Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR MARCH 13, 2013

Hey All!

How the heck are ya?  I'm sorry to have been MIA for the past couple of weeks, but it is what it is. . .I have discovered an elusive secret about my lack of mojo.  I have found that when I have a reason for a card. . .like the ones I'm showing tonight, I make them with no problems.  It's the sitting down and making cards for no reason that gets me in a slump.  Does anyone else relate to that?

I have a note card set to show you tonight that I made for a woman I don't really know.  I've only dealt with her over the phone, but she is very sweet and has been very helpful with Jay's specialty pharmacy drugs.  I had sent her a thank you card and she loved it so much, I told her I would make her a card set.  Here it is:
 This is the box that I made to hold the cards. . .it is made from instructions from my "go to" note card box from Gina K. Designs.  I find it to be the easiest and fastest and it is so "no fail".  And, you can decorate it however you wish.  You can find the instructions for the box HERE.  Here is one of the cards:
This is truly a clean and simple card.  The image (Stacey Yacula) was embossed with black embossing powder then colored with markers.  I used a small letter stamp set from Martha Stewart for the "snail mail".  The dragonfly is a $1 stamp.  You can't really see it in the picture, but the antennae are stickled as are the wings of the dragonfly.  Also, I added a glitter trail behind the snail right off the card as if the snail were crossing the card.  I've never been happy with my attempts at CAS in the past, but I do like how this one came out. . .here are the rest:

 For extras, I stamped the dragonfly on the outside of each envelope and lined the inside with the paper I used on the outside of the box to give it all coordination.  I hope she will like this set.

My next card is a sympathy card for a guy.  The guy I found to help me with my pool is such a great guy and I just found out that his father died.  So I wanted him to know that I was sorry and I made him this card:

I stamped the background with a script stamp from Hero Arts.  I ran the brown circles through an embossing folder for texture and the "weeds" are embossed in copper (doesn't show in the photo of course).  The images are also Hero Arts.  The brad in the center is very sparkly.  I wanted to keep it monotone and these are my favorite range of colors (browns, beige, and copper) which also tends to have a masculine feel.  The card is 5.5 X 5.5

As a side note, did any of you know that SCS has a whole section on card layouts???  I've been a member of SCS since 2008 and just found it.  There are almost 500 card sketches for you to look at all in one place.  You can find it HERE.

Pic of the Week
We had this sudden snow burst a couple of weeks ago and the boys were caught in it.  They are almost unrecognizable!  LOL  Gunther (one on the left) you can't really tell which end is which!  LOL!

Well, that's it for this post.  I'll be working my way around to see you all.  One funny observation. . .I got more comments when I DIDN'T post cards than I usually do when I post cards. . .hmmmmmmm maybe that is telling me something!  Happy St. Pat's Day to all of you!  Viva la Pope Francis!

Hugs,

Curt

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

29 comments:

Oma said...

I think your cards are awesome Curt! The sympathy card is very nice and I love the "snail mail" cards. Thanks for posting a link to the SCS card sketch challenges. I've been a member of SCS for quite a while as well and never knew that there was a gallery for all their past sketches. I had pinned some of them for future reference but never knew there was a gallery for them.

Myrna said...

Curt
Such a sweet person you are. The lady will love her note set.
Love the sympathy card. Sometimes less is more.
My oh my did I ever laugh at your two snow covered dust mops. Did they like it or hate it?
Funny how that works. When there is a reason to make a card it is fairly simple but just to make it is hard, I agree.
Myrna

Ted said...

As always, Curt, I love your cards especially the comfort card. :) Love the idea of using circles to focus the images!

But my favorite picture, by far, is the shot of your powdered licorice whips. I seriously am glad you described the picture because I thought, "Whoa...what are they?!" ;) Poor boys!

Patti J said...

I can relate to the no mojo when I don't have a reason to create. Maybe that's partly why I still do DT work? Your cards are all wonderful, and you are so thoughtful...always creating for someone else. Lovin' the St. Pat's costumes on Gunn and Shotsy! Bwahaha...they look a bit like grey sheep in the snowy photo :) Hubs even got a giggle out of the headline photo. Was so happy to see your post tonight - you know me - I worry when you are MIA ;) Have a good week...

Diane said...

Great group of cards...always love it when you make a set love those snails...cute...and the comfort card is perfect, I struggle with those...and mojo, the only way I keep going is the challenges, otherwise I probably wouldn't even do it...but I do find that by treating myself to new goodies it helps me get it back!! As for those lumps of coal...I laughed when I read what they were, I first looked and thought "what the heck is that"??? Aren't they just the best "pups"!!!!

Gail said...

Hahaha, sorry, I clicked on the 'Snail Mail' to see the glitter slime behind, and LOL at the 'snowdogs' picture that caught my eye!
Tasteful sympathy card.
Visit me on the weekend, should have something new up by then!
Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Jackie said...

I love your Irish theme and the boys are adorable all done up for St. Patrick's Day! I certainly can relate to your lack of mojo. I need a reason to make a card and once I get started I can make more than I need. But it takes a good reason to get me started. I love your card set and your sympathy card is lovely, I'm sure he appreciated it. I actually BOUGHT some note cards the other day because I've been writing so many letters and I haven't taken the time to make cards. Sometimes I just need a little note card for a quick reply to a letter, you know? Lazy? Me? Sometimes :-)

I hope the snow is on its way out and warm Spring weather will be here soon!

Jean McKenzie said...

Hi Curt, I love your sympathy card - just perfect for a male. The notecard set is such a great gift! I totally love the photo of the boys in the snow -so does that just brush off them? I have never experienced snow like that!! What a great photo too of the boys in their greens - the guy on the left look great with his glasses LOL!!!
Hope you are keeping well, Hugs!!

tilly said...

i LOVE THE BOYS ALL DRESSED UP AND THEY ARE SO FUNNY WITH THE SNOW COVERING. (opppsss)

loving the note set, so cute and the sympathy card is super for any male.I always look forward to my visit with you, and I hope spring soon shows it's pretty head.
Hope you are both well
Tilly

Beth Norman said...

You're a really good stamper. So versatile. I love both cards. How sweet of you to give a gift set away. That is so special. I'm like you, unless I have a purpose, I have no mojo. Happy St. Paddy's. The boys look terrific.

Carolina Girl (Cely) said...

Delightful morning reading about your cards, where to find the sketches and the sudden snow...you are right...hard to tell which end is the front...haha Love the sympathy card because that is one card I have trouble doing and especially for a man. I may have to case this...hummm....changing the color a tad, it just may also work for a female. Thank you for the inspiration. I just got some snail charms for cards and your box and cards are another wonderful inspiration for future use and soooon too...haha Have a great week and stay warm and well.

Gina Wrona said...

I always love your card posts especially the dog posts as well. HOw did you ever get the boys to let you put all that stuff on them for St. Patty's Day? Let alone stay long enough to take a pic? YOu are so awesome!

Hugs,
Gina

Sonja said...

Oh hello my friend... we miss you just know that .. The pic of the boys dressed for St pattys day is so sweet...thanks for the smile

the pic in the snow yep I can relate to that !


love the cards... as YES I do relate to that...I think I have told you that before lol

would love to sit and chat but I have my own personal delivery of FAITH her : ) yep my grand daughter... and I hear her now so off to start her dyt ... hugs and lets find our Mojo together : )

Sonja

Mary said...

Curt, I like how you got your letters for "snail mail" lined up so perfect, I thought it was a stamp! Cute cad, love CAS too! Your dogs are a hoot! Have a great day too!

mark said...

a pool boy? really? how cliché!

Lauri said...

We all have that mojo problem Curt!!! I love the thought and effort you put into all your cards, creating just the right one for each person. the your boys in the snow...how funny!!!! Hope all is well!

Linda said...

The boy cracked me up in you header with there hats on. Really cute. And I love the snow picture too.
Wonderful cards and thanks for the inks I will check them out. I always need some ideas.
Hugs,
Linda

Kristen said...

Great cards!!! and I suffer from the same of not being able to just create. I have been doing challenges on sites with incentives to win and that has helped but I haven't made a card in about 3 weeks because I was asked to plan a surprise party. So now that is over trying to find my mojo!

Anonymous said...

I can hardly recognize my nephews with their St. Patrick outfits on - is that Shotsy on the left?

Love the 'snail mail' card set.

I was wondering if you'd make a card to celebrate the new Pope Francis. Of course, the feast day for St. Francis is my birthday, so I expect something papal in a birthday card this year. That should keep you out of a slump; trying to figure out how to work the pope into a birthday card!!

Ken

Mary Marsh said...

great note cards Curt-how sweet to make them for someone who has been helpful and compassionate to the man who just lost his father-the kindness will be returned to you-
I did know that SCS has didnt know that the sketches are all listed -thanks for the link

Becky said...

What wonderful cards Curt. I just love the not cards, plain and simple yet sooo cute!
I go through my stages with my mojo. I just get burnt out then after a few weeks or months :) I get revived.. I better, I have to many stamps and spellbinders to quit!

Audrey Frelx said...

Curt, I am sooooo happy to see you here, and that you and Jay are apparently alright!!!!

I love your cards and I'm just not surprised at all that you'd pay kindness in just that way!!!

Give the boys a big hug and kiss for me -- sorry but I've gotta run but I'll be back ... of course!

Carmen O. said...

I totally understand what you say about having something to make the cards for, it sure does make it easier. I thought new goodies would, but it has been a struggle. Your cards are fantastic! I love those snail mail cards, how fun. That sympathy card is so pretty and will be such a comfort.
Your boys are so adorable! I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sick of snow. We got some more last night through this morning and I am so ready for warm spring weather!

Anonymous said...

I TELL YOU THIS, THE "WEARIN OF THE GREEN" HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER. THOSE GRAND DOGS OF MINE WOULD WIN ANY PRIZE...THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOUR "SNAIL MAIL" CARDS ARE SO CUTE, LOVED THEM. ALSO, THE "PIC OF THE WEEK" WAS INCREDIBLE...I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS THE DOGS...GREAT PIC, AND A GREAT POST....LOVE YOU MOM

Serendipity Stamping said...

Adorable card set and all. Get those boys inside, LOL. I also have to have a reason for making cards, but also wish I had some on hand when needed. Never ending circle. A lady here in the park where I live makes beautiful cards and has a class one Thursday a month and I am thinking of going this month and see how I iike it. When you are MIA we get worried, as long as you are posting we know everything is a-ok. Hugs!

Lorraine said...

I love the snail mail Curt and I know what you mean about having a purpose to make a card. We had bad snow on our little island in the `red zone` never had that before. Everything came to a halt for 3 days. Great photos taken check my blog. Happy St. Pat`s Day to you and yours. Hugs xx Jersey channel Islands.

Glittered Paws said...

You are so special and everyone gets a little bit "worried" when you don't post. What a great set of notecards you are sending to this lady - she will so appreciate them. And how hard are sympathy cards to make but this one is beautiful, love the script background. Bet the boys are ready for some spring weather warm temps so they can get out and sun.

Lisa Jackson said...

Hi Curt,
This is Lisa, I am so excited to get my box of note cards.... they are amazing - I may have to send myself one :) I absolutley love them. I am so glad that you and J, even though it's only over the phone, have entered my world. You are an amazing person.

Lisa

Brenda & Ian said...

Hi from toasty hot Needles, Ca (Mojave Desert, on the Colorado River), home of Snoopy's brother Spike.

We are here for 4 weeks escaping the rain of the west coast of BC Canada. I have finally managed to get caught up on some of my favourite blogs! Every once in awhile I get a thrill from from one of your hints. This time it is the SCS layout gallery. You are such a font of knowledge.

I love your spirit, clearly heard by my ears through your written voice!

Thanks for your inspiration, as well. I have that little chick and some of his cousins. Never thought to use it as you have.

Hope the snow melts soon and you get warm.

I'll be heading home soon to grandkids and cooler, damper weather.

Thanks again for your blog.

Brenda
Maple Ridge, BC, Canada
March 31, 2013