Happy Valentines Day!

With three boys in elementary school and one in preschool there were a lot of Valentine's to make this year.  85 to be exact.  And with 4 very different personalities, they each wanted something a bit different.  

Of course the first place I headed when I needed an idea was Pinterest.  Who hasn't been lost there for hours on end?  Aidan (7) happened to see this idea and he really liked it, so his were pretty easy thanks to my camera and My Digital Studio.

Connor (8) is my funny-man.  He's always crackin' jokes and laughing so his needed to be something funny.  He "totally got" the smartie pants joke right away and again, thanks to My Digital Studio and the Celebrate Any Day Designer Kit download (which has the pants image), he was able to assemble his cards all on his own.  We just printed the card, attached a Smarties candy to each leg and then cut out another pair of pants to attach on top.

Declan (4) LOVES the Big Shot.  Anytime I have die cutting to do he wants to crank it so I knew his Valentines would include some die cuts.  There are some peanut allergies in his class we we opted for lollipops and he did all the die cutting to make these adorable flowers using the Fun Flowers Bigz Die.

Finally, my eldest Lucas (10) is getting to the age when cutsie Valentine's are just not cool.  By this age, its really all just about the candy.  I get that but I just couldn't let 'neckid' candy be given so we wrapped the Hershey miniatures in Designer Series paper and added a nice little tag.  He was able to do all the wrapping, stamping and die cutting himself!  I stepped in when monotony threatened to take over but they turned out great.

I can't show you the Valentines I made for some of my girlfriends yet because several of them read this blog and they wont be getting theirs till we get together on Friday so you will have to wait too.  I do have one more thing I can share though.  I mentioned the My Digital Studio program earlier and if you are not familiar with it, it is a digital papercrafting program offer by Stampin' Up!  Its a wonderful way to create photo books, calendars, scrapbook pages, cards, flyers, invitation or just about anything else you can come up with.  Want to see what else I just created with it?

 Connor is having a sleepover campout birthday party (yeah for Feb weather in Texas!) so I made the invitations for it.  I used the Happy Camper Digital Download and was able to use the coloring tool to make the flames of the campfire various colors.  The best part about My Digital Studio is that you can try it for FREE!  Click on the SHOP button on the right and download your free trial offer today and see what you can create.

Happy Valentine's Day!
Heather

A Fairy Tale Come True!

Once upon a time there was a crafting princess who suffered from 3 ailments...

• She didn't have enough TIME to craft.
• She didn't know WHAT to create.
• She didn't have the SPACE to store a ton of crafting supplies.

Then along came her fairy godmother with Paper Pumpkin!  This is a wonderful new program that Stampin' Up! is starting.  Every month a new surprise project kit arrives on your doorstep to whisk you away for a 30 minute journey into creativity.  All the coordinated materials come measured, precut and ready to assemble - including directions.  Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper and accessories; everything to complete the project except adhesive.  The best part - its only $19.95 per month including shipping!

The first kits will begin shipping the 15th of March but you need to sign up by the 10th of the month to ensure you receive the kit for that month.  There is no commitment required, you can cancel your subscription anytime and you can even skip a month if you need to.

So forget Prince Charming.  Hop on over to Paper Pumpkin now to sign up now.  Even if you consider yourself more of a crafting ugly step-sister, you will LOVE this program.  Please be sure to indicate me as your demonstrator when prompted (Heather Wilber, zip code 78665).  You will receive a free gift from me if you do!

Bippity Boppity Bo!
Heather

I'm not intimidated anymore!

Chics 'n Chocolate was a blast!  Eleven dear friends enjoyed making three projects, chocolate wine and this yummy chocolate 'mountain' (as my 4 yr old calls it).  

We started with the projects so as to not have to work with chocolate fingers.  I think they were anxious to get to it cuz they worked hard and fast.  About half the group had never stamped before so it was such a joy to watch them create for the first time.  Many of them started with that look of dread.  I could almost hear them thinking "oh no, I can't do that" or "mine is never going to look like hers."  As I watched and helped each one complete their projects I saw that look change.  They all loved their projects and felt so good about what they had made.  One guest commented that if she sent this to her mom, she would probably show it off like she did her handmade projects when she was little.  Another was so proud of herself she wasn't sure she'd be able to give her projects away.

Later that night as we crawled into bed, my husband asked how the night went and if it was successful.  I smiled as I told him that it wasn't the sales or the bookings that made it a success, it was hearing this from a first time crafter; "I'm not intimated anymore!  I realized I can do this!  And it was so fun!"  THAT is why I do what I do.  That is what I LOVE about what I do.  THAT is what Stampin' Up! is all about.

To love what we do and share what we love,

as we help others enjoy creativity

and worthwhile accomplishments...

in this we make a difference!

                                                   - Statement of the Heart

Heather

Chics 'n Chocolate

Its a wonderful combination.  Chocolate, wine, and creating with your girlfriends.  What could be better?  Join me this Friday night as we celebrate our other Valentines... our girlfriends!  We will create a couple great chocolate-themed projects to show our love to our favorite gals and then spend the rest of the evening enjoying a chocolate fountain.  This event is free but you need to rsvp so I have enough wine and chocolate materials prepared.  :)

And there is another great promotion!  Can you believe it?  On top of the amazing, the awesome, the over-the-top Sale-a-Bration, Stampin' Up! is offering another promotion as well.  Get the exclusive Sent with Love Stamp Set or Designer Series Paper or buy them in a bundle with Calypso Coral Bakers Twine for 20% off!  Click the Shop Now button on the right to get yours today.

I will leave you with a project I made for my Mary Kay Consultant.  She is so sweet and helpful so I wanted to give her a little thank you gift.

 I used Basic Black and Pretty in Pink card stock for both the purse box and the card.  The box contained some dark chocolates.  The card used the bee image from Nature Walk as well as the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and the Dots Embossing Folder.  If you know the Mary Kay story you know the significance of the bee.

Lastly, did you know if you hit the Follow button on the upper left you will receive any new posts automatically to your email?  It will save you from having to remember to come back each week and you'll never miss the exciting news!

Heather