The particular Cricut Expression is excellent – a great product to own. I have found many uses for this product outside of my scrapping addiction. If you are a beginner, pro or just would like to have fun creating arts and crafts, this particular is the item to have. It includes accurate cutting and it will even etch glass using the unique Armour Etch fluid, a permanent glass etching solvent. Along with an easy-view LCD screen lets you to see what you are inputting the idea makes it excellent for card making, scrapbooking, and paper crafting. It is portable and lightweight and bast of all, there is no computer needed – just plug it in and begin creating. 

It’s a big purchase, but compared to other die cut systems it is definitely a superb deal. Simply having the versatility to alter the measurements of the fonts is worth the price. I agree that the cutting mat appears to last for a longer period than Cricut claims it will – which was one of my issues when I ordered the product. I didn’t want to have to be constantly purchasing replacement mats – but I’m not so that’s great.  The Cricut Expression has so many new benefits yet it is still compatible with cartridges from earlier models. It is ready-to-go right out of the box and does not require a computer.

Features

* Cuts varied measurements:
* 1″–5.5″ high and up to 11.5″ long
* Easy to use cartridge & soft touch overlay
* A number of style possibilities for each character
* Pressure dials permit variance in paper

Benefits

* The all-in-one-kit that is completely ready for use right out of the box!
* Take advantage of Cricut’s  30-day in-home trial
* Allows cartridges from the current collection associated with Cricut products
* An easy-view LCD screen lets you observe what you are typing for your next cut

Portability

This machine will go wherever I go. Simply plug it in and turn it on! Its lightweight build and comfy handle make it easy to take to crops and functions.  Compact and portable doesn’t mean you are stuck with little shapes and letters; it can cut images up to 5.5″ tall and up to 11.5″ long.The complete Cricut collection has everything you need: cartridges that contain complete alphabet and shape sets, cutting mats, cutting blades, paper-shaping tools, and a storage tote.  Cricut Expression includes a 12″ x 12″ Tacky Mat, a How-To DVD, a Project DVD, one bottle of Glass Etching Solution, and an Etching Solution Application Brush.  There are absolutely no dies to store, and no software to install.  Once you set it up, you are on your way to creating precise, eye-popping designs from leading designers. Your creations are limited only by your imagination!  For your FREE offer visit Cricut Expression NOW!

It’s a big purchase, but compared to other die cut systems it is definitely a superb deal. Simply having the versatility to alter the measurements of the fonts is worth the price. I agree that the cutting mat appears to last for a longer period than Cricut claims it will – which was one of my issues when I ordered the product. I didn’t want to have to be constantly purchasing replacement mats – but I’m not so that’s great.  The Cricut Expression has so many new benefits yet it is still compatible with cartridges from earlier models. It is ready-to-go right out of the box and does not require a computer.

Features

* Cuts varied measurements:
* 1″–5.5″ high and up to 11.5″ long
* Easy to use cartridge & soft touch overlay
* A number of style possibilities for each character
* Pressure dials permit variance in paper

Benefits

* The all-in-one-kit that is completely ready for use right out of the box!
* Take advantage of Cricut’s  30-day in-home trial
* Allows cartridges from the current collection associated with Cricut products
* An easy-view LCD screen lets you observe what you are typing for your next cut

Portability

This machine will go wherever I go. Simply plug it in and turn it on! Its lightweight build and comfy handle make it easy to take to crops and functions.  Compact and portable doesn’t mean you are stuck with little shapes and letters; it can cut images up to 5.5″ tall and up to 11.5″ long.The complete Cricut collection has everything you need: cartridges that contain complete alphabet and shape sets, cutting mats, cutting blades, paper-shaping tools, and a storage tote.  Cricut Expression includes a 12″ x 12″ Tacky Mat, a How-To DVD, a Project DVD, one bottle of Glass Etching Solution, and an Etching Solution Application Brush.  There are absolutely no dies to store, and no software to install.  Once you set it up, you are on your way to creating precise, eye-popping designs from leading designers. Your creations are limited only by your imagination!  For your FREE offer visit Cricut Expression NOW!

Crafts as in generally done, or crafts with kids has never been touted as an activity that is supposed to do more than keep kids busy, give them some fun and as some say add creativity to a child’s life.

Kids crafts however should do more than that, much more, actually.
There are crafts that are done many ways. When done educationally, there are an extra 4 benefits that kids get.

It teaches them to use their brains which develops cognitive skills.

It can make them take initiative really make them creative and raise their self esteem.

I can show you how to get kids to make a crafts, in this case a fall crafts that will encompass all of the benefits above.

If you take a look online, the majority of the crafts for kids are made up by adults.

Adults think of a cute idea, create it, get the materials, and have the children follow in step by step fashion.This creates what we call “copycat crafts”.

If the children don’t get involved and really work on these crafts without waiting for adult guidance then they will not get these benefits. They must take action.

You may think that lack of restriction and freedom is good for kids, but it can be very confusing for them and we find the happy medium.

Instead of making a model and preparing something for the kids to copy, you need to come up with just the theme of the project. Then, start thinking of the materials you can give the children that will suggest Fall. Allow your thoughts to drift to awesome fall scenes, raking leaves in the suburbs, delicious looking fall vegetabless.

Two very important or helpful things in this equation are Number one:To gather a lot of different pictures to hang up so that the children can get inspiration from these pictures and pick parts of the pictures that they want use in their craft.

The children will then do much better, if you give them some choices of what they can use in their artwork as a focal point.

As fall’s themes are ful lof trees, I think that giving the children a choice of many different types of trunks to choose from would be a great focal point.

If you look at this Fall craft collage I give step by sep instruction on how to do a fall craft like this.

When doing these type of crafts, kids solve their own problems instead of following and adults template.

It is just when kids can work on their own without an overly rigid structure that they learn to take initiative
Their creativity, of course blooms because they are being allowed to create what they like.
What a self esteem booster this all is.

If you are an early childhood teacher you may find another interesting crafts project in this style  called Fall projects for the preschool classroom.

The difference in what this type of crafts, or as I call it educational arts and crafts does for children is indescribable.

While children may have a hard time concentrating for long periods on more skill based activites, art is fun and therefor the perfect activity for them.

It’s when adults expectations of what young children can actually create in crafts collides with reality, that problems arise. They then feel that the only way children can create crafts is by copying an adults model. I call this “copycat crafts”.

If you are a real traditional sort and have no problem with creating robots out of your children then go right ahead and keep doing these kinds of crafts. Look online and in bookstores, they are all over the place
an there is no dearth of copycat crafts out there for you to choose from.

But before you do, let me give the explanation as to the detrimental effects of copycat crafts. You can also go download a free report  that will help you with all kid crafts by explaining to you in detail the pros and cons of copycat crafts and educational crafts.

So one of the ways that tradtional crafts makes kids into robots is by stripping these projects of thinking and problem solving opportunities. Copycat crafts is detrimental to your children and I would like to explain why that is.

There is no point in art if its only to commemorate holidays. While children are having these enriching experiences they should also be getting educational benefit from it as well.

There are such vital skills that can be learned by doing proper crafts activities. Problem solving, initiative and the raising of self esteem are just some of the benefits.

Even though the children may be getting some skill in fine motor coordination even when doing copycat crafts, it may be the only benefit.

I have a great post for you that gives a great example of creativity in art by showing you how children can make a crafts activity of flowers using both methods.

How can we get adults to put educational crafts into many other times aside from holiday time.

So what’s the next step?
If you like the idea of adding more creativity to kids crafts you can check out  Educational arts and crafts which will give you lots of crafts for kids to do that are truly educational.

If you want to try doing educational crafts on your own, however, and not copycat crafts  then there 4 points  to keep in mind when choosing a crafts for your children.

1.    Does this activity allow for any problem solving?
2.Will making this project allow for any thinking skills?
3.    Where’s the creativity here?
4.Will the children really feel that this project reflects their work?

If you keep these thoughts in mind when choosing crafts then not only will you be commemorating the holidays and spending quality time with your children but they also will be gaining vital skills