Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

Hey All!!!

You made it safe and sound!  Gosh it is good to see you. . .what have you been up to this past week?  As I visited your blogs this week, I saw some wonderful stuff, read some happy news, and some sad news, and just lots of stuff going on.  We are one amazing little group aren't we?  I'm certainly proud and very happy to call you my blogging family, cause that's what you feel like to me!

Have you noticed that blogger has added a great new feature when viewing blogs????  As you read through my blog, try clicking on one of my photos here in the blog.  It puts them all in a really nice photo viewing mode.  I love it!

On with the post!  Again, I've created some more Halloween cards to share with you this week.  BONNIE!!!  Stop that groaning back there!  LOL  I think you will like these.  Take a look at the first one:

Now see Bonnie, this one is kind of sweet isn't it?  LOL  I created this scene using several different stamps.  I first masked off the moon and sponged the background sky as well as the grassy area.  The cat is by Artful Inkables, the tree is by Deadbeat Designs, the pumpkins are peg stamps by Tapistry, and the bats are a Hero Arts mini stamp.  I used a dark grey colored pencil to  create the shadows behind the images and a white gel pen to give the effect of the moon reflection. I love creating scenes with a variety of different stamps.  The possibilities are endless.

I think the next card is going to end up being my most favorite of the Halloween cards I've made so far:
Again, I've combined two images to create one scene.  The witch and the cauldron are both separate images from CowTown Stamps.  I love their images and they are reasonably priced and well made.  When I saw the two images I knew immediately that they were going to be used together.  I colored them with my colored pencils and oms.  Then added glitter to the flames, stuff she is sprinkling in, and the liquid content of the cauldron.  Sponged the whole background afterwards.  The sentiment is by (I believe) Inkadinkado, and thought it perfect for the scene.  The background paper is DCWV.

My last card is a birthday card which I made for a sweet neighbor lady.  As I told you in my last post, I like to make occasion cards in the theme of the season in which they occur.  Take a look:
You gotta click on this one to see the glittery leaves. . .I stickled every dang one of them!!  LOL  It really was worth it because the whole card just sparkles.  I created the background paper using the Trendy Trees stamp set by Stampin UP.  I've had this set for quite awhile now, and have never used it.  I'm glad I did for this card.  I used a Stampamajig to position the trees as I went along so they would create the pattern.  They are stamped with several colors of distress inks.  I don't know how I lived without my distress inks!  Added the sentiment strip and the cute Fall brad and done.

OK now time for the pic of the week!  As stated in the last post, the pics I post from now through Halloween will have something to do with the holiday.  Take a look at this gorgeous guy!
This, I'm sure, is a common crow, but for all intents and purposes, this is a raven!!  LOL  Did you know these guys are super intelligent?  There is a video on YouTube of one that they used in an experiment.  They put just enough water in the bottom of a long glass tube where the Raven couldn't get to it to get a drink.  As you watch the video, the Raven goes and picks up small rocks and drops them in the tube raising the water level to the point where it can drink.  That is just amazing to me!  I love these birds!

OK, that's it for now. . .Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello!  Love that you did, and you know my blog is always open for you.  Thanks too for leaving such sweet comments!  Have a great week!  Love you guys!

Hugs,

Curt O'Brien

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

47 comments:

Sue from Oregon said...

All great cards Curt, but I must say the Witch and Caldron is my fave!

Patti J said...

Wow, these are fabulous! I love all of the masking and sponging you are doing lately - great job on that first card. The Wicked card is colored so beautifully! You are a wizard with those pencils! When I enlarged the photos, that one looks so spooky! Your neighbor will be so pleased to get her birthday card! The leaves really sparkle nicely - just the right amount of sparkle :) The photo of the week is pretty cool, too! Thanks for yet another amazing post, dear friend! Take care, and tell Jay and the moms hello. Give the other boys a pat on the head from Aunt Patti!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt! Awesome cards! I'm not sure I'm a fan of the new photo viewing option - I prefer to read the build-up to each card before seeing it! LOL

But - having said that, all of the photos are wonderful! The first one (very spooky), the witch is terrific! The tree card is one I'd like to imitate and the RAVEN is delightful!

Hugs!

ahlers5 said...

Great cards! I love how you added the shadow to the first. I wouldn't have thought of that. Stampamajig is a wonderful tool. It makes perfect placement so much easier. The trees are gorgeous. I am sure she will love that card.

Jean McKenzie said...

Hi Curt, As usual, I just loved reading your latest post and seeing your cards - always so different and interesting! I love how you have made up the first card with all the shading, love your colouring and brightness in the second card and the trees card is just so sparkly and happy! Beautifully made cards.
Yes we have crows here too - slightly different build to yours and a lot of ours have white eyes. They are very very smart birds! Hope Jay and the boys are well!

Mary said...

I really liked all of your cards. You are very creative in the way you can put them all together too, genius! You have a great eye for detail and it really makes your cards stand out from the others! Also, thank you for your kinds words that you leave on my blog, I really appreciate you taking the time to stop, visit and comment too!

mudmaven said...

Once again, a wonderful collection of cards. Love, love. love that witch and how clever of you to combine those two images! Hope all is well with you. All the best to Jay and those gorgeous boys! ~chris

Gail said...

Ahhhh, again...awesome cards!
The first one is just 'cute'! (That's for Bonnie!)
The next one is 'WICKED'! Love it!
The birthday card really shines, and the pic of the week is wonderful!
Hope Jay is well, give the boys a treat, and have a great week!

mark said...

great cards as usual - but that deadbeat designs tree looks amazing. whoever came up with that stamp must really be a genius!
as for living without distress inks, i have a funny feeling that you would be just fine.
and i think that bird took a crap on my car so i'm not as fond of him as you!

Leigh said...

Once again you've been busy with Halloween cards Curt. I like your card using the SU set...great positioning of the stamps too.
Yep,I agree crows..oops sorry..ravens, are extremely intelligent birds. Hope you have a great week.

ursula Uphof said...

Your cards are all a feast for the eye this week Curt. Just love how you put them together....and those sparkly trees are just awsome. Seems like I should invest in a stampamajig. Have a great week and I do appreciate your visit and comments. Hope Jay is doing well, and the boys are all "behaving". Warm wishes.

Dee in N.H. said...

Always love a visit her and today is no exception! Love your cards, especially the witch!

Bonnie Weiss said...

OK, so first the "raven' .. gorgeous?? ... he looks like he wants to poke your eyes out!

Love the glittery birthday card. You are going to have to put glitter on your Christmas wish list as you are probably running low on it. I love glitter too and use it on almost all of my projects. Maybe we should see if we can buy it wholesale and split the order!

Now, the "H" cards. I have to be honest ... they really are cute and very creative. The cat and pumpkin is really well executed. Love how you create your own scenes using various stamps. That is something I have yet to tackle. And the WICKED card turned out cute too.

Now, as for the "H" countdown ... that is really pushing the envelope. The only thing good about it is that it shows that "H" is getting closer to being over!

Shirley-Anne said...

Hi Curt . Another interesting visit to your blog and beautiful cards to inspire me
Love each of them and the photo of Raven .We have crows here and we enjoy their company in our trees from time to time .
Hope that Jay is as comfortable as he can be and that you are well .
Shirley-anne.

Jackie said...

I love all of the cards but the "Wicked" one is my favorite. What a wonderful witch - your coloring talents are amazing! The raven is gorgeous, even if he is only a crow. I love to see them in the sunlight when their feathers show off the iridescence.

Dawn B. said...

These are all terrific cards Curt. I love your coloring on the middle one. I did not know Ravens were so smart. That was interesting to hear that. I can't believe you stickled all those leaves. Lots of patience.

tilly said...

What stunning cards agin this week, you are so clever in making your cards with different stamps and your colour and shading, I have heard it said that the wicked witch is an image of me cooking the meal of an evening lol,
thanks for your visit and comments have a happy week
Tilly

Miranda said...

Curt, as usual your cards are terrific! And I love the pic of the crow.....I mean the "Raven"! You inspire me to find the time necessary to do the things I love. Which sadly I haven't done in a few weeks! Life.....always in the way! LOL Have a great week! See you next time!
Miranda

Winnie said...

I just found your blog and LOVE your work. Your halloween cards are awesome. I love your coloring and how they really "feel" like halloween to me. Thanks for sharing your talent.

Anonymous said...

Oh my word Curt!! These designs are sooo awesome!! You've really brought the feel of Fall into your creations this week hun! :) LOVE the top card with your coloring...really amazing details with your shadowing effects!!

Of course that witch makes me smile too!! :) Beautiful leaf design and colors!! Thanks for bringing me smiles every Wednesday hun!! HUGS

Gina Wrona said...

Just popin' in to say "hi" and love all your cards posted! Awesome job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Gina

Becky said...

What fabulous Halloween cards.. Love the first one, you shaded that wonderfully. That witch is wicked :) and your Birthday card is gorgeous, love this stamp.. Well until next week, you have a fabulously creative time.
I am still packed and waiting for my closing date...

Dawnll said...

LOVE the sponging and masking- you do such a n amazing job and Halloween seems to be the time you really shine.
I hadn't noticed the setting for a slideshow-will have to go check my settings-that is so cool.
I heard about that youtube video with the bird-amazing isn't it?
Thanks for always sharing and being an inspiration.
Hugs to you and Jay and the boys

Ann Schach said...

Fabulous cards, Curt! I love the background on your first card, but that witch and cauldron steal the show! Too cute! Give the boys a treat from the Twins!

Jean S. said...

all great cards (as usual) But love the trendy trees one I see acase in my near future) TFS Jean S

Shirley Hotop said...

Totally "wicked" this week with the Halloween cards - love both of them and then the tree card - I too am a sucker for stickles - my problem is I can't usually wait for them to dry so huge mess. Love the real life crow - at our lsat address honestly we could call the crows to "come and get it" when we threw bread scraps out for them. Great week for you - you always amaze me with your original designs.

Tertia said...

Love all your cards, but the whitch is definately my favourite. You make me wish we celebrated Halloween in South Africa.
Hope Jay is doing a lot better.

Linda said...

Hi Curt, Your cards are wonderful this week. My favorite is the first one. I love how you made the moon shadow and the tree shadow.
Did you see the video of the crow that mothered a kitten? It was so cool.
The Raven video you mention is another one of my favorite.
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs Linda

Jane Wetzel said...

hi Curt- THESE are ALL really cool and I can tell how much you like Halloween! :) The leaves are turning and I am ALSO LOVING IT...That first card is my fav...your coloring and placement is incredibly cool...Enjoy your weekend!

Mary Marsh said...

I am not a hallowwen girl but I have to say the first card you did with the sponging looks great. I really like how you used the white gel pen on the tree branches.
Your birthday card looks good-let me ask why you like distress inks? I dont have any yet but I see them being used a lot

Lisa Minckler said...

I am extremely impressed with your shadow skills. The reflection you've created is perfect. I do like the first one very much. As for the cards with the more than one set...wonderful fun! Great way to stretch your dollar and have fun combining. Love them all Curt.
Nicely done.
Lisa :)

Sue Ann said...

I love all the cards but I have to say the shadows on the first cards are AMAZING!! You always make fantastic cards but when it comes to Halloween you ROCK!!!

Joan said...

Great Hallowe'en cards!! Love the way you sponged the first one and the white accent on the Deadbeat Designs tree. Those shadows are genius! BTW Mark said he was going to make your distress inks disappear. :-}

Carmen O. said...

Curt, Curt, Curt, I hope you don't get tired of me saying you always always inspire me! Your cards are fantastic. I love that you create scenes with your stamps/images. I love that you try new techniques because that pushes me to try them too. I'd have to say your Wicked card is definitely a fave of mine. But the others ones are fabulous as well. Those leaves! You really stickled all those leaves. Love it!!!

Happy First weekend of Autumn! And yes, I finally put a new post on my blog today! :) Hugs!

Stacie (craft-princess) said...

WOW! Love the shading in your first card....wish I could grasp how to do that! The second one is colored to perfection! And the third one is fab with all those sparkly leaves....you sure have some patience to stickle each of those! LOL! I had no clue ravens were that smart! Very clever indeed with the rocks and water!

Welp, guess I better go grab a drink...I've turned to booze since I didn't get a b-day card from you! Sniffle, sniffle. :P That comment on my blog sure made me laugh!

lisa808 said...

Two fab Halloween cards! The witch is a cool image and your coloring amazing. Yes, I clicked on the birthday card, and you sure did Stickle every dang leaf! Love all the tree glitz. Until next week, happy crafting!

mel m. m. mccarthy said...

Curt! How are you? Thank You for visiting me! I've been out of touch with blog-buddies for so long, but have often thought of you. I love your beautiful Halloween cards. The scenes are so fun & that witch & cauldron: holy colouring, Batman! Gorgeous. And I vote that that handsome fellow is definitely a Raven. Did you know crows can even teach their young to recognize one particular human face, down through several generations? I watched a fabulous documentary on them. I think it was The Nature of Things, if you're interested. And your birthday card is so lovely with the repeating trees! Giant hugs.

Jenny Gropp said...

Of course, they are all great.... but you know I'ma little partial to the kitty cats!!!! Wicked scene is FANtastic!!! Love the green skin!!!!

DeeDee said...

AWESOMENESS! Yep, that's what I see here! You amaze me with your talents Sir! I always love visiting you, I get such inspiration! So glad you're having fun with the upcoming and fast approaching holiday! Shhh! I'm already decorating! Heehee! HUGS! :)

Donna said...

Hi Curt, a wonderful collection of cards, I love your shadows on the first one, very clever, looks fab. I also have that little stampin up tree set, I think I will be dusting it off now to use lol. Great photo of the crow/raven and I didn't know they were that clever, amazing isn't it? Have to look for that you tube video. Enjoy the rest of your week. hugs Donna x

Wanda said...

Great cards and I LOVE the raven! Nevermore! Nevermore!!

Celeste said...

Wow, great detail on the tree with the white gel pen, love it! Nice work with the stickles too. Your "wicked" card is adorable too. You never disappoint me with your creations.

Gina Lindsay said...

I love your Halloween cards! I can't believe you Stickled all those leaves, what a great amount of patience. About half way through I would have laid my hand on one of the trees and had Stickles everywhere. But the result is just gorgeous.

Macpurp said...

Magic cards Curt! first one is my fave,
hope you , Jay and the furry boys are doing ok.
love teen & co x

Audrey Frelx said...

Oh, Curt, these are all adorable!!!

Being "under the weather" wasn't going to stop me from coming back to see what I'd missed; and I'm soooo glad it didn't!!! I just love everything you do, my friend!

Anonymous said...

Hey there, Curt! What a breezy fall day to chase green, gold, rust, orange, red, purple, yellow and brown leaves across the bonfire pit remaining after students held their Homecoming Pep Rally last night following the volleyball games and pre-football game and dance tonight. Busy weekend. Your camera would delight over Panther paws painted along the streets leading to the high school greeting any and all incoming competition! Flood damage is a wee covered over by vegetation in enough places that fall colors are captured in photos as tho no tumultuous spring and summer ever existed. I'm pleased to showcase your tree card among students in demonstration of placement and centering on clear space or an object surrounded by color to influence the observers eye travel and consequent delight in said photo. Thanks for posting all your various technique cards and more great photos. A ravenous bird (returning in small numbers to this area after draught) will be in a box with boys' scarves soon shipped. mt23stamperat yahoodotcom Keep Looking UP!

Shirley said...

What pretty Halloween card. Love what you did with the whole scene!! Second, a really beautiful Fall BD card! I hear you on the Stickles thingy! and your crow is pretty ominous!!!