Mania indeed…also, the perfect collision of design, content and craftiness in books about, somehow, rubber bands and duct tape. My friend, Amanda Formaro, who skillfully manages an infinite supply of creative ideas (seriously, where do they all come from? how does she never run dry?) over at Crafts by Amanda, has published her first two craft books for kids ages 6 to 12 in the Mania series: Duct Tape Mania and Rubber Band Mania. More about Duct Tape coming soon. Today I’m all about rubber bands.
I have a 7 year old who crafts incessantly, so she ripped open the package and tried to take my books before I had a chance to review them. Nice try, Maeve. Nice try.
Rubber Band Mania has over 40 rubber band projects, each with clear step-by-steps and photographs that kids can follow on their own or with minimal help. There are also tips and fun facts sprinkled throughout. Did you know the US Postal Service uses millions of pounds of rubber bands a year to help sort mail? I do now.
If your kid has discovered the loom like mine, not to worry. The first section of the book honors the craze with bracelets, necklaces, and rings you can make with with your fingers, a fork and even a DIY loom. But there is much more, like organizers and notebooks and luminaries kids can make, or a rubber band car, marshmallow catapult, slingshot and bow and arrow. They can paint and stamp and tie dye with bands or make a harp or guitar or even do magic tricks. My kid has already made the popsicle charm. Two of them. And has promised more for her friends.
Next, we made a boat. She outfitted the boat with duct tape while I painstakingly blew up our inflatable pool. I’d have rather have had her job. Oh yeah, just relax at the table playing with tape. Don’t mind that woman passed out on the ground behind you.
And the boat is ready to launch. Please note the top of the pool is barely inflated. I gave up half way. And I forgot to take video of the boat zooming across the pool. I can make a thousand more boats, but please don’t ask me to re-inflate that pool.
THE GIVEAWAY!!
Leave a comment here before Monday September 15th, midnight EST for a chance to win a copy of
Rubber Band Mania by Amanda Formaro
Winner drawn randomly.
Winner has 48 hours to respond after being notified before another winner is notified.
Ships to US addresses only.
Kimberly avery says
September 9, 2014 at 1:48 pmThank you for the opportunity!
Marcia says
September 9, 2014 at 3:01 pmCall me old-fashioned but I think giving a kid a chance to create something unique is a fabulous way to inspire creativity and confidence. I love electronics and get caught up with my iphone and ipad too, but an afternoon with this book trumps that ANYDAY!!
Pauline says
September 9, 2014 at 3:01 pmThanks for this AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!
casey says
September 9, 2014 at 3:53 pmlove to create things especially when u can recycle something into something new. up- cycling is the way to go
Jen Y says
September 9, 2014 at 3:58 pmPlease enter me for the drawing – what a fun book.
Jerry Melton says
September 9, 2014 at 3:59 pmwould love to win this for my granddaughter who is 11 . she loves doing crafts ….. her name is Macy
Sandra Jones says
September 9, 2014 at 4:16 pmPlease enter me for a chance to be awinner of the book I love crafting and I love seeing crafts by amanda in my newsfeed on Facebook
Laurie Mahoney says
September 9, 2014 at 4:18 pmI just love the arts and crafts that Amanda does. Creativity is the best thing for a child.
Marina says
September 9, 2014 at 4:35 pmThanks for the opportunity.
Penny says
September 9, 2014 at 4:45 pmWooHoo! I love a giveaway, especially when it’s craft books!
Rabecca Forbes says
September 9, 2014 at 4:51 pmMy granddaughter is almost six, and she is very crafty and loves to do hands-on crafting. She would LOVE this book!! 🙂
Thanks for the chance and good luck everyone!
Kira says
September 9, 2014 at 4:59 pmCool book looks like some great crafts.
Glenda Burks says
September 9, 2014 at 5:56 pmI always try to cook or do a craft when my Grandkids come over. This book would give us many hours of fun together.
Adriana says
September 9, 2014 at 6:39 pmAwesome! My daughter world love one of this!!!
Marlene Barnett says
September 9, 2014 at 6:49 pmI would love to win this book.
I do crafts all the time at home & while working with my autistic students, too.
Diane Marbaugh says
September 9, 2014 at 7:51 pmHoping to win this book. I work at daycare
plus I’m a grandma and great grandma
who loves to craft and create things.
Thanks for awesome crafts….
Shannon Kemp says
September 9, 2014 at 8:00 pmI have an 8 year old daughter and a 5 year old son, we would LOVE this!! Maeve, love the name. It was almost my daughter’s name. I loved it, but my X did not. So we settled on Chloe ☺ Good luck to everyone!
cindyzs says
September 9, 2014 at 8:19 pmthis book is so fun! hope to win it for the g-kids & me! thanks 🙂
Lynette Blakesley says
September 9, 2014 at 8:32 pmMy kids would love this book!! Thanks for the chance!
Pat says
September 9, 2014 at 9:09 pmGrand kids and this book…perfect combination
Charlene Glover says
September 10, 2014 at 1:47 amMy son would love this!
Lynda says
September 10, 2014 at 1:47 amLove your ideas.
Fran Wardell says
September 10, 2014 at 1:52 amLove looking over all of your crafts. I have a niece and nephew that I can’t wait to share them with. My niece (she is 3) already wants to make the butterflies! So glad I found your page 🙂
Nancy says
September 10, 2014 at 7:06 amI like all the craft things you share. I babysit my grandaughters daily, and really appreciate all the ideas I get from you. Thanks so much.
Lori Sumner says
September 10, 2014 at 8:03 amI have 13 year old twin boys and I think they would get a kick out of making things with rubber bands. Thank you for the chance to win this book!
Rita says
September 10, 2014 at 8:38 amMy grandchildren would love this !!!
Michelle Dowling says
September 10, 2014 at 9:06 amI thank you for the opportunity to enter this drawing… my daughter is all about the DIY projects (she even decopauged all of her notebooks for school and duct tapped all her other supplies as well!!) Keep crafting so my daughter and I can continue getting crafty with your projects!!
Candy Sears says
September 10, 2014 at 10:53 amMy daughters would love this! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Colleen says
September 10, 2014 at 1:45 pmI love to get my niece saga ND nephew’s crafting. We are out of ideas.
Terry Sanders says
September 10, 2014 at 7:19 pmI would love to win this book of crafts for my grand kids it is some good quality time together.
DiYana Nadiya Garcia says
September 11, 2014 at 1:39 amThis is totally cool. I have a 9 yr old that would love to do this too. Awesome raffle
Julie p says
September 11, 2014 at 1:24 pmThis book would be so much fun for my kids.
Julie Klein says
September 14, 2014 at 7:48 pmLots of crafting kids around here, not to mention their mother 🙂 We would love to add this book to our crafting library.