Well – I finally got the laundry upstairs and got to bed (a little after 2 a.m!), but dreamed about this guy.  Sock Monkeys are invading my dreams now.  I had to try this out today.  Remember – click on the image to see a larger version.

I know….kinda "big, freaky Sock Monkey."  I have a cyber friend who says she’ll be hiding under the bed when Sock Monkeys take over the world.  Well, Darrah – he’s coming for you!   
But doesn’t he look happy and friendly?  Just an FYI, by the way….If you hostess a $500 workshop (which is incredibly do-able), you can get all three of these stamp sets and MORE – free!  (And it’s the only to get Window Dressing until about February.)

Stamp sets:  Sock Monkey, Smarty Pants, Window Dressing
Paper:  Kraft, Real red, Not Quite Navy, Barely Banana, Naturals Ivory card stock; Spring Break DSP, Blue Bayou Prints DSP 

(Barely Banana card stock???  We sell Barely Banana???  Just kidding.  This is something else I had to dust off.  I rarely use Barely….and never with Red, because it reminds me of McDonald’s.  Which reminds me that I’m hungry.  Which I am, by the way….)
Sorry – back to the monkey.  I’ve never been diagnosed, but I wonder if I could have Adult A.D.D.?  But it didn’t seem to bother me until I had K.I.D.s!

Moving on –
Ink:  Basic Gray, Real Red, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin’ Pads; Not Quite Navy, Basic Gray Stampin’ Write markers
Accessories:  Blender Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Hobby Blade, Paper Snips, VersaMarker, Glassy Glaze (for the window), Stamp-a-ma-Jig

Why a Marker?
Why did I use a Not Quite Navy Marker for the house, but used a Real Red Classic Stampin’ pad?  Good question.  I grabbed the NQN marker, but then, when I was ready to color with red, I was too lazy to take the 2 steps (actually, 1 1/2) to my marker case on the shelf and get the red one out.  And the stamp pad was right there….The Bold Brights were facing me, so I didn’t even have to turn my Color Caddy (which isn’t a lazy thing; if you’ve seen my stamp table, you’ll understand). 

Just a note….If you’re coloring with markers, sometimes they’re a little bold or the color is too deep and it obscures detail.  Here’s what I do.  Actually, there are two things –
1 – I scribble on a stamp case and pick up the color with a blender pen or Aqua Painter.  I used a blender on this one, because my Aqua painter goes a little crazy sometimes and I had to work in a small area.
2 – My other favorite method with markers is to use watercolor paper and aqua Painters.  This is an incredible look, and the watercolor paper really holds up to the water. 

Speaking of Markers —
We’ll be starting a new marker club in the next month.  If you’re interested, contact me right away.  Here’s how it works:
4 people join the club.  Each month, you pay me a certain amount (TBD after we see what the price of the markers is in the new catalog), and you get:
1 color family of markers
A "marker workshop" if you want.  Learn 3 new marker techniques each month, and take home projects you’ve made.
At a previous club, members also got 1/4 spool of taffeta ribbon the last two months (because the price of the markers was reduced).

One month, you’ll be hostess.  That month, you get –
1 color family of markers
The storage container
AT LEAST $15.00 in hostess benefits (more if you get outside orders or invite guests!)
At least 1 Level 1 Hostess set
1 Background stamp
Any other extras, depending on the price of the markers

It’s a lot of fun, and a great way to get all 48 markers without having to shell out $125.95 all at once like I did.  (Well, I paid more than that, actually.  The price has been reduced.  Can you believe it?  Oh, ok….I didn’t pay the whole $132.  I didn’t even pay $125. One of the perks of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.)

Enough rambling for today!  I’m off to lunch.  Have a great Thursday.