Annie Lang's Blog!

Whether you make 1 or 100, Kids LOVE making their own cards!  Here's how you can use lineart .pdf pattern books to make cards they can color and share to their heart's delight!  Best of all the designs shown in these samples are all available in Annie's  Sharing Hearts and Loving Smiles pattern book...and it's on sale throughout the month of February.  Enjoy!

Here's a fun way to keep kids busy when it's too snowy or rainy to play outdoors.  This project was made for an upcoming baby shower, but it can also used for any theme or event.  Let the kids DIY their own party tablecloths, holiday placemats, school banners, murals and more.  They'll stay busy having fun and the time will simply fly by!  Enjoy...

Make holiday storytime FUN this year by making these adorable Elf Listening Ears for the kids to wear while reading Annie Lang's Elf Books!  You'll find A Little Elf Upon a Shelf and A Little Elf from Another Shelf available in both paperback and Kindle versions in Annie Lang's Book Store !  When you buy the paperback from Amazon, you can download the Kindle edition for FREE.  Right click the project page below to save the full size page to make your own printable DIY elf ears! Here's a fun Help Yourself Elf Hot Cocoa recipe for a group book reading activity.  Don't forget to let the kids help out and ENJOY!

Here's a quick and easy project you can easily make with the kids on a rainy afternoon! You'll need craft paint, brushes, a small piece of black cardstock or posterboard, scissors and paper mache cone shapes.  I purchased a 6 pack of cones online to use for other character projects like angels, santas, candy corn, pumpkins and ghosts.  I paid half the price for the cones I found at local craft supply stores so buying in bulk was a good choice for me.  Here's a basic step-by step of how I created the Wishing Witch character.  You can add any embellishments or paint colors to make it your own.  So let's get creative and make a wish! You can right click and "save" the free pattern below!  When your witch is finished, just write a wish on a piece of paper, tuck it under the cone and wait for the magic to happen!  Enjoy and feel free to share this link ...

There is a squeaky door that needs fixing, a picture that need hanging, a fence that needs mending, hedges that need trimming, furniture that needs cleaning and a bookshelf that needs to be built.  How will these tasks ever get done?  Don't worry because my Grandma will use her power tools! Read this story and find out just exactly how we can get these problems solved. Young readers will quickly engage with Annie Lang's vividly detailed imagery as a little girl character and her Grandma spend the day together working on projects and fixing "stuff".  Children will learn about common tools in the toolbox, why safety gear is needed and how quickly the day passes when you spend it working together.  "My Grandma Uses Power Tools" is a terrific "read it together" publication that encourages discussion with each turn of the page. Inspired by her granddaughters, this is Annie Lang's ninth indie published children's book title.   In today

When it comes to entertaining kids on a rainy day or finding group activities to keep the party guests entertained, this DIY game is an ideal way to not only keep them busy, but it's educational as well!  All you need are some fabric print swatches or patterned scrap papers, some cardstock, a pair of scissors and a bit of glue (I use spray adhesive). I've included the shape template I created to make my fabric swatch game shapes along with the basic directions.  The first time my 4 year old granddaughter used them, she immediately became engrossed in the colors, patterns and character images that were tossed about the carpet.  It didn't take her long to discover that the game challenge was not just matching single images like store bought card games, but seemed more like giant puzzle piece shapes that could be matched on both sides of each card! I created 20 different fabric card sets and it took her 30-45 minutes to complete the game, making it a perfect activity for G

Looking for love? You’ll find plenty of hearts, happy kids and loving thoughts for any creative DIY projects you may be working on with Annie Lang's "Sharing Hearts and Loving Smiles" line art pattern book along with 5 new heart themed clipart collections to choose from.  So go ahead and get started on those heartfelt DIY creative adventure now!

A trip to Grandma's house always includes at least one fun learning activity and here's a simple project anyone can do together with preschool age kids.  All you need is a handful of pebbles, a bottle of Tacky Glue and a surface like wood or paper mache.  I just happened upon this rustic handmade birdhouse feeder while visiting a local cider mill and it turned out to be the perfect surface for our activity of the day. I began by first applying a coat of Thompson's Clear Wood Sealer to the entire surface and allowing it to dry overnight.  The next day, a pile of pebbles was placed onto our work surface where my granddaughter could select which ones she wanted to use on the birdhouse feeder. A plastic knife was the perfect tool for spreading a thick coat of Tacky Glue onto the wood area to be embellished. Pebbles were placed one by one onto the glue and gently pressed down into place.  Not only were her little fingers kept busy for an hour, but she was more than able to s

New Children's Book Release! Something Weird is Going on Here written and illustrated by Annie Lang Here is a delightful story that will inspire, encourage and help introduce young readers to the wonderful world of books!  Colorful and engaging illustrated images help early learners see how family life quickly changes as seen through the perspective of Meatloaf the cat.  From life at the shelter to the everyday joys of a new home to to addition of a new family member, children will see how Meatloaf the cat adapts to each new "weird" event that comes along.  This is a great read-it-together book that is sure to spark some very interesting home conversations with inquisitive youngsters.  This is Annie's 8th self published children's book title and is available in both paperback and Kindle editions from Amazon.com  and many other online book stores.

When I wrote this book, I never could have imagined just how much fun a silly book could be until my granddaughter turned 3.  Now that "Are You My Mother?" and a " Super Silly Alphabet " have run their course, " Now That's Just Silly! " has won her over with giggles and laughter.  At any given time, she'll point out the "speck on her neck" or the "bee on her knee" and we eventually end up with tickles and hugs.  If you've not yet discovered this fun little storybook with your toddler, check it out and ENJOY! Though we're still working on creating shapes and exploring colors with crayons, paint and coloring pencils, I hope to eventually introduce little Maryann to the world of digital character drawing.  She's already practicing with her tablet apps so I suspect she'll already have some of the "basics" down before we try it on the big computer screen.  Every day is a truly a new creative adventu

Every little girl needs a place of her own in the world of make believe.  I had originally purchased 6 paper mache house shaped boxes to create a Christmas village for the holidays.   However, once the houses arrived I decided that a happy neighborhood of houses for my granddaughters would be a more practical use as they would actually be put to use all year around.  I will add houses one by one until their collection is complete.  Toy figurines easily store inside these boxes and each house can serve as a delightful accent item on the guest room shelves.  This is the first painted house I completed and it was overwhelming received by a very happy girl! Here's how I painted the girls very first house and hopefully will inspire you to make your own happy neighborhood! SUPPLIES Darice DIY Crafts Paper Mache House Box Medium 8-1/2 .   I bought a package of 6 so the cost was only $5 each.   These houses are also available as sets with a large, medium and small sized box in each s

Here's 3 fun little Springtime egg characters guaranteed to make you smile! They also make great basket stuffers,  Baby Shower decorations and Mother's Day gifts. Feel free to share this page link with your friends and family so they can get creatively inspired, too.  To download the patterns at the bottom of this page, right click and save image to your computer. Supplies: 4 1/2" paper mache egg for each featured character sponge brush for basecoating assorted brushes and liner brush 3"x3" scrap of white watercolor paper for bunny ears adhesive to attach bunny ears to the egg transfer paper Assorted Acrylic Craft Paints   as follows... Funny Bunny Hatchling:  white, black, baby blue, true blue, pink, burgundy, spring green, true green Happy Chick Hatchling:  bright yellow, light yellow, orange, burgundy, white, lavender, dark purple, pink, spring green, true green, black Peeper Hatchling:  bright yellow, light yellow, orange, pink, burgundy, white,

Create Fun Ears for Elves, Leprechauns and Attentive Readers!  If you're looking for a quick, easy and really fun project, you can print and assemble this project in no time at all! Originally designed as a classroom storytelling prop for my Elf books reading sessions, this project can easily be used to create Leprechaun Ears for St. Patrick's Day or used as a Halloween costume accessory. Here's how to make Leprechaun Ears like the ones Little Emma is modelling for us in the sample photo... 1.  Right click the project page below and save it to your computer. 2.  Print the page.  Apply double sided adhesive to the back of the      page before cutting them out. 3.  To insure the printer ink won't bleed if the ears happened to get wet,      lightly mist with clear sealer or cover them with laminate or clear      Contact (R)  paper. 4.  Apply double sided adhesive to the back of the page before cutting. 5.  Assemble and finish the headband as instructed Ho

Whether you're reading with a youngster one on one or reading to an entire group, bring the story to life and make it a memorable experience by adding a few story activities to enhance the experience!  Here are a few basic ideas you may want to try... Make up 8-10 questions about the story and write each one on a piece of paper. Draw a question and then discuss!  Enhance the story environment!  Relate a scene from the story you are reading by creating a "real life" experience.  For example, if the story is about cookies, you could share a "cookie snack".  If the story is about camping, maybe you could read the story together in a makeshift "tent". How about sharing some "Green Eggs and Ham"? If you're reading one of my Elf books, maybe you'd like to try sharing a cup of cocoa after the story.  I'm sure you can easily imagine all the endless possibilities.   Make a set of "Listening Ears" that you can wear

This toddler may be only 2 1/2 years old, but it's the perfect age to introduce some basic creative skills that she'll use throughout her lifetime.  Kids are naturally curious about the world around them and love to figure out how things work.  Today we're making our own magnets using a Xyron (Creative Station) and a printed project page from my " Annie Lang's Paper Clip Halloween " activity book. I first let my granddaughter explore the machine and she soon discovered that art needs to go through the machine and not in it!  She also felt the need to wear "glasses" because I wear reading glasses when working on projects.  I removed the lenses from an old pair of reading glasses and she now keeps them in her craft supply caddy.  Keeping in mind that most most toddlers have a 15-20 minute attention span, creative project undertakings should be structured around that time frame.  Making magnets is a perfect way to practice using scissors while creat

If you want to paint decorative items for the kid's room, make fun papercrafting items, add some pizzazz to a scrapbook page or make a pillow for the tooth fairy...this publication has everything you need to get the project done!   It's Time to Say Goodnight includes mix and match designs of baby and toddler characters taking baths, brushing their teeth, reading bedtime stories, happy sheep, sleepy bears and tooth fairy related images and icons. To get an idea as to what's inside...just watch this video book trailer !

My Newest Book is HERE       It's a Silly Little Story to make you SMILE! "Now That's Just SILLY!" You'll find my newest Children's Book available in both printed and e-book versions at Annie Lang's Books .  Want to see what it's about?  Just watch this short book trailer and find out! If you'd like to see how the character art happened...just watch this short " Draw it Silly " video!  Hope You ENJOY...

NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK RELEASE! If you've been wondering what I've been working on this summer, it's this delightful new Look Before You Leap, Froggy   Children's Book! Young readers will quickly engage with the vividly detailed characters and imagery as the story unfolds.   The moral to the story is obvious, but it is presented in a way that is not so much about paying attention to words of caution as it is about taking advice intended to keep us safe.  Unlike traditional children's books where the main character solves his own problems, this story presents a more realistic scenario whereas the younger character may need a little help in order to get out of a precarious situation and to learn a valuable life lesson from the experience.   "Look Before You Leap, Froggy!" is a terrific "read it together"  publication that encourages discussion with each turn of the page.  This is my fourth published children's book title and the first t

NEW RELEASE! Annie Lang’s Kids will show you how to make your flower  garden bloom with smiles!  There are dozens of mix and match flowers and garden kids character art images to choose from in this jam packed publication.  Themed pattern designs created from Annie’s Village Flower Shoppe, Gardening Kids, Annie’s Garden and Sunflower Kids collection of images.  Simply trace the design and then transfer the image onto your project surface to make outstanding personalized items with professional results every time. This publication includes mix and match designs of garden tools, gardening supplies, Garden Kids, flowers, quaint flower shop, Sunflower Kiids and lots of pretty florals.  Designs can be colored with paint, color pencils, inks, markers, chalks, etc. There are extra pages at the back of the book you can use for personal project notes.  Also available in a printable .pdf edition! Find this " Garden Flower Bloomers " Linework Pattern Workbook Annie Lang's Bo

NEW linework pattern book released! Grab your keys because it looks like you’re going to be going places!  Whether you're looking for travel themed patterns to take you around the neighborhood, on a family vacation or a trip around the world, you'll find everything you need to get moving!  This publication features linework of kid moving toy vehicles, family packed vacation vehicles and campers, costumed kids from around the world with flags and greetings from their native countries, car keys and travel necessities, road signs, a roadside billboard you can personalize, travel wordart and more! Designs can be colored with paint, color pencils, inks, markers, chalks, etc.  You can find this publication and more in my BookStore  Enjoy! CLICK HERE to watch the Video Trailer!