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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR APRIL 10, 2013

Hey All!

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Evening Post.  What a crazy week this has been!  We got up to 80 degrees here in Indianapolis yesterday. . .Just imagine that we had 8 inches of snow 2 1/2 weeks ago.  Talk about weather extremes!  I did see my first butterfly today!!!  So I think Spring is here to stay.  We are supposedly in for some rough weather tonight and tomorrow with possible tornadoes.  Never a dull moment. . .Throw in my monitor dying, a huge, unexpected tax bill, and fighting with Jay's medical providers and insurance companies brought another wonderful week in paradise!  On with the cards I did manage to make this week!
Gina K Designs kind of inspired this one for me.  She had a video out where she did a resist technique that used dragonflies.  So I got my dragonfly stamps out to make this one.  The main dragonfly is embossed with copper embossing powder.  You can also see that part of the matting I did includes some metallic copper card stock.  The smaller dragonflies were stamped in random order using distress ink.  Simple card I created for a guy.  He is the mortgage loan officer at our credit union who is simply an angel among men.  He is one of the most helpful, friendly, pleasant people I have ever worked with.  Throw in some remarkable customer service skills and you have him (I honestly don't think he is human, he is too perfect).  I made this for him because he helped me with a homeowner insurance problem.

My next card was for a woman at the same credit union who was also instrumental in the above mentioned problem.  I stopped at a local high end bakery and got them each some cupcakes as a thank you for their help and the cards were delivered with the treats.

Sorry, I should have warned you to put on sun glasses to view this one.  Can we all say together "screaming banana"??  LOL  I don't know why it looks so bright in the photo. . .It really doesn't look this "neon" in real life.  But it has the same kind of layout as the first one and had a bug on it too. . .  You really can't see it in the photo, but the main butterfly is cut out and stands 3-D from the card.  I also used some Stickles on it for some sparkle.  

Pic of the Week
Robin Taking A Spring Bath
Well, that's it for this post.  Kind of boring. . .However, I noticed that my hit counter is now approaching 100,000 visits and I'm almost to my 275th post, and my blog will celebrate its 5 year anniversary on April 26th!  So I think that sounds like a reason to celebrate with a give away soon huh?  I can't believe I've been doing this for almost 5 years!  Anyway, give away details will be coming in subsequent posts. . .stay tuned!

Hope this post finds you all well and happy and safe.  I think I made it around to all of you who have left comments and then some!  You guys do some really amazing stuff and are such an inspiration to me!  I love visiting each of you!

Take good care!

Hugs,

Curt

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

35 comments:

Audrey Frelx said...

Hi, Curt -- and yes I was hoping and waiting on your post tonight! LOL!

That butterfly you saw must have really be an inspiration for these cards, which are just beautiful!!! (As always).

Sounds like you have some things going on but you also sound like your handling them -- I don't find your post boring at all. We do what we have to do whether we like it or not, and make the best of all else; that's what you're doing.

I, too, am fighting insurance companies and the cost of medical expenses and so I know it's no pleasure -- for sure!!! I focus only on good things... lol!!!

Btw, I happened to catch a glimpse of you and the "boys" in a pool. I think it was either on my reader or your profile page -- I thought it was pretty cool!!!

I hope you keep a good attitude my friend -- remember "if you can see up, you can always get up" -- want to see you back here next week showing off your amazing talent. Okay?!!! LOL!

With that out of the way...

I'll be seeing you!

mudmaven said...

Such wonderful cards again this week Curt. Just lovely and I am certain that the recipients will really appreciate it that you cared enough to remember them. So many times we forget those kind folks that make getting through some of the hard parts easier for us. You are a gem to let them know they are appreciated. Hang in there and know that things will get better. Take hope from that butterfly and that adorable robin. All the best to Jay and hugz to those darling boys. ~chris

Myrna said...

Curt
I am so happy to see your
"bug" cards. I adore dragonflies and butterflies. Now, with your permission I just might try your technique. I just got a new butterfly stamp I think in a bunch of stamps that just came.
Love the wee robin having his bath.
Myrna

Audrey Frelx said...

It kept "tickling" me that I'd forgotten something here and I just had to come back!!! I was right, I wanted to -- in advance -- congratulate you on approaching your 5th anniversary!!! What an accomplishment! I hope I can make it 5 years and keep everyone so interested as to want to come back again and again!

ursula Uphof said...

Love your card Curt, and maybe need to try it sometime. Thanks for the inspiration. So good of you to thank those that are a help, we do so often complain about what is going wrong, but don't remember to say thanks when we have had great assistance.
I hope your weather settles and no severe changes, we are into autumn, but without the lovely autumn colours that some places have.
Take care and good luck with all those issues you are facing. hugs, Ursula

Andrea6760 said...

Hi Curt!
As usual, you come up with such gorgeous cards! I love the 'bugs' ...as long as they aren't spiders! LOL I really love the yellow 'banana' butterfly card! We had huge thunderstorms and rain Wed night in Pittsburgh and hope the worst is now over. Thanks for sharing your week and your great cards. Give the boys a big puppy hug for me :)

Andrea6760 said...

Hey Curt...Yes, its me again..I just realized why I love the yellow butterfly card...Its the Penguin, Pirates and Steeler colors!! Go Black and Gold!!
*Hugs*
~Andrea
in Pittsburgh, the city of Champions!! :)

tilly said...

Hello Curt
What a lot you have going on at the moment, I hope things so get sorted one by one, how nice to meet someone so helpful to guide you through the process, and I bet they were delighted with their cards and cakes.
your blog anniversary is on my birthday so we can celebrate together lol.......keep your chin up and you will see more signs of spring, thank you for visiting me
Best wishes to you and Jay
Tilly x

Beth Norman said...

You are such a sweet man for making all your cards for acquaintances and family members. Cupcakes too. Your cards are lovely and I'm sure so appreciated.

Bonnie Weiss said...

Well, I'm relieved that you like butterflies and dragonflies rather than snakes 'cause I'd have to bypass your post in that case. Snakes are right up there with Halloween!

80 degrees!!???? Quit hogging the warm temperatures! We have another winter storm warning in effect today with freezing rain and ice pellets!

Despite everything going on in your life, you still managed to create two terrific cards. Nice to try different techniques especially when you are successful in your results.

Diane said...

Isn't it nice to see all those wonderful techniques on the Gina K site...try her wax paper one sometime..love it...both cards are nice, and it seems we were both seeing black and yellow this week...lol...sounds like you have had a time of it...I had a terrible day like that yesterday...life is never dull that is for sure....and I am jealous of your weather...its to be 29 here tonight...well take care my friend and will "talk to you soon"...keep that creativeness going!!

Sonja said...

Good Morning... and sending some extra good stuff to help balance all the not so good stuff...Life sure can be full... I love square cards, these really spoke to me ... the brightness of the second one is exactly what we all need to jump in our own spring puddle... looks like we will have enough rain here to do just that ...

ok off to give my girls some extra love as we get thru today~ our 2 nd anniversary of their daddy going on up to Heaven to wait for us ... so together we will spend our day and try to smile ... we have many blessings to enjoy ...

thanks for starting my day off with some awesome creations hugs , Sonja

Miranda said...

Great cards! Hang in there my friend! Things will get better!

Mary said...

It's nice to hear that businesses still have employees who know what customer service means and also for people like you who let them know how much one appreciates that service too! Both cards, as per Curt standards, are GREAT!!

lisa808 said...

You are so thoughtful. The cards are lovely and I'm sure they will be very much appreciated, along with the yummy cupcakes.

I hope this week goes a bit easier for you :)

Jackie said...

Your cards are lovely, as always. I'm sorry you had such a lousy week - I hate insurance companies, don't get me started. I hope you are snug and safe inside and don't have any tornadoes today. Spring has sprung here and pollen is everywhere, but maybe the rain they have forecast will wash away some of it. I love opening the windows and letting the fresh air in, but unfortunately the pollen comes with it so they are closed today.

Gail said...

Great cards!
You are just so creative!
80 degrees...REALLY!?
It was -20 here Monday morning, I'm feeling like your Peed off robin a few posts back!
Glad he gets to bath now instead of snow shoe!
Congratulations!!!
I hope you don't get so busy you quit blogging!?
How ever will we know what you're making!?
Don't forget, it all works out!

Carmen O. said...

Hi Curt! I'm really lovin' your cards. And I can tell that the butterfly looks like it's flying off the card.

Congrats on the five years! I think I've been blogging for nearly the same amount of time. It seems like it wasn't that long ago, but when I think about it then yeah I realize it's been awhile.

Thanks for always taking time to stop by my blog and leave an encouraging comment. :) Hugs!

Anonymous said...

I was scrolling down the blog and saw the yellow card and was saying "oh I love this, yellow is my favorite color" and then kept on and you said it really wasn't that bright. I guess I love neon.
LOL on 'screaming banana' - my best friend tells a story of how I screamed when I stepped on a banana in a parking lot!!
Ken

Linda said...

So nice when an angel comes along to help. And you are an angel for recognizing and returning the kindness.
The cards are beautiful.
I now can say I know how caregiving can be hard but the blessings far out way the work. My MIL is so appreciative and it makes me feel so good.
Hugs,
Linda

Mary Ann said...

Very pretty cards!Didn't need sun glasses,lol...

Sue from Oregon said...

You know my mantra is the brighter the better right? LOL Great cards this week!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy watching Gina K on Stamp TV. Love your robin photo! I have my oriole feeder out waiting for these beautiful birds to return to our area. The bluebirds are nesting. Yeah! I love Spring!

Paper is BLISS said...

Hey curt, love the bright card you made! And what a fab shot of the robin... Stunning!
Hugs
Zoe x

Becky said...

I can not believe it has been 5 years either...
Wonderful cards, and you were right, you should have warned us about the bright card :), it is beautiful though.
It was 70 on Monday and Wes. the temps dropped to 35, and it is Friday and my heat is still kicking on..
Have a Blessed week.

Shirley-Anne said...

Hello Curt..long time no comment .A couple more DT spots and my time flies .
But Boring your posts any posts are not! .I must say though when scrolling down I was momentarily blinded by the brightness of your second card but soon recovered .Bet both cards will be appreciated .
Simply love your pic of the week
That creek looks so crisp, cold and clear.
hugs ....[remember me?]
Shirley-Anne

Lorraine said...

I have taken the sun glasses off now, ha ha, great cards Curt as always. Love reading your posts. Take care. Huigs from Jersey Channel Islands

Carolina Girl (Cely) said...

I guess I had a senior moment be ause I don't see the comment "I thought" I left...haha. Guess I wrote it in my mind and not on computer. I thought I had the same dragonfly stamp and thought to myself that this would be a love,y card to case. Wow...and loving the butterfly. Sometimes my photography gives a wrong reading...yellows, purples and white five me the most trouble....haha

Glittered Paws said...

Love your posts - you are such a creative stamper as well as a creative and interesting journalist!!! Sorry you have been having some "issues" to deal with - hate insurance companies - my hubs has a herniated disc and can't get the pain pills the doctor called in as our insurance company won't pay for them!!! How did they get so much power. Anyway loved your cards - especially the dragonfly - I have trouble working with yellow but the butterfly really popped on yellow. Spring is here!!!

Jean McKenzie said...

Hi Curt! Wow five years of blogging - time flies!! Love your insect cards! How kind of you to reward people for their great service. I would feel that way too when people go out of their way to help you. Sorry to hear that you have had a stressful week. Love the boys with "flowers in their hair!"
Thank you for your kind comments on my scrap page - my google blogger has disappeared. I didn't think that was happening for another few months. I really miss it! Hugs

Sue said...

Curt, both cards are just lovely. You are just the kindest person. I worked as an accountant at a CPA Firm for 30 years and no one ever brought a card of thanks or cupcakes...So very nice of you. I bet they loved their cards too.
Love the picture of the boys with their flower hats on! Robin picture is awesome. Hope this week is better than the last for you.

Hugs
Sue

Tertia said...

Hi there. it is finally holidays for me, so now I can come and visit some of my favourite people for a change. I love the 'bug'cards, can't decide which one is my favourite one.
The weather over here has gone completely wacko too. We seem to have gone from summer straight to winter with no autumn at all, and then it has been raining too, even though we get our rain in summer as a rule.

Ellen Taylor said...

Congratulations on the five years of blogging! So sweet of you to take cupcakes in and create those fabulous cards! Both are wonderful but I love the butterfly card! I am very inspired by the black on yellow. Have to pin it for inspiration.
Hope spring is there to stay. We were blessed with 6 inches of snow over the weekend. Have a wonderful week full of joy Curt!
Hugs,
Ellen

Gina Wrona said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DEAR CURT!

CONGRATS!

HUGS,
GINA

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

These are both so beautiful. Hope you are having a better week this week.