Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Monday, July 28, 2008

Having a RUFF Day?

Hey All! Hope your weekend was a good one and your week is starting off in a great way! Before I start blathering on, make sure you stop back by in the next several days, because I have some fun new projects to share as well as a fun idea I'm going to launch, and a surprise or two. Now, on to the card for today!

I love how today's card turned out, but I'm telling you, boy did it take me forever to get it right! I know that when you first look at it you're going to think "Looks like an easy card to me. . ." But I'll explain. Here is the card:



Isn't he the cutest?!? There en lies my problem! I've got a close up of him below:



This is NOT what the original stamped image is supposed to look like. I wanted the image to look more like my Giant Schnauzers, and not like what the stamp was supposed to look like (I'll explain in a minute). The set is from Inkadinkado and is adorable. The sentiment is from the same set. You will see in the photo below, some of the stamp set. You see, the dogs in the set have "designs" on them which are cute, but I did not want them on this one. Also, the dog in the stamp set didn't look anything like a Giant Schnauzer, but was close enough so I thought I could do some "snippin" and some creative stamping to achieve what I wanted. Well, I got exactly what I wanted, but boy was it time consuming! Here is what the original dog looks like in the set:



(It's the one sitting above the word "woof". As you can see, he has spots, a long tail, big ear laying down, and a collar! Talk about a surgical makeover! I cut the tail off and then into two pieces. I also cut of the original ear which was not used. As you can see from the picture above, the top half of the tail I used for his new ear, and the bottom half of the tail was turned around, and stamped on the other side of him to give him the classic Schnauzer nubby tail. I then used a brush to "paint" in the dots and create a full neck without a collar (you can't see it because it is behind the bow). I then went around his cute new body with my brush to make him look fuzzy. I tied the bow around his neck, matted him on a Nestie scalloped circle that I stippled with the same brush and ink, then paper pierced the scallops, then matted that on top of a larger black Nestie scalloped circle. I matted that on top of a piece of red cs that I had stamped those cute bones on and then embossed them with clear embossing powder. I matted that onto white card and stippled the white edge with the same brush and ink. Finally, I stamped the sentiment on white cs, embossed it with clear ep, stippled it as well, cut it out and stuck it on the card with foam squares. The dog and white circle were also attached with foam squares for depth. And there you have it! It wouldn't take me long now to recreate it, but "performing surgery" on that stamp and figuring out how to reuse the pieces was certainly a puzzle. But I think the card was worth the effort!

Thanks for stopping by! I love it when you do! And please don't be a "drive by". Leave a comment just to say hi! I love to hear from you!

Don't forget the pic of the week below! I know that I recently posted a pic of a dragonfly, but this one is a little different, and he/she actually turned and faced me as I was focusing to take its picture. This gave a whole new shot I wasn't expecting! Enjoy!

Best,

Curt O'Brien
"God help me be the person my dog thinks I am."

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Ah yes, i think your plasic surgery went very well! The dog is MUCH cuter now than the original! Congrats! :D

Great picture of the dragonfly as well! Beautiful focus!

Gina Wrona said...

Wow, thanks for the heads up since I think I have this set as well.
((hugs))
Gina

Anonymous said...

I think you did an amazing job on the surgery!! Your version is much cuter. Your schnauzers are adorable :)

Julie Koerber said...

Wow! cute card Curt and love the effort you put into it to make it look like one of your boys!!! I also love how the saying swirls up! So.. you've got big news coming- huh? Now you have my interest piqued!!

My Paper World said...

What can I say, but WOW!!!!!
It was definately worth the effort because it looks amazing!
Very creative! and I think that your dragonfly shot is pretty cool too!
Nicola xx

Anonymous said...

THAT SCHNAUSER CARD IS SOOOO CUTE...IT LOOKS LIKE SHOTSY SITTING ON A OREO COOKIE...GOOD THING IT WASN'T GUNTHER, CAUSE HE WOULD HAVE EATEN IT...LOVED THAT CARD......AND THE "PIC OF THE WEEK' HE LOOKS LIKE A SMALL DOUBLE WINGED AIRPLANE........LOVE YA, MOM

Jodi said...

Ya see that!!! I told you... YOU'RE a PRO!! =) Beautiful job with your doggie card!! Looks just like a schnauzer to me!! LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!! =)

Jamie Martin said...

Super cute card, you did a great job making him look fuzzy, you're so creative :)

Scossie Jane said...

Well done Curt! Your elective surgery to the stamp really paid off, your antics with it made me laugh. Beautiful result, it does look like a schnauzer now.
Love your dragonfly photo, however, he doesn't look as cute as the last one, those beady eyes I think!!!! xx

twinkletoe said...

Your card is just lovely - your dogs too!

Janine said...

Curt this is such a fabulous card. I love dogs but don't have one any longer so I don't make cards with animals very often. This one is great!!

Anonymous said...

You say it took awhile...BUT it was so worth your effort. The card is fabulous. thanks so much for letting us know how it was done. Again, its great... MaryAnn

Tammy Hershberger said...

Cute card, Curt! Your scalloped circle almost looks like felt!

Anxious to hear about your new ideas, and that pic of the week is fabulous!

Denise said...

Curt
Love the card, very creative.

Pat Brinson said...

What fun your blogs are! Love the new card. I started to send you a thank you card I made a couple of weeks ago but the "sisters" got excited by the fireworks and shredded it!! You are an inspiration!

Judy said...

It was certainly worth all your time and effort. The card is super!

I've left an award for you on my blog.

Jules said...

Not that your surgical efforts weren't fabulous...but just in case you were thinking about making another Schnauzer card you may want to visit the website EveryBreedOfDog.com here is the link to a Schnauzer stamp: http://www.everybreedofdog.com/breeds/SchnauzerG.htm
although it is more realistic looking then cute cartoony.
Your card was soooo cute, and such work and love put into it!
And naturally I love your dragonfly photo...I wonder what he/she was thinking??
heehee!
Will be waiting to here your news...
Have a great week.

Lesli said...

I really enjoyed reading over your blog. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous - TFS your talent!

Jeni Glee said...

Whoa, Curt, you just wore me out reading what you did to create this wonderful card! Before I head off for a nap, I am going to say that "you did MARVELOUS!"

Your photo is GORGEOUS!!!!!

Becca said...

Curt, this card is adorable. I love the pic of the week, it is amazing. Big news? I will check back soon.

DeeDee said...

Oh my goodness...not only are you an artist...now your a surgeon...I swear your talent never ends!!!! I love this card...1, it's RED...2, it's got a dog on it and 3, YOU made it!!!! So CUTE!!! Oh and that's another wonderful pic of the week...I love how he/she is looking right at you.....I think I see it smiling even!!! HUGS!!!

The Rubber Maid said...

How cute that is and your effort paid off, it's a wonderful card.
Picture of the week is awesome . I'll be back to see what you are up to. Pat

Anonymous said...

Great job with changing the 'breed' of the dog...just love the card....and the dragonfly is absolutely beautiful....you are an amazing photographer...your 'subjects' seem to 'pose' for you. Thank Curt.

JuliannK said...

Good Lord I am exhausted just reading about all you did! Looks great!

~Julie Watson :)