Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR AUGUST 21, 2013

Hey All!

Really nice to see you!  Thanks so much for the warm welcome back you gave me on my last post.  And it is so nice to be back.  I went around to all of your blogs (those that left a comment on last post) and you all have been doing amazing stuff.  You are all truly inspiring!

On to the cards for this week:
For this card, I used the negative of a die cut.  I took a piece of scrap card stock and sponged various colors of distress ink to get a gradient effect.  Then slid it behind the negative cut out.  Stamped the word "dream" and done.  Very quick and easy to do yet it makes a great looking card.
I really like silhouette stamps and I love the set this one came in from Sweet & Sassy.  The set contains several different silhouette landscapes.  I sponged the morning sunrise color scheme with distress inks, then stamped the image on top of it.  Added the sentiments in Archival jet black ink.  I used to have trouble with these solid images not coming out right and looking splotchy.  But the trick is two fold: 1. Make sure your ink pad is freshly re-inked and 2. Using a sanding block, lightly sand your stamp before inking it for the first time.  Makes all the difference!
 This is a 50th anniversary card that I made for a neighbor in our old neighborhood.  The dies are from Memory box and I used them on gold glitter paper.  Put them on red card stock then matted that with the same gold glitter paper.  The 50 is a sticker.

Pic of the Week:
This is a flower which vines that is in our backyard.  It was planted by the previous owners and I have no idea what it is called.  I am thinking it is from the orchid family.

Well that's it for another post.  Again, thanks so much for all of your kind words.  Still having shoulder issues (but that is expected for a year and I'm only 4 months into it).  But I am learning to tolerate the pain and know what my limitations are as far as movement goes.

Hope all of you are well and doing great.  Can you believe Summer is almost history?  But you know what that means right?  HALLOWEEN is right around the corner!!!!  LOL

Hugs,

Curt

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

39 comments:

richardbreaks said...

Wow, Curt! All of these cards are fantastic!

Myrna said...

Curt
Lovely use of the negative.
The sihouette reminds me of some of the farming states we passed through on one of our trips. Love it.
Such a gorgeous 50 card. The colors are beautiful.
Such a pretty little vine. Almost looks like a type of honeysuckle we have here in Canada.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a neat comment.
Myrna

Bonnie Weiss said...

Looks like your definitely BAAAAAAACK! Very nice creations.

Could the vine be a honeysuckle?

Is it just me or is August too soon to mention the "H" word??? Actually, anytime is too soon to mention it!

Erin Morley said...

Hi Curt,
I was wondering what the heck happened to you, I was wondering if you were calling it quits. So glad you didn't! I love the die cut "leftover" card. It was my fave this week. Chin up and heal well!

Oma said...

Welcome back Curt! Love the cards you made, especially the negative die cut one! I will have to try this technique some day.

Leigh said...

Good to see another post this week Curt and that you know your limitations. Thanks for taking the time to comment on my long, long ago last post. If you get the time, please visit again, you may be surprised. lol

Anonymous said...

LOVE all of your sponging! Thanks for the tips on getting a good solid image. Other thing I have used on my larger background stamps is inking my brayer and rolling the ink on. A bit time consuming, but it's helped me get a more consistent image. Sure hope your shoulders keep improving. nise, who votes with those that have mentioned your vine might be a variety of honeysuckle.

Mary Ann said...

OH WOW,Beautiful cards!!!So glad you are keeping busy,thank you for a great comment,take care I will keep you in my prayers!!!Have a Blessed week!!!

Patti J said...

Happy to see you back tonight! Your cards are wonderful. I've become very fond of the ink sponging. It makes for a very quick, easy, and lovely card. Great job on the anniversary card, gorgeous flower on your pic of the week, and I totally adore the header pic with the boys in the pool!

Sue from Oregon said...

I am totally surprised to not see Halloween creations on this post! I can see you rustling up those bats and punkins stamps! Loved your creations today...I love silhouettes too. Try Versafine ink for your silhouettes...it is very black!

Jean McKenzie said...

Hi Curt, It is great to read that you are mending well and are able to get back to doing things that you love! Again you have made some pretty cards and thank you for explaining how you have made them!
I have not posted on my blog for so long - I must change that LOL!!
Hope Jay and the fur boys are good! Hugs!

Jackie said...

Oh, Curt, those are gorgeous! I especially love the first one with the sponged gradient background - stunning, yet so simple. I agree with the others that your vice may be some variety of honeysuckle. Is it fragrant?

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Oh good! I can barely wait for the scary cards!! But in the meanwhile-these are fabulous! I want to steal your die cut negative idea, the effect is beautiful!! I knew about sanding the surface of large flat stamps (lightly)but had forgotten so I'm thankful for the reminder! Your 50th anniversary card is stunning-some of my very favorite colors! Take care of your shoulder. I injured mine 35 years ago and it still acts up now and then. I just re-designed my life to avoid the triggers and do fine except when I forget my limits. Hugs!!!

Anonymous said...

Curt, fantastic seeing your card sampling including the 50 celebration. Glad you are keeping touch with the old neighborhood. Withdrawal is one thing, but to not share the love with those great peeps with whom you have shared so much would be harsh on both sides. Yes, card and a howdy ho will make a grin filled hit! Way to go, Curt. Does the pool / doggie dippin' time help loosen your frozen shoulder? Water therapy works wonders. Still 100F days here so dippin' doubles in relief all around the thermometer.
Only three noticed deer along the highway tonight. Hope they are alert in the morning. Dashing through traffic in a one time only flee snaps drivers' laughing all the way home. . some times the grills and quarter panels of oncoming vehicles.
Solid stamps create such a grand environment for imagination to leap to books read, sights seen along a vacation adventure or totally the sunrise or sunset of everyday living.
Keep Looking UP!

Alli said...

Simply wonderful cards Curt!!!
TFS!
Take good care of yourself!

Unknown said...

Hi Curt, welcome back and I hope you are all healed up soon. I love to see your cards. Using negatives is something I want to try, I just never think of using them. I need to make myself a note to use negatives from our die cuts and Cricut cuts. Who knows you might even see one on my blog sometime. Can't wait to see more.

tilly said...

back with more super cards lol, I love the leaf negative one, pleased you are coping with your shoulder and I am another one in the honeysuckle family lol
Tilly x

Unknown said...

Hi Curt, glad to see you back, not too happy to read of your misadventures though! Hope things are better, and time is a great healer. I was recently cutting paper with my ruler and craft knife, and yes, took the tip off of my index finger left hand - lack of attention.... It is healing now, and thank goodness is not my dominant hand, so still managing to craft. Loving your cards, always so inspirational, and looking forward to your Hallowe'en numbers... Hugs xx

Glittered Paws said...

Love your cards this week - especially the landscape card - Have been doing this technique for a couple of weeks, the cards just make a statement - and love the anniversary card. So glad to have you back creating again and glad you are feeling better.

Carolina Girl (Cely) said...

Truly stunning cards and all three different techniques. I couldn't pick a favorite!

Mary said...

Oh, I really like your cards this week my friend, they are all so nice it's hard to pick my favorite, so they are all my favorite! Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting, it was nice to see you again too! Stay well, your friend, Mary

Sue said...

Good to see you back in the card making routine. Love all three cards, the idea of using the die cut behind the cut out is wonderful. Your scene stamping is great too. And your card for your previous neighbors is going to be received with much joy. Hope your shoulder doesn't give you lots of pain.....ugh!

Hugs
Sue

Beth Norman said...

Beautiful work. Your gradient stamp really pops. I see your enjoying inking this week. Hope you are feeling a bit better every day. Sending hugs.

Sonja said...

good morning what a great surprise as I turned on my computer yippee...
wow the first card is awesome I just looked at a few of my negatives...maybe I can try that soon thanks
and thanks for the tip on silhouette stamps...
the last card was so pretty... and the picture , well you know I love flowers of any kind... Good to hear you are going forward. prayers that the pain can lessen and your abilities increase : )

hugs and love

Sonja

Becky said...

Hey Curt..:)
Yes I have been busy and enjoying the warm weather after the brutal winter we had.
love your cards this week, love how you did the negative and love the shading on that thank you card.

Diane said...

Great cars this week...love using the negatives, but you tool it over the top sponging those colors to go underneath...very creative!! I am with you, I love silhouette stamps, no coloring making them great in a pinch!! Glad you are back, and I for one am glad to start on Halloween cards, it comes and goes so fast!! Take care and "see ya"!!

Anonymous said...

SO GLAD YOU ARE POSTING AGAIN, I KNOW ALL YOUR BLOGGING FRIENDS ARE HAPPY. WISH SOMEONE OUT THERE COULD GIVE YOU A HOME REMEDY TO HELP "THE PAIN". YOUR CARDS ARE AWESOME.....LOVE YA, MOM

Krissy said...

Great cards, as always! I'm really loving silhouette stamps lately! THanks for sharing!
~Krissy

mudmaven said...

More scrumptious goodies from you!!! WOW - great cards. I meant to tell you in my last comment - I just love the picture of the boys in the pool - so cute. All the best to Jay and hugz all around! ~chris

mauihumv@gmail.com said...

Fantastic cards...loving the silhouette card and the die negative I am going to give that one a try!! The anniversary card is stunning...love them all;)

Chris said...

Hi Curt, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

Erica said...

I am lovin' the new blog look Curt. And the cards are lovely...must try that negative look soon. the gold and red are anniversary perfect!

The big guys look like they really enjoy the pool.

Lorraine said...

Love the negative space Curt must have a go at that one. All the cards are great, so nice to see you back, hope the shoulder soon get better. Love from Jersey Channel Islands. x

Lee said...

Hi Curt,as always I LOVE these imaginative creations.By the way did you not get my email I sent on 15 of August ?.Look out for my next one.Hugs to all.x

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back and doing well! You cards this week are fabulous and I can't wait to try that sanding trick!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Lyn

Anonymous said...

So glad you are back and doing well! You cards this week are fabulous and I can't wait to try that sanding trick!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Lyn

Linda said...

Really lovely card Curt. The first one is so so elegant. I love it. And the sky is perfect in the silhouette card. I always love your beautiful cards.
Stay well my friend!
Hugs,
Linda

Gail said...

Okay, I'm behind! Love the cards! Take it easy on the shoulder, talk to ya later!

Audrey Frelx said...

Beautiful cards, my friend!

I've never seen a flower like that before but it's so pretty!