It's in the Bag

Please excuse my long absence in blogging. Daniel was working to create a newly designed laundry room at his parents' house over the past week, and the kids and I accompanied him to enjoy a lovely week in the big city of Odessa. That's right, Slowdeatha. We saw all the sights, or at least Taco Villa, Rosa's, Yana's... now I'm beginning to wonder if we did anything but eat. BUT... Don't forget that we are dieting. Who knew Rosa's and Taco Villa served salads?! In all my years of bean burritos and chips/queso, I had never partaken of either establishments' salads. But, that's enough about the food.

I did take two days off work in the week we were gone, and was able to use one of those days to get ahead in the Valentine's game. We don't celebrate the silly commercial day at the Hardy house, but that doesn't stop the kids' schools from having blowout parties that require our participation. Since I had the time, and I've had the itch to do something crafty, I copied this idea I found on another blog.

I started by making treat bags of yummy jelly beans and gummy Sweet Tarts.

Remember, I've got two kids, so that's two classes, a few cousins and some neighbors who need to know we love them...

Then, my first owned stamp was acquired.

When I searched the Hobby Lobby and Michael's stamp aisles, I was amazed! (Heather D. - are you reading this?) I had no idea the complexity of stamps. I've known quite a few people who are into the stamping crafts, but I've never had anything to do with it. Does anyone know what a clear stamp is? I just didn't get it. Both stores had an aisle of stamping paraphernalia that was befuddling to my meager crafting mind. I just wanted an itty-bitty heart and some cheap red ink. 

Anyways, the stamp was used to pretty-up this commercial-size coffee filter.

I stuck the treat bag in the coffee filter and then tied it up with some cute, gingham ribbon.

The pleats in the filter make a cute flower at the top of the treat. 

I know, I know. These are mostly going out to 4/5 and 2/3 year-olds tomorrow, so I'm not anticipating any impressed recipients. But, I had fun making them and I relish the idea of not having to send Dora or Veggie-Tales paper Valentine's with some cheesy saying that none of them can read with the kids tomorrow. And, I now own a stamp and have enough filters left over that I can make the same treats for both Abigail and Cooper's  classes every year until they complete their doctoral programs.