The Season of Joy, Treats and Love

It has been awhile since I last posted anything because I have been baking, shopping and wrapping gifts for Christmas.  Spending special time with the grandchildren has been rewarding.  It also was fun having time to do all the special treats and projects for this season.  I had a Christmas Celebration Party for all my stampers last weekend, which was enjoyable and fun to see the different personalities shine in a new form outside of stamping.  Thank you to those of you who could attend and I missed those of you who could not. 

I  had successful craft shows this year, especially meeting many new future stampers.  I hope all the items I sold will make the receivers happy with joy this Christmas.

I have added some Christmas cards I made this season.  Hope you enjoy viewing them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
We only have a few days left to prepare for the Celebration of Christmas and the true meaning of remembering the birth of Jesus and all that he brings to us.  

May this be a very special time for you with your family, friends and all your great memories of this past year.

Holiday Craft Bazaar This Weekend!

I am almost ready for the last craft show I'm participating in this holiday season.  I hope you will be able to come by to get in some more holiday shopping! 

Huntington Park Arts & Crafts Bazaar

Friday Dec 7th & Saturday Dec 8th

9 am - 6 pm

 

1000 248th St

Des Moines, WA  98198

I will be offering an assortment of greeting cards, favors, gifts, and a whole lot more!  Perfect for stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, and adding a handmade touch to any gift you plan on giving this Christmas.

I'd love to see you there!

Warmly,
Olivia

SU's Online Extravaganza Sale!

I love a sale and Stampin' Up is offering one that will be hard to pass up!

Dates: November 19-28, 2012

Starting Monday, November 19th and not ending until November 28th, Go Stampin' Up Shopping!! Check out the great sales and buy your Christmas gifts for friends, loved ones, and yourself!! For all of you who have been wanting a Big Shot, now is the time to buy, because it is on sale. I am so excited. Click in the circle (top right) where it says "Order Stampin' Up! Online!" and receive discounts* from 20% to 50%on select purchases.

Have Fun Shopping!!!!!!!

* listed below are the special savings offered during the Stampin' Up Online Extravaganza:

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving Day

Hello!
It has been a fast and very busy fun month.  I have enjoyed the classes with everyone in making all the great items for the upcoming season.  Thanksgiving is around the corner and with that, I always take time to really look over the year and count the blessings I have received.  Wow, I am blessed!!
You are among them.  I am very thankful every time you look at my blog, sign up for a class, and for being a part of my life.  Thank you for being you.

The Holiday Fair was a great success in selling and meeting new people who wanted to join a class and learn how to make paper craft items.  The ornament class has been very popular, with new ideas in using different colors.  That is why getting together is so much fun, we are always learning, sharing and exploring what we love......paper crafting!

My husband has been a good sport in waiting for some time to get out of the house to do what he likes, hiking.  The weather has changed and so many of the hiking trails have closed.  Long walks are now in action.  We went out the other day for a long walk along the waterfront of Tacoma in the rain.  I ended up soaked by at the end of our walk and so we went into the Ram Restuarant to warm up with tea and a bite to eat.  We had a huge wonderful chocolate dessert!  I wonder why I do not lose weight.  Life is grand.

I close this with a Prayer for you and your family.  May you have Love, Peace and Joy on this day with many Blessings to fill your heart with good memories along with a grateful heart.

                                                   Happy Thanksgiving!
                                                            Olivia

A Cut Above the Rest: SU's NEW Paper Trimmer!

Introducing the new and improved Stampin' Trimmer! Although paper trimmers are a common crafting tool, this trimmer was designed exclusively by paper crafters for paper crafters-and because it was made by Stampin' Up!, you know it's a cut above the rest!

If you are like me, I am a visual person, so click here to see a video that introduces you to my new best friend! 


Features of the All-New Stampin' Trimmer

• An extra-wide 6-1/4" cutting base and an extended 14-1/2" ruler
• The extra-wide cutting base provides a large work area and is marked in 1/4" (4 mm) increments, allowing for small measurements.
• The right-side grid helps you measure and cut very thin strips.
• The extended cutting arm has a stabilizing leg to provide a sturdy and steady cutting surface for longer cuts.
• When fully extended, the extended cutting arm sits flush with the trimmer base, providing more accurate and consistent measurements across the entire surface.
• The cutting base and track include a full ruler, incorporating measurements down to 1/16" and grid lines that mark each quarter inch.
• All rulers and measurements on the base are printed under a plastic cover so your measurements won't wear off.
• The base has nonskid feet, which keeps the Stampin' Trimmer securely in place on your work area.
• A full 12" cutting and scoring track
• The extra-long cutting track has space at the top and bottom so you don't have to take the cutting and scoring blades out when you're not using them.
• The track gives you enough space to cut or score a full 12" (30.5 cm) without having to remove or switch out handles.
• The cutting track locks in place for secure storage or transport.
• The track includes an insertion point for cutting and scoring blade handles so you can easily insert handles into the cutting track.
• Specially designed handles and cutting track to ensure straight cuts
• The hook on the scoring and cutting blade handles keeps the handles stable so the cuts are as straight as possible.
• Handles come in two colors: dark for cutting, light for scoring.
• The precision tip on the cutting blade allows you to pinpoint precisely where you're cutting.
• The point on the side of each handle shows you where the blade will cut, making it easy to see exactly where your cuts and scores will begin.
• Storage compartment under base
• The storage compartment holds scoring and cutting tools such as a Bone Folder, Simply Scored Stylus, extra scoring and cutting blades, and even business cards.
• Separate compartments within the storage compartment keep your tools organized, and the clear cover makes it easy to see what you've stored.
• Product details: item 126889; $29.95

The Happiest Place on Earth

My trip to Disneyland in October was awesome from the time we left until the time we returned, with warm days, lots of smiles, singing, eating, treats and hugging throughout the days.  I was truly in the "Happiest Place on Earth."  My husband and I were a big surprise to the grandchildren, since they didn't know we were going to join them.  It was funny to see their faces when we said, "Hi."  What joy it is to have little ones love you so much.

Two of the four grandchildren were very brave this trip and rode most of the rides.  I love the excitement and trust they put in me.  My favorite ride was the new Cars.  It took three times of standing in line for 2 hours to finally get on the ride because it kept breaking down.  When we finally got on the ride, it was so fun that it was well worth the wait!

 In addition to visiting Disneyland, my husband and I celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary.  We were married in southern California so we spent some time visiting some of our favorite places.  The beach is one of my most favorite places where I spent a lot of free time when I was younger and have so many good memories.  We splurged and ate special treats (such as frozen bananas) that we cannot get anything as good as them anywhere else.  We visited the church we were married in and down the street we saw our first apartment after our graduation from college.  I guess you could say we had a fabulous week.

I have some pictures to share with you.  I hope you can see some of the relaxing and humorous moments.



Me with the grandsons and Pluto.  My 2 1/2 year old granddaughter was a bit scared to be too close to the characters.

Who's driving?!

My family

I spy a butterfly!

Owl Punch Art / What a 'Hoot"!

The "Rain" has returned to the Pacific Northwest.  The sun is still trying to pop out but fall, with its variety of weather, is letting us know the new and beautiful season has arrived.  I will miss the many days with the sun, but look forward to this fall season with so many fun days to enjoy and celebrate.  It is harvest time and the preparation of the upcoming holidays are giving us new journeys and adventures to experience.

I am busy getting ready for two Holiday Fairs (I'll share more info on them soon), new classes and a fun trip with my three children and their families.  We are all going to Disneyland!  My grandchildren do not know my husband and I are going on this trip with them.  They have asked us to go in the past and have been patient waiting for this event.  I have not been back home to California for 12 years and since Friday, October 19th is our wedding anniversary, it is going to be fun visiting our old roots. 

I want to share three cards we made at a workshop this past week, using the owl punch.  My girlfriend has had fun with my Punch Art Class and wanted to share the experince with her other friends.  The workshop was a "Hoot" to say the least!  I love hearing the laughter and stories from the group.  What a blessing to teach others in discovering the art of making cards.  Hearing "I did it!", "oops!",  "Wow this is so cute!" and watching the smiles on their faces make the time fun and special.

If you would like to learn fun and clever uses for a variety of punches, please join one of my Punch Art Classes.  Currently they are scheduled on the the fourth Monday of the month.  Please check the Stamp Class Schedule page for more information.

I hope you have a great week and restful, fun weekend.  Thanks for stopping by to view this blog.

  

An Early Christmas Gift for You!!

You can be an Elf and Surprise your Favorite People with an Early gift! 

 

 

 

With this purchase you can make many people happy with a Creative, Loving Gift for Christmas.  Yes, you can make cards and do some scrapbooking with this stamp set and designer paper for a rich and delightful holiday treat.  But the creative options don't stop there! You could also make  ornaments for your Christmas Tree:

These ornaments can also be a part of Special Gift Wrapping.  It can be a part of a Wreath, a Banner, or a Table Centerpiece, just to name a few ideas.  Oh Imagine the Possibilities! 

Last week was our first special stamp class making these ornaments.  I get so excited seeing the results and smiles on the faces of the stampers after making the ornaments.  They really are beautiful and make a great handcrafted gift.  I have had several requests for another workshop to make these ornaments, so I am planning another day for this popular class.  Want to be part of the fun?  Look under Stamp Class Schedule for the date and time and RSVP to save your spot.

Please note:  If you plan to make more on your own after the class, you will want to take advantage of this great buy during the month of October to buy the stamp sets and Framelits to your Big Shot.

You can place your order online by clicking here or order at the workshop. 

It's Fall?!!!

Fall is all around us, but it is still on the warm side, with no rain in the Pacific Northwest.  Wow, this is a real treat for us!  70 degrees is not the normal temperature this time of year, but no one is complaining.  My husband and I have been hiking, riding our bikes, and enjoying the sunny days.

I did get some time to make some new cards.  I hope you enjoy viewing them.  We will be making these cards in classes this month.

Contact me if you'd like to join in on the fun for any of my Stamp Classes! 

A Seasonal Helper.....Single Stamps!

Do you ever love just one or two stamps in a stamp set and not the whole kit and kaboodle?  Well, Stampin' Up has a special offer for three of our popular stamp sets!  The stamps are still available for purchase as a whole set, but now until January 2, 2013 you can pick and choose which one (or two or three or more!) you'd like to purchase.

This is a great opportunity for you to buy stamps as Christmas gifts and for yourself in preparing for the upcoming season.  This is a limited offer, so add these stamps to your shopping list.

Here are links to view the three stamp sets available in this offer:

Word Play

 

Perfectly Penned

 

Seasonal Sayings

Please note:

These won't be sent to you in our typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).

This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.

The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to buy a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyers.

There's no limit on how many pieces you can buy.

Contact me at ovstudley@yahoo.com more information.

Click here to order online.

Hello-ween Bat Greeting Card

I love getting creative with my cards and fall and Halloween are great inspirations.

I used Stampin' Up punches, die cuts, and the Big Shot with an embossing folder to make this cute little bat, but I had to get crafty making my own template for his wings.  I used a circle punch to make the notches on the wings and the spider web embossing folder to give them texture.  All the Stampin' Up materials used for this card are listed below and are available for purchase online.




 

Materials Needed

Stamp Set:  Lacy & Lovely

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Whisper White and Glimmer Paper (for the moon)

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant

Accessories:  Embossing Perfect Polka Dots Folder, Embossing Spider Web Folder, Bigz 3 1/2 Circle Originals, 2 1/2" circle punch for the head, 1/2" circle punch for the nose, small oval punch for the mouth and bottom of the wings, Petite Pennants Builder punch, Owl Builder punch for the whites of the eyes and black eyes, Elegant Eggplant Scallop Dots Ribbon, Heat & Stick powder, Dazzling Diamond Glitter, Heat Tool, uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen, Adhesive, Stampin Dimensionals, Bone Folder and Paper Snips   . 

Special Notes:  You will need the Big Shot Machine for the Embossing folders and the Bigz Circle Originals.

My Regionals Card Swap

This past weekend I went to the Regionals meeting for Stampin' Up demonstrators in the Pacific Northwest/Tacoma, WA area.  It's been a few years since we had a Regional in our area, so I was really excited to go to be able to meet other demonstrators, watch presentations, learn new business and stamping information, swap card samples, view lots and lots of display boards of creations by demonstrators from all over the country, and see some friends I made at the 2012 Convention this last summer.

Sounds like lots of fun and incredibly inspiring, right?  You are welcomed to join in on the fun if you would like to be a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, too.  Click here for more information.  I'd love to have you join my team!

Here is one of the card samples I designed to share for the card swap.  I've included directions on how to make it so you can, too!



a different color approach to a traditional fall card

Cut the Elegant Eggplant card stock 5 1/2"x4 1/4".  Using the Simply Scored, score this in half (at the 4 1/4 mark).  Cut the Whisper White card stock 3 3/4" x 5" and sponge, using the  Elegant Eggplant, Red Rose and Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pads.  Stamp the leaf in Basic Gray.  Wrap the ribbon around the sponged piece and adhere it to the bottom of the Elegant Eggplant card.  Next  emboss the center image with Versa Mark, sprinkle with Pewter embossing powder, and heat this with the New Heat Tool ( I love this new quiet tool).  Using the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, punch out the image, sponge it with the Elegant Eggplant ink, apply three Stampin Dimensionals on the back of the image and place it in the center of the sponged card stock.  Next, stamp on Whisper White card stock the greeting/sentiment in Basic Gray and using the Decorative Label Punch, punch then sponge the piece and apply two  Dimensionals on the back, adhere it on to the ribbon.  For the last step, I placed a Rhinestone Jewel in the middle of the image.  All done!

Materials Needed
Stamps:  Quint-Essential Flower and Day of Gratitude
Card Stock:  Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Red Rose, Daffodil Delight, and Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad, Versa Mark
Accessories:  3/8" Taffeta Ribbon,  Stamping Sponges,  and Pewter Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Rhinestone Basic Jewels
Tools:  Heat Tool, /Scallop Circle punch, and Decorative Label punch, Snail Adhesive, Bone Folder

If you would like to purchase any of these materials, you can order them through me online by clicking here.

I hope you enjoy making this card and then pass it on to give a cheer to someone you know.
Later this week I have a fun card to show you for Halloween., so make sure you stop by again.
Until then, Happy Stamping.
Olivia
         

Welcome Fall

Fall is my favorite season of the year.  I love color and with the leaves changing colors, (two of the colors happen to be my favorite, Red and Yellow), I feel warm and cozy.   With a cup of hot chocolate, cider, or tea, and dressed in my comfortable clothing, I love to sit and stamp all day with a smile on my face.  I am grateful I am able to do what I love and share it with you.



Day of Gratitude card

This card is quick and simple. I sponged the background on whisper white card stock with the different colors of ink.  I then stamped the leaves and added an embellishment (ribbon and a cut out stamped acorn) and greeting that was die-cut.

Materials Needed
Stamp Sets: Wonderfall (Holiday Catalog page 33) and Day of Gratitude (SU Catalog)
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, and Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, and Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Scallop Dots Ribbon, Labels Collection Framelits
Tools: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Bigz Die- Autumn Accents, Stamping Sponges, and adhesive.

All of these products can be found in the online Stampin' Up Catalog and are available for purchase.  Thank you for choosing me as you Stampin' Up Demonstrator!

I hope you enjoy the fall colors today!

Stamp Class for October 1, 2012

I love to stamp for Christmas!

Join me for a Special Stamping Class where we will create beautiful paper-crafted Christmas ornaments, like the one featured on the Holiday 2012 Stampin' Up catalog.

Class times:  9:15-11:15 am, 12:45-2:45 pm, 6:30-8:30 pm
Class price:  $10
RSVP:  ovstudley@yahoo.com by Friday 9/28/12

I am here for you!

I host several stamp workshops in my home every month and I will be posting pictures of cards we've made in past classes.  If time doesn't escape me, I will also be posting pictures of cards before classes are held so you can get an idea of what you will get to make before you sign up for a class.

Cards for Fall:

Welcome to my blog!

I love to stamp!

I have been a Stampin Up Demonstrator for the past 5 years and I love to share beautiful, fun, and creative cards to inspire my stampers at my in-home workshops.  I am excited to also share them with all of you out there in the blog-o-sphere, but I have to confess my stamping skills outdo my technological skills.  Blogging is new for me.  Thank you for sharing in this new techno-adventure with me!