Saturday, April 10, 2021

Twofer #37 Challenge

 
Hi everyone.  I had fun playing with this month's Twofer challenge.  I LOVE this beautiful, leafy stencil (gifted from a sweet friend) that I used on both cards.


Please remember to follow the prompt below as well as above ...


I'm liking this technique that I saw on a youtube video by Nina Marie a couple of weeks ago.  This time I tried with with a sweet row of cacti (Happy Together - Penny Black), stamped in black and clear heat embossing, then watercoloured with the two colours of Distress Inks I wanted to use for the top stenciling (Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, along with Rusty Hinge for the pots).

Added a light sponging and then a layer of sponging through a leaves stencil (Lovely Leaves - Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi) at the top and then finished with a sentiment (Special Sentiments - Penny Black), stamped in black and clear heat embossed to match the image).  I really like how the card turned out! :)  Now I need to look through my stencils and images to find some more pairings. :)

Close-up ...

For my second card using the leaf stencil, I started with a coloured background.  This is one of my last pieces of Certainly Celery (SU!) that retired many years ago. :)


I sponged the leafy sprig around the outside edges of the card front, using two shades of green for depth (Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I then added just a few more sponged sprigs, done this time with Versamark and then heat embossed in clear.  The sentiment (Smiles - Penny Black) was stamped in Rustic Wilderness and clear embossed as well.

Close-up ...
I hope you'll come play along at Twofer ... it's such a fun challenge!  It's open until April 24th ... don't miss out! :)

Products:

Card #1 - Birthday Leaves
Stamps:  Happy Together, Special Sentiments (both from Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Oxides:  Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers, Rusty Hinge (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: Clear embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool, waterbrush, Lovely Leaves Stencil (Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi), blending brushes

Card #2: Best Friends
Stamps:  Smiles (Penny Black)
Paper:   Certainly Celery DSP (SU!); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:  Sponges, Lovely Leaves Stencil (Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi), Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:


30 comments:

HilaryJane said...

What a great twofer, that leaf stencil looks amazing with your vibrant greens and I just love your watercoloured cacti and succulents, perfect xx

Nstiz said...

Both your cards just pop with color! Beautiful! Love the wonderful painting on the potted cacti and even see my favorite aloe plant there. The stenciling looks fabulous with it. I too was a fan of certainly celery cardstock and sorry to see it go. I do like how you used it.

Liz said...

A beautiful Twofer, Loll. Two beautiful designs. xx

oldpunca said...

I think, I will dream about your cards, Loll. They are both stunning. The leaf stencil is fabulous. You've used it so unique for to decorate the cacti row. And it is a perfect motive also without any other detail, with exeption of the sentiment. Just great!
Hugs, Sonja

Darnell said...

These are great, Lolly! That cacti birthday design is as cute and charming as can be! You are always teaching me new ways to use my stencils - as well as just reminding me to use my stencils. Of course I love the shades of green and the touches of blue and yellow in your blending and the perfect way you colored the row of succulents and ground them. And while your second design is simple, it packs a powerful punch of spring and movement! The blended leaves look amazing on the celery card and I'm glad you did the closeup to show the touches of shimmery gloss! Thank you for inspiring everyone with your Twofer makes! Love, Dolly

Susan said...

All that vibrant green is saying "spring is here" to me - my favourite season, I just love seeing all the new leaves. Two great cards, Loll. Wonderful use of that stencil technique on the first card - I must do that again as it's so effective. On the second card, the repeating of the leaves in different tones of green draws your eye right into the sentiment.

Marcia Hill said...

WOW!! These are both GORGEOUS Loll!! I love how you used the leaf stencil on both cards and especially on the certainly celery cardstock (I loved that color too!!). And your row of cacti are all so beautifully colored too!! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!! Hugs. :0)

JD/ Jill said...

Beautiful cards!

Barb Ghig said...

Both cards are GORGEOUS, Loll! I love the techniques that you chose for this stencil...the first card is so pretty with your watercolored cacti and I love the dreamy effects you created by using your DSP on the 2nd one... it was definitely worth using one of your last pieces :). Thanks so much for the link to Nina Marie's video ~ xx

Robyn Oliver said...

Two fabulous cards Loll, that is one wonderful technique on the first - so effective and we do tend to forget using coloured card stock as the base..for stamping and sponging..looks amazing on the second card. hugs Robyn

Mac Mable said...

Loving the technique and the vibrancy of colour on your first card Loll. Fabulous all over pattern/stencilling on the second and the extra clear embossing adds a wonderful extra detail. Real stunners, both of them x.

Brenda in IN said...

A stunning way to use that stencil and such great colors on both cards. Two terrific twofer cards. Say that three times fast!

Trina P. said...

Terrific twofers showcasing this lovely leaf stencil. The colours are so vibrant. Beautiful use of techniques.

Bunny said...

Lovely cards and beautiful colors. [Bunny]

nancy littrell said...

LOVE your Gorgeous sponged and stenciled leaves, Lolly. TFS the link. I have been wanting to try this beautiful technique. You ALWAYS inspire me my friend:-) Thank you. TFS your detailed description of both your beautiful leafy card designs too. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Christine Alexander said...

wow Loll that leafy background looks amazing, the perfect frame for your row of cacti.

My Paper Epiphany said...

I love them both so much! The colours are so bright and cheery:)

Bonnie said...

Wow! Love this leaf stencil and how you've used with these pretty potted plants! It adds extra depth and interest! Your ink blending on the Certainly Celery is fantastic and I love the different layers of the stenciling! Two awesome cards, my friend!

Brenda said...

Your twofers are bright and springy Loll! I love that stencil, it looks like lots of fun to play with. Your first card is so pretty, looks like a garden with overhead leafy canopy! I can imagine sitting out under it and being surrounded by all those beautiful cacti. Your second card is cool with the stenciled leaves and embossed leaves. Gives such a fun texture and again, you get the feeling of being under a thick leaf canopy. Hugs, Brenda

Leslie Miller said...

Ohhhh, those leaves! I sooo love all the green on both cards, as well as the touch of Peacock Feathers on the first, plus the super cute row of succulents. It's all so beautiful, Loll!

Pat said...

What a beautiful leaf stencil used on your Twofers Loll and love the bright and pretty mix of colours and the pretty row of cacti on the first and then the frame of leaves on the second with a wonderful sentiment for each. Two gorgeous cards. x

kiwimeskreations said...

A pair of fabulous cards Loll - loving the clear embossing on the second card! The stenciling over the sponged background is so pretty too.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

AlisonC said...

I'm in love with this green card. There is so much depth there and a beautiful sentiment too, of course. x

Happy Dance said...

Oh those greens! I gave up houseplants years ago when I couldn't devote any time to them, as taking care of John was more important. Your cacti and succulents are so pretty, and I'm mad for them! Love the leafy canopy you've tucked them under! I can almost picture them on a back patio - sitting at a table having a little sangria and admiring them! I hate that there's no longer Certainly Celery (and Parisian Breeze) at SU!! You've made a gorgeous card with one of your last pieces. What a sweet sentiment, too! I love the addition of the clear embossed sprigs as well. Awesome Twofer, my friend!! Love both of these! Stay safe. xo Bev

TK said...

What a wonderful stencil, and it looks wonderful paired with your succulents -- so unexpected!

Anita in France said...

The row of little cacti are so cute under their stencilled leafy canopy, Loll ... and how cool and tranquil are those tone on tone (and clear embossed) leaves ... the depth is fantastic! A wonderful twofer! Hugs, Anita :)

Ros Crawford said...

OMG! They are so beautiful!! LOVE the greens and love both cards!

BożenA said...

I love your succulent shelf. The branches above them look as spring as if the sun's rays are breaking through their greenery. The second card draws the eye to the center of the card and I admire your wonderful sponging technique.
xx

Papercraft Boutique said...

Both leafy cards are fabulous, Loll! The stenciled leaves over the sponged background look like a gorgeous parasol for the sweet row of cacti pots.
And the leaves in two green shades of the second card are so beautiful! The clear heat-embossed leaves are a cherry on top!! Love the design and the sentiment too!
p.s. I liked the green shade of Certainly Celery so much that I bought a pack of the cardstock on ebay a few years ago! :-)

baileyrosy.com said...

Hi Loll its been an absolute age since I was in blog land and just wanted to pop in and say hi. Two leafy masterpieces, loving the lush green tones and beautiful stamping. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Marie