POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · JANUARY 12, 2021

I am pleased and excited to announce that I am working with Oopsy Daisy, Fine Art for Kids, to bring my artwork into your children’s rooms and at-home learning spaces! My work is now available in the shop and through Oopsy Daisy for purchase on stretched canvases (these come gallery-wrapped, ready to hang) and poster decals!

Oopsy Daisy was started by two parents in search of beautiful children's wall art for their home when they started a family. They wanted art with depth and connection and soul. They believe a child's environment matters and that joyful art brings positive change to homes. I share these values and I'm excited for this new collection of prints.

Each piece is handcrafted in the U.S. using premium materials and non-toxic environmentally safe inks. I'm thrilled to be partnering with a company that values good stewardship and eco-friendly options whenever possible.

For framing options and oversized canvases, please check out options and purchase using this link.

Some other features you may be interested in:

• printed using the Gicleé method

• includes hanging hardware (either sawtooth hooks or wire, depending on the size)

• 1.5" thick gallery-wrapped canvas

• printed with environmentally-friendly GreenGuard inks

• printed on premium archival paper

• five framing option available through Oopsy Daisy (or contact me directly!)

• framed art prints include transparent acrylic glass, matte, & hanging wire

• can be wiped clean with a slightly damp cloth

• printed in the USA in San Diego, California

Shops and retailers may purchase whole through Oopsy Daisy as well. 

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · DECEMBER 04, 2018

Do you have young adventurers or travel lovers in your home? Or maybe your kids just love maps as much as we do. There's something inspiring and imagination-building about seeing places on maps and wondering what it might be like there.

I prefer to give our children gifts that encourage them to develop their skills and interests. Trendy toys might have great reactions when opened, but the kids lose interest quickly. These are the kind of gifts that have lasting value. I’ve gathered a short list of my favorite geography-related games, books, art, and school supplies to share with you! (Many of these shops support independent artists and shop owners in the US and around the world.)

If you’re looking for gift ideas for your map lovers & adventurers, I know you’ll love these!

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no cost to you! Thanks!)

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · NOVEMBER 05, 2020

Can I tell you a secret? Most of my posters are sitting in a closet because I'm low on wall space and I can never decide which one to display. Not to mention, shopping for poster frames during the pandemic isn't ideal.

But...I have a poster hanging solution for all of us! Magnetic poster frames allow you to swap out posters quickly & easily without damaging the paper. That means you can have one small space dedicated to your poster art, and change the art depending on the seasons or school unit.

If you have more wall space, then by all means...create a gallery wall or spread them around the house!

I tried some magnetic poster frames ordered from a cheap factory overseas and didn't feel good about offering them in the shop. Quality craftsmanship & good stewardship are important to us as a family and as a business. We seek out ethically produced products and try to reduce waste wherever possible. 

Our new poster frames are designed by a small woodworking company based in Chicago. Most of their items are American made, but the particular product we carry is ethically produced in Poland. We are thrilled to partner with WellMade. The Stiicks Magnetic Poster Frames meet both our quality and ethical standards.

We carry 2 sizes: 19" (for our 18" posters) and 25" (for our 24" posters). Each kit comes with 2 hanging options. Anchors and screws are provided if you prefer to permanently mount your frame to the wall, and a white cord is provided if you prefer to hang it from a nail or 3M removable hook.

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · MAY 14, 2018

We have a beautiful new illustrated map design in the shop today!

I love maps! Who doesn’t? I think maps feed the imagination, giving us ideas & dreams about places we might want to visit someday.

I designed this United States of America poster with elementary school children in mind. It includes the major physical features of our country, like mountain ranges, large rivers, deserts and plains, plus several well-known tourist destinations and national parks. I’m so excited about how it turned out…beautiful and practical, which is our intention for every new design!

My kids have enjoyed looking at the map and keep coming back to see if they can spot new details, find places they want to visit, and reminisce about the states they’ve lived in. I think your kids will love it too!

Maybe your summer plans include a road trip. This would be a fun way to learn about geography together before you pack up and head out to see the country. Or maybe you’re redecorating and organizing a school space or kid’s room and need some art that inspires your kids.

The ocean blue and muted neutral tones will look beautiful hanging in a kid’s room, in your living room, or in a classroom. It’s a fun design that both kids and adults can enjoy together.

Our art prints come to you carefully packed rolled in a shipping tube and wrapped in tissue paper. We print on high-quality matte paper so that you can enjoy your art for years to come. This print is available in the 18″ x 24″ size so that you can see all of the fun details and clearly read the words.

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · APRIL 13, 2018

Do you make a plan for your reading each year? I always read more books when I make a plan and track my reading goals.

I’ve been using Evernote to keep my reading lists organized, but I wanted the kids to get in the habit of tracking their books as well. I always love looking back to see what I’ve read throughout the year and I think they will be encouraged when they look back at their lists next year.

I designed a printable reading log and some planning worksheets that you can use for yourself or for your students! The reading log is for recording books as you finish reading them. There’s also a page to list books you are interested in reading next and a page to plan your monthly reading goals. Finally, there’s a page to write a more detailed overview of your book, including space for favorite quotes and other notes.

This is a 4-page PDF download with printable reading logs & other goal-setting worksheets. Click the image below to download. 

I encourage you to write down books you read about or hear about from friends and make a plan to read a couple each month! You can also add ideas to your kids’ lists and let them set their own reading goals (aside from assigned school reading). Use the book overview page to have your students record more details about the books they finished so they can remember their favorite quotes and other takeaways. You can even use the reading log for reading challenges that track the number of pages read.

Print as many as you like for personal or classroom use. But please direct your friends back to our shop if they would like to download their own.

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · MARCH 26, 2018

In our shop, we offer both printed paper posters and digital files that you can send to the print shop yourself.

Digital files are less expensive up front, so you may find that option more appealing. But don’t let the initial price be your deciding factor! In many cases, getting the digital files printed costs you more time and money than buying ready-made prints. So before you settle for the cheapest option, let me share some of the pros & cons of digital vs. printed art.

Spoiler alert: We highly recommend printed paper posters. You get better quality art for your time and money!

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING DIGITAL FILES VS. PRINTED ART:

PRICE:

The initial cost of the digital print is less, but don’t forget to factor in the cost of getting it printed. You might be surprised to know that the average price for large format printing for 18″ x 24″ posters is nearly $20! Office store chains have the highest prices, while local print shops may be able to do it for a little bit less. I checked with about a dozen printers in my local area and received similar quotes from each of them.

There are also discount online printers that charge less, but my experience has been that their quality standard is just not that high. I’ve ordered from a couple of the discount online printer shops with disappointing results— grainy resolution, incorrect color matching, and poor paper quality. You might even find yourself spending more money ordering samples to get a good print.

TIME:

Your digital print will be ready for download immediately, so you could theoretically get it printed the same day. Our paper posters are custom printed when you order. They are generally printed within 2-3 days and shipped then, so you should receive your order within 7-10 business days.

Same day printing is great…if you do it! I know some of you will have deadlines and motivation to get your posters printed right away, but most of you (myself included!) will end up too busy to figure out how to get the file to the print shop. I spoke with a couple of my first customers and they didn’t end up printing their posters for weeks because it was inconvenient!

Remember that your time is valuable. We spent many hours researching the best printer with the highest quality for the best price. Let us print it and ship it to your door so you don’t have to add extra errands to your already busy schedule!

QUALITY:

When you order paper prints from us, you can expect high-quality art prints. Our posters are printed on a sturdy paper with a matte finish, crisp lines, and legible details. Though colors can vary slightly depending on which machine is used, our test prints have all come back with colors that match what we see on our screen. If color and design are important to you (which I expect they do if you found our shop!), then you’ll be very pleased with our paper prints.

Our prints are carefully packaged in tubes with layers of tissue paper. The posters are rolled loosely, printed side out, so that the corners lie flat on the wall when you unroll them.

Though you can find this level of quality elsewhere, you should not expect to get this type of printing at large office stores or popular discount online printers.

4 REASONS YOU MIGHT PREFER A DIGITAL FILE:

• You need a different size than what we offer – The print file is 18″ x 24″ and can be sized down to 15” x 20”, 12” x 16”, and 9” x 12”. (We do not recommend smaller sizes for detailed designs, such as the periodic table. Scaling down works well for inspirational quotes and similar types of designs.) We offer both 18″x 24″ and 12″ x 16″ for most printed posters. If you need one of the other sizes, digital might be better for you. You are also welcome to contact us for special size requests. Many times we can accommodate special orders!

• You need to print more than one copy – You are welcome to print as many copies of the posters as needed for personal use. If you have several children in your family and want a copy for each child’s room or if you are a teacher and want to print new copies for your individual classroom when the original print becomes worn, the digital file might be a better option for you. (You may not make additional copies to sell or share with friends though. If you need to print copies in bulk, let us know and we can work out bulk pricing terms.)

• You have access to a large format color printer – Many schools and home businesses may have access to a large format printer. If you are able to print your own posters at a lower cost, then the digital file is a good option for you.

• You need it today – As I mentioned above, digital files are available immediately and can be printed the same day if you have an urgent need.

As you can tell, we highly recommend the printed paper posters in our shop! We’ve spent a lot of time ordering samples and searching for a quality print partner to make sure that you are delighted with your purchase. 

(Update: we have discontinued most digital prints in favor of paper prints, however, if you have an urgent need or prefer the digital file for some other reason, please contact us!)

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · MARCH 08, 2018

I have a free printable art print for you, homeschool moms! Sometimes we just need some inspirational words to keep us motivated. This is a gift to help inspire creative learning in your homes!

Not only will it remind you of the reasons why you educate your kids at home when you are feeling burned out, but maybe it will give your children some ideas of positive ways to spend their time this summer.

This mini-poster is a downloadable PDF file. It is sized 8.5" x 11" and 11" x 14". You can print it on regular printer paper and trim it to fit into an 8" x 10" frame. Or just stick it to your refrigerator as a lovely reminder for your kids to spend their time wisely this year. You can also send the larger size to the print shop!

HERE ARE A FEW WAYS THESE WORDS MIGHT INSPIRE YOU THIS YEAR!

• Read: Share a favorite book from your childhood with your children. Listen to some audiobooks on hot summer days.

• Think: Make plans for new things to learn next year. Take some time alone to write in a journal.

• Give: Clean your room and donate some of those unused toys. Earn some money and donate it to a good cause.

• Create: Learn a new craft together. Write a story and act it out with some friends.

• Serve: Volunteer with a local ministry or non-profit. Take a meal to a new mom or sick friend.

• Go: Act like a tourist in your own town and go see the sights. Look for short-term mission trips to do as a family.

• Love: Learn to love someone that seems unlovable by inviting them to spend time with your family. Practice loving each other with kind words every day.

• Celebrate: Plan a celebration for someone that has accomplished something important. Or celebrate for no reason.

• Discover: Go for a hike and look for wildlife you’ve never seen. Search the library for some new books.

• Work: Think of a house project for the whole family do together. Even better, think of something you can do for someone else!

• Laugh: Play some silly games together. Watch a funny movie.

• Study: Choose a special topic to study in-depth. Study your family members and learn something new about them.

• Build: Build a fort with scrap wood and extra nails. Build a collection of interesting things.

• Explore: Spend some time exploring your state parks as a family. Explore local restaurants and try some new food.

Click the image below to download.

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · JANUARY 03, 2018

Do you have a budding young scientist in your home? I have a couple of curious kiddos with endlessly inquisitive minds.

Maybe it’s the homeschool mom in me, but I prefer to give our children gifts that encourage them to develop their skills and interests. Not every great gift for children has to be a toy either. I’ve gathered a short list of my favorite science-related toys, games, books, art, and school supplies to share with you!

If you’re looking for gift ideas for your science-minded kids, I know you’ll love these!

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no cost to you! Thanks!)

15 GIFTS FOR KIDS THAT LOVE SCIENCE:

POSTED BY SARA CURTIS · NOVEMBER 23, 2017

Parents have the unique opportunity to shape their children’s view of the world through everyday interactions and conversations. My parents instilled in me the invaluable ability to see beauty in small things. Finding beauty in the everyday and mundane doesn’t come naturally to us. It is a learned behavior. As parents, we can help our children to see the world, looking for beauty in the small things; things that serve to remind us that God cares about the little things and uses beauty to point us back to his Ultimate Beauty.

When life becomes routine and mundane, when hard circumstances arise, this ability to see God’s beauty in the small things will carry our children through rough seasons of life.

HERE ARE 8 WAYS MY PARENTS HELPED ME TO SEE BEAUTY IN THE EVERYDAY:

1. MAKE IT A HABIT

Seeing beauty in the everyday is truly a habit. I didn’t learn to view the world in this way by going hiking once a year and visiting a few art museums. My mom and dad both pointed out bits of beauty on a daily basis, shaping me to view the world in the same way. If you don’t already take the time to notice, you will need to develop this habit in yourself. As you learn to take notice of beauty in the small things, you’ll naturally want to draw attention to it for the children.

2. TRAVEL LOCALLY

You don’t need to be vacationing or planning month-long cross-country trips all the time. My parents often took spontaneous road trips to quaint little villages and some busy big cities in our local area. Our local travels (which I didn’t always appreciate) cultivated a passion for beauty as we studied the scenery, architecture, and art found on those excursions. We tried different types of food and listened to different music. We went to art festivals and learned how artisans made their products. I learned that beauty comes in many forms and from many different cultural backgrounds.

3. POINT OUT BEAUTIFUL OR AMAZING ARCHITECTURE

Growing up on the East Coast, there was no shortage of old buildings with artisan details. It would have been easy to walk by those details without a second glance, but my mom always took a few seconds to point out the intricate bits. If you don’t live in a city with older architecture, you can still find beauty in the amazing engineering feats of modern buildings. While these aren’t directly made by God, you can also take the time to point out how amazing the human brain is and how God gave humans creative abilities and intelligence. This brings me to another point…

4. STUDY THE HUMAN BODY

So, maybe you don’t think organs and blood vessels are beautiful. Take the time to study how the body works. The way that God intricately designed each body system to work together is beautiful! Each chemical and biological process points back to a magnificent Creator & Designer. You could spend a lifetime studying these things and never reach the end of the beauty to be found.

You don’t have to love biology as much as my mom did (regularly pulling out the microscope to look at stuff), but take the time to draw attention to God’s incredible design.

5. RESTORE OLD THINGS

My parents moved every couple of years, buying homes in need of cosmetic updates and fixing them up to sell. I developed the ability to see past ugly wallpaper and carpet to see the potential of what could be. This is not only a helpful skill for updating old homes but also for dealing with people. Some people look rough on the outside but have an abundance of potential waiting to be uncovered.

You don’t have to be an expert DIY’er to restore something old. Find a small piece of furniture that needs a little sanding and a coat of spray paint. Fix up some broken electronics. Find a dying plant and nurse it back to health. Polish and restore some old leather shoes or bags. Clean and repurpose something from the thrift store. It doesn’t matter what it is, just make a habit of restoring old things to usefulness and beauty.

6. TALK TO PEOPLE

My dad is a talker. He loves people and takes the time to stop and have conversations wherever he may be. This was embarrassing when I was a teenager, but my dad saw beauty in listening to people’s stories and encouraging them in their lives.

My 80-year-old neighbor is also a great example of seeing beauty through everyday conversations. Each week he recounts a few encounters he had with people in the store or the doctor’s office, in which some part of the conversation reminded him of God’s goodness. Most of us would miss the beauty in these “normal” conversations, but he has trained himself to recognize the Lord’s beauty in the hearts of other people.

Share your encouraging conversations with your children. Point out how you see God working through people to bring beauty into your life.

7. SPEND TIME IN NATURE

This is an easy one! Go for a hike. As a kid, I did not really enjoy hiking, but I’m thankful that my parents continued to drag me along regardless of my bad attitude.

If you have young children, go exploring around the yard for beautiful treasures. Little flower buds, the patterns on pinecones, the watercolor sunset, and the bright colors of bugs and lizards are all little bits of beauty God intends for us to notice and, in turn, praise him. Don’t let your children miss these because you are too busy to stop and notice!

8. READ GOOD LITERATURE

Great writing and quality illustrations train your children to notice details as well. Most homeschooling moms have no lack of great books available to their children. Take the time to point out interesting illustrations, and read aloud to children of all ages. Read through descriptions of nature or people slowly, and practice copying or writing detailed descriptions that share beauty through words. My mom continued to read aloud to my sister and me, even through high school, stopping to comment on beautiful details and descriptions.