Shellphone

~ sproatmeyer ~ 2 Comments

All of my projects lately certainly show that summer is on it’s way and this one is no exception! Welcome to another scene at the beach. 😀 This one features a new image from Love to Stamp, called Shellphone, and two new images from Make it Crafty, Beach Chair and Beach Umbrella.


Finding a color scheme that works for the beach and is also inspiring to me has been a challenge. On this card, however, I scrapped the ideas that I had to use themed paper and went with a traditional floral, of all things. ;D But it had the colors I wanted and was covered up enough to look like interesting swirls. Yep, those are swirls… NOT flowers! He he he


I couldn’t help myself and added a few of my favorite embellishments… felt clouds and laser cut chipboard embellishments… but you may have already noticed! LOL I also added some of my new Baker’s Twine, which unfortunately, has been a rare occasion that a twine color will actually coordinate. I should have gotten more neutral colors to work with. :-,


As a final touch I added a bunch of glue at the bottom of the card and spilled out a container of mixed beads; I let it dry the tapped off the excess lose beads. It was an idea I have been seing lately with clear micropearls or even sand so I had to give it a go. Hope I’ve inspired you today!

Lastly, don’t forget about the blog candy and challenge going on over at the Little Darling Challenge Blog.


Main Stamp: Shellphone (LTS), Beach Umbrella and Beach Chair (MiC)
Patterned Paper: scraps
Chipboard: Swirly Corners (MiC)
Metal Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities Octagon

Copic Markers colored on Copy Paper:
-skin tone: E00, E21, E11, E13, R11, R12, E04, R24
-browns: E40, E411, E31; E23, E57, E59; E50, E53, E55, N4, T6
-yellows: YR21, YR24
-greens: G40, G12, G82, G85
-blues: B91, B93, B97
-pinks: R11, R12
-grays: C1, C3

Did you know? A beachcomber is someone who “combs” (or searches) the beach, and the intertidal zone in general, looking for things of value, interest or utility. The first appearance of the word “beachcombers” in print was in Herman Melville’s Omoo (1847). It described a population of Europeans who lived in South Pacific islands, “combing” the beach and nearby water for flotsam, jetsam, or anything else they could use or trade. The vast majority of beachcombers however, were simply unemployed sailors like Herman Melville in Typee, or Harry Franck in the book Vagabonding Around the World.After enduring a voyage of danger and hardship, it was not uncommon for a few whalemen to desert a ship when it arrived in Tahiti or the Marquesas and reside, at least for a while, in the South Sea islands of Polynesia. If another beachcomber was ready to take his place in order to get home, the captain might let the disgruntled crewman go; otherwise, the captain would offer the natives a reward to find and return the deserter, and deduct the reward, plus interest, from the deserter’s pay.
[Beachcombing, Wikipedia.org]

Thanks for Keeeping it Real, Boss!

~ sproatmeyer ~ 21 Comments

I’ve got some exciting news – I’m joining the Tiddly Inks Challenges Design Team for a short while! This is my first card and our challenge fr this week is to create a Manly card. I thought the best way to select an image would be to ask the only man in our house – he’s out ruled by four girls and surprisingly manages to hold his own among all the pink, dolls, stuffed animals and blankies. ;D


I made this card using “Thanks for Keeping it Real, Boss” but it should really be called “Another day at the office” or something more clinical like “Yes Boss, how may I help you?” Too many years in the work force I suppose.


I used earth tones for this card and kept it simply trying to go for a guy feel. The paper is actually for pet lovers but I had to use it – it included the perfect hidden message that I kept at the bottom for a secret sentiment. All the words needed to explain a bad day at work.


I’ve been needing to work on some much needed manly cards so this was the perfect challenge for me. Plus with Fathers Day coming up I’m sure to use them all! Hope you can come along to play in the challenge this week!


DT Challenge: Tiddly Inks Challenges #49 (Manly Men)
Main Stamp: Thanks for Keeeping it Real, Boss! (TI)
Patterned Paper: scraps
Metal Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities Deckled Rectangle

Copic Markers colored on Copy Paper:
-skin tone: E000, E21
-browns: E57, E59; E43, E44, E47, E49
-reds: E13, E17, E19
-yellows: Y11, Y23, Y26
-greens: E81, E89
-blues: B41, B45
-grays: C1, C3; W2, W4, W6, W8

Did you know? The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as a leading source of data about America’s people and economy. The most visible role of the Census Bureau is to perform the official decennial (every 10 years) count of people living in the U.S. The most important result is the reallocation of the number of seats each state is allowed in the House of Representatives, but the results also affect a range of government programs received by each state.
[United States Census Bureau, Wikipedia.org]

Alvida the Pirate

~ sproatmeyer ~ 20 Comments

Welcome to another challenge day at Make it Colourful! Our challenge for you this week is to color a water scene, and with the new images from Make it Crafty, you’ll have lots to choose from! Our sponsor this week is Quixotic Paperie which has also started selling these rubber stamps!! I used three: Alvida the Pirate, The Cove and Treasure Chest.


Here’s Alvida the Pirate with the Treasure Chest before it was cut out. I colored both images separate then put them together at the last minute. To do this I cut a slit above the Treasure Chest where the foot would go in. Once it was aligned then I taped it together on the back.


While looking for the right size die to cut the background with I noticed the Jumbo Scallop punch was upside dwon and so I thought it would be perfect for waves! I glued them to the base of the card then used foam dots at the top part to pop them out of the page. The money used to be charms and I cut off the necklace loop on each of them and attached them with large Glue Dots.


Here’s a full side view giving a good shot of the other embellishments. The corners are my favorite laser cut chipboards, also avialable from Make it Crafty, and I colored them with Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers – it’s the quickest way and easy to get full coverage.


Here’s the background of The Cove before it was put cut. It helps to create an illusion if some of the white is left. Also the waters farther away are darker and so the close water is lighter in color. You might also notice the beach closet to us have dots for the sand but in the background is solid coloring because of the distance.

DT: Make it Colourful – Challenge #19 (water scene)
Main Stamp: Alvida the Pirate, The Cove and Treasure Chest (MiC)
Patterned Paper: Salt Air (CC)
Chipboard: Swirly Corners (MiC) painted with Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers Gold and Pearl
Metal Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles and Mini Scalloped Circles, and My Favorite Things Die-namics Jumbo Scallop

Copic Markers colored on Copy Paper:
-skin tone: E00, E11, E13
-browns: E50, E51, E53; E41, E42, E43, E44, E49
-reds: E08, E19, E18, R17, R29, YR18
-oranges: YR12, YR16, YR18
-yellows: Y32, Y35, Y38
-greens: BG 34, G2, G05, B29
-blues: BG11, BG70, BG72, BG75
-grays: C1, C3; W3, W4, W6, W8
-clouds: BG0000, C1, B41

Did you know? I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General (often referred to as the Major-General’s Song or Modern Major-General’s Song) is a patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. It is perhaps the most famous song in Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas. It is sung by Major-General Stanley at his first entrance, towards the end of Act I. The song satirises the idea of the “modern” educated British Army officer of the latter 19th century. It is one of the most difficult patter songs to perform, due to the fast pace and tongue-twisting nature of the lyrics.
[Major-General’s Song, Wikipedia.org]

Agent Cupcake Spotted

~ sproatmeyer ~ 15 Comments

Here’s another new release from Little Miss Muffet Stamps! Agent Cupcake is one versitle gal and you never know what she might do when up against the boys next door of the “GAG: Girls Are Gross” club! She was released in three poses along with the essential Treehouse Headquarters.


I loved the different ways the design team have colored these new releases! Check them out over at Little Miss Muffet Challenges and see all the wonderful inspiration they provided. All four images are now available in the store and I hope you’ve liked the new theme: “Operation TREEHOUSE”


I used a lot of black in my project to give it an “undercover” feel and added the stars to convey a nighttime scene. Of course, it helps with the operation if the moon is hidden behind some clouds! 😀


I’d like to enter into the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #28 (no sentiments)
Craft Us Crazy Challenge #8 (something new)
Crafty Sentiments Challenges (children’s card)
Shelly’s Terrifically Thrilling Thursday (anything goes)
Crafts and Me Challenge #35 (anything goes)

DT Preivew: Little Miss Muffet Previews
Main Stamp: Agent Cupcake Spotted (LMMS)
Patterned Paper: Stella & Rose Hattie (MME)
Metal Die: My Favorite Things Die-namics Clouds Trio and Notebook Edge

Copic Markers colored on Copy Paper:
-skin tone: E000, E00, E21, E11, E13
-browns: E40, E41, E42, E43, E44 E47, E49
-yellows: Y21, Y38, Y26
-blues: BG10, BG72, BG75, BG78
-pinks: R20, R21, R22, R24
-grays: C1, C3, C5, C7; W2, W4, W6, W8

Did you know? The 1906 French Grand Prix was a motor race held on 26 and 27 June 1906, on closed public roads outside the city of Le Mans. The Grand Prix was organised by the Automobile Club de France (ACF) at the prompting of the French automobile industry as an alternative to the Gordon Bennett races, which limited each competing country’s number of entries regardless of the size of its industry. The ACF chose a 103.18-kilometre (64.11 mi) circuit, composed primarily of dust roads sealed with tar, which would be lapped six times on both days by each competitor, a combined race distance of 1,238.16 kilometres (769.36 mi). Lasting for more than 12 hours overall and has become known as the first Grand Prix.
[1906 French Grand Prix, Wikipedia.org]

Treehouse Headquarters

~ sproatmeyer ~ 14 Comments

Here’s my second preview today of new releases from Little Miss Muffet Stamps… this one is one of my favorites! I mean, what girl wouldn’t want to have a fancy treehouse in the backyard with all the works! It even has a slide which was a last minute addition. ;D

Also, don’t forget to check out the winner of the Miss Anya Hats Off set announced in the previous post! (Click Here or scroll down.)

Operation TREEHOUSE: Treehouse Headquarters


The name of this theme is “Operation TREEHOUSE” and this is the girls main headquarters. The girls, of course, are resourceful so they’ve found ways to spruse up the triple-deck treehouse. The girls rally together each day to fight the evil boys nextdoor of the “GAG: Girls Are Gross” club!


This is only the second image of four that are being released this week and you can check out all the inspirational projects that the design team made over at Little Miss Muffet Challenges! I hope you like this new theme and check back tomorow for two more previews! 😀


I’d like to enter into the following challenges:
A Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge #152 (anything goes)
Clear it Out Tuesdays Challenges (any coloring medium)
Tip Top Tuesday Challenge #34 (one for the kids)

DT Preivew: Little Miss Muffet Previews
Main Stamp: Treehouse Headquarters (LMMS)
Patterned Paper: Toy Box (CP)

Copic Markers colored on Copy Paper:
-browns: E31, E33, E35, E57, E59
-reds: R21, R22, R24, R46, R59
-yellows: YR31, Y21, Y26, Y15
-greens: G40, YG61, YG63, YG67
-blues: BG11, BG72, BG75; B000, B01
-grays: C1, C3; W2, W4, W6, W8

Did you know? Tafl games were a family of ancient Germanic and Celtic board games played on a checkered or latticed board with two teams of uneven strength. The size of the board and the number of pieces varied, but all games involved a distinctive 2:1 ratio of pieces, with the lesser side having a king-piece which started in the centre. The king’s objective was to escape to (variously) the board’s periphery or corners, while the greater force’s objective was to capture him. Tafl spread everywhere the Vikings traveled, including Iceland, Britain, Ireland, and Lapland. Versions of Tafl, comprising Hnefatafl, Alea Evangelii, Tawlbwrdd, Brandubh, Ard Ri and Tablut, were played across much of Northern Europe from earlier than 400 CE until it was supplanted by Chess in the 12th century.
[Tafl Games, Wikipedia.org]

Agent Cupcake

~ sproatmeyer ~ 13 Comments

I’m excited to show you the latest images from Little Miss Muffet Stamps… this one is Agent Cupcake. Sweet, isn’t see? He he he…. just wait until tomorrow. ;D But for today, you can enjoy the yummy cupcake.

However, before we get to my card we have a winner to announce! (Details are found with the Miss Anya Hats off card I posted on Sunday.) We had 57 comments and random.org picked the lucky winner of The Greeting Farm stamp, Miss Anya Hats Off, to be …

Congratulations!! Contact Jessica (yeahshestamps at gmail.com) to claim your prize! 😀

Operation TREEHOUSE: Agent Cupcake


Who doesn’t like cupcakes and I thought a cute birthday card would be perfect! I was able to finally incorporated two cutting dies that I’ve had laying around, hearts and scallops.


This is just one of four images that are being released this week which were all inspired by the warm spring days around this area! It’s the perfect time to play outside in the backyard. Hope you enjoy her and don’t forget to check out the other inspirational creations posted at Little Miss Muffet Challenges.


I’d like to enter into the following challenges:
Anything Goes Challenge #41 (BINGO – diecut, charm, gems)
Claudia & Company Challenge #82 (girls birthday)
Paper and Such Challenge #1 (birthday)
Sweet Stamp Challenge #15 (birthday)

DT Previews: Little Miss Muffet Previews
Main Stamp: Agent Cupcake (LMMS)
Patterned Paper: Neighborhood (CP)
Chipboard: Swirly Corners (MiC)
Metal Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities Hearts and Scallopped Hearts and My Favorite Things Die-namics Scallopped Scallop

Copic Markers colored on Copy Paper:
-skin tone: E000, E00, E21, E11, R11, R12
-browns: E43, E44, E47, E49
-reds: R24, R39
-blues: B91, B93, B34, B37, B39
-pinks: R81, R83, R85, R89
-grays: 0, C1, C3

Did you know? The term Viking (from Old Norse víkingr) is customarily used to refer to the Norse (Scandinavian) explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century. These Norsemen used their famed longships to travel as far east as Constantinople and the Volga River in Russia, and as far west as Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland, and as far south as Al Andalus. This period of Viking expansion – known as the Viking Age – forms a major part of the medieval history of Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland and the rest of Europe in general.
[Vikings, Wikipedia.org]