Curt's Best Shots Slideshow

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR MARCH 26, 2014

Hey All!

My gosh Wednesdays get here fast!  Seems the older I get, the faster time flies.  Kind of scary actually. My blog is all dressed up for Spring and Gunther is welcoming you to the blog in his finest Easter bandanna.

I'll get right to the cards for tonight.  The first two have two main things in common.  1) They are both cards that use tags, and 2) they both feature my first attempts at using masking fluid!  Take a look:

I have always loved creating scenes so this underwater scene was a lot of fun for me.  I thought that the masking fluid would work great for creating "bubbles".  You can't really see it in the photo, but I used a silver stardust pen to glitter up the "bubbles" for some sparkle then matted the tag with silver glitter paper.  The sea horse is a stamp by Recollections and the plants are from Inque.  I splattered on the masking fluid, let it dry then sponged distress ink all over the tag in two shades of blue.  Used my finger to rub off the fluid then did the stamping in Archival Jet Black.  Added some fuzzy fiber at the top, and some bling on the sentiment panel and ran the background through an embossing folder.

Here is the second:
Again, using masking fluid on this tag, I did a combination splatter and drag pattern, let it dry, then removed it with my finger tips.  Sponged on Rusty Hinge distress ink then stamped the flowers in Archival black as well as the French script background.  I then used SU's French Foliage set to do the water spots.  Attached the bling to the middle of the flowers and ran the background panel through an embossing folder.  I'm really liking the masking fluid effect a lot, and I have some other ideas for it.

Unfortunately, I had the need for two Pet Sympathy cards.  One for a neighbor here in our present neighborhood and one for a neighbor in our old neighborhood.
When I saw this sweet image, I had to have it and I knew that I would use if for just this reason.  To me, it is the most sweet, comforting image I've seen.  It is a digital image from KnK Designs.  I colored it with my colored pencils and oms.

When I think of dogs I always associate them with parks and trees and running in the outdoors.  So this simple tree I thought was perfect for this pet sympathy card.  The dog that passed was a sweet little dog named "Annie" that Shotsy just loved and she loved him.  Shotsy was so big and she was just a little thing and he would always lay down when he saw  her to "get down to her level".  I wrote in the card that I was sure that they were now playing together.

Pic of the Week

SPRING IS SPRINGING!!!!
I hope you are all in good health and happy.  I'm trying my best to get caught up on yoru blogs.  Please be patient with me.

SHOUT OUT:  There is a particular person that leaves me a sweet comment every week.  The name on the comment is always "NISE".  I have no way of contacting you or thanking you for visiting.  Do you have a blog?  At least email me with your email address. . .There are a couple of you that also need to check your settings so that I can respond to you as well from time to time.

Hugs to all of you!

Curt

"God, please help me be the person that my dog thinks I am."

29 comments:

Jackie said...

I really like the effect with the masking fluid. You're the second person to feature it on a blog lately. I may have to give it a try one day soon. Do they have it at Michael's, I wonder. Your cards are wonderful and I'm sure the recipients of the pet sympathy ones will appreciate them very much.

Bring on the spring weather!

Sue G said...

I have been overjoyed to see you back, my friend! I check on you often and prayed for you often, as well. Your cards are always beautiful, and your blog always feels like a visit with a sweet, long-time friend.
Sue from Kansas

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

I just adore that seahorse! Great techniques, and such sweet sympathy cards, I am sure they were so appreciative of your thoughtfulness. Have a great week! Carri~Abusybee
Skittles!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Hi Curt, I'm so happy to see you back regularly! It's such a treat and I think I had taken it for granted before.
Your tag cards are awesome! I like the idea of masking fluid! The effects you've achieve are very cool! The seahorse card just amazes me!
I'm sorry that you needed sympathy cards but these are good ones, and from your heart so I know they will bring much comfort. Sometimes the only thing that can be said is, I care. Hugs!!

ursula Uphof said...

Great cards again Curt, and just love the tags and masking fluid technique. Super idea. Sorry haven't done much commenting, but have popped in..life is just crazy and will be so for the next 3-4 months. Take care, hugs, Ursula

Beth Norman said...

Hi Kurt, I can't believe another week has gone by either. Love the look of your new blog. Your cards are lovely. The masking fluid turned out so well. I'm sorry you needed more sympathy cards. Hugs.

Joan Fricker said...

Great job on all these cards Curt!! Tell us more about the liquid fluid you used for masking. Heading north today and already wearing a sweater and slacks. After 3 months of shorts , I dont like it. Sure glad to see your pretty crocus.

Becky said...

Hi Curt, good to see you back in the swing of things. Your tags are gorgeous, love the colors and backgrounds. I love that sweet image of the bunny and dog, how sweet.
Well You have a great week. And yes time flies the older you get. :)

Diane said...

I so happy to see you back...and Gunther looks like a happy fellow as well in all his Spring finery and it looks as though his haircut is growing back fast!! Great cards with the tags, I can see you put lots of work into these, I have never heard of masking fluid....will have to check it out!! The sympathy cards are perfect, sweet image and creative idea to use the tree!! Loved seeing the Crocus popping up...gives me hope yet, that we just "might" have a Spring after all!! Take care my friend, and Nellie says "hello"!!!!

Bonnie Weiss said...

The masking fluid looks like fun and you certainly had no trouble mastering the technique ... well done.

And while the pet sympathy cards are difficult to create, they are so appreciated and comforting to receive when the time comes.

Mary said...

Your pet sympathy cards are beautiful and will be much comfort. I've never heard of masking fluid, must give that a try, your's turn out very well! Bless you!

Alli said...

Curt I LOOOOOVE your cards!
Nice work on the masking fluid!!!
I have some but have yet to play with it and you AGAIN have inspired me!!!
Your sympathy cards are lovely...I'm sure the recipients will appreciate them during their journey thru grief.
Thanks again for the inspiration!
I'm so happy that you're back to playing & sharing again!
Be well kind sir!

mudmaven said...

Oh boy - a new technique I can try. These are just gorgeous and I love your sympathy cards - you are so thoughtful!! My daffy-dildos (dh's term for the fun yellow darlings) are all up and shiny and I am so hoping that we don't get snow again so they can keep blooming for a little while longer. Last year they got frozen out twice! All my best to Jay and Gunther! ~chris

Glittered Paws said...

Gunther looks so sweet with his Easter/spring bandanna - need to get something springy for my girls. Love your cards this week - I have never played with masking fluid but sure like what you did with them. Love the embossing folder you used on the sympathy card - will have to look for it as it is perfect. So sad that we have to have sympathy cards for our loved four legged family.

Gina Wrona said...

Hey there,
Everything looks great from your Spring Blog to all your card creations. I bet you are right that Shotsy & Annie are having a ball together reunited.

Hugs,
Gina

Myrna said...

No doubt about it, you make gorgeous cards and your thoughtfulness is so appreciated, I am sure.
Never heard of masking fluid but you look like you have mastered it.
Your crocus pic give me hope. We have at least 6 inches of snow today. Mother Nature seems to have her seasons mixed up. LOL
Love the Easter bandana. He is so cute.
Myrna

Linda said...

Oh so Sweet story about Shotsy and Annie. I love that he got down to be eye to eye. That is so sweet!
I love your cards and it is fun to use masking fluid. Gunther looks so handsome in his Easter Bandanna. What a sweet boy.
Have a wonderful week.
Hugs,
Linda

Unknown said...

Hellloooo sweetie, have you been hugged yet today? if not I'm sending you a BIG one!
Awe, Gunther looks dashing!! Your cards are awesome as always. Look out, Wednesday is just around the corner. lol

Brenda in IN said...

I really like the look of these cards. I've never used masking fluid and don't think I've seen it in the stores. I loved the cards you made last week for the dentist too. The mouse flossing the alligator cracked me up. Gunther looks so cute in the Easter scarf! Glad you're back.

Gail said...

Gunther sure cleans up good!
Cards are wonderful, and I've never heard of masking fluid!
Pretty sure I'll "NEED" it!
Great job!
Spring hasn't sprung here yet....still in the minuses!!
Have a great week!

Sue from Oregon said...

Love all your cards today Curt. I must say your thoughtfulness is wonderful...I treasure creations that have so much sentiment attached to them! You are a good neighbor!

Robin said...

I just caught up on your cards for the past few weeks and they are so cute. You are so thoughtful to go to all the trouble to make that many cards, but I'm sure each and every person appreciated your thoughtfulness!

Shirley said...

Love your tags, how you used the masking fluid!! Your cute bunny and dog with the awesome paw prints, and that gorgeous tree with more wonderful prints and the paw charm wins!! I have some crocus too, now for the warmer temps and we are all set!!! Hope you and yours are doing well, Curt!!

Lee said...

Hi Curt,love the background and Gunther looks so darn cute.

As always your cards are Stunning,brings a tear to the eye when you give these cards,but so much comfort to the owners to know you care as you and so many others know only too well what it's like to lose your beloved pets.Huge Hugs xxx

Liz McGuire, said...

Hi Curt, I just found your blog. I've spent a lovely time browsing through your posts. Your cards are stunning.

I have tried to become a follower but it's not playing along - will try again later - wouldn't want to miss future Wednesdays!

Leigh said...

Fabulous tag cards Curt. I really like both of them. So sorry you've had to make pet sympathy cards. They are always difficult. I do love your Spring blog look and Gunther's bandana is cool!

Dana said...

I have to say that Gunther looks incredibly handsome in his Easter kerchief:) And I'm completely envious of your crocus photo. I'm hoping our piles of snow melt soon and I can witness the emergence of Spring.
The underwater seahorse scene is really eye-catching. The masking fluid does wonders apparently!
How sad that you needed sympathy cards, but that really is a sweet, comforting image.

Sonja said...

not sure how I missed this post ~ as I am always here looking for you and your posts lol
that technique looks amazing...the colors on the sea horse card are perfect...
that little paw charm is too sweet do you know where it is from,?

And Gunther looks handsome and ready to enjoy the Spring ...

Have I mentioned it is great to have you back????



Sping is springing yippee

lisa808 said...

Hi Curt,

My mother was visiting and we took a trip while she was here. I am now trying to catch up.

Love the sea scene. As I grew up on the coast, I an always drawn to things beachy and nautical.

The sympathy cards are so thoughtful and will be appreciated by your neighbors.

Have a wonderful week.

Hugs, Lisa