There you are! And here I am! LOL Is that a new outfit??? You truly look awesome! It's really good to see you!
Here we are once again at the hump day of the week. I hope your week is going well and I hope you are feeling well. Thanks so much for all the great comments you left on the last post. You don't know what it does for my mood to read the sweet things you leave for me. I'm truly blessed by all of you.
I was really shocked at last week's poll results. The number 1 pet peeve by far was blogs that play background music (49%)! I thought for sure it was going to be "word verification". However that even tied for second with "type that is hard to read" (29%). I am learning so much from these polls. It's amazing how many of my assumptions are incorrect. Don't forget this week's poll!
On to the post. . .Hope you all had a great Mom's Day. My stuff is Mom's Day related because I couldn't post it prior (my Mom reads my blog). So here is the card I made for my Mom:
Many of you have made gorgeous easel cards and I always leave comments stating I'm going to make one, but I never have until now. I LOVE these cards, and I will be making many more in the future. OK, the pussy willow stamp is another one from CowTown stamps. The stamp is a single stem so I stamped it several times. I filled in the white parts with liquid applique and heated it. I then stamped another single branch, DID A BUNCH OF FUSSY CUTTING, and attached it so that one branch is hanging over the ribbon for a 3-D effect. The bird was also cut out and popped up with foam tape for dimension. I sponged the background with distress ink before stamping the branches. The bird stamp is by Stampabilities.
I'm not as happy with it, especially because of the poor photo. The "dots" all over it is actually Stickles. I have to tell you, I'm not a huge fan of Stickles. It is very sparkly irl and much prettier. I wanted to keep this one simple. I used one of my newly favored techniques of coloring the stamp with markers and then, before stamping, spritzing the stamp with water. It gives such a beautiful watercolor look to the image. The stamp is by Stampendous.
The next project is a wonderful "moving parts" card. Here is the outside:
It's called a "pulley card", and you can find a video tutorial HERE. When you pull the ribbon on the right, the sentiment comes out on the right and the gift card slides out at the same time on the left. HOW FUN ARE THESE??? I already have plans for Halloween with these! They are really easy to make, and for those of you who have an Archiver's store near you. . .they have these in a pack of 4 that are all cut out and ready to assemble! I bought a pack to use one of them as a template. The Moms LOVED these and were just blown away by how they were made. My Mom kept opening and closing it, totally baffled as to how it worked. The main flower stamp is by Inkadinkado. I stamped it with two different inks and then embossed it with clear ep, then popped it up on foam tape. The background is various little dollar stamps.
The last card is kind of a joke. . .I handed each Mom an envelope explaining that "the boys" asked if they could make their own cards for them this year. So I explained that they could use my supplies and I let them at it. Here is what they created for their "Grandmas":
LOL I think they did a pretty good job for Giant Schnauzers huh? What do you think? I think Gunther got a little carried away using the paw print stamp and smudged it quite a bit. Their printing is improving as they get older! LOL
OK, enough of all this. . .I truly do hope all you Moms had a great day. From visiting some of your blogs, it sure sounded like it. I'm still working on catching up kids, so hang in there. If I haven't gotten to you yet I will in the next day or so. I had so much to catch up on. Boy you guys are prolific when it comes to posting!! LOL
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| VACANT HOUSE |
Best,
Curt O'Brien
"God, please help me be the person that my dogs think I am."
37 comments:
Hi Curt! It's so great to see you posting again. :) 'tis a tough choice on which card this week is my favorite. Hmm... while I like the card you did for Jay's mom, I think my top choice is the last one. I like how the "grandma" and flower are bright contrast to the paw prints. Tell Gun I think he did a superb job! :)
Fabulous cards, as always! I love the texture and dimension on the first card, while the pulley cards are so unique and clever. Of course, the Boxer Twins loved the last card, and are already begging me to make cards. They do love Mom's stamping supplies! Thanks for your inspiration! I have never made an easel card, but your's has convinced me that I need to give it a try! Enjoy the rest of your week!
I look forward to your post every Wednesday. I love all of your creations, but have to say that I like Gunther's card the best this week! hahaha! I have to go to Archivers and get that great gift card holder - how fun! My nephew would flip for it!
Thanks again for sharing all of your creative inspiration! Have a great week!
~Krissy
Sounds like you had a wonderful Mother's Day. And many were blessed by your gorgeous creations.
I just love your first card, awesome detailed work.
I had to laugh you got the dogs crafting what next Curt. Love the Mums` cards our Mothers Day was in March a lovely family time although my Mum and Peter`s is no longer with us my family made it special for me. So thankful. Hugs to you and your family from sunny Jersey.U.K.
Love all the cards. The card from the dogs is so cute and funny. My husband always signs my dogs name to the card from my kids on Mother's Day. The pulley cards are cool. I have made ones that pop up and down, but I like the sideways look. Keep up the creative work, I really enjoy your blog.
Great cards Curt. Your Mother day card is beautiful.
I love the card from the boys, you can tell they have their own style!
Your Mom's card is one of the most life-like that I have seen in a very long while. The willow branches and pods absolutely pop off the paper and the bird, as well. Your background colour choice is so fresh and the easel style is a perfect choice for this card. You sure get a gold star for your 'fussy cutting'!
Love the watercolour look of Jay's Mom's card ... I bet she loved it!
The pulley cards are very unique and not one that I have seen before...love the stamps and colour choices you made for these cards (looks like the little break that you took renewed your creativity!).
As for the "Grandma" card ... well we both know that Schnauzers are highly intelligent and now we know that they are highly creative and talented too. Guess the canine apple doesn't fall far from the human tree!
Your cards are truley gorgeous like always and yeh I hate the background music the most it is why I normally keep my volume way low just in case i stumble on a site that has that going and normally would scare the heck out of me.... annoying. Have a great week...
Love ALL these Curt and ESP the doggie one! :)
Hi Curt,
Thanks for the compliment but no--- it is the same old night attire I wear every Thur. morning to read your blog. lol
Love every one of your cards and your pic of the week is great. The boys are doing a great job on their cards too.
Hugs to all
Myrna
Curt this are so cool. And that is just what I did for my slider card I got one at Archiver's for template. I think the hard part is the plastic part but I was thinking if you cut those packages that you put cards in or clear envelops that stamps come in you would have the same thing. I love to make surprise kinda cards. So much fun.
The boys did a wonderful job on their card. They need there own blog. I know Max (my cat) would read it.
Be watching you mail box.
Smiles!
Linda
I love all the cards you posted curt-the easel card looks great with the liquid applique-I have to say that I just love the "pulley card"-they are so beautifully decorated-will have to check out the video-the boys made a sweet card as well
OOO wow, bet both Mums were over the moon with these cards, each and everyone beautiful
Take care till next week
Tilly
WOW - all of these cards are really amazing! I agree with you about the stickles - fun, pretty but messy and take way too long to dry - but they sure look nice on that card! Love Gunther's card too (he's going to have to get his own blog soon) and I'm going to have to hit Archiver's and check out those pull cards - very fun! As always, your photography just blows me away - spectacular! All the best to Jay and big hugs for the boys! ~chris
ok maybe I need to sign in differently I am not on here enough to remember... Ilove the card for your mom, that fancy cutting put it over the edge perfectly... and coloring on stamps with markers and spritzing is such a fun way to express yourself... you expressed yourself very well : )
I was so happy to wake up and see that you had updated your blog... my gift to myself to take time to enjoy...
oh I missed last weeks poll, and it would be word verification...ugh I totally respect privacy, but there must be a better way : )
and please tell the boys that Daisy said their cards were great...
hugs and smiles for you today til next week C Ya Bye
Soni
OMGoodness! Those pulley cards are gorgeous! Lucky moms to receive them.
You Sir have outdone yourself again!
I couldn't pick a favorite....LOVED them all!
I'm going to save that Pulley card tutorial to watch at home......I am after all at work, and really DO have to get busy!
Glad your back!
Look what you started...now Flake is pestering me like crazy to get to my stamps and she wants PINK ink...ewww...! And no, this is not a new outfit - can't afford new outfits with all that I spend on craft supplies! lol... now, exactly what is overspending? Anyway, as always, your cards are fabulous! LOVE Shotsy and Gunn's card - of course, I think your Mother's Day cards for your mom and Jay's are beautiful. That bird looks real, and as for the dots on Jay's mom's card, if you enlarge the photo, the Stickles dots are obvious! Those slider cards ROCK! If we had an Archiver's closer than 1.5 hours, I'd have to do as you did and buy the 'samples'! I'll have to find time to watch the video... What a great idea! Okay, must get busy, we are once again out of town and I'm supposed to be working! Take care, and hope to see you back with all of your crafty goodness next Wednesday!
Hey my dog always makes me cards! I love them....and I LOVE this pulley card! I just watched the video and I would have never figured it out! Thanks for sharing your great creations!
Love all your cards. I'm going to watch the video and hopefully try one of the cards. I need to get outside my little comfort zone. I always enjoy your nature photos too.
Hi Curt! I love your cards - especially the bird with the pussywillows - VERY pretty! I spit coffee on my monitor at the one the boys made - what a hoot!!
You are so fun - I love visiting your blog SO much!
Hugs!!
Hi Curt!! Thanks for the complements! You're looking very dapper yourself these days!!! :) Sorry my visits are so far and few between anymore! There just isn't enough hours in the day. *sigh* Maybe I can start a petition to add about four hours to the day. Do you think that would work? :) Love all your cards, especially the one made by the boys. Hope you're doing well!!
hugs, Sharon
Ooooh Beautiful cards bet they loved them.Love those pulley cards great idea.Awww those Big Boys are soooo cute,they did do well with their own design lol,good job boys.Great pic of the week.Take care.xx
It seems that Blogger is having issues. I had a long comment typed up yesterday and it went out into the ether :-( So, here's the gist of it....I love your cards, as always, and the boys did a wonderful job on theirs as well. Stupid computers.
Hi Curt :-) fabulous cards as aways ,, I love the gift card idea !! very clever and I will have to have a go at one of those !! I am sure the 'Mom's' loved their cards and had a laugh at the ones the boys made lol :-)
thanks for your comments on my blog :-) all is well here :-)xx
luv
Lols x x x
LMAO! Those cards from "the boys" are hilarious! What a fun idea! The cards for both moms are gorgeous!! So glad you are liking your CowTown Stamps! :)
I gotta say I am baffled at the pulley gift card holder too! I better go see how it is made! What a fantastic gift idea...but they look so hard to make!
Have a great rest of the week!
what lucky Mum's to have such sweet sons and pups in their lives!
great cards, and well done on the Grandma cards Shotsy and Gunther!
love Teen x
Hi ya Curt,
hope you well, fabulous collection of cards as always,beautiful mothers day cards, luv the easel card lovely images & design, the boys did a fabulous job, lol. hugs to all, sue,x
Hi Curt,
I'd say Gunther did a great job with his card. He's learned a lot from you!
Thanks for sharing the Mother's Day cards. I really like the hanging branch on the first card and your use of Stickles on the second. Pretty stamps & colors on the 'pulley' cards.
Your cards are wonderful. The first one is outstanding.
I think your dogs are so talented. Our cat just meows for food, teehee.
Too funny! Very precocious boys of yours! Love all those beautiful floral cards Curt.
What really beautiful cards! Every time I visit it's so uplifting just to see your art!! I wouldn't know where to start. Love each one.
The "Grandma" card is a riot ...... you make me laugh. The floral gift card holders are GREAT and I love the colors you used on them. :)
Hi Curt! First off - thanks for visiting my blog! Not sure how you found your way there, but I appreciate your comment!
I'm hoping to get BACK to cardmaking next week....I'm definitely having withdrawals.
This is my first visit to your blog and I've become a follower.
What gorgeous dogs you have!! And these cards are outstanding!! I love the Mom card from the dogs!!
The card with the bird and the pussy willows is just gorgeous and I'm going to see the link for the pulley card!!! So much wonderful stuff!!!
Thanks :)
Maria
Just thought I would check in and see how are doing? Noticed you haven't posted in awhile- hope everyone is well
blessings to you, Dawn ll
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