Brand New eBooks Coming Soon!
Have you already been through all our free 2-minute drawing videos? If so, I am so excited to announce that 2 more ALL NEW eBooks are coming soon! Click read more to watch my video on more info about the NEW eBooks! 
art and learning
10 Family Fun Activities for April
“Spring with its waving green grass and heaps of sweet-smelling flowers on every hill and in every dale. “- Roy Bean
April is a great month to welcome Spring and enjoy the beautiful weather with outdoor activities! Enjoy these 10 activities I found that are fun for the whole family:
- Enjoy a Springtime Craft like Handprint Flowers!
- Welcome the birds back by making a birdhouse!
- Enjoy the outdoors and spring weather with a Nature Scavenger Hunt!
- Have some fun showing off your artistic abilities and color outside with chalk!
- Walk to the nearest playground or have your little one ride their bike!
Franchise USA Article: Mastering the Art of Franchising
I’ve recently been featured in the latest issue of Franchising USA Magazine. Check out my article here, “Mastering the Art of Franchising” or by visiting the Young Rembrandts Franchise site . Here’s a sneak peak…
“The Young Rembrandts difference is that it’s not just a business or product, it’s a mission,” explains Fetter. “Our franchisees are passionate and mission orientated and the quality of the product 
doesn’t compare to just any art class. It’s been designed very intentionally to maximize the amount of impact we believe art can have on children academically and holistically.”
World Autism Awareness Month
The month of April has the wonderful distinction of being Autism Awareness Month, and today, April 2nd, is World Autism Day. Autism is a neurological disorder that disrupts a person’s learning and socialization. While it affects over 1.5 million people in the U.S., it’s considered a ‘spectrum’ disorder because the characteristics vary from person to person.
Click the title for more!
Insights from Children’s Art Expert Bette Fetter: Top Blog Posts for March 2014
Move that table. It’s blocking the sun.
How can you have a sunny day at the beach, while confined to the Chicago suburbs over spring break?? If your kids have a spirit of adventure, an active imagination and a few choice props – anything is possible.
One of my favorite ‘staycation’ family memories happened years ago when our girls were in elementary school. It was spring break and we were excited to have a week without homework and time constraints, mom included. And at our house that meant lots more time for playful adventures.
One day, without realizing what I would inspire, I brought home three inexpensive pink and white striped tote bags, one for each daughter. Inside each bag was a pair of summer flip-flops. As I gave the girls their tote bags, I could see big sister Laurie’s wheels start turning. She quickly swept her younger sisters into her imagination and upstairs to change. Soon they reappeared holding beach towels, wearing swimsuits, sunglasses and their new flip-flops. The dining room chairs were quickly moved away from the table, the towels spread out underneath and a sunny afternoon beach adventure ensued.
How can you encourage creative at home adventures?
Spring Break: Planning a Staycation Day 3
Living in Illinois, I know that spring break isn’t always warm and pleasant. With 4 children and 2 grandchildren, I have previously spent hours devising ways to keep the kids busy and out of trouble on days we are stuck inside. Today I want to share some of my best ideas for indoor staycation activities, letting your kids have fun and you have a break. 
Build an Art Spot- Designating an ‘art spot’ for the kids is a wonderful way to encourage independence and get hours of quiet time (that don’t involve a screen)! This is key to a successful Staycation whether your home to play or not, kids can have fun in here doing art for hours on end. Make sure your spot is well supplied and that artists can utilize it without the need of adult supervision. If you’re short on real-estate, a low and easy-to-open drawer works well – load it with paper and compartmentalize the materials with supply bins. Want to really go all out with your space? Here are some amazing ideas to inspire you.
Spring Break: Planning a Staycation Day 2
Staycation is off to a great start, I am unable to take off work full time this year but I have made a few allowances to let myself out early and relax in this pretty season. 
Hopefully you have been able to do the same! Today on my Staycation list, I have some fun outdoor activities to get the kids into. These are fun for the family but it’s also easy to let the kids out on their own as you relax.
