Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Monday, October 13, 2008

I Think I Get This Coloring Thing Now!

Hey All! Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. I'm glad you haven't given up on me! I have several cards to post today. My first is the reason for the title. I'm dedicating this card to my good blogging buddy Sue Kment at Sue's Stamping Stuff. Go visit her blog to see a true artist! Her coloring of the House Mouse images are jaw-dropping gorgeous. Awhile back, she very generously sent me a ton of stamped images which included the one I feature on today's card. No matter how hard I tried to emulate her coloring, I failed miserably. She told me that she uses blending techniques and what supplies she used. Well, I went out and got some, and boy, what a difference it made! Here is what I made after her coaching. . .



Sue had done this image, and I was just in awe over it. When I tried to color with just my colored pencils, it always looked like a 3rd grader did it. Now, with her help, the use of blending stumps, and odorless mineral spirits, I think I have the hang of it now! Here's a close up view:



At least I'm so much more happy with the results, and because of her, I can't wait to tackle some more of these! The dp is from the Fall Stack from DSCW. I mounted the image on green and mustard cs and attached it to the paper. Stamped and embossed the sentiment cs and then cut it out with my circle and scallop Nesties, and mounted it on the card using foam squares. Added the little dew drop thingies and ribbon. Thanks again so much Sue! You are my official "Coloring Mentor"! Honestly, I can't thank you enough!

My next cards are some I have made specifically for Pat's "Cards for Kids" project. Click on the link if you want to learn more and how you can help! The first card is a Halloween card. I figure since it is coming up soon, that would be a good theme. Here it is. . .



This is such a "boy" card! Catching bugs in jars. . .LOL. The jar stamp is by Inkadinkado and the spider stamp is a Martha Stewart stamp. I used my white ink pen to draw the spider web and to dot the photo corners. I added the red jewel to the spider for bling effect (see close up) below:



I don't know who the paper is by. Stamped the sentiment on orange cs mounted all stamped images after matting with foam squares, tied the ribbon and done.

So I figured that if this one was "boyish", I guess I'd better make one a little more softer for the girls. . .



This was an image that Tammy at Stamp Happy (another incredibly talented person!) sent me too! I colored the image with colored pencils and used the blending again. I then took a wet paper towel and blotted it on my Colorbox ink pad and blotted it to make the purple background. I like how it turned out. I did the same thing for the white cs that the sentiment is stamped on. The image and the sentiment are from My Favorite Things. I matted both, mounted them on the dp with foam squares, added an eyelet for the ribbon, and also added brads to the sentiment cs. Here is a close up of the image. . .



My final cards for today's post are more for the younger kids. I made 3 cards, each with a different center image.



These are simple cards, however they took me forever! These were cards that I bought that were already embossed with round looking bubbles. So I thought they would be good to use for the fish stamps I got from Stampin Up. I used my Versamark embossing pen, and colored every one of those "bubbles" on the front of each card. I then sprinkled with turquoise and glitter embossing powder and embossed. THAT is what took me so long, and THAT is what nearly sent me over the edge by the third card LOL! I then colored each image with colored pencils, added glittery highlights to each (see detail shot below), and mounted each on to the center of the card with foam squares.



The sentiments are on the inside, and were computer generated. The one for the seahorse says "Happy Birthday"; the one for the starfish says "You are a Super Star!"; and the crab card says "Just Beclaws". So Pat! If you are reading this, I have 10 cards now to send off to you. I'll be going to the post office tomorrow, so watch your mail!

Well, that's it! I am so glad that you stopped by! Don't forget the pic of the week below. It is a picture of my Mom's dog Chunk. We all went for a walk yesterday, and he was sniffing around and looked up and had those leaves stuck to his face. Thought it was a cute picture. . . Thanks again for visiting! I'll see you on your blogs!


Best,
Curt O'Brien

"God help me be the person my dogs think I am."

33 comments:

Lauri said...

Hey Curt! You definitely have the coloring thing figured out!! All your cards are great! I really like the "softer" Halloween card you made with the purple background!

Looks like you had a great time on your walk in the leaves!

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

Awesome cards Curt! I love all of them :) You did a great job with the bunny - I've just discovered the blending technique myself, lol... The boyish Halloween card is my fave! My boys would definitely pick that one out of the bunch :)
I love everything that you do :)
Thnx!
xoxo, margie

Marie said...

Wow, Curt! You got busy with your cards! And I appreciate the technique and details shots. I know how much of an effort that is. I love House Mouse! I need to check out your friend's blog. I hope you have a great week, and I'll see you at my blog! There's a few cards that I've made over the week, so make sure to go backwards to the Older Posts. Hugs!

Catherine said...

LOL! on coloring, i feel the same thing on coloring my images and get so frustrated. I've seen everyone's card and always wished that i can color like them and not i'll be saying that to you... love it! i read the blending technique and see if i can create something using that technique...we'll see :)

DeeDee said...

Well here you are....I was starting to wonder!!! LOL!!! WOW Curt....these are all very nice cards you've done here....that house mouse card is so stinkin' CUTE!!!!! I love your POTW....what a sweet face Chunk has.....leaves and all!!!! HUGS!!!

Rita said...

Fab job with the coloring! We all had to start from the beginning & it does take a little practice & patience but you got it!!! All of your cards are so cute, I luv that spider!!!

6 wacky women said...

Absolutley beautiful!! I am totally impressed with your house mouse card. The shading is soooooo good. I love the halloween cards and your seahorse is too cute!! Isn't it nice when it all comes together. Glad to see you back...I missed ya.
Karen

Denise said...

I love it Curt, the coloring is fabulous, great job!
(My Stampin Up customers)

Deb Neerman said...

WoWzA, Curt, you've been busy! Love all these cards and your coloring looks amazing!

Boy, ain't it the truth: you gotta have the right tools to do the job ... whatever job you're doing!

The Halloween cards are adorable ... love that web you drew!

Your cards make me smile .. and reading your posts make me LOL! You da bomb bestest!

~Hugs, Deb

Little C's Creations said...

Great cards, Curt. Love your coloring on the 1st one, it's gorgeous!! I love coloring with both my Coloring Pencils n' Copics. Just wish I had enough time to create with them both. Your spiderweb on the 2nd one is awesome... love your lil' kiddie cards, and the one for the girls too - all were cute!!!

Hugs,
Jen

Ann said...

You certainly have got the hang of the colouring Curt - all your cards are gorgeous, but I especially love the house mouse one!!! xx

Will have to check out your friends blog for tips too -TFS!!

The Rubber Maid said...

Yes your coloring is awesome, you nailed it. That little rabbit is so darned cute and the Halloween cards and well all of them. Love the fact you made the spider web, how great it is. Thanks for joining my cause, you are the best. Pat

Julie Koerber said...

Love, love, love these! I know my mom will too!! I am also glad you found odorless mineral spirits -- your card is gorgeous!! I love that technique too!

Jamie Martin said...

All of your cards are wonderful. You did an amazing job on your coloring with the shading, what an artist you are.
Your right about the spider card being a boy card, that black widow is creepy. We have a few of those out side and they are scary.

Erin said...

Love your cards. I will have to try the color pencils and gamsol for sure. And Chunk is so cute!!!!!!

Tammy Hershberger said...

Wow, have you been busy! Fabulous work on all the cards, Curt! You're going to be hooked on coloring now that you've mastered that colored pencil technique. I love doing that too, and often forget about it with all my pretty Copic markers smiling at me. I'm out of OMS... have to hit up a friend who has a big jug of it to refill my bottle!

Great work, and thanks for the "plug" too!

Michelle Alejandro said...

Hey Curt , new to your blog and just love it! The mouse could not be any cuter! Like you want to cuddle with it, lol. Love your cards and your photography! You are a true talent!
Aloha,
Michelle

Michelle Alejandro said...

Whoops, I mean bunny, lol. I think I need coffee.

Janine said...

Curt your coloring is fabulous... You really got the technique down pat I think!!!

Jeni Glee said...

Oh Curt, you have done beautifully on all these cards....I adore the one with the spider in the jar. It is super, super cute! You are awesome, my Friend, and are so talented! The photo is adorable! You can't help but smile!

Anonymous said...

YOUR CARDS ARE BEYOND ANY WORDS THAT I CAN EXPRESS....AND THAT "BUNNY" IS SO REAL, I JUST WANT TO HUG HIM. BUT THE BEST OF ALL IS THAT "PIC OF THE WEEK", MY LITTLE HONEY BUNNY, AND I CAN HUG HIM. TX FOR INCLUDING HIM IN YOUR "BLOG". LOVE YA, MOM

WhimsicalThoughts said...

Wow Curt, I totally love the cards, the one with the spider web is great! LOL at your coloring looking like a 3rd grader did it. I have some odorless mineral spirits and blending stumps and they make a world of difference, you did an awesome job!

Jodi said...

Aww that photo at the end just melted my heart!!! So Sweet!! =) I am still smiling!! Your coloring on the house mouse card is so beautiful. What a terrific job!!
I not only admire your cards for the kids, but your kind heart!!
Big Hugs to you, Jay and the boyz!!

dpkennedy said...

OMG, he does look just like a chocolate chunk! How cute! Your coloring is fantastic! Your House Mouse card is great! Love your halloween cards too-both are so cute! And the bubbles were worth it! Adorable sea creature cards-the kids are gonna love these!!

Joy said...

good job on the coloring! the bunny with the apples are so cute! it takes a lot of talent to make so many cards at one time! way to go! TFS!

Joan Fricker said...

Great cards Curt! I especially love the fall card and you certainly mastered the blending technique.

Joan

Mada said...

So you have just added a new spark to your already glowing and overflowing crafting talents. Well done! :)
Your colouring is awesome and I'm sure your mentor couldn't be any prouder with such a gifted pupil.

Like everybody else, I notice that the bunny is real and so are those yummy apples - I can almost sense their smell. Great work!

I am totally in love with the simple cards, the ones for the young(er) kids. What a brilliant idea to emboss those bubbles in turquoise - it makes them look so lively and bright, perfect for brightening a kid's day.

As for the adorable Chunk... please tell him he's one lucky fellow - if I lived closer and could meet him in the park I wouldn't be able to "Leaf Him Alone". :) He looks so huggable and your photo captured that just great.

Hugs,
Mada

Mada said...

Me again :)

If you stop by my blog for a minute, you'll find an award waiting for you in there.

Hugs,

Anonymous said...

Hi Curt!
First time commenting on your blog. Just wanted you to know I love it. Your coloring on the first card is fantastic! Tools definately help get professional results. We need them all, lol.
Big Hugs from your Fan,
Michelle Zindorf

Chris said...

Hi Curt, I just got a link to your blog from Mada's blog and yours is great! I love your cards and piccies and your HM card is so beautifully coloured. Chris x

Anonymous said...

Wow, have you been busy. Some very cute cards!!!I love the mouse eating the apple.

Judy said...

These cards are wonderful and the coloring is fantastic. I still haven't mastered coloring to my satisfaction.

Julia Aston said...

Boy are you on a roll with these cards Curt! You have definately figured out the coloring thing- nice job on the house mouse.... Sue is a terrific colorist!

Love your halloween cards - the white web and red bling are terrific!