Short Cut to view Heritage Makers Studio Art

Ever wanted to see all the Heritage Makers Art in one convenient place?
Someone recently posted this awesome short cut to our studio art browser.

click here to browse the Studio Art Collections

here you can look at the thumbnails of all our art collections or click on the collection to open and view each piece individually.  Type in keywords to search for a specific theme or embellishment.  What a time saver to help plan out a project and get ideas.

I dont remember who posted this link on facebook but Thanks SO much!!!

Melissa

Heritage Makers Overview

I just got back from celebrating the 5year anniversary of Heritage Makers.  Most of you have heard of my passion for amazing company but just in case you wandered here from another blog I thought Id post a quick overview of what Heritage Makers is.

I hope you will check out this video (about 3 minutes) and that maybe I can help you or someone you know in preserving the important moments in your life. 

We continue to lead the way in advancements for Digital Storybooking and yet we are still a ground floor opportunity.  Consultants who come in now have the best of both worlds.  We've been around long enough to get past growing pains and yet its still young enough that its not saturated.

Contact me if you or someone you know is interested in helping us with our mission.

Melissa

Best of Heritage- Before you were 5

Every year my company Heritage Makers holds a Convention, but for us its called  "Reunion".  This is very fitting because we are like one giant family.  I have friends all over the country and Canada, some I've never met and only know online, or through company conference calls and some i see once a year at these events.  When we get together you meet new friends, old friends, and it truly is like a family reunion.

Every year they give out awards to some stories that exemplify why we do what we do.  Each story is inspirational, moving and often results in heartfelt tears.  This year was no different.

Being a mom of young children heres the one that got to me this year and reminded me of how priceless every moment is.

WARNING: You probably need tissues to watch this.

If you or someone you know has a story to tell or would like to help us with our mission please contact me.  We need more moments, stories and lives preserved through story.  They are just too precious to miss.

Melissa

WOW- the Best Gift Ever

Wow its Wednesday.  Time to reflect and share things that wow or inspire me.  This week i want to highlight my friend Heidi Arave's Blog.  specifically a gift she made her husband for their anniversary.

Let me start by saying Marriage is HARD.  If you aren't married you wont understand until you are.

BUT for those of us who found our Prince Charming soon realized that the fairy tales and even the view we had of our parents often skewed what married life would really be like.  My husband and I have struggled through our own hardships like many married couples i know.  You each bring in your own baggage, you think you understand it all but one day you realize the life you wanted for your family and the one you are living are not the same.  For us I am happy we realized what was happening and began to change it before it drove us apart.

This is why I feel like highlighting Heidis blog today.  A lot of marriages end in divorce after just a few years.  Making it to any milestone like 10 years is just not as common as it used to be and I think its important to celebrate these milestone.

For their anniversary she just made a gift for her husband that i think every guy would like.  Now not every guy would like a scrapbook (thats way too girly).  But doesnt every guy read tons of magazines?  I know my husband does.  How cool to make a magazine about thier marriage, family and all the memories they have.  I am WOWed by this and just cant wait to make my own.  How special he must have felt to receive this.

Check it out here.  Best Gift Ever

What an awesome idea for fathers day too.  I am inspired to make a magazine called "Father of the Year".   If you want to make a magazine like this set up a free account on my website www.DigitalStorybooks.com and you can get started today.  Contact me and i can help guide you or even find a simple template to make your project go smoother and faster.

I know mothers day just ended but have you started to think about him.  What ideas do you have?  Please share what you plan to do to show him hes appreciated.

WOW- the Best Gift Ever

Wow its Wednesday.  Time to reflect and share things that wow or inspire me.  This week i want to highlight my friend Heidi Arave's Blog.  specifically a gift she made her husband for their anniversary.

Let me start by saying Marriage is HARD.  If you aren't married you wont understand until you are.

BUT for those of us who found our Prince Charming soon realized that the fairy tales and even the view we had of our parents often skewed what married life would really be like.  My husband and I have struggled through our own hardships like many married couples i know.  You each bring in your own baggage, you think you understand it all but one day you realize the life you wanted for your family and the one you are living are not the same.  For us I am happy we realized what was happening and began to change it before it drove us apart.

This is why I feel like highlighting Heidis blog today.  A lot of marriages end in divorce after just a few years.  Making it to any milestone like 10 years is just not as common as it used to be and I think its important to celebrate these milestone.

For their anniversary she just made a gift for her husband that i think every guy would like.  Now not every guy would like a scrapbook (thats way too girly).  But doesnt every guy read tons of magazines?  I know my husband does.  How cool to make a magazine about thier marriage, family and all the memories they have.  I am WOWed by this and just cant wait to make my own.  How special he must have felt to receive this.

Check it out here.  Best Gift Ever 

What an awesome idea for fathers day too.  I am inspired to make a magazine called "Father of the Year".   If you want to make a magazine like this set up a free account on t my website www.DigitalStorybooks.com and you can get started today.  Contact me and i can help guide you or even find a simple template to make your project go smoother and faster.

I know mothers day just ended but have you started to think about him.  What ideas do you have?  Please share what you plan to do to show him hes appreciated.

Melissa & Doug Toys cheap or even FREE

I am always on the lookout for inexpensive toys or even free one.  But sometimes they arent always the best.

TODAY on One Kings Lane you can get Melissa & Doug puzzles and wooden toys for very little cost or even free.  I love Melissa & Doug stuff.  its educational, role playing and quite sturdy.  

One Kings Lane is a discount site that sells lots of top brand items for less.  They usually have lots of vases, candles, home decor type items.  they are discounted name brands but often still quite pricey.  I have seen items ranging from $7 up to the $1000's.

When you sign up (or at least when I did) I got a $15 store credit to spend AND it can even apply to shipping.  I hadnt really seen anything I wanted until NOW.  Most people have been picking up a free vase, candle or small decorative bowl.  I just kind of wanted to wait until i really loved something.  

NOW I WANT IT ALL>

SO if you go to www.onekingslane.com and sign up now you may get that $15 credit and be able to snag a toy for free...  and may see some others that you cant pass up too.

HUGE CANVAS SALE!!!

Heritage Makers started carrying canvas' prints a while ago but now they come gallery wrapped for free so there is no frame needed.  Over the last year they have greatly expanded the range of sizes.  I swear you can get a canvas printed to fit anywhere in your home.

Plus they are so gorgeous!!!

What I am so excited about is that there is a huge sale going on that I just realized how completely awesome it is.  Just like restaurants are offering a bonus $10 gift card when you buy a $50 one. 

Heritage Makers Is offering a bonus with your purchase right now.  I dont see an end date right now but I thought it was just for November so today might be the last day!

Its like a "Make Your Own Sale" sale.  

You purchase $200 in credits but get an additional $110 bonus so for $200 you can pick out $310 worth in gifts (this does not include tax or shipping).  This is equal to 3 16x20 canvas’ AND 2 8x8 canvas’.  

But for just $80 more they will add another $100 bonus.  So for $280 you can pick out $490 worth in gifts (that’s $210 free).  This is equal to 4 16x20 canvas’ AND 4 8x8 canvas’.  

This would give you 8 gifts and makes the large one $50 each and the small one only $20 each!!! 

Think of people you would usually spend about $20 - $50 on…  these would make an awesome gift!  heres two beach themed ones...  can you see I am thinking warm thoughts.  :)

This is just an unbelievable deal.  I am already thinking of who I can cross off my Christmas list with these. 

The great thing is you dont have to be ready to make the canvas' now you just prepay for them and then have up to 2 years to make them.  

But if you are like me and planning out gifts you still have a few days to customize them and get them ordered for Christmas.  Is just a great deal.

You must contact me to get this price.  go to my website and click on contact me.  If you email me your phone number I can call you and put your order in right away.

Just imagine thats 8 people checked off your Christmas list.  YEAH!!!

~Melissa

Christmas Advents, Calendars, Countdowns and more...

So tomorrow officially begins the countdown to Christmas.  Do you have an advent yet?  I have seen so many cute ideas and have been busy crafting a few of my own.  Check them out maybe it will give you your own ideas.  I dont have pictures of mine yet but will share the photos from one of my friends.  Check out Heid'is blog for other great Heritage ideas.

The first is called Countdown Blocks. I absolutely love these and know my children are going to have a blast flipping their photos each day.

 

it was so easy to make.  I designed a 12x12 scrapbook page on my website www.digitalstorybooks.com then when it came in the mail I cut it apart and glued the pieces to wood cubes.  You can find 3x3 or 4x4 blocks in most craft stores but I cut my own from wood that was being discarded on the side of the road.

Since I have 2 children I made sure each block has all photos of my son and the other is all my daughter.  I could just hear my oldest if i didnt...  "why are both pictures Xander today... " insert winy noise here....

The pages cost $3.95 and about $1.50 for shipping if you only ship one sheet at a time.

heres another one I am planning to make.  so what if it comes a little later.  I still love it.  Again it uses 12x12 pages; 2 stacked together and then you cut the windows with an exacto knife so the kids can open them later.  Under each window you can put photos or little holiday traditions like watch a christmas movie, bake cookies, make a craft.  what a fun way to make sure you are doing all the little family things that make the holidays so much fun.  This will help to keep me from waiting until the last week to try to cram in all my favorite activities.

The next one would be great fun in a kitchen.  I saw this exact thing in hallmark i am sure it was so much more then making it yourself.  It uses a 12x12 glued to a cookie sheet found at the dollar store.  then a second 12x12 page you cut out the presents attach to tiles found at a hardware store and glue magnets on the back.  Heres a hint I found some self adhesive magnets at walmart and they were cheaper then ones you glue yourself.

*** It is important to note that these are not printed on photo paper.  Photos would run if you tried to decoupage over them!!!  You could laminate a photo to achieve similar results but mine come printed with a special coating on them to save you this step.  Also all of the above are templates that my clients can use on my website  so it would save you some work.  You just drop your photo in pre-designed sheets.  If you dont have one you can set up your own account at www.digitalstorybooks.com to start making your own heritage projects.

Send me photos of what you come up with.

~Melissa

Planning out your Christmas.

So I have been very busy making, planning, and buying supplies for Christmas gifts...  Yeah like most I usually bite off more then I can chew.

I always make at least a homemade ornament but this year I am quite determined to make a lot of my gifts at least for most people.  One person in particular has asked for only one thing LOTS OF COFFEE!!! lol. You know who you are.  Living in various areas of the country I too learned that there was really only one coffee i could drink without getting the shakes.  and since I can understand the absolute necessity for drinkable coffee  maybe I will have to get creative with its presentation.

To save some stress i always try to plan as much as I can ahead of time.  Yes I realize the dreaded "BLACK FRIDAY" has come and gone and maybe some of this would have helped more before but in the last few years I have seen just as good deals closer to Christmas as there is black friday.  In fact this year I didnt venture out to any of the big dept stores.  So hopefully this will help you recollect and get organized after the chaos and remember what you got and what your plans were.

So here is what has worked for me in the past.  I take a notebook and list out ALL the people I plan to buy gifts for and a dollar amount/value I wish to spend on their gifts.  Some will have a whole page to themselves (Depending on who they are and the dollar amount) and sometimes I will list a whole family down the side of one page.  For example my children, husband and I each have our own page, my extended family gets about a half a page each, and friends are listed with a few lines each.

You could do this in an email as well but I like having something tangible I can take shopping with me.  This notebook becomes my ideas, brainstorms and eventual shopping list.  I also use it to list prices I saw at various stores or websites.

Once I buy things I list it in the book with the $ value AND the amount spent if I got it on sale.  this helps me stay on budget and also lets me know if I hit my limit for the person yet or if  hit my VALUE even without hitting dollars spent (due to thrifty shopping).

I also put on their lists handcrafted ideas and use the back pages to help plan out shopping lists for those ideas.

This year I am planning to make some "Holiday Survival Kits"  I am still not sure what will end up in them but a few ideas are pancakes in a jar (for Christmas morning breakfast), some cocoa (for after sledding), popcorn (for watching a holiday movie), coffee, maybe a decoration for the house, and possibly some adult beverages.
So this is all listed in my book and as I think of things I add it.

Does this mean everything in my book will be bought or made....  Absolutely not but it keeps me from forgetting those great ideas, or buying too much for one person and forgetting others.

I hope these ideas help you have a smoother holiday.

Please comment with your ideas for staying organized and on track this season.

~Melissa

Back again...

SO you may have noticed I havent blogged in a while.  thats an understatement.

I had some technical issues and well, got very frustrated.  Then had some family issues too and it was just easier to let this project sit on the side for a while.  But I have missed it and now am ready to take it on again.  I hope you will join me as i celebrate my favorite time of the year.  Christmas.

Ever since I was a little girl I have been making handmade gifts and this year is no different.

Make sure to click "become a follower" because you wont want to miss all the great ideas I have for easy holiday gifts that even you can make this holiday season.

~Melissa

FREE Robeez arrived today!!!

If you remember back around Christmastime I said I was pretty sure I was getting free Robeez for a post about giving back this season..  They came today.

Cute brown ones with little cement mixers on the top.  I immediately put them on Xander to see what he thought...  He was very interested in the truck. :)  They seemed to help him slip less when standing.  I thought I had asked for the 18-24 size but got the 12-18 size.  which do seem small for him so make sure to have your store clerk check sizing.

AND in the box with it was a $50 Gift Card to stride right.  yeah now I can get some shoes for me!!! Believe me I NEED SHOES.  why is mom always last.  hmmm.

We loved these with Allie and paid for the top line shoes but they were worth it.  When I had a chance to get them FREE I jumped.  scroll through the boys shoes here...  am I the only one who thinks the dragons are adorable???

They are having a 50% off sale at www.robeez.com right now and its not all winter.  Check it out you may find something cute for a great price...

Want to see more contests for you to win free stuff too???  become a follower of this blog and also subscribe to my email feed.  The more people I have listed as followers the more pull I have to get contests and giveaways so I can give you free things too.

 let me know if you have things youd like to see me cover in my posts...  I am always open to ideas.  Thanks for reading.

WOW... TROPICANA ... Awesome rewards program sign up now

Tropicana is jumping on the "customer reward" band wagon. I give it TWO THUMBS UP (and toes, feet, actually I am jumping up and down about what I saw so far)!!!  This really is a JUICY reward program. so much so I chose this to be my WOW its Wednesday feature this week.

It seems every time we turn around another company is trying to create a program to "reward" us for using their product.  I checked out the rewards and am quite impressed.  They have discounts to use at parks, fairs, the circus, sporting events, bowling... the rewards seem to promote healthy family fun activities!!!  I love it.  and they didnt seem to need as many purchases to achieve as most reward programs do.

One thing I saw was a B1G1 admission to use at Cocokeys indoor waterpark in Fitchburg, MA!!!  I noticed this because we have been talking about going there.  I already have 4 pts and this reward only needed 1pt!  1 pt to save me $30wow!!!  So join in and see what activities it might save you money on.

Heres 3 codes to help get you started.
LA73E CL9W4
SAVVY-AUNTI
YAHOO-34765


Take the survey at sign up and you'll earn a 4th pt too.  Reports have it if you sign up your grocery card it gives you another one but I put bigy as my grocery store and it never asked for my store id#.  Try Stop and shop or another store card and see if it works for you.

I am glad I can share things like this with you. Have you seen a great deal that needs sharing?  contact me.  

Heres where I heard about it this reward program...  http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/02/tropicana-juicy-rewards/#disqus_thread

Pop Chips- YUMMY and great customer service.

a few weeks ago I found a link on some blog (sorry I dont remember who) to try a new type of chip; called "Popchips".  They aren't fried or baked instead they apply heat and pressure and the potatoes "POP" into a chip.

I signed up for a free trial but later got an email saying the link was a mistake and instead got a coupon that expired within 3 days.  They are sold in target and several grocery stores in the west.  I was disappointed since the chances of me making it to Target in 3 days was slim. but instead of just complaining to everyone else I wrote back to them and explained how I felt and that I was very interested in their product.

They emailed me back an apology and sent me a care package!!!  It arrived yesterday and my daughter and I could hardly wait to dig in and try them.  Inside the box was not just one sample but SIX different flavors!!!  We were excited. which to try first?

Sour cream and onion.  and those of you who know me I checked the ingredients first...no bat poop (guano) YEAH!!!

I have to say they were AMAZING.  I love them.  they were light and fluffy and kind of reminded me of munchos (which i used to love) but these are even tastier.  I could have eaten all of the bags in one sitting but had to restrain myself.  I cant wait to devour I mean try the other flavors.  Unfortunately I now find out that no store around me sells them.  ARGG.  but they can be ordered online.

If you find these in a store near you they are definitely worth trying.  I just want to thank the people over at "popchips" for their great product and great customer service.  Even my daughter gives them a thumbs up...

Now I will have to put a request in to Big Y and stop and shop to start carrying these.  I cant wait until these are available locally.

FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

SO I was doing some shopping at Big Y last night to pick up some cheap deals.  and at the register they had Blockbuster Express coupons for a FREE night rental. Thats right a FREE night.  Its not a rent one get one free or a rent and get the second night free.

Just a plain old FREE rental!!!  YEAH.

Simply enter code GT9SA when prompted at the kiosk.  this code expires 02/28/2010

I know what we're doing this weekend.  FREE Family movie night.

Whats even better is this is one of the rewards for Allies "Getting caught" cards.  SO Alie thinks shes getting a special reward and our wallets get a break.  :)

Now just to figure out what movie we want...  let me know what movie you watch this weekend.

Chores, Manners and Rewards for Preschoolers

I thought I had posted about this already but couldnt find it...  Maybe i just posted it on my facebook.  ANyway...


We were having issues with manners and getting ready for school on time (and sometimes still do). 


I had a "chore" chart I made in my MOPs group.  Its a poster with velcro images that were meant to help preschoolers get ready for their day.  We moved her picture under the items she had done like get dressed, brush teeth, eat breakfast...  something simple she could follow and when she reached the end she was ready to go.  That worked for a little while but then she just ignored it.  


I found us giving lots of time outs and seemed like we were always focusing on negative behavior and not rewarding her for positive things.  SO I decided we needed a new system.


My sister was using a deck of cards to reward her sons and it gave me this idea.  I made a deck of cards each one  with positive traits/manners that I wanted her to learn printed on it.  I made them all cute with her favorite colors and photos on them.  And then half of the deck I printed rewards I thought she would enjoy.  Things like a family movie night, getting her nails painted, computer time... etc.  


Heres what I came up with.  



If you cant see the project above try clicking here.

Oh and the card that looks a little goofed up is the one Allie made. :)  She likes to work on the computer.

If you want to make a deck of your own set up your own free account on my my website www.DigitalStorybooks.com   then start a new project or look through the thousands of ideas in our template gallery.  Do you wish yours looked like mine?  Just contact me and I can give you a template of the one I made for Allie.  You just swap out the photos and change the wording for your family/child and then publish.  Its that easy.

I hope this helps give you some ideas.  It definitely has helped us recognize the good things she is doing even on the days we may have a few battles.  We can see at the end of the day that it wasnt ALL bad...  :)

CVS for $0!!! 01/26 I had to share.

I went to a different CVS today and had the best experience.  Its off the beaten path but I was out that way already and decided to stop in for a quick peak.  Its a small store and I have never been in it.  Boy am I glad stopped in.  There was hardly anyone in there and although I had a bit of a time locating things due to the strange layout the good new is they had almost everything all the other stores were sold out of.

YEAH!!!  I finally got my soy joy bars.  I wonder if I will even like them now that I found them.  We'll see.  They were free to try.

SO heres what I picked up for FREE.  Thats right ZERO DOLLARS TODAY.  I was super excited.

4 Glade Air and Fabric freshener sprays
3 boxes of Soy Joy 6 bars each box
3 Ivory soap 3bars per pack
2 Thermacare heat wraps (raincheck)
and a little baby hand...  lol Xander was trying to move my stuff so this photo had to be quick.  He likes to play demolition derby by smashing a toy against another... see it in his hand going for the soap.... lol.

I will break this up per transaction so you can see how it was all free

Transaction #1
2 therma care wraps $2.49
- $2 ($1 off coupon each)
Used $2 ECB (from last week)
Total OOP $1.04 recieved $6 ECB back (yup it rounded up and I got an extra $1)

Transaction #2
1 box of Soy Joy Bars $6
3 packs of soap $.99 each
- $2.98 ($1 off each bar of soap adjusted to fit price)
Total was $6 used $6 ECB from above transaction

Transaction #3 and #4
Soy joy box $6
Used $6 ECB from the transaction before to pay for it

Transaction #5
2 glade sprays $3.99 each
Used $6 ECB and $1 ECB reward for using my own bags/green tag
Total $1.04 (with tax) received $6 ECB

Transaction #6
2 glade sprays $3.99 each
used $6 ECB from above
total $2.08 received $6 ECB

Total OOP $4.16 I started with $2 ECB so thats $6.16 but I ended with $6 ECB
Total COST is $.16

OK so thats not FREE but come on its just the tax.  :)  a great start to the week but I probably cant keep it up as theres some double packs I have my eye on...  Check back often to see how I am doing.

CHEAP PAMPERS AT RITE AID!!!

Rite Aid cheap Pampers this month..  Heres how.

There is a P&G rebate spend $25 get a $5 visa card, spend $50 get $15, spend $100 get $35.

Last time they did something similar I didnt realize until the last day that it included diapers... I had to run out to buy diapers just before the store closed.  This time I am ready ahead of time and wanted to let you know about it too.

If you buy 5 packs of diapers during the rebate period it would only cost you $6 per pack.  Interested?  heres how it works.

If you ONLY bought diapers it would be 5 LARGE BOXES  $19.99 each and a small P&G item since you will be pennies shy of $100.

break it up into orders of $25 by adding in other items you need or other rebates. And use this coupon $5 off $25 purchase coupon  no print limit.  

each order should be about $25

a pack of diapers $19.95 and a $5 item (make sure at least one order has a small P&G item)
use $5 off $25 coupon
use $2 off pampers from the paper a few weeks ago
any coupons for other items

cost for the 5 boxes of diapers
$100
- $25 (5 off 25 coupons x 5 orders)
- $10 (2 off pampers coupons x 5)
= $65 OOP
- $35 P&G visa card (comes in the mail to spend on something else later)
= $30 for 5 BIG BOXES of Pampers or $6 per box!!!

*** don’t have the $2 off coupon? It still comes to only $8 a box without the coupon!!!

OR do 4 orders of $25 worth of P&G
a pack of diapers and a $5+ item (always maxis were on sale last week were great for this and I had B1G1 coupons. Which helped me rack up to $65 quickly. This week i only need 2 packs of diapers and I am at $100….Perhaps you bought these also and are part way to there already).

But any way you do it thats cheap diapers.

What looks good this week for add ins? I like to look for items that overlap rebates to maximize the savings… I got a $2 rebate for the always I bought. This week Old spice and Gillette are on sale and have rebates. Bounty, cascade and dawn are also included in the list and are on sale this week.

And I know I have coupons for ALL OF THESE YEAH!!! Hope this helps you get excited.  check out my other posts on how to save money shopping with coupons.

'tis the season for giving back...

Everyone this season is in the mood for giving back but this year we are also pinching pennies.  As I have been telling you about sales this season I have also mentioned a few times about my donation plans.  In case you missed some of the posts heres my plan and I will reccomend you try to find a way you can give back too.

Every year we give away extra toys allie hasnt used.  Youd be surprised how many unopened toys you can gather.  But this year I have been watching sales and picking up extra toys at HUGE discounts. I feel extremely fortunate that I thought of this early and came up with a plan.  I am so happy to be able to help children since I think this year has been extremely tough on everyone. 

WE also have been looking at trying to give back locally.  Some places this year are sponsoring local families and we have been looking for these to bring our toys and extra food items to.  Check around because our grocery store actually had a list of about 10 chilcren they were helping and my daughters daycare is sponsoring a nearby apartment complex that has been hit by hard times.

In the spirit of giving Robeez is being very generous. Robeez will donate a pair of soft sole shoes to K.I.D.S. with every soft sole purchased through December 23rd http://www.robeez.com/EN-US/seasonofgiving.htm

Never heard of robeez? They are awesome soft sole shoes for kids just learning to walk. They arent stiff and restrictive so they can move easier and yet protects thier feet and gets them used to shoes. Every MOM should have robeez.


Check out these cute boots from Robeez.  Allie had a pair when she was little and everyone used to comment on them.  Now its time for Xander to get his first pair of robeez.

http://www.robeez.com/Robeez-Boardin-Bear-espresso-Robeez-baby-shoes/product.aspx?ProductID=1017&deptid=230&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US&RefID=20091123_us_sog

So if you are in the market for new shoes for your toddler check them out and be happy knowing another child will recieve a free pair of shoes thanks to your purchase.

http://www.robeez.com/
Robeez will donate a pair of soft sole shoes to K.I.D.S. with every soft sole purchased through December 23rd  http://www.robeez.com/EN-US/seasonofgiving.htm

Thanks twiter moms and robeez for getting me talking about this.
Check out how others are giving back.http://www.twittermoms.com/forum/topics/tell-us-how-you-plan-to-give

Tips for getting kids to bed.

I was just recently discussing this topic with a friend of mine online.  Shes having issues with her daughter and needed help.  I too have gone through spurts with Allie when I think "FINALLY, we're over that hurdle"  and then a week or so and again we have another battle... 

Although there is no magic answer that works 100% of the time for ALL kids there are some things that can help.

Top 5 tips
1.) Keep a schedule/routine - I know you've heard this before everyone says it but its hard to do.  Create a routine and stick to it.  This will help even if you are out of town.  Children like routines.  If you start one when they are small it will become second nature for them.

2.) Storytime - This is part of our routine that my daughter looks forward to.  Its daddys one on one time with her.  It helps her wind down from the day and I believe gives her something to go to sleep dreaming about.  Kids need something to help them wind down from the day and this is also great to promote reading skills later.

3.) MUSIC or soft white noise - when my daughter was young we figure out that she was listening to EVERY noise to keep herself awake.  She was and still is VERY nosey.  SO we started playing classical music to give her a distraction.  This soothed her and blocked out all other things going on.  Today when she hears classical she still calls it sleepy music AND it usually starts her yawning.

4.) Get rid of EXCUSES- this is easier said then done.  to try to minimixe Allie goes to the bathroom AFTER her story.  She used to go before her story BUT for a while there she insisted on getting up a second time when the story was over so we just switched the order.  We also have let her have a very small cup of water so if she feels the need to get up and get a drink she knows its there.  After a few days when she realized that we were treating her like a big girl she didnt get up as much to drink it.

5.) START EARLY - We have found this is VERY important.  when it gets later She fights it more.  If we eat early and get ready early we can usually get through the night without a struggle. 

I know I said top 5 but heres what to do if all else fails.... 

FALL ASLEEP NEXT TO HER.  LOL  Not sure its on purpose but thats what my husband does and it usually works when nothing else does. 

Thanks to twitter moms and  http://www.dramau.net/  for getting me to post about this topic. 

CYBER MONDAY SALE AND FREE GIFT

I know many of us are pinching pennies this season. I wanted to let you know about an amazing sale going on that will allow you to do just that but still give your family the gift of heritage. Here is our cyber Monday special. Let me know if anything interests you.

Heritage Makers Cyber Monday SALE!


During our Sale you can order your Calendar credits, Swatch Book credits, and Recipe Book credits at ALL TIME LOWS! (see below for details).

did you find me through another blog?  Dont forget to tell me when you order.  ALL orders today will get a FREE family fold. $5 value  your choice between 3, 5, and 7 fold.  these make wonderful holiday gifts for grandparents.

Ever thought of starting your own Heritage Makers Business? From now until Monday at Noon, receive over $100 worth of publishing credits free when you sign up with a Business Kit!



click here for Custom Calendars

Celebrate your memories all year round with your own keepsake calendar. Choose from the popular

11x8.5 calendar ~ ONLY $19.95

11X16 calendar ~ONLY $25.95



ADD ON BONUS

For a limited time you can add 3 months

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(that’s $14.95 a month or 40% off)


click here for ***Recipe/Spiral Bound Books

Only $74.95 (5 pack)

Wire-bound books make fantastic gifts! We're thinking family cookbooks, planners for the new year, notebooks, journals, and more!

That's $14.95/each! At this price, you can buy one for grandma, Uncle Ted, your crazy cousin in Wisconsin, your favorite neighbor, and even keep one for yourself! CLICK HERE for the details!

***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL. Call before 1pm on Monday


click here You'd Better "Swatch Out!"

Swatch Book (5 pack) ~ ONLY $49.95

That’s $9.95 each or half price.

These sturdy little Swatch Books are great to toss into a purse, briefcase, backpack - even a back pocket!

Gift ideas...

~ A Brag Book chock full of your latest family photos

~ A set of favorite recipes

~ A book of inspirational quotes and photos

~ Check out our Template Gallery for 40 more ideas!




$100 worth of Free Credits

Start your Heritage Makers Business during Cyber Monday and receive over

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CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming an HM Personal Publishing Consultant!


NEED HELP?
The "big guy" might be a tad busy right now, but I am here to help you!

If you want to get your projects started and completed quickly, simply CLICK HERE to download a Getting Started Tutorial.

You Still Have Time!
You still have plenty of time to get your Heritage Makers projects completed and back by the Holidays!

Shipping Deadlines:

Storybooks:

December 2 (Ground and Priority)

December 7 (Two-day)

December 10 (Next day)



All Other products:

December 11 (Ground and Priority)

December 14 (Direct Ship Cards/Two-day)

December 16 (Next day)



Contact Me!
Contact me on Cyber Monday before 8pm to order your credits!
***if ordering the early bird recipe book call me before noon.
To start your own Heritage Makers business simply visit my website @ http://www.digitlalstorybooks.com/
 and click on "Sign Up" to become a Heritage Makers Consultant!

for more ideas and a list of other products visit my website http://www.digitalstorybooks.com/

Happy storybooking.
Melissa
603-493-2431