Cooking With Kids Gift Pack Review and Giveaway

When it comes to finding high quality products for my kids, I've found that handmade items are some of the best! Often they do cost a little bit more, but after learning the hard way many times...I've found that I'd rather pay a little more money on something and get good quality items than to find the cheapest price and get something that doesn't last for very long. That's why I was excited when my sister-in-law shared with me that she was planning to start selling some of the things she makes by setting up an etsy shop online soon.

Diana has a talent when it comes to creating and making handmade products...an area I will admit is not my strongest. Her desire to create everything from bibs and aprons to felt play food and more, comes from her two little inspirations...her sons! She also loves to cook and bake...a hobby she shares with her sons as well. She recently began by creating her blog, They Call Me Old Fashioned, as a way to share with others her love for creating, baking and family! It's not only a way to connect with others, but also to get feedback on the items she will soon be selling online.

In honor of her new blog where she posts many of her homemade items, yummy recipes and more....she came to me with the idea of doing a review/giveaway! Of course I was more than happy to oblige...I couldn't wait to test out a few of her newest creations and give you all the opportunity to win an amazing gift pack she's put together to kick off her soon to be online shop.

We were given two bibs, a child sized apron and felt play food for Kaelyn and Kaden.

Before receiving them in the mail, I had not seen or tried out any of these items first-hand. So, I was very excited when the package arrived. It couldn't have come at a better time, as Kaelyn was just getting ready to sit down for lunch. What a perfect time to try out one of her new bibs! When it comes to bibs I'm pretty picky. We have several, but unfortunately only a few have really held up well to the wear and tear of washings, messes, etc. When it comes to quality, I'm looking for something that will wash up well, is made to soak up spills and ties around the neck so Kaelyn can't pull it off before we wash her up. I was very pleased to see that both bibs Diana sent met these expectations.

I not only love the terry cloth material on the back which helps to keep messes off Kaelyn's clothes, but also the kid friendly designs she uses to make the front. Kaelyn is not a huge fan of bibs, but when they're fun like these...she had no problem wearing it and showing it off to anyone around.

I also appreciate the length...they're great for covering the whole front which means less clothes changes in a day, and less laundry to do....YAY! Aside from these things, one of my favorite parts is the fact that the bibs tie around the neck. Not only does this allow for us to make it a good fit for both Kaelyn and Kaden's necks, but also makes it next to impossible for her to take off by herself. Typically if Kaelyn gets the bib off on her own, we have food everywhere, so this is a feature I really like!

The apron and felt play food were also a big hit! The aprons are made with such cute fabrics and are double lined. Whether you have a little boy or girl...there is something for everyone. I chose the cupcakes one for Kaelyn and am so happy with it. It turned out very cute and is something she not only enjoys using when playing, but also to help me in the kitchen when cooking and baking!

I really like the size...it's on the longer side for Kaelyn, which means she'll be able to get a lot of use out of it in the years to come. Diana has made this same size for children ranging anywhere from 2 years old all the way up to 10.

I love the idea of felt play food, so when she said she'd throw in some of the bacon and eggs she had made...I was thrilled! We have every kind of play food you can think of, except for felt so this was something new to us. I was amazed at how realistic they look, as well as the quality. This is definitely something that will last a long time which is what I want when it comes to my kids' toys. Kaelyn was tickled to have new play food to pretend with and took it right to her toy room where she could 'make us breakfast'.


These are just a few of the many things Diana makes, and is planning to make. As I mentioned, she loves to cook/bake...so her blog is also full of many yummy recipes and her newest creations, cookie bouquets which she will soon be selling on her Decorated By Di website! Aren't they cute?



She made Kaden this one for his baby dedication at church in February.

If you're looking for cute products like these that are high quality and not something you'll have to replace in a month, or even a year...you can find find more by visiting her blog. This is where she currently posts, and will announce once her website and etsy shop go live, so you won't want to miss it!

Buy It: Since her website and etsy shop are still in the process of being put together, Diana is selling her items via word of mouth on her blog. If you are interested in any of the items you've seen here or on her blog, feel free to contact her by e-mail for pricing, fabrics, styles and more.

Win It: To kick off what will soon be Diana's new etsy shop, she is offering one lucky reader the following gift pack which will help get your kids excited to help you in the kitchen and get their imaginations working when at play! The gift pack will include a few of her handmade items and some fun goodies as well!

-Handmade Kids Polka Dot Apron

-2 Handmade Bibs: Owl and Dog Bone Prints
-A set of Handmade Felt Play Food: Eggs and Bacon
-Nordicware Zoo Animals Cast Aluminum Muffin/Cake Pan
-Ann Clark Ltd. Cookie Cutter: The Car
-Recipe for Sugar Cookie and Frosting
-Kids Wooden Rolling Pin
-Colorful Teaspoon/Tablespoon Set
-Kids Size Whisk
-Purple and Pink Decorating Sugars
-Lorann Gourmet Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract

**Required entry - visit Diana's blog and become a follower of hers on Google Friend Connect (this is where she'll announce the opening of her website and etsy shop once they go live!). Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did.**

Extra Entries: (only valid after the required entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For FIVE extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and They Call Me Old Fashioned) and leave me FIVE comments with the URL to that post.

3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. For THREE extra entries, Grab my 'Celebrating Moms' event button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. For TWO extra entries, Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste: Enter to win a fun cooking with kids gift pack (handmade items and lots of goodies)! @MomBalancingAct http://tinyurl.com/yaoawn3 Ends 4/12

6. Become a Fan of A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

7. Share about this giveaway on Facebook Share

8. Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end April 12th and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided at no cost. This was not a paid post and my honest opinions were given.**