I'm an ocean in a bottle, baby! Crafting with kids & GIVEAWAY!

Knowing I have a house full of crazy, creative kids, blogging friend, MaryLea from Pink & Green Mama, sent me a copy of her Ocean Fun Art Camp e-book to try out with them.

We chose the ocean in the bottle craft to try out, since I had all of the supplies on-hand, and it looked like fun!

I won't give you the entire blow-by-blow, since that is what MaryLea does in her ebook, but here you can see my kids taking turns adding sand and the other ingredients to our bottle.

My husband didn't understand why the directions called for oil, but sometime, you have to try adding food coloring to oil, just to see what it does!  Very cool, and a great science lesson!

(Yes, my 9-year-old is holding the baby, while working on the project, so that I can snap a picture.  She LOVES being a big sister!)

And here is our ocean!  MaryLea has directions for making a simple stand to place the bottle on.  Her book is loaded with clever ocean-themed projects.  If you still have bored kids hanging around waiting for school to start, I would highly recommend getting MaryLea's e-book and having a craft camp.  If you are planning an ocean/mermaid/fish themed birthday party, this will give you lots of party activity ideas.  Homeschooling, or teaching preschool?  Again, there is lots of inspiration here for you!

Thanks for sharing with us MaryLea!  And I almost forgot!  MaryLea wants to share her ebook with one of my readers!  Just leave a comment on this post telling me how/when you would use this ebook, and I will randomly pick a winner on Monday!  PLEASE, make sure I can easily find your email address in your message or profile, or I will have to choose a new winner.