Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Birthday and Thanks

Hey All! Sorry it has been several days between posts. Don't know why, but I've been in a funk that has lasted about a week, and I finally think I'm coming out of it. I don't know if it is pre-holiday stress, or just plain feeling blue, but I just didn't feel like going up those stairs to create. But then as surely as it came, it left, and I climbed those stairs and got to it! Now I'm working on 4 different projects which will show up in subsequent posts, so I'm showing you the cards I made yesterday.

The first one is a birthday card I made for a very good friend of mine named Jan. As I do every year, I totally spaced her birthday. I get so mad at myself for doing that, and I swear I do it to her every year! I can be such a moron some times! Anyway, she and I have been friends for many years, and she is the reason I have gotten my last two jobs. She has really been a great friend. Here is the card I made for her:




When she bought her condo several years ago, she painted her bedroom this gorgeous shade of eggplant. So, I made the card with that color in mind. I used standard Bazzill card stock, ran the green piece behind the image through my CB, used a corner punch to achieve the edges around the image, and added some bling. The flower (stamped in Versamark and then embossed in purple ep) is an Inkadinkado image (I believe), as well as the sentiment. I mounted the image to the card with dimensionals, tied the ribbon, and done. I love these two colors together. They are actually darker than they appear in the photo. Here's a close up of the flower:






As I said, she is such a good friend. I went to my mailbox the other day to get the mail, and there was a gift bag in the box. It was from Jan, and when I opened it, I couldn't believe my eyes. Here is what she got me:






Is that not amazing!?! I can't believe she found this ornament with a silhouette of a Giant Schnauzer it it! These are so hard to find, but she found it! And here I forgot her birthday again. I feel like such a schmuck! So, I wanted to make her a thank you card, so here it is:






I showed two angles so you could see the shimmer in the top one. I LOVE this stamp! It is called "Frosty" and it is by Penny Black. This snowman shows such happiness, and that is exactly how I felt when I saw my gift. So, I thought this would be a perfect image to use. I stamped it in Staz-On jet black, and colored the shadowing with colored pencil and OMS. I also used that around the frame of the image as well. I'm not to good at distressing the edges with ink pads. I always get it all over me and not evenly around the edges. So, I use a colored pencil and scribble the color all around the edge, then use OMS to soften it. I think it works well, at least for me! LOL I then added sparkle around the frame, in the snow, and on his shadowing with my Gelly Roll sparkle pen. Then sentiment is a $1 stamp I got at Michael's. I punched out the tiny snowflakes with a punch and added bling to each. The image was matted on navy blue Bazzill cs and then attached to the card with dimensionals. Added the ribbon and attached the sentiment with a silver eyelet and some silver cord which finished it.


So, there you have it. Now I have a couple of pics to share with you of my Gunther. The first one shows what he does when I'm talking on the phone:



He lays his head right on the phone and stares at me like "Daddy! Get off the phone and play with me! I'm bored!) He has actually laid his head on the phone when I am not on it, and hits the speaker and redail button which called my Mom! He is such a brat!


The next two pics is of him wearing my hat. He actually laid down and went to sleep with it on, so I took this first pic.





Then he heard me take that picture and kinda sat up and I took the second picture:



He looks like he is saying "What's the big deal? Don't all dogs wear hats?" LOL He is such a little clown. My Shotsy is nursing his back leg. He has had surgery on both back legs to replace his ACLs. He had the surgeries last year and the year before to the tune of $6,000.00! But he is worth every cent! But ever since the surgeries, when he overdoes it with running in the park, sometimes he has to nurse his right back leg. It always worries me.


OK, enough of my babbling! I'll have another post is a couple of days. Working on some Christmas cards and projects that I want to share with you all!

Don't forget the pic of the week below! This was a pic of a hawk feather that was caught on a very tall piece of grass in the field next to the path. It just seemed so odd flapping in the breeze, but it looked so beautiful with the way the sun was hitting it. It makes a bizarre picture, but cool too I think.


Thanks so much for visiting! I feel better now that I shared this stuff with you! I'll be seeing you on your blogs!


Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

27 comments:

Macpurp said...

what beautiful cards !
I have never used purple and green together,,it looks stunning!
Love your puppy pictures! and laughed at the thought of your gunther calling his grandma casue you were ignoring him! Poppy steals the remote if we dare to watch TV when she wants to play!
Hope Shotsy feels better soon!
Love the pics of both your boys in the snow! with their neckerchiefs!
take care
lots of love Tina x

Unknown said...

Oh Curt - the two guys in their snowflake scarves just tickles me they're sooo cute - and your feather photo is awesome - I thought your cards were fabulous - I'm real sorry to read that you were a little blue but glad it has passed, we all hit it at times. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to you and yours - incase I don't get back before Christmas - things are getting hectic!!

6 wacky women said...

Gorgeous cards, Curt.
The first card is awesome with the green and purple..my fav colors. The ornamment is wonderful.
Your snowman thank you card is soooo cute. Beautiful blues. I love it!! I love the pics of Gunther...he's adorable. Poor Shotsy, hope he is better soon. Layla is not too well either...but she's on some meds now.
Great pic of the week.
Wow! you pack a lot in one post my friend...lol

Take care
Karen x

Jules said...

I am so glad you got out of your funk! Winter Blues probably!Gorgeous birthday card !Love the purple!
That ornament she sent you is an awesome, as you know I love those glass ornaments!
I love your snowman card too...I just got that there stamp {{Hobby Lobby}}, great card, love all the shimmer!
Your dog is adorable! What a ham!
So cute!
Hope Shotzy's leg feel better!
Love your picture of the week!!! What a great shot!!! That is a one-of-a-kind photo my dear friend!
Enjoy the rest of your day!

Jami said...

So glad you are out of your funk and back to share with us! These cards are lovely - I especially adore the snowman, he just looks sooo happy!! I'm sure Jan will love them both, and what a wonderful ornament she found!! Very classy looking!

Love the pics of Gunther! I have two labs back home. When they were pups, and my kids were younger, they thought it would be funny to put underwear on their heads! So, I've got pics of my fur-babies with Sponge bob briefs on! Pretty funny actually :)

Great pic of the week! You really caught the detail of that feather! Love it!!

Hope you have the merriest Christmas!! Hugs, Jami

Rita said...

Gorgeous cards! I think she will forgive you! Wow, that ornament is beautiful! Gunther is too cute, luv the pics, thanks for sharing! Hugs to you!!!

Cheryl B. said...

Love your cards. The snowman one is very cute! And so are the pictures of Gunther!

Love the ornament too! Can you find out where she found it? I would love to see if there is one with a bichon frise.

Becky said...

Beautiful, the purple (eggplant) and green are just yummy together. I just love the pictures of your dogs, they are so gorgeous. Sorry to hear you were blue and are feeling better.

Jan Scholl said...

I certainly understand being in a funk. I think I went into mine the first day of september and feel like it will last until March. I hate snow and cold and with all the stuff on the news, well its just not pretty. Hub retired and made me snarky on top of it. ONly day I felt good was the day after Thanksgiving when son and dil came in from Iowa and we trolled thru Frankenmuth for the candle walk. This too shall pass-it always does. But if hub doesnt get out of my face this week, it isn't gonna be pretty around here. Can men go thru menopause? Or is it something else-like too much of him, period??

Have a nice week Curt....that snowman card-I think that is one of the most favorite stamps from that company. its always sold out too.

Lauri said...

You are back! No funk anymore! yay!! Gunner is a riot, and I love your winter banner picture. Hope Shotsy is feeling better soon; it is so tough when our little friends do not feel well.

I have that same flower stamp, and love your color combination. Your posts are always so full!

WhimsicalThoughts said...

Oh my what pretty cards Curt! Love the pics of Gunther, he looks so cute in your hat. Poor Shotsy, hope he feels better soon.

DeeDee said...

OMG!!! Look at the boys all done up for winter...love the new blog header Curt!!!! CUTE!!! Both of your cards are wonderful too....and how cool is that ornament? WOW!!! Love the POTW...you find the best "subjects"!! HUGS!!!

dpkennedy said...

Wow, great feather! And I really want to come over the just hug Gunther all up! He is so cute!! It must be the unclipped ears...and his coat is wavier than Shotsy's, but I want to hug him too and make his leg feel better! Dang, they are so cute!

Your cards are really beautiful-Jan is going to love them both! And the ornament is such a great find! That's awesome! Maybe you should bake her something to go along with the cards...lol!

Have a great day Curt!

Ila said...

Your friend will be very happy with these Gorgeous cards!!...and forgive for sure..lol.
What a fabulous gift the lovely person gave you...and so unique!
I love the photos of your boys....such Sweeties with so much fun and character!!
The feather photo is totally Beautiful!!...Hugs, Ila

Anonymous said...

LOVE MY GRAND DOG..HE DOES HAVE MY "NUMBER"....THE "PIC OF THE WEEK " IS OUTSTANDING.LOVE YA MOM

Anonymous said...

Hi Curt,

I was catching up on your posts and just wanted to tell you that I was blown away (absolutely BLOWN AWAY!) by your diorama card. It's beautiful. I'm also glad you posted a picture of your candy bar wrapper. I understand it better now that I've seen it. It's such a smart idea. Thanks for the inspiration!

Sue from Oregon said...

Great cards Curt! Love the banner pic of your babies too. I just spent the weekend with Cole and his two pug buddies! He does love to "wrassle" around with them LOL!

Scossie Jane said...

Beaut cards Curt, love the colours, and the snowman is perfect, he does look soooooo happy.

I'm sure Jan won't mind you being late, real friends don't.

The ornament she found for you is so perfect, must admit, I've never seen anything with your dogs on it anywhere - a rare find indeed.

Good job your funk (strange expression??) didn't last too long. We need you to post often Curt. I enjoy my visits to your place.

Shot of the Week is eerie - I can almost hear the wind down here in Oz - effect achieved.

Isn't it great news about Glee

Love ya
Jane xx

Laura Davis said...

Seriously I love your blog:) Your photography is stunning, your dogs are adorable and your cards are fantastic!! So much talent going on here my friend:)

I hear ya about the blues it must be the gloomy weather her in Denver for me. I am glad you have your mojo back:)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and you family!
Hugs,
Laura

Anonymous said...

That birthday card is gorgeous! Love the colors. And what an adorable snowman. Such a gleeful pose! The ornament that Jan found for you is so cool.. how perfect! And too funny about Gunther and his phone antics!!! lol Hope Shotsy's leg heals quickly. It's always so worrisome when one of our babies is hurting. I always so enjoy reading your posts, Curt. Glad you have found your mojo again!

twinkletoe said...

Lovely cards. You have the nicest blog. I just love reading about you and your boys. Glad you got over your funk.

Nancy said...

The birthday card is beautiful, and your friend was right-on with that ornament. What a sweet gift! I love all the pics of your dogs...such personality they have! Hope Shotsey feels better soon.
Great POTW, amazing detail!

Michelle Alejandro said...

Those are the cutest cards! I love that ornament that you got, what a sweet present! The pics are just too cute, I love the one with his head on the phone, to funny. Have a great week!
Hugs,
Michelle

Jamie Martin said...

Both cards are wonderful, I especially love the thank you. The bling in the center of the snowflakes is a nice touch.
The ornament you got is really nice, how sweet of her to find something that fits you so perfecctly.
Gunther is a cutie :)

Little C's Creations said...

LOL!! You're such a sweetheart!! Love those creations, and yes, I can see why Jan luvs ya much!! Your baby is a cutie... so cute that he lays his head down on your phone... "get off the phone, daddy!!! stop talking sooo much... talk to me!!!!".

Smooches,
Jen

Shirley said...

Okay, I love your art to no end, but you had to bring in my other love, your dogs. I love your banner and the slide shows of them too! I had dogs all of my life until I worked in mold a few years back and became allergic to everything. LOLOLOL It does do my heart good to see others enjoying them. I hug a lot when I see them and go home to shower and decontaminate. LOLOL

Ellen Taylor said...

Wonderful thank you card! I never thought of using pencils around the edges. I could learn a lot from you!! You Gunther is too cute! They really are like kids!! Thanks for visiting my blog and your sweet comments! Have a most fabulous day Curt!!