Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

Hey All!

I'm back!!!! Gosh I have so missed all of you.  Some of you may have gotten a surprise visit from me already as I'm trying to make my way back to all of your blogs to see how you've been and what you've been up to.  Thank you too for all of you who have sent me comments, emails, and get well cards.  You have been wonderful and I have felt very cared about!

Can you believe it has been exactly 12 weeks since I've been away????  It has been a combination of things, the pain in my shoulders, and a sever situation that happened with me and Shotsy.  I was playing with him in the pool with his tennis ball.  I reached down to pick it up at the same time he did.  As he clamped down on the ball, one of this teeth nearly went through my right index finger.  Long story short, emergency room, wrong antibiotics prescribed, trip to my own doctor, more antibiotics, two painful trips to the hand surgeon, and my predominant hand out of commission for almost 3 weeks.  That combined with my shoulder issues kept me from doing any crafting at all.  Then, you know how it is, when you've been away from it for so long, it is hell to get back into the swing of it again.

But this last week I've been busy at it again!  I've made enough cards for 5 weeks of posts! Ha!  So we can say that I'm officially back.  I'm back up to 80 words per minute typing again, so my hands and fingers are working. 

Here are my cards for this week:
 I love how this card turned out (the map especially).  I believe the map is a Hero Arts cling.  I stamped the map in Vintage Photo distress ink, cut it out, distressed and inked the sides, then crumpled it up several times before smoothing it out and matting it.  The map has such great texture (you'll see it if you click on the photo).  The ship stamp is from Michael's.  Paper is by Fancy Pants.  Added two copper brads and some heavy twine to complete the "nautical" look.
This card combines a digital image and a stamped image.  The planet surface is digital from Hambo, and the alien is a stamp from Recollections.  I colored the planet surface with colored pencils and the alien is colored with Bic markers.  I fussy cut him out and added googly eyes.  The sentiment is computer generated.  I also used a silver glitter pen and went around every one of those stars (Paper Studio) to give it some sparkle.
The last card to share is a House Mouse image colored with my colored pencils and oms.  I added some glitter to the base of the logs and a few little flecks in the flames as if the sparks were flying.  This is the first time I've ever used this image.  It was time consuming to color, but so worth the result.  I'm entering this into the House Mouse Monday Challenge over at House Mouse & Friends.  Their challenge this time is "Liquid Refreshment".  I think their little cups of hot cocoa qualifies.

Pic of the Week
 
TINY VISITOR

 Gosh it is is good to be posting again!  I hope you all still remember me!  Heck, I've almost forgotten how to do this posting.  Had to stop and think for awhile.  LOL  I'll be continuing now with my visits to all of you again.  Can't wait to see what you have all been up to these past weeks.

Hugs to all of you!!!

Curt

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


45 comments:

Jackie said...

I am SO glad you're back, I've missed you!! You came back with a bang, these cards are awesome. I love that first one - I am pinning it to my Pinterest board right now so I don't forget it. And adding that stamp to my mile long wish list, too. Do try to stay safe and out of the doctor's office, will you? My Wednesdays are not the same without you :-) **HUGS**

Diane said...

Well, welcome back...wow...sounds like you have a rough (or is it "ruff"...lol) summer!!! so fun to see your wonderful creations again...love those mousers and the map is awesome...and that little alien is super cute as well!! Hope you are feeling better and things settle down, just in time for fall...give those big old fur babies a hug for me...see ya!!

Jan Scholl said...

I was thinking about you last week and wondered if your feed got lost when I transferred from Reader to Feedly! I too, got a doggie bite but it was more to piss me off than anything. I guess Marley wasn't happy I was holding his cob of corn instead of letting him have it to chomp on. He then peed on my tomatoes! I love your map card!!! Something about maps lets me travel the world even if I am just sitting in my kitchen baking bread. Hope the remnants of summer return, this 40F at night is for the snowbirds, and I am not one of them.

Myrna said...

Yay welcome back !!
Love what you did with the map card. Great ship.
Your alien is too cute with his wobbly eyes.
Of course, House Mouse always has a spot in my heart and you did a great job on the coloring and sparkles.
Lastly, your little visitor is marvelous and the background is lovely.
Myrna

Sue from Oregon said...

Yep, I saw you scurrying around over at SCS today! Glad to have you back. Sorry to read of your misfortunes, but do hope that you managed to enjoy the rest of your summer regardless!
Lovin' your stampin-haven't lost your magic touch!!!

Anonymous said...

So happy to see you're back and well enough to create fabulous cards. Good Luck in the HM contest. You did a great job coloring that cozy scene. I am especially intrigued by the crumpling of the map and am going to remember to use that idea next time I use a map backgrounder image. Wishing you good health as you get back into stamping and SHARING. nise

Patti J said...

Hi ya! Welcome back, dear sir! So happy to know that you're doing better. You've certainly had more than your share of issues! Your cards are great, as always. Love the wee alien! Tee hee, so cute! The first card is a nice masculine touch, and you know that you rock those House Mouse images :-) thanks for sharing, and for dropping by to visit. I nearly squealed out loud when I saw your name pop up! I have huge news on my blog today! Take care!

Erica said...

So glad to see you back. You had me worried. You have had quite an ordeal. I'm happy all is resolved.
Great cards for someone who has been absent for a while with hand and arm injuries. Can't wait to see more.


abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

Welcome back, glad to hear you are back on the mend! I just started following before you stopped posting! Looking forward to seeing your projects! Great map card! Carri~Abusybee

Anonymous said...

What a come back! Likin' your travel smong tasks and blog visits. Some kind of fantastic House Mouse an action. So glad you told us five weeks, it seemed so much longer! Great to see you online. Keep Looking UP!

Alli said...

Wonderful stuff Curt!
So glad u are back at it!
I've done stuff....just haven't blogged it... no need to pop by....there's nothing new to see!
I've also been busy in my gardens!
Plenty to keep me busy outside... it's been a glorious summer!
You're so inspiring!
I'll get back to sharing soon!

ursula Uphof said...

Welcome Back!!! It is great to see you are back creating and blogging. Have missed you and hope that you still enjoyed a bit of your summer. You certainly haven't lost the touch of creating lovely cards. They are all beauts. Take care..no more mishaps please...we need to see your lovely cards. Hugs, Ursula

Shirley-Anne said...

Hello Curt .
How tiny is that little critta!
[ last photo ]
How diverse are these cards .
Each a little masterpiece .
Love the background paper for the masculine map card .
Same with the space card and little alien .Love the glittery stars and his googly eyes .My fav though are the meece .What an amazing scene and super colouring .
I hope that all has settled down in your household now and you are all happy chappys .
hugs Shirley-anne

Tracy said...

Hi Curt,
So glad your feeling much better and it's so nice to see you back in blogland too.
I love your choice of image,gorgeous creation, thanks for joining House Mouse & Friends Monday challenge, good luck.
Happy crafting
Mousey Hugs
Tracy x

downrightcrafty said...

Hi Curt and lovely to see you back in the land of blog, sorry to hear about all the problems but great to see your wonderful colouring on your house mouse image gorgeous card and colours and thank you for joining us at the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge
Hugs Kate xx

Bonnie Weiss said...

Hey buddy ... good to see you back! Hope you are on the road to good health again with no more issues. And judging by your creations, you ARE feeling better! From the sea, to the outer limits, to the warm and fuzzy fireside, you have created some dandies once again.

Hope you are enjoying your pool but please ... no skinny dipping photos!

lisa808 said...

Welcome back!

I so love that House Mouse image and your coloring is awesome.

Lorraine said...

So pleased to see you are back, what a few weeks you have had, poor darling. Love all the cards as usual, great inspiration. Hugs xx Jersey, Channel Islands. If you scroll down on my blog you can see how big our islands are. x

Mary Ann said...

So glad you are back,so sorry you have been sick,Wow!! can't wait to see you up and back in action!Have a Blessed day!!!

Ann Schach said...

Welcome back, Curt! I know too well what it is like to be away, and then come back. It's hard to get into the swing of things again :) But it looks like you are back to your old form...your cards are awesome as always! Take care, and give the boys a treat from their Boxer fans!

Beth Norman said...

Welcome back Curt! What a horrible situation to be in. I'm so sorry, and am happy to hear you're on the mend. Your cards are awesome. Love the nautical one. Take care my friend.

Mary said...

Whew, glad to see you back! Having dogs, I know how your injury can easily happen too. Yours cards are great, my fav is the House Mouse one, too cute.

Sue said...

Glad to see you back AND stamping and creating. It is hard to get back into it when you stop for awhile, but I can see you had a good time. Love the map and ship, so pretty. The little alien is cute and the sentiment perfect! WOW, you did some serious coloring on the HM card, and it turned out gorgeous! Bright beautiful colors, and for sure they are enjoying whatever is in their cups by the fire. So glad you are ok, you have been through a lot lately...thinking of you.

Hugs
Sue

Gina Wrona said...

dejavu, I was thinking of you today to visit your blog for an update, but then I got my email update that you posted. YAHOO! So glad to have you back after all you had to go thru. Love all your creations, especially the house mouse, my favorite.
Hugs,
Gina
xoxo

Lee said...

Hi Curt,I'v just this minute sent you an email before looking on here lol.

Soooo glad you see you posting and all the cards are Awesome,love the pic of the week too.

I had a similar mishap with one of my dogs that I walk but will tell you about that in an email.Hugs to all.xx

Mary Ann said...

Oh WOW!I have to comment on your cards,All are Very pretty,but I love the house mouse,just AWESOME!!!Love the picture of the week!!!Very glad you are back!!!Have A Blessed one!!!

Sue G said...

I a so happy to see you back, and with such marvelous cards! So sorry to hear that the gremlins have worked so hard to keep you fro creating. Welcome back, and take care! With love, Sue from Kansas

Linda said...

Oh it is so good to see you back. That is just a crazy 12 weeks you have had. So glad you are on the mend.
My 93 yr old MIL moved in with us in March. All is well but very different. I love her company but I would love a week in my craft room all alone. LOL
Love the cards! The House Mouse images always melt my heart. Hugs, Linda

Gail said...

Holy Moly are you ever back! Didn't miss a beat, but I missed you!
Awesome cards, might 'borrow' the first one for a BD card I need shortly!
Love them all, love the critter, hope you're all healed up, Wednesday's not the same without you!

Sonja said...

Hello my friend and I have missed you ...so glad you are doing great tho sorry to hear of the mis fortune...
I love the dp you used to go with the map and boat...or is that a embossing folder??? It looks perfect either way...

oh your out of this world card is so cute...could be sent to you...lol
and yes those mice are growing on me...lol

take care...hugs and woo hoos ...

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt! You have been SO missed! I'm glad you are back, and you are in fine form!!! I love all of your cards - but the vintage map won my heart and the house mice are trying to steal it back! LOL Hugs, dear friend.

Leigh said...

Curt.....fantastic to have you back blogging. You have had a doing with things haven't you? I'm pleased you are on the mend. On a personal note, my blog needs a lot of attention so will have to get on to that. I love your cards, especially the nautical and the house mouse cards. Brilliant.

Christine said...

Hi Curt so pleased your back into blogging..tough time with your finger & shoulder but you have made a fab come back with these super creations..lots of colouring in your cute HM card, love the alien card so clean & uncluttered. I think the map/ship has to be my fav great work.

Thanks for sharing with us at HM & friends Liquid Refreshments chall..

smiles Christine x

Krissy said...

YEAH!!!! CURT'S BACK!!!! I can't tell you how much I've missed your creative inspiration! Sorry about your bummer of a summer - glad to hear you're on the mend!

As always I love your cards - especially the House Mouse card. I just got my first box full of House Mouse stamps from Stampendous - can't wait to start coloring those little cuties!

Take care!
~Krissy

Sid said...

Lovely cards Curt ! Thanks for your kind comment too !!

Glittered Paws said...

Curt you could have posted a stick figure and made everyone happy!!! But love the amazing cards you did post - especially the man card with the ship very nice. and as always your pic of the week is amazing too - such a good picture. So happy you are back and hope you continue to do well with everything.

nwilliams6 said...

Glad you are recovering - what an amazing story of your injury! Wow!

Your cards here are fabulous so you didn't lose your MOJO obviously - probably fine-tuned it while you were recovering. Of course I am partial to the HM card and it is super fun and colored wonderfully. Thanks so much for joining us in the House Mouse & Friends challenge. Hugz! Nancy - GDT

Heather said...

Hi Curt, I'm hoping all your problems are settling down how!!!
Your image is delightful and such fabulous colouring!!

hugs
Heather xx
and happy you managed to joining us at House Mouse & Friends Challenge

Anonymous said...

I got to see the cards in person (as well as seeing Curt, Jay, and the boys in person too)! Yep, he's back crafting better than ever!
Ken

Teresa said...

Hello Curt, Thank you for stopping by my blog, I'm pleased you liked my card :)
Sorry to read you've had health issues, hope you are on the road to recovery.
Your three cards here are brilliant, I especially love the first one.
Take care and hope to see you again. Hugs Teresa x

tilly said...

welcome back, you have been very much missed......... what a super collection of cards to come back with and I love your cute little visitor lol
Tilly x

mudmaven said...

OMG Curt I just love that ship card!!! Absolutely gorgeous. So glad to see you back to crafting and posting and I hope that you continue to feel better and better. Thanks for visiting my blog - it was so good to hear from you again.

~chris

mauihumv@gmail.com said...

So glad you are back!!! Your cards are beautiful..love them all but especially the map one:)

Barbara said...

First time visitor, coming over to see what you do from Gail's blog. I love your cards - and I so feel like being one of those House Mice and having a nice hot cup of cocoa in front of a crackling fire!!

Dorte said...

Great to have you back, Curt.
Love your little cosy scene, I think they are having a great time together.
Thanks for playing along with us at HM&FMC this fortnight and good luck.
Dorte xx