Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

WEDNESDAY EVENING POST - OCTOBER 13, 2010

Hey All!


I swear these Wednesdays come fast and furious don't they???  Well, since it is Wednesday, it's time for another Wednesday Evening Post.  Believe it or not, there are NO Halloween cards in this one!  However, I do have a short tutorial to show you.  I believe it has not been done before, but if it has, it was something I came up with on  my own anyway.  I've not seen it anywhere and I go to lots of places.  LOL  OK, so on with the post!


Here is my first card to share:




These stamps are by Hero Arts and they came in the same package.  I really love them.  We had a new neighbor move into the rental property right across the street from us so I made this card for her.  I colored the houses with my colored pencils and oms, cut them out and placed them on the green leafy printed paper and sponged blue paper I pieced together.  I then stamped the trees and fences (from PTI), cut each out and added to the scene.  I popped the tree tops up with foam tape for some added dimension.

I knew immediately that she was going to be a great neighbor when I saw her two dogs romping in the yard!  Yeah!  Another dog person!  So along with the spice cake cupcakes I baked and took over, the pups needed something too.  So I made this up really quick:




Just a simple brown paper lunch bag I stamped with various dog stuff, punched a couple of holes in the top for the dog paw ribbon, and filled it with dog cookies and "Pup Corn".   She seemed to be pleased, and she seems very nice.  She is also a physical therapist and even offered to help my with Jay if I ever needed it.  So nice of her.

Ok, the next two cards (photoed together) were cards I made for my Mom's birthday from her "GRAND DOGS"!  LOL  Here they are:




Don't they look like Shotsy & Gunther?!?  LOL  The one on the left is of course Shotsy and I created him by piecing parts of dogs from an Inkadinkado stamp set.  I added the studded collar as well.  Gunther on the right is a stamp set that was made by Jami at "Stamp Happy".  Most of you I'm sure remember when Gunther was selected to be put into rubber many months ago.  I paper pieced his bandanna from the same background paper.  I popped up both images with dimensionals for depth.  Mom loved them!


OK, now for my last card which leads to the tutorial of what I came up with.  Here is the card:




I've decided to start making cards like "thinking of you", "get well", etc. in Fall colors for when I need them this season.  You see the little "buckle" on the card?  Well, that again is a coke pull tab, but with my own twist on it.  I started to color it with a marker and wasn't happy with it, so I thought "Why not try embossing it?"  And that is what I did and it turned out really neat.  Here is a close-up:






Here is a quick tutorial:


Here are the supplies you need:


Versamark ink (or any pigment ink - just needs to be sticky - I used a Versamark pen)
Embossing powder (any color)
A pop top
A heat gun
Pair of tweezers




I started by coating the top of the pop top with Versamark ink (you could smoosh it on a pad too):




Then using a pair of tweezers, I drop it right into the jar of embossing powder:




Take it out and gently lay it on your scrap paper.  Using your heat gun, start to melt the embossing powder:




It doesn't take but a few seconds because the aluminum really conducts the heat.  Just leave it on long enough to where you see the embossing powder is not only melted, but it is nice and smooth.




And here is the finished result:




The one on the card above is copper, this one is gold, I've made one in shiny black and also in red.  The color choices are only limited to the number of colors of embossing powder.  They also color up well with markers too, but not as nice as the embossing powder.

So, there you have another Wednesday Evening Post.  Again, thanks for stopping by and taking a look see.  Hope I gave you some ideas along the way.  I'm behind on my blogging but I'll be catching up in the next few days, so if I've not visited you yet, I'm on my way!

Here is the "Pic of the Week":




I took this a couple of days ago at a park where I meet my Mom and her little dog Chunk to walk the boys.  We are finally getting some beautiful color.


Hope all is well in your worlds!  Again, thanks for coming and I'll see you on your blogs soon!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

42 comments:

Ted said...

Curt, what a great idea to use a pop top lid as a buckle...embossed, no less! So awesome...thanks for sharing!

Patti J said...

Wowee!!! Aren't you so clever? I love your embossing tutorial! You rock, dear sir! And I love your cards...I do remember when Guenther was chosen, and I'm so glad you brought that stamp out - it is absolutely darling!!! In fact, I need a stamped image sometime for a dear friend! Glad that you and your mom got some quiet time. Your neighbor sounds nice, and I'm sure that she appreciated her gifts! I am rather shocked tonight...after all, it is mid-October, and you are not posting any scary cards? Hmmm.....wassup with that? Take care, dear friend - cya!

Dawnll said...

I love the house scene card so much. Don't you love to create the mini scenes? All your cards are just wonderful as usual, and I always learn something new- love the embossing the pop top. Love how your mind works.
I swear you have the best neighborhood, you are such a wonderful neighbor and good to so many people. Hope this finds you all well -hugz to all

lisa808 said...

Can I be your new neighbor?!?!? A beautiful card and freshly baked yummies!

Your mother will be thrilled with the cards from the boys.

Jean McKenzie said...

Curt, I have so enjoyed reading your post - all about your new neighbour - isn't she just so lucky to have you as her neighbour - you are so thoughtful. Love your cards and the little tutorial - what a great idea to jazz up the pull tops! Hope the boys are good. They will have to enjoy their walks before it gets too cold though they seem to be happy in the snow too. Hugs!

mudmaven said...

Totally awesome cards Curt! Love the pups and I can see why your mom would love them too! Too cute. Great tutorial - I really have to try this. Need to drink some stuff in cans though so I can get some pop tops! All the best to Jay and hug those adorable pooches for me too. ~chris

Papier Creatif said...

Hi Curt!

Happy Autumn! I agree, great idea & awesome tutorial on the buckle. Happy to see you are keeping busy! Sounds like your new neighbor is sweet & I know that she'll love you! I think of you often! I've been swamped & feelin overwhelmed, so taking a break before hitting it again in the morning!

Sorry I've had so few posts lately. I miss everyone and have been taking classes, etc etc etc

Juls~ {xoxo} :)*

Sue Ann said...

How SMART are you Curt!!! The pull top and embossing powder ........ GREAT idea!!! I love the cards from the pups ..... too much!!! Dog bone treat bag ...... super cute and the details in the card are AMAZING...... you really do great work with scenes!!!!!! And I have the say the fall tree photo is so beautiful ....... I really love the colors of fall!!! Great post Curt.....

Sue from Oregon said...

Great post tonight...I so love those granddoggie cards...I just might have to make one for my mothers upcoming birthday! I don't have a stamp close to my doggie, but will have to look for a digi maybe...darling!

Tertia said...

Your cards are great, as usual! Thanks for sharing the tutorial, I have never seen that done before.
I am sorry I have been MIA lately, but it is silly seaon at school - too much to do, too little time. I am popping round and visiting everybody, just have no energy to blog.

Shirley-Anne said...

Hi Curt , hope you are well. Another worth while visit to your blog . Love the house/ street scene. very detailed . Love the two "grandma" cards , so cute but fav is the Thinking of you card in Autumn tones . Loved the embossed green background layer.

Jane, at Thepaperaffair said...

What a nice thing to do for your new neighbor and Love the pop tab tutorial, what a wonderful idea! Thanks, Jane

Becky said...

wow Curt that is a good idea, I have never seen that before, now I will be looking around for things to emboss. Love-Love that first card, beautiful house and gorgeous scene. How nice of you to bake her spice cake and bring her babies treats in this cute bag. I just love the Birthday cards, love the dp you used and how you paper pieced the bandanna. Alright that covers everything--O ya-- love that gorgeous picture of the trees changing colors. Have a great week..

Audrey Frelx said...

Curt, I really love all your cards, but I must admit that can pull-tab is the best!!! I love that idea and you can bet I'll be scavenging for every pull top I can find -- LOL!!!

My little Buster is already a very-very spoiled fur-baby and I don't think he can get anymore spoiled, but to give him that cute little treat bag would certainly send him "over the edge", lol!!!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea!

Sue said...

Hi ya Curt
wow what a fabulous post, so many gorgeous creations, aww your doggie bag & cards are so cute, a fantastic idea with the ring pull, it looks brill, will deff have a go at that, thanks. your picture is awesome stunning colours, hope all well with you n yours, hugs sue,x

Lorraine A said...

what a fabulous neighbour you are !!! :-) I am sure she loved the card, cakes and bag of doggy treats ,, that is just so lovely of you ,,, and so thoughtful ! :-)

great idea to use the ring pulls too ,, i will save mine from now on !! perfect ribbon slider !! :-)

very cute doggy cards too and the autumn photo is gorgeous :-)

luv
Lols x x x

America said...

WHAT BRILLIANT artwork you do my friend. ANd great idea with the can tops.

I also do that versamark and embossing powder thing with various EP colors to my brass/silver charms when i dont have the "right" color tone embellies. Its such an easy way to make our stash go further. :) I really Love the dog cards and can still recall how excited you were when you saw the stamp Jamie came up with. How awesome.

Your neighbor must have been thrilled. That card rocks and the doggie treat bag is pure *genius*. What a thoughtful guy you are.

OOh, what a beautiful Fall picture too!! :)

Joan Fricker said...

Curt, your cards are beautiful. I am sure your new neighbor was impressed.

Great idea with the pop tab. Thanks for sharing it.

Jane Wetzel said...

Dang Curt...I wana be your neighbor! lolol Spice cupcakes too? my oh my! I havent been able to stamp much these days but it sure is fun looking at your post! Gorgeous card and VERY cool idea with the pop tops!

Bonnie Weiss said...

Wow, you have been busy! Love the 'dog' cards (what's not to love??!). The tutorial is terrific and the end results were perfect. You are definitely not "just another pretty face", Curt! Your talents at creating scenes in your cards has also really taken off. That is a talent for sure, to be able to create a scene, using different stamps and techniques. Always a pleasure to visit you on Thursday mornings!

Lee said...

Oh WOW Curt.You've done it again lol,rendered me speechless.You really should teach crafting!! A brilliant post,love all the projects.House Stamp is brilliant love that card.Of course who wouldn't love the grandma cards soooo cute.i do hope your new neighbour really did appreciate all that hard work you put in to welcome her lucky lady.Hope you all ok!! Hugs to all.Give those gorgeous doggies an extra big hug from me wont ya.xxxx

Lee said...

Oops.Forgot to add.The photo is STUNNING.Awesome colours.xx

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

WOWIE! Lots of fun stuff to share today! I bet your neighbors dogs will really love the treat bags! :) They were so cute! I also love all the cards and that last one is really wonderful with the fall colors! I would never thought to emboss pop tabs! Must give it a try...what a great way to recycle!

Thanks for sharing!!
-Stacie

Anonymous said...

GREAT POST...REALLY LOVE THE "THINKING OF YOU" CARD........AND MY "CARDS"....NOW GIVE THEM BACK TO ME. LOVE YA, MOM

Celeste said...

Okay, so you had to mention spice cupcakes?? I almost couldn't concentrate on the rest of the blog. Your card is gorgeous and I love the idea that you also gave the dogs something. How nice of her to offer to help Jay. The doggie cards to "Grandma" are adorable too. I have seen the pop top used on a card BUT...never seen them embossed. What a great idea! I have to give that one a try.

Lelia Pierce said...

Some very fabby cards, Curt! Love the cards to your Mom from the grand"kids"!

XXX

Gina Wrona said...

Oh Curt,

YOU ARE SO VERY TALENTED!

Thank you so much for the tutorial, I'm gonna have to try it asap!

Your embossed buckle would be a great idea for Santa's buckle too, don't you think?

Hugs,
Gina

P.S. I really think the "change" of weather triggers Zorro's seizures. He had 3 on Tuesday, the first one he fell down the basement stairs, and a 4th on Wednesday.

Serendipity Stamping said...

Hi Curt, Love your cards on the latest posts. Haven't been doing much blogging or crafting, kind of out of sorts lately. It will pass. Gee I wonder how many of us would love to be your neighbor, LOL. And yes, I remember how excited you were when Jamie chose Gunther for a stamp! Hi to family.

Anonymous said...

Great cards and great fall photo. The leaves are really turning pretty colors here in Iowa too. Thanks for the tip about the embossing the tabs - I tried coloring and it just didn't do the job - so, I will try that. Thanks for the tip! We are doing pretty good without my Murphy and thank heavens Henry, the basset, is out of his terrible 2's now!

Chris R. from Iowa

Little C's Creations said...

Awesome cards, Curt! Thank you for the tutorial as well. I'll have to remember that the next time I have a sodie.

Hugs to you, my brother!

Aloha,
Jen

Diane said...

Once again, more great creativeness from you!!! You have to be just the BEST neighbor, are you sure you don't want to move to Michigan and be MY neighbor...LOL!! Great idea on the pull tabs, fun tutorial!!!

Carolyn said...

What a great idea! It looks so pretty on your card too. I will have to give this a try for sure sometime. Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on gaining a wonderful, new neighbor. What a difference good neighbors can make to our lives. Sounds like she got herself a wonderful neighbor too.
Have a great weekend :)

Carolyn

Cathy's Rubber Room said...

Hi Curt
I love every single card. I especially love the dog cards (as I just love dogs - I've got 3)
I love the autumn photo too - how beautiful.
Have a great day
Cathy x

Carmen O. said...

CURT, CURT, CURT your cards are so fabulous as usual. Did I say fabulous? Drop dead GORGEOUS is more like it. I'd be pleased as punch to receive any of them. Love your photo of the fall colors. I've been taking lots of them here in NW Wisconsin. I just love it with the barns, rolling hills and cows too!

I started working two weeks ago, so things are beginning to look up a bit. Would like to move out on my own (really with my oldest son) by the end of the year, but will have to see how it goes.

Take Care, hope you, Jay and the boys are having a great Friday and an even better weekend!

Gail said...

I usually save my pop tops for a school group, but they won't miss a few!
What a clever idea!
Gonna be trying it.
Your cards were great, especially the grandma ones, and the fall photo is beautiful!

dpkennedy said...

Wow, I wish you were my neighbor! That's a lovely card a sweet package for the pups! Your dog cards are so sweet! They really do look like your boys! And the embossed can tab is awesome! What a fantastic idea! Wonderful stuff Curt! Have a fantastic weekend!

twlght prncss said...

Curt: Aloha! I've been following your blog for a while and I am in awe of your talents. Thank you for sharing your embossed pull tab tutorial. Ingenious!

Blessings,
Gracie

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt! I'm a little behind this week! (well, I'm always a big behind - but . . .) I do love your card with the two houses - that is just amazing! I would be blown away to get this, plus doggie treats, from a new neighbor! You are da'best!

The cards to you Mom are wonderful! I love how the boys remember her - with your help, naturally.

The last card, so pretty in the autumn colors - I'm amazed by the pop-top! I never thought of embossing them - what a great idea!! Thanks for taking time to teach me! (er-hm, us)

Hugs!
ps - I made a little gift box like yours today, but it will be about a week before I can post it - I need to be sure the recipient gets it before I give away the surprise.

Tammy said...

Hi Curt!
What a great neighbor you are! A card, spice cupcakes and doggie treats...it doesn't get any better than that! :o)

...and I love the two cards for Grandma!! I do the same for my mom.

The belt buckle tutorial is fantastic, thank you...I will have to give that a try!
Have a great one!

Ila said...

Wow!!..these cards are Amazing!! I love the doggie treat bag..your neighbour is very lucky to have you next door. The pop can buckle is a fabulous idea...TFS!!
Congratulations on being guest designer for High Hopes...I checked out your fabulous HH work...they are so Lucky to have you on their team!!!
I love your fall photo..driving home through Indiana was like being in the middle of that photo..the colors were so Beautiful!!...Have a Great day Curt!!..Hugs, Ila

berg4 said...

What a lucky neighbor! Love the cards and thanks for the pop top idea - simply brilliant!

Anonymous said...

SURE LOVED MY BIRTHDAY CARDS FROM MY GRANDDOGS....AND THAT SNOWMAN CARD IS PRECIOUS...NOW I WANT A SNOWMAN. LOVE YA, MOM