Creativity Express: A Giveaway
March 14th, 2008 by FiddledeedeeIn my Kindergarten art class, we were one day asked to create a self-portrait using paint. The following, was my artistic rendition of my 5 year old self.
I never had black hair. And what hair I did have, was never worn in a lone ponytail sticking out of the side of my head. In my favor, however, my name was spelled correctly, and I did wear a good deal of orange. I also made good use of the sun when practicing my totally awesome 5 year old dance moves.
The picture was sent to my grandparents in 1965, where it was framed, and then hung on the wall of my grandparent’s bedroom until their deaths in 1989. It meant the world to me, to always know it was there. Watching over them. While clashing horribly with the decor.
Thankfully, my children appear to have inherited their father’s artistic ability. They love to draw, and are quite good. In fact Emme is taking an art appreciation class with our homeschool group.
Earlier this year, It Coulda Been Worse won a coveted Homeschool Blog Award in both the Funniest and Best Nitty Gritty categories. (Thank you again for your votes. And also again, sorry that I reneged on my campaign promise of no more inappropriate or disgusting posts.)
I received some fabulous prizes. I was extremely excited to get an interactive educational computer software game called “Creativity Express” by the nice folks at MadCap Logic. It was designed for children ages 7 through 12 and it allows them to view animated movies and games that teach basic principles of art. They can create art projects by using the program, or their own art supplies. And it runs on both Windows and my beloved Mac.
Emme, my budding artist, loves this program. And since she’s way more computer savvy than I can ever hope to be, she has negotiated the software with ease.
I want to use it as a unit study for my two girls next year. Recently, the website for Creativity Express has offered free downloadable Lesson Plans and a Table of Contents. You can find this by clicking on the “Teachers” tab at the website. I absolutely love the way the lesson plans are set up. You’re given an overview of the lesson, the principles, and then which “creativity builder” to use on the computer program. There are 16 lesson plans that incorporate not just how to draw, but how art relates to math, story telling, and much more.
And THIS IS THE PART THAT I LOVE! Madcap Logic is offering this software game to one lucky commenter. Just leave a comment on this post by 6:00 EST, Monday, March 17, and I’ll use Mr. Random Number Generator to pick a winner.
Your child can be creating a masterpiece in no time at all.
But.
I have a strong feeling that if you are a mom or dad like me, then everything our sweet children create is a masterpiece. Suitable for framing.
Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you back here for Saturday Stirrings!
COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Posted in Reviews & Giveaways | 94 Comments »
March 14th, 2008 at 12:04 am
This looks great – I think we’ve accessed the same content in an online course at http://www.geeguides.com/geeart. My 7 year old LOVES doing these online lessons!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 2:43 am
Well, since I’m the first to comment, because like Jeana, I NEVER have insomnia at 6am, I’m pretty sure to be a shoe-OUT for this giveaway. I’ve never known Mr. R.N.G to choose “1″. It’s okay. Maybe as a consolation prize, you’ll send me that ravishing self-portrait.
March 14th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Oh! I know a 9 year old boy who would love that. He’s been making movies with my camera -places Lego “ships” strategically, takes the picture, moves Lego “ships” a centimeter, takes the picture and so on. When he’s all done, you get to “watch” the move as he quickly reviews the pictures. ::blinks eyes rapidly::
March 14th, 2008 at 4:46 am
That sounds so cool!
Before you touch Mr. RNG,
think #4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4,4,4!
March 14th, 2008 at 6:17 am
My 8 yo daughter is a wannabe artist and definitely an entrepreneur. She completes her art…and then has a family art show. She sells the tickets and the art.
March 14th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Sounds like a program my girls would love! Add me to the hat!
March 14th, 2008 at 6:31 am
You have been reading my homeschool plans. I’ve been puzzling over how to incorporate art lessons for my creative brained child who has a creatively challenged mom. Thanks for this chance to put into his hands a program that will be worthwhile. And keep the paint out of my hair.
March 14th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Oh, this sounds perfect for my 9 year old artiste girl! In fact, since it’s on the computer, even my 12 year old son might like it.
Hey Judy, do you have Windows Movie Maker? Put the pictures in that and put them together as a movie, no more blinking fast.
March 14th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Ooooohhhhh, I LOVE free stuff!
Er, I mean, Cool, my four boys would love to play around with that!
Thanks for thinking of us all out here in bloggie world!
March 14th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Sounds like fun! Sign me up. Thanks!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:16 am
very cool. i’m in.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:25 am
My daughter is too young, but my niece would LOVE this!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:29 am
My artistic kids would be amazed that their so not-artistic Mom came up with something so cool! Thanks for the laughs I daily enjoy!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Never heard of this before, but it sounds really neat.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:47 am
My boys favorite subjec in school is Art. This would be perfect.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I will be in eternal deep doodoo if I don’t at least *try* to win said software for my own budding artists. I especially like that it doesn’t involve SCISSORS! because I have a 4-year-old who is obsessed with SCISSORS! And HAIR! It’s not a good combination.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:55 am
all about the art around here!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:55 am
So neat! Sign me up!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:06 am
My youngest (9) would love this! Thanks for the giveaway!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Since I can’t even draw stick figures adequately, this sounds great to offer some hope to my children learning to draw. Count me in.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Throw my name in the hat, too, please. I know 2 little boys who could have a lot of fun with this program in school next year.
Thanks!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:17 am
How cool is that?!
Thank you for the opportunity. 
March 14th, 2008 at 8:17 am
My 9yo (today!) son would love this program!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:25 am
M SON WAOULD LOVE THIS !!! Yes I meant to yell- omgosh he is quite the artist (he even went though a Salvador Dali phase – he LIKES salvador dali!!)
March 14th, 2008 at 8:26 am
How cool that your Grandparents kept that for so long! My sons are lucky enough to have a set of Grandparents like that!
Count me in! Will it help adults who have NO creativity, too?
March 14th, 2008 at 8:27 am
I have three kids that would adore this program – I’ve been looking at it at online for a while.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I have one very creative 7-year-old who would flip for this kind of thing. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks so much.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Sounds like a great program! I bought a similar one for my son last year, but discovered to do all the stuff they said it could do, you had to keep buying more “add ons” and more and more!
This sounds more like what we wanted in the first place! Thanks for the giveaway!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Yeah, I have a budding Michaelangelo already. I’m already guilted constantly over the scads of artwork I throw in the recycling bin each day. “But Mom! Those are my drawings!”
But enter me anyway. Because I’m a glutton for punishment.
March 14th, 2008 at 9:39 am
That program sounds cool! Please enter me! Thanks!
Julie
3cookieday@gmail.com
March 14th, 2008 at 9:43 am
This sounds like a terrific product! Sign me up!!
March 14th, 2008 at 10:04 am
This looks awesome – thanks for offering it =)
March 14th, 2008 at 10:43 am
That looks like a great program! My oldest son (11) wants to be an animator (or the 1st man on Mars…he’s keeping his options open
and would love this. Thanks for the info.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Pick me, pick me!! Two of my children are artsy AND I homeschool. Forget the random thing, pick me.
I worry I may sound a little desperate. I am janjanmom, I am a curriculum junkie.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
My boys love art and are always getting into all of the supplies. You can tell because we usually have paint everywhere.
March 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I’d love to add some great art classes to our lesson plans. Count me in!
And thanks!
March 14th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
We love anything art related around here. And hey, a unit study tied to art would certainly rock.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
That is just what we need! Unfortunately our homeschooled 6 year old was NOT blessed with artistic parents. That has not stopped her from powering through tons of paper and art supplies. I am always feeling guilty for not providing more stimulating artistic stuff in her curriculum. Pick me!
March 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
The mommy side of me can’t bear to throw out any of my children’s creations, so our refrigerator and doors and file folders are full of them. The more objective side of me would have to admit that they could probably use a little more artistic guidance. Since my art skills are about at the level yours were at age 5, I don’t think I can do it on my own. Sign me up, please!
March 14th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
My youngest is very creative & into art. She also thinks anything on the computer is the best, lol. Great giveaway!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
My kids would love this!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
This looks like a cool program to help my children along in their creative endeavours! Pick me!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I HATE ART. But, alas, my daughter fancies herself the next picasso or somebody. ( I acan’t think of any other artists. My mom says I’ve never liked getting my hands dirty. (I’m not fond of getting my house dirty either) I need Computer Art! (and i didnt even know it existed!)
March 14th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Well, oh-kay!! I was just about to order this CD when I went back to finish reading your post. So now I’ll just wait and win the thing!!
Thanks again for your marvelous blog, DeeDee!
March 15th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I’m all over this! Pick me! ME, ME, ME!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I’d love to win this for my kids, thanks.
March 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I have a framed picture of “the three bears” that my husband drew (in crayon) when he was in Kindergarten. His Mom gave it to me, in a little notebook filled of his drawings, soon after we married. I had a bathroom themed in teddy bears in our previous house, just to make the beloved bear picture fit in. When we moved I decided against a bear theme room; however the picture is proudly framed and hanging in our bedroom. I absolutely love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world!! He’s gotten over being slightly embarrassed and blushing when I rush first time guests to our bedroom to see his little work of art!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:51 am
My kids would love this!! Thanks for the chance to win.
I must say I have been visiting your blog for months and can relate to soooo many of your posts. Many days it give a much needed belly laugh! Thanks for sharing with us.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:12 am
My son loves art almost as much as science. He wants to be a paleontologist (I’m sure the 6yo could spell it) and that will take art and science. I’m always looking for new ways to expand his art education. Great Giveaway!!
March 15th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
The picture is sweet and what my kids always give me!
March 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Count me in! My daughter loves art and has enjoyed playing with Tux Paint.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Your picture is so cute. The software sounds wonderful. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks!
March 16th, 2008 at 6:39 am
pick me
March 16th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Sounds like something my boys would love to have!
March 16th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Oh, my daughter would absolutely LOVE this software!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:11 am
This sounds like a really FUN program!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Wow! I just found your site for the first time and think I’ll bookmark and check back regularly!
This art program sounds dynamite – I am sure my daughter would just love it!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I am in the process of cultivating my 2 year old in to the next DaVinci. This software would surely help me in my “Little Project”
March 16th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
My six year old is all about art right now. I’d love to surprise her with this. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
March 16th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
well how cool. that sounds like fun.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hello! What a fantastic contest. I have good things about this company. The age range of 7-12 is perfect. Creativity is so important to child’s learning. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks very much…..Cindi
March 16th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
What a great program, my girls would love it
March 16th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
This sounds so awesome… and i love your picture…. you should see some of mine… lol…
March 16th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
This looks like a wonderful program. I am looking for some great computer programs for my niece.
March 16th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Oh wow. I’ve never heard of that before, but it sounds great.
And BTW, I love the story behind your art. Maybe I should send more of my kids’ art to the grandparents.
March 16th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Awesome giveaway, thanks!
March 16th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Please enter me. I bet my homeschooled kids would love this.
March 16th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
What a great giveaway. My son just loves art. Trying to keep him with something new is sometimes difficult. He makes amazing pictures on our computer with just his paint program. I wonder what he could do with this. Please enter us.
Nikki
Homeschooling mommy of 6
Ages 20,18, 15, 10, 8, and 2
March 16th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
My daughter loves art and this would be right up her alley.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I’d love to win this! I’m in Canada though so I hope that’s ok
March 16th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Wow, this sounds great! My 2nd seems to have a strong artistic-bent. She’s not yet four, but can’t put the crayons (or pens, or pencils, or paint..) down.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Well isn’t this awesome! I’d love this.. my homeschooling kids could really benefit from something like this.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Thanks for the contest. My 6 year old son would love the program.
Please enter us!
March 16th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I have several artistic kids who would love this. I have a 7-, 8-, 10-, and 12-year-olds, plus a few more who would probably use it too!
Penney
March 17th, 2008 at 2:49 am
Boy, would my kids love to get their hands on this!
March 17th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Count me in. My kids love to draw. We go through so much paper, its crazy.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Sounds like a lot of fun
March 17th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Oooh my son would LOVE this!
March 17th, 2008 at 6:48 am
oooh! Please randomly pick me!!
March 17th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I think you were very talented for a five year old. Please enter me.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Haha we’re still in the scribble stages, but she seems to scribble by location (like on the sun, on the tree, on the flower). I guess we’re getting closer!
March 17th, 2008 at 7:01 am
I know this would be very useful in my house!
March 17th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Cool Product!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Oooh! My art-loving urchins would be ALL ABOUT this!
Me! Me!!
Er.
Them! Them!!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Wow, this sounds great. I’d love to try it out!
March 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am
looks cool
March 17th, 2008 at 9:34 am
My grandson is very creative and I would love to win this for him. Thanks for the giveaway.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:37 am
I’m so excited that I found your site! And I love this giveaway.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:13 am
This looks fantastic! Count me in!
March 17th, 2008 at 11:50 am
My 7 year old son would love this! He is so creative!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
My kids would love this! (And I love your artwork and I really love that you have it still!)
March 17th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Enter me for that drawing. My daughter loves her creative side.
Amanda
March 17th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Put my name/number in the hat! I have creative grandsons!
March 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I have an eight and ten year old that would love this