Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Thursday, January 6, 2011

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR JANUARY 5, 2011

Hey All!


I'm sorry this is late, but blogger was not allowing any posting last night for some reason.  I kept trying up until Midnight and finally gave up and went to bed.  Fortunately, it seems to be up and running again this morning, so here goes.

Since this is my first post of the New Year, let me wish you all a very happy and wonderful New Year!  I have, as usual, some cards to share, but I also have a new stamper/stamp designer I want to share with all of you.  That will be at the end of the post.  So on to the cards. . .

My Mom asked me for two cards in the last week.  One for a friend who just bought a new home and a sympathy card for a friend of hers.  Here is the new home card I created:


Another little "scene" card.  This paper always reminded me of wallpaper so I decided to use it as such.  I created the wainscoting by cutting a piece of cardstock then using my MS scoring board to score lines every 1/4 inch.  I then attached the base board and the finishing board on top and bottom.  The floor was created using a wood grain paper on which I drew lines for floor boards.  I combined stamp sets for this one.  The chair and table are from a Hero Arts set and the frame and vase with flowers are from a PTI set.  I stamped the chair onto some paper that reminded me of a leather grain.


The next is the sympathy card:




As you can see it is a gatefold card.  I could not photograph it to save me!  I stamped the pattern on the two black panels with Versamark then embossed with silver ep.  The mat behind the image was done by dragging the Versamark pad all around the edges, sprinkling with silver ep and heat setting it so that it looks like a silver mat.  Very easy to do and it comes out looking great.  I then dotted the twig image with silver Stickles.  Here is a picture of it open:




The inside panels are embossed with the Stampin Up lattice embossing folder.


My last card was saved for last to introduce the new person I referred to at the beginning of the post.  Here is the card:




I have finally found a tree/foliage stamp that I LOVE.  I found Mark at Deadbeat Designs quite by accident.  As a matter of fact, I can't even remember how I found his blog.  But I am so glad that I did.  Mark created these beautiful stamps that I used for the above card.  Here are the stamps that I got in my order this week:



As you can see, my card used 6 of these wonderful stamps.  Mark has a great blog (DEADBEAT DESIGNS HERE).  He is so talented and creative, and I love his writing style.  For those of my readers who live in the Southwest, you are going to love his stamps, especially those of you who live in Texas!  Although a lot of his stamps have a Southwestern flair, he has a great variety (as you can see from the ones above).  The stamps are beautifully mounted red rubber and stamp like a dream.  See the one up there that says "happy whatever"?  Love that!  And it is a perfect indication of his great sense of humor and writing style.  Go take a look at his blog for his latest post, you'll see what I mean.  If you would like to see what Mark has to offer, go visit his online store HERE.  He also has great customer service too!  I ordered from him on Friday, December 31st, and received my package on Monday!  (Just a note here, I also placed an order at Gina K. Designs at the same time, and STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT AS OF TODAY!)  So go check out what Mark has to offer.  BTW, see those odd looking little colored things up there in the box?  That will be shown and explained as part of my next blog post!  Anyway, THANKS MARK!  You have a loyal customer here!

"Pic of the Week:

SOLITARY PINE CONE

OK, that's it for this post.  I think I've caught up on most everyone's blogs.  I'll be around again this week to see what's new with you.  Thanks for stopping by, I am so honored by you taking the time to leave me comments.  You are all so awesome!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

45 comments:

Patti J said...

Wow, Curt! What great creations (as always)! I love your little scene! I've used that technique for fencing as well - too much fun! The gatefold sypathy is beautiful as well. Yo' momma is going to be very pleased! I've been to Mark's site and nosed around, but have not ordered - maybe I will now! Thanks for the great testimonial for his products and his service! When I order stamps, I want them NOW!!! Tee hee, I waited up last night until about 11:45, and finally gave up. When I got up at 5:45 this a.m., the first thing I did was look for your post - glad you got things to work! That photo of the week is amazing! That, all alone, on a piece of CS would make an absolutely gorgeous Christmas card! All righty - love everything here today, now I'm off to shop! A belated Christmas present to me from me perhaps? It wouldn't even have to be gift wrapped! OH...can't wait to hear the story behind the funny shapes in that box! cya!

Tertia said...

Love all the cards you made, but the sympathy one is my favourite. The silver and black is fabulous!
Your pic of the week is great too!
Happy New Year to you from a scorchingly hot South Africa.

mudmaven said...

Don't you just love Mark's stuff? Too cool. I've been a fan of his creations for a while. I just love the cards you shared with us today. Just gorgeous. So clever with all your elements on the new house card - great textures! I think that sympathy card would soothe anyone who gets it and the card you made with Mark's stamps is outstanding! Great work as always Curt. All the best to you and Jay and give those cutie pies a big hug from me! ~chris

Dawnll said...

I always love your scene cards- I love how you think about each piece and make them realistic.
How nice you are to make cards for your mom.
Yours are so much nicer then a store bought one.
Do you stamp the backs with your info?
Maybe you could pick up some business.LOL
I will have to check out your new stamp suggestion.I always enjoy new places and great customer service

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

Will be checking out Mark for sure. I am looking for a good bare tree stamp to decorate up how I wish. So thaks for the tip!

Your cards are great and I especially LOVE the first one! The house scene is perfect! It really does look like the inside of a house....just marvelous creativity!!

Hope the new year is treating you, Jay and the boys okay! :)

mark said...

Thanks for the glowing recommendation - hope I can live up to the praise (but I'n never going to be as nice as you are on my blog)! Your cards are perfect, usual and I'm totally going to steal that wainscoting idea! Thanks again and enjoy the stamps!

Gina Wrona said...

As always, loved all your cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

your pic of the week is great with the sun shining, made me feel all warm inside even though we are getting snow in 20 degree weather today.

Take care,
Hugs,
Gina

Myrna said...

Curt
You are an absolute genius. These cards really are beautiful. My mojo seems to have taken a New Year break, much to my dismay.
Love the tip on making a sparkly border.
Your pic of the week is perfect.
Curt, it is always lovely to come to your blog.
Myrna

Sue said...

Hi ya Curt
gorgeous creations as always, i luv the new home card, brill how you have made your scene, a beautiful sympathy card, such hard cards to make.
Luv the new stamp set, i do luv me trees, fabulous card, hugs, sue,x

Diane said...

Home Sweet Home Card is awesome....love the Sympathy one, too.....perfect color choices! I will have to visit Mark...I have heard of him thru Libbys Little Addiction out of Texas...she has used his "stuff" for quite awhile...so off I go to visit...thanks for the link!

Becky said...

You sure have outdone your self for the New Year! :)
This first card is just fabulous, love the wall paper and how you did the bottom

Your second one is absolutely-STUNNING! Inside and out.

Love this tree set you got, wonderful card you created with it.

Sue Ann said...

You always give me so much to talk about and I am doing it with my sliced finger ....... those darn onions... but gotta make the sauce:)

Okay I laughed when I read the comment about the wall paper ....... I think my parents had a couch from the 50's with that same look you know with the crushed velvet ...... and about the same color ...... thank god for that house fire ......... JOKING!!! Now it is some crazy tapestry with mauve as the staring color ....... too bad about the house fire!!! Totally love the whole card!!!

I do love the embossing on the gate card ....... looks stunning!!!

Now for Mark ....... OH HOW I LOVE THAT FENCE!!! And what you did with the tree ........ fantastic ...... just gotta love a good tree!!!

I am glad you enjoyed the treats ..... there are still some under lock and key ...... just so you understand there are family members who are not allowed to come near them. Curt's dad called today to tell me they were just like Curt's moms ~~ I kinda took over all the German goodies after she passed away... that made me smile!!!

Have a great week. Off to finish a book I am making:)

tilly said...

Bueatuful cards, I love the sympathy card, I must go and look at Marks site, it is a fab tree!!
Tilly x

Gina Lindsay said...

I love that scene you created, that looks like a great living room to me, perfect for a new home! Thanks for the intro to those stamps, I had to go check them out and found several that I will be needing. Happy New Year to you too!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful cards, thanks so much for sharing and for the inspiration!!!

Ted said...

Your sympathy card is so tasteful and respectful. Have a wonderful weekend, friend! :)

Dawn B. said...

These cards are fantastic Curt. Sorry I have not been by in awhile..I love the way you added the back panel to your first card. It looks real. Your scene also is very stunning.. Great job.. Love your picture too..Happy New Year.

Carol's Ink Spot said...

Great cards Curt. Love the details on your New Home card. The sympathy card is gorgeous with all the silver embossing. Excellent tree image you have made on your last card shown. Have a wonderful week.

Erica said...

These are beautifully executed cards. I especially love the house card. Happy New Year to you and your family Curt.

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt,
What a wonderful post! I love the sympathy card and never thought of creating a silver mat that way - I'll be making note of that tip!!!

Your tree card is beautiful - I'm going to check out Mark's site, it looks fabulous in your hands!

The home card is one of those you do SO well, I love all the little details - the floor looks like real planks of wood, the wainscotting is perfect, and the paper that is the wall paper - excellent! Nice.

I have to also comment on the boys building their snowman - they are SO cute! Your photos are so much fun!

HUGS!

Kevin Renz said...

Hi Curt! I'm feeling better and wanted to come visit you and let you know that I so appreciate your visits and kind comments. Thank you for coming to visit me. Your blog and creations are wonderful and I will come back as often as I can.

Audrey Frelx said...

My dear Curt, you always have the most wonderful cards!!! I just love to come see what you've created -- all hand made!!!

I had a problem getting on too, but I hung in there until about 1 a.m. this morning as I had a DT project to post -- it was so frustrating!!!

Thank you for your wonderful comment, however, I felt a bit sad knowing you didn't have so many family and friends to share it with. I'll tell you what... next New Year, you and your partner just pack on up and come to Chicago. You can spend the New Year with me and the rest of the family -- we're good at adopting family too!!!

Hugs, my friend!

Audrey Frelx said...

Oh, yes!!! I forgot to say... of course, you can bring mom and the boys too!!! We make room for everybody!!! LOL!

Hugs!

Sue from Oregon said...

Hey Mr Curt..love those new stamps and espcially love the beadboard you created! I love "scene" cards!

Bonnie Weiss said...

You are getting so creative with thinking outside the box, Curt. Your scenes are so well thought out and come together to make such sweet cards. Looks like you are off to a great start for 2011!

Shirley-Anne said...

your cards are a delight , Curt. Love the scenes which you create .
Does Mark ship to Australia do you think? Will be checking the blog out thanks for the heads up!

Celeste said...

I love all the cards you made but the Home Sweet Home one really caught my eye. It is so sweet! I am going to follow your advice and check out Mark. I can hear the credit card screaming already!

Anonymous said...

Curt, I see postcard needling the skies pointedly saying, 'Pick me!' for tourist and herbologist sentiment
in quick/ snail mail. What a fine shadow and focal point shot you have shared.
Keep Looking UP!

Anonymous said...

Hi Curt!! You've done a fabulous job with all of these creations! I like your attention to the details and the way you've used the images! Thanks for sharing these!! HUGS

Lee said...

Hi Curt.As always,AMAZING CREATIONS.I LOVE them all.Could you send me maybe just a little bit of your super imagination please lol,no need to gift wrap hee hee.
Love the card you have made with Marks stamps really beautiful.Must have a nosy on his blog.Hugs to all and cuddles to those gorgeous boys.Oops nearly forgot,the pic of the week is sooooo beautiful i love it.x

Macpurp said...

beautiful cards! and I love your new stamps.

much love Tina & Co xx

Gail said...

I'm thinking you have waaaay too much time on your hands mister!
Home Sweet Home = Sweet
Sympathy Card = Stunning
Tree Card = OMG
Pic of the week = GREAT as always!
Going to check out Mark!
Keep up the great work!

lisa808 said...

Love, love, love your 'room' card. The flooring and wainscotting are amazing.

Very elegant sympathy card. Fab tree that you created. I'm off to check out Mark's site.

Happy New Year! I wish you all the best (& lots of crafting) for 2011.

6 wacky women said...

Gorgeous cards, Curt
I love the new home scene, so creative!! Sheer elegance with your sympathy card. Love the tree... and the stamps, great job. I am going to go check them out!!

Hugs
Karen x

Anonymous said...

You've outdone yourself on this post. I love a scene card, and the cozy room that you created with all of the warm brown tones is amazing. I really like the tree with the bird on the fence, too. The sympathy card is a beauty. The silver swirls and the branch with little silver touches against the black background is very striking. So pretty! Thank you for sharing how you made the silver mat. Thanks also for the pic of the week...wonderful photo:) Kathy

Shirley said...

Okay, Curt, here I thought it was your beautiful cards I had been missing and then I get here and it might be those gorgeous friends of yours in the banner!!!
I love your elegant card. It is gorgeous too! The tree card is lovely too and a very warm and cheerful way!

Linda said...

Hi Curt! I love all of your cards. The wainscoting you created in the first card is amazing. The use of silver in the second card was a wonderful idea. It is beautiful.
Thanks so much for leading me to a new blog. I am headed there right now. I put a video on my blog telling how to make what I call a shopping notebook. I would love to have you take a look.
Thanks,
Linda
http://cardsbylinda.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Awesome cards Curt...as usual! Oh my, love the babies with their snowball! What are they making? A snowfriend....hehehehe
Well, I'm glad to hear you were having trouble downloading, I was worried it was my computer again!!!!
Have an great day my friend

Unknown said...

This is the first time I've visited your blog and I am just thrilled to have found you! Your creations are amazing... and I just adore your darling dogs too! Thanks for sharing with us!

Diane said...

Curt, your cards are beautiful I love them all. Your picture of the pine cone is fantastic. It reminds me of when I was a kid collecting pine cones to make things with my parents. Thanks
Diane.

Dana said...

Oh my Curt! I am in love with your clever scoring Wainscoting...TOO COOL! And I love that you freehanded the floor on PP.
Your elegant black and silver card is very eye-catching. I've never tried a gate-fold card.
I have to say that I too am quite picky about my tree stamps, and you've found a lovely one. That BG and the fence rock!
*chuckle* When I saw your comment on my blog this morning, I thought, "Curt? As in Sue Ann's DH? Why is he commenting on my card?" LOL then I came and saw your amazing blog and that my pal Sue Ann knows all about you!

Susan (rainy) said...

Three fabulous cards, Curt. I find the sympathy card to be especially elegant and beautiful.
Had to check out Mark's blog. The whole inflatable Santa saga truly had me LOL!!

Denise said...

I'm here via Sue Ann (and because I saw the beautiful comment you left her about Katie). Your cards are wonderful - the wainscoting is truly smashing - a brilliant idea. I will definitely be popping in here regularly.

On a side note: my father has MS. He was diagnosed 27 years ago and it has shaped much of our life as a family. I hope you have a support network, but if you ever are looking for someone who 'gets it' feel free to reach out. ;)

Janine said...

Hey Curt!! Lovely cards as always!
Hope all is well with you

Ruth M said...

I love these cards, the scene home card is fabulous, so creative!

The sympathy card is so beautiful in black with silver. I have a twiggy stamp just like that and you've inspired me to ink it up, thanks so much!