Valentine Rose Pen
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This week's Craft of the Week is brought to us by the award winning author and crafter Willie Ripple.  Her many craft books have been used by families and groups for years.   Her valentine's craft book Valentine School Parties What do I do? is perfect for both groups and families- it has everything to make heart day very special.

Willie's craft Valentine Rose Pen is a great craft for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. It is also a great craft for Mother's Day, too!

Supplies:

• Egg shaped Styrofoam ball
• Knife
• Small clay pot
• Bic ball point pen ( any color)
• Scissors
• Artificial rose
• Glue gun
• 25 inches of green floral tape
• Craft moss
• 6 inches 1/8 inch thick of red ribbon

Directions:

1. Cut a small tip off the Styrofoam ball with the knife.
2. Push the Styrofoam ball into the clay pot, flat end down.
3. Push the pen into the Styrofoam ball, past the metal writing tip.  At an angle rotate it a few times to make a hole slightly larger than the pen.   Be careful not to make the hole too large, as the hole will serve to hold the upright pen later on.  Remove the pen from the hole.
4. Use the scissors to force or cut the cap off the pen.   Be careful not to cut into the ink barrel.
   
   Caution:
   Aim the pen away from yourself and others!
   
5. Pull the rose off its stem.  Notice the small remaining stem underneath the rose.
6. Insert the remaining stem into the top of the pen, and glue it into place.
7. Keeping it taunt, wrap the floral tape down the pen, starting just beneath the rose, until you get to the metal writing tip.  Tear off excess tape.
8. Insert your flower pen into the Styrofoam hole far enough to hold it upright.  Be careful not to bunch up the tape.
9. Place the moss inside the clay pot, covering the Styrofoam ball.
10. Tie the red ribbon into a bow underneath the flower.

Made them for gifts at the local nursing home
Bobbie Browning, Sharon Center, Ohio
Just wanted to let you know, a group of us used your idea for the rose pen as Valentine gifts at the local nursing home. Everyone loved them! It was especially fun to know that a pen was "hidden" inside the cute plant. Our group is called SCRIBES, and our purpose is to go to nursing homes to help others write letters and cards to keep in touch with family and friends. So a pen in a craft was just the perfect thing.
THANKS FOR SHARING IT!!!!

Heart Pinwheels
This week's Craft of the Week is brought to you by Willie Ripple the author of Valentine Parties, What Do I Do? Willie's book is chock full of ideas for Valentine's Day- all kinds of goody ideas like cupcakes and sugar cookies - craft and game ideas like valentine's Tic-Tac-Toe and Valentine Boxes. Her Heart Pinwheels are perfect for the younger set and can be done at home, during a party, in school, or in any other group setting.

Meet the Author & Craft-of-the-Week
Candy Rose
Candy Rose is a simple and beautiful (not to mention tasty) gift.  If you make 6 or more you have created a candy bouquet.  Make the roses, gather them up, using floral tape wrap around the roses and a big red bow and you'll have a full, candy bouquet! This craft/gift is perfect for children 5 years old and older.

interview with the Cake Mix Doctor, Anne Byrn
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Valentine School Parties:
What Do I Do?
by Wilhelminia Ripple, Heather Anderson (Illustrator)

If you want to win the children's heart this Valentine's Day, get this book. It has everything you need to plan a very impressive party for the classroom or a great program at the public library. It is clear that Willie really had her heart into the creation of this invaluable classroom resource. This gifted and talented author has provided her readers with a plethora of fun and innovative games, crafts, and treats to give any valentine sweet memories to treasure.

Valentine Boxes:
What Do I Do?
by Wilhelminia Ripple, Heather Anderson, Dianne Lorang (Editor)

Crafts for Valentine's Day
by Kathy Ross, Sharon Lane Holm (Illustrator)

With minimal assistance, school-aged children will be able to execute the twenty simple crafts, which use everyday materials such as construction paper, bottle caps, and paper plates. Straight forward directions and clear illustrations make such projects as a stuffed bunny and a hat shaped like an Easter basket easy to complete.