Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Monday, August 10, 2009

DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAERIES?

Hey All! It's another "Magical Monday" and that means another new image and challenge at the "There's Magic in the Air" blog. Today's image is a cute faerie named Kacey. In my opinion, she should really be a Pixie because she caused me quite a bit of mischief!

I worked on making the card using Nina May's Kacey. I already knew it was going to be a "Hello" card because Kacey is waving. I had told Nina up front that I was not good at using "human" images on cards. I'm not good coloring them or incorporating them. I'm just not comfortable with these types of images. So I knew I was going to have a challenge with this one. But, after some effort, I came up with a card that I was fairly happy with. And here it is:


This background paper is by K & Company and I've had it for quite some time. I knew this was the time to use it. I colored Kacey with colored pencils and OMS, but I did her wings in shimmery paints by Yasutomo. Look at the close up below:


Click on the picture to see how glittery they are. The sentiment was stamped using a set from Hero Arts. I sponged the background with Colorbox pale blue ink for a sky effect. So, I THOUGHT I was done. However, right after dinner on Saturday a thought hit me like a ton of bricks! I remembered that this weeks post was a SKETCH CHALLENGE! CRAP!!!! I ran to my computer, went to the DT blog, and sure enough it was a sketch we were supposed to use with this image. Here was the sketch:


You can see that my original card didn't even come close. So I ran upstairs with the card in hand and started playing with it to see if I could get it to "conform". After about an hour I realized there was no way I could do it. So, I tore it apart to start over. I did manage to salvage the colored image and the sentiment. The rest had to go. So, another couple of hours past to get a new card made to reflect the challenge. I told Nina that this was a double whammy for me because I also NEVER use flowers on my cards! Geeeezzzzzzz this was driving me nuts. So, after all is said and done, here is the sketch card:


Of course it is now after midnight and I needed to get the picture taken and uploaded to get it to Nina for her posting. So, the lighting is canned and not as flattering. But, as you can see, all the elements to the challenge sketch are there. I used a coppery/shimmery ribbon to go with her wings, but you really can't see that well with the lighting on this photo.

OK, so there you have it. I also told Nina that you think a gay guy could do a faerie proud and that this shouldn't have been so hard for me! LOL I do hope you go over to "There's Magic in the Air" and grab this week's FREE image and play along. Again, this image is very versatile as well and can also be used for a saying good-bye card, or an array of other sentiments.

Thanks for coming to see this weeks card! I so appreciate you supporting me like this!

I'll be doing another post mid-week using some new card stock I "discovered" that has an awesome property. Some of you may know about it, but I sure didn't and I'm so glad that I found it. It is the coolest stuff! Can't wait to show you what I made with it. I'll also publish a new pic of the week at that time.

Thanks again!

Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

29 comments:

Emmy said...

LOL! That's so ironic that you had to re do a card that you were struggling with to begin with. However, both cards turned out great. I wouldn't think you were struggling at all.

Lauri said...

You crack me up!!! You did a great job...and two cards to boot! I know what you mean, though...sometimes certain types of images are just tough!!

Danielle said...

Oh Curt you're too funny! Your cards are fab even tho' you struggled so hard with them! The end fairy with flowers an' all on the card turned out brilliant!
Hugs, Danielle

Nilla said...

Love both of them, but sure second is the best, I agree! Hey, they are both lovely!! Hugs Nilla

Scossie Jane said...

Curt, you poor darling....

You have done a wonderful job with the image, twice!! How maddening, how clever....

Such a different style for you my friend, and you have achieved a wonderful result, twice!!

Hugs and kisses - twice!! LOL

mudmaven said...

Curt these are both just gorgeous - you should be very proud of them! Great job! Hope all is well with you and Jay. ~chris

Sharon Caudle said...

Oh man, don't you just hate it when stuff like that happens??!! Sorry you had such trouble, but I love both versions of the card. I think you did a fantastic job, and LOVE LOVE LOVE how you did her wings. They look fantastic! Awesome job, Curt! hugs!

Nina said...

ROTFLMBO!! ((big hugs)) GREAT CARDS! thanks for sharing your cards and your story!!

Jackie said...

ROFL!!! I think you did an awesome job on both cards and I can't believe you re-did the first one after all that struggling. You're the best!

dpkennedy said...

Aww, sorry she gave you a tough time...but you'd never know it! I really like the second card-you did a great job reworking it!

Patti J. said...

Curt - you have me laughing out loud! You are too funny! I am so proud of your card(s)!!! I actually do like card #2 the best of the two! And look at all of the practice you got on your fabulous coloring job!!!! Way to go, my friend! Perfect take on the challenge! Thanks for giving me such a good laugh today - I needed it!

Anonymous said...

OH MY!!!!!! YOU REALLY, REALLY, DID A GOOD JOB!!!!!! LOVE YA, MOM

Nancy said...

You are so funny...your post definitely brought a smile. You did a great job with the cards! Love how you painted the wings.

Leigh Anne said...

LOL you cracked me up with all the fairy business ;) LOL that you saved the image, so that you would't need to color another human LOL ;) looove that glitter.... paint you say? ;) I love them both and how different they both look even with the two identical elements - love the edge punch you used

Sue from Oregon said...

Curt...you don't know how many times I have done that...You made a great recovery though!

Joan Fricker said...

Curt,
I am sure you have heard the saying "making lemonade out of lemons". Well your first card wasn't a lemon, but you should know how to pull it together. Great job.

Joan

Bonnie Weiss said...

OK...gay guy or not...you have some crazy-a** talent, Curt!! And I'm with you...I'd much rather use an image of an animal than a human any day. In fact, there are some days that I'd rather be in the company of an animal rather than a human!!!

You did Nina May proud. You did "kacey" proud. And most of all, you did yourself proud! I'm sure Nina May is thrilled to have you on her design team!

lisa808 said...

The paper you used on the first card is perfect for this image.

Your 're-do' card is great too. I like the flowers and ribbon you added.

In my 'next life' I hope to come back with your coloring talent and humor!

Etha said...

beautiful shimmer on the wings! love your colors and the DP with the dragonfly is a wonderful complement to the image!

6 wacky women said...

Awesome cards, Curt.
Love the colours, the shimmering wings look great.

Karen x

Elaine M said...

Love Love Love how both cards turned out - you are wonderfully creative and your cards are always fabulous. Hugs - Elaine Moore mtn.moven.faith@comcast.net

Susan (rainy) said...

Oh I know that "ton of bricks" feeling when you realize something you've done doesn't fit the challenge. But HOLY SMOKES!! It's fabulous. LOVE those wings!

A Consuming Passion said...

Great save Kurt!!! your Fairy card turned out just fine!!!
Love the shiny wings and the ribbon to match -
Don't you just love a quick card!!!

Percy said...

Curt, both cards are/were beautiful...I love them both, love the background on the 1st one, and how the 2nd one turned out! Keep it up!!!

The Rubber Maid said...

Great cards both of them. Love that background paper also . Have a great week. Pat

"Kirby" (KrB) said...

You're too cute! I enjoyed reading your post as much as I enjoyed your cards. For being so frazzled, ya done good!! Love the shimmery wings, the colors and your use of the border punch. Both of the are very well done. I would say you did a "fairy" good job. :)

Rachel said...

This is such a beautiful card!! love all the sparkle on her wings. you did such a wonderful job with Kacey.
hugs,
Rachel

Shirley said...

Wow! Curt, you have really done justice to these images. What an artist you are!

Carolyn Bounds said...

Hahahaha!!! You are a riot:o) I almost spewed soda all over my monitor!!! Too funny!! Both of your cards are fabulous!!! I am just sorry that you had to scrap the first one because the dp was perfect, and you had been saving it to use with the perfect image. I just hate it when these things happen! Leave it to you to bounce back with an equally impressive creation for round two:o) I love the shimmery wings, and your eye for detail always amazes me. What can I say....YOU ROCK!!! I can't wait to see what beautiful creation you have for us in the future!

Hugs!!
Carolyn