Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Monday, January 4, 2010

HOUSE MOUSE MONDAY CHALLENGE #60

Hey All!  Happy New Year to everyone!  Did you party?  Did you make it to Midnight? Or did the New Year find you sound asleep?  We rang in the New Year as we have done for the last 7 years.  We wait till Midnight, I pop open a bottle of cheap champagne, I have one wine glass for me, one regular glass for Jay (he has trouble holding wine glasses), and two ceramic custard cups for the boys.  I pour the champagne in all of us (the boys just a little taste) and we loudly say "Happy New Year!".  Then the boys start howling!  LOL  Honestly, that is exactly what happens every year!   Hope yours was more exciting!

Now on to the House Mouse Monday Challenge Blogs challenge #60.  This challenge comes to us by way of Mary on our design team.  Mary thought it would be fun to do an "On The Beach" theme.  She thought that since most of us are under snow and cold weather, a beach theme would get us thinking about somewhere nice and warm and away from the cold.  So, the challenge is to make a card doing a beach theme using any House Mouse/Gruffies/Happy Hoppers image or even one that portrays a  warm/summer theme.  Here is my card:




 This House Mouse stamp is called "Beach Bums".  I colored it with colored pencils and om.  I added to the image an "ocean" line as well as sky.  I used turquoise blue glitter for the tops of the "waves" to give it more of an "ocean" look.  I matted the image on glittery blue card stock and then mounted that with foam tape on 3 different papers.  One that looks like sand, one that represents wavy water (I used a tearing ruler for the waves) and lastly paper that had printed suns on it.  As a final touch and before I put the card together, I put the "sand" paper into my printer and printed the computer generated sentiment directly on it.  I was trying to get a postcard feel to the card so I printed it at an angle.  I also wanted it to look like it had been drawn in the sand.  Don't know if I achieved it, but it does kind of remind me of a postcard.

So, there you have it!  I hope you give this challenge a go.  It was nice to think about the beach and warm weather.  The temperature reading on our electronic gage was 1 degree at about 11:00 last night.  So the beach sounds pretty good right about now.  Don't forget to see the other great cards that the rest of the design team presents on the House Mouse Monday Challenge Blog HERE.

As always, thanks for coming by.  I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!

Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

62 comments:

Dawnll said...

Was just admiring your card, when I thought -it looks like a postcard picture -then I read what you said.Wonderful job as always, makes me want to be there.

Kimberly S said...

Happy 2010! (ours was just as quiet as it has been for the past decade or so) What a wonderful beach scene, and such beautiful coloring! Simply perfect. :)

~MudpieMouse said...

I love your post-card, Curt. You captured the vacation-y feel I need right about now, as we just got covered in almost 3 feet of snow, here in the northeast. Great job with your coloring and on your background and layout.

Percy said...

Happy New Year to you too Curt, we stayed up to until just after 12!

I love your card, and the theme, it is cold here too...around 15 degrees last night, I keep saying I am driving down to Florida, but my friends down there say it is cold too!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Nilla said...

Curt, that sounded like a swell New Year, I wish you and your guys a happy 2010! Love your card, reminds me of how happy I am to be back home in the heat +32 Degrees instead of -12! Seriously, fabulous card! All the best! Nilla

America said...

Here's wishing you a VERY Happy 2010 my friend!!!!! I hope its filled with wonderful meaningful moments.

Beautiful beach scene & fantastic coloring! I love this! :)

Jan McConnell said...

Loved the way you did this image Curt! Neat idea, worked well. Yes, if anyone thinks the beaches here in Florida sound great right now, that is a no go, we are in the 30's here in my little corner of paradise and it can leave anytime now, but they say most of the week will be the same. We are so spoiled.

Becky said...

Happy New Year!!! 2010 can you believe it... This beach scene is just adorable, and the coloring and colors are fab.

Lorraine A said...

Fabulous card Curt :-) I love this image ,, so very cute and the way you created a scene and made it look like a postcard is just brilliant ! :-)

Happy New Year to you and Jay,, I am sure the champagne went down well :-) We went out with friends for dinner,,it was lovely :-)

Luv
Lols x x

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

Happy New Year to you, Jay and pups :) We had a quiet one too, even tho my boys stayed up, they were disappointed that the ball didn't actually "drop" and cause havoc, LOL!
LOVE, love, love your card! Oh it makes me all warm and fuzzy! Trying not to think of all the ice sitting outside my door right now ;)
TFS! Happy Monday my friend :)
~ margie

Scossie Jane said...

What a gorgeous HM image, beautifully coloured. Love the background of the card to compliment the image - reminds me of going to the beach just the day bfore yesterday - yes we are sweltering down under in the high 30s - it's to be 41 tomorrow!!! Don't miss the snow of Scotland at all xx

Patricia Rose said...

Happy New Year , Curt... We made it until Midnight and then out went the lights.... Fabulous beach scene you have created. Wonderfully done...
hugs... Patricia Rose

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

We had a Fondue Feast at our house and watched a movie. I fell asleep before the ball dropped...do that every year! So I set an alarm for 11:45 so I can get awake and watch it with Dick Clark!
And I so wish I was in that card right now!!! I am freezing today...can't seem to get warm.
My folks are in Florida and they are complaining of 60 degrees! HA!! I told them to quit complaining as it is in the teens here!!

stampinfrog said...

I would love to be where it is warmer!Your card is soooooo cute and love the way it is colored!
Hugs,Connie

mudmaven said...

What a gorgeous card - makes me warm just looking at it! Sounds like you rang in the New Year in fine fashion. The pix on my blog today shows how I spent mine - sweetly boring - and I loved every minute! All the best to you, Jay and the boys! ~chris

Christine said...

Hi Curt teamie another stunning creation..I love HM Mondays cant wait to see what the others have come up with & am never dissapointed, love your image & coluring, you dont need many embellies with these colourful beach images they speak for themselves..fab take on the challenge love it.

Hugs Christine xx

Dawn said...

Gorgeous card Curt, maybe if I close my eyes I can imagine the heat!!! We are freezing here in Scotland !!!
Love your header of your two boys!

Dawn

Patti J said...

Awesome, as usual!!! Love your little beachy scene - it really does look like a post card! Great job, Curt! (Don't know if I have any stamps that will work this week, but I'm headed to find out!!!) Happy New Year!

Sharon Caudle said...

This card is fabulous, Curt!!! Love that beach scene and your embellising of it is amazing! I think it looks exactly like a post card, so you definitely accomplished your goal! Fab job, hun! We sat at home and rang in the New Year with Dick Clark. And I enjoyed it. I've done the going out and whooping it up among thousands of people. Now we like the comfort of our jammies and home. :) Happy New Year to you my friend! hugs!

Cara said...

Happy New Year! Great card wish I was there instead of this freezing snow! I changed my blog header to a beach scene and wanted to make writing in the sand for my name but never tried too hard to figure it out,I think I will go back and try a few differnt things now, since you gave me the idea. Have a great day

Sue said...

Hi CurtHappy New Year to you & Jay, Gorgeous card luv the scene you have made, wish i was there!!! Luv the piccie of the dogs in the snow, cracking piccie, hugs sue.x

Debbie said...

I am warmed up already looking at the adorable scene you created.

Mandi said...

Happy New Year to you and yours Curt
We partied the new year in with drink [hic] and dancin! Yours sounds special and personal too

FABBY picys of your doggies

Supe card, Oh i wish I was on that beach towel..lol
mandi xx

Jean McKenzie said...

Hi Curt! Loved your account of how you rang in the New Year with the boys. It sure gave me my smile for the days. Your dogs must be so gorgeous!! I have to say we went to bed way before midnight so what a boring story!

Love your beachy card and you did a great job of making it look like a postcard. I must find myself more of that glitter card methinks! Those silly mice actually all look quite hot!!
Have a wonderful 2010 Curt and may you continue to enjoy your cardmaking - I love visiting!

Leigh said...

I had to laugh when I read you description of your New Year's Eve. lol
Love your card, it's fantastic. You've captured the postcard feel exactly.

Anonymous said...

WHERE'S MY BLANKET? OH YO BE AT THE BEACH, YOU SURE DID A GREAT JOB, ESPECIALLY THE UMBRELLA. LOVE THE CARD, LOVE YA, MOM

Sue from Oregon said...

Happy 2010! It is a balmy 36° here with cold on the way...a warm beach would be dandy about now...great challenge...I hope to play this time around...I spent my New Years stamping Yahooo!

scrapperjulia said...

You cracked me up when you told about your New Years and how your "boys" drink a little champagne and howl! How funny! Your card is really cute. I love the beach scene that you have created and it does remind me of a post card!

Jodi said...

This is so awesome Curt!! Love the coloring you did on this image!
Hugs
Jodi =)

Leslie said...

yup, slept right through new years eve.
The card is great. Is that really sand paper and did you really put it through your printer? Oh brave one! I am enjoying the cold here in sunny Florida. In fact, I keep turning the heat off, but my husband and son keep sneaking in and turning it back on.

Becky said...

OH this is an awesome idea, thank you so much Curt, This is how I will be doing all my bows. I saved this link so I can let others know :).
Thanks -- Happy New year.

Ila said...

Happy New Year!!..I love this post card...the scene is Gorgeous...and so Warm...(were at -20 right now). I also love the slide show at the top...your boys are so Handsome and the photos are Fabulous!!...Hugs, Ila

A Consuming Passion said...

Gorgeous card Curt - you captured your beach scene so well!! Love the paper with sand and the sun paper!!!

We saw the new year in watching the Sydney Fireworks on TV - Didn't have the energy to walk to the top of the drive to see them in the distance!!! Like the sound of your celebration though! All the best. x

Joan Fricker said...

Curt, what an adorable card. You do such an awesome job with those watercolor pencils. You make your image look almost real. Great job!

We stayed up for our midnight kiss to welcome in 2010 and then went to bed. Of course, we slept in our lazyboys for a couple hours before. LOL

Best wishes for a Happy New year!

Joan

Tonniece said...

Happy New Year

As the clock struck 12:00 we were all snug in our beds and dead to the world. Now THAT is boring. At least you saw it ring in. lol

Great card Curt. You for sure captured that warm summer feeling I so miss already. Love that "Sand Paper", and the image is too darling.

Have an awesome day
Hugs
Tonni

lisa808 said...

Happy New Year!

Absolutely, totally adorable card. Love the little guys on the beach. Such a sweet image. Your sand and waves finish the background perfectly.

I think we all wish for warm weather--it's even freezing here in FL.

Joey said...

Hi Curt

your card is fantastic, I love the touches of turquoise glitter on the top of the waves, and the sun, sea and sand scene behind the main image.
Our New Year was a lovely quite one, we all sat and watched Big Ben strike 12 then toddled off to bed lol, bliss!

Joey.xxx

Deb Neerman said...

Omigosh, tooooo stinkin' cute, Curt! LOVE the sandpaper idea too ... so clever.

And, ummm, your New Year's Eve sounds w-a-y more exciting than mine was, lolol!

~Hugs!

Heather said...

Happy New Year Curt and wishing you and Jay a year full of love, joy and laughter. I think I'm safely back in blogland at last - forgive my absence!
Love your card, you've captured the postcard look brilliantly and that image is just adorable (another for the wish list). Love how you've put the sea behind the sand, it looks so quthentic and the lettering is fabulous.
hugs Heather xx

Elaine M said...

Love your picture of the week and your card - ohhhhh to be on a beach somewhere warm right now. Wishing you and Jay the best year ever.
Hugs

The Rubber Maid said...

wish I was with those little guys on a warm and sunny beach. How sweet would that be! Super cute.
Pat Happy 2010

dpkennedy said...

Well, your New Years celebration was definitely more exciting than mine! My hubby and me can make it to midnight, then we say HNY and I think we ate a brownie before going to bed, lol!

I wish I was there for sure! Your HM cards are always adorable and this one sure makes me long for some sun and warmth. Love it!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! That sounds like a very fun way to celebrate. Ours was very low-key -- the kids got invited out with friends, so it was just hubby and me. We shared a cup of cocoa, watched a movie, and went to bed early. Considering how long 2009 seemed, an early bed time seemed the perfect ending -- LOL! Your card is fantastic. It definitely looks like a postcard of someplace wonderfully warm!!!

Nina said...

OH... AWE.... I SO WISH I WAS THERE TOO! could you just color me into this card please? You did an awesome job coloring this curt and I love how you did the background with the 3 types of pp!! wonderful!!

Nina said...

OH and also... LOL... love your new blog look and how your puppies bandanas match your wallpaper! You are soo cracking me up with that and to be honest I soo love it!! This one on the left, he just must have such personality because I can just feel it through the pics! :O) The other pup, well he just seems wise... :O)

Nina said...

OH and also... LOL... love your new blog look and how your puppies bandanas match your wallpaper! You are soo cracking me up with that and to be honest I soo love it!! This one on the left, he just must have such personality because I can just feel it through the pics! :O) The other pup, well he just seems wise... :O)

Denise said...

Aloha Curt,
This is one awesome card! What a great layout.

Hugs,
Denise

DeeDee said...

Oh so adorable Curt! What a great idea for a challenge! I'm still amazed at how real you may your little creatures look...you are awesomly talented Sir! GREAT Job! HUGS!

stamponamous said...

Hi Curt.Happy New Year to you and Jay and of course Shotsy and Gunther. I love your photography. My husband is not computer literate but I have showed him some of your pictures and he is really impressed.
I have put two more pictures on our Crafticious blog especially for you I hope you like them.Very best wishes then
Jan

Little K Smith said...

Hi Curt
I LOVE this! Another stamp I desparately need! Love your postcard feel to it too.
Take care.
Kelly.x

Janine said...

Hey Curt!!! Happy New Year!! So - tell me what you did for New Years and Christmas!! What was on the menu??
Great card!!
Janine

Jenny Gropp said...

Nicley done! Oh, I wish I was laying in the sun on a beach just like those mice!!!

Rita said...

Happy New Year! What a great looking card...just what we need, a bit of summer in the mist of all this snow! Thanks for the summer sun today kiddo! Hugs Rita

Judy said...

Happy New Year! What a cute, cute card. I certainly wish I was a beach bum right now. We have had some of the coldest weather that we have had in 12 years. Brrrr...

Helen F. said...

Happy New Year to ya! This card is just too darn cute! I love your coloring and the sand and ocean look warm enough to jump into! It's cold even in FL-going into the 20's tonight AGAIN! Stay warm :o)

Susan (rainy) said...

Happy New Year, Curt! Your exciting NYE party sounds very similar to ours... riveting! lol

As always your coloring on this adorable HM image is so beautifully and perfectly done. Darling card.

theneon said...

Hi there! I haven't visited you yet in this New Year -- so here I am and so glad to learn that you and your house had a "howling" good NY! This card is stunning and you have doing a fab job as a DT! Keep up the good work -- but I know you will without anyone asking!

Jan McConnell said...

Hi Curt, wondered where you were, and now I see this afternoon you have entered Gunther into the "world of entertainment". LOL He is amazing and I know how much you love your guys. Give him a treat for me.

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt! I know it's not Wednesday yet - but I was just checking! I watched Gunther going down the slide - and laughed out loud!!! Thank you SO much for that surprise! What a happy way to accent my evening!

Hugs!

Papier Creatif said...

CURT!

I SO LOVE GUNTHER'S MOONWALK!! WOW.

He is an amazing baby! What a good sport and he listens so well!

Please come to Texas and train my children!!! ;)

Thx.

{xoxoxoxoxoxoxo}

OH! HAPPY NEW YEAR DUDE!

Juls~

Gina Wrona said...

Hi Curt,

Yes, I wish I were a "Beach Bum" now! GREAT CARD!

Hugs,
Gina

Lisa said...

Super cute beachy card Curt! lovely as usual!!!