Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Monday, August 2, 2010

HOUSE MOUSE MONDAY CHALLENGE #75 - Vintage

Hey All!

Happy Monday to all of you!  I hope for those of you who work this week, that your week flies by, and for everyone else, I hope you have a great week too!

It's time for another House Mouse Monday Challenge!  This week's challenge was just that for me . . . a BIG challenge!  This week it is simply called "Vintage".  As those who visit me often, you NEVER see "vintage" in my work.  So, I didn't have a clue what I was going to do.  I have 107 House Mouse stamps, and I looked at everyone of them scratching my head.  My first thought was to stamp one of the images in sepia ink but that didn't work really well.  I finally came up with something that I'm sure everyone who sees it will be scratching their heads over.  Here it is:


There is something about this House Mouse image that reminds me of "vintage".  This will come as no surprise to those of you who know me, but I love Halloween, and as a child, it was such a fun holiday for me.  It has supplied me with a rich treasure chest of wonderful memories.  The scene above reminds me of a Halloween coloring book that I had when I was 6 or 7.  It was all Halloween scenes and I loved coloring in it.  So, anyway, that's my explanation for this being "vintage", and I'm sticking to it!  LOL

I created the above scene using some new stamps from Stampscapes.  I LOVE these stamps and will definitely be getting some more.  The House Mouse stamp is from a clear Halloween stamp set.  The ground, sky, and moon were all sponged using Distress Inks.  I am starting to be a HUGE fan of the distress inks.  They are so versatile and so great at what they do.  When they dry, they leave such a smooth, blotchless look.

If you have some time, jump over to see what my Teamies have done with this challenge (HERE), and if you are inclined, play along.  You have two weeks to do this challenge, so give it a try.  I would love to see what you come up with.

OK, that's it for this post.  I'm working on Wednesday's post and I can tell you, there will be NO Halloween cards.  LOL  I don't want to burn myself out.   Thanks for stopping by.  It is so appreciated.   See you on Wednesday!

Hugs to all of you!

Best,

Curt O'Brien

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

28 comments:

Tertia said...

As usual, a great card! I must admit, the whole 'vintage' craze has me stumped - must be because vintage to me is 'ancient' to most. LOL

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

Stunning Halloween card, Curt! That is an adorable lil pumpkin mouse! and the scene and coloring is amazing!
I hope you and yours are well :)
hugs, margie

Jackie said...

Your cards is wonderful! I'm totally with you on the No Vintage look. I don't care for it - it's dark and depressing and I'd much rather see bright and cheerful.

Serendipity Stamping said...

This is a real cutie no matter what you call it. If I ever get any traveling money you may get a call from me asking to come over for a one on one lesson on shading as you are a master. Ah, don't get too worried as I don't see that happening any time soon. See you on Wednesday.

Becky said...

This is a gorgeous scene, love how you did the light. This is a cute little guy and boy you own a lot of house mouse stamps,:) I own 15..eeeekk..

Dawnll said...

You are hilarious and I am sticking to it!
I so enjoy your posts Curt, you always have a great spin on the way you look at things.
Adorable card and fun "vintage" idea!

Sue said...

Hi Curt
luv your explanation of vintage, lol, works for me, i don't do vintage!! only wine!lol.
Fabulous card luv the scene you have made, gorgeous stamps, awesome colouring as always, hugs to all, scoopy.x

Christine said...

Hi Curt still got the giggles at Scoopys comm. you never fail to make anything but an awesome creation teamie..what a fab way to use this image..very creative love it..many congrats on your candy win over at Jodi's

Hugs Christine xx

lisa808 said...

Your coloring is phenomenal. What an amazing scene.

Halloween is so much fun.

Anonymous said...

Awesome card Curt and it does look vintagy, I think that's how you spell it! I never used to be a halloween person but there are so many cute stamps and images out there how can you not like the sweet little halloween critters?!
Hope you are doing well my friend, HUGS

Sue said...

Hey Curt, wonderful card, love the scene you have created! I love Halloween too and I love Stampscapes, so I am soaking up all the elements in your creation.
Nice take on the challenge. Anything that invokes a good childhood memory is surely vintage!

Take Care
Sue Drees

Sue from Oregon said...

Fun interpretation of "vintage" Curt! I was anxious to read your reasoning and I now totally buy into it! Way to think out side the box as this was a toughy for me too! Great creation! I never get tired of Halloween cards ya know!

Sarabeth aka Sarita said...

i love the punkin mouse!!!!! you did a great job with this card and of course your coloring is incredible sir! i love the little scene you set up :)

xo
sarabeth

Patti J said...

Well hello! It IS Monday - I nearly forgot in all the hubub of my day today! Your card is amazing, and yes, it does look a lot like what we used to color! Great take on the vintage challenge! I like the way vintage looks, but am not real good at pulling it off - you aced it, Mister! lol...I think I have 3 H.M. stamps??? My BFF has about as many stampscapes as you do H.M.! They are so awesome! Okay, enough jabber - great job, my friend! See you Wednesday night!

Shirley-Anne said...

Curt, your blog journaling is alway worth a chuckle or two. Love your card today . The scene is beautiful. the mouse image so cute .

Heather said...

Ooops, sorry if I made it difficult for you this week Curt - hand duly smacked!! What is vintage?? - to me anything not of this era. Your interpretation of it is fantastic and taken from your 'vintage' memories of your Halloween colouring book (hope that doesn't sound rude hee-hee!). Your colouring is amazing and the scene you've created is absolutely awesome, I just love it.
hugs Heather xx

Diane said...

Another masterpiece!! I think you nailed the vintage look without any problem.....the scenery is so cool and spooky.....distressed inks....well I must give that a try more often...you do have a lot of mouse stamps.....and bet you still want more...LOL.....can't wait to see your Wednesday posts, they are always so jaw dropping!!!

Bonnie Weiss said...

I'm not a vintage style of stamper either, Curt (except maybe, my age!). Challenges are all in how we "see them" and I so get your take, on this one!

Jane Wetzel said...

ok Curt- I am cracking up at your "reasoning" over here! :) But YES- this is a great TAKE on Vintage! well done! GREAT IDEA- and it is a GOOD thing to share!

Clare said...

Vintage or not this card is gorgeous Curt, just like YOU!!! i have a very big thankyou to make to you for those 12 wonderful cards that you sent to me for St.Wilfred's Hospice fundraising which i received a couple of hours ago. You are such a kind heart and all of those cards will help raise funds and every single penny will go to hospice. I cannot believe i have in my possession your cards!!! may just have to buy them myself and keep them!!! Curt thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. A private email is on it's way and i will be updating my blog later. Big hugs to you, love Clare xxx

Celeste said...

Curt, it's a beautiful card! I love vintage, you nailed it! The mouse looks scared! I like the trees, thanks for directing me to that site, never seen it before. I also love the distress inks. Your background is great and I love how you did the moon.

Gina Wrona said...

I am so jealous, I absolutely love the HM stamps but do not own any, just images that good friends like you have sent me.

FABULOUS JOB!

Hugs,
Gina

Chris said...

did you say 107 House Mouse stamps! so many stamps, so little time!

Idas Höns said...

Hi Curt!
Thanks for stopping by at my blogg.
I just love the HM imiges. They are so cute.
Thanks for your kind words about my card- and in Swedish too ;)
Hugs!
/Scrappida

Lori Barnett said...

Your card this week really stands out to me! I LOVE IT! Wonderful work....as usual :)

mycardz said...

Wowza! I love, love, love your card Curt!! What an awesome idea to combine these two totally differnt types of stamps and make them look like they were meant to be together. Your little pumpkin mouse is just adorable. You did a super amazing job with the lighting on this, it really looks REAL! Awesome job on this challenge (makes sense to me!) :) hugz, Mary

Natascha said...

Hi Curt!
Sorry for beeing so late with my comment. Your card is great. So an great szene with this sweety Halloween Mouse.

Hugs, Natascha

mudmaven said...

Hi Curt! Well here it is Sunday and i'm just getting around to checking on my bloggy buddies blogs. Life at sea is exciting but my internet time is just so limited! Love this card - as always - it's so cute and I am going to have to check out those new stamps! I think I'll be off the grid for about a week, but I'll check up on you when I get back. All my best to Jay and as always give those cutie pies a big hug from me! ~chris