The Lucky Giveaway- Flashcard Zoo
9:27 PM Posted by Erin
Sometimes you just get lucky, like being in the right place at the right time. Or meeting someone who is just so terrific you feel like you've known them forever. I'm calling this my "lucky giveaway" because on Friday night the very cool Ann Again... and again hosts a Virtual Girls Night Out where ladies (and perhaps men?) play along with her party game, go blog hopping and get to see some cool blogs you may not have known about or seen otherwise.
This Friday, I played my first game and came across this awesome and completely original blog Flashcard Zoo by the multifaceted talent, Shannah Pace. Her story is unbelievable... She went from being a singing teacher with a Master's in vocal performance, to a soprano opera singer in NYC, to becoming a wife and dedicated stay-at-home mom of an adorable little boy. But as she says, you cannot take the artiste out of the artist.
While attempting to potty train her easily distracted son, inspiration hit. In a fit of creativity she realized she could keep him entertained as well as educated with customized alphabet photo flashcards. She began with easy ones..."Mommy", "Daddy", "Nana"... and progressed to more complex flashcards until amazingly, it worked! Her little boy was potty trained and knew his alphabet. How's that for multi-tasking?
Soon after, Shannah realized her little project with her son was a great learning tool for other parents as well. She began compiling a library of fantastic pictures from photographer's all over the world and if she couldn't find or get permission for one she wanted, she went out and took her own. This way parents could choose the perfect alphabet for their munchkin.
As Shannah explained, "By the time I'd compiled the photos, Munchkin had thoroughly learned all his letters and numbers and sitting down with his flashcards was just so “last month”. I decided that if he was going to learn his alphabet that fast, I needed to find a way to make the flashcards useful for a lot longer. It finally occurred to me that Munchkins don’t just need to learn their alphabet and numbers. They have to learn to write their alphabet and numbers as well. The double-sided flashcard was born."
I myself am completely in love with Flashcard Zoo's product. I really enjoy how organically Shannah seemed to come up with her creation. Her cards are virtually indestructible, tried and trusted, and a fun, creative way to teach your child. And this is why I am calling this post "The Lucky Giveaway" because one very fortunate person will be receiving their very own set of Flashcard Zoo cards from "Our Faves" collection.
And because Shannah is so wonderful, she is also giving my readers 15% off any of Flashcard Zoo's products until March 23rd. Just mention This Mom Shops in the "message to seller" during PayPal check-out and you'll receive a partial refund reflecting the 15% off. So you tell me, how lucky is that?
The Details: One lucky reader will receive one set of Flashcard Zoo's "Our Faves" collection of cards. The rule: visit Flashcard Zoo's shop and tell me one thing about the cards not mentioned in this post.
Try, Try again... Second Chances:
** Blog about this contest and link back to this post and leave a separate comment.
** Follow Flashcard Zoo on Twitter.
** Tweet and/or Facebook this contest and in your comment please include the link.
** Follow Flashcard Zoo's blog or leave her a comment in any of her previous posts.
The Nitty Gritty
*Winners are chosen randomly, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!
*winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.
*contest ends March 1st, 9 PM EST. Winner will be posted shortly afterwards.
*open to US Bloggers only.
*rules for each entry must be followed to be valid.
2/23/09, 3:46 PM
Wow, you can write on them :-)
So cool.
2/23/09, 3:47 PM
I am a follower of Flashcard Zoo :-)
2/23/09, 3:49 PM
Her word verification doesn't seem to be working for comments, anyone else having trouble?
2/23/09, 8:00 PM
I love that you can make your own flashcards, using your own photos!
dcbehlmer (at) hotmail (dot) com
2/23/09, 8:01 PM
I learned from the site that if you order the Alphabet cards you can have your own pictures put on them
2/23/09, 8:04 PM
I tried to leave her a comment under Monday's Mislead post, but her word verification won't load.
I know some other people are having the same problems too.
2/23/09, 9:50 PM
I learned this: These cards have been lab tested in hostile conditions and can withstand chewing, being walked on, being thrown in the bathtub and toilet, being used as a frisby and are also great to put under wooden train tracks to keep them level on the carpet.
These could withstand my household. Thanks for the chance to win.
laikilu@yahoo.com
2/24/09, 1:22 AM
You can have your own pictures put on the alphabet cards - so cool!
millkara [at] gmail.com
2/24/09, 1:32 AM
I'm a follower
millkara [at] gmail.com
2/24/09, 5:59 AM
can write on them
2/24/09, 5:59 AM
follower
2/24/09, 7:52 AM
You can customize them with your own pictures!
2/24/09, 8:29 AM
i love you can write on these too cool
aumissal@gmail.com
2/24/09, 10:29 AM
You can write on the cards too!
2/24/09, 10:40 AM
They're customizable. Thanks for the giveaway! These are SO cute!
2/24/09, 10:42 AM
I have to say that I have a set of these, and have also given a set as a birthday gift. They are FANTASTIC!!! I LOVE that you can customize them too. They can withstand my tornado of a child and that is REALLY saying something. ;)
2/24/09, 11:08 AM
Sorry, ladies. Blogger seems to be having trouble with their comments right now. I have not been able to post comments on some blogs either. Not sure when that issue will be resolved. But thanks for stopping by. It's lovely to have you.
2/24/09, 11:41 AM
They can be customized.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
2/24/09, 11:43 AM
I follow Flashcard Zoo on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/janetfaye
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
2/24/09, 11:44 AM
Very cool blog, she is really fun and alot of fun to read.
You can customize them and i thought i read some are double sided.
vickers at comcast dot net
2/24/09, 11:46 AM
These are great. I love that they can be customized. It will make learning even more fun and easy.
2/24/09, 11:47 AM
Tried to leave a comment on her site but unable to at this time. I enjoyed her site though.
vickers at comcast dot net
2/24/09, 12:02 PM
She has a boy set and a girl set of the alphabet cards! And they can withstand chewing (which is important as my pile of chewed up books will show)
2/24/09, 12:03 PM
following flashcardzoo on twitter -kdkdkd
2/24/09, 12:08 PM
They are made from waterproof 10ml laminate. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
2/24/09, 12:08 PM
I follow Flashcardzoo on twitter. @bluenude3 Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
2/24/09, 12:10 PM
http://twitter.com/bluenude3/status/1245556839 I tweeted! @bluenude3 Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
2/24/09, 12:21 PM
i love that they are waterproof.
2/24/09, 12:47 PM
My favorite feature is that they're laminated.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
2/24/09, 12:48 PM
Following/Flashcard Zoo
gkstratos@yahoo.com
2/24/09, 12:48 PM
Following/Flashcard Zoo blog
gkstratos@yahoo.com
2/24/09, 12:56 PM
I learned that she opened her etsy shop in November 2008. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I'd love to use these for my boys!
2/24/09, 4:07 PM
love that you can write on them
2/24/09, 6:14 PM
I like that you can make flashcards with your own pictures and you can also write on them. How cool is that?
2/24/09, 7:47 PM
My son has autism and we work with an ABA therapist daily using different flashcards, these are awesome! he is a visual learner, and being able to take advantage of any focused moment he has to to learn to write the letter as well looking at the flashcad and learning them makes this a versatile product.
2/24/09, 8:31 PM
you can put your own pictures on the cards!
autumn398 (at) yahoo.com
2/25/09, 12:50 AM
I love the vibrant colors on the cards.
ajcmeyer AT go DOT com
2/25/09, 10:55 AM
The pictures on the cards are beautiful!
Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com
2/25/09, 3:58 PM
You can also create your own flascards on her site and they have a writing exercise on the back.
2/25/09, 8:32 PM
These are great! I love that you can write on them too. We are currently working on that with our son. Thanks!
2/26/09, 11:22 AM
You can write on them and Customize them with own pictures! Great Falshcards! Thanks
e-mail: hmahan_0529@yahoo.com
2/26/09, 11:27 AM
I follow! Thanks
e-mail: hmahan_0529@yahoo.com
2/26/09, 7:26 PM
I like that you can order a girly or boy set of flashcards.
paryjeja at sbcglobal dot net
2/28/09, 8:44 AM
I am in love with the Mostly Animals set!! And, just from looking at the Etsy shop, my 3 yr old loves these cards too!
2/28/09, 9:11 AM
Its cool on how you can do them yourself. Thanks for the contest.
2/28/09, 7:44 PM
I love that they are laminated - perfect for my rough and tough 4 year old!
jnkrim (at) qwestoffice (dot) net
2/28/09, 9:02 PM
Perfect for my granddaughter!
2/28/09, 10:38 PM
You can custom create the postcards that you want
rosans4@comcast.net
2/28/09, 10:39 PM
you can make your own notes and write on them!
2/28/09, 10:42 PM
I went to Flashcard zoo's blog and commented on her blog on going back to yoga after being off 6 weeks.
rosans4@comcast.net
3/1/09, 10:09 AM
You can add your own pictures! Thats cool, these sound great!
hawkgirl_16 {at} hotmail {dot} com
3/1/09, 10:09 AM
Im following Flashcard Zoo on twitter as mom2anutball!
3/1/09, 10:53 AM
I like the realistic photos.
3/1/09, 11:37 AM
I love the great colors. My daughter would love, love these.
3/1/09, 1:00 PM
I really like the fact that you can personalize them!great for my son!
ahdrad2932(at)msn(dot)com
3/1/09, 1:09 PM
I love that you can use your own photos of things your kids would recognize from their world!! These are great!
Cassie
cjm92995@yahoo.com
3/1/09, 1:35 PM
The cards are gender neutral
pabav at aol dot com
3/1/09, 5:39 PM
Wow, you can write on them and "wipe them off and write on again." I like that! I would love these for my daughter! Thank you so much!
kayceewilliams at gmail dot com
3/1/09, 5:44 PM
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/iloveyouhecried/status/1266930958
kayceewilliams at gmail dot com
3/1/09, 5:45 PM
Following Flashcard Zoo on Twitter!
kayceewilliams at gmail dot com
3/1/09, 5:45 PM
Following Flashcard Zoo blog and commented!
kayceewilliams at gmail dot com
3/1/09, 5:50 PM
they are write on able
shopannies@Yahoo.com
3/1/09, 6:42 PM
you can write on these too
3/1/09, 7:27 PM
These cards have been lab tested in hostile conditions and can withstand chewing, being walked on, being thrown in the bathtub and toilet, being used as a frisby and are also great to put under wooden train tracks to keep them level on the carpet. :)
That's very good to know!
jls_wss2003 at yahoo dot com
3/1/09, 7:31 PM
Each flashcard has a writing exercise on the back.
3/1/09, 7:41 PM
hold up to chewing thats always good
3/1/09, 8:10 PM
You can write on the cards.
3/1/09, 8:15 PM
You may use your own photos to make the flashcards more personal for your child.
3/1/09, 8:56 PM
You're able to write on the cards