Changing times

Oh my, where do I start? I haven't blogged here since December 2014. It's May 2016. Where the heck have I been, you may ask?  Clearly not blogging.

Life is moving at the speed of light and I've faced many twists and turns. Tomorrow (5/3) my husband, Mike, and I celebrate our 8 year wedding anniversary. He deserves an incredible amount of credit for being a supportive husband and father, especially during a major transition in our lives. He doesn't get enough time to himself and doesn't get enough credit from me for just how much he does for our family.   8 years, wow.  It's a different kind of love - we are so old and responsible now but I can say I do love him more today than I did in 2008!

So many thanks to Jade + Matthew for this photo. 

Molly is 6 and is finishing her last few weeks in first grade at May River Montessori.  She's on a soccer team, playing tennis, in dance, and watching too much of the tablet she got for Christmas. It's constant battle between me and some ridiculous show called Jessie. She's into American Girl Dolls which is an expensive craze and promoting a materialism that I am not proud of. But you know what? She's such a kind, well mannered, respectful little girl. 

Connor is turning 4 in a few weeks and he keeps us on our toes but we have discovered (through a lot of testing at lots of specialists) that behaviorally, he's just "all boy" and requires a lot more consistent discipline than Molly.  Well, that's a relief.  He loves the Home Depot more than Disney World, any lawn or tractor equipment, first responders (police, firemen, you get the point...) and being outdoors. I am scrambling to plan his epic "firetruck, police car, animal pool party" but time has escaped me and in uncharacteristic fashion, I haven't even ordered invitations. Even my mom called to check and see if I was feeling okay.

Professionally, it's been an upheaval.  Many of you know me from my work with PSA Essentials, a company I am no longer employed by.  After being with the company in and out through ownership changes and employment statuses since 2008, this was a departure that rocked me. I loved that company!  I am grateful for the sales and networking connections I made there and the level of brand recognition I was able to achieve for the Company. But at the end of the day, the Company was not able to innovate past stamps, there are too many competitors offering similar products, and has been seeing a sales decline. So I was officially laid off.  It hurt because I lived and and breathed the brand and I so much enjoyed the work. 

This blog has always been mine. I have retained copyrights always. I have written every single one of the 884 posts on this blog and those posts have been seen 535,504 times with the last count.  My profile has been viewed over 4,000,000 times on Google+.  4 million! Can you believe it? I was shocked with those stats!  Thank you for reading, by the way! (And Mom, for sending to all your friends).

For the purposes of Google, my blog URL and not to confuse all the readers traffic, and all that recognition I have -- it will remain right here. 

Here's to a new chapter at Stamp Camp: A Crafts, Lifestyle and Parties Blog by Libby O. Wonder what I will be up to next....Something tells me I might be blogging more regularly again! Until then!

More is more.
Libby O 

Holiday CardMaking for a Cause

On Friday afternoon, I hosted a very small kids holiday celebration to make some Christmas Cards. When the idea originated, I asked my daughter, Molly, if she wanted to make cards for U.S. Troops overseas or the elderly without their families in nursing homes. As Molly is six, this prompted discussions on what these subject matters are.  Quite interesting topics of conversation to have with a young one! Molly couldn't decide which cause to support more, so she asked her friends to choose. Our little guests came prepped and ready from their parents which cause they wanted to support.

We've decorated the house festively and I put out some after-snacks of fruit, veggies and rolled up sandwiches. I couldn't resist cupcakes from Ronnie's Bakery with a Christmas theme!  They turned out so cute.

The kids got right to work stamping with our PSA Essentials stamps, stickers, glue, ribbon tape and more. I had two tables set up - one for the very little ones and one for the bigger kids.

The kids were so cute making the cards! Obviously a great photo opp for me with these cute little faces stamping away with our PSA Essentials stamps.

The kids spent much more time playing outside than making cards - and the mom's enjoyed being together. Truly was a lot of fun and we made some (sort of) cute cards that I am sending off to the USO and a local nursing home. It is the thought that counts, right? What fun to celebrate the season with our friends. Group picture time! (Williamson Triplets had left already and we couldn't get Ian in this one, boo!)

Share what you are doing this season to make someone else's day bright by posting a comment here or to our Facebook page.

Halloween Celebrations

We had a blast celebrating Halloween Saturday night!  Though I love all holidays and special occasions, and usually celebrate with gusto, Halloween is one of my favorites. Seeing the kids dressed up, creative party foods, and of course, Halloween crafts all make the day exciting. Here's a look at our Halloween celebration with our friends, The Bradfords and Matiks.

I set the dinning room table for the adults. I created place cards using my PSA Essentials Peel & Stick stamps - from PSA Haunted Shack and UBU Happy Halloween. I also made wine tags and food flags with my stamps.

I had fun setting the kids table, too. I rounded up all sorts of favors and treats to place on the table to keep the kids entertained. From finger tattoos to creepy sound machines... there was plenty to do besides eat.

Mike and Matt always dress up. Mark, who is new to our celebrations, didn't.... wonder if he will next year.  I sprayed my hair purple and wore a pin.... that was the extend of my costume.

(I was extra proud of my Pinterest copied ghosts and bananas!) How cute are the kids this year? Connor was a policeman, Parker was a skelleton, Molly was an angel, and Ethan was a ninja.

When we got back, the kids counted their candy and the adults checked it, then it was time for a fire in our new firepit and of course, because the Bradford's were there, we had to have fireworks!

And for the grand finale, we went to the front.. The kids are ready.... Mike lights and runs...

And we conclude the evening watching the Mets on TV.  What a great Halloween!