Hello Stamplings!
I hope you are doing well. My heart goes out to all those suffering from the tragic floods and fires around the world. This on top of worrying about the Delta variant makes it hard sometimes to feel all that perkiful, but hopefully, my cards will bring a smile.
It's time for the August Twofer Card Challenge and the fun prompt for this month is 🐶Dog/Cat🐱. Here are my Twofers:
The NBUS stamp set my cards have in common is the Tim Holtz "Snarky Cat Christmas CMS416."
Onefer
Most of you know that I'm more of a dog person than a cat person, but I could not resist this snarky set with the bug-eyed cats! For this schparkly Christmas card, the image was stamped in black and clear heat-embossed. The sunshine has bounced off the shine from the embossing and washed out how black and crisp the image is in person. Everything was colored with my Ziggies and winked by my Hammy. The frame is from Avery Elle and I used gold ink through a stencil for the dotty bits.
The sediment comes from the same Snarky Cat set and if you know me really well, you'll be nodding your head right about now. My friends and family are very long-suffering because I'm known for giving them my know-it-all (expert!) opinion without being asked. I've honestly tried not to do it which involves snapping my teeth down firmly on my tongue, but still my words burst forth of their own violation!
Twofer
For my second design, this time for a birthday, I stamped and fussy-cut Mr. Grumpola and stuck him in the corner of an MFT Peek-a-Boo die cut window. Behind him I used a piece of pp and Hammy fashioned him a birthday cap with even more pp. Woooooooo-hoooooooo for us! Okay, that's way too many oooos. Finally, I added an apropopo sediment from MFT. I tried putting googlie-eyes on him, but it didn't have the same perfect effect as those incredible eyes drawn by the stamp artist.
The Final Twofer Card Challenge
I hope you will pull out your favorite dog or cat stamp, die, or stencil and make two different designs for two different occasions to join in the fun at Twofer Card Challenge! The two talented Guest Designers, Vicky and Donna, and the entire Design Team have made beautiful Twofer dog and cat designs to inspire you!
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I especially hope that you can play this month because this will be the last challenge for the Twofer Card Challenge. Between family health problems and priority changes, ending TCC is the best thing for me. It was a good four-year run and I had a lot of fun! My hat goes off to those of you managing card challenges for many, many, many more years than I have!
I gave this decision a lot of thought because I know so many of you love the concept of TCC which made you think hard while stretching your design skills. I'm sorry you will no longer have the TCC monthly prompts, DT inspiration, and fellow players to inspire you, but I sincerely hope you understand my decision and that you will continue on your own to occasionally design cards using the Twofer design concept.
I look forward to seeing your amazing dog and cat Twofers in the final gallery! Mwah!💕
~~~
Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! Life is too short!
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51 comments:
So sad to hear this Darnell, but respect you for making the decision. You must look after yourself, I'm sure keeping a challenge going is not an easy task. Thanks for all the inspiration and laughs and hope the world settles back to a more even keel soon! :)
Thank you for bringing a smile to my face this morning with these two cards Darnell. The images, those quirky eyes, the fun sentiments and the designs are just perfect x.
Had a chuckle about 'giving your opinion' whether they want it or not made me laugh out loud x.....Let's just say you are not alone!
I am so sorry to hear about the twofer challenge Darnell but health, family and priorities always come first x.
Sorry not to have always joined in but I take such a long time to make one card....lol x. I have always been hugely inspired by your wonderful DT and guests and I will always cherish my 'special blog badge win' of being the 'unconventional' winner.
Take good care of yourselves, your family and sending tons of love and hugs Darnell x.
Hi Darnell...your cards really made me smile...like you I'm a doggy person but who would love these adorable images....
At the end of the day Darnell health and family have top priority over everything else...
Hugs Anne x
As I try to read your post through my own googly eyes (lack of sleep) I’m chuckling at the pics of your snarky cats. ;) Even tho I haven’t participated in TCC you have been a wonderful host. Sending gentle hugs to you and the Mister, Nan and the Girls
Loving your cards Darnell - and Hammy has done his bit beautifully, as ever.
I haven't entered the Two-fer many times, but I have always followed it with fascination at the wonderful artists and their creations. Thank you for you four years of challenges.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
Great cards, Darnell!
OMGosh, these twofers are fabulous Auntie!!! Loving that cat image, his expression is so funny, add in the snarky sentiments and they make the perfect cards. Love how different both cards look, even the cat looks different just by being in black/white and a different hat. Love these! Oh I'm so sorry to hear that the challenge is closing, but totally understand. Life sends us in different directions, I know it has been me as well for quite some time. Gosh, I can't believe the challenge as ran that long! Time flies when you are having fun!! Anyway, good luck with family health problems and priority changes, unfortunately we all go through it. Sending love and big hugs, Brenda
I love these adorable and funny cards. They will definitely put a smile on the recipients' faces. The sentiments are hilarious. I look forward to your posts and will miss the Twofer post. Enjoy your day!
LOVE these cards!!! While I didn't get to play often I'm sorry to hear about Two-fer. It most definitely was a true CHALLENGE. But it's hard to do "all of the things" and I commend you for acknowledging when it's best to let something go. Life is definitely a juggling act nowadays. --- JulieP
Love, Love, Love your "cat"itudes. Those bulgy eyes say it all. Love the sentiments too. Sorry, but completely understand your ending Twofer challenges. They have stretched my creativity and made me look at stamps in a different way. Wish you well in your health issues and in your future endeavors.
Yes I hope you are managing in this unsettled summer weather! Super cute cards and downright funny!
This was a great way to start my day with those giggle worthy sentiments and grumpy cat, Darnell. And then I scrolled down and saw your announcement. I totally understand your need to close the challenge but it still makes me sad. I'm so glad I brought some cat/dog images with me so I can give you a great send-off. Take care, my friend. Hugs.
Hysterical sentiments on both of these fun and whimsical cards!
Hi Darnell, Fab cards.
Sorry you have given up the challenge, but you have to do what is best for you.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the week. Sue
First of all my friend I love those cat cards you made. And both worked so well and I loved the snarky sentiments too. I must say I enjoyed the Twofers but lately I had not participated due to health issues as well so I can understand you wanting to have more free time to concentrate on you and family. I have had to adjust my participation in a lot of things too! Just getting through the day alone without crafting sometimes is all I can handle. So don't worry about it and take care of what is most important in life.....you and family! God bless you!
Cute cats and well done for the two different cards! I LOVE the snarky sentiments on each! Darnell, I'm sorry you have to give up the Twofer Challenge, but I sure understand. I have a hard enough time playing challenges, let alone running one. I hope this step back will give you more time for health and priorities.
You have ended your Awesome Twofer Challenge with two Snarky Cat Character cards, which have made us all laugh out loud and helped dampen your news that this will be your last Twofer Challenge! But as always, our health and family are our top priorities. Thank you so much, my dear sweet and sometimes a bit Snarky friend for inspiring us for 4 years (amazing) with your monthly Twofer challenges. I have not played as often as I wanted, but always followed your challenges and was and still am SO Excited to have won one of your challenges:-)
Take care and Happy tails...whoops, trails Sweet Dolly!!! Love and Hugs..Nancy
So sorry to see this fun and challenging, well, challenge go but I totally understand that nothing is sure but change. Hopefully, I can continue stretching myself but, as the years go by, my mind and body keep getting in the way. This one will be missed, though.
Anyway, snark is the truly the theme here...and I LOVE IT! That cat beats everything in my book. Maybe, I should take the advice on the Christmas card and curtail my gift giving. As for the second...everyone I know is getting up there, so I absolutely understand the cat's confusion.
Hope you and the Mister are managing to stay well. Mwah!
Beautiful cards, Darnell. I totally understand your reasons for closing the challenge and I will hopefully get to play xoxo
Two wonderful cards, I especially like the layout of the second one.
I have to admit feeling a little bereft at your news, maybe because it comes hot on the heels of another loss. however, you must do what is right for you and I entirely understand that.
Two fun and snarky cards!
I am sorry to read that you are shutting down the twofer challenge. I really enjoyed taking part when I could. I wish you and your family the best. From time to time I will pop by here to check in on you. Hugs, Natalie aka @natshobbycorner on Instagram
Love those two cards, Darnell - they brought a smile to my face! As you know, I'm more of a dog person too - cats often seem snarky and opinionated to me so you've depicted them perfectly. I know I haven't been a regular player in the Twofer challenge, but I've enjoyed seeing what you, the DT, and the participants have done - and I've envied everyone's imaginations, since I don't seem to have that skill!! Well done, you, running it for 4 years!
Family and health must come first, so your decision is understandable. Twofer will be missed, although I haven’t joined all challenges, I’ve prioritized this one and have done many, and when not participating myself, I’ve still headed over to look at the gallery. I think it’s been especially fun when someone use stuff I’ve got in my stash, for extra inspiration, and that’s what you’ve done this time. I’m definitely a cat person, not an owner myself anymore though. I just love how you turned this Christmas cat into a birthday party cat, love the hat, the yellow and that sentiment!
You are on fine form with these cards, they are both very clever and brilliant. You just have to smile. So sorry to hear that it is time for the Twofer challenge to end, but I am very pleased to hear that you are prioritising the right things. There is only so much that can be done. I must try and make an effort to take part this month, but I am not even sure if I have any cat or dog stamps. I shall have a look xx
Oh I am sorry to hear that this will be the last challenge. I totally get it, though. Running a challenge blog is HARD!!!! I will miss it but it is a great technique to have in the back of my mind when I am making a card.
I LOVE your little cat cards. What a genius way of using that stamp by cutting it out like you did and adding a hat for the birthday. I don't think I would ever think of that. I am going to have to think on this one as I do not have many cat/dog stamps. I do have a new die but not a cat.
Thank you for all your smiles, your inspiration and just being you. YOU ROCK my friend!!
Hi Darnell, I just love your cats, the expressions are brilliant. Love the designs and the sentiments, so funny.
Your health and family are always a priority of course and I'm sure you've made the right decision, I will miss seeing your fabulous cards, take care, Kate x
Another two fabulous cards, I love those Snarky cats, they always make me smile.
It must have been such a tough decision to wrap up the Twofer Challenge, I am sure it will be missed by everyone but you have to do what is right for you and the family.
It really is horrible seeing all the fires around the world, I hope the ones in California don't come too close to you and/or that you are not troubled by smoke, like you were last time. Keep safe and well. Hugs, Annie xxx
Darling Twofer with the snarky kitties, Darnell - just love both cards!! You have been a pillar of inspiration with the Twofer Challenge - sad to see it go but you've been brilliant at it for all these years!! We'll just have to devise our own personal twofer challenge whenever we need to get two cards done :) Thank you, thank you, my friend!!
Fabulous cards Darnell as always...and your health and family come first but I'm sure you have made the right decision lots of hugs Sue x
Dear Darnell, it was a pleasure and a great honour for me to be a member of the designer team for Twofer Card Challenge. Thank you for inviting me. <3 As much as I know, you are the dog lover and I'm surpriest you choose the image of the cat for the final challenge. :-) But this cat is representing your kind of designing cards. The kind, that I like so very much. It is funny and wonderful designed. And I like the sentiments on both cards. Super funny and cute.
Have a great day ! Love and hugs, Sonja
What fun your two cat cards, Darnell. Creative layout too on the second one. Best wishes to you and your family and I hope you stopping the Twofer challenge will allow you more time. I know you are the best Nurse, but do take care of you too. Hugs and love.
These cards are amazing and fun Darnell. We all reach a point when something has to be let go, health and family are number one. Sending hugs, Donna
Fabulous and fun cards Darnell! Family and health come first, take care of you! Hugs, Donna
So sorry to see your challenge end, but totally understandable. What a FUN send off you're giving us with these snarky cats and their snarky words! Two marvelous finale cards, Darnell!
Wonderful cards, Darnell, and especially the snarky sentiments! Gotta love a good snark every now and then. While I am indeed sad to see the challenge go, I give you my utmost admiration for taking it on, keeping it running, and now choosing HEALTH! You are loved and supported 100% by myself and a bazillion others!
Love your catty cards, Darnell. I will, for the last time, try to play along in the last Twofer Challenge. I definitely understand your need to step away from managing it. It takes a lot of time--time that you need to devote to more important issues like health and family. I wish you only the best. I hope you will keep laughing, stay snarky and continue crafting. Big hugs to you!
Your cards definitely had me LOL! Those sentiments are soooo funny and you've designed two fabulous cards:) I want to thank you for keeping us motivated with your wonderful challenge. I can't believe it's been 4 years! Thanks so much to you and your awesome team! I hope you have a good rest and that all health challenges disappear or at least get easier to cope with. Take care. Big hugs xxxx
Two AWESOME cards to finish out the Twofer Challenge Dolly! I LOVE those snarky cats and the sentiments that go with them. I agree, I was nodding my head as I read the first card's sentiment --- totally YOU! :) Thanks for bringing us so much inspiration during the past four years. You truly have made a lot of people happy with your "challenging" challenge! And you keep us laughing all the time. Here's a big THANK YOU to you, my sweet friend! Love, Lolly
Oh those cards made me smile today and I needed that! Oh life can be tough at times, or rather people make it tough... Sorry about the twofer finishing but the hardest part is making that decision and I wish you good health and lots of time to play my friend...
LOL! You couldn't have found a better cat stamp, my friend! These snarky cats are awesome! For the record I usually value your opinions. Usually....A perfect birthday card! I love how this kitty fits in the peek-a-boo frame and looks ready to party! The perfect choice for a background! I've loved this challenge from the start and was honored when you invited me to join your awesome team. I think I'll always look at stamps and dies in the Twofer way and you'll be seeing more Twofer cards from me in the future! XOXO
Fabulous cards. I respect your decision. Take care of you. Enjoy your day.
Two awesomely funny and trademark Darnell cards. Love them. Thank you for inviting me to be on your team in both DT and Media roles. I have made a few friends from being on the dt and getting to know you better was one of the best outcomes. Twofer is a great challenge and it will influence all those that played through out their cardmaking times. Best of all It makes me a smarter product purchaser...if I can't create atleast a pair of twofers in my head from a set...it fails to jump in the cart. Take care of you and your family, enjoy your playhouse. The enormous amount of time and energy it takes to run a challenge or serve on a design team is not fully appreciated by the players until they take those rolls on. My everlasting thanks for all you have done. Hugs and much love.
Oh l am so pleased you added cats to your cards knowing your a dog person the cats stamps are so adorable absolutely fabulous are both cards and l hope you get plenty of eateries sad that it’s to be your last one but perfectly understandable take care xx
Haha, bet Hammy was 'rushin fushin' under his breath at having to wink the cats! Love the snarky sentiments and the sheer grumpiness of that cat stamp. Here's to more time for you *clinks glass* Mwah! Vicky x
Two fabulous and fun cards Darnell, and the snarky cats and ticklish sentiments are so quirky and the eyes say it all..lol. In my opinion anything you have to say is always worth listening to. I am sad that this will be the last challenge, but quite understand that this is the right time for it to end but it has been four amazing years, and realise just how much effort you have put in to make it interesting and challenging, and although I have not always been the best at making the deadline I have loved all the wonderful inspiration from you and the team. x
Way to have Twofer go out with a bang! Those cats are hysterical...and the sentiments...bwah-ha-ha! Awesome cards, my friend. Now I don't want to get all teary-eyed and maudlin, so I won't. Just let me say thank you for having me on your DT from the get-go. It's been an awesome time, and I will continue to look at my designs (rectangle), and try to challenge myself to go beyond. You've been a wonderful leader, and this has been a great time. I think you've given us all something to really ponder; designs, stretching our stamps, and most of all, friendship. You're amazing. xoxoxo. Bev
these snarky cats are so funny, I just had to get them when they came out last year. I love both cards.
Sorry to see the challenge end, I always love to see what people did as a twofer but understand all the hard work you put in. ♥
Yep, even with the way the world is right now, you definitely brought a smile to my face with your 2 snarky cat cards Darnell! Too flippin' funny!! Ohhhhh those expressions on their faces...I don't know how you kept a straight face making these cards, and the sentiments are perfection too! Bahahahaha!! I won't get too sappy here because I know this isn't the end of our friendship, but did want to tell you "thank you" for inviting me to play along with you and the others on this FUN and challenging DT...I've loved it all and been so inspired by all the team! And I doubt I will ever be able to think of making cards without making a "twofer", and yes, sometimes even a "threefer"!! Thank you, thank you Darnell...you're the best!! Hugs. :0)
Oh my goodness--your cards did indeed make me smile, Darnell! Good for you being willing to do what you need to do. I think a lot of us are rethinking priorities with everything that's happened. Life is short, as we know. Hoping health issues are improving. Sending hugs, Greta
Love the sentiments! and the cats and the cards! They did make me smile as we continue lockdown #6 with tighter restrictions the last few days which include night curfews and authorisation paperwork to leave home to goto work!
These cards are so cute! I especially like the sentiment on the second card!~
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