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!

October 10, 2020

A Cone Flower Twofer Silhouette

Hello Stamplings!

Happy Saturday! Saying that makes me real eyes I rarely post on a Saturday. I'm not sure why. It's not like I have special days that I post, so you'd think, shatis, stashish, statistically, I would post on Saturday more often than I do. 

Do you have words or phrases that you can't seem to say easily, like statistics? Here's another one that always gets me: shoulder surgery. It always comes out soldier shugarie! 

Thankfully, Twofer is easy to say and it's easy to remember that a new Twofer Card Challenge starts on the 10th, which is TODAY! Yay! This month our prompt is SILHOUETTES!👤👥

Here are my two distinctly different silhouette designs for two different occasions:
The stamp my two cards have in common is the cone flower from Inspired by Nature by Stampin Up. It's been a favorite of mine for years. With these two designs, I show that your silhouette prompt image can be either dark against a light background or white against a dark background.

Onefer
For this QACAS congratulations design, I simply heat-embossed the cone flower in black. The sediment is from SSS's 2012 STAMPtember, "Sayings With Banner." It is stamped on a banner cut from a PTI die. The pastel colorful background was made at a recent Zoom craft session were we smooched with Perfect Pearls. 

Here is a closeup. If you can look past the glare from the black e/p, you can see the wonderful shimmery PP background:
Twofer
For this second design, I used the single blossom from the cone flower stamp and I heat-embossed it in white e/p. Adding the large sediment die from Impression Obsession was all that was needed to balance the design and give it a feeling of calm and grace so appropriate for a sympathy card. 
I hope you'll get the opportunity to play along this month! The challenge is open until the end of day on October 24th. Please check out the Twofer Card Challenge to see the inspiring designs that our talented Team and our Guest Designers Carol and Shawna have made for you!! Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support! Enjoy and have fun with it!

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Hi from Hammy! He thinks all people should be purple because purple smells pretty.
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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy, and keep yourself safe! LITS!* Don't forget to vote!

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!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrollingClick 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!)

61 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, Both cards are fab.

Tell Hammy purple is my favourite colour.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Jane Willis said...

Two stunning cards. And a gorgeous photo of hammy too.

Julie B said...

Two fab cards Darnell, I hope I can get myself organised and enter this month!
I'd forgotten quite how handsome Hammy is, just watch him or he'll be snapped up for more photo shoots and who knows where that will lead! ;)

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I love both of your cards Darnell and the gorgeous stamp you've used too.

Sue xx

kiwimeskreations said...

What a stunning pair of cards Darnell - these are amazing, and I love your perfect pearls background. The sympathy card is perfect!
Hammy, I refuse to turn into a purple person, I will use a quick squirt of perfume instead :) - you wouldn't want me to turn into a Purple People Eater now, would you?
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Anita in France said...

Thought I spotted the subtle shimmer on first sight of your dreamy background to those dark embossed shilhouette blooms, Darnell ... it's so delicious ... one could just sink into it's soft loveliness! Your sympathy card is elegant and stylish ... a serene beauty ... and perfect to express condolences! Hammy's looking chipper ... just wondering ... how come he isn't purple??! LYAMYLALMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Diane said...

Beautiful created cards for the Twofer, looks like I might get join this month since will be home for a couple of weeks for a change! Tell Hammy Hi LOL!

Happy Dance said...

You had me at shimmery...but I should talk a little bit about the cone flower. It's a really striking image, tall and lovely. Sometimes cards need a big image and this one is just right for both of your cards. But as I mentioned...shimmery. That is one gorgeous background and worthy of a congratulatory sentiment. Your sympathy card is quietly lovely. That dark background could have been too much, but being the clever girl that you are, you've given it a soft white border - perfect. Love the font on that sentiment, too. Tell Hammy that daughter Cathy would agree about the purple! Sending hugs and stay safe. xo Bev

Ros Crawford said...

Saturday? Well first of all Every day is like a saturday now and secondly I can't remember one day from the next... It's always a surprise to find out what day it is! Fabulous cards my friend and I wish you a wonderful weekend

!neke said...

Two beautiful cards !!!!!!
And nice picture of Hammy !!!
groeten Ineke

Jeanne said...

Duo of delight, Darnell, is what you have here. Such pretty cards! Love the shimmer on the one and the quiet elegance of the sympathy card. Excellent work. Happy Saturday! I don't know that I stumble over words, but I remember my mom struggled with cinnamon and aluminum. ;)

Chris said...

Beautiful cards here Darnell, that coneflower stamp is gorgeous and looks so different in your clever designs.
Oh dear, I only go purple when I'm really really cross! Hope I smell ok though!
xx

Bonnie said...

We voted yesterday. Today I'm lovin' your cards! That's a favorite set of mine too especially the little flower! I love all the schimmer and schine of the first card and the serenity of the second! Hammy has good taste!

Viv said...

Two soooper cards Dolly. My tree ones are here on the desk... guess who forgot to link?
Promise to try harder this month -
Some purple hair(fur) dye on it's way for Hammy. xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Such beautiful cards and showing that, as you say, silhouettes can be light or dark, fabulous creations Darnell.
Faith x

Stamps and Paper said...

Two lovely cards Darnell...I love the cone flowers as I call them...lovely picture of Hammy smelling the flowers

Anne

Brenda in IN said...

That cone flower is a great stamp for a silhouette. It is big and bold and using a part of it on the sympathy card is lovely. I like the soft blending of color on the congratulation card. Purple is better than orange.

JD/ Jill said...

I can't believe that it's the 10th of the month already! Wow! Time flies.

I am going to make a real effort to join this one. Not only do I love what you did with your two cards...You have inspired me to get out those Silouette stamps that I have rarely used in the past because I always had trouble getting good images with them! But now that I am fortunate enough to have a "Misti" I don't have that excuse anymore. Hope you have a lovely, enjoyable, weekend. Hope your are well and keep safe...Cyber Hugs to you, Jill

Pat said...

I'm loving your Twofers cards Darnell and a the silhouette theme is a brilliant one. The coneflower silhouettes are gorgeous on both cards, and I adore that softly coloured sparkly background from the Perfect Pearls and the pretty pink banner sentiment, and then the white silhouette flower on the second with the large sympathy sentiment against the black card looks great. Glad to see Hammy is looking so fit and handsome and I love purple so that's OK by me..lol. x

Cat Craig said...

I love that you used both a black and white silhouette and I love cone flowers so you have hit it on all cylinders for me. Great designs, two different looks and all right on point for the challenge prompt.

Celeste Goff said...

Two gorgeous cards! I especially love the color and texture on the embossed card...fabulous!

Jeanne H said...

Yes, both of your cards are just wonderful. Lovely to look at and so appropriate. Wonder where my stamp set is...hopefully I can join this month. Hugs from MN

Loll said...

I LOVE this image and how you've used it for both cards Dolly! LOVE the first one of the black silhouette against the soft pastel colours that have so much shimmer. GORGEOUS! The sympathy card is perfect with the white silhouette against the dark background. Simple, classic, elegant -- just what a sympathy card should be. LOVE this challenge! Love, Lolly

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Darnell, your cards are beautiful, I love the floral silhouette that you've used, and both cards are beautifully designed, the sympathy card is so understated and just perfect for a sad occasion, Kate x

Lisa Elton said...

A post from you on a Saturday make the weekend all the more special! Terrific cards today!

conil said...

Have to say, that is the most lovely coneflower I've ever seen in a stamp. Echinacea (if your Latin) is one of my most favorite garden flowers so these cards really speak to me. You're absolutely right...it doesn't matter if silhouettes are done on light or dark, they're always imapactful. Just like on each of your beautiful cards.

Barb Ghig said...

Two beautiful cards, Darnell! I love your softly inked background on the first card and how you added shimmer and shine to the blooms...so striking! The single flower on your 2nd card works so well with those fabulous swirls on the sentiment...perfect for a sympathy card! Thanks for inspiring me to play along...off to get started on my cards ~ Barb xx

Donna said...

Two fabulous cards Darnell, purple is my favorite color to Hammy!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your cards are beautiful. Great designs.

Becca Cruger said...

This happens to be one of my all time favorite stamp sets, handed down by my gram. I think it's one of the first stamp sets that I blogged with! What a great stroll down memory lane. As for your cards, that rainbow background is the perfect swath of color for a silhouette! And your sympathy card is perfectly understated. Gorgeous makes, as per usual!

Liz said...

A super pair of cards, Darnell. I love how you used white for one of the silhouettes, instead of the usual black. xx

Fikreta said...

so very nice cards!

Kathleen said...

These really have the wow factor, two super cards Darnell.

Kath x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Great use of your stash, love those flowers! Two fab cards!

Kara Lynne said...

Incredible twofer, Darnell! Those cone flowers are gorgeous! I love the depth that you achieved on your congratulations card with the variety of flower sizes. The Perfect Pearls shimmer and soft colors are a great contrast to the black silhouettes. Such an elegant sympathy card with a nice balance between the tall stem and the large sentiment. This prompt went from being one of my most challenging, to one of my favorites! Miss you!!

nancy littrell said...

Two Beautiful Cone Flower and for different occasions, cards, Dolly. I love the dark on white and white on dark card designs, my friend. I really have to think...Hard..on what day of the week it is...everyday! Time seems to fly by faster and faster! Stay sane (safe) and creative, my dear sweet friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Jean said...

Beautiful cards! Happy weeeknd!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Beautiful coneflower Twofer, Darnell - just love both the black and the white versions!! Gorgeous smooched PP background behind the black silhouette and I love the large sentiment on your serene sympathy card!!

Christine Alexander said...

Two wonderful cards Darnell, your sympathy card is so classically beautiful using just one of the cone flowers :)

Cheryl W. said...

I love working with silhouettes, so I hope Mr. Mojo will let me play along. I love both your cards. I hadn't thought of doing a white silhouette on black for a sympathy card, but I think it's fabulous. Happy fall to you. Hope things have cooled down a bit in Cali.

frommycraftroom said...

Happy Saturday! um although it is now Sunday where I am! and probably where you are too hehe.
Great cards. Love the large die cut sentiment. Do you know where it is from?

Mac Mable said...

Wonderful silhouette cards Darnell and perfect coverage and heat embossing on both with no stray 'bits' x. The background on the first sure does show off those dark and beautiful silhouettes to perfection. Such an elegant and perfect sympathy card x.
I agree with Hammy xxxxx.

Marcia Hill said...

Two beauties for sure Darnell! I knew I recognized that cone flower but couldn't remember where...I think I have it burried somewhere in my craft room! I love your pearlescent background on the first card and thanks for the closeup...how shimmery and beautiful!! And the simplicity of your sympathy card is just perfect for when needed! I'm sure Hammy was itching to sparkle it up a bit, so a good thing it was left as is! Hope you're doing well and the air is getting easier to breathe out there? Haven't heard much in the news about the fires this past week or so because of all the political crap (sorry, not sorry!!) on the news, but hope things are improving out there?! Take care and stay safe my friend!! Hugs. :0)

Carol L said...

Silhouettes really do look good both in black and white, and I like that you proved that with these 2 pretty cards! The shimmery background on the first is so pretty and I love the sharp contrast on the sympathy card. I have trouble with "medical physicist." It just doesn't roll off my tongue for some reason and I fumble it every time I try to say it! LOL

Redanne said...

The two cards are so strikingly beautiful, I do love coneflowers and yes, the shimmer in the background just lifts the black to another level in my humble opinion. Of course, white on black is just stunning!

There is a young man riding in the Giro d'Iltalia, his name is Castroviejo and as hard as I try, I can't seem to say it properly...

Thanks so much for the cartoon pumpkin, it gave us quite the laugh! Hope all is well with you, we are OK, probably about to go into lockdown again though, the death figures are rising again... so very sad. Take care and keep safe and well my friend. Hugs, Annie xxx

Linda said...

Gorgeous twofer .... those flowers look so pretty in both the black and the white.
I'm with Hammy ..... I love purple, especially this time of year xx

Leslie Miller said...

Two beautiful cards that probably didn't take all morning to make. I say that because I have that same sympathy die and recently made two cards that took way too long. I love the gorgeous shimmery background for your congratulations card. It's really nice to have backgrounds ready and waiting.

Sandra H said...

Two stunning cards Darnell love them both equally although the corn flowers are gorgeous as is the silhouette 👤 purple goes well with lots of colours and l love seeing Hammy he’s on to a winner stay safe x

oldpunca said...

Your twofer is a perfect take on the definition of the silhouette. I like the motive and especially background on the birthday card. The sympathy card is elegant as it should be.
I'm a little late visiting you because kids are home. The two from California. :-)
Hugs, Sonja

Em Louise Fairley said...

They are both gorgeous, Darnell! xoxo

TK said...

Beautiful! Love the soft background but also the stark black. Each is gorgeous.

Lynette said...

Such wonderful cards, Darnell!! I love the coneflowers. I have so many silhouette stamps and dies that I really should do the challenge. We'll see if I find the time! Time is still flying by, even though there are not a lot of places to go.

HilaryJane said...

What a great Twofer, love them both. The black really pops on the first card against that lovely blended background and the simplicity of the white on black/grey works so well for a sympathy card. So simple and so beautiful xx

Glittered Paws said...

Oh Hammy - you are after my heart with the purple, it does smell good doesn't it. Now for the twofer, love both of them, especially the white embossed one. Simple is the best for a sympathy card.

OH Babs said...

Great cards and what I would expect. You are certainly making do with all the time on your hands. I admit at times I get bored but I continue to find books to read. It would be great if the charities I donate cards to would accept cards, so I just add them to my stockpile.

Greta said...

I've been admiring a neighbor's cone flowers when Fritz & I go for walks. Love both your cards, Darnell! Fun to see the totally different looks with the same product!

Linby said...

Fab inspiration for the Twofer challenge. Hoping to join in. Tell Hammy my fave colour is purple!

Bobby said...

Love coneflowers and that silhouette, Darnell. The the dark background and large sentiment is makes a lovely sympathy card. The smooshed background is so soft a pretty behind the darker silhouettes. I'm off to make my cards.

BożenA said...

The same flower, so different sensations depending on the color. Two great cards, perfect inspiration for your Twofer challenge.
xx

cm said...

*Waving hello wildly* Let me begin with: Blogger is driving me crazy! Grrr...
Anyway...gorgeous pair of cards, Darnell! Your perfect pearls background for your first card is precisely that: perfect! Love the shimmer and shine! YOur white die cuts on the second: elegant. Perfect for a sympathy card.
Hope you're doing well. Our 'numbers' are on the rise here in Alberta and, in general, the rest of Canada, so we remain home as much as we can, with outside ventures to walk our sweet Lily. I miss seeing my mom. In a 'normal' year, we would have had many travels north, for 'just because' visits and for bike races. Now, 'just because' isn't advised and the entire race season was cancelled, so....we're here and she's there. Hoping for perhaps a one-day round trip at some point soon. We don't want to stay overnight; the risks are just not worth it at this point. Praying that improvements are on the horizon...a close horizon!
Again, so honoured to have played Twofer with you and the team this month! Thank you!
hugs and love,
~c

Brenda said...

I can relate to having words that are hard to say Auntie! Sorry I'm late in getting around to you. What a fun twofer challenge, I love silhouettes! Love the one your picked to use too, a beautiful cone flower(s). It is so beautiful on the blue/yellow skyline. I can "feel" those flowers reaching for that warm sunshine! And I can see that shimmer in the skyline! Love how you did the sentiment on the banner too. Your second card is so pretty and perfect for a sympathy card. So CAS and serene too. I do love how you showed how a silhouette can be used against a light background or a dark background. Love the photo of Hammy, lol, I think too purple smells good. Hi to Hammy! Hugs, Brenda