Month: March 2016

Weekly Deals March 8th -14th!

Posted on by darlaso

WOW! Look at the price on the Bow Builder Punch! Again, I am seriously wishing that I had paid that much…if you haven’t added this to your collection now is the time to do it!  I have a fun card below that shows how cute the bows made with the punch are. They are the perfect size for a card! A fantastic deal on our Rhinestone Basic Jewels, too! I may be slightly biased, but ours sparkle and dazzle like no other! True confessions: I go through these things like candy (yes, I need to lay off the sweet stuff!). Stock up now during Sale-A-Bration because a $50 order lets you select a FREE Sale-A-Bration item! Clicking on any of the product images below the card will take you to my 24/7 online store! Thank you so much for stopping by.



Make and Takes Just for You!

Posted on by darlaso

I love organizing and putting on stamping events. Some folks will think that I am a bit daft; but I just have fun doing it! Saturday I hosted an open house here in Le Mars; first one ever! The crowd was small but perfect for getting to know one another. I usually host two Open Houses per year; one for the Occasions Catalag and Sale-A-Bration, and then my Grand Annual Open House for the Annual Catalog and Holiday Catalog. Now that I have moved it means four Open Houses per year since I will continue to host these events back in my hometown in Cedar Falls! Every open house is a bit different. My Sale-A-Bration Open House is usually a couple of display boards and two to three make and takes. My Grand Annual Open House has a few more display boards, free card fronts made from retired sets, a rubber rummage sale, and three to four make and takes. Each year I do something a little different. Sometimes I go with a theme using a stamp set which adds to the creative fun for me! This year this fun stamp set, Botanicals for You, inspired me to create these fun Tag-A-Bags for the Make and Take packets for my guests! I will be working on making up a few more of these packets this week as I need quite a few more for next weekend! My make and takes this year feature some of my personal picks and favorites! Timeless Treasures with Suite Sayings, Birthday Blooms, and Flowering Fields with One Big Meaning and Perfect Pairings! I know that there are many of you who just live too far away to attend my Open Houses but I will send you a free make and take packet with your purchase of of these three stamp sets: Timeless Treasures, Birthday Blooms, and One Big Meaning through my 24/7 online store! This purchase will allow you to stamp your make and takes. You will need to choose Flowering Fields item number 141303 as one of your free Sale-A-Bration items (if you do not have it already). I have the sets featured below along with inks that were used in making the cards (just in case you need to purchase one or more of those colors to make your card as featured! Clicking on any of the photos below will take you to my 24/7 online store to make your purchases! (Please do not select NO CONTACT when you place your order or I will not know who to send the packet to!) If you are another demonstrator and would like the packet, you may purchase the packet for $15 plus shipping. Your packet will include the pretty, stamped packaging show above. Please note that this is a limited time offer and will end on March 31st along with Sale-A-Bration. Thank you so much for stopping by!

How to stack up Four Scoops of Yummy Goodness!

Posted on by darlaso

I received this card in a convention swap last year. The creator did not put his/her name on the label so I am unable to give credit to him/her. However, I wanted to share this card because it is an awesome example of using the Masking Technique!

The Masking Technique is great for layering images, adding depth, and creating overlays!

How to create a Mask and use it:

  1. Stamp image on card stock. (Like a scoop of ice cream!)
  2. Stamp it again on a piece of scratch paper. ( I like to use post it notes – but scratch paper works if you use a bit of 2-way glue for a temporary bond!)
  3. Cut carefully around the scratch paper image, cutting just inside the lines: this will be your mask.
  4. Place the mask on top of the card stock image.
  5. Stamp another image over a portion of the mask to created layered, interacting images.
  6. Remove the mask to see the finished look.
  7. Repeat as necessary (You can create as many calorie free scoops of ice cream as you wish with this method!)
I hope you enjoyed this quick, fun little tutorial on how to stack up four scoops of yummy goodness! We are actually quite adept with the scoop at our house..a little personal factoid…my hubby works for the Blue Bunny! Very good ice cream! Yum!
This calorie free card was created with the Sprinkles of Life set (purchasing it supports RMHC and you can read more about that by clicking here). If you have never used 2-way glue, it is awesome stuff! It can create a temporary and permanent bond! Support Ronald McDonald House Charities and become a Master Scoop Stacker by visiting my online store and purchasing Sprinkles of Life today! Click on any of the product images below and you will be taken to my 24/7 online store. Thanks for stopping by!

Who is the Sprinkles on the Cupcake of Life?

Posted on by darlaso

Why you are, of course! This fun #justbecause card was a swap I received at convention last year created by fellow demonstrator, Lisa-Marie Hazlet. I absolutely love the simplicity of it! I also love that purchasing the stamp set, Sprinkles of Life, used in creating this card; supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Plus, this great set can help you join the #imbringingbirthdaysback movement! A worthy cause, a fun movement, remembering friends and family #justbecause – it just doesn’t get any better than that! You can read all about the RMHC and #imbringingbirthdaysback movement by checking out this post here. To join in on the fun you can click on any of the product images below to be taken to my 24/7 online store and add what you need to your bag! As an added bonus, with a $50 order you get to select a free Sale-a-bration item to add to the fun! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Making A Difference – #imbringingbirthdaysback

Posted on by darlaso

This swap card that I received at convention last year created by fellow demonstrator, Yvonne Metz, is perfect for two reasons!

Join in the #imbringingbirthdaysback movement and support the RMHC cause by purchasing the Sprinkles of Life set and start making up your birthday cards today! Clicking any of the images below will take you to my 24/7 online store where you can add this and other items to your bag to get started! Don’t forget! A $50 order means you will get to select a free Sale-A-Bration item (only until March 31st)! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss – Ink! Ink! Ink!

Posted on by darlaso
Here is a little something I wrote a few years back in honor of Dr. Suess. I tried to capture what I thought his description of stamping would be:  
Oh, the things
you can ink up
if only you try!

You can ink up
in yellow
or ink up in blue

You can ink up
a horse
or ink up a sky
with clouds floating by

Oh the things
you can ink up
any thing that you wish

Ink up in bright colors
ink up at night
ink up on a long trip

Oh, the wonder of
ink, ink, ink!
You can ink up a bouquet
to celebrate a birthday!

Oh the things
you can ink up
if only you try!

by Darla Olson

Making A Difference With Ronald McDonald House Charities

Posted on by darlaso
Stampin’ Up! partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) to bring comfort and creativity to the lives of Ronald McDonald House guests. Each year, thousands of families stay at more than 160 independently operated Ronald McDonald Houses in North America. These Houses serve as temporary homes for the families of seriously ill children who are being treated in nearby hospitals.

As part of their commitment to support this organization, Stampin’ Up! designs an exclusive stamp set each year; a portion of the proceeds from the sale of that set will is donated to the organization. This current set is Sprinkles of Life. However, time is running out for this fun set as it will retire at the end of May. Click image for the full-size flyer:

This fun Waterfall Card is created with the Sprinkles of Life set. I received this as a convention swap and the card was created by Lauren Urbanas. 
I have made several Waterfall Cards over the years and I have a template for the Waterfall. Click here for the pdf.
I will be sharing more fun cards with this set and the coordinating punch over the next few days so be sure to check back!
To help Stampin’ Up! in their commitment to support RMHC please click on either one of the product images below to be taken to my 24/7 online store and add them to your shopping bag! 

Weekly Deals for March 1st – March 7th

Posted on by darlaso

Have you been on the fence about the Tin of Cards Project Kit? This is a fabulous deal! I am seriously considering getting another tin!!! The cards are convenient & fabulous, and I love the tin! Look at the price on the Ornate Tag Topper Punch! Seriously wishing that I had paid that much for it! lol!  Now is a great time to add these items to your collection if you want them! Don’t forget that a $50 order lets you select a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!

Click here to see the FREE SAB items! Get your order placed before they are GONE! I can’t believe that it is March already! Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31st! See the new ones here! To purchase the Tin of Cards Project Kit click on the image below! If you don’t already have the Tin of Cards coordinating stamp set – be sure to add it to your order as well! It is a fabulous sentiment set (plus the squiggles are awesome!) Thanks for stopping by!