products (up to $50).

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of wall decor offered by Wall-Pops.com . Then leave a comment telling me what product or products you would choose if you won this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3a) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Wall-Pops.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

3b) If you helped me promote this event by blogging about it prior to June 6th, 2010 according to the directions in my Room To Play Event post, then please give yourself an additional 5 entries. Remember to leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

4) For one extra entry each, if you are a friend of mine Facebook and/or have "Liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For one extra entry, friend Wall Pops on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

11a)

Add my "Room To Play" Giveaway Event button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/RoomToPlayEvent.png" /></a><br />

11b) If you helped me promote this event by displaying my event tag prior to June 6th, 2010 according to the directions in my Room To Play Event post, then please give yourself an additional 2 entries. Remember to leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway & Review: Custom Canvas Painting (16"x20") [CLOSED]

"Room to Play" Product #2

If you are looking to redecorate your little one's bedroom or playroom, but want to create a space that is unique to your child's personality, then you should definitely consider a custom canvas painting from Avery Marie and Me Creations. A hand painted work of art adds much more charm to a room than a poster print.

Our 3-1/2yr old daughter has a new obsession with frogs . . . well, actually frogs accompanied by anything princess-related. When I saw a frog prince and fairytale castle painting on Avery Marie and Me Creations, I knew I wanted something like this to hang by my daughter's bed. The only thing was that this painting was slightly more somber and dramatic than I wanted for my preschooler's room. I wanted to something that was more light and whimsical. When I told this to Tricia, the artist behind these beautiful paintings, she created this version of the fairytale castle and frog prince especially for my little princess.

Please take a closer look at the colors and brush strokes used to create this masterpiece. I was so thrilled with the results. It seemed like Tricia read my mind and was able to put what I had envisioned onto canvas.

Aside from adding a sawtooth hanger on the back, this painting came ready for hanging. Since the edges are also painted on the stretched canvas, no frame was required.

Needless to say, my daughter was delighted with the painting. It really sparks her imagination about what it is like to be a princess living in a castle. This painting is now hanging right by her bed, where she can see it as she drifts off at night. I can only imagine what kind of princess dreams she has after she falls asleep.

To view more canvas paintings and other hand painted wall art, visit Tricia's Etsy Shop. To keep up with the Tricia's most recent creations, visit Avery Marie and Me Creations on Facebook and follow Avery Marie and Me on Twitter.

Thank you to Avery Marie and Me Creations for sending us a sample custom painting free of charge to base this review upon and for providing a second one for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive 16"x20" custom canvas painting from Avery Marie and Me Creations.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Leave a comment telling me which hand painted item by Avery Marie and Me Creations (aside from the Frog Prince painting) is your favorite. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3a) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Avery Marie and Me Creations . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

3b) If you helped me promote this event by blogging about it prior to June 6th, 2010 according to the directions in my Room To Play Event post, then please give yourself an additional 5 entries. Remember to leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

4) For one extra entry each, if you are a friend of mine Facebook and/or have "Liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page. Then leave a separate comment telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For one extra entry, follow AveryMarieAndMe on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

11a)

Add my "Room To Play" Giveaway Event button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/RoomToPlayEvent.png" /></a><br />

11b) If you helped me promote this event by displaying my event tag prior to June 6th, 2010 according to the directions in my Room To Play Event post, then please give yourself an additional 2 entries. Remember to leave a separate comment for each extra entry.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Review: Dynamic SQUARES "Print-N-Frame" Picture Frames

I have always thought that men are much more difficult to buy for than women. That is why I dread Father's Day every year. I would say that my father probably has enough sport logo t-shirts and polo shirts to last him three lifetimes. This year, I was thrilled to come across this unique square picture frame that would be perfect for any grandparent. Read on to see what makes this frame so different from any other you have ever seen . . .

The Dynamic Print-N-Frame makes the perfect kids art frame because it holds an 8.5"x11" piece of paper perfectly. If your children love to draw pictures or create and print them on the computer to give to their loved ones, then this frame would be perfect for your household.

There are two things I absolutely love about this frame. The first thing is that it is front loading. You only need to unlock and swing open the front to change the picture inside. I cannot tell you how much I dislike framing photos because I always get fingerprints, dust, or pet hair stuck inside or outside the glass when I lay it down to take the backing off. You do not even have to touch the glass to use this frame.

The second thing I love about this frame is that it stores up to fifty 8.5"x11" pieces of paper inside. Your child could draw a new picture everyday for a month and half! This is why I think this picture frame would make a great gift for a grandparent's home or for Dad's office. It is a perfect way to show off the artwork they receive and they do not have to bear the guilt of throwing away old drawings when a new masterpiece is presented to them.

(Click on any image to enlarge)

The lock that keeps the frame shut is very easy to use. It only needs to be turned to release the front panel and turned again the other way to lock it. This 17"x17" frame is very sturdy and heavy. That is why it comes with extra hardware for hanging and has two sawtooth hangers built into the back for each direction it hangs. Yes, the frame and the 7.5"x7.5" matted area is square, but the frame needs to be turned depending on whether the picture is horizontal or vertical.

I think that my Dad is really going to love this Father's Day gift! The Dynamic Print-N-Frame retails for $42.95, but is $32.21 (25% off) through June 30th, 2010. If you have more than one child, you could purchase one for each child to showcase their artwork. I think it would look very nice to have these frames hung horizontally in a row along a hallway or above a sofa.

Visit DynamicFrames.com to view their full line of Dynamic SQUARES and more. For a limited time, you can receive 15% one regularly priced item when you check out using Code: DF15.

Thank you to Dynamic Frames for sending us a sample frame free of charge to base this review upon.