Hello Stamplings!
I hope you're doing okay as another week whooshes by. I walked by a store yesterday and they had Halloween costumes in the window!
Mmm, no. That's a lie. I'm not going downtown and, hence, I didn't walk by a store with Halloween costumes. But the way this year is flashing by, perhaps it is happening!
I'm here to remind you that there is only one week left to enter your cards in the 29th showing of the Twofer Card Challenge, where the prize is ten million dollars and the prompt is:
🦋BUTTERFLIES!🦋
What? Wait. No. Move over. You see what happens when I let Hammy type my post! What a liar he is! (Well, that's a bit harsh. He thinks of it as teasing.) There is no prize other than the possibility of seeing your name up in lights on the winner's post! But, hey, that's always fun!
We made these two designs to inspire you:
These are a bit artsy-ish for me, aren't they? You could say I've spread my wings! 😆 This time the item my two cards have in common is a NBUS stamp from Docraft Papermania called, "Square Urban Stamp."
Onefer
For this encouragement card, I simply stamped the image with Versamark and heat-embossed it in gold on black card. The gold-embossed sediment is from STAMPlorations. To focus your eyes, I added gold border strips on each side. QACAS. (Wouldn't this image be perfect stamped on coasters?)
Challenges
- Happy House: The treasure of nature.
- NBUS: Any never-before-used-schtuff.
- Stamping Sensations: July: All creatures great and small.
- TIME OUT: Peaceful.
Twofer
For this birthday card design, I placed a square card over a piece of scratch paper and verrrrrry carefully stamped the image in black four times around the corners of the card (after first stamping off once to mute the black ink). Then I had a lie down and asked myself why I hadn't just used my gray ink pad.
Then I cut two circles out of the center. I replaced the center circle after gold-embossing the sediment from Stamps of Life, "Sentiments4Circles." I colored the butterflies in oranges and Hammy added his winking, even though you can't see the schparkle nor the juiciness of the oranges. Finally, for a little dementia, I ran an orange marker around the inner rim of the outer circle.
Then I cut two circles out of the center. I replaced the center circle after gold-embossing the sediment from Stamps of Life, "Sentiments4Circles." I colored the butterflies in oranges and Hammy added his winking, even though you can't see the schparkle nor the juiciness of the oranges. Finally, for a little dementia, I ran an orange marker around the inner rim of the outer circle.
Challenges
- 613 Avenue Create: A/G (Optional twist: sediment is the focus.)
- Butterfly Challenge: The letter "A" with options. Mine: butterfly + apricot.
- Seize the Birthday: Anything birthday goes.
~~~
I hope my cards have inspired you to make two butterfly designs per the rules and join in the fun at the Twofer Card Challenge! Mwah!
~~~
I will leave you with a photo of one of the butterflies I am blessed to see enjoying the butterfly bush outside my Playhouse window. It's not a Monarch visiting this time, but the large tiger swallowtails are equally mesmerizing!
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor! I'm slower at visiting now, however, because I'm older and I look out my window a lot.
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor! I'm slower at visiting now, however, because I'm older and I look out my window a lot.
*Life is too short!
To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)
74 comments:
Wow 😮 two fabulous cards Darnell l love the butterflies the gold stripes on either side of your card with the black background looks amazing and yes l think it would look brilliant on coasters but would you use them? 2nd card is adorable love the layout and background totally stunning cards enjoy your day and hammy needs to be seen and not heard 👀😊 xxstay safe xx
You have outdone yourself this time Darnell, these 2 are just wonderful and I love how you have used that stamp so differently on each one, great job. I am so jealous of your view from your playhouse window xx
Amazing cards Darnell, and yes, very artsy for you! I had to look twice and real ALL your words to see how you used the stamp on the second card.
Now don't you go blaming Hammy for your typing, you know his wee fingers are not big enough to type... so glad he manages to wink things so well holding the brush with both paws - he's a wee genius!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Ooooh! Your Twofers are amazing. Totally different and so beautiful. I especially love Onefer, the gold stamping on black looks stunning. I also love the second card, the color brush looks very artsy.
As you can see, not only hummingbirds love you :-)
Hugs,
BożenA
Your gold on black is striking, and the gold strips on the side really pull it all together. Great use of that stamp on the corners on your second card, and I love the gold embossed center panel.
Wow, these twofers are stunning and so artsy Auntie! The black and gold one is so elegant-looks like it is going to the Oscars. lol I love it and yes it would look beautiful on coasters. Your 2nd twofer is equally as artsy and fun. I love how you stamp the butterfly around on the corners, looks amazing even if you didn't use gray ink. So fun how you cut out the center of the card and placed in your gold sentiment, outlines. I so love it as it is a fun and interesting card! Oh you do have the best views don't you Auntie?! I love seeing the butterfly bush with that beauty on it getting some sweet nectar! I doubt I would get anything done with your views. lol Oh, yeah, I don't get much done without a view! lol Hugs, Brenda
Love how you use the butterfly in both cards. They are both elegant even though they are different..love the black and gold and the other is also so pretty. Love both
The cards and swallowtail are stunning xoxo
Both cards are absolutely BEAUTIFUL Darnell, and yes please, I'll take a set of coasters done in the gold on black!! Lovely, lovely cards my friend and Happy Friday!! Hugs. :0)
Such gorgeous cards! You are rocking the butterflies!
Fabulous cards Dolly - and you know I would steal the first one if I could cos the gold on black is like me understated - NOT! Love it.
Now - all that going round in circles made you forget you had gray ink??? But the second black stamping is LUVERLY - so better than gray and you need to stop Hammy from 'winking' at everything - there's no Mrs Hammies- T- Be around, winking on the card is quite enough!!
Have a lovely weekend! x
Amazing pair of twofers, Darnell! (is that a little redundant? 😂) Fabulous job showcasing the versatility of that stamp. The QCAS gold embossing on black is striking and classy. Then to stamp it in each corner and going more rustic/vintage is simply brilliant!
Great view from your window! I get to stare at a wall. 😂 Have a wonderful weekend.
I'm still laughing over the spreading your wings - perfect! These are amazing. I love the black and gold and the second card is artzy and charming. I'm working on mine! How lucky to be able to look out your window and see that butterfly. I only see men on mowers. I guess that's not all bad.
Two beautiful butterfly cards Darnell..luv the gold embossed butterfly and like the design of your end with the embossed circle sentiment....the swallowtail is beautiful and you are so lucky to have them visit in your garden..have a great weekend...
Anne
What fabulous artsy cards and the stamped image of the butterfly is fabulous. A very elegant and classy first card and a wonderfully designed second one.....Yes grey ink may be easier next time!!!....LOL x.
Definitely artsy, Darnell ... and fabulous dahling! The rich gold over black is dramatic and striking ... and what precision stamping the four corners on your second card ...the pops of colour are yummy. Lovely view from your window ... positively mesmerising having those fluttery delights visit. Isn't Hammy a little tease ... huh, as though ten million dollars could buy a win at Twofer! LYAMYEDMCA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)
Beautiful cards. So sorry I could not join in this time. Internet issues still.
What super cards!! I love the designs Darnell.We have quite a few butterflies playing around right now... Always good to see them. Is that a buddleia in your garden? I have a purple one too.
I too think these cards are wonderful. I'll have to try black and gold...thanks for the idea. Stay safe. Sending a cyber hug!
Wow another week of COVID!
A highlight of my week is your bog. Just looking at your wonderful, inspiring card, gives my week a bit of happiness. You and Hammy have such cute interactions that you share with us.
Out here in Death Valley area, with its 110 degrees during the day and in the high 80's at night, make painting kinda hard. No matter how high you turn up the AC, glues, inks, and paints dry. No embossing here. I did try it. Got my image down with a slow drying ink, placed the embossing powder on the image, and guess who chooses to come to take a look at what I was doing? My Hubby, Dennis. Stepping in the really warm room, in one quick faster than light, hits the overhead fan. You can imagine what happened!!
Everyone else, hope your week was productive and healthy.
You've done that butterfly stamp proud, Darnell! It's perfect and yet so different on both of your cards. I was thinking that you could've used gray ink too while I was reading your post, but there is something different about 2nd gen black. I think it has more of a newsprint look and it's wonderful with your design. I love when you show pictures of your garden which is so different than my own. Miss you!
Oh Darnell these are beauties. I love the arty look! The gold embossing on black is always one of my favs and I like you added the gold strips and naturally a super sentiment especially for these times...oh and thanks for joining Time Out x
Amazing drama you created with gold on black...that butterfly becomes an impactful focal point. Your second card (despite the lack of grey ink) also came out beautifully. Lots of interest with that gold, repeated sentiment (wish I felt that happy) and lovely monarchs fluttering around it.
Fabulous twofer, Darnell - just love them both but that black one is the showstopper for me! Love all the gold!! And oh, what a gorgeous butterfly out your playhouse window! I think I'd spend too much time watching the butterflies if I lived out there!!
WOW! WOW! WOW! those cards are amazing, such a fabulous result on both. I must have a look for a butterfly stamp and do something to win the ten million dollars. No! It's a lie? aw! That is such a beautiful butterfly, that could be a picture from a nature book.
Take care
Faith x
I knew I recognised that stamp set, I have got it somewhere but would never have created two such beautiful cards, it is almost hard to believe it is the same stamp - so versatile. I adore the gold embossing and the colours on the second are are so, so beautiful! Love them both!
Next to Monarchs, large Swallowtails are my favourite butterfly but sadly we get neither here, well definitely not the Monarchs anyway.
Keep safe and well. Hugs, Annie xxx
Darnell your cards are absolutely stunning! What a wonderful eye you have for detail!! Thanks for sharing with us at Stamping Sensations this month.
Pinky
Hi Darnell,
today I was sitting before my shelter in the North of the Netherlands and I was busy with stamps, ink and my Misti. No, I'm not a liar... I took some butterflies with me and the cards are in progress...
Your cards are marvelous! I love all the heat embossing (I didn't bring my heattool to the camping).In a few days you will see my cards, I hope.
Two gorgeous butterfly cards Darnell, your designs and colours are brilliant.
Yes time is whizzing past, scary, keep safe Kate x
Love, love, love the gold embossing on the black card! It's so elegant! Your stamping on the corners worked great! I admire your fortitude in getting everything all matched up! And your real life butterfly is beautiful. I saw one of those swallowtails a couple of days ago right outside my window. We're not seeing many butterflies this year so it was a special treat. Your dragonfly birthday card was a special treat too! Thanks for making my birthday an extra special day!
Wow! Two very creative choice for your cards designs!! Love so much the classy of the first one, gold on black looks really gorgeous!! The second one is fabulous too, and those circle surrounded with the markers are a perfect touch!
Also here at this time of the year there are a lot of amazing butterflies flying around!
Hugs
Don't let Hammy write your post never again! :-) I thought I misunderstood something during reading it. :-) But it is the true that this strange year is whooshing by very fast.
Your artistic butterflies cards are fabulous. The black card with gold embossing is very elegant and super nice. I like the design on the second card. The orange details are amazing.
Have a great weekend!
Take care and stay safe!
Hugs, Sonja
Jumping up and down here as I have that very stamp but now also banging head on wall as I have to own up to never having used it. How bad is that. Also thought that Hammy might like to know I have started a group in his honour HAMAS (Hampsters and Mice Appreciation Society). So far there are 3 members.
A field mouse, a door mouse and next doors Cat!
Thankyou for coming and spinning the butterfly wheel with me again. Hugs Mrs A.
That butterfly script stamp looks so pretty gold embossed and a great contrast with the black card, and love the gold strips too, and the other with the butterflies stamped and brightly coloured in shades of orange looks great accompanied by the two inset circles with the gold embossed sentiments in the centre, and looking good with the edge of the out circle inked in orange to give a distinct edge to the aperture...two brilliant cards Darnell. How wonderful to look out on the buddleia with beautiful butterflies flitting about. Funnily enough there do seem to be more butterflies around here this year, nature in general does seem to have enjoyed the earlier peace and quiet. x
Hmmm... I used to have that stamp, but I think I purged it. I'll have to check. Shame that I don't know, isn't it? Pretty sure I never used it so well as this. Artsy and gorgeous! I'm especially impressed by the second one with the all-over background. Super clever!
Another pair of lovelies Darnell! Love the orange and gold on the second one!
Your dramatic black and gold card caught my eye immediately! It's a stunner! Your second card is equally beautiful, showing off the beauty of the butterflies we're lucky enough to have in our yards and flower beds. I always feel blessed when I see a Monarch!
So lovely!
How lucky to have such pretties outside your window.
OMG I'm lying on my back with butterflies flying around my head :)
Cool stamped images and love the one out side your window XXXX
Hi Darnell, Loving the cards, especially the black and gold one.
Hope you have a lovely day. Sue
For an image that is distinctly unique, you've made to spectacularly unique cards! Love each one in it's own right. Your real butterfly is pretty spectacular too
Two beautiful cards Darnell. The one that you've entered into our challenge is superb and has such an elegant look to it. I love the gold embossing against the back background. Thank you for joining us in our ‘All Creatures Great And Small’ challenge at Stamping Sensations and good luck. Sandra x
Two stunning cards Darnell, I can see that you have some great inspiration in your garden.
Sue xx
What a pretty pair of butterfly cards! I'm really taken with the gold embossing on black - what a dramatic and beautiful look! Love all those birthday sentiments within the circle too - another great idea for a card! You are so blessed to have such a beautiful view from the window of your craft room!! Gorgeous!! Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Happy mid-July. Is the time flying or stalling? Neither one of us knows what day of the week it is and it makes it hard when there is nothing appearing on the calendar.
Love the black and gold card just darn charming. Take care and yada yada. Hugs, Barb
You have really outdone yourself with your beautiful butterfly cards, Darnell! I love how unique they are, especially the gold embossing on the first one!
Thank you so much for inspiring us, and for sharing your lovely photo of your special visitor :) Barb xx
Your cards are gorgeous and it honestly wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Halloween costumes out. Not that I've been shopping. I wonder if they'll even have school supplies out yet?
Keep staring out the window. It's nice to let our thoughts turn to daydreams. At least that's what you can tell people. Don't tell them you're old. Not yet. You still have a few more years. At least 20. Then we'll both be old. Yikes! [Bunny]
Gold embossing on black always makes such an impact. Easy and you get a stunningly elegant look. You put a lot of creativity into using the same stamp in a different way on your second card, it’s even hard to see it’s the same stamp. Great way to use your stash!
Looks like we were thinking along the same lines with the 'peaceful' theme Darnell - I have a stamp very similar to the one you've used here but I never know quite what to do with it so it's sat in my stash, uninked, for many years. It looks fabulous in black and gold..why on earth didn't I think of that? You've encouraged me to break it out again! The second way you've used it is just ingenious!
WOW, you really stretched this stmap and it looks incrediable in both iterations. Love love love.
Definitely artsy cards Dolly! And beautiful and elegant and ... Great designs! I LOVE this image heat embossed in gold on black. Fabulous! Your four corners stamping turned out perfectly. I can imagine you'd need a rest after the stress of stamping. :) Great work as they are perfect. Love the hits of orange. Love, Lolly
I'm so impressed at all your different butterfly ideas Darnell! The gold and black is very dramatic and I adore the clever stamping around the circle effect of the second card with its delicious colours.
Such a beautiful photo of the butterflies on your buddleja. A little buddleja seedling flew into my garden last year and settled into a pot and I've planted it out this year. Isn't it lovely when nature gives you little gifts like that?! Vicky x
Gorgeous cards!
Both of these cards are simply gorgeous Darnell! And why am I not shocked that there would be Halloween costumes already hanging on display?! Seriously! LOL
Fantastic cards as always so grateful for your visit I was getting a little worried about you now I know you are OK. x
As always your cards are awesome!
Hello Darnell! I am so glad you join our Challenge at Vesela hiška and your card is so lovely and beautiful, but for the theme this month you must add on your project something from the nature ( pressed flowers, shells...) I am so sorry, but hope you will join us again soon. Hugs, Veana R. DT
Two really lovely cards, and those beautiful butterflies are certainly very peaceful. Thanks so much for playing along at Time Out.
Talk about 2 completely different cards--wow! Beautiful work, my friend!
Wow! Another 2 butterfly beauties! I love the dramatic gold on black and your innovative design in the second! If that's the view you have from your playhouse, no wonder your cards are so beautiful! Hugs x
Love how you use the butterflys in both cards. They are both so elegant. Great designs and great way to use your stash!!
I am so glad you join our Challenge at Vesela hiška and I hope you will join us again soon :-) It's always nice to meet you!
Hugs, Majda
GORGEOUS creations Darnell! Love the textures~ You're not totally off about halloween decor...there are fall florals creeping into the aisles!
Your cards are GORGEOUS!! I love the beautiful gold and black. It was so pretty. The second card with the orange colors is so my kind of card. Those colors make me HAPPY!!! And Halloween already? My daughter said that she has been stocking CHRISTMAS in her store!!!
Yes, these do have quite the Artsy vibe for sure. The gold and black is bold and powerful... However, the orange one really caught my full attention over at STB. I think the design is fabulous! Always a pleasure when you play along! I appreciate you! Stay safe!
Oooh! Very artsy. I love the gold embossing, very dramatic.
And what a clever way of using the stamp on the twofer, it makes a great background, the pops of colour look fab xx
Two very pretty butterfly cards, and you know what - I never seem to think of using gray ink either. Love the embossing on the first card and the second card is very unique. We went to Cracker Barrel (chain of just downhome good eating restaurants with a fantastic gift shop on each store.) Well they have a great breakfast so we wore our masks (except for eating) and went out on a breakfast date. Anyway the store clerk told me they were not getting any Halloween merchandise in this year.
Not so many and just small butterflies here, but the ones on your cards look so good (and wild)! And so different; think even though the weeks are wooshing, you creativity stays in trend with it! Hugs, Gerrina
Hi Darnell
Oh my, what stunning cards. Have to say that the black and gold one really catches my eye as its a favourite colour combo of mine.
The stamp is lovely.
Keep safe dear lady.
Ang x
Looking at these fabulous butterfly twofer worth the ten million dollar prizes. Darnell! :-)
The gold heat-embossing on the black card base is so dramatic and elegant, and the gold strips on the sides are really effective. You did a wonderful job of four-corner stamping! Love the wonderful design and your attention to detail. I don't think the stamped-off black looks the same as the gray ink. It was totally worth your time and effort!
I completely agree with your saying "this year is flashing by". It feels like time, especially this spring, just disappeared. Stay safe!
Hideko xx
Awesome cards Darnell. Love the gold on black. So elegant and striking. Hugz
Simply Stunning Butterfly cards, both are beauties!!
Thanks for sharing your art creations with us at 613 Ave Create .....Look forward to seeing you again!!
¸..• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))*((¸¸.•´ ..•´
Shell ~ DT 💕
Yes you are definitely in the artsy zone with these two fabulous and artsy butterfly cards! Wow, the recipient is going to LOVE getting one of these cards...so awesome Darnell! thank you for sharing at Seize the Birthday! Heart hug my friend!
Beautiful, beautiful work, Darnell! Thanks so much for sharing with us at 613 Avenue Create!
Hugz,
Chana Malkah, Owner
Two fab cards and it's always great when the embossing comes out just right, lol. Sorry I'm late, but still wanted to pop in to thank you for entering your card in the challenge at 613 Avenue Create.
Hugs, Sandy DT
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