VtechKids Switch&Go Dinos

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of VTechKids for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I was offered the opportunity to try out the Switch & Go Dinos from VTechKids, I knew only one thing, Jude would be mad if I passed it up. We are talking Dinosaur Transformers here, the kid was in heaven.  He may have even ran out the door to great the Fed Ex lady when they arrived because he was just a little excited. 

We got to play with the Switch&Go T-Rex and the Switch&Go Triceratops which was amazing because otherwise my kids would have argued over whose turn it was :) Instead they choose their favorite and were off playing just as soon as the box was opened. 

Both kids LOVED the Switch&Go Dinos. I mean there is not much better than a race car and dino in one. Jude instantly had fun switching between car and T-rex and making "made up" creatures in the in between stage which was great to see what his little imagination would come up with. 

Jude found it really easy to morph between Car and Dino

Just a few quick shifts and his "King of the road"....

Became the "King of Dinosaurs". The kids played with the new toys for the rest of the day and it was the first thing they went to the next day. We are on day three and they are still going strong which is more than I can say about any other toy we have ever gotten them before. The biggest bonus is that you know because it is VTechKids that the Switch & Go Dinos are also educational. There are easy to use buttons on the toy that allow each child to interact with the toy. In the Dino stage they learn fun facts about each dinosaur from what kind of dinosaur they are to what they eat and live. There are up to 30 different fun facts to learn about dinosaurs and a fun LCD screen that has customizable animation. My kids loved changing up the dinosaur eyes. 

In the car mode the child can simply push a button to change up the driver and get ready for a fun race as the car talks to them.  There was nothing better then hearing my kids learn while they play. Jude has already shared some of the fun facts he learned about the T-Rex. 

So here is my breakdown:

Switch & Go Dinos are really fun toys that my kids (both 3&5, boy&girl) loved. They are big enough that you don't have to worry about small pieces breaking off, but they are still small enough that they are not taking up too much room. 

Because they morph from a car into a dinosaur it was really like getting to great toys in one, and the answer to any little boys dream. 

They are educational but in a really fun way with fun voices and the interactive screen and buttons the kids loved them without feeling like they were learning. 

There are seven unique dinosaur/ car toys available and they start at just $15.99 so you get a great toy for the value. 

Jude could very easily transform the toy from Dino to car and back again, Abbey needed a little help, but both kids loved it just the same and Abbey was picking it up fast. 

Where to find them:

Buy today on Amazon

The 4 starter Dinos: Silver T-Rex, T-Don the Pteranodon, Tonn the Stegosaurus, and Horns the Triceratops will be on sale beginning May 21t exclusively at  Amazon for a suggested retail price of $15.99

Beginning June 18 the Switch & Go Dinos will be on sale at VTechKids.com for a suggested retail price of $15.99 

So if you have a little boy (or girl) who loves cars and dinos then this is the perfect gift, or reward for them! 

Jude is already working hard on his chore chart so he can earn another one for his collection.  Do you have someone special who would love one? Which one would be the winner at your house? For us the T-Rex ran supreme. 

Instagram Friday {on Saturday}

Well it's time for another Instagram Friday on Saturday because school is out and so is the sun and the heat so Friday escaped me once again, but Saturday is just as good. So here is a peek in our week beyond that of sewing and crafting.

 Last weekend I celebrated a birthday (29 eek!) This weekend my fabulous Shwin celebrates her birthday! (whoop whoop) I had a fabulous birthday, my favorite was seeing the gifts my kids picked out just for me, a lovely array of buttons, (some of which Jude always tries to pick when we go button picking but I usually tell him no)

 Abbey has been fighting me on getting her hair done, which is just in her face all summer if it doesn't get put up. So we have come up with "Minnie mouse" hair. Two messy buns that look like Minnie Mouse ears. She is pleased. (dress tutorial and pattern coming later)

 To keep summer boredom away Jude has picked up a new hobby of taking pictures. I gave him my old camera that doesn't get used anymore and he carries it with him throughout the day to take pictures of "interesting" things. At the end of the day the most fun is going through the pictures with him and "seeing a day in his life" He mainly likes flowers and bugs :)

Every Thursday evening my husband goes out golfing, which means Thursday is movie night for me and the kids. They love it, and I love watching them kick back and relax, especially Abbey she does it best.

So how was your week?
My Shwin is coming into town this week!! (we have not seen each other in almost a year!) We have tons of things planned and hopefully a lot of fun projects to share, so if posts are a little spotty this upcoming week it is because we are soaking up sister time!

British Invasion Tee {boys summer collection}

 So my husband works for a company where he handles the European market. Most of his work is in the UK and so it seemed appropriate that I make Jude a British Invasion tee. With a big bold UK flag.

 I love the finished look and the "raw" edge finish. It was quick and easy to make and could be done with any flag really.

 Start by cutting out some shapes. The flag is some simple to put together. You will need navy rectangles. I used a linen because I liked the texture but any navy would be fine.

 Then you need a red cross. How large you make the cross determines the size of the flag.

 Then in each section of the cross add the triangles and a red strip. There should be white all around each piece. You can trim the shapes as needed.

 Continue until all 4 sections are done.

 Pin everything in place. (you could also use wonder under to stick everything in place)

 Then sew around the edges. Now I frayed the edges the bit and when they were as frayed as I liked I used no fray glue (found in the notations section of a craft store) I glued all around the edge, then when it dries the edges won't fray anymore.

 Then that's all there is to it. The shirt is done and ready to wear.

 A great bold look for the summer wardrobe.

And one of Jude's favorites...

Sailboat Tee {boys summer collection}

 So let's continue with the boy's summer collection today. Another simple tee project. This one uses flocked vinyl again, since I am slightly addicted to the stuff. I thought I would mix it up a little and do some reverse applique with it as well. A fun and simple addition that adds a little pop.

 So I started by using my Silhouette machine to cut out a sailboat shape.

 Then I cut out a little scrap of fabric to place over the number.

 So that the fabric would also stick to the shirt I added some wonder under to the scrap.

 Then you will need a tee shirt.

 Then press the vinyl with the scrap in place behind the number.

 Then you have a nice little detail peeking behind the vinyl.

 Lastly I added some stitching to add some additional texture.

That's all there is to it. A fun little shirt with some added pop. This is where I would show you a picture of Jude wearing the shirt, but apparently I didn't take one... So we will just have to pretend.

Link Party #22

Did you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend? 

I love the three day weekend! Sometimes my husbands work hours are hard, but oh man we all live for the glory of the three day weekend! And remembering all the great people we have lost. 

So we are back today and with the Tuesday Link Party!

You guys amaze us as always, last week was fantastic here are some of my favorites. 

 Simple Simon and Company shared the most darling skirt, I am so in love with this color blocking and the little bow. So cute!

 Sew country chick shared not one but two darling outfits she made inspired by vintage france. I love them both!

My inner need to create made these dresses inspired by subway art and I love the way they turned out, so personal and really darling!


              I can't wait to see what you guys share this week!

New to link parties? That's totally fine here's what you have to do:

Find a entry on your blog that you want to link up.

It can be ANYTHING (unless it's an ad or something let's keep it spam free)

Say it is a great new project you just made and have been dying to share it with the crafting world. 

the link should look something like this:

http://(your blog adress/website)/(the post you want to link).html

Linking to the post is the easiest way for people to get back to that post.

Then click where it says "click here to enter" 

follow the steps to link your post and create a title, and select your picture.

Keep in mind the picture will be small thumbnail so pick a picture that shows it off the best. 

Lastly if you were so kind to add our button to your page or post, or where every you store your link party things that would be super cool. You don't have to use the button to link up, it's just there for you if you can't live without it. 

cool? cool. Let's get the party started!

<br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.shwinandshwin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x393/theshwins/tuesdayparty.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

Instagram Friday and a guest post

Welcome to today's instagram Friday! (which is short and sweet) Before we get to that I am over at No Big Dill today! I was invited to participate in Chapter 3 of the Once Upon a Thread series which is just too much fun! So come see the Animalia based project I made! Which has been played with everyday since :)

Now on with the week, which is being summed up in 3 pictures today... yep it was one of "those" weeks. 

Abbey and her Daddy spend quality time on the trampoline. Abbey loves to see how high they can go. She is by far the queen of the trampoline, she thinks she owns it and I can often find her wondering out there as early as 6:30 a.m. (something to love and hate about summer, early wake ups with the sun)

Our little Jude graduated Preschool. It was comical to see the kids "perform" Sadly I am going to miss those few hours each day that he was away at preschool... but Abbey is glad to have her buddy home all day :)

The kids have been loving playing Late last night, this is them sleeping in between rounds.

So how was your week?

Tabby Pocket Shorts {boys summer collection}

 Jude is finishing up school this week, which has been a little busier than I thought so there wasn't a tutorial yesterday, and with summer here things may get a little spotty, but we will still finish up the boy's summer collection. Today is one of my favorite pieces. (ok I say that a lot) I just love a good pair of shorts.

 This pair (even though the back welt pocket didn't turn out as I was hoping) I didn't make a tutorial for... because they are these pants only I cut them off at the knee and made them into shorts. (I also did not make the leg as skinny for the shorts) It was the best way to turn a pants pattern I loved into shorts that I also love.

 I used a baby blue cotton with white and yellow accents which make for slightly unexpected, yet super comfortable boys shorts, that go with nearly every tee he has for summer (score)

I also made the cuff a little longer and the length a tad long so hopefully he will not outgrow them before the end of summer (as he has been known to do the darn kid :) SO that's it for today... but there are more fun projects still to come!

Link Party 21

I know I know, I am late to my own party, but better late than never right?

You guys linked up some great things last week! Here are a few of my favorites:

 Jane Marie Blog shared this awesome DIY pendent, I love the look and with the jewel. Beautiful!

 Boy oh Boy oh Boy shared her create and barrel knock off pillow, I love how colorful it is, and those doodles? Man! So cool!

Lastly the Bear Rabbit Bear shared this adorable lens scrunchie, it helps get kids to look at the camera, (something my kids hate to do) So great!


              I can't wait to see what you guys share this week!

New to link parties? That's totally fine here's what you have to do:

Find a entry on your blog that you want to link up.

It can be ANYTHING (unless it's an ad or something let's keep it spam free)

Say it is a great new project you just made and have been dying to share it with the crafting world. 

the link should look something like this:

http://(your blog adress/website)/(the post you want to link).html

Linking to the post is the easiest way for people to get back to that post.

Then click where it says "click here to enter" 

follow the steps to link your post and create a title, and select your picture.

Keep in mind the picture will be small thumbnail so pick a picture that shows it off the best. 

Lastly if you were so kind to add our button to your page or post, or where every you store your link party things that would be super cool. You don't have to use the button to link up, it's just there for you if you can't live without it. 

cool? cool. Let's get the party started!

<br /><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.shwinandshwin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x393/theshwins/tuesdayparty.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

Simple Boys Belt

 Something really simple for you today. A boy's belt, which really is just a belt and a girl can wear it just the same, this one was just happened to be made for my boy. Cause if you are like me you like belts but you choke a little when you see the price at some places. (20 bucks for a belt? what?) So let's just make one, for a few bucks.

 You will need some trim, I found this (and a million other styles) in the by-the-yard trim section at Joanns, I got a yard even though I could have used much less. You will also need 2 "D" rings. I found them near the snaps and buckles.

 Then pull one end through both "D" rings.

 Fold the edge under and then fold that flap down.

 Then sew it in place. I sew a square and then an X through the square so it is nice and secure.

Then you weave the other end through the "D" rings so the belt forms a nice loop. Decide the length you want the belt and then trim and fold the raw edge and then sew in place.
That's it a simple belt that is ready to wear.

A simple and classic look, and so easily adjustable to any size. (Pants are here)