Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Surprise!!

Hey All! Happy Hump Day!!! Hope all is well in your bloggin' worlds! I've got lots to get to, so on with the blog. . . I want to start by telling you all about a company that I have to sing praises to! The company is Artful Inkables! I have never dealt with a company that is so customer service oriented! Their designs are fabulous, the stamps are super high quality, and I can't say enough good things about them. If you haven't heard of them or seen their products, click on the link and go drool! Kristin Soboloski is the owner and my good blogging buddy, Jenn Muraoka is part of their design team. So, there ya go! I don't endorse many companies, but this one is terrific.


Today my post contains one of those surprises I mentioned in my last post. But before I get to that, I thought you should see my latest project. Here it is. . .











(Don't forget to click on the pictures) This is a set of note cards that I made using my new stamps from Artful Inakables. All of these are done in some type of metallic. Either metallic embossing powder or metallic paper, or metallic ribbon, or a combination of all 3. I LOVE this set from Artful. It is one of their mini sets called "Hummingbird Set" and contains the images above. They have an Art Deco feel to them. The top one is done on cs called Blue Blazer and matted with gold cs. The image is embossed with gold ep. and then finished off with metallic ribbon. The second (my personal favorite) is done on copper metallic cs matted with jet black cs, and finished with copper metallic floss. The image is embossed with fine black ep. The third one is done on jet black cs, matted on silver cs, and finished off with metallic silver cord ribbon. The image is embossed with silver ep. All are mounted on A2 size, high quality water color cs. All have been embellished with metallic brads. I left room at the bottom below the images to stamp a sentiment for any occasion, but they can stand alone as note cards. I love how these turned out. Very simple but elegant. Here is a close up of the image:





I also decorated a box to coordinate with the set. See below:




I used 3 pieces of narrow two-sided tape on top of the box (the kind with the red side that you pull off). I covered each strip of tape (one at a time) with metallic ep and embossed each to come up with this effect. Looks like there are ribbons running across, but it is permanent. Here is a picture of the whole set:




OK, now for the surprise. . .(drum roll please). . . I'm giving this note card set away to one of you! When I made it, I didn't have anyone in mind, and so I thought this would be fun to give to someone, so I thought of all of you! I wish I could give each of you a set, but there are only so many hours in the day! So you will have to settle to try and win it! Here's what you have to do:

If you have been coming by my blog any time at all, you know I like to do things a little differently. I'm not going to make you jump through hoops, but I would like for you to leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite tip for card making. I will then put every one's name on Random.org, and the person who comes out lucky #13 on the list will win my note card set. I will accept posts until 6:00 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, August 2, 2008. I'll announce the winner on Sunday, August 3, 2008. Good luck to all!

One final thing before I go. I was honored by a couple of people with another award. Both Adrienne of Scrappin' with Adrienne and Judy of Designs by Nanny gave me the BFF Gold Visa Card Award. It is proudly displayed up there under awards! Thanks so much! You both are very sweet to think of me!

That's it for now! As always I thank you so much for visiting me. These little things that I do are just my way of saying how much I appreciate you and I'm trying to keep my blog fun and fresh! You are all the best! I'll be seeing you on your blogs! Don't forget the picture of the week below! More stuff coming soon!

Best,

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

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Hm, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture you have. They are so pretty! What kind of camera do you use? Really expensive one? Er what?!

My favorite tip... lets see here. You do a lot of embossing. Did you know you could go over it more than once? Just sprinkle the powder on again, when its still hot (after the first time), and emboss again.

Um. Other tips. Always have fun! Try new experiments AND last but not least... :D... Smile!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, I love the middle (copper) card...though they are all beautiful!

My favorite tip - suggestion really- I've realized that most often if I take the time to sit down and make a card it's just as easy to make 2. I'll make one for the person intended, and one for my stash of cards for some other day.

My time is, unfortunately, limited since I have 2 little boys, so this is my way to get more done and always have a "handmade with love" card to send someone.

Love your blog! Thanks for sharing!
Krissy in Illinois

Anonymous said...

These are stunning! These are perfect for sending special notes to friends and family. I need to start a blog so that I can enter for this stuff!

MaryEllen Eidle, Southern California

Judy said...

These cards are gorgeous!!

My favorite tip? Hmmmmm...I always try to make use of my paper scraps if at all possible when making cards.

Carole Beath said...

Well, Curt....I saw your link on Judy's blog and I came to visit. Love your cards...and I adore your two dogs. My Uncle always had miniature Schnauzers and there were cuties.

Sue from Oregon said...

These cards are so elegant! Beautiful job with the embossing too! Hmm...tip... laugh at your mistakes because they usually turn out to be your best work..covering up a booboo makes you think outside the box!

Anonymous said...

Oh my those are such gorgeous cards. Believe me when I say that they will be cased. my tip don't be afraid to try something new, be it colors, ep's or sometime just a button or two. it will liven up your card. Thanks so much for sharing this info and the stamp company. MaryAnn

Gina Wrona said...

Wow Curt, that is a surprise! and a good one at that!

my tip is save ALL scraps for future use. You may not know it at the time you are saving them, but trust me, some of my best cards are made from scraps.

((hugs))
Gina

Denise said...

BEAUTIFUL, I Want to win it!!!!
Tip: When using ribbon on the matted part of a card, I'll tie the ribbon around the cardstock, make my bow, then turn it over & snip ribbon and pull tighter & tape it down. That way bow i front looks great & not loose or hanging.

Scossie Jane said...

Curt, these notecards are stunning, and how generous of you to offer the chance to win them to your visitors, I'm definitely on your list.

A tip, wow, did you know a blob of 'Blu-Tack' is great for getting unwanted bits of double sided tape off paper or card, and also stray glue from glue sticks, while it's still damp!

Also, if you like it, go with it xx

Photo of the week is a cracker, as usual xx

Anonymous said...

MOM HERE...THOSE NOTE CARDS ARE GORGEOUS....I HOPE THEY FIND A GOOD HOME. LOVE THE "PIC OF THE WEEK"...HOW DO YOU KEEP OUTDOING YOURSELF? YOUR GOING TO BE FAMOUS. LOVE YA.

Barbara Jean Smith said...

Don't you just love Jenn! It doesn't surprise me a bit to know that your two worlds are connected somehow. I love the cards you did, very elegant.

My favorite tip: Hmmm, I'm thinking. Got it! When in need for inspiration, go to Curt's World. TEEHEE. Seriously, I love to take everyday things and use them to create textured backgrounds. (Roll a pencil in ink and try it out for starters)

Thanks for sharing part of your world!

Jules said...

13 is my lucky number!!!
Ok first, your cards are beautiful! So clean and elegant, I will have to pop on over to that company and take a look at their stamps cuz this one is very pretty.
I love all your cards, the copper one is definitely different I bet IRL if is even prettier!
Second, I always love your pictures! One question was that little red thing in the middle a part of the flower? I couldn't zoom in.

My favorite tip, (not that you need any) I save and sort all my scraps in hanging files, sometimes I just need a little piece of something. Also I don't throw out something I have worked on and didn't like, sometimes I have more patience for it later so I have an "unfinished" file, every once in a while I will look through it, giggle and realize I have a little piece of something that I worked on like a year ago, that I now want to finish.

Thanks for the chance at the gorgeous cards not to mention the matching box!

Have a good day!

Jodi said...

Beautiful set of cards (as ALWAYS)!! I still have to get my easel!!

Anyway, tips???? I keep some scraps of CS for later use, and try a new way to color something each day.

The Rubber Maid said...

Love your note cards, they are just super. My personal fav. is the first one as I love navy and gold together. Beautiful job!
A tip??? Well if you like the bleached look an easier way is to emboss you image with clear embossing powder and then put a sheet of wax paper on it and use a hot iron. It takes away the raised area and leaves it white. You can use color around it by using the direct to paper tech. Neat trick. Pat

DeeDee said...

OMG!! These are WONDERFUL Curt!!! WOW....you are so awesome to give them away too....my Mama LOVES hummingbirds and I may just need to go purchase that stamp set just to make cards for her!!!!

Okay....hmmmm....a tip....did you know you can drop a few drops of food coloring in some shaving cream...give it a slight "mix" then lay your cardstock in it and make your own patterned paper??? Look here: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/294783/shaving_cream_printer/

Have FUN!!!! HUGS!!!! Oh jeepers...I almost forgot...I love your pic of the week...that is so COOL!!!!

Jenn Muraoka said...

Gosh Curt this is an absolute stunner! SO much work went into this, do you really want to give it away? To ME? heehee. I would love, love, love a chance to win this gorgeous set.

My Tip: Well you know I'm all about the sketch. I feel that sketches are vital to a card maker or scrapper. It's a great way to organize your thoughts and create NEW ones. I just think it's such an important part of the "process" and I'm a big advocate of "the sketch"!

Love ya, babe! Keep up the wonderful work. BTW, do you have a youtube account? I loaded the video that I wanted to share with you of Trav's photos, but it's private. So you have to have a youtube account. Let me know!

Rita said...

Wowza! Curt this set is awesome, you do such an amazing job on your cards!
My favorite tip that I just started & looks awesome is to ink the embossing folder on one side only (textile folder)(try one side at a time to figure out which side you like) then run it thru cuddlebug by facing the folder words (cuttlebug) down rather than up, it comes out awesome. Make sure you clean folder after your done so as not to stain it. I used vanilla cs with choc. chip ink.

Anonymous said...

Natures Fireworks makes my day! Thanks, Curt! Discovered your blog months ago and have looked forward to family pics and nature pics amid your totally personal and expressive stamping productions. Solid move, making ribbon combo with notecards' matching accents! Keep Looking Up! from drought ridden Central Montana where all that nature photo work draws grins and warm spots even before the day reaches 100 degrees!

ohradiogirl said...

Very nice cards; I like them they way they are w/o a sentiment. Tips-I can't really think of one right now.

Unknown said...

Hey curt! Would you LOVE some scrappy blog CANDY?! Post a comment
http://noregretsjustblessings.blogspot.com/2008/08/friday-blog-candybasic-grey-boxer.html
saying i sent ya over! :D She's giving away basic grey boxer paper, its to die for!

Anonymous said...

Huummmmmmm, this card set rocks! Likin'this massive work, Curt.
Tip: Versa Mark watermark adds subtle background without demanding a coordinating or complimentary ink...the go anywhere stamping mode.
Curt when taking that emboss a second time over an image to your workshop add this adventure in stamping...a third layer of melted powder then a bold stamp in the middle of a solid section...pull out carefully, let cool...shadow inside an embossed image. Another twist to that step is pool the embossing powder when layering free form heating each layer then stamp a solid or bold image in heated pool, remove carefully..could tear image...let cool, then cut out image in pooled embossing powder or pull paper from edge of pooled area for more of a country look.

sandyh50 said...

Wow, love that metallic card with the gold ribbon.

My tip is to always clean your stamp space after you finish a project. Then you will be ready to start another one the next day.

sandyh502001 at yahoo dot com

scrappermimi said...

Congrats on your blog award and thanks for visiting mine! I just love your picture and those cards are so clean and classic, great style!

My favorite card tip...I always use scraps, makes me feel like I am recycling!

Jeni Glee said...

Curt, do you know what a lovely set of cards this is? Each one is beautiful and each one has a most pleasing personality. Nice work, my Friend!

The best advice I can give for making cards is: keep it simple, keep it fun and above all, develop and appreciate your own style. One of the best comments I received was when someone wrote, "if I did not see your name near the card, I would know it was yours because of your style!"

Janine said...

Hi Curt!! Love these cards and this set!! Very nicely done!!
Hope you had a great weekend!

Little C's Creations said...

hey Curt, these cards are beautiful. lucky for it's receiver. my tip is that it is better to always give than to receive..... that is what I've learned from myself through this wonderful hobby. keep up the great work buddy!!

huggies,
Jen

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

Hi from Australia!
I just HAD to leave a comment about these hummingbird cards - they are absolutely gorgeous!! So elegant!
Your work is amazing - such creativity and beauty shines thru from your soul in everything you create.