WooHoo it is tickle a Teapotter time of the month and Lisa (aka ShoeGirl) has shared a fun true story about Grandpa Holmes.
Grandpa took his five children and their families on many great adventures, including the Mayan Ruins in Mexico. On one of their trips Grandpa Holmes came across a teapot that looked like a monkey. The challenge translation is to bring monkeys to the tea-party, thankfully the story said we could be inspired by the idea of monkeying around...whew.
Here we have Duckie, Aguppie and Lucky. Duckie is wearing her sombrero, purchased from Mexico on one of Grandpas trips, Aguppie is upside down swinging from the trees and Lucky the three legged dog is wearing a party hat. I hope all of this qualifies for "monkeying around".
I spend half my childhood climbing trees and hanging upside down. I remember once when I was about 6 years old, the annoying boy next door challenged me to a tree climb, it was more like a double dare so I could hardly refuse. Some of you know how clumsy I am, so you will be happy to read I did not fall, it is safe to read on. I can't remember this boys name (we will call him Eric) but he was one of those kids that always got other kids into trouble and he never got caught himself...until the day of the great tree climb.
I was a tiny thing and shimmied up the tree like a little monkey. Eric was built like a brick outhouse and it took him quite a bit longer. The kids that were gathered around the tree were cheering for me and shouting to Eric that he was beaten by a GIRL!!! Next minute there was an all mighty crack and the branch that Eric was on broke. Thankfully Eric's own body padding saved him from serious injury, however at the time I thought he was dead. All the kids bolted and ran off, frightened to be involved in Erics "death", that and the fact that the old tree had a big sign...Do Not Climb...
I would like to say I learnt something from this childhood experience ..... but nothing comes to mind LOL.
Now about the card, it is my usual smack and squirt technique and an extra wide stair step card. Aguppie and Duckie started out life as Sassy Cheryl digi images and Lucky is an Art Impressions rubber stamp (RAK from Robin). I finally got some new tree stamps by Inkadinkado. The images were coloured with Tria markers, they are very bright so I gently wiped them with a foam blending tool that had traces of gathered twigs distress ink on it. This toned down the colours and looked better with background. A white Sharpie paint pen was used to make the polka dots.
I had heaps of fun making this, even more so knowing it is going to a Teapotter. Have a terrific week ladies.
Date: Monday, February 23, 2015 GMT Views: 2009
Favorited:11
Registered: March 11, 2008 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 39766
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 @ 3:41 PM
Oh my word, I don't know what is cuter or funnier....the card or your write up. Girl, you crack me up!!!! Love this colorful full of fun card. Must ask one question tho, is that dog a three legged dog because you "accidently" cut a leg off? hehe Love love love this. Whom ever gets this will be over the moon. WOW! TFS :0)
------------------------------ Cathy B aka: Mutnik ....or is it Nutmeg?! I get so confused!
Smile.......people will wonder what you are up to! :0) Proud Fan Club Member 2010 DT forRubbernecker Stamps My Gallery
Registered: October 21, 2010 Location: in the okanagan in b.c. canada Posts: 13012
Tue, Feb 24, 2015 @ 7:45 PM
Oh Susie my friend, I so want to join your " Fiesta "...they are having so much fun. And climbing trees are so much fun. glad all was good with Erik...whew....Wonderful scene...as always...;0)....you are so talented with these 3d scenes...and I as always have so much fun enjoying your stories...Thanks for sharing...HUGS
------------------------------ We as people are raindrops of colorful ink , falling down Crisp and Clear, each a different shade more vibrant then the last, but once we realize at the bottom of an endless abyss we all fall into the same inkpot forming one color, only then can we come together as one My son.
Registered: January 8, 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40327
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 @ 3:40 AM
Great story, Susie, I was not a tree climber myself but, oh boy, son Tim climbed anything and everything!!! I love the vibrant colouring of this fabulous card and your use of the digis is always so fun and creative!!
------------------------------ Sue
Fan Club Member QFTD143 FS420
Registered: March 12, 2008 Location: stamping or writing Posts: 9862
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 @ 9:13 AM
Now, this is a fun version of monkeying around. Your details are spot on, as usual.
Loved your story, and truly did LOL when I got to this part "I would like to say I learnt something from this childhood experience ..... but nothing comes to mind LOL."
Registered: February 5, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 92426
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 @ 10:45 AM
Susie, the fellow teapotter who receives this FABULOUS "Susie Original" is going to feel like they won the Grand Lottery!! Your work is without compare in its artistry, originality and composition.
Registered: February 22, 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 43340
Wed, Feb 25, 2015 @ 3:33 PM
I can really appreciate your tree climbing story - spent a lot of time in trees myself when I was small. Hadn't thought about that in a very long time. Another great smack and squirt background and beautifully dressed party girl. Such a fun design, Susie!
------------------------------ Priscilla (aka - PJ)
QFTD187 My Gallery
Registered: September 11, 2009 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 7266
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 @ 9:44 PM
The background is amazing and the story to go with it brought back so many memories of my youth. I also had a tree climbing experience (I didn't fall either). A horrible boy challenged me to climb a tree and not wanting to look like a coward I climbed up and up. I have an extreme fear of heights and I couldn't descend the tree. Not wanting to show my fear I told my friends I liked it up there and wanted to stay. They all went home and when I was late for dinner my dad asked my friends where I was and they found me. Dad had to climb up to help me down. Never tried that again.
------------------------------ ELIZABETH LINCOLN Proud Fan Club Member
I design for CRAFTY SECRETS
My Blog: Paper Pass Times
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Favorites Team Notifier Splitcoast Challenge Hostess
Registered: October 26, 2009 Location: Oakhurst, near Yosemite Nat'l Park. Posts: 46782
Thu, Feb 26, 2015 @ 11:42 PM
Well, Lucky is a very lucky 3 legged dog to have friends who like to monkey around so much!! Dogs like nothing quite so much as their people having fun and monkeying around outside with them!
Glad to hear that you did not fall and break something!!Your card is so cute and the bg is so pretty!! I have to come over so you can show me how to do the smack and squirk!
------------------------------ Blessings, Robin Encourage one anotherMy Blog-InkMagination , QFTD201,Dirty Dozen Alumni.Impression Obsession DT, DRS DT.Formerly HC DT, ODBD DT.
Registered: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9825
Fri, Feb 27, 2015 @ 1:53 PM
Thank you for the great big smile this card gave me, Susie. Each time I look (in awe and amazement) at this fabulous card I just laugh. It is just so cute. I can see all of us SCSs doing a happy dance like that. Your colors are gorgeous and the creativity that went into designing this card is beyond belief. I still want to see all of your side step cards arranged into one big scene... like a fairy garden on steroids.
Registered: February 9, 2010 Location: Mentone, California Posts: 7361
Sat, Feb 28, 2015 @ 12:12 AM
SO I think I am detecting a commonality between climbing trees and card making, as so many have admitted it was an activity heavily indulged in as a kid...and I must admit I climbed my fair share as well. In fact, if I were a bit younger... we have the perfect oaks on our property for just that thing! Love all the fun aspects of your monkeying around step-card. I have been loving the intense colors of your back grounds lately and I think you should do a tutorial for Splitcoast calling it "Susie's Smack and Squirt" technique! Well done my friend...whoever receives this will be as delighted as we all are viewing it!