Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Thursday, September 16, 2010

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

Hey All!


It is Wednesday again, and time for another Wednesday Evening Post.  I've got a TON to share with you, including 2 projects with RECYCLING.  You won't believe what I used!  I've also got what I think is a really cool "Pic of the Week" at the bottom of the post, and a photo to share.

I also want you to meet a brand new blogger!  Lee and I "met" when she sent me an email wanting to know if we could be "pen pals".  Lee lives in St. Agnes, Cornwall and was such a sweet lady I immediately agreed.  She sent me several emails and we corresponded back and forth for several weeks.  Then I got to see a card she did and it was wonderful.  I started bugging her to start her own blog, but she kept telling me she wasn't computer literate blah, blah, blah.  So, long story short, she agreed to start a blog because I offered to help her set it up.  She is now up and running and I know she would love for you to visit.  Here is the link to her blog:  LEES CRAFTY CORNER.  She has already got quite the following and has only been up a few days.  Happy blogging Lee!

OK, on to my cards. . .

The first one is a sympathy card I did for a very sweet neighbor.  Her father passed away recently, and I wanted her to know how sorry I was.  Here is the card:



If you click on the picture, you will see that I added Flower Soft to the silhouetted images.  I stamped the image several times and left the space for the sentiment.  I did my own mix of Flower Soft for this card.  I had a jar of Nut Brown and a jar of Bright Orange.  So I mixed  up a little of each to come up with what you see. The stamp is a Penny Black.  Now, here is the RECYCLED part of the card. . .can you see it?  It's the little buckle on the ribbon. . .can you tell what it is????  It is the pop top from a can of Coke!  I got this great idea from one of Gina K's videos over at Stamp TV.  I think it is one of the best sites on the Web.  You can color them with markers and I made mine look like tortoise shell with a copper and gold marker.  The last thing I did was color the white of the ribbon with a tan marker to soften the white.


My next card is my first Fall card of the season. . .




This card started out as a different technique using bleach.  "How did that work out for you Curt" you ask????  Not so much!  Gina K made it look flawless, but mine just looked like I spilled bleach.  Oh well. . .So I started all over and went to a new technique.  Painting with Ranger Distress Inks and an Aqua Brush.  I am so in love with the Ranger Distress Inks.  I honestly believe they are the best and most versatile inks on the market.  I stamped this Hero Arts image with Versamark ink, then embossed it with fine detail black ep.  I used Rusty Hinge, Crushed Olive, and Fired Brick inks to color them.  I stamped the Ranger ink on a clear acrylic block then picked up the color with my Aqua Brush.  The colors are so vibrant.  Your going to see lots more projects where I'm using the Ranger inks.  The sentiment was computer generated.


My last card that I want to share with you is again one with some RECYCLED material.  It is also the first of the Thanksgiving cards I've made this year. . .




Can you tell what is the recycled piece on this one????  Here's a clue, it is part of the pumpkin. . . take a look at the picture below for another clue. . .




LOL, do you think I've lost my mind????  The picture below is the backside of the above. . .




Is this fun or what???  A blogging friend of mine in Texas had made a great card using a pumpkin made out of this.  I went nuts over it, and she surprised me be sending me some of it!  So, I made my card using the pumpkin I made out of it.  Makes you kinda want to start pulling other packaging apart doesn't it???  LOL  My pumpkin was created by cutting out 3 ovals with my Nesties and then I distressed the edges with distress inks and then glued them together.  The "stem" is ribbon obviously, and the sentiment is from Waltzing Mouse Designs "Peaceful & Plenty" stamp set.  I forgot to look who did the paper.  Sorry.  It's a simple card but I think it is really sweet and has a country/folksy kind of look.

That's it for the cards, but I am hoping your will indulge me for just a moment.  I took the boys to a local park today for their daily jaunt.  When we take a rest, Gunther has this thing he does where he plops down and starts rolling back and forth (no, he is not rolling in anything smelly - LOL).  As he rolls on his back, back and forth, he makes this guttural, growling noise as if he is frustrated about something.  He has done this for years. However today, he really was into it and when he finished this is what he looked like:




OMG it made me laugh right out loud.  He had all those sticks and leaves stuck all over him, and his bandanna had come up and hung sideways on the top of his head.  I was laughing so hard that I could barely hold the camera still to get the photo, and I was so thrilled at how it turned out.  He is such a HUGE CLOWN!  Thanks for indulging me on this picture, but I just had to show it to you all.


OK, all done.  I hope you've enjoyed your visit!  Please don't forget the "Pic of the Week".  I think it is really a unique one.  Not the greatest shot I've taken but still unique.


I'll be visiting you all in the next few days to see what you've been up to!  Can't wait to see.  I hope you are all well and having a great week.


Hugs to all of you!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

31 comments:

Lee said...

Hi Curt.I love reading your posts,they are always so interesting and inspiring.All the cards are as usual fantastic.I love the leaves,i'v got a thing about leaves,love all the shapes n colours etc.thank you so much for my introduction means alot.Oh that pic of Gunther,what is he like,soooo cute n funny,i love him.Take care.Lee x

Diane said...

Love~love what you used to recyle into your cards....the flower soft card is beautiful...as soon as I saw it, I thought...he used flower soft...so pretty...a pop top, who would of thought...neat idea! Also the pumpkin one is great....I'm with you..love those TH distress inks, too...still "collecting" them! Gunther made me crack up...he and Nellie would get along, she does the same thing, but only in bed at night...a nightly routine! The pic of the week...LOVE it...why not put it on a card and stamp a witch flying by...would love to see that!! Tell the "boys" we are all waiting to see their "Halloween" photo shoots!!

Heidi said...

Curt, you're cards are beautiful! I sure do love how you made that pumpkin out of a recycled piece of carton! Ingenious! You amaze me at all your wonderful cards! But I must say that Gunther is a real eye catcher! Hahahaha, he looks so cute, full of leaves, bandana dangling on his head. Looks like he's had a rough night! Annie rolls like that too, makes those sounds...hmmm, maybe they're related?
Have a great week, my friend!

Cheryl said...

What great cards! I love the flower soft on the sympathy card. It is the perfect touch. I am going to have to get some of the recycled cardboard you used. It has such a great pattern. Have a great day.

Shirley-Anne said...

Again , I say, what a pleasure it is to visit your blog Curt. Love your photos and the titbits you share about your day to day experiences .
Love your creations shared on tonight's post and your recycling tips . That Sympathy card is stunning . love the flowers .

Lauri said...

Gunther is a riot!!!! Love how you used flower soft! I have not had much luck with that...and that package recycling will make me look at all my packaging differently now!

Jackie said...

Gunther is so cute! I love that photo of him - animals are the best subjects for photos. They aren't trying to look pretty, they are just being themselves. Your cards are beautiful and I can't believe that last one - the back of a microwave dinner! I guess I need to start checking out the packaging of stuff around here. Send some Fall weather this way, willya? Please?

DeeDee said...

Oh Em Gee! You finally got to use your frozen dinner box paper! LOL! So stinkin' cute Curt! The minute I saw it, I was like, "Well look at Curt go!" LOL! I love all your cards today and I also love the puppy picture! Arent they the best buddies ever! So very glad I picked today to visit your wonderful little bloggity blog Sir! BTW, my new trick is sneaking a few of the paint chip samples from WM's paint section and using them to make oval punkins....watch for them to appear on my blog very soon! Have a lovely day my sweet friend! HUGS & Smoochies!

Serendipity Stamping said...

Thanks so much for the beautiful nitght sky. Don't you just love evenings? Hmmm, better start checking out the packaging products. Still have not bought any flower soft and I just love the way it looks. Your mix is just wonderful. Gunther you little dickens! How wonderful to have a pen pay, haven't had one since I was 13 and her Dad was the mayor of Bozeman, Montana at the time. Ah the good old days. Have a great week, hugs to the famiily.

Dawnll said...

I am always thrilled to stop in and see what you have created, Oh I love the recycle ideas, to fun!
Great colors and lovely fall cards.
Thanks for the laugh with Gunther, he is just adorable, and I so enjoy the photos.
Hugz to all of you

Sue said...

Hi ya Curt
sorry im late hun, great post i luv the cards, your sympathy one is beautiful, oh i did laugh at Gunthers piccie, lovely to see Lee, after so long!!! lol. lovely piccie of the week, hugs to all Curt, sue,xx

Wendalyn said...

Your cards are gorgeous as always... Very fall.

Patti J said...

Since I'm always a troublemaker, I'm going to start at the bottom! What a great photo of the week! I expect to see Santa and his sleigh in that sky - it looks so whimsical! LOVE your recycling! There are times when DH is throwing something away and I yell, "STOP" and he thinks I've lost my mind! Those little bread tie tags take alcohol inks beautifully, as an example! Anyway, LOVE your fall cards, Curt - gorgeous work! Best to the family! Especially happy that YOU get to brush the 'stuff' out of your furry clowns coat, and I don't have to!!! Have a good weekend!

hckd said...

Ok..first.. I meant to comment the other day on your dogs.. they are great! So smart in the video too.. If I ever figure out how to post things on my sidebar that aren't part of the just add a gadget deal I will have to post a lil video of my dogs sometime.. now as for recycling.. trust me you are not crazy.. I have a card in my blog on one of the entries where I made dragonflies from Haagen Dazs wooden sticks and well.. you get the idea..I tend to save lots of things and won't let anyone throw things away around my house without me seeing if it's usable first! lol.. anyway..love your cards.. they came out just perfect..I will have to try flowersoft one day as I haven't yet.. looks great!Oh.. and I will check out your penfriends blog.. thanks for sharing!

mudmaven said...

Fantastic cards - as always! Who would have thought to look on the inside of the box? Pure genius. Thanks too for the link to Lee - promises to be fun over there. I will be chuckling for days over that pix of Gunther - oh my how precious that little boy is! I am also going to have to try coloring those pop tops - what a great idea. I'm almost back on my feet - another day or two and I'll be right as rain. All the best to Jay and hug those beautiful boys for me too! ~chris

Jane Wetzel said...

Adorable cards Curt..awesome re-cycle job too! I think I should be one of your "neighbors" lol seems like u r taking good care of them! The dog pic is just the best! Love taking my fur babies out this time of year too! SWEET pic!

lisa808 said...

Hi Curt,

Wow, what an awesome pic of the week! You are an amazing photographer.

I guess Gunther enjoyed a nice bubble bath after his roll in the park!

I've covered cereal boxes, etc. before with DSP and used them, but I've never taken notice of using them as is. Pretty pattern and perfect for the pumpkin. Love your Flower Soft combo. I would never have guessed that was the pull-top from a soda can. As always, great cards!

Enjoy the weekend.

Lisa

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

I love your recycled elements!! I once used feminine product box packaging and nobody could tell...it was alot of fun!! LOL! I like looking at unique patterns on boxes...you just never know what you will be able to recycle!! Oh and that pop tab idea is great!! Now I will have to start saving a few of those too!
That pic of Gunther is HILARIOUS!!! He looks like he had a good time rolling around! Really cool pic of the week too! :)

Myrna said...

Curt
Fabulous post today. Love the cards. Think your dog knows how to really enjoy himself. Last but not least your pic is gorgeous.
You are an extremely talented man. Love the fact of the recycling. I do a lot of that as well. Love the tops off yogurt for the great aluminum type that can be cuttlebugged!! Also pop cans go through the cuttlebug really well. (after being cut up of course :) )
Thanks for your great posts.
Myrna

Lelia Pierce said...

Awesome job on the "green" cards, Curt! I love the pumpkin too! How cool is that?

The best part of this post is the photo of Gunther. He looks like SO MUCH FUN! Thanks for the smiles, Gun!

XXX

Macpurp said...

oh I laughed so much at the after shot of Gunther !!!! Happiness is!!

Beautiful cards, I love Fall. my Fave time of the year

love teen & co xx

Anonymous said...

Oh Curt, thanks for such a wonderful E-mail! Thanks for the giggle - the bandana just topped it off! The cards are so fun! I work in the office of our recycle plant so I was really interested in seeing what you recycled! Grat photo as always. Thank you!!!!

Chris R. from Iowa

P.S. my basset thinks he needs to roll in the smelly stuff - trade you! :[

Anonymous said...

GREAT POST.............LOVE THE CARDS, BUT REALLY LOVED THE PUMPKIN ONE, GREAT RE-CYCLING. MY BIG/LITTLE GRAND DOG IS A STAR. WONDERFUL "PIC OF THE WEEK". LOVE YA, MOM

Celeste said...

Great cards. I have used the soda tab before with ribbon...love the way it looks. Love your recycling, especially the back of the frozen dinner box. Gunther's pic was adorable, what a ham bone :-) I miss having a dog but can't spend the time right now. Maybe when I retire.

dpkennedy said...

Hi Curt! All of your cards are wonderful! I love that you used recycled products! The flower soft on the sympathy card! But the real winner is that picture of Gunther! I love it!

Dawn said...

Hi Curt
What a lovely post and how nice of you to help Lee set up her blog - will definitely check it out.
Love your Autumn cards they are beautiful and of course your furball photo sure made me smile, he is just adorable AND loved Gunther and his moonwalking!! LOL

Dawn
x

Lori Barnett said...

STOP!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!! LOL You have given me SOOOOO many ideas from your creations!! :) I'm droolin' all over my keyboard! ha ha ha I will visit your friends blog after I get off of yours. And tell Gunther Lori said "good boy!" and give him a treat from ME ;) Have a wonderful Sunday my friend ♥

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt! I'm so glad I saw this tonight, it will send me off to sleep with a smile on my face!

I love the photo of Gunther - he does look so pleased with himself! What a HOOT! Your photo of the week is amazing, too. Wow. I'm very impressed.

The cards are gorgeous. The sympathy card with the flower soft is beautiful - I had spotted the buckle, but missed that you had softened the gingham ribbon with some tan ink - nice! The trio of leaves is very pretty - just think, it won't be long!!!

The pumpkin from the recycled box is ingenious! I love the pattern and the color is great for a pumpkin! NICE work!!

Well - I need to start winding down. Hugs!! Have a terrific week.

6 wacky women said...

Hi Curt
Your cards are fabulous!!
Love the flower soft, so beautiful. Your recycled bits are awesome! As always brilliant ideas!
I love the pic of Gunther...he is just so adorable, he seems to have such a great personality!

Karen x

Linda said...

Oh I love that you used the box. How green of you! The card is wonderful!
I love the picture of Gunther. He is so cute. I guess if someone was going to get a dog you would recommend a Giant Schnauzer right? Why? do they shed and do they need lots of Dr. visits?

Audrey Frelx said...

Your cards are just lovely, but Gunther steals the moment!!! He is just so sweet and he looks like he's had such a great time! What an entertainer he is!!!