A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

January 10, 2020

TCC 2nd Blogaversary ~ ❤❤ and Prizes!

Hello Stamplings,

It's here! Twofer Card Challenge is back! I know I usually have a bit of a chat with you, but today I hope you'll forgive me for getting right toit. The reason is, I would love it if you popped over to the Twofer challenge blog which is epic in length, but it's all good information.

As you prolly figured out from the title, the prompt for January is ❤❤and here are my inspiration cards:
I have a LOT of heart stamps. For these cards, I grabbed one from my miscellaneous hearts, so I'm sorry that I have no idea who makes it. It is shown as the collar around Nellie's neck in my first design and as the candle flames and the "a" in birthday on my second design.

Onefer
The LOVE die is "Embossed Love" from Poppystamps. NBUS "Nellie" was a gift to me from Brenda while I was in Indiana. It is from a set called "Birthday for Cookie" by The Stamps of Life.

(As you can see, Nellie is featured prominently on this first card, which is a Valentine. Please don't get after me because Hammy is not featured on the second design. I did ask him, but he is very selfless and declined. He's been the cover boy on many of my cards over the years and he wanted Nellie to have her turn in the limelight. What a sweetie!)

Twofer
The heart e/f is from Darice. The sediment is from WPlus9's "Birthday Wishes" and the candles are from Concord & 9th's "Eat Cake & Celebrate" set. The wee heart blings are black metallic. It doesn't show, but Hammy did wink the heck out of the hearts on this card.
 
Prizes

And now here's part of the reason why the challenge blog post is so long!

In honor of our 2nd Blogaversary, there are PRIZES!!! 

Please head over to the Twofer Card Challenge to check out the prizes and see the amazing Twofer cards made to inspire you by our very talented Guest Designers Jane and Jacquie and, of course, the entire fabulous Design Team! This challenge is open until January 24, 2020.

~~~

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!

*Life is too short!

Challenges:
Onefer:  Poppystamps [From the Heart]; Country View [Love]; and TIME OUT [photo challenge].
Twofer: The Male Room [Anything Masculine Goes]; SSS Monday: [New]; and Atlantic Hearts Sketch.

01-20 copyHelp yourself to our buddy button

80 comments:

Stamps and Paper said...

Two great cards Darnell your little dog us sooo cute with the heart around is neck... love the highlighting and your embossed background on your second card and the red really goes well with the kraft card....

Anne

Babs said...

Two beautiful cards love the pup one he’s so sweet , fab embossing red and kraft work well together ..
Babs x

Lynda said...

Both fabulous cute cards - an inspiration for the Twofer Challenge - I must try harder. :) xx (Loopyloo)

Ros Crawford said...

Happy Blog anniversary!! You cards are wonderful and I just love your "Nellie' Card! Have a great day!

Jeanne said...

Happy Twofer anniversary! How wonderful for you all. Your cards are so sweet. And so is that Hammy to let Nellie take center stage on the card. I so enjoy your use of the hearts on each card. Here's to many more fun times with the Twofer Challenge. :) Hugs!

Vicky Hayes said...

Nellie makes a beautiful cover star on your first card Darnell (does she ever look at you like that in real life?!! And the candles and sediment are really popping on the texture of your second card. Congratulations on two years of inspiring crafters everywhere with this fun challenge. Mwah!
Vicky x

Donna said...

Gorgeous cards, like the one with Mellor and the heart on her collar and the other with the stamping before dry embossing is really cool!

Fikreta said...

these cards are super cute!

Bunny said...

Happy 2nd Blogaversary. I "heart" your cards. They are so cute. [Bunny]

oldpunca said...

O, Nellie is the star of the TCC this time. :-) Cute!
Both of your cards are fantastic. You've used hearts in very smart way as a collar and as a candle flames.
Where and when are this two years gone, since you've started the first Twofer Challenge?
Have a nice weekend!
Hugs, Sonja

KandA said...

Two gorgeous cards Darnell. Nellie looks so cute on the first and I love the candles on the second xx

Brenda in IN said...

What a fun way to use the "Nellie" stamp. She looks adorable and we know why you love her. Congratulations on two years with Twofer. It's hard to believe it's been two years already and the time has flown by. That is such a clever birthday card with hearts as flames! Guess I'd better get busy and stretch my brain again.

Lisa Babitz said...

That stamp looks just like Nellie!! So cute!! Love how you embossed over the stamping on the second card. Both cards came out great!

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Great two-fer with those hearts! I love both cards!

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous twofers Darnell, Nellie looks so sweet with that heart collar and your birthday flames are inspired. Happy Second Twofer Blogoversary!

Jean said...

Such lovely cards!

Diane said...

Both cards are fabulous and such a creative use of that heart, how do you think of these things lol!! Hoping to play along in this one!!

Em Louise Fairley said...

Fab cards, Darnell xoxo

Trina P. said...

Happy blogaversary, Darnell! Wonderful and inspiring twofers. Your Nellie onefer is just so sweet, wearing her heart pendant and all. Using the hearts for flames and as the “a” on the second is creative and fun. Off to check out the Twofer post.

Barb Ghig said...

Happy Blogaversary, Darnell! This is such a fun prompt, and I can't wait to dig up my heart stamps and dies, and play along :)
Both of your cards are fabulous, Darnell! Your little 'Nellie' is too cute (and a great look-alike, too) and I love how you added a pop of color with the red heart and blue bow! I also love how you embossed the hearts on your 2nd card...kudos to Hammy for adding sparkle to your design, too! Time to check out my stash for some hearts :) Barb xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Happy Happy "Twoferaversary", Darnell!!! :D
Love your creativity, you have used so well the heart stamp outside the box, LOVE Nellie's card, it's absolutely delightful!!! Congrats to Hammy for his kindness! :D The flames of the candles match so well with the sentiment!!
Hugs!

Maria said...

Happy Blog Anniversary!! Nellie featured on the first card is just too cute!! And, love the second card that has fun candles with the red hearts, so creative! Take care and have a great weekend!!:-))

Krisha said...

Super cute cards!

Marianne said...

Happy Twofer blogaversary, Darnell. Nellie is looking darling, dressed up like that, and please do give Hammy a hug from me for being such a sweetheart!
Marianne x

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Loving the cards. Sue

Verna Angerhofer said...

Fabulous card designs.

sandie said...

Congrats hon! And yet again 2 more fab cards. Adore the Birthday card-love the idea of the candles as the flames and such a lovely embossed background-super challenge and congrats to you for all your hard work x

nancy littrell said...

I LOVE both your adorable, beautiful, lovely, sweet, creative Love cards, Dolly. Congratulations on your 2nd Anniversary too. Off to check out your challenge:-) LOVE & HUGS...Nancy

Happy Dance said...

Hearts a plenty on your sweet cards! LOVE the little Nellie image. Gotta wonder if Nellie sent in her portfolio and got herself on a stamp set without you knowing it! Perfect Valentine colors, too. The kraft base you chose for your birthday card was a great idea. The reds and blacks just pop against it. Sweet, sweet cards. And congrats on the big blogaversary! Woohoo!! xo Bev

conil said...

"Gee whiz...let me think...do I have anything with a heart on it???", said no stamper EVER! This should be fun...looks like you had fun, too. Hammy's such a gentleman letting Nellie be star of the show and that sweet card. Brilliant use of that heart to adorn the candles with it, as well. Like how your mind works. I'm off to the Twofer post. See ya later.

Cris G. said...

Happy 2nd Blogaversary, Darnell! Your cards are all dressed up for a lovely celebration. Nellie's card is my favorite... she always look adorable in real life and in paper :)!

Patti said...

Sweet cards! and the perfect image of Nellie!!! Off to check out the challenge!!Congrats on your 2nd anniversary! my how time flies : )

Celeste Goff said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell! And that was very selfless of Hammie to let Nellie have her day in the spotlight! LOL

Corry said...

what a beautiful Cards ... you also have a nice blog. I started to follow you. I want to invite you to come and take a look at my blog and maybe you would like to follow me too
My blog is corryscardandcreations
Hugs corry

Bobby said...

Happy Twofertwo Anniversary, Darnell. It's been a fun and stamp stretching Challenge. I'm glad Nellie has her own stamp. And what a cutie she is.

Kathleen said...

Two really super creations and a cute image and lovely EF.

Kath x

Loll said...

Two fantastic heart-filled cards Dolly! LOVE the sweet Nellie ... this image looks just like ther! And I love how you've made the hearts the candle flames on your second card. Very creative and fun! Happy 2nd Blogaversary, my friend! Love, Lolly

Liz said...

Two wonderful cards, Darnell. Very clever way of using the hearts on the second card. xx

Leslie Miller said...

That adorable little pup looks exactly like Nellie! Almost as cute. What better word to go with her than a great big "LOVE"? I use a lot of hearts on my cards, but most are dies or punches. Mayhaps I need some heart stamps because I see how versatile they are as letters and candle flames! Both cards are cute as can be, Darnell. This is quite a celebration you've got going on at Twofer!

Marcia Hill said...

Happy 2nd anniversary my friend! Can't believe it's been two years that you've been helping us all to stretch our stamps, dies, & stencils to get more mileage out of them and also getting us to think outside the box! Well done Darnell, well done! As for your cards...well Nellie is just too darn CUTE and of course she should wear a heart collar! And I love the heart flames on your birthday card...why did I never think of that?! Such a FUN challenge this month and I'm so excited to watch it all unfold from the position of a DT member! Hugs!! :0)

Lisa Elton said...

Atta boy Hammy! You're a good brother giving Nellie her moment in the spotlight. Two darling cards Darnell! Is Nellie giving the one of her to the Mister for Valentine's Day? Congrats on two years of your Twofer challenge!!

Bonnie said...

My goodness, has it been two years already! Happy Blogaversary at Twofer! Love Nellie's heart collar! She had to have posed for that stamp! Fantastic birthday candles! That's a birthday wish with lots of love!

Lindsey said...

Happy Challenge-versary! I really really need to play - but we'll see what happens. :D Love the two cards, and appreciate Hammy's selflessness.

Cheryl W. said...

Your cards are wonderful! Who would have thought to use a little heart stamp as a candle flame (but you!). I will definitely be giving this challenge some thought. I have a few heart stamps and dies, and hopefully I'll come up with a couple of ideas.

Susan said...

Great use of the little heart!! The little "Nellie" is adorable - so sweet with the blue bow and red heart on her collar. And I never would have thought to use the heart as a candle flame - very cool!

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Darnell - love your use of the heart stamp - especially on the candles.
I am so glad Hammy was happy to enhance the card for you, the wee sweetheart, and how self effacing - maybe his name should be Humble Hammy? ;)
Blessings
Maxine

Anita in France said...

Well, isn't Nellie just the cutest in her blue bow and tiny sweet heart, Darnell ... and how magnanimous of Hammy to let her have the limelight! The texture of the kraft on your birthday card is positively touchable (even from here) ... and having those fun party candles with hearts a-flaming is just genius! Huge congratulations on two fantastic years, mon amie ... you make all our lives better just by being you ... and it's such an honour to be on your team! LYAMYHMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Sharyn Polesel said...

Two SUPER cute cards and your little Nellie is adorable! Hope you are enjoying your weekend. We have been pounded with rain for a couple of days now. Our yard looks like a lake. Hugs, Sharyn

Pat said...

Gorgeous Twofers Darnell, and adore the lovely stamp of Nellie, so cute with her collar with the heart and also the adorable candles with heart shaped flames and added heart on the sentiment. So beautifully done. x

sandie said...

forgot to say thanks for joining Time Out! xx

Carol L said...

I'm so glad the Twofer is back and hopefully it will help me stretch my imagination to make more cards in the coming year. Love your twofers - each one is just brimming with love :)

HilaryJane said...

2 great card. I love the bold red on both cards and yet they are so different, very clever. Can't believe it is 2 years since you started the Twofer Challenge. I will have to try and find time to enter what with prizes and all! xx

Sarah said...

TWo years for the Twofer Challenge...no way!! Love these gorgeous cards with their matching hearts, little Nellie is adorable xx

Redanne said...

Two fabulous cards, Nellie looks adorable even in stamp form and that was so kind of Hammy to let Nellie have the spotlight. Love your second card, the red and Kraft work so well together. Congratulations on your two years!! Hugs, Annie xxx

Denise Bryant said...

Awesome cards! Love that cute pup stamp! I'll have to check out the Twofer Card Challenge!

Mac Mable said...

Wonderful use of the cute little heart Darnell on both of your fabulous cards. Nellie's card is adorable and the kraft with the red looks wonderful on your second card. You do know there will be pay back with Hammy, don't you???? x

TK said...

Great designs on both cards, Darnell, and I'm loving that you showcased Nellie! Sweet

Anita in France said...

Oops, Darnell ... amid all the excitement of the 2nd blogaversary at Twofer, I forgot to say thanks for playing along with us at Time Out! So ... thanks so much, my friend! LYAMYHAHMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Jane Willis said...

Love the two very different ways you have used the cute heart, and especially love the "Nellie card"

Kara Lynne said...

She's such a great likeness of Nellie! Her heart dog tag looks darling against her white fur, and such a fun "love" die cut too! Your birthday candles look spectacular all ablaze with hearts - some birthday girl/boy is really going to feel the love! Wonderful Twofer, Darnell!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Firstly - happy blog-versary to Twofer! Such a fun challenge and I'm glad I found it and your blog, Darnell - yay!! Gotta love me a good heart since I'm a Valentine baby - just love your bday card with the hearts for candle flames. Gonna have to CASE that one for my birthday twin! Darling heart pet tag for Nellie too!!

Poppyfield Card Crafts said...

Two fabulous designs Darnell

June :)

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

That little heart makes quite a big impact! Perfect!

Karen Brown said...

Two beautiful cards! I especially love the puppy card with the dramatic "LOVE" die cut. :-)

Carole said...

Two lovely LOVE cards Darnell...with very subtle use of the same die...clever you! xx

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Happy Blogaversary, Darnell. What an awesome concept you came up with for your challenge! Both cards are wonderful. I love the kraft and embossing on the second, and your pup is so adorable. Thanks for playing wtih us at Time Out!

Corrie Herriman said...

So cute ! Thank you so much for playing in our January Challenge over at Country View Challenges ! Corrie xxx

frommycraftroom said...

Beautiful!
Love "nellie" card - how good of her to model and so gracious of Hammy

Nora Noll said...

I have been neglectful of blogland as of late due to no mojo. HOWEVER, when I saw the new Twofer challenge, I cannot wait to enter. I LOVE your use of that little heart stamp. Never would have thought to use it for a tag like you did on the dog. So CLEVER!! I also like the fun birthday card with the red on kraft. You totally ROCKED this challenge!!

Linby said...

Two fab designs and clever use of the heart on the first one. I hope to play along - just like every month lol!

Jane said...

2 very cute cards. Thanks so much for joining in with our love challenge over at country view xx

Greta said...

I just love your Nellie card, Darnell! Great birthday card, too! I have quite a few heart products. Gotta get Valentines done, but keep trying to also think of something else to enter the challenge. Glad there's still some time to enter.

Nancy Penir said...

Well, is 'Nellie' the cutest or what??? She is the perfect lovable image for your card 1. And have to say, that using hearts as candle flickers is typical Darnell-clever! Always fun visiting your blog, and always enjoy seeing your beautiful projects! Hugs! So glad to see you on the Poppystamps Challenge Blog too!

Wickcliss said...

Both your cards are amazing. Happy 2ndblogaversary.

Sue McRae said...

Your doggie card is so cute and love the texture on your birthday card. Thanks for joining us for the challenge at Poppystamps!

Sari / Granne said...

Fab embossing and love how the red looks on kraft. Thank you so much for joining the Male Room -challenge, I hope to see you joining our new "It's snowing" -challenge also.

pam said...

Fabulous makes
Thanks for joining us at Poppystamps Challenge!

Glittered Paws said...

Well what a cute Nellie and love how you showcased her. Love the embossing on your second card - and the candles are perfect.

Marybeth said...

Oh gosh this sweet puppy jumped right out at me when I went to the Poppystamps challenge blog. How cute is that puppy. Thanks for joining us in the Poppystamps Challenge . Ok I’m going to be quick here because I need to go read over at the twoofer blog. Hugs to you sweet, dear friend.

Jeanne J. said...

Beautiful cards Darnell! I'm smitten with that cute pup!