ArtSkills Review and Giveaway

Posted by Felicia Friday, April 23, 2010, under | 42 comments


Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to make a poster and you had no idea where to start? You want to make something special that will leave a lasting impression, but all you can think of are the basic stencils and glued on paper? Or maybe you just want to create something simple that will last. I was recently contacted by a representative of ArtSkills and they asked if I would be interested in doing a review for them. Of course I hopped on the idea! I love reviewing items to see if they are truly worth the money and time so this fits in perfectly with me. :) Now, mind you, I am not very "crafty"(which you will see later, lol), but it sounded fun all the same!

Their story-

ArtSkills was founded in 1987 in Easton, PA. We are a family owned company with a commitment to bringing quality and innovative poster making and art materials to our customers. Originally ArtSkills designed and developed Draw Today and Paint Today, drawing and painting programs, which allowed anyone to learn to draw and paint with no prior skill at all! They also are the only art programs in the world that have a money back guarantee, if you are not absolutely thrilled with your artwork.


Today at ArtSkills we make a wide range of art materials. We specialize in posterboard accessories, including poster markers, poster lettering, and decorative items to make your poster board projects better, faster, and easier!

It is our goal to be your source for everything you need to make a poster! We value the trust our customers put in us and continue to strive to bring new and innovative poster products and ideas to you. We know this image may be all too familiar to you... we are here to help!

A few great links on their site:
Poster Basics-Learn the basics on making a great poster
Poster Wizard- Free guide to help you create a poster in 10 minutes
Poster Contests- Sign up to win with the poster of the month-3 different age groups!
Gallery- Great poster ideas can be found here


My Review-
When I received the box from ArtSkills, I couldn't believe all that was included! To start, the book they have included is AMAZING! I am definitely saving this and it will really come in handy when my kids enter the school age! It has 100+ project ideas, 50 poster design layouts, and tons of tips and tricks for making your best posters ever. It even has an Emergency Poster Guide for when you only have an hour to make one!

What I received for this review:

The Easier, Faster, Better Posters Package: Those Poster Flashes actually FLASH, so talk about a couple toddlers in heaven! I bet those would really get some attention on yard sale signs or in a classroom project!

Before the box arrived, I had decided on what I was going to do. I have two toddlers, 2 and 3 yrs, plus I babysit my niece on occasion, who is also 2 yrs. I wanted to create something that they all could enjoy and learn from. I was going to make an ABC learning board and a number learning board. Little did I know that once the kit arrived, all I would need was a poster board and a little time!


So, here is what the kiddos and I created(the kits included glue sticks and the little ones had a BALL with that!):

1st we started with a BRIGHT yellow poster board(I knew the kids would like that!) and I placed the Holographic Quick Letters on the board. It was the best way to make them even and they have a little sticky on the back, like a post-it, so they won't move on me until I have found their permanent spot. I then went back through and used the glue stick to stick them for good.



As you can see it was already a hit with my son, lol. I thought it still needed a little pizazz so I checked out some of my other options and came up with some cool borders. I let my little man choose and he said he loved the red "spikey" border(haha). So, red spikey border(Fun Borders) it was! After I glued that on I let him and my Ladybug choose an eye-catcher shape of their choice to stick on, to add their own little touches.

I thought it all came together very nice and simple and they were pretty proud of their BIG project!




Next, I wanted to do something to help them learn to count. I used the Holographic Letters again and took the numbers out that were included in it. I spaced them out with the post-it backs and then I used the Eye Catcher Shapes to put something on the board for counting, after all they need something to count to help them learn! I also used the Fun Borders to cut up for some more fun shapes. I went back through and glued all of these on and came up with this:




I know we had a lot of fun creating these two "masterpieces" and we have so many supplies left to make more! So whether your kids have a school project coming up, you have toddlers eager to learn like me or just a yard sale in the future- ArtSkills will help you get it done and have just what you need to make the best poster!



The Giveaway!

What is up for grabs:
The Easier, Faster, Better Posters Prize Package (est. value $50)

How to enter:

Mandatory Entry-
  • You MUST be a follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect to win
  • Please leave a comment telling me about a poster horror story you have or what you would make if you win this prize.

Extra Entries-AFTER you have completed the mandatory entry:

Leave a comment for each entry you do

1. Follow ArtSkills on Twitter & leave a username-1 entry
2. "Like" ArtSkills on Facebook-1 entry
3. Follow me on Twitter & leave a username-1 entry
4. Tweet about this giveaway & leave me a link- 2 entries

"Win a $50 @ArtSkills Prize Pack on SAHM Frugal Finds and Reviews! http://bit.ly/ckNdCr ends 5/1 #SAHMFrugalBlog"

5. "Like" this blog on Facebook- 1 entry
6. Grab my button & leave me a link-3 entries
7. Blog about this giveaway & leave a link-4 entries

That is a max of 14 entries!! Don't forget to leave me with a way to get in touch with you by email.

This giveaway is open to the US only

Good luck everyone!


Contest ends Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will use random.org to choose the winner. Winner will be contacted on May 2nd and will have 48 hrs to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Product was provided in exchange for review, but all of the opinions and experiences are all my own. I only do honest reviews on my blog.

One Response to "ArtSkills Review and Giveaway"

  1. Set Apart Living Mama Says:

    I'm a follower and I would make an ABC one like up did above for my son. :) What a great giveaway!


    glenda.a.silva(@)gmail(.)com
    Me and Mine in a Small Town

  1. Set Apart Living Mama Says:

    I'm following on Twitter @wellnessmommie is me!

    glenda.a.silva(@)gmail(.)com
    Me and Mine in a Small Town

  1. Set Apart Living Mama Says:

    I'm following ArtSkills on Twitter @wellnessmommie is me!

    glenda.a.silva(@)gmail(.)com
    Me and Mine in a Small Town

  1. Set Apart Living Mama Says:

    I have your button to the left of my blog #3


    glenda.a.silva(@)gmail(.)com
    Me and Mine in a Small Town

  1. Set Apart Living Mama Says:

    I have your button to the left of my blog #2


    glenda.a.silva(@)gmail(.)com
    Me and Mine in a Small Town

  1. Set Apart Living Mama Says:

    I have your button to the left of my blog #1


    glenda.a.silva(@)gmail(.)com
    Me and Mine in a Small Town

  1. Shannon Says:

    I'm a follower and I would probably make a chore chart for my kids with this prize!

    waterchic83@yahoo.com

  1. Menopausal New Mom Says:

    I would make a board with my daughter's name and then let her create what she wanted with the other pieces below it, make it her art project and I now follow you :)

  1. Shooting Stars Mag Says:

    follow artskills on twitter: @shootingstarmag

    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

  1. Shooting Stars Mag Says:

    follow you on twitter: @shootingstarmag

    lauren51990 at aol dot com

  1. Shooting Stars Mag Says:

    i follow your blog and I'd want to use this in scrapbooking or for my cousin who could use it in school.

    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

  1. Gretta Says:

    I am a follower & would use this to create charts for homeschooling next year!

  1. Anonymous
    Says:

    Following
    Loving the ABC one - thank you for the chance to win!
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

  1. Gretta Says:

    I blogged about this giveaway - #1

    grettajohns.blogspot.com

    bamagv(at)aol(dot)com

  1. Gretta Says:

    I blogged about this giveaway #4

    grettajohns.blogspot.com

    bamagv(at)aol(dot)com

  1. Gretta Says:

    I blogged about this giveaway #3

    grettajohns.blogspot.com

    bamagv(at)aol(dot)com

  1. Gretta Says:

    I blogged about this giveaway #2

    grettajohns.blogspot.com

    bamagv(at)aol(dot)com

  1. Jolee Says:

    Follower. I would make my daughter's "superstar of the week" poster. joleehamlin@comcast.net

  1. Three Blessings At Home Says:

    I'm a follower :) I love the educational posters you made. I would do something similar with the poster making supplies. I would make learning posters for and with my children. Too cool!

    threeblessings@yahoo.com

  1. Three Blessings At Home Says:

    I liked Art Skills on Facebook :)

    threeblessings@yahoo.com

  1. DEBIJOT Says:

    blog follower
    I would help my grandson with his school science project.

  1. DEBIJOT Says:

    your FB fan - deborah t

  1. Domestic Diva Says:

    I follow. I'd let my little one make his own poster. He'd love it.

  1. Shannon Says:

    I'm a follower and my poster horror story is when I was trying to make one for our bake sale and it ended up being all crooked and my markers were all dryed up so you could barely read the writing and forget about my drawings...I can't draw so this pack would completely help us out! The book sounds like a great resource for lots of ideas too! Thanks at the chance!

  1. Shannon Says:

    I follow ArtSkills on Twitter via @Luv_MyDachshund

  1. Shannon Says:

    I "Like" ArtSkills on Facebook

  1. Shannon Says:

    I "Like" your blog on Facebook

  1. Shannon Says:

    I tweeted the giveaway entry #2
    http://twitter.com/luv_mydachshund/status/13216651694

  1. Shannon Says:

    I tweeted the giveway entry #1
    http://twitter.com/luv_mydachshund/status/13216651694

  1. Shannon Says:

    I follow you on twitter via @Luv_MyDachshund

  1. Michelle M Says:

    I'm following your blog via Google friend connect. I think I'd make an alphabet poster for my son. He is in kinder so it would be a perfect activity for him. Thanks for the giveaway!

  1. Michelle M Says:

    I "like" your blog on facebook (Michelle M). Thanks!

  1. Michelle M Says:

    I follow you on Twitter. this is @pinkblush99. Thanks!

  1. SensiblySara Says:

    I would let my kids help me make any kind of poster they wanted! :) (And then I would make an alphabet poster for J's room!)

  1. SensiblySara Says:

    I follow you! (@Doodle741)

  1. SensiblySara Says:

    I follow ArtSkills (@Doodle741)

  1. SensiblySara Says:

    Tweeted!! :) https://twitter.com/Doodle741/status/13217727943

  1. SensiblySara Says:

    I like your blog on facebook! :) Sara P!

  1. SensiblySara Says:

    I tweeted - https://twitter.com/Doodle741/status/13217727943 - #2 entry!