Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Monday, December 7, 2009

HOUSE MOUSE MONDAY CHALLENGE #58

Hey All!  Happy Monday!  As most of you know, every other Monday the House Mouse Monday Challenge blog hosts a new challenge.  And, as most of you know I am on the design team for them.  So, every other Monday I post my challenge piece on my blog.

This week's challenge (#58) is to make a Christmas card using non-traditional colors.  When I first saw what the challenge was, I kinda panicked!  LOL  You know, me and the word "non-traditional" don't mix very well. . .  So, I thought about different color combos first and came up with several, but was not excited about any of them.  Then the thought occurred to me . . . look at your stamps you big Dork!  So I did and found the perfect stamp which lends itself to the "non-traditional" colors.  Here is today's card:



How's brown and orange for "non-traditional"?  This stamp (Happy Hoppers) was one of a few of the first House Mouse stamps I ever purchased.  I'm also very proud to say that this is the very first image I colored entirely with my Koh-I-Noor pencils that Chris gave me!  I really do love them, although I will never abandon my ccps, these were great to use and I really like the results.  Thanks again Chris!

The background paper is by The Paper Studio and the card base and matting is Bazzill.  I used a punch to  make the corner brackets and added sparkly dots for a berry look.  I slanted the main image panel for some interest and used orange dew drops in the right hand corner.  The sentiment circle is from K & Company.  I was really surprised that even though I used these colors, it still looks like a Christmas card.  I guess that's what challenges are for huh?  LOL

So please take a moment and go take a peek at the other designer's work for this challenge.  I'm in some wonderful company with them!  And if you get a chance, I would love to see you play along.  I'd really be interested to see what all you wonderfully creative, talented people can do with this challenge.

I hope you all have a good week!  Don't forget that I'll be publishing the winner of the House Mouse stamp up for grabs from last Wednesday's post on the next Wednesday Evening Post (12/9).  So come back and see me on Wednesday!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.  As you all know, your comments and support mean so much to me!   Take good care of yourselves!

Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

44 comments:

Danielle said...

Curt, this is fabulous! It is the perfect stamp to create a non-traditional coloured christmas card! Orange & brown are awesome and I just love all your added touches to make this card extra special! Your colouring as always is impeccable! I really love the ribbon detail on the sentiment - great touch! I hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Danielle

Carmen O. said...

You certainly did a fantastic job with non-traditional colors! I always go for green and red, even though I love the non-traditional colors look. I guess it's so ingrained in my head! I love the stamp that you used, genius to look at the stamp for ideas. I love gingham and actually have some of the PS gingham pp in my stash. Beautifully done Curt!

Anonymous said...

Ohhh ... your card is so adorable! I love this image and you've colored it perfectly. I also love the orange and brown together - it is amazing that all these "non-traditional" color combos still do look like Christmas cards. Awesome job on this challenge! hugz, Mary

Kimberly S said...

Awww...great stamp choice, and the color choices are perfect! I've seen more non-traditional Christmas colors used this year than ever before. Such a fun card, and certainly one that brings a smile. :)

6 wacky women said...

Awesome card, Curt
I just love non-traditional colours for Christmas...and you did an amazing job of it!! The image is just adorable, your colouring as always is perfection!!
I forgot to say last time....the boys look fabulous in their Santa hats and scarves...I just love that pic.

Karen x

magic boxes said...

Oh Curt, you met the brief, spot on, and with your usual magic!
I love this image and it's just brought a vivid memory back to me - of when Bruce, my youngest (now 13), was very much younger (about 4).

Grandma came over for one of her much loved 'stays with us'.
Family games were always a big hit so we decided to play 'Charades'.
It was Bruce's turn - he was very clearly harvesting fruit from trees.
We were competing and shouting,
"You're picking apples"
"NO".
"You're picking pears"
"NO".
"Got it! You're picking plumbs"
"NO".
Finally - it was agreed that he had won, but we wanted to know what he had been picking.
"CARROTS" he said!
Grandma (a Country Girl) said, "That's what living in the City does for you, Bruce, carrots grow in the ground"
Totally unfazed, Bruce shot straight back with, "I was standing on my head".

Your blog is always a happy and magical place to visit!

You and Your Boys are such a tonic

BIG HUGS
Elaine x

Dawnll said...

I am definately loving the non-traditional color choice,those little guys are just so adorable decorating the tree.you have such wonderful coloring skills.

Patricia Rose said...

Curt, the HM image is super cute, wonderful colouring... Great choice of Non traditional colours... Love the circle sentiment and ribbon tabs... the photo corners and berries... awesome job with todays HM challenge.
Hugs... Pat

Patti J said...

Perfection!!! LOVE the orange and brown! Isn't non-traditional fun? And sir, you did a fabulous job with your Kooh-I-Noor pencils! I'm glad you tried them out!!! Great job!

Sue said...

Hi Curt
aww totally gorgeous card luv the image, coloured beautifully,luv the colours bright n cheerful, i have just ordered a couple of Christmas ones as i don't have any, be late for this year but get a head start on next!!! lol. I will join in the challenge but it won't be a Christmas stamp hope that will be ok??
luv sue.x

Christine said...

Wow Curt this is awesome you always make something stunning for the challenge & this is no exception..brill colour combo & it works so well with the gorgeous image..building up my stock of HM buying from your country cheaper than UK..

Hugs Christine xx

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW I LOVE that card with the orange and green. It really fits well with the image you chose! Well Done!

Susan (rainy) said...

As always, Curt, your coloring is so beautifully done. This is a darling 'non-traditional colors' Christmas card.

Anonymous said...

NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE AN "ORANGE CHRISTMAS CARD", BUT, I DO NOW. YOURS TOPS ALL THE OTHERS. LOVE YA, MOM

America said...

Great, adorable HM card Curt! Beautiful color combo, and coloring!! A superb job on this challenge! tfs :)

scrapperjulia said...

That was a great idea to use brown and orange to match the orange carrots! My wheels are turning to come up with an idea for this challenge but it isn't working yet! Fantastic card!

The Rubber Maid said...

Those are certainly non traditional colors for Christmas but so dog gone cute or should I say so funny bunny . You did a great job as per usual. Pat

Leigh said...

Fabulous non traditional Christmas card Curt. Great image to use. Love it.

Jan McConnell said...

Well Curt, you have made my day a little brighter with your most recent card, so cute and clever use of color. (you know I love all your cards, don't you?) Sending e-mail with a question for you. Check you Wednesday.

Percy said...

I love the colors you used for this card, true they are not the 'traditional' ones, they look great!!!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful creation...and for the courage to make us 'see' the different ways of using colors!!!

mudmaven said...

Totally awesome, as always, Curt. I love this color combo and that hm image is soooooooo sweet! So glad you are enjoying your pencils. Check our my blog today as you are the STAR! I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful gift. I was totally floored when the box came. DH was standing there saying - well open it already - so I did. Needless to say there was much blathering and awestruck exclamations! You are just amazing and so generous - thank you, thank you, thank you! All my best to Jay and big hugs to my furry nephews too! ~chris

stampinfrog said...

Oh Curt I love this card! The HM image is so adorable and beautifully colored! Love the orange and green color combo for Xmas!
Thank you for you very sweet comments on my blog!
Hugs,Connie

Nilla said...

Gorgeous card, Curt! Love the carrots in the tree, awesome! Hugs Nilla

A Consuming Passion said...

Great job with the challenge Curt and your colouring is spot on..... as always! Love the sentiment you've used and the corner punch with berries....fantastic! See you Wednesday!

Wendalyn said...

Your card is great I love the colors...

Silvia said...

What a cute image! Beautiful colors and coloring! I love this card!

Diane said...

What a smart idea using the carrots for the colors of your background paper...I just love seeing what you do...wonder how many House Mouse new stamps you will end up with now that you are a special member of the DT.....lots I bet...a great excuse to buy more...yeah!!

Gina Wrona said...

Hi Curt,

How adorable that orange is to match the carrots! Luv it!

Hugs,
Gina

Celeste said...

Curt, your card looks great with the non-traditional colors. I love the image too. Wonderful coloring as usual. I love it!

Karina said...

Dear Curt

occasionally I landed on your blog and didn't want to go without writing you a word. I very like the artwork you do and am sure to take a look again from time to time.

By the way, right now I have a Christmas Candy to give away, if you like try your luck; http://creawitch.blogspot.com/2009/11/weihnachts-candy.html

Love from Karina

christina d said...

I love your card. I have that stamp and I sure am gonna copy yours somewhat. Someone is going to be lucky if you give them that card!

lisa808 said...

The paper you chose is perfect with the carrot ornaments. What an adorable image, which was really enhanced by your fabulous coloring.

DeeDee said...

Oh my word! Can these images get any cuter and can you color them any better...nah! LOL! WOW...that's what I say every time I visit you here! GREATNESS I tell ya! HUGS!

Jamey said...

I have to hand it to you - you make some of the nicest cards I have seen!
love the stamp, and the non-traditional colours - very inspiring!

Helen F. said...

Hey Curt, no need to ever panic--You always hit these challenges right on the spot! Love your coloring, these papers, all the orange and brown and this "Happy Hoppers" stamp ~ too darn cute!!

Crystal said...

hi curt! i hopped on over from chris' blog and am so glad i did! you are so talented and i just love your work! that card is just gorgeous and i love how you used the non traditional colors! beautiful! hugs!

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous card Curt ;-) I love this stamp and as the saying goes, great minds think alike :-)
I have just posted my card ,, but made it last week ,,, :-)

Luv
Lols x x x

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

If you would of told me you were going to make a x-mas card using brown and orange I would of thought you were nuts but I see you totally came through with it and it looks fantastic!!!
Great work!
-Stacie

Janine said...

Hey Curt!! Hope all is well with you!! LOVE your card... Non traditional is good for you!!!

Diane said...

I was visiting Chris' blog (Mudmaven)and saw your beautiful package that you sent her. I love HM images and am not a great colorer. But i was in my glory staring at those beautiful cards!
I'm going to have to come back here.Your work is wonderful Curt!

Nina said...

oh, just as wonderful as always, love this image!!! great job... now off to bed with me it is almost 2:00am! What am I thinking???

Jessie said...

Awwh, what an adorable card!

Shirley said...

I would never have thought of putting Orange with your card! It turned out beautiful and just really made the other colors pop too!

Elaine M said...

This is the SWEETEST little Christmas card!!! You did a great job and I love your colors.