PLEASE READ THIS: For this week's "Video of the Week", I decided to install a fireplace for your enjoyment while you are here to keep you nice and cozy. Just click the play button over there on the right and the fireplace will magically start burning. Enjoy the warmth!
OK, for those of you who were trying to send me snow. . .please either try harder or stop what you are doing because all I'm getting is frigging rain!!!! And to top it all off, it was nearly 60 degrees here today. As I write this post, it is raining so hard that you can hear the rain hitting the windows. It's so hard to make Christmas cards when you are too warm and watching it rain. I'm now changing the words to Christmas songs:
"It's beginning to look a lot like flooding. . .everywhere I go" or. . .
"Big Puddles Big Puddles. . . puddles all the way". . . or. . .
"I'm dreaming of a dry Christmas". . . You get the picture. . .LOL
But Christmas cards I have made and I'm on a roll and getting quite a few done! Take a look:
I do very few "clean & simple" cards because I'm not good at them. However, I'm liking how this one turned out. I actually hand crafted the pine branch by stamping it end to end 4 times to get the length and once to the left and bottom to make it fuller on that end. It is just a small one branch stamp. But before stamping it, I cut out a rectangle with a die and used the negative as a mask to create the little rectangular blue space. The snowflakes were stamped with Versamark before sponging on the distress ink. It gives such a nice, subtle look to the flakes. The "ornament" is simply a button with a gem glued to it. Tied the tiny bow with my Bow Easy, added a piece of embroidery floss for the string, stamped the sentiment and done. I've made several of these because they are pretty quick.
Next card:
My blogging friend Karen sent me this great stamp last year and I just think he is adorable. Colored him with colored pencils and oms, cut him out and placed him on the background paper. Stickled his buttons, berries etc, popped on a couple of glittery snowflakes and done. Then image is by High Hopes and the sentiment is from a Tim Holtz set. (Yes Mark. . . Tim Holtz). TIP: I had the snowman all colored and cut out and went to pick him up and got a big ink smudge from my thumb on his bottom section. Instead of throwing it away and starting over, I stamped the image again on a piece of paper and cut out that section and paper pieced it over his bottom half! Worked perfectly!!!!!
Next card is a very different kind of Christmas card. . .
This is more of a manly card and I do like how it turned out. When I first bought this stamp set, I had other things in mind for it, but I never have used it until now. I simply did the sentiment on my computer and printed it out on regular paper. I have a very old paperback dictionary so I tore out the page that had "Christmas" on it, distressed it with Antique Linen distress ink as well as the typewriter stamped image. I cut the typewriter out and cut a slit in it to put the paper in, taped it to the back and popped it up with dimensionals so the paper stands up from the card. Put it on some plaid background paper, added a ribbon with twine bow, and the "typewriter keys" are stickers. The ring around the numbers/letters is actually metal so they feel like keys. The image is by Hero Arts.
My last card for tonight is this one:
See! It's a card with a punched out window. No big deal, I know, but I wanted you to see it was a window card and not just one of my standard panel cards. I don't make these much either! This image is from Mark at Deadbeat Designs (a very talented and funny guy). This is his tree stamp (large tree) and I added the birdhouse and bird from Artful Inkables. I added liquid applique to the branches for a snow effect. All the little snowflakes were punched out, Stickled, and hand applied inside and out.
So that wraps up another edition of the Wednesday Evening Post. Hope you enjoyed your stay and that the fireplace kept you nice and warm. Can't wait to see you next week. I'm on my way around to see all of you! Hope you are getting all the stuff done you need to get done!
Love you guys!
Best,
Curt
"God, please help me be the person that my dogs think I am."
46 comments:
Were calling our yard the decorated MUD HOLE this year-nothing like Christmas decorations and MUD!!!
Your cards are wonderful love the branch card so much-wish I would have seen sooner to case..lol
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas
Oh thanks for the fire it really warmed me tonight.
Hey Curt! Sorry you're not getting much snow. Hope it comes soon for you. I'll ask again in February how much you love it. ;)
I think my favorite card is your typewriter card...very clever to use the "keys" to make the 25th. :) Love it!
Take care.
We don't have snow either!
Mind you it's not raining;
knockon wood!
Cards are great my friend!
They're all Curt originals!
Thanks for the fire in the hearth, it's that kind of night!
What an awesome blog! Complete with a fireplace. You are so creative and your cards show that as well. You are very talented Mister! Your cards are all so different and show such great style. Your clean and simple card is a stunner! And that typewriter Santa letter is pure genius! I have that set and would have never thought of this! I had such fun being here tonight. Your dogs are gorgeous and so talented. . .Can't wait for next week! Hugs! Karen, Nashville, TN
Another wonderful post, Curt, complete with the sounds of a cozy fire. (I turned my space heater on while I listened to it! LOL)
That CAS card is stunning. The snowman is darling. Great save, too. The typewriter is very creative.
I hope that you don't mind if I save the fire for a day when it isn't in the 60's. Our weather seems to be similar to yours (and I am okay with the warm temps). I love your stunning cards. I am really into CAS right now - love that one. The typewriter is clever, the snowman is sweet, and I love the window. And now you silly rewritten songs are in my head! Have a great week.
What do you mean, your not good at them. These are wonderful :O) Love them, you are so creative! O.k. so I agree about this doggone rain! We went to Walmart at midnight to keep from dealing with the crowd. Soaking we trip :O) As long as it snow Christmas Eve and Christmas day, then that will be perfectly fine with me! Hugs! Leah Ann
My fav is the tree also the bauble cards. We too are getting terrible wind and rain I am not wishing for snow being such a small island everything stops although it is rare to get snow. Hope you get your wish soon. Love and hugs to you and the boys xx Jersey U.K.
No snow here is Connecticut and after last year...and our snow-tober..I am good with that!!! Love your cards, and the typewriter card is so clever!!! You spend so much time on each card and it shows!
Thanks for the fire Curt, it's minus 2 degrees here this morning...and raining lol, we have not had snow yet, unlike last year when it started in November!
Three very individual Curt cards again, how talented......love them all.
I have been busy making some small handmade gifts for friends, so nothing to show you yet till the new year! lol
Keep cool/warm
Tilly x
Curt,
I am with you about the snow, the rain can stop!
Love each and every one of your cards this week. Wishing a joyous holiday.
Hugs, Heide
Love your cards this week Curt! Hope all is well and that you and Jay have a most Merry Christmas!!
Be careful what you wish for Curt. If your rain turns to snow, you won't have time to create ... you will be shovelling until the Spring.
As for create ... boy, you certainly were creative with your cards this week. Your extended pine branch technique would have helped me out a lot ... last week!
Your snowman card turned out great, despite the fact that you used a 'TH' stamp. Your thumb print smudge was probably Karma sent from Mark!
Your guy card is perfect ... colours, image, textures.
Love the window card. I love it when there is something to look at inside a card, besides the hand written words.
Thanks for the fireplace video but I will pass ... at my age, hot flashes keep me warm!
Great cards Curt and a beautiful photo of last years snowfall but complaints of 60 degree weather? I'll be lucky NOT to hit the 80's today, ha ha! Hope you get that snow!
Curt I am in Wisconsin and we had rain yesterday. If it was snow it would have been 10 inch. I don't need the snow yet. It is a lot of hard work. Christmas day when everyone is were they are suppose to be then it can snow. LOL I can't believe I still see the grass. I don't remember the last time it was this warm in Dec. Well 40 is warm for here.
I love your card. The first one is so elegant and that snowman is adorable. What a great tip. I will use that one. I am always getting ink were I don't want it.
Thanks for the fire too. Nice and cozy.
See you next week.
Your Christmas cards are so creative Curt, the typewriter card is stunning- love it. In South Africa we always celebrate a sunny and bright summer Christmas. Temps are already high up in the 30 degree Celsius.
Have a wonderful week,
Amelia
Thanks for using my tree again - looks great! But my favorite is the pine branch. Very nice layout. Of course, I'd probably hang something inappropriate from the branch!
3 great cards Curt-and they look flat for mailing-saves on postage for sure-my fave is your typewriter card-how creative-hope you have a wonderful Christmas celebration
Good Morning and Thank You for supplying me with some awesome inspiration...I took this morning to sleep in, so I need a lot lol
As always, I am smiling as I look at your blog, the amount of detail you put into your cards just blows me away... I know if I ever can get a regular schedule set, I can step up my "look" with my work, but I will never create like you...
I love the first card, go figures coming from queen of simple... the second one was just too cute, gotta love sparkle... the third was really different but I personally loved it and the fourth surprised me, that cut out window is from long ago but wow look what you did with it.... AMAZING...yep you are...
If it is any consulation, we do not have any snow here either and yes we have the rain...I think it is GOD blessing me, : ) I do not want to drive in the snow... lol tho I hate driving in the rain...
thanks and til next week, Smile and know I am like a kid following you around waiting for a piece of candy... I just love your work
Sorry about all the rain your having. It has been very warm here in RI but I am loving it. :) I like snow on postcards and TV :)
Your cards are Fabulous.
Love the CAS card, very pretty, and what a great idea about covering a smudge on that adorable snowman. I love that window card, what a great tree and I noticed the bling on the snowflakes, nice touch..
Have a fabulously creative week.
I think I'll just sit by the fire for a while and warm my toes, if you don't mind. Love your cards, especially the last one with the snowy tree. May your rain turn to snowflakes for Christmas!
Wonderful cards again this week! Wish I could stay and enjoy the fire but it is my day off work and I have a million things to do. Had to pop in and say hello though and check out your work! Take care!
Curt
Lovely cards and I think the typewriter idea was so marvelous.
I am up to my ears in cookie dough so will have to wait for the evening and a nice cuppa and sit by your fire and really peruse your post.
Hugs
Myrna
LOVE them all and you do CAS fabu...so no more sayin' ya don't ok?
Hi ya Curt
oh im all toasty now with your fire going, wet stuff here to, if we get an inch of snow we are lucky, but everything grinds to a stop!! lol
Gorgeous cards as always, luv the clean & simple one, fabulous image, luv the bauble, super cute snowman, luv the note in the typewriter, lol, lovely window card.
Your pic from last year would make a gorgeous Christmas card, hugs to all, sue,xx
I love your Christmas cards Curt. Just great.
Curt, I love all your cards here - all so different and interesting. Love the typewriter - so perfect for a male themed card!!
I have not made any cards for the last week - got all my Christmas mail posted off early this year for a change!
I did not need your cosy fire while I read your post but imagine how freezing it would be outside with that rain! It is raining here right now but warm!!!!! Love your snowy park - how magical! I would love to experience a White Christmas but will have to be content with seeing your lovely photos!! Hugs to all!!
Hi Curt - Sorry about all the rain - wish I could help you out!
Your cards are awesome - the branch one is beautiful, it looks anything but simple. I love the dimension the cut-out card has and the use of dictionary paper behind the typewriter - what a wonderful detail! The tip about how to save your art work after a disaster is very useful - I can't even tell that you did that the image looks so perfect!
Hugs - I hope you can get into the holiday spirit anyway.
Curt as usual your cards are stunning. I Love them all, but that first one is amazing and the typewriter one is fabulous!!! I love that you create scenes on your cards and use one small branch to make a whole bough. I really should just have your post up while trying to make my Christmas cards, I think I'd be much more motivated or maybe inspired is a better word.
Sorry that you don't have snow yet. :( We've had it and lately it's been raining so it's nearly gone. Now it's gotten colder and I'm not a fan of black ice. Doesn't help that I live in hilly WI! Yes, I love WI and it's beautiful landscape, just not in freezing weather. Just like I love snow, but don't like to drive in it! LOL. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to next week's creations ;).
Bonjour from the Great not-so-white North. We are having the same weather issues as you. Oh well I guess we'll all be stuck spending more time with our families this year, no escaping to go shovel snow...lol. I absolutely love your clean and simple card, so much so I might have to scraplift it. Kudos!
Bonjour from the Great not-so-white North. We are having the same weather issues as you. Oh well I guess we'll all be stuck spending more time with our families this year, no escaping to go shovel snow...lol. I absolutely love your clean and simple card, so much so I might have to scraplift it. Kudos!
Well, I must be in a tree-hugging mood, because I love your tree cards SO MUCH! The others are pretty fantastic, as well! Hope you can get some snow soon!!
No snow here in Central New York either! I can wait, don't like to drive in it! I love your clean and simple card. You did a great job on it. That snowman image is adorable too. I really enjoyed the last card, love the plaid, typewriter and how you did the typewriter keys. Have a great Christmas Curt.
No more complaining about CAS cards, my friend - you rocked this one! Each card today is just so unique, that it's hard to choose a favorite. I really like each one for different qualities! You really knocked this post out of the park! Oh...and thanks for warming my feet by the fire! lol.... We've been 'blessed' with rain instead of snow, too, but hallelujah, the sun is out in all of it's glory today! Oops, I may have spoken too soon. Anyway, no snow here this week either! Great post, my friend! Hugs...
oh , these are lovely! I adore the varity of cards you make.
I think the branch one is my fave of today's selection.
Snow....yeah....we have that, and ice and sleet and hail.....and a wind that chills you to the bone.....
stay warm.
hope you & Jay and your boys are al grand x
much love Teen x
Your cards are lovely Curt. The typewriter one is so clever, and love the window card. I won't join you by the fire thanks, too hot here. We are going on our holiday on Wednesday to the Netherlands, so hope to have some snow there, might look for your fire then. Wishing you a Blessed Christmas, as I might not get to do so nearer the time. Take care.
Hey Curt! Loved all your cards this week, esp the typewriter one. I must get me a set like that! Love it! Sorry to be absent so long, I have been crazy busy and can't seem to get caught up! Enjoy your holidays!
All your cards are wonderful. I really like the CAS one. You do very well with these. Just need more confidence because they really are great. Love the typewriter card too. Sorry for all the rain but think of all the snow you would have had to shovel! Yikes!
I see your paper-pieced snowman is ready for your rainy weather! Love, love, love the typewriter card. Of course, all four of your cards are fab.
I think you need to rethink the whole I do not do CAS well because honey you hit that card out of the ball park ....... absolute FAVORITE CARD!!! xoxo
Your creations are great.....love the Christmas branch one especially!
Hope you, Jay and the babies have a wonderful peaceful Christmas!
What, no chestnuts for roasting? Love the fire, nice and cozy.
Cards are wonderful, love the cut out with the tree inside. On a creative high I see!
You know what my husband says about rain in December, you don't have to snowblow or shovel it! Would be nice to have an inch or two for Christmas though. Have a great holiday and the very best for a happy healthy New Year.
Hugs
Sue
I could use that fireplace right about now in AZ. Many of these newer homes actually offer this option in the design here, but since 362 days here are over 65 degrees...we opted out.
I think you made a great go of C&S with these cards Curt.
Merry Christmas to you and your "entire" family.
Erica
Great cards as always Curt! Hope your rain turns to snow and it all stays right there with you. We've had a little more and there's more threatened for tonight. I wouldn't mind it if I didn't have to actually go anywhere - you know - like work! All the best to Jay and big hugs all around! ~chris
Loving your cards and your photo with the snow is so pretty. I lived in Reno, where we had it every year. Here in NC it is not the norm, but we do see it maybe once a season.
Curt, I love alllllll your cards -- always!!! You do such a great job and I love your some of your techniques!!! It would be nice if you'd do tuts; if not, I'll just have to grill you to find out how you do some of them... lol!!!
Hugs!
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