THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR JANUARY 26, 2011

Hey All!

There you are!  Glad you're here. . .I love when you come to visit me.  And may I just say you are looking incredible!  I hope all is well in your world.

Thanks for stopping by.  I've got a few things to show you on this post.  Back to the standard 3 cards I usually post.  I've come up with some ideas that I'm tossing around in my head that will make my blog more useful and fun.  Those ideas will be ran by all of you in upcoming posts.  I think you'll like what I'm thinking about.  OK, on with the cards. . . 

The first card is a thank you card that I made for a very sweet neighbor who left me a Penny Black stamp in my mailbox.  It came with a beautiful card that said "I was at Archiver's and this stamp said "take me to Curt".  LOL  Isn't that sweet!  It was a Halloween stamp (because she knows how much I love Halloween).  It was just so very thoughtful.  So I made this card for her:

This Penny Black stamp (called "The Sensations") always make me laugh.  This is what I call "frolicking"!  Look at the cow's purse!!!!  And the look on that sheep's face!!!  I colored this with my Sharpie markers accept for the pinks which were done with my colored pencils.  The "Happy" comes from a small stamp set where the word "Happy" is by itself and you can pair it with "anniversary" "birthday", etc.  I used it 3 times because that is what her gift made me.  Thank you so much Pat!

Here is my second card.  This was a birthday card I made for a friend of my Mom's whom I think so much of.  She is really a sweet woman, so I made her a card as in addition to the one I made for Mom to give her.

I can't believe this image and the sentiment was only $1.00.   It is by Studio 112 and I found it in all those dollar stamps that Michael's throws in a huge pile in a rack.  But it was worth the digging.  I love this little guy.


The last card for tonight is another Valentine's Day card.  I love this image:

It is a Happy Hopper image.  I love pink and gray together but rarely use the combo.  I think it looks really good with this image.  I colored it all with my colored pencils and oms.  I added the little pink, sugary looking bling in each corner.  If you look close, I also added a "real" bunny tail to the bunny.  I used some batting material and attached it with glue dots.  I'm finding a lot of great uses for glue dots!  Love those things.

Picture of the Week

GEESE ON ICE

Well, that's it for another Wednesday Evening Post.  Hope it was worth your time.  I'm lagging behind on getting to your blogs this past week.  By the way, I've been meaning to tell you about this for a long time. . .Do you know how I go about visiting your blogs????  I start with the first comment left on my previous blog post and work my way down, visiting each blog in the order that comments were left.  That's how I do it.  I've been getting more comments, so it is taking me longer (believe me, I'm not complaining!!! I love getting each and every one of them!).  Also, so many of you are very prolific when it comes to posts and have posted two, three, or four posts before I get to you.  So I go back and read up to 3 posts.  So anyway, that's how I do it, and I'm almost there, so I'll be seeing those of you I haven't gotten to yet shortly!

Please stay well and safe until I see you next time.  Again, thanks so much for coming to see me.  PS, just 10 more needed to follow me for me to post my blog candy!!!  Thanks to all the new folks who have signed up to follow.  I appreciate it and I welcome you to Curt's World!

Hugs to all of you!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR JANUARY 19, 2011

Hey All!


Here we are at another Wednesday.  Wanted to thank those of you who sent me their address and birthday info.  I have paper copy now so if my computer eats it again, I've got a hard copy backup.  For those of you who requested my info, it's on the way.


Thanks too for those of you who went to visit Katie. . .I just came from there, and let me tell you, I had to wipe the tears away several times.  My heart just aches for her and her struggle.  I've seen several of your comments to her and it means a lot to me, as I know it does to her too.


Before I get on with my cards, my friend Karen over at "1 Wacky Woman" has written a book on water coloring techniques using markers.  Here is a pic of her new book:

Karen is so talented, especially when it comes to coloring her images.  I have always marveled at  her talent.  She has a video on her blog HERE giving a demo of her coloring.  Be sure to take a look and click HERE for info on her book!  You'll love this!


OK, I've got a treat this post (or maybe some of you might not think so).  Instead of the normal 3 cards I usually post, I have 5!  I fought with myself to save a couple for next post, but lost the fight with myself. . .I'm a little scary aren't I?  LOL  On to the cards:


First one:

I found this simple sketch (can't remember where - looked at so many) and I liked its simple, elegant look.  The "Pic of the Week" below, actually inspired this card!  I added red Stickles to the branch berries and used my Bow Easy to create the double loop bow.


Next. . .

Staying with the red/black/white theme, this is a simple Valentine that I came up with.  I used a Hero Arts background stamp (musical notes) and drew in little red hearts with a marker.  Super quick, super easy.  I call it "Love Notes". . . LOL  I'm such a dork!


#3

Here's another Valentine.  This Gruffies image is a natural for Valentine's Day.  I just love him.  The sentiment and the chocolate candy heart is from a very talented lady and my blog friend Elaine over at Crafticious.  She has posted there the BEST sheets of backgrounds and pieces of candy and chocolate sayings.  They are all free to download and are just amazing.  Thanks Elaine!  I colored this image with colored pencils and oms.


# 4:

I have had this stamp for over a year and never have used it.  Well, this card takes care of that issue!  I colored this with Bic markers!  That is a first for me.  The only thing that wasn't colored with marker was their pink mouths.  That is a colored pencil.  This is a Penny Black image.  I made it for my Mom to give to one of her friends.


Last card. . .

Once again I've used the Deadbeat Designs "A Tree for All Reasons".  I sponged the background with distress inks and the "snow" on the branches was created with liquid appliqué.  Birdhouse is from Artful Inkables, bird from PTI, and sentiment from Crafty Lounge.  


Pic of the Week:

I picked this photo because it reminds me of the stamp I used on the first card above!


Thanks so much for coming by. . .I'm still waiting for that magical 250 followers to offer my blog candy package which is growing bigger and bigger. . .thanks to those who have deemed me worth following.  It means a lot to me.


OK, I'll be coming by as I always do each week to see what you all have been creating.  Can't wait to see what you've done this past week.


Hugs to all of you and your families!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR JANUARY 12, 2011

Hey All!

Well, we are almost halfway through the month of January already.  Before you know it we will be showing off our Easter cards, then slip right into Spring.  I hope this post finds you all well and happy.


I have two favors to ask of all of you in this post.  Those two favors are listed at the end of this post.  So could you read those two favors when you are done looking?  I'd sure appreciate it.  I'll appreciate it even more if you consider granting me those 2 favors.  Consider yourselves as "Blogging Genies"!  Thank you!  OK, on with the post. . .


My first card actually has something to do with one of the favors below.  Take a look:

I so love this bunny.  This is a Happy Hoppers stamp called "Bunny Bath".  I colored it with my colored pencils and oms.  The paper is by The Paper Studio.  I generated the sentiment on my computer.  This is a card I'm sending to someone named Katie.  Many of you already know about her, but some of you may not.  Read on. . .


My next two cards are for Valentine's Day.  This "holiday" is the least of my favorites.  It was always stressful for me as a grade school student in Catholic grade school.  I was always forced to give Valentines to kids I didn't like, and was always stressed out worrying if I was going to get one from kids that were really popular.  Uhg!  Scars you say????  LOL  Here is my first:

I paper pieced these cups on paper from DCWV.  The cups and the "steam" are from a Flourishes set.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set.  I punched out the little hearts.  The "steam" is embossed with silver tinsel ep and is super sparkly.  The card base is Kraft cardstock.

This is a simple card using Deadbeat Designs small "Tree for All Reasons".  The little heart I used is from a Hero Arts set and I used the same sentiment as the card above.  The hearts are embossed with red ep so they are really shiny.  


So, there you go.  The 3 cards for this post.  Hope you like them, and I'd love to know what you think about them.  I value your comments.  OK, on to the 2 favors. . .


Favor #1.


It would be so wonderful if I had a database of addresses and birthdays of everyone who comes to visit me.  I had many, but I inadvertently deleted the document, and it is lost forever.  I've saved many of the envelopes of cards that many of you have sent me, but I know that some might not be current.  So, if you would, could you please email me at curt.obrien@gmail.com with your current address and birthday?  I would love to be able to rebuild my addresses and be able to drop cards to you guys every once in awhile.  If you don't feel comfortable, I totally understand.


Favor #2


I know from time to time that we are all asked to donate our talents to a cause.  I AM NOT ASKING THAT.  What I am asking for is for you to make a visit to the blog of a very sweet fellow card maker who's world has been pulled out from under her.  Her name is Katie and right before Christmas, she was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer.  She has 5 year old twins and a 10 year old son.  She also has an incredible husband (Kevin) who is standing strong by her side.  Do you want to be inspired????  Go read some of Katie's posts since her diagnosis.  I have laughed, cried, and have been so inspired by her strength and courage when facing this unimaginable enemy.  If you want to be totally inspired, go back and read previous posts.  All I'm asking is that you visit Katie's blog "My Paper Haven" and leave her your thoughts and well wishes.  Can you also keep her in your prayers?  This is such a scary thing for a young woman and her young family.  I know that she would certainly appreciate it, and I certainly would.  Thank you my friends!


OK, so here is the "Pic of the Week":

SNOWY CANOPY 

Again, thanks so much for coming by to see me.  I've been making my rounds, and I'm almost finished with stopping by to see each of you.  You all have been so busy!  I've enjoyed your wonderful work.  BTW  Welcome to all the new followers in the last few weeks.  I am honored that you find my blog worth following.  Thanks so much.


Hugs to all of you!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

THE WEDNESDAY EVENING POST FOR JANUARY 5, 2011

Hey All!

I'm sorry this is late, but blogger was not allowing any posting last night for some reason.  I kept trying up until Midnight and finally gave up and went to bed.  Fortunately, it seems to be up and running again this morning, so here goes.

Since this is my first post of the New Year, let me wish you all a very happy and wonderful New Year!  I have, as usual, some cards to share, but I also have a new stamper/stamp designer I want to share with all of you.  That will be at the end of the post.  So on to the cards. . .

My Mom asked me for two cards in the last week.  One for a friend who just bought a new home and a sympathy card for a friend of hers.  Here is the new home card I created:

Another little "scene" card.  This paper always reminded me of wallpaper so I decided to use it as such.  I created the wainscoting by cutting a piece of cardstock then using my MS scoring board to score lines every 1/4 inch.  I then attached the base board and the finishing board on top and bottom.  The floor was created using a wood grain paper on which I drew lines for floor boards.  I combined stamp sets for this one.  The chair and table are from a Hero Arts set and the frame and vase with flowers are from a PTI set.  I stamped the chair onto some paper that reminded me of a leather grain.

The next is the sympathy card:

As you can see it is a gatefold card.  I could not photograph it to save me!  I stamped the pattern on the two black panels with Versamark then embossed with silver ep.  The mat behind the image was done by dragging the Versamark pad all around the edges, sprinkling with silver ep and heat setting it so that it looks like a silver mat.  Very easy to do and it comes out looking great.  I then dotted the twig image with silver Stickles.  Here is a picture of it open:

The inside panels are embossed with the Stampin Up lattice embossing folder.


My last card was saved for last to introduce the new person I referred to at the beginning of the post.  Here is the card:

I have finally found a tree/foliage stamp that I LOVE.  I found Mark at Deadbeat Designs quite by accident.  As a matter of fact, I can't even remember how I found his blog.  But I am so glad that I did.  Mark created these beautiful stamps that I used for the above card.  Here are the stamps that I got in my order this week:

As you can see, my card used 6 of these wonderful stamps.  Mark has a great blog (DEADBEAT DESIGNS HERE).  He is so talented and creative, and I love his writing style.  For those of my readers who live in the Southwest, you are going to love his stamps, especially those of you who live in Texas!  Although a lot of his stamps have a Southwestern flair, he has a great variety (as you can see from the ones above).  The stamps are beautifully mounted red rubber and stamp like a dream.  See the one up there that says "happy whatever"?  Love that!  And it is a perfect indication of his great sense of humor and writing style.  Go take a look at his blog for his latest post, you'll see what I mean.  If you would like to see what Mark has to offer, go visit his online store HERE.  He also has great customer service too!  I ordered from him on Friday, December 31st, and received my package on Monday!  (Just a note here, I also placed an order at Gina K. Designs at the same time, and STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT AS OF TODAY!)  So go check out what Mark has to offer.  BTW, see those odd looking little colored things up there in the box?  That will be shown and explained as part of my next blog post!  Anyway, THANKS MARK!  You have a loyal customer here!

"Pic of the Week:

SOLITARY PINE CONE

OK, that's it for this post.  I think I've caught up on most everyone's blogs.  I'll be around again this week to see what's new with you.  Thanks for stopping by, I am so honored by you taking the time to leave me comments.  You are all so awesome!

Best,


Curt O'Brien


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

SURPRISE POST!

Hey All!


HAPPY NEW YEAR to each and every one of you.  I hope you had a great New Year's Eve and I wish you all the best that this New Year has to offer.

I was asked to join in as a "Guest Designer" by my former Teamies over at House Mouse Monday Challenge Blog.  They are having a beginning of the year blog hop and wanted me to join them.  I was more than honored to be asked so I said yes!  The theme of the blog hop is "New Beginnings".  I love this theme idea and I think it is so perfect for the New Year.  So the challenge is to make a card that represents a "new beginning".  Obviously, your card must be made using a House Mouse, Gruffies, or Happy Hopper image.  Here is my inspiration card:

I have always loved this sweet image.  This is the kind of image that you just can't help but say "awwwwwwww" when  you see it.  I used a pinstriped black background paper to give the card a formal feel from the groom's point of view and outlined the image with some beautiful white lace to represent the bride.  The very sweet America sent me a care package before Christmas that included this lace.  This is the FIRST card I have ever used lace on!  I colored the image with colored pencils and OMS.  If you click on the picture for a closer look, you'll see that I added a row of tiny pearls to her veil.  I used red on his cumber-bun, bow tie, and her flowers to symbolize their love for each other. . .sappy huh?  LOL  The sentiment is computer generated, and I added two more pearls to tie it all together.  The card base is 5 1/4 X 5 1/4.

OK, now it's your turn!  Here are all the deets to play along and get in on the chance to win some awesome prizes!  You'll need to upload your creation on the main blog HERE.  Then follow the blog hop in order, leaving comments on each blog as you go.  Some of the blogs have HIDDEN blog candy, so be sure to leave a comment on all of them to be in the running for those prizes as well!  All of the details can be found on the House Mouse Monday Challenge Blog.

You should have arrived here on my blog from CHRISTINE'S blog.  Your next stop should be:  HEATHER'S BLOG.


Good luck to all of you!  You could start off your new year in a great way by winning some great blog prizes!!!  I hope you do!


Thanks for looking and playing along!


Best,


Curt O'Brien


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