Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Saturday, July 11, 2009

A CHALLENGE CARD

Hey All! I'm going to start trying to be more regular in my posts instead of going two to three weeks between posts. I have to get in the habit because if I'm going to be on a DT, I will be posting once a week! Speaking of the DT, I'm afraid I can't say anything yet. The "official" announcement of the design team will be on July 27Th, and our first works will be posted on the new blog August 3rd. So, I'll be letting you know all of the details on July 27Th. What I will tell you is that this is going to be a little different from most. Every week there will be something for each of you on the blog if you visit. Can't say any more than that, but I think you will find that it is going to be so much fun for everyone! This artist is really talented and you will love what she has in store for all who visit her new blog!

OK, on to my cards for this post. My first is for the House Mouse Monday Challenge #45 over at House Mouse & Friends. The challenge this week was "Seasons". You were to make a card that depicted a season of the year. Since Fall is my favorite season, I chose to do a Halloween card. Here it is:



OMG I love this image! This stamp just came in on Wednesday just in time for this challenge. I used my cheap colored pencils and OMS to color the image. I stamped out extra leaves, cut them out, and attached them to the card with foam mounting squares for the 3-D look. Here is a close up:



I also added a couple around the sentiment which I made using my computer. This image is so magical to me, and conjures up so many fun memories of Halloween. This image is truly on the top of my favs list. One of the reasons that I love the House Mouse stamps is because a lot of them are very large images. My usual size card is 5 X 7, and these stamps help fill all that space. I got several more new stamps, so you'll be seeing more in the next posts.

The other card I made this week is this one:


OK, before you start going "Ewwwwwww! The color of those dew drops don't go with this card!", it is the camera's fault! The dew drops I used are a much darker green, but the flash of the camera made them glow like that. I tried taking the picture outside in direct sunlight, but the picture turned out even worse! The drops could hardly be seen at all, and the ink sponging disappeared all together. So this is the best I could do. So please overlook that bad photo. . .LOL

I double stamped the image (Inque) in Staz-On ink then added glue for the FlowerSoft. I LOVE this stuff, and haven't used it as much as I want to. Here is a close up:


This is the Summer Time mix. I've ordered some more in different solid colors and can think of so much to do with them. Before I stamped the image, I cut out the panel with my Nesties, and before taking it out of the die, I used Antique Linen distress ink to sponge the entire area. I then popped it out and stamped the image and went from there. The little lattice panels are from a Cuttlebug die, and the background paper is from a DCWV stack. And you know the story of the hideous dew drops LOL!

So, there you have it! I'll be back with another post is about a week if not sooner. For some reason, I am up in that stamp room a lot these past few weeks, so I'll have lots more for you. Stay tuned. And don't forget the pic of the week!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I have the BEST readers in all of blogdom! I'll be seeing you on your blogs! You guys have been doing some awesome stuff and you all are such an inspiration to me!


Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

40 comments:

Sharon Caudle said...

Beautiful cards, Curt!! Your House Mouse card is just adorable! LOVE that image and your colorins is so wonderful! Those leaves are gorgeous and I can only imagine how it looks when you can really see the dimension of it! Fantastic work!

The flower stamp with your flowersoft is so pretty! I haven't tried any of that stuff, but I just might have to give in. What a BEATIFUL card!

Have a wonderful weekend, and can't wait to hear all about your new DT!! Big hugs!
Sharon

Michelle Alejandro said...

Love that House of Mouse card! So cute and I can't believe that Halloween will be here in no time, yikes! Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Michelle

mudmaven said...

Great cards Curt! So glad to hear about the DT - can't wait to hear all about it! ~chris

Lora said...

Beautiful cards Curt. Love the House Mouse one, your colouring as always is perfect.
I want some flower soft now. I've never used it before but now I just have to get some!
Can't wait to see this new blog, and congrats on the Design Team spot.
Hugs Lora xx

Lauri said...

Congrats on the DT!! Cannot wait to hear more about it!!! Love the Halloween House Mouse stamp..it will be here soon!

Sue from Oregon said...

So much for spilling the beans dude! Fun cards and I LOVE this image too!

scrapperjulia said...

Hey Curt, love your cards! That image is so cute and love how you made the leaves stand out. Fall is my favorite season too! I wish I could see the other one IRL!

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

Good to see you, Curt :)
Congrats on the DT!!! I cannot wait to see who and what you will be creating with! Very exciting :)
Cute cards! I love your coloring! I struggle with my HM stamps, too hard for me to get the coloring right! lol!
TFS! :*) margie

Becky said...

I love that HM stamp, I may have to get that one. And you colored it is well, love that you cut out extra leaves gives a lot of depth to it. I just love that second one too, (blame it on the camera Ya ;) It is gorgeous, love the flower soft and the layout.

Judy said...

Your Halloween card is just wonderful. That stamp is just precious. Looking forward to hearing more about the DT spot.

Ila said...

Beautiful cards Curt!! I love Halloween and the house mouse one is just the Cutest!!...

The way you used flower soft on the 2nd card looks Fabulous!!..Have a lovely Sunday!!..Hugs, Ila
p.s. love the cone flower...and oh my...that bug actually matches the flower...great photo!!

Susan (rainy) said...

As always your HM card is fabulous. Love how you did the leaves. And what a perfect image for the Flower Soft. Beautiful card.

Can't wait to hear more about the new blog/DT thing goin' on!

Nilla said...

Lovely cards, love the house mouse image, so cute! I have bought flower soft but haven't used it yet, your flowers looks stunning, have to try!! Hugs Nilla

Heather said...

Fabulous cards Curt. Love your HM one.....fabulous colours and colouring and your treatment of the leaves is brilliant.
Love your use of flower soft on the 2nd card...brilliant.
Glad you could join us at HM/
hugs Heather xx

Angie said...

Wow, beautiful picture of the week. And great cards as usual. I'm excited to see what the secret you've been keeping is!

christina d said...

Beautiful cards as always. I love what you did with the HM. Can't wait to hear about the DT! Have a great week both of you!

Joan Fricker said...

Curt, cute cards as always. You make the image look almost real.
I love the flower soft too and I can't wait to get the new colors in stock!

Great job!!

Joan

America said...

HEY Guy Friend!!!! I love the new pic of the puppers!!! SO DARN HANDSOME!!!!!!!!! And Im seriously digging what you did with this adorable House Mouse Halloween Image!!!! SUCH Terrific coloring-as always- and what great dimension. Also that next element of the flower soft - it totally makes that card!! Love what it looks like! You are amazing my friend. And could you possibly be any sweeter?? I think of you often! Hope things are great for you guys! :)

lisa808 said...

I just love your 'Trick or Tweet' card. The image is precious.

Wow, the flower soft flowers look so real. Gorgeous!

Elaine M said...

So glad we'll be hearing from you more often!!!!

Just love this HM stamp!! Their stamps just make ya smile. Think it needs to come to my house very soon.

Also your new picture is GREAT - such talent with camera and with ink.

Give my best to Jay
Hugs - Elaine Moore

Janine said...

Great cards Curt!! Can't wait for the big reveal!!!

6 wacky women said...

Fabulous cards, Curt.
You know how I love your HM cards, this one is my fave. Your coloring is amazing. Love what you did with the flower soft...looks awesome.
I can't believe you are making us wait til the 27th...OMW!!

Karen x

Deb Neerman said...

LOVE, love, love your Halloween card!!!! I love the Flower Soft card, too but I'm all about Halloween, lolol!

Can't wait to hear all about your new DT position! I'm so excited and happy for you, Curt!! NO ONE deserves it more than you ... 'cept for me. LOLOL, I kid ... congrats .. you're a rock star!!!

Jami said...

Awesome cards Curt - you always rock those House Mouse images!! I can't wait to hear all about the new DT...how fun and exciting!!

Lori Barnett said...

Get outta here!!! Those cards are awesome! But HOW DARE you have that AWESOME HM stamp...when "I" don't! LOL! Wonderful job on the challenge. And thanks for stopping my blog :)

Scossie Jane said...

G'day Curt,

"Trick or Tweet" - love it!!!

Your Hallowe'en card is gorgeous, love the image (lucky you), love the colouring, beaut card xx

Congrats on the DT, well deserved, can't wait to see what's going on...

Love and Hugs xoxox

Etha said...

What beautiful work on both of your cards!! Love the flower soft and eww blings :) LOL.... See if you can get yourself a positionable OTT light for taking pictures without flash. I can't do flash, it never works out right, very happy with my OTT though :)
Love the first card with the popped up leaves, such a cute scene!!
You are making us stand on edge with trying to figure out who is going to be so lucky to have you on their DT :)

Percy said...

Love, love, love your cards, you are sooooo talented!!! Love what you did with the HOM stamp, and the leaves, it looks so very cute!
Congratulations on your DT!!! Keep it up!

dpkennedy said...

Ooh, I can't wait to hear your DT news! Awesome!

Your HM card is adorable! Love the dimension and fab sentiment! And the flower card is lovely! That flowersoft really make them pop!

Have a great day!

Gina Wrona said...

OMG Curt, that is so awesome!

Way to Go on the fabulous card and pic of the week!

Lorraine said...

Love your cards Curt the colouring it wonderful. Flower soft is super to use and you have made a great job with it. Hugs x

Shirley said...

Talk about adorable, and I love what you did with the leaves. The second card is really elegant with just the right touch of Flower Soft!

Marie said...

Awesome cards, Curt! Love seeing your work with the HMouse. I am tempted to try a card for that challenge this weekend. I'm taking chemistry right now, and it's not easy! I love math, but chemistry gives me a headache. Love your take on the Flower Soft. I just recently played with mine for a Blog Hop and I love it as well! So many possibilities! Miss you and the blogging world. Big Hugs, Marie.

Dawn B. said...

I love these cards. The firs one is my favorite HM image. I think it is perfect for the "fallish" season. Super coloring. The second one looks fantastic with the flower soft. Congrats on the DT. You will be a huge asset..

Leigh Anne said...

very nice! love how you popped up more leaves on the house mouse card and that flower is just the perfect one for the flower soft! ;)

Rita said...

That trick or treat card is so darn adorable Curt! Your coloring is so beautiful! By the way I went out & bought some cheap pencils to add to my Prisma & koh-i-noor collection & they work just as good so now I have more colors to choose from, I got 72 pencils for 6. bucks!!!

That flower soft card is gorgeous!!!

Anonymous said...

beautiful cards Curt and I can't wait to hear your DT news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosanne said...

Beautiful cards Curt! Looking forward to seeing what you do when you are on the DT!

Your photos are excellent--keep up the great work

Take care--Rosanne

Shirley said...

How cute the mice and the bird are~ and your painting is so pretty too! Very Fall and I am so ready. Ha!

Shirley said...

And of course I forgot to tell you how much I loved the flowers with the Flower Soft too!