Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Twofer Card Challenge #1

Welcome to the start of the Twofer Challenge. The goal is to make two different cards with two different designs for two different occasions with the same stamps and/or dies.  This fun challenge is aimed at stretching our stamps and dies by using them in different ways, and at the same time building our stash of cards.  Come join us!!


As you can see by the badge above, the challenge is open for two weeks.  This gives you lots of time to come up with your designs, make your cards and then photograph (one photo showing both cards) and enter the challenge via the linky provided on the challenge blog.

There's lots of samples by the Design Team to show you what the challenge is all about.

Here's my cards using the Feather prompt with Penny Black stamp "the sweetest song".


I had a lot of fun designing these two cards using the bird (feathers) image.  For my first card, I masked a second Penny Black stamp (bells & berries), leaving just the one branch of leaves and berries (no bell).  I stamped in Sahara Sand ink (very light) and then watercoloured over top of the image with distress inks and a water brush (no line watercolouring).

I used distress markers to add some finishing details to the leaves and berries.  I then masked "the sweetest sound" stamp, leaving just one bird, inked with Pumice stone distress ink, and stamped the bird over top of the branch, in the middle.  I used more pumice stone ink to add a darker head and wing (very subtle).  I used more of the same ink to watercolour around my finished image.  I then splattered with diluted white ink.  The image was framed and a sentiment was stamped in the corner.

Here's a close-up ...

For the second card, I sponged distress oxide inks (fossilzed amber, spiced marmalade, abandoned coral) to create a sunset background.  I stamped "the sweetest sound" image over top with versamark and heat embossed in black.  I cut the panel down and added the "sending love" sentiment in black.

Here's a close-up ...


As I mentioned above, the challenge runs for two weeks.  Come check out the amazing cards by the Design Team and then join us!






Card 1:
Stamps:  the sweetest sound, bells & berries, season's gifts (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Early Espresso (SU!); Distress Inks:  Walnut, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Candy Apple, Fired Brick, Pumice Stone (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, white acrylic paint, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Card 2:
Stamps:  the sweetest sound (Penny Black); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxides:  Fossilzed Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools: sponges, black embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #1 - Feathers

49 comments:

Happy Dance said...

Your skill at watercoloring and ink blending continues to amaze and impress! These are two delightfully different cards, each with its own wonderful design. Love these!!! Bev

Kara Lynne said...

I am at awe with your watercoloring skills, Loll! Your Christmas card is so gorgeous! Your amazing sunset is magical and those birds have the look of spring!

Darnell said...

I love these, Lolly! You not only presented us with two different designs for two different occasions, you represented the chilly cold of winter on one card and warm tropical heat on the other!! Well done! Thank you again for being my Twofer blog designer and a magnificent member of the DT!! Hugs, Dolly

Sheila H said...

It's so clever of you to use birds for the feathers theme. I love the backgrounds - they are gorgeous. And I love the frame around the fbirds on your Christmas card.

Bonnie said...

I love how you've combined this stamp with the bells & berries and used just one of the birds! The sunset colors with the black silhouette birds is just as lovely but completely different! An exciting new challenge!

nancy littrell said...

So excited to see what the theme is for Darnell's brand New "Twofers" challenge. Feathers..so fun! I love both your bird cards, Loll. Such different designs and occasions for your beautiful stamp. TFS and Congratulations for being on the DT and for being Darnell's Administrator:-)

I know just the NBUS (not a requirement I know) Feathers stamps I want to use:-) Can't wait to create. Hugs

Linda said...

Two beautiful cards, Loll. Congrats on being a DT on Darnell's new challenge. Can't wait to participate.

Patti said...

Loll these are so beautiful! it really is remarkable how different two cards with the same products will create. I have to say I am totally in love with your first card! it is so "dreamy" *wink*

Thank you for this fun challenge!!

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

Anita in France said...

Such beautiful watercolouring and blending, Loll ... these are both gorgeous ... you've used the image in such a wonderful way on each, they truly are distinctly different! So thrilled to be designing alongside you! Hugs, Anita :)

I Card Everyone said...

Such beautiful birds of a feather flocking here, Loll! I adore that Penny Black stamp ... hope to have one of my own one day ... until that day comes, I'm just as happy to see your gorgeous creations!
=]

Liz said...

Congratulations on joining Darnell's new DT, Loll. Two wonderful cards, great way to use the stamp with two totally different designs. xx

Susanne Vargas said...

It's hard to believe you used the same stamp on both cards as they look so different thanks to your clever masking! The watercoloring on the Christmas card is phenomenal - it looks like a painting and the background on the second card paired with the silhouetted birds is spectacular!
I am very honored and excited to be on this team with you, Loll!

Stamps and Paper said...

Two stunning cards Loll ...and congratulations on joining Darnell’s DT

Anne

Susan said...

Two equally beautiful cards in very different ways! Love that stamp used as a Valentine! And great masking to use it and the bell stamp together for that lovely muted Christmas card - like a misty Vancouver Christmas!

Nstiz said...

Wow! You took creativity to a whole new level combining two stamps with all that masking! I can't imagine positioning that bird so perfectly, the the impeccable watercoloring of the image. Love the gradient on the silhouetted one too.

Ina G said...

Fabulous Twofer cards Loll. Love how you have gone 'bird feathers' and your cards are so very different. Love the water colouring and blending. Beautiful!

Linda said...

I do love your watercolouring Loll and this little bird looks so cute. Great way of using the same stamp to create two very different designs xx

Birgit said...

Wow Loll~ These are both stunning little works of art deserving to be framed! Your water coloring on the first one is beyond amazing. I want to order that stamp just so I can CASE your card but I know mine wouldn't come out even a smidgeon as beautiful as yours. These are totally gorgeous!

Jeanne said...

Your cards are fantastic, Loll. Gosh what a wonderful example of the challenge. The silhouette card is so striking. Love those colors. And the other card, with the detail in the bird and leaves is fabulous. Golly! Just wonderful work! Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

So Lovely
Faith
x

Marcia Hill said...

Two absolutely GORGEOUS cards Loll! LOVE how you did Winter and Summer with the same bird stamp and both are just SOOO pretty!! I am totally looking forward to what you and the rest of the team will create each month and looking forward to playing along too!! :0)

Mac Mable said...

Such fabulous cards. Love the pretty 'bird/feather' stamp. Such a delicate first card with the no line water colouring, absolutely gorgeous. Love the vibrant colours on the second card and the silhouette of the birds is fabulous x

The Ink Tinker said...

Hi Loll, I found you on Splitcoast a couple of weeks ago and now I'm an ardent fan. Your work is beautiful. I especially love the texture and cleanness of your pieces. Thank you for sharing this creative "twofer" with all of us.

Leslie Miller said...

Beautiful and clever and each so different! I love the whole concept of this challenge and will look forward to participating. In fact, I made two cards yesterday but have yet to photograph them. Viewing your cards is a real treat!

Penny Hanuszak said...

Devine artistry in these two beautiful but different versions of the Penny Black stamp set, leave one so inspired. I loved the no-line watercolouring in your first image, but equally enjoyed the silhouette and vivid sunset in the second. I'm totally inspired by you and the rest of the DT at Twofer, so much so I just might play along. Thanks.

Bobby said...

I had to check out the original stamp to see how you masked it, Loll. It is amazing what you did, not only the masking but the no-line coloring. The silhouetted birds in the sunset is gorgeous too.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Would never know its the same stamp - amazing!!!

MaryH said...

Your masking was some intricate stuff with this set - and how clever to get the 'feather' motif as you've done. Love the delicate colors of the berry branch and that sweet little brown bird. Also love the more vivid colors of #2 with the sunset sky behind these silhouette songbirds! Great card to launch the Twofer! TFS & Hugs

TK said...

Beautiful birds! And your use of color amazing! Can't wait to join in...

Verna Angerhofer said...

So wonderful are both versions using that image. I just love the fantastic colors on them too!

Kathyk said...

Two smashing makes and so different yet the same (that makes sense in my head!) - this looks like becoming a great challenge, well done to you as a member of the DT

Kathyk

Colleen said...

Loll, well I could just repeat everything that was said above. Amazing and beautiful and so awesome! You are incredible and I am always so inspired by your work! What a fun challenge and I have my two cards ready! This is the best challenge to really get us to use our stamps in creative ways! Thank you Loll for the inspiration! Heart Hugs!

Julia Aston said...

Two beautiful designs Loll - I just love how you do the no line coloring and the stamps you used are wonderful! Such a fun challenge - hope to join in over the weekend! Julia xx

Viv said...

Two beautiful cards Lol and both so different also ;) Viv xx

BożenA said...

You can not go easy Loll :-) It's a real artistry, how you used both stamps to create these two amazing cards. Your masking is great, and your imagination is limitless. Thank you for such a great inspiration! I have to sit at my desk and create something too, because I want to join this beautiful game.
hugs,
BożenA

AlisonC said...

The first is very sweet and beautiful and I love the rich colours of the second.

Christine said...

Your cards are both amazing and really help me to understand the Two-Fer Challenge. I love the how you used the stamp to create such very different cards and the creativity that will be stirred as we strive to use our own stamps this way.

Papercraft Boutique said...

Both cards are beautiful and look very different, Loll! You stretched your stamp so well that I had to google "the sweetest sound" to see the original image! Amazing coloring of the snowy scene, and the effective silhouettes against the sunset. Hideko xx

Karen Dunbrook said...

Two different but both awesome cards....so pretty...
xx Karen

Pat said...

These PB birds are so pretty and you have made two gorgeous cards and made them look completely different with masking off everything except the bird and adding it on to another stamp which has worked fantastically well, and then using the whole stamp as a silhouette on that really vibrant and beautiful background. So wonderful to see you on the DT for the Twofer Challenge and I know this is going to be really popular and an interesting challenge to follow and also to take part in I hope. x

OH Babs said...

Loll both cards are lovely and so different from one another. Your matting and white paint splatter are a nice touch. I always appreciate and admire your talent. :) Barbara

Carol L said...

Your cards are spectacular and I love how one depicts winter, while the other represents summer! Gorgeous stamping, shading and watercoloring for 2 beautiful creations! Congrats too for being on Darnell's DT! Woot!

Trina P. said...

Gorgeous twofers. Love your watercolouring and then doing a silhouette for your second one is a great idea. So inspiring.

Cindy Beach said...

Loll, your work is just amazing. I love your explanations and you are such a master with distress inks and fussy cutting. Beautiful cards in every way. What a delight for me to be hanging out in your blog this evening!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Two super gorgeous cards!

Jacquie Southas said...

Beautiful cards - I especially love the watercolor feel of the first one!

ElizStewart said...

Fabulous cards!!! Love both of them...

Melissa L. said...

Beautiful pair of birdie cards, Loll! I love the first, soft, impressionistic one and the second bold, vibrant one. Great job getting 2 completely different looks!

Ne-Ja said...

WAW, so beautiful birds you made :)