Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

MISSING IN ACTION

Hey All! Gosh it's good to see ya! LOL And it certainly is good to be back. Again, I have to thank those who sent emails to me making sure I was OK. Truth is, Jay was having some medical issues and I was taking care of all of that. Whenever he is going through something, it so effects me and I get a little depressed over it. But he is doing much better now, and I'm back! I'm also having computer issues! Errrrrrrrrrr! It keeps overheating and shutting itself off. I'm going to take the cover off today and have a look. Everything on the Internet says it needs dust cleaned off the internal fans. So, I thought I better get my post up before I take the chance of blowing up my computer.

The first cards I want to share with you are ones I did for my Mom and Jay's Mom for Mother's day. Here is the one I did for my Mom:



The inside says "Always There For Me" which Mom has always been. This is one of the sweetest House Mouse images. I love the Happy Hoppers and that little frog is just as cute as it can be. You can see in the close ups below (click for larger) how layered it is. I double stamped the umbrella and raised it with dimensionals. The rain drops and the puddle look wet. I used Diamond Glaze to get this effect.







This one I made for Jay's Mom:



It was made to match the gift I made for her below:











The box is one of the "Origami" boxes that I now LOVE to make. This box was perfect for this coaster set! The coaster set was inspired by Gina K's "Stamp TV" video. You can watch it here. The paper used for the box is from The Paper Studio. I went to Lowe's and hand picked these Venetian stone tiles. Since these are natural stone, each tile is totally different, and I wanted the least amount of holes in the stone. I then used Staz-On black ink for the image and "writing". Both stamps are Inkadinkado. I then used daubers to add the Staz-On mustard and Staz-On pumpkin ink colors on the butterfly. After I added the writing stamp, I used a sanding block to sand the ink so it looked aged. Just like in the video. I then added felt "pads" on the bottom to protect furniture. The Staz-On ink is totally waterproof, so it is the perfect ink for this project. I love how these turned out!

Here is the box that I made for my Mom:




As I said, I LOVE these boxes. You can see a great tutorial video on how to make these here. I can make them in less than two minutes and they are so versatile! The paper size I used for these boxes is: Bottom 11 x 11 and the top 11.5 x 11.5. For instructions go here. This box is such a nice size. The one above that I made for my Mom held 3/4 of a bag of Hershey kisses (her favorite). At the bottom of the box, I had hidden cash that I gave her as a gift. I paper pieced the flower (various punches) on top of the box out of Bazzill card stock in the colors of the patterned paper.

I also made another card for my Mom which held another "surprise":







These little flower pot cards are really cute. I first saw them on Splitcoast. They are perfect for hiding gift cards or in this case, scratch off lottery tickets.

My last card to share with you is a belated birthday card for a woman I used to work with:





I love this little image too! I came up with the sentiment (on the inside) that says, "I was a blooming idiot to forget your birthday". The image was colored with my cheap colored pencils and OMS.

Finally, I wanted to share with you a couple of RAKS that I received. The first one was so sweet and so thoughtful:



My very sweet blogging buddy Elaine Moore sent me this very sweet gift. She knows how much I adore my "boys" and she sent me these great bone shaped paper clips and this adorable box of dog themed bandages. Elaine, this was so very thoughtful of you, and I can't tell you how much it means to me for you to be so thoughtful. I wish she had a blog so I could share her with you! Please keep watching your mail Elaine, I haven't forgotten, just have been distracted as explained above.

My next RAK just blew me away:



This one was given to me by the very sweet America who recently won my blog candy which included the Copic markers. This package arrived and I just couldn't believe my eyes! It was full of all kinds of marvelous stuff, along with over 200 stamped House Mouse images and sentiments. I couldn't get over all the time it had to have taken her to stamp all of those images. I also told her in my thank you email that I have never seen so much stuff in any one's blog candy give aways! Be sure that you take a look at her work here. America, it was so kind and generous of you and I appreciated it so much! The card below was also included:



Well, there you go. . .It's nice to be back. I've saved some cards for the next post so you'll be hearing from me again soon! Thanks so much for your patience and sticking with me! I'm now going to take my computer apart and hopefully it will be successful! Keep your fingers crossed for me! Once I get it back together, I'll be visiting all of your blogs to catch up on what you've been doing! Can't wait to see all of your great stuff! Don't forget the pic of the week below!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

49 comments:

Jami said...

Oh Curt...I am SO glad you're back, I've missed you!! I hope that Jay is doing better - I'll keep you both in my prayers!

All of your projects are AMAZING! I love them all!!! I love those coasters!! I really want to give them a try. And I too am addicted to those little boxes - I'm always making them with the tray liners in fast food places! LOL!

Big hugs, Jami

Danielle said...

OH, it's so nice to have you back Curt - I missed you!! Sorry to hear of the medical issues going on with Jay - my thoughts & prayers are with you both!
Your cards are fantastic and your Mother's Day project were fab - lucky Moms I say!! Lucky you on your happy mail - you deserve it so make sure you enjoy! Love your turtle pic - awesome!
Hugs, Danielle

Sue said...

Hi Curt
lovely to see you back have missed you, your work is stunning as always beautiful colouring,fantastic creations, i so luv visiting you.
What lovely RAKs you had sent how lovely.
Hope Jay is soon feeling better, take care. sue.x

America said...

YEAH!! YOU ARE BACK!!! WHOOOHOO!! Glad to hear Jay is doing better! Happy you guys have each other. And youve been a busy crafting bee too!! What great projects, fun ideas, stunning coloring and seriously lovely works of art. Your Moms must have loved these!! Oh, and youre gonna have tons of FUN with those RAKS!!! :) Lovinn that crustal clear Turtle Picture that's beautiful and amazing!

mudmaven said...

So glad to see you back! Glad that Jay is doing better. You sure have been busy! Lovely, lovely things you have made! ~chris

Jamie Martin said...

OMGosh, I love everything you have done! So sorry to hear about Jay's health problems and hope he is better.
Welcome back :)

Lorraine said...

Sorry to hear about Jay and hope he is better soon. What beautiful cardsfor the Mums in your life I bet they were thrilled to receive them. We celebrate Mothers day in March here in Jersey uk. Lovely to have you back. Hugs x

Anonymous said...

I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS MY MOTHER'S DAY CARD AND GIFT BOX. THEY ARE TRULY A WORK OF ART. LOVED YOUR BLOG AND THAT SPECIAL "PIC OF THE WEEK". LOVE YOU, MOM

dpkennedy said...

Yea, there you are! Your cards are lovely as always and those boxes are just wonderful! The flower pot card is just so fun too! I couldn't help but make one myself, lol! I am glad to hear that Jay is feeling better and I am sorry it gets you so bad :(

I hope your computer is happy after it's cleaning and we hear from you more often again! Enjoy those awesome RAK's!!! Have a great day!

Crystal said...

Curt ! Welcome back ! LOVE all those creations ... wow ! I'll be praying for Jay . How are those " boys" ? Good to see you back ... get that computer fixed so we don't have to wait so long to hear from you again .

Erin said...

Curt. I was starting to get worried. I'm glad everything is ok and that you and Jay are doing better.

I love love your projects. You are so talented...

Take Care,
Erin

~MudpieMouse said...

All of these cards are beautiful, though I especially love the box of kisses, since I'm a choco-holic! I bet both your mom's loved the gifts. Keep on stampin' on!

p.s. I'm glad your partner is feeling a bit better. Also, I'm not so sure you should call yourself an "amateur" photographer, your work is gorgeous.

Sue from Oregon said...

Glad to hear Jay is better! Kept checking to see if I was just spacin' and missing your posts. (who me??? spacey...) Life gets in the way of stamping sometimes, but happy you are back with this whoppin' post! Wonderful creations. I had a stamping friend make me one of those trivets with a house mouse on it...I use it everyday...I am sure your trivets will be put to good use too!
Glad to have you back...you were missed!

Lora said...

Welcome back Curt! I started following you the first time I visited your blog and you hadn't posted since except the winner of your candy. I was amazed at your cards then and couldn't wait to see more so I am so glad you are back :)
The cards you made are gorgeous, the boxes are fab and the coasters.....wow you are so talented!! Don't know if I am brave enough to give the coasters a try yet but I sure will when I am a bit more confident in my stamping abilities.
Lora xx

Diane said...

Hey Curt!
So glad to see you back. I am glad Jay is feeling better! Love what you have posted. I love the mothers day card you did, that bunny is just to cute for words. Hope to talk to ya soon. Di

Jackie said...

I'm so glad you are back and hope that Jay is getting better by the day. Your projects are, as always, wonderful! Definitely take the cover off of your computer and blow the dust out of it. It sounds like your exhaust fan may be clogged which would cause it to overheat.

Denise said...

Glad to have you back Curt, love all your Mother's Day Creations. Get well wishes to Jay....

Ila said...

Gorgeous cards and projects Curt!!..I bet both Moms loved fabulous gifts!!...So glad Jay is feeling better...and I hope your puter problems get fixed!!...Love that turtle photo!!...Ila

Diane said...

Wonderful projects as always! I am glad your comp problems weren't the same as mine were....I lost everything...so am starting over! Love the turtle picture, do you publish in a magazine?...you should, your photos are as amazing as your projects! Hope all is well with ya both!!

Percy said...

Curt,

Hope Jay is feeling better already! Glad you are back!!! Missed you....

I love all of your projects, those boxes you made are gorgeous!!! You are such a talented person!!! Keep it up.

Joani McDonald said...

Curt I'm so glad that your back! I hope that all is well with Jay. I understand health issues and it is never any fun to have to deal with them.

I get so much joy from looking at your creations, you are one special, talented paper crafter. I can only hope to be 1/2 as good as you are someday.
Take care & Hugs,
Joani

lisa808 said...

Welcome back! And back you are--what gorgeous cards and projects!

I so hope Jay is doing OK.

Macpurp said...

good to see you back! hope you & Jay are both feeling better!
hugs xx
beautiful makes! I love those coasters! they are beautiful!

enjoy your goodies,
love tina x

Jeni Glee said...

Oh, I am so relieved that you are back and that Jay is doing better! You are such a sweetheart to take such good card of him...you are like my dear Dwain!

I *GASPED* at each and every creation you posted! You are so very talented and I just adore your work....of course, I adore you, too! :-)))))

Judy said...

I've missed you and I hope that Jay is doing much better now.

OMG, everything that you have made is just fabulous.

Janine said...

Hey welcome back !! Love all your cards, the RAKS, everything!!

Helen Dooley said...

I have just found your blog. By reading the comments from her you must be loved. I liked the HM card. I love using that stuff to make it shinny and wet looking. Many different names depending on who makes it. I can't wait to see more. Nice photos.

magic boxes said...

My Gosh Curt - what can I say other than absolutely stunning - everything!

Love the colour combo on your Mum's card - the ribbon is that perfect finishing touch. The image is adorable.

Colour rendering is breathtaking as always! You are so talented.

I've really, really missed you. Hope Jay is a little better now. Please give him my best.

((((BIG HUGS))))

Elaine XOXO

magic boxes said...

My Gosh Curt - what can I say other than absolutely stunning - everything!

Love the colour combo on your Mum's card - the ribbon is that perfect finishing touch. The image is adorable.

Colour rendering is breathtaking as always! You are so talented.

I've really, really missed you. Hope Jay is a little better now. Please give him my best.

((((BIG HUGS))))

Elaine XOXO

Sue said...

Hi Curt
me again have left you a little something on my blog, sue.x

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear Jay hasn't been well, hope he feels better soon!! Awesome creations Curt. I am taking the summer off from card making and blogging but am trying, each morning for a few minutes, to pop around and visit! take care my friend

Shirley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shirley said...

I didn't think it was all in one post! Ha! Goes to show me. I love all of your wonderful gifts for your mom and MIL too. I think the return thank you for winning the blog candy was just too sweet and beautiful too! I am so glad your partner is doing better. It has to be so scary for him at times too. He is lucky to have you too!

Becky said...

Good to hear from you :). What wonderful cards, love the happy hopper, awesome coloring. and the card for Jay's mom is beautiful, love the colors and that butterfly is lovely. And the coaster set, well all I can say is WOW!! You have been busy. I am glad Jay is doing ok.

Deb Neerman said...

YAY!!! Curt's back!!! I've been peeking over here to see what's new ... and now that I know ... well, let's just say I'm sooooooooo happy to hear that Jay is feeling better! It is SUCH a huge worry when our loved ones are ill ... and such a helpless feeling, too. All we can do is be there, fluff a pillow or two, make 'em smile, well ... you know. Anyway, glad that worry is past and you're back to crafting and blogging!!

And WHAT a comeback!!! These cards and gifts are simply gorgeous! LOVE 'em all and I'm sure your Moms were over the moon about their gifts! WoWzA, I know I would be.

The colors and shading you create using your "cheap" colored pencils is nothing short of stunning! This belated birthday card is one of the prettiest and best-colored I've seen ... WoW! LOVE the purples and all the depth you've created ... ah-mazin'!!

Now, I hafta go check out all these links ... becuz I HAVE to know how to make these ingenious projects! Thanks for sharing your talent and all the resources for creating my own; you rock, Curt!

Hugs to you & Jay, and the 'Boys!'

PS: Hope your computer is all better now; you're greatly missed when you don't blog!

Sam said...

Curt,
I just happened to stumble across you blog today because it had the word carmel in it. I love. I was happy to hear Jay was doing better. You found away into my heart in one post. I will be back. I love your project. Thank so much for sharing.
sandy

Etha said...

wow that was a long post :)
Love your coasters and cards, getting a total kick of the "yellowness" of the umbrella, not sure why, but it makes me happy :)
Your boxes are so neat! I'll have to try them, thanks for sharing the link!

The Rubber Maid said...

Hey good buddy...great "house mouse" cards and what wonderful gifts for the Moms. Love your tumbled marble tiles and in case you didn't know, you can use Brilliance inks on them and they work even better then the Stazon. I taught a class years ago on them using the Brilliance inks and the ink is less harsh then the Stazon.
Try it...you'll like it. Pat

Yvonne Hagane said...

Wow! All of the cards are so wonderful. I love the one on the top - gorgeous colors on that one!
Yvonne.

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

It's good to hear from you Curt :)
I hope that Jay is feeling well!
Your cards and lil boxes are gorgeous! What wonderful gifts!
Those coasters are beautiful! I love the colors you used for that set!
:) I got Lotto for Mother's Day too, lol!
TFS, Curt! Hope all is going well with you too :*)

mudmaven said...

Good morning Curt! I've left you a little something on my blog to thank you for being such an inspiration! ~chris

6 wacky women said...

Fabulous cards, Curt.
Your coloring of the HM images is absolutley wonderful!!
Your gift and card for Jay's mom is awesome. Love the card and box for your Mom too!!

Glad to see you back!!
Karen x

Scossie Jane said...

G'day Mate - welcome back. I've been MIA too - just moved house and have had to change provider, waiting....waiting....waiting....

Thanks for your comments about my page on the MM ideas page

Love your creations this post, those boxes are too sweet, have been meaning to try them myself, but never seem to have the time...

The Mother's Day cards are gorgeous, HM are adorable...

Love the turtle sunbathing...

Love ya
Jane xx

Carmen O. said...

Wow you are on quite a roll with your creations! I love the boxes you made and really should try them myself. I know my boys made them in 4th grade I think, so if they could do it I'm sure I can LOL.

Glad to read Jay is doing better. I know as a caregiver myself that it's not an easy road. I try so hard to be positive but sometimes its rather difficult. I'm reading Michael J. Fox's book Always Looking Up! It's great to see he's so positive with all he's going through.

Well hope you're having a great week and your computer is cooperating! I'm having printer issues...can't print photos...of course when I finally figure out what photos I want to use for a LO. And I can't scan either, tried that last night so I could add my HM card for the challenge. UGH!

Have a great rest of the week!

Papier Creatif said...

Hiya Curt!

Nice to see you back at it! Hope that Jay is feeling better and better. Make him take his vitamins!!!

Enjoyed the House Mouse of 3 purple card. That is really cute! It reminds me of my three little ones. See the one on the left, she's driving me crazy right now... ;)

{xoxo}

Juls~

Sharon Caudle said...

Hi Curt,

Haven't seen you around for a while and just wanted to check on you. Hope all is well on the home front! Miss seeing all your beautiful work!!
hugs!
Sharon

Shirley said...

I never get tired of looking at your really beautiful and creative cards. About the computer thingy. Mine was overheating and I did dust it out and it did help for a while. YouTube showed me how. LOL Then it made funny noises and felt warm to the touch again. I moved my modem off the top and then took off this little lid that was for storing CDs on top. I haven't had a problem since. Knock on metal, I guess! Oh, and I also have an external drive to store my images too.

Jenny Gropp said...

I love your cards and style of writing -- I signed up to follow u -- so I can stay updated i Curt's World!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
=)

Dawn said...

Wow you really are a fantastic card maker Curt these are quite stunning and your colouring is awesome.

Dawn
P.s LOVE your blog header that is such an adorable picture..