Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

BLOG CANDY & NEW CARDS!!!

Hey All! Well, as promised in my last post, I am celebrating my 10,000 blog hits (way over now)! I put together something a little different than the usual blog candy. This prize is more for enjoying while one stamps instead of using it to stamp. Intriguing? OK, first you have to look at my cards! LOL That's surely what you came here to do, right? The blog candy thing was only secondary, right? Hmmmmmmm? LOL So here are my new cards. . .


This one is for my old director where I used to work. She is leaving the company, and I wanted to give her a card to wish her luck on her new job. Here it is. . .



I love this new stamp that I just got form Impress Rubber Stamps. They have so many cool things, and their prices are very reasonable. The stamp is by Memory Box. It is a wooden stamp, and the main stamp is where you would think it should be, but the secondary stamp the little thing that floats away is stuck to the side of the stamp, so they are both actually one stamp. Very cool. I stamped this with Staz-on Timber Brown ink on cs by Scrapworks called Light Coffee. The black is Bazzill cs. Here is what is amazing to me. I stamped the main image in Versamark embossing ink on the cs as a background image and just heated it with my heat gun to get this effect. Usually embossing clear ink gives a much lighter "watermark" effect, but for some reason it looks like a brown ink! I loved how it turned out. I also stamped the little floaty thingy multiple times on the strip for a background. I used my glitter Gelly Roll pen to put the silver glimmer on each. I then used my round and scalloped Nesties to cut one of the floating thingys out as well as the dandelion and adhered them with foam dimensionals. The tag thing with the sentiment (which was computer generated) is from a stamp set that I have no idea who made. I stamped it on the same card stock, cut it out, used my slot tool, then added black grosgrain ribbon. Here is another shot:



I also made her a second card. When she sent me the email that told me she had gotten another job, she also informed me that she got a new puppy and attached a picture. The picture was not very good (the pup's eyes were all glowing yellow orbs, and it was a little fuzzy) so I doctored it up in Photoshop and printed it out.








I used one of those photo cards that you buy in packs to insert the picture, then embellished it to make it more "puppy appropriate". I added ribbon and stamped the bones and paw prints on the card. Is this puppy adorable or what? It is a Cavapoo and her name is Sam.

OK now for the blog candy prize. I wanted something really grand for my 10,000 hits prize so to start it off, this card goes to the winner along with the prize. The card actually sets what the theme of the prize is. Here is the card you will get with the prize. . .



The main image and sentiment is from the Flourishes set called "Coffee With Friends". I wanted to get a wintry feel for the card, so I stamped the coffee cup image directly onto the snowflake paper. It is by K & Company. I cut the coffee cup out using a combination of scissors and an Exacto knife (for the handle). I mounted it with foam dimentionals on plain white cs that I sponged with Colorbox Aqua Blue ink. I used my silver sparkle Gelly Roll pen to get the shimmery effect on the steam. I then mounted that onto more K & Company paper which is the other side of the snowflake paper. I then mounted that onto black cs and shimmery blue cs by the Paper Company. Did the same thing for the sentiment, mounted it on dimentionals, added the bling at the bottom, and done. It is yours along with this prize. . .



I put together what I think is a really nice wintry "pamper me" gift box full of stuff. Here is another shot of everything out of the box:



Here is the list of items:

1 package of Southern Comfort flavored coffee
1 package of Ghiradelli Chocolate Caramel coffee
1 package of Land O Lakes Cocoa Classics Caramel Chocolate flavor hot cocoa
1 package of Land O Lakes Cocoa Classics Hazelnut Chocolate flavor hot cocoa
1 Gingerbread Man candy tin filled with Hershey's Holiday Hugs candy
1 scented candle in a frosted glass jar with top in a shimmery drawstring bag
1 two-pack of holiday self stick note pads
1 holiday magnetic list note pad
1 long spiral bound holiday note pad with polar bear picture on front
1 tin of Starbucks After Coffee chewing gum cinnamon flavor
1 tin of Starbucks After Coffee mints vanilla flavor
1 tin of Starbucks After Coffee mints spearmint flavor
1 ceramic snowman coffee mug with ceramic lid
1 gorgeous snowman motif holiday gift box

How about that???? No stamping stuff, just stuff to enjoy while you are stamping! Picture it now . . . sitting at your crafting table, a scented candle burning, the smell of caramel hot cocoa wafting up from your adorable snowman mug. As you watch the snow falling softly just outside your window, you unwrap a chocolate hug. . .LOL I should write commercials!

Anyway, to win this gift box full of goodies, you need to leave a comment here on this post and you will get one entry. If you are one of my regular comment posters (those of you who consistently visit me, post after post and leave such wonderful comments) you will automatically get a second entry as a thank you for being such a loyal commenter. You will have until Sunday, November 23rd at 6:00 PM EST to leave your comment in order to be entered. I will put every one's name on a list (my loyal posters twice) and will run it on Random.Org. The person who comes out #1 on the list will be the winner. Good luck everyone!

On a final sad note, my blogging buddy Glee at Gleefully Done, is very ill. Her husband posted for her and has let us know she is on a respirator in the hospital. She has pneumonia. She was just healing from a recent eye surgery, and now this. Please if you would go visit her blog and leave her a comment of best wishes. Her husband has said he will make sure that if you leave a comment on her blog he will make sure to get it to her in the hospital. At the very least, please keep her and him in your thoughts and prayers. She is a very sweet lady who needs our support right now!

Thanks again for reading this very long post (but hey, what's new huh?). Also don't forget to take a look at the pic of the week below. I'll see you on your blogs!

Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

45 comments:

Katherine said...

Hi Curt! I love your blog! Your photography is GORGEOUS! I found your blog just before you created the tutorial for the tree card. I have to say it is FAB! Love your work! Would love to win your give-away, too! LOL! Thanks for the opportunity to spoil ourselves a bit!

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

Oh my Curt, where to start? LOL! Beautiful cards! Love the puppy - I cannot believe that you stamped the ribbon, I would have never thought of that - TFS this lil' technique :) I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, I hope that she makes a speedy recovery...
Fab blog-candy! Please don't include me in on your give-a-way, lol! no offense - I just wanted to stop by and do my thing ;)
Best of luck to everyone!!!
xoxo, margie

Joanne said...

Hi! I love the card for your co-worker. She's gonna love it too! Thanks for the chance to win the gret blog candy.

DeeDee said...

Oh My Word!!!! YOU ROCK!!!! This is one amazing blog candy prize!!! WOW!!! You have thought of everything....and YES, you should write commercials...because I was so picturing that scene while I was read what you wrote!!! LOL!!! Your friend will be so surprised when she sees these goodies!!!! They are GREAT!!! Poor Glee...I went and left a note...thanks for letting us know about her!!! You're such a great guy!!! HUGS!!!!

Jan Scholl said...

They make whiskey flavored coffee that you can drink and drive with? Well what log have I been under? Probably the one that I crept under in 1985 when I was forced to give up coffee for forever. I just became addicted to water and green tea instead. Can you believe I have never been to Starbucks??

So jeez, if ya pull my name, let me hit you with a number and donate it from me to another crazy person,okay? Back to the game-Detroit Basketball!!

Deb Neerman said...

Well, well, I sure picked a great day to stop by and see what's new with you!!

I love your new card ... I love all your cards, so that's nothing new but I really do love this color palette. Your friend will love it!

And what a fab idea for blog candy!! I'm with you; the heck with stamps and DP ... bring on the chocolate!!!

Hope all is well with you, Curt! I'll be posting again soon on my own blog ... I've been soooo lazy, lol!

So nice of you to swing by yesterday and say, "hey!" So, "hey" backatcha!

~Hugs, Deb

Julie Koerber said...

Oh my goodness! You have no idea how much that goody pack has my name written ALLLLLLLL over it! Chocolate is great. Coffee is better. Chocolate and coffee together-- can you say heaven!??!?!? The card you made is pretty sweet too! :-) I am pretty biased though! Very nice card for the lady you worked for and ---- I will keep Glee in my thoughts. Too sad. I'll pray for wisdom for her docs and strength for her.

HUGS!
Julie

Unknown said...

Hi! Your blog is really nice.
Congratulations on the hits *Ü*

Jami said...

Wow, Curt...so many wonderful things on your post today... love your cards! That stamped ribbon is amazing - I'd have had ink all over the place!!

Many congrats on all your blog hits...you rock...it's no wonder everyone keeps comin' back!! I know I do now that I've found you!! I really enjoy your photography too. Love the pic of the week, you captured the colors of Fall beautifully in those leaves!! I'm sorry to hear of your friend falling ill...I will add her to my prayers.

hugs, Jami

Becky said...

Beautiful card's, and what an adorable puppy, (I want one).. What deliciouses blog candy, what a great idea to spoil one's self.
So sorry to hear about your friend, will stop by there and leave a message.

Angie said...

That is a wonderful blog candy! I love chocolate, coffee, hot chocolate, chocolate coffee... you get the picture. lol! Congratulations on your 10,000 hits! It's no wonder though, you have great projects and tons of talent. And I keep coming back (even though I don't always comment) because of your adorable furbabies too. Our mini schnauzer, Einstein, is not doing too well. He has a bad liver, and it's slowly killing him. But I don't want to talk about that. Enough of my rambling! Thanks for the opportunity to win your wonderful candy!

Michelle Alejandro said...

Curt, love the card! Oh, the puppy one is just the cutest! What a cutie!

I never thought about doing blog candy that was for someone to actually enjoy while stamping, what a great idea! Thank you for always inspiring me.

Hugs and aloha,
Michelle

Joan Fricker said...

Curt, Congratulations on your 10,000 visits. Isn't this fun??

Great cards today and I love all your little details. Your gift is extremely generous and will be great for the lucky winner.

Great job as usual!

Joan

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your hits!!! WOW! :) Great giveaway!!
I'm so sorry to hear about Glee. I do hope she gets well soon!
ps: Can international readers join your giveaway too?
Have a great day!

sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

Joyce Spear said...

I just recently subscribed to your blog, Curt, and I'm so glad I did! I love your cardmaking style, your photography, your sense of humor, and your thoughtfulness and compassion which shine through! Congrats on 10,000 hits -- no doubt you'll double that in no time.

Hugs, Joyce

Cindy Haffner said...

Wow-zers, love everything. TFS.

christina d said...

I love your cards of course! You make it so easy to follow your directions. The box of goodies would be really nice too. And last but not least, your photography is outstanding!!

Nancy said...

WOW! Great cards! Love your going away card and the shape of your "tag thingy" (grin). What fun it was reading all your stuff! Veeerrrry nice blog candy!!
Will drop by Glee's blog and leave her a get a well message, keep her in my thoughts.

Laura Davis said...

Wow great work Curt! Love every single one of them!
You have been tagged on my blog:)
Laura

Dorothy said...

Curt ~ I look forward to seeing what you will come up with next. Although I don't comment as often as I should I really enjoy our blog. Thanks for the chance to win. You made such a ice gift basket!
Dorothy A

Sue from Oregon said...

You are such a busy guy...goodness. Thanks for the heads up on Glee...I went and left her a brief msg! Now, I see I have met my match in the Christmas Spirit Dept! I decorated my first room last week and hoping to get more done this week...it is quite a process. What a creative blog goodie basket you have come up with! And 10,000+ to boot!

Rita said...

Wow Curt, you've been busy! Luv all your cards & your friend is going to luv your cards. I luv that you took the time to fix the dog photo, you are such a sweetie & she will luv it!!! Thanks for the chance to win some awesome blog candy! Congrats on 10K!!! Your the best!

Jodi said...

Whoo! Hoo! I LOVE your cards as always...I really LOVE the cute pic of the puppy..had to add that because I just love doggies just like you!! =) Great job on the touch up too! What a great giveaway, sure would love to win it!! Hugs,Jodi

WhimsicalThoughts said...

You are AWESOME! I totally love the blog candy idea, and the cards, well what can I say, they are Fabulous! Sorry to hear about Glee, I went straight to her blog and left her a little message!

Cheryl B. said...

Love your cards! And the blog candy is fabulous. If I win, I can share with a stamping buddy--I can drink the hot chocolate while my buddy drinks the coffee.

You are such a generous person not only with the blog candy but with all the cards you donated for the card baskets I made for my friend's grandson's benefit dinner (I will be posting them on my blog along with the other donated cards over the next few weeks).

Gina Wrona said...

Wow, Curt, how awesome you are & congrats, well deserved! I love all your creations that I see thru my feedblitz, but don't always have time to be a "regular" commentor. I know, I'm bad, very bad......I do peek in every now and then and am so glad Jen Young had sent out the link to find you when you first started.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend and wish her well and well as her family and you.

Anonymous said...

loved this blog candy.....how did you get so much "stuff" in there..someone will be very lucky to get it. that card was beautiful, along with that cute little dog...she should be very appreciative. you sure have been working hard...now take some time for you and "dogs". love ya, mom

Denise said...

Wow, Curt
Everything you make is always so amazing & beautiful. Love what you did with the puppy pic. Such fabulous blog candy you are giving away.
Hugs, Denise

Ila said...

These cards are all Fabulous!! The one for your co worker is Gorgeous!! and I love the puppy card especially the way you stamped the ribbon....Will say a prayer for your friend...I hope she is soon on the mend!
The Blog candy looks yummy!!..Thanks for sharing!!

Bunny B said...

Congrats on your super hits :) Amazing! And nice giveaway too. I've been a subscriber to your blog, but I rarely come by to comment :(
Take care!!

Scossie Jane said...

Hey Curt,

Beautiful cards, as always. You seem to keep coming up with the most gorgeous designs, excellent.

Your blog candy is very innovative, you are clever. The first of its kind I imagine - how lovely to be a trend setter, which I am sure will be 'copied'.

Not good news about Glee. I am one of her regulars, as she is mine. I am a nurse to trade, so appreciate how poorly she is.

She is such a beautiful person, one of life's true treasures, my prayers are with her for a speedy recovery, as I know yours are too.

Hugs and Kisses
Love ya
Jane xx

PS How the hell did you manage to get to 10,000 hits so damn quick, you clever boy you - Scotland really has stuffed me up. But hey, wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Take care my friend xx

Jules said...

First of all I love both of your cards, and that little doggie frame is just as cute as the pup! I am sure she will love it! I love how you used patterned paper on the mug on your card!
Great blog candy! Who wouldn't love to win that! So I am going to keep my fingers crossed that I am #1!!!!
I will pop on over to your friends blog and wish her well, so nice of her hubby to post for her and keep her updated. It is amazing how much we all love our blogs and our blog friends!
Your picture of the week is fabulous...all of our leaves are either gone or brown, bring on the snow!!!
BTW I wanted to ask what kind of camera are you using?
the one I "had" was my first digi cam, I always used a pentax regular 35mm, but as you know digi is it baby!!! My mom borrow my camera and took it to a wedding, it was in her purse with a ginormous can of full hair spray...by the end of the evening the can was empty...my camera is a sticky mess! So just a good excuse to get an upgrade!
Have a great weekend...and pick me!!!
My comments are always long when I come here, but you leave us so many goodies to comment on!!! :)

Tonniece said...

Hi Curt

Your cards are gorgeous, that puppy one is too sweet and I'm sure your co-worker will be thrilled.

Sad new about your friend, I hope she is feeling 100 percent real soon.

Congrats on your blog hits.
That is one unique and thoughtful blog candy for one very lucky person.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend

Diane said...

Great cards, I love what you did with the photo puppy, what is a Cavapoo?? I am assuming it is part small poodle. I have a Goldendoodle half large standard poodle and half golden retreiver. We had a Golden Retreiver that passed away 2 years ago, she was the best!!! I am in a dog goodie (for stamping) swap on SCS, so I will have to stamp some ribbon, a grand idea!! And the blog candy, I can't stop thinking about that Southern Comfort Coffee...LOL!!! Thanks for sharing!

Tammy Hershberger said...

OMGosh, what a fabulous gift, Curt! That would be awesome to have, 'specially since I'm always freezing in the basement when I'm stamping! The nice candle too, would cover up the scent of the LITTER BOXES!!! Your work is just amazing, and your generous blog candy is awesome! Thanks for being a good stamping/blogging friend!

Enjoli said...

Wow! Yummy blog candy! I love chocolate! I found your blog through Michelle's blog. Very very cute cards and puppy! =)

Janine said...

Well Curt first of all your cards are lovely!! The first one is just beautiful!! And the gift you are giving away is something special!!
Hope you have a great weekend.
Take care!!

dpkennedy said...

Wow, your first card is so pretty! The dog card is so cute & sweet also! How thoughtful...she's going to love these!
I am so sorry about your friend, I will pray for her.
Now that's some blog candy! Very generous of you! Congrats on the mega hits!

Jamie Martin said...

Kurt, you never cease to amaze me, you cards are wonderful!

Catherine said...

Congrats on your hits, Curt :)
love your card and that puppy...too cute!

Marie said...

Oh wow! How could've I missed this??? Anyway, first to comment on your cards. They are gorgeous as always. My favorite is the puppy card. I am really quite impressed with the amount of thought put into your puppy cards. In regards to the blog candy, Bravo!! You are the first to set up a blog candy with goodies other than stamping stuffs! PS. This also looks like a great gift for man or woman. My husband is in LOVE with Starbucks. Congratulations on your blog hits!

Dawne said...

WOW...I almost missed out on this opportunity of wintry comfy goodies!!! I can see a lot of thought went into putting this together. And it's a good idea to make it a non-stamping blog candy! Thanks for having this on your blog =)

Unknown said...

Hey Curt,

I just found your blog from Splitcoast. What beautiful cards and great blog-candy too!

I am also in HR and a native hoosier!

Wishing your friend a speedy recovery!

Dawn said...

Wow Curt - have just doscovered your wonderful blog - I just LOVE animals - would love to have a dog but have 2 cats instead. I loved your flower card - it is so elegant.

mel m. m. mccarthy said...

I am always bowled over by how heartfelt your creations are. You have been SO busy! These are supah lovely. That new dandelion stamp is so cute. Love it in those colours and the puppy pic looks fantastic now. Such thoughtful things to give (and totally puppy appropriate heehee.) Congrats to Joan! That has to be THE sweetest blog candy ever. You ROCK!