Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Monday, September 28, 2009

MAGICAL MONDAY & CARD PROCESS

Hey All!  Happy Monday to one and all.  Ohhhhhh did I say Monday???  That must mean it's Magical Monday!   LOL  And it is indeed.  As most of you are aware by now, every Monday Nina May over at "There's Magic in the Air" releases a new digital image and gives it away free during the week.  Being on the design team, I create a card using the image along with the challenge for the week.  This week's image is called "Dancing Hearts" and the challenge this week is to "Make it sparkle!  Add some form of glitter or bling."  So, here is my card:



Cute image huh?  When I sat down to work with this image, two holidays came to mind.  The first was Christmas, the second Valentine's Day.  If you click on the picture, you will see all the glitter and the bling.  I colored the image with my cheap colored pencils and oms.  I used Stickles on the band of the vase and on the heart in the word love.  The hears on the bottom were created by using two different sized heart punches.  I punched the large hearts right on the background matting.  Then positioned the smaller hearts I punched in the center of the larger punched out area.  I then added bling to each of them.  I used chunky glitter on the "snow".  Finished it off with some ribbon and a bow made with my Bow Easy.  I'm starting to get the hang of that thing!  
I really had a rough time with this week's card.  Now brings the second part of my blog title:  Card Process.  Below, I have cut and pasted an excerpt from my email that I sent Nina with my card file attached.  I think it will give you an insight into the mind of a crazy person (yours truly):  Read at your own risk: 


"Well, you see. . .when I first saw the image, I thought it would be a perfect image for a Valentine's Day card.  But then, as I started thinking about it right before I started working on it this afternoon, after I asked you the question about what was "hanging" from the shelf. . .it reminded me of snow or icicles so I had this fab idea to make it a Christmas card.  I had this grand idea that the hearts were red and the stems were green (Christmas colors) and I could make the snow all glittery, and that little vase thingy I could color in candy cane stripes.  Then put it all together with some Christmas paper and oh what the hell was I thinking!?!  I made 2 cards with the Christmas theme, and once each was finished they were promptly ripped to shreds!  LOL  My candy cane stripes actually turned out looking like I had been drinking all day. . .they were all wavy and pitiful looking.  So I tried again, this time making the vase green and putting red stickles on it.  That only made the vase look really gaudy and like something you'd pick up on clearance at Wal-Mart after Christmas!  Kinda made me nauseated just looking at it.  But I pushed on trying to save the second attempt.  Once I got the glitter on the "snow/icicles", I tried to find some Christmas paper that would go with it.  Talk about my eyes crossing then!  LOL  No mater what paper I would try, it was like clash of the Titans. . .At that point I thought, heck I might as well go down to the kitchen and get some elbow macaroni and make a frame around it because it looked like a 3RD grader had already made most of the card.  Geeeeezzzzz  So that one got torn to shreds as well and I abandoned the "Fabulous Christmas idea".  So on to the Valentine's day theme, and thank God that one worked out OK.  I figure we still have friggin snow in February and I remember several Valentine Days that we had snow on the ground so it can still be a Valentine with snow on it!  And if people in warm climates don't "get it", well they can go make their on "sunny" Valentines. . .see if I care!  LOL"


So there you have it my sweet blogging friends.  A momentary glimpse into the mind workings of a madman!  LOL  I just thought it would be fun for you to see the "behind the scenes" goings on of my "creative process".  LOL


As always, thanks so much for your support.  I hope you go visit the ever so talented Nina May for this FREE image.  I would LOVE to see what YOU will do with this!  LOL


Stay well my friends.  I'll be back with another loaded post on Wednesday.  'Till then, take good care!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

27 comments:

Nilla said...

You are funny, Curt! You sound just like me, gosh how many cards, papers haven't ended up in the bin! But your card, dear friend, is fabulous! Love the hearts and the sparkling and all about it! Hugs Nilla

Lauri said...

Hey it always snows here on valentines day!! I think what you wrote in the email is what so many of us just think to ourselves (some like me on a daily basis!) so funny to read it though!

Nina said...

Curt! So, glad you shared the behind the scene visual story! LOL... certainly made me giggle and smile!! Your card is just lovely and I will be waiting on that christmas one!! :O)

Mandi said...

Your card is awesome Curt! Thanks for the chuckle reading your blog!
Love that stamp, its perfect for a lot of occasions eh

have a good week
mandi xx

Susan.... said...

Hi Curt,
That is absolutely stunning !well done !
Thank you for popping over to say "Hi",very thoughtful of you, you will always be a welcome visitor !
If you get a min,please pop back to mine, as l have a little something for you to collect ...
Hugs
susan x ( Saramar)

Digi Kitty said...

Curt--awesome as always--I totally relate on the Christmas image--reminded me of snow too--that candy cane is a GREAT idea--especially if you made the stems candy canish--very cool.
I wonder if there is something wrong with me and I'm the crazy one--because that conversation between you and Nina seemed familiar...hahah

Hugs,
Gypsy

Diane said...

I am sitting here laughing and laughing...you are so funny and way too hard on yourself....your creations are fab! Love the card you did finish....can't wait to see your projects on Wednesday!

Jackie said...

ROFL!!! You crack me up! I think that card is just fabulous. I would like to have seen the rejects too, just for giggles. Especially the "something on clearance at WalMart after Christmas"!!

DeeDee said...

Good golly man, you crack me up! I do believe you could do stand up comedy...I'd pay to come see ya! LOL! Your card is lovely BTW! Only you Curt can me me smile so big while reading your blog posts! HUGS!

Judy said...

Oh Curt, I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who experiences frustration when making a card.

Love your Dancing Hearts card..it's wonderful.

Judy

Ila said...

Your card is Fabulous!!...and Thanks so much for the chuckle. I have to admit...I can certainly relate with your card process..lol. Thanks for sharing!!...Hugs, Ila

pinky said...

If this caper didn't drive us batty sometimes were would the fun be lol. Glad I came across your blog and will follow you with interest! Love this card, wasn't sure whether to have a go this week or not, but with your inspiration I may well do. Have a nice day, love the doggys!!!
Pinky

A Consuming Passion said...

Well get a load of you!!!! ranting...... over there, where you get snow in February!!!! Well I'm one of those who would freak to see snow in Feb as that's the height of our summer..............All this said I do understand what you mean about starting out with one thing in mind for a card and then finding that it really won't work.....It happens! Your card is fine I love the glitter and the cute vase... the flowers look to me like they're dancing and I love the three hearts along the bottom.
Might have to give this one a try!!! Take care looking forward to Wednesday!

Velta said...

You certainly know how to make a person laugh!!! I've been there...done that too many times to mention...I have always said that the reason a comedian becomes famous (like Bill Cosby) is because he is telling the truth...and that is just what you did to make us all laugh!! The card is adorable Curt!!

MaryAnn Grove said...

I sure need to live closer to you. I would have a laugh a day for sure. thanks for all you do to make logs really enjoyable...+ you create fantastic cards. God bless you guy. Hugs to you and Jay...MaryAnn

a Seeker of the TRUTH said...

I love the story that goes along with the creation of your card. It makes reading your blog interesting and funny. Today was the first time that i have stumbled across your blog. I love it and your creations. can wait to read more.

Happy crafting
Julie

Rita said...

You are too funny, you were cracking me up today! It was very refreshing to know that we are not alone when we get frustrated in our creative process. Your card came out so beautiful in the end though...great job! I luv it!!!

dpkennedy said...

Thank goodness for the "friggin" snow in February! LOL! That was very funny! I interpreted it as the two loving hearts warmth melting away the cold...anyway you look at it, it's cute and you did a lovely job!

lisa808 said...

Oh Curt, you are a riot! Your story is as good as your card! I hope you'll be posting again on Wednesday.

Gina Wrona said...

Hey Curt,

Love your sunset pic!

Your card makes the flowers look like they are in motion dancing!

How fabulous!

Truly a great artist imho!
Hugs,
Gina

The Rubber Maid said...

Would love to see how this could be a Christmas card BUT then again if you say so then it is so. I'm with you on the Valentine's part as that is all I could see out of this image. TFS all your woes. Pat

6 wacky women said...

Oh Curt you are too funny.
Your card is fabulous, I love the sparkle icicles, the image is adorable.
Love the pic of the week....so beautiful.

Have a great day
Karen x

Patti J. said...

Oh Curt, it took me two days to pick myself up off the floor and stop laughing at your email to Nina! Your card is really cute. When I looked at it, the first thought that came to my mind was, "what is that funky stuff hanging off of that 'Valentines' shelf"? Lol!!! This one shall be a bit tricky, but I'll try it anyway!!! Great job(s???) my friend!

Chris said...

you just cracked me up. I love a madman, tell Jay to watch out, but would your dogs like my cats, hmmm....?
It's good to know that others aren't always happy with the first attempt.

Anonymous said...

Curt, your card is beautiful, and thanks so much for making me laugh by sharing your card-making process for this one. I think we've all been there a time or two, buddy! BTW, I love the icicles -- perfect for this wonderful *winter* holiday! :-)

Rose said...

OK i am laughing so hard i am falling out of my chair with tears running down my face!!! gosh i forgot what the card looks like after reading the emails of a crazy man :0) went back to see it....it is very pretty and i now see i need a bow easy! have a great day and i hope next weeks challenge is easier on you :0)

Shirley said...

You are too too creative! It's beautiful and the icicles are perfect for it!