9.21.2012

Welcome Autumn with The Artful Year + a Giveaway

Fall is my very favorite season. And this new e-book by Jean Van't Hul of The Artful Parent honors everything I love about Autumn - acorns and leaves, pumpkins and apples, Halloween and Thanksgiving - they're all in there! It's 76 pages of seasonal crafts, recipes, celebrations and inspiration, united by gorgeous images that reflect the beauty of the season.
 
A few things struck me about this book... first, it's super easy to read. I was able to glance through it fairly quickly and garner several ideas that intrigued me. One was a jack-o-lantern playdough activity using "pumpkin pie playdough" and dried black beans. (On the flip side, one could linger over these ideas and projects for quite some time if they so chose!)

Another thing that stood out to me was the sheer quantity of crafts, recipes and ideas packed into this book. There are enough to be spread out over many fall seasons, which is ideal for young families. It's a book that will stick with us for years to come.

Finally, the ideas are simple, yet unique. They don't require lots of materials or preparation. They are just fun, practical recipes and projects that I can actually imagine doing with my girls (or some, alone).
In fact, we're going to try a couple out today with our 2nd annual "welcome fall" party. Last year, on the Autumn Equinox, I surprised the kids after school with apple cider, pumpkin bread, fall decorations and a craft. They remembered in great detail (I was surprised!) and are looking forward to a repeat performance. So, we'll be enjoying Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and making pumpkin play dough jack-o-lanterns, courtesy of The Artful Year, Autumn this afternoon.
I'm sure I'll be back here later in the season, sharing our take on many of the fun ideas in this e-book... thankful stones, coffee filter spider webs, leaf mandalas, a fall color scavenger hunt, a cardboard haunted house, apple cheddar hand pies and pumpkin rolls are all calling to me. And of course, I'm already looking forward to the "Winter" e-book release!

****GIVEAWAY****

CONTEST ENTRIES CLOSED.... THE WINNER: Danita, who said "I love the cooler weather that Fall brings :) I also love all things pumpkin!"  So do I, Danita... and I know you will love this Autumn e-book too! Congratulations!

******************************
I bet you want a copy of The Artful Year, Autumn, for yourself, right? One lucky reader has a chance to win! Here's how:
  • Leave a comment on this post for one chance to win - tell me what you LOVE about Autumn.
  • Stop by and "like" A Natural Nester on Facebook for another chance (be sure to leave another comment here and let me know).
  • While you're at it, "like" The Artful Parent too (again, leave a separate comment here to let me know) for yet another chance at winning.
 * Each comment counts as an entry! A winner will be announced next Friday, September 28th.
 
 Can't wait? Order your copy now for $9.99. (It's worth it, folks!)
 

24 comments:

Lori B said...

I have a seasonally-inspired home daycare- this would be perfect! Thanks for the opportunity!

lpbarre (at) yahoo (dot) com

asavoryspoonful@gmail.com said...

Oooh, Lori B. it would be so neat to see your seasonal day care in photos :) Very cool! (Hope you win ;)

What I love about Autumn is getting to wear new boots and lighting the fire and going through a pumpkin patch :)

Maternally Yours said...

This looks beautiful! Living in Florida, I love the subtle breeze changes and the excitement in the air on our street when it's finally cool enough to play outside with the neighbor kids. I love all things pumpkin and cinnamon and ginger!

SolDucky said...

I love that we get even more outdoor play time! All day sometimes. My kids overheat really easily and are super sensitive to bug bites (swell, need meds etc) so we never get as much as we would like during the summer months.

soluckyducky at gmail dot com

SolDucky said...

I liked A Natural Nester on FB as sarah linette.

SolDucky said...

I liked the Artful Parent on Fb as sarah linette too.

The Provincial Homemaker said...

What a brilliant idea. I would love to do some of these things with my little ones.

Courtney D. said...

I love the slight coolness in the air...and pumpkins! There is a zip...an excited, giddy energy that seems to bustle throughout the fall season...it's simply infectious!

Amanda said...

Hayrides and pumpkin patches are two of my favorite fall things if I had to pick, but in truth I love it all!

catching caterpillars said...

ooooooh what a great online book! wow! My favorite part about Autumn is the cooler air! that first nip makes me bust out the pumpkins, cinnamon, baking, boots!... being outside more! evening walks! opened windows!!! ahhhh... excited!

Gabriele said...

What I love most about autumn is the colourful leaves that are just letting go and falling down on the floor having full trust that they will forever be part of nature's magnificent cycle of neverending life. Love from Germany! Gabriele :)

Gabriele said...

I liked A Natural Nester on FB. :)

Gabriele said...

And I liked The Artful Parent on FB a while ago. :)

Danita said...

I love the cooler weather that Fall brings :) I also love all things pumpkin!

Danita said...

I liked A Natural Nester and The Artful Parent on FB :)

Debi said...

Its the only time my daughter will do yard work and have our yearly pile on the leaves, throw them in the air day :) FUN FUN FUN

Tricia said...

Oh I would love to win! My favorite part of fall is getting cozy in sweaters and drinking tea....oh a fires. My absolute favorite season!

Roopa said...

I love the cool days and going to pumpkin patch.

Roopa said...

I have liked your page on facebook.

Roopa said...

I have been following 'The artful parent' on facebook for a longtime now

Kristina said...

I love the colors and the food! We're making lots of applesauce this week.

Unknown said...

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT FALL IS THE SMELL OF FIREPLACES BURNING AND SMELLING THE WOOD...ALSO I LIKE JUST WALKING AROUND THE YARD PICKING UP COLORFUL LEAVES OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND SHAPES AND MAKING FALL ARRANGEMENTS OUT OF THEM. THERE IS SO MUCH. I LIKE TO GO AND SMELL THE DIFFERENT CANDLES THAT SMELL LIKE THE HARVEST SEASON AND MY LIST COULD GO ON AND ON...BUT IM REALLY HAPPY THAT I FOUND YOUR WEB SITE...

Tarang Arts said...

Good Blog!

Tanjore Paintings| Thanjavur Paintings| Tanjore Art online
Online Shopping | Buy Glass Paintings Online at Best Prices | Tarang Arts
Buy Online Handmade Paintings | Marble Painting | Tanjore Art |tarang Arts
Madhubani Paintings|buy Madhubani Paintings Online at Low Price | Crafts
Kerala Murals Paintings | Tanjore Paintings | Tanjore Art | Tarang Arts

Ram ran said...

Nice Post... Tanjore Painting .