Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST

Hey Kiddos!  How's your Wednesday going?  Well I hope.  I love the name that I have given this post, and since I've made my official posting day Wednesday, that is what the future Wednesday's posts will be called.  Kinda has a nice little "Norman Rockwell" sound to it doesn't it?  LOL  OK, on with the post:

I'm going to have to come up with a new way to photograph my cards.  Quite honestly, I'm not happy with the quality of the photos of the cards I got today.  Whenever I shoot them in pure direct sunlight, the color bleeds out, as well as some of the definition.  I even tried to use the setting on my camera that says "bright sunlight", but the pics came out even worse.  So I had to screw around a lot with the lighting in my photo editing software to try to make them as presentable as possible.  So I apologize for the less than great quality.

Here is the first of 3 cards I'd like to share with you this evening:



As all of you who know me even a little, you know that I LOVE Fall and Halloween.  For once, this card looked exactly like the one in my head after I created it.  The leaf stamps are by Martha Stewart and I stamped them with Versamark ink and then embossed them with copper embossing powder.  I then used sponge daubers and sponged them with Staz-On ink in mustard, pumpkin, and olive green.  I cut them out and applied them to the strip on Bazzill card stock.  I don't know who does the background paper, it was from my "scraps bin", but I loved the lattice print on it.  The sentiment is computer generated and popped up with dimensionals.  Added a bow tied with my Bow Easy and done.

Next is a Halloween card.  This card was created around a single element:



The haunted house scene is an intricately die cut sticker!  When I saw these (at Archiver's) I went nuts over them.  The orangy yellowish background was created by sponging watercolor paper with Staz-On mustard and pumpkin inks with a touch of black towards the top.  The moon color was created by masking that area before sponging with the other colors.  I then removed the mask and lightly sponged the center for a little more color.  Looks like it almost has a little light behind it doesn't it?  Once the sponging was done, I peeled off the sticker and aligned the moon part of the sticker with the masked moon area, pressed it all down and tah dah the main image.  Looks like it was stamped.  The other thing I did with this card was to "dye" the ribbon.  The checked ribbon was originally black and white, but since white really wasn't an option for this card, I used my Staz-On pumpkin ink and a dauber and rubbed the ink onto the ribbon turning the white parts to pumpkin.  Worked perfectly.  I put the ribbon on a black strip of card stock so that it would show better.  The sentiment ($1 stamp at Michael's) was stamped directly onto the background paper and embossed with detail black ep.  I then added the black brads with an orange dot in the center and the photo corners at each top angle to complete it.

The last card I have to share is one that I couldn't have done without the help of one of my sweet blogging friends.  You know who you are and thank you again (long story).  Anyway, I saw a card she had made with this stamped image and I emailed her right away to find out where to get it.  She told me where, said it was pretty pricey, and offered to send me a few of the stamped image which she did.  Here is my card:



I made this card for my best friend's partner Richard for his upcoming birthday in November.  He collects wolves, and as a matter of fact, has adopted two real wolves at a preserve.  When I saw this stamp, it screamed Richard.  So that is why I asked her where she had gotten it.  I so appreciate her sending the stamped images.  I colored this one with my ccps and oms.  I gave the leaves a Fall treatment since it is a November birthday.  The background paper is from a Fall stack.  It kind of reminded me of debris on a forest floor which went perfectly with the image.  I added the brown cord with the "wolf paw print" LOL and added the matted image to the card with foam dimensionals.

Well that's it for this post.  BTW, I'm at 93 followers and I've decided that when I reach 100 followers I'll be giving away some blog candy.  So stay tuned.  And in my next Wednesday post, I'm also going to give a little tutorial for you Bow Easy users on how to use the Bow Easy in a different way with a little tip I came up with.  

Again, thanks so much for stopping by.  I'll be off looking at all of your blogs this week to see what you have been doing.  It is always a couple of hours that I so look forward to.  I get my favorite beverage, sit back, and start blogging and leaving comments.  You are all such inspirations to me and I'm so lucky to have each of you as readers of this weekly stuff I put out.

P.S.  STORY:  Don't forget the pic of the week below.  I have a quick story with it. . .I drug my poor 72 year old Mom down to a dried up creek bed to let the boys run lose to explore.  I was walking ahead of her and all of a sudden I hear this blood curdling scream.  I look around and here she comes running faster than a Colt's receiver with her little dog Chunk in her arms like a football.  I couldn't believe she was moving that fast. . .What could have caused all of this you ask?  See pic of the week below!  LOL  To make the matter worse, I got one of those blank card things where you slide a photo onto the front to make it a photo card.  I ran it through my Cuttlebug to give it that snake skin look and inserted the picture.  On the inside I wrote "Enjoyed our visit. . .next time maybe you can stay a little longer.  Snakey Licks!  Sammy Snake"  LOL  I mailed it to her today.  She is going to KILL me!  I'm so evil. . . .

Take good care all!

Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

45 comments:

Gina Lindsay said...

These are really great cards, The wolf one is beautiful and I really like the fall ones too. I think if I saw that snake I would have ran too.

Patti J. said...

Wowzers Curt! I can't believe you got close enough to take that picture! UGH! I do not like snakes!!! Lol! Your cards are delightful! Love those MS leaves, and you know, I kept waiting for Norman Bates to walk outa the Psycho house! It really looks like the house from Psycho - we saw that IRL at Universal Studios a couple of years ago, and it's creepy even when you know it's a set!!! Great job - Love your Wednesday Evening Post! I'll send my friend Shirley over to become a follower... Gotta get to 100 - last time you offered up blog candy, it was Copic markers!!! Tee hee.

Anonymous said...

Curt, this is my first visit to your blog, and I must say, way worth my time. You are one talented guy! I have looked at several of your older posts while I was here, and had my mouth open just looking at your beautiful work. I'm surprised you don't have a thousand followers!! LOL I can't believe you've only been doing this a little over a year! I plan on coming back often. Wish I could be a follower, but I don't have a blog. But you can bet I'll be back to see what you do next. Katy M. Little Rock, AR

Sue from Oregon said...

Hey Curt! Your Mom is going to pull your ear boy! LOL Great cards...and the photos look great to me...I am always struggling with photos myself!
Love your post title too...I thought of Norman immediately!

mudmaven said...

EEEEEEEK! Your poor mother - I think she should put you in time out - for a very long time! How scary and you got right up there and took a pix too! Brave, brave ... crazy? I love all your cards today - just gorgeous as always! ~chris

Scossie Jane said...

More beautiful cards Curt, love that lazer cut one from Archiver's. Looking forward to your tutorial on the bow maker....

The snake photo is pretty impressive, no wonder your Mum ran, and to send her a card from the snake, way cool, but boy, are you in trouble...

I bet you were a handful when you were a youngster.... xx

Jackie said...

Those cards are awesome! I was at Archiver's a few weeks ago and if I had seen this card before then I would have snapped up some of those stickers. Makes me want to go buy more StazOn ink now! I hardly use it anymore since I use clear stamps so much. You are hilarious and I agree with Scossie Jane - I bet you were a handful back in the day. What kind of snake is that? It isn't venomous, it's actually quite pretty. Your poor mom!

Susan.... said...

Loved reading your post Curt.It has made a good start to my day ! Thanks for all the tips too..
Love the cards,Simply stunning !
Hope all well with you and yours, sending big hugs..Cheerio for now !
Susan x

Diane said...

Beautiful cards as always.....the MS leaf one is so pretty...have to jot down all you did and give it a try! The Halloween one is fantastic.....the moon looks as though it is "glowing"! Really love what you did with the wolf one, too...lots of added detail with the colors....I am sure Richard will LOVE it. Now as for the snake....I am right there with your Mom...eeeeeeek! I remember as a kid my brother brought a snake home and my Mom used this old "pink" ringer washer and he put his snake in it, never forget when she opened the lid to do laundry...he was in a bit of "trouble"...the good old days...no I am not THAT old...my Mom just refused to have a "modern" washer for years! Great projects...looking forward to next "Wednesdays Evening Post"!

Joan Fricker said...

Curt, each one of your cards is fantastic. Your coloring on the wolf card is so natural looking. I love the MS leaves too. Great job on all of them.

Your Mom is going to get you. I bet she was scared out of her "skin". LOL.

Joan

DeeDee said...

Eeeew! Snakes, yuck, bleh, patooie! I'd be running too Curt! OMG, and you made a card of it and MAILED IT! You are so BAD! Okay, now that I've gotten that out of my system...I love your cards....really love the sticker one...too COOL! You know I love your stories and your work, great job! HUGS!

lisa808 said...

Curt, those leaves are gorgeous. Wow, it's hard to believe you used a sticker to create that awesome Halloween card. The image with the wolves, the paw print, and the paper all combine to make a great card.

I give your mother a lot of credit, I would have died of fright before I had the chance to run!

Please wish Jay a Happy Birthday.

Jan McC said...

Good morning Curt, why are our sons so naughty? Great picture, but your Mom will laugh anyway. I know about sons as I have three and they are about your age, still like small children sometimes, keeps life interesting though. On to your beautiful cards and they are your usual great work. I am about well enough to try and return to work, UGH. And try this week to get something on my blog, provided my camera works and my brain. Have a blessed week.

Jane Wetzel said...

whoa Curt...you just keep them coming! Gorgeous cards and HATE that snake! :)

twinkletoe said...

Note to annonymous - you don;t need to have a blog to follow Curt. Just sign up.

I just love your blog and all your funny storiesl

I look forward to the Bow easy info - I have such trouble with that.

Percy said...

Curt,

Your cards are beautiful, I love the fall one, Halloween is not my favorite holiday....your Halloween card is very cute too.

I feel for your Mom with the snake....I bet she was scared....poor thing!

Percy said...

Curt,

Your cards are beautiful, I love the fall one, Halloween is not my favorite holiday....your Halloween card is very cute too.

I feel for your Mom with the snake....I bet she was scared....poor thing!

Carmen O. said...

OMG Curt your cards are FABULOUS! That wolf one will be treasured for a long time. You made our day with your story about your mom and the snake (we're sitting here at Karmanos after thinking we could sleep in today). So thanks for helping us smile today! Your mom can't be too mad you must've got your sense of humor from somewhere? hehehehe

Danielle said...

Gorgeous cards Curt - I espec. love the wolf one too - what an amazingly detailed stamp. And for your story, well no wonder your mom let out a blood-curdling scream - I would have done too!! But you took a great picture!
Hugs, Danielle

Rose said...

your cards are GORGEOUS!!! love all the detail you put into each one. and when you find the perfect photo info please pass it on lol :0) i sure hope your mother lives far away as she might just kick you!!*thats something i would send my mom also*;-)

Gina Wrona said...

OMG, Curt, you devil, you didn't? If I were your mom, I not only would have been running as fast as she was but would have jumped into the first person's arms that I saw! I HATE SNAKES, THEY ARE SO CREEEPY & SLIMMMMMMMMMMY, UGH.

Okay, now that I got that out of my system, I love your cards and your stories with such detailed posts on how you made them. It's like a mini tutorial all in one.

Oh, by the way, Carol just loved your RAK you sent her for Elsie. It arrived perfectly the weekend she was moving, unfortunately that was the same weekend her sisterinlaw lost her battle to brain cancer, she was supposed to go for surgery where the tumor grew on the otherside yesterday, but at last God called her home to him in heaven.

Hugs,
Gina

America said...

LOL - you are way too much my Friend, but that's exactly why we love ya! Im digging your new blog look!!!!! Always enjoy looking through your gallery of pictures and admiring your puppers!!! Love that gorgeous FALL card with its elegant details, the super FUN colors of your Halloween card and that awesome Wolves card that you colored so incredibly perfect!!!! WOW!! YOU ROCK!!! Hey-what if I sent you all of my stamps/images from now on and you secretly did ALL of my coloring for me?? heheh.... and LOL.... (I just hate to color). Funny how Im totally in the wrong business, huh?!!! LOL :) Have a fantastic week & thanks for sharing your work & life with us!

1CardCreator said...

You are so bad Curt! But your latest cards are awesome! Love the way those leaves turned out, and the background is perfect! ~Diane

Jodi said...

These are just amazing cards!! LOVE each and everyone of them!! OMG you are sooo bad!! LOL!! Your Mom will be surprised for sure!! I think I would do exactly what she did and scream bloody murder too!
Hugs
Jodi =)

Papier Creatif said...

Curty-baby! O-M-Gee! I woulda freaked out like your mom did!!! Beautiful photo of the snake, btw ... Do you know what kind it is? Is it poisonous? We have copperheads and even rattlesnakes in our neighborhood. We have a creek that runs through it that is a watershed for the lake, so we have a nice array of wildlife even tho we are suburban.

BTW, I joined a new website for photography. I think you'd really like it. They post a lot of great photography tips and you could ask about the lighting issues you're having. If I ever learn more about it, I will share with you. But have on my list to do *Photography Class*. I've heard once you start photographing in RAW you won't go back to automatic, but I don't know if you camera is configured for shooting in RAW or not. Natural light is supposed to be the best, but if you're like me, finishing up your projects in the evening, it is a challenge. Although you card photos always look really nice to me. And your outdoor photos are spectacular.

The wolf card is really GREAT. I love how you used the twine and embellished with the wolf paw - really nice touch. And the stamp is really beautiful too. Sweet of your blogger-bud to send the images to you! I love stamps even though my collection is very small, but they are really pricey!

AND ... the backgrounds you inked for the Halloween image is so well done. Looks like you water-colored those! Perfect tones for Fall! I liked the details of the cut-out house too {I forgot what you called that ...}

I LUV FALL TOO!

Have a great weekend!

{xoxo} Juls~

Papier Creatif said...

Here's a link:

http://digital-photography-school.com/

Unknown said...

Hi Curt! This is also my first time visiting and I too am so happy I did! You're projects are amazing! Now you're definitely more educated in the photography area but may I suggest something for the photos of your projects outdoors? I'm not sure at what time of day you're taking your photos, but I always take mine outside for the natural lighting, either right after sunrise, or at dusk. The sunlight is still bright enough to give you great photos, but it won't wash out your colors. The spot in which I take my pictures has a bit of shade also, which helps sometimes. I hope that helps! I will be back to visit again soon! :)

Nilla said...

Dear Curt, love them all! Always so elegant and perfect done! Looking forward to the bow instruction and congrats on the soon to be 100 followers! Hugs from your friend in Malaysia Nilla

The Rubber Maid said...

Hey watch out how you talk about your 72 yr. old Mom as her and I are both that wonderful exhilerating age. Yikes! that snake is scary and I don't blame your old lady Mom for screaming and running...I would too. Love your wolf card.. quite a piece of art. Happy weekend. Pat

Elaine M said...

Oh my dear Lord - I think I need to sit down!! Between the fantastic cards and the snake - well my goodness - my poor ole heart!! You have outdone yourself Curt - the wolf card is incredible!! Looks like something to frame and keep forever!! Mind sharing what stamp that was. Really enjoy keeping up with you - give your mom a hug for me
Elaine Moore - mtn.moven.faith@comcast.net

Janine said...

ooooo I LOVE snakes!!! They are such charming creatures!!
Love your cards Curt! Hope all is well and that you have a great weekend!!

Ila said...

All these cards are Incredible!!..I love the wolf one!!..Snakes...Ugh!!..Sometimes on my evening dog walk they appear...Scare the crap right out of me!!...Have a Lovely Weekend!!..Hugs, Ila

Rosanne said...

Love your cards as usual Curt. The snake thing tho...I had a rather scary encounter one time up in Northern Ontario...I was using a cane at the time due to knee troubles, and went out to call my husband when suddenly I saw this thing slither by my foot--the cane and I ended up in the back of our 1/2 ton pickup, and I don't even know how I got there!!Guess I was trying to jump straight to heaven!!!
Take care...

Celeste said...

So nice to see a guy doing cards and scrapbooking. I love your blog and signed up. Your cards are gorgeous. I loved the story about your Mom and the little joke you are playing on her. I would have run too.

Anonymous said...

These are awesome Curt and I love the Fall picture of your babies!

Rita said...

Wow, I luv this leaf card, the copper embossing powder adds a little glow to your awesome colored leaves & made them much more realistic! Luv that bow & gorgeous ribbon!

Great looking Halloween card & I luv that die cut sticker & what you did with the coloring of the background...looks so real!

Wowza, your wolf card is so darn awesome Curt! Your friend is going to go nuts when he sees this one! You are so wonderful & it show up in your work. Thanks for inspiring me * others!

Hugs
Rita

Andrea Walford said...

I absolutely love your cards - you are very talented! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

Nina said...

Curt, all your cards are really nice, love the left one, so nice and simple and elegant but nothing simply about all the work that went into the leaves. The Halloween one is just great and I can see why you went crazy of those detail cuts! Just lovely and your last one will be just perfect for you friend and what a wonderful image with lost of great detail. So nice of her to send you some. I love to swap images it is a great way to acquire some without having to buy the stamp. You picture of the day is awesome and I wonder what kind of snake it was? love the way he is sitting there with all his curves showing. And what a lovely memory for your mom!! LOL.. yes she is going to kill you with that card, probably right after she stops laughing! :O)

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Oh Curt! You are a bad boy! That is a HUGE snake - - - anyone with any sense would run!

I love your leaves - the colors are beautiful! The wolf card is just so impressive - what a thoughtful card! But the Halloween card is absolutely WOWOWOWOW!!! I'm glad you explained how you did that - because I was uber-impressed and also uber-clueless!

Jeni Glee said...

You are simply the bravest person I know....that snake photo is amazing.

As to your creations:

It is always a delight to come here and see your wonderful creations, my Friend. I think you have outdone yourself once again -- everything is outstanding and oh, so wonderful!

Deb Neerman said...

Oh, yeah, I'd be runnin' and screamin' too!! I know it's completely irrational, but I live in mortal fear of snakes.

LOVE, love, love your cards ... all so different and all so beautifully done! You're amazing, Curt!!

Shirley said...

The leaves are drop dead gorgeous! The colors you used for them and the Halloween scene are just wonderful. The wolves are just as lovely as the other two!

Shirley said...

The leaves are drop dead gorgeous! The colors you used for them and the Halloween scene are just wonderful. The wolves are just as lovely as the other two!

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