Thursday, August 9, 2012

#ShineOn at the #CleverGap



 


 
This post is sponsored by GapKids. Check out all the fun Shine On activities at your nearest Gap store. For event dates and locations, visit Gap’s Facebook page and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #ShineOn.

Thank you, universe.

It's all so exciting, isn't it? Those of you who follow me on facebook may be aware that I was recently accepted into the Clever Girls Collective, which is a network of powerful women bloggers who are selected to connect with brands and enjoy benefits from just doing what we love- blogging, tweeting, and connecting with our friends and readers!

This is a big step for the blog and for me, because even though I started Art, Like Bread simply to document my crafty endeavors, it has grown into so much more.  I'm glad to be a part of this, and I hope you'll join me for the ride.


Why didn't we have digital cameras in 1996? That was the year you would have seen me bopping around my residence hall at Mount Holyoke in my turquoise, long-sleeved Gap t-shirt bearing the simple word, "shine."  Is it a verb?  a noun? a command? a wish? an intention?  I don't exactly know what the designers intended to impart with those five letters, but it always put me in a good mood.  Fashion is a form of self expression, and craft is fashion is craft, so let's get to crafting, people, and let's get to the Gap.



Gap will be hosting a series of really cool "Shine On Saturdays" crafting events in their GapKids stores around the country.  I love this idea, because it's inviting children to engage their creative selves by doing craft projects designed by Merrilee Liddiard of Mer Mag, which is a great mommy/craft blog with ideas, designs, and even free printables.  (That domino game is ADORABLE, and would make cute cards or gift tags, too.  I'm just sayin'...)

The events will take place on August 11, 18, and 25 at select GapKids stores in the United States and Canada.  Each day has a different featured craft project, so you can go each time if you want.  They are inspired by the fall collection at GapKids and babyGap, which is all about stretchy denim in brights and blues.  (I have to mention that I am also all about bright, stretchy denim.  I totally just bought some bright green denim leggings two days ago.)

The planned projects are Geometric Art (Aug. 11), Journal Making (Aug. 18), and Animal Character Badges (Aug. 25).  Merrilee explains the projects in her post here

I will be in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 11, so I may be at event at The Grove, who knows? But I will DEFINITELY be at the Coco Walk on Aug. 18 for the journal making!  So fun!  I want to check out the colors and shapes of the fall collection for inspiration. As a teacher, I love to see kids exploring their creative sides, so I'll be looking for our designers of tomorrow in the crowds. :)

Look at this video and check out the heart top and those adorable spangles on the cardigan.  Do you think that would work on a 36-year-old? Hmmm...

 
It's a lot of energy, folks, and I don't know about you, but I'm in.  I hope you see you at the events!

Upcoming GapKids Shine On Saturdays Events in Miami
Saturday, August 11
10am-1pm
GapKids @ Lincoln Road Mall
1001 Lincoln Rd. Mall
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Saturday, August 18
10am-1pm
GapKids @ Coco Walk
3015 Grand Ave.
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Saturday, August 25
10am-1pm
GapKids @ Aventura Mall
19575 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 331 - Lower Level
Aventura, FL 33180

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.