Studio Sketches

Ok. So there is a perk living in Germany.  Many perhaps.

This is one of them.

I have been blessed to meet a German Stampin' Up! Demonstrator who lives in the local area.  Because of the military Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA), we normally cannot purchase from one another's catalogs.  However, because I live at a German address, and not on the military base, technically I *could*.  She still cannot buy from me, however.

This is not to say that we can't give gifts to each other.  *teehee*

This set, called "Studio Sketches" is not available in the US.  It is a Level 1 Hostess set in the UK and Germany.  However, THEIR level 1 is a heck of a lot higher monetary value than ours.  To give you an idea, Our level one starts at a $150 order to get a hostess set.  THEIR level 1's start at 225 Euros.  Which is the equivalent today of $300!!

For that reason, my friend has only ONE TIME placed a demo order that has qualified for a hostess set, and she chose this one.  She doesn't even like it, but knew I did.  So tonight when I saw her, she gave it to me!

Trust me, I will gift her with something nice. And, I will make her a card or 2 using this set, so she can demo it for her (very few) customers.  :-D

I am hoping it makes it into our 2010 IB&C because it's just gorgeous!!

CFAC

The card I kept. Simple Mothers Day card. Hard to see, but the lines of the Rose are embossed, and the rose is popped up with pop dots. Very simple, elegant.

Gina K challenge

Finished a challenge for Gina K @ Stamp TV just under the wire.. it was a sketch challenge.  I love this Doily image of hers.  I embossed it on Vellum CS and cut it out. I then distressed it with Soft Suede although it's hard to see in the pic.  Added the sentiment, also embossed, although now looking back, should have done that one differently. Oh well.  Primas, ribbon pearls.. done!   Quick and easy for today.

Made a bunch of cards at Cards For A Cause today.  I'll post the one I chose to keep at another time. Among them was one that we literally had 6 of us working on, assembly line style, because it was so involved. But it really was beautiful.  The outcome was a custom-flower, which I am going to use in a "My Favorite Things" challenge which just started today (one of the challenges is to use a custom made embellishment).  I could also use my homemade paper roses, but I'll save those for something else! :)

For my mama..

Here are the Stampin Up colors that are retiring...

And here is the new Color Chart. Isn't it FAB??!!  There are 5 new colors in there, (Plus "Crumb Cake" is the new name for Kraft)  and then what isn't shown is the 5 in colors for this next year (colors not shown yet):

Blushing Bride
Pear Pizzazz
Concord Crush
Peach Parfait
Poppy Parade

The Dots next to the colors indicate the new core colors... Blue is  returning colors from the past "In" Colors.  Red dots are the completely new colors (LOVE that Cherry Cobbler!) and the Green dot is Crumb Cake, which is at the moment known as Kraft.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them, you can see them better. 







So.. that's why I was so excited on the phone tonight!  Excellent colors... and you might inherit some of my stamp pads.  MIGHT.  We'll see.  I may donate some to Cards for a Cause too.

We're getting there!

So, most of the Stampin' Stuff is downstairs, I've moved the computer desk over to where the Stampin' Stuff used to be, and so basically, I've just shuffled the mess around.  But really, it's looking quite sharp!  I know it will be more user friendly (and FAMILY friendly!) once everything is in place.

We still need another trip to Ikea, but I'm hoping tomorrow will solve that.  Don't tell hubby, he's not aware of this tidbit yet ;)

So you want to see a card, do you?  I actually have had time to make a few.  I have a friend with a birthday coming up, and then I also wanted to do a challenge for GinaK designs. It was easy, a color challenge, and it was using some of the colors that I either don't use often, or that will be retiring at the end of June.  So here's my Challenge Card:

Yellow, Black and White:

I love the new Embossing Folder that SU has.  It's available to the General Public in May.  At first, it seemed a bit too Geometric for me.  However, it's very interesting, and adds a unique look. And with it being so tight of a pattern, the back side is also so different, and a totally different look.

I used my Copics and Spicas for the Flower, Yo-Yo Yellow and Basic black, plus Whisper White for the other papers, distressing, ribbon, pop dots, and those grommets (which are a PITA, if you ask me. Maybe it's easier if you actually use a PUNCH rather than cutting them out with a knife. LMAO).

Next card is the Birthday card. I wanted to play with the new Elements of Style Stamp set, also available in May. It seemed perfect for coloring, and honestly, I rushed this one. I then distressed it with the tool and ink, and voila!    

I distressed the inside also and yes, I did a goober and glued it down funky. It's homemade, what can i say?!! LOL! 

The last one was made using a set from a new(er) stamp company that's an offshoot of Unity Stamps called Ippity. I have been part of SCS's WishRAK and one of the gals on there sells these.  This set is called "Where you should be" It's quite nice.  I'm going to send this card with a bunch of wishes to someone who has asked for these images as wishes.  She's been so nice sending wishes to others but hasn't gotten many in return, and a card would be a nice touch :)

The Sentiment says "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are" (e.e.cummings) and the inside says "You are Fabulous"

I just really like that together!  You can't see it on these pics, but the Rich Razzleberry ink (purple) is actually embossed. 

Ok, that's it for today.  We're headed to the Speyer Tecknik Museum near Heidelberg tomorrow for our first of a few day trips during Spring Break.  And, of course, Ikea?? :D