Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR DECEMBER 1, 2010

Hey All!


There you are!!!  I've been waiting for you!  Can you believe that it is DECEMBER ALREADY??????  We had our first measurable snow here (albeit less than a 1/4 of an inch) it was appropriate for the 1st day of December.  The boys were so excited to see it.  They love the snow and love to romp in it.

OK, on with the post!  I'm busy working on Christmas stuff, and have some stuff to share with you all.  I'm still trying desperately to come up with a card that I can make several of, and have had no luck yet.  Two of the Christmas cards I'm showing today are from my "trying".  But before I show you those, I have to show you the set that I made for my Mom to send out to her friends.   I found this adorable image at Mo's Digital Pencil Too and could not believe how much it looked like my Mom's dog "Chunk".  Here is her dog:



And here is the card I made using the Mo image:


Doesn't it look like Chunk???  LOL  I couldn't believer how much it resembled him!  Here is the box I made to hold the cards.  It is a box called a "memory keeper" and it is my favorite to use for card sets (it is so fast and easy to make and turns out so impressive every time.  You can find the video tutorial for it HERE:




And here is a pic of the whole set:




I don't know why the card that is laying down makes the image look brown, but it is just like the one on the front of the box.  Mom loved them, and I'm going to have to make her some more.   I colored the image with my colored pencils and oms.


My next card to share is one that is a little bit of a "manly" Christmas card.  Take a look:




OK, OK. . . .it does have a bow on it, so shoot me!  LOL  All men have a "softer side" whether they admit it or not!  I have always loved this pine cone stamp.  It is from Hero Arts.  I stamped it with Saddle Brown Staz-On ink and then colored it with colored pencils and oms.  I added some chunkier glitter to the tips of the pine cone for a frosted look.  This was a fast card to make, but still not what I'm looking for.  You will see this image pop up again on another future project or two.


The last card for tonight is another one I thought would fit the bill:




But again, not what I'm looking for.  This one really sparkles a BUNCH, but you can't really see it in this photo (you can see it better if you click on the photo).  I used an inking technique that I used on some of my Halloween tags.  I blotted ink on a craft sheet, spritzed it with water and "smooshed" the paper on top of it.  That is how I got the background color.  I then stamped the trees (Hero Arts) on top of that in dark green Staz-On ink.  Used Stickles for the "snow" and the "ornaments".  For the falling snow, I took a MS glue pen and made dots all over the sky then sprinkled with crystal glitter.  It is matted on navy blue card stock.  It really is pretty IRL, but I just don't care for CAS look when I do them.  

OK, that's it for this post.  I hope you enjoyed your visit.  I sure do enjoy your comments.  I hope you all had a great holiday, and that you are keeping up with your Christmas stamping.  I'm working on a couple of fun projects that I'll be anxious to share with you (hopefully next Wednesday's post).


Here is this week's "Pic of the Week". . .enjoy!





Hope all is well in your world!  Hugs to all of you and I'll be seeing you on your blogs soon!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

35 comments:

Patti J said...

Oh my goodness - that stamp looks JUST like your momma's 'chunk'!!! You did a beautiful job on those cards, and on the box. I'm sure that she is so tickled with them! You need to get her hooked on stamping too! I love pretty pine cone images, so that card is a favorite too! And that third card is SO pretty - love the sparkles! So glad that the snow didn't amount to a dangerous amount! DD has to drive to someplace in northern Indiana for an all week conference next week, drive back to St. Louis, and catch a flight to San Francisco! She has more energy than I do! Anyway...I hope that your weather holds out until she's back home! It's cold here, but other than a few flurries on Thanksgiving, we've not had any snow yet. That photo of the week is AWESOME! Love it - did you take that locally? How much fun! Tell Jay, the boys, and the momma's hello! Have a great week, and try to behave yourself! Hugs!

Ted said...

Curt, oh my gosh, it's like the artist saw Chunk and made an image from him. It's uncanny! :) I love your cards and I want to look at the tutorial tomorrow when I'm more awake! I'm always on the lookout for more box ideas. :)

The pine cone card is wonderful! I'm a guy and a sucker for gingham so shoot me. That bow isn't overbearing so I think it's just fine for a masculine card. The background paper is subtle and the font is just perfect. Very well done, friend! :)

BTW, love the blog makeover...quite seasonably perfect! ;)

Take care!

Jackie said...

That dog is the spitting image of Mr. Chunk! I love the pine cone card, too, it's very manly indeed. Nothing wrong with a bow here and there, nothing at all. those trees are just beautiful and I cat wait to see what you come up with next. PS - No need to visit my blog, there's nothing new over there. I am procrastinating on my Christmas cards. How can it be December already???

Becky said...

That image looks just like Chunk!! How awesome.Gorgeous cards and gorgeous coloring. I just love the box set, I must learn how to do this one.
Love the last card, so beautiful, love the colors and shading.

I am loving the picture of the week. That horse is just to cute. :)

Sue said...

Hi Ya Curt
from snowey gosport!! Aww that image could have been done just for your mum, spittin image, gorgeous cards. Beautiful Christmas cards, i luv the trees gorgeous card, aww lovely piccie of the week.
Keep safe n warm, hugs, sue,x

Susan (rainy) said...

You could not have found a more perfect stamp... It IS Chunk! And what a darling box and card set you made with it.

Love the other cards, as well. I, too, am struggling to find that one card design that I want to make several of. Time is running out for us, Curt!

Dawnll said...

oh my goodness if that isn't the spitting image of Chunk- how fun is that!
I also love the pictures of the boys with their holiday scarves. To darn cute I swear.
Always love your cards even if you are going for manly. Love that pine cone stamp, haven't seen that before- it really is perfect and so realistic.
Hope everyone is well and keeping warm?
I am already tired of winter and it just begun.
Hugz to all of you.

Shirley-Anne said...

Hi Curt . Love the visit to your blog once again .Did you just happen along this horse ? He posed beautifully , did he not?
Love all your cards . Can't believe how close the stamp image is to ' Chunk'

Heide said...

Curt,
The boys look super! How do you get them to keep their hats on?
Guinness would have it shredded in 10 seconds!
You Mom's card made me smile, it looks just like Chunk!She must just love the set you made.
I love the cards you made. I think the masculine one is my favorite.
Hugs, Heide

Bonnie Weiss said...

"CHUNK" ... what a name! The card set is so adorable and what's best is that your Mom can keep the "memory keeper' for herself.

The other two Christmas cards are very different from each other but both are sooo nice. I'm sure your card recipients would be thrilled to receive either one.

And now the horse photo ... boy, if he could only speak (like Mr. Ed), I can only imagine what he would say about the Santa hat and having to be photographed while wearing it!

Gail said...

Lovin Gunther & Shotsy in their Christmas finest!
That's an AWESOME pinecone! Great card!
Like the trees too, and your pic of the week is priceless! Made me laugh!
The 'Chunk' Cards are too cute, and I'll be checking out the box tutorial another day, as I made my mom cards for Christmas! (Not Christmas cards.)
Take care!

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

Great cards! Yes, the pup sure does look like Chunk....and what a cute name! :)

I still think the pinecone card looks manly with the bow....atleast it isn't hot pink and purple! LOL!

I was in your neck of the woods this week...went to Michaels (I don't have one where I live) and found some fun stuff! It is a nice store!

Myrna said...

Curt
Love your cards. The pic of the week is wonderful. Chunk is adorable and your mom is beautiful.
I love coming to your blog.
Myrna

Anonymous said...

LOVED THIS POST, OF COURSE, MY LITTLE CHUNK IS A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, WHICH YOU HAVE CAPTURED . THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SURE LOVE MY CHRISTMAS GRAND DOG'S,& HALLMARK CAN'T HOLD A CANDLE TO YOUR WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS CARDS. LOVE THE "PIC OF THE WEEK". LOVE YA, MOM

Diane said...

Wowza...what a great card set for your Mom...bet she was in heaven to get that set...adorable!! Liked all your Christmas cards...the pinecone one was my fav'...no, wait I loved the tree one....but wait...oh never mind, ya know I LOVED them all....I just make one of each card, and send it to who I think it fits...just never thought to make one batch all the same....hmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Carol's Ink Spot said...

I'm totally impressed by the gift set of cards w/matching box for your mother! Everything is beautiful! I really like your pinecone card. I think the little bow is just right esp. being plaid. Love the new banner photo of the boys all dressed up for Christmas.

Lee said...

Hi Curt.Love your Christmassy background to your blog,and the boys look sooooo cute in their hats.Gorgeous card set.That IS Chunk isn't it lol,fantastic.Beautiful cards i love them both.Love that cute pic of the week.Hope you are keeping warm n snug.Huggles n cuddles to all.x

Mo Manning said...

Did I call that this Lhasa Apso image? I think it was actually a Shih Tzu!! LOL! Luckily with you clever card artists I don't have to draw EVERY breed -- though if you saw the comments when I put up the Christmas Pups you saw that people would be very happy if I'd just spend all my time illustrating their dogs, hehe!

Just a beautiful set of cards, Curt. I'm so glad your mom loved them -- loved her cute note to you!

xoMo

Gina Wrona said...

Hi Curt,
I came to your blog today for a "pick me up" since all is NOT well in my world this moment.

Love everything you posted especially all the "dog" themes from the card set to the new pic of the boys to your pic of the week.

Take care,
Gina

Papier Creatif said...

Hi Curt!

I'm still here, just chained to my desk workin' on digi-stuff! Wanted to drop by to say hi and see what's up! Love the reindeer theme background, one of my personal favs. And the pinecone card you did is awesome! And YES that stamp looks EXACTLY like your Mom's doggie-dog! How cute!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Hugs,

Juls~ {xoxo}

DeeDee said...

Love all the cards Curt! As usual you made me smile! How do you come up with all those neato ideas? Just wonderful my friend! Have a lovely day! HUGS!

Serendipity Stamping said...

Hi Curt, loved the "Chunky" card set! Your Mom is so lucky to have you. You have done your usual fantastic on the other cards also. Keep the snow. LOL Thanks for the Christmas horse!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you burn the midnight oil making these Wednesday posts! I'm glad you make the time to do it though:) I really love the pinecone card...looks like I'm not the only one. I can't wait to see your final Christmas card selection if these didn't make the cut. Can you tie a neat bow or what? Oh btw, that all day snow here that accumulated less than half an inch was quite an experience for me since I just moved up from FL. Looks like more of it is on the way this Saturday! I ran all of my errands after work tonight, so I can stay home and enjoy it from a window view. Kathy

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt! The boys certainly look good in their Holiday Finest! Your cards for your Mom are amazing - the image looks like they had her dog right there when they made it - are you sure Chunk didn't model for them?? You made another of those fabulous boxes! I {{heart}} those boxes!

Your manly card is wonderful - I'm not sure why it's not the one yet? The glittery trees are great, also! Just not hitting the right note for you? I love it though! I'm enjoying this experiment to design the right card!

Nice horsey photo- obviously the guy is a ham.

Thank you SO much for the beautiful card! You are beyond awesome - so thoughtful!

HUGS!

lisa808 said...

How did it get to be December already?!?!?

That image sure does look like it was modeled after Chunk. I love the card set & box, and can definitely see your mother wanting you to make a lot more!

Great pinecone image and the little bow is perfect. Your tree card is so appropriate to post for your first snowfall.

Sharon Caudle said...

Hi Curt!!! Gosh I sure have missed visiting you! I must find more time for blogging!! Your cards are amazing as they always are!! That stamps looks so much like Chunk!! (Love that name!!) and your coloring is gorgeous!! I can only imagine how much your mom loved those!!! Hope you're enjoying the holiday season and I promise I'll be back to visit again soon!
hugs, Sharon

Lorraine A said...

gorgeous cards Curt :-) the cute dog image is the spitting image of your Mum's Chunk :-) I have been experimenting trying to find a stunning but quick card that I can make loads of ,,,, not easy is it !!! :-)

love the pic of the week too ,,, poor horse looks proper fed up eh !!! lol :-)

luv
Lols x x x

Diane said...

Just wanted to say congrats on your win at Ellen Hutson...even though I didn't win (lol)...it was so fun to see that someone "I know" won...good for you...what fun!!!

Celeste said...

I'm sure Buffalo, NY will send you some snow...LOL. Glad I live in Central NY, we get enough as it is. That image is so cute. You're right, it looks like Chunk. The cards are adorable. I can't find anything I want to do for cards yet. I should have started last month. I adore the pinecone card. I think it could be for anyone, not just the guys. Keep the ribbon on there, it is too cool! Love the pic of the horse.

Sue Ann said...

Hello there Curt ~~ I feel like it has been forever since I have had a moment to comment on your blog but for sure I have not missed any of your great creations. Last week how much did I LOVE the Season's Greetings card~~ All of it just too beautiful for words. The tree has the most wonderful vintage feel. I really loved the background on the white card with the trees. The impression plate was perfect and the snow ...... well it makes me want a cup of spiced tea ...... with maybe a little extra adult spice :)

Now on to this week....... the photo of your mom and baby is too cute for words and the people getting that as a Christmas card will for sure be smiling from ear to ear!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the pinecone and the ribbon is just perfect. And the 3 tress with all the bling ....... Fantastic!!! I enlarged the photo so I could see the bling in the background as well..... very nice job young man!!!!

Looking forward to read your post on Wednesday!!

Hope all is well out you way and the snow did not put too much of a kink in your daily routine!!!

Sally Cicada Designs said...

Hey there!! I am lovin' the pooches all dressed up for Christmas--just tooooo cute!! Your cards are great too--what a thoughtful thing to do for your mom and that image couldn't be more perfect. Great work on the other two as well!! I haven't made any cards yet---eeeekkkk! Better get crackin' hadn't I. Oh BTW in the last 24 hours we have had 2 and 1/2 FEET of snow and we are due for another 2-3 FEET overnight!!! Let's hear it for the Great White North!!! LOL! I love winter!!! :(
Hope you are well!!
Hugs,
Sarah ;o)

Wendalyn said...

I love your cards they are gorgeous as always and your dogs in the Christmas hats just crack me up they are so adorable.

Lauri said...

Your cards are always so fun! And chunk is such a cutie!! Love the Christmas pics of your boys too! You have mad photography skills! : )

Audrey Frelx said...

What fun cards, Curt! Your mom just had to be too pleased!!!

America said...

WOW!! What a Great resembling doggy image, awesome pinecone stamp and such fabby projects!!!! I love seeing all your beautiful pictures Curt!