In case you're not familiar with the Twofer challenge, here are the basic rules:
I don't have any zoo animal stamps so my friend, Christine, kindly lent me some of hers. I chose a very unusual elephant and came up with this Twofer:
First up is a Christmas card where the silly elephant has really overindulged in the Christmas festivities:
He looks pretty miserable, doesn't he?
First step was to create the sentiment on the computer and then print it off on a lightweight cs. I then put it in my MISTI and laid a piece of scrap acetate over it so that I could get my elephant lined up perfectly between the sections of the sentiment - by stamping onto the acetate, I can see where the image is going to end up. Then removed the acetate and stamped onto the cs.
I then coloured the elephant with coloured pencils and Gamsol. The Santa hat from the Tim Holtz Crazy Birds' accesories stamps seemed about the right size so I stamped, coloured, and fussy cut it. Bordered with red cs and it was done.
My second card is a get well card. I have more sympathy for the elephant in this one as he really does look ill (whereas the Christmas elephant brought his misery upon himself!).
I had a scrap of coated cs that I'd sprinkled Bisters on (probably the green). It had a perfect dark brown spot that fit the elephant's eye! I stamped him with Staz-on and then fussy-cut him.
Using a chintz-patterned dp, I stamped and heat embossed the Poppy Stamps Hayward Sofa, then fussy cut it. Poor elephant didn't quite fit so he needed a pile of cushions to rest his head on. The sofa stamp has a cushion in one corner so I stamped, heat embossed, and fussy cut it three times, and stuck them on under his head. I added a bit of "ground" with coloured pencils, and bordered the panel with the same dp as I used for the sofa. The sentiment is stamped on a fussy cut label stamp.
I hope you are inspired to get out a zoo animal stamp, die, or stencil and create a Twofer for the challenge. There's lots more inspiration from the Design Team here. You have until March 24th to enter.
I love that Katzelkraft elephant and you've made two smile inducing cards with him, Susan. That Christmas sentiment is so perfect with his hung-over look.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I just smiled when I saw these! I've resisted buying that set for a while but you just sold me! With your wonderful imagination you proved that any stamp can be used for any occasion. Love that you were able to stamp that elephant on a background and get such perfect color. That couch- TOO funny. You hit one out of the park with these, Susan! I came back three times to see them before I had a chance to comment. You know I'll be casing these!
ReplyDeleteOh, that poor elephant! Yes, I have more sympathy for the sick guy on your get well card (so clever with the couch and cushion), but maybe the elephant on your Christmas card didn't know the punch was spiked. What do elephants know about these things? Both cards are just great, Susan!
ReplyDeleteThis elephant is adorable - I especially loved him on the second card! Congratulations on earning the Guest Designer spot!
ReplyDeleteThese are delightfully humorous, Susan, so you know I love them! That poor over-indulging Christmas party-loving elephant needs both an ice bag AND a Santa hat on his head, lol! And, wow, amazing job with the coloring and positioning of that illephant! He really does look miserable! Thank you for placing cushions under his poor head! And great design idea to mat the panel with the same pp! Thank you so much for being our Guest Designer for this month's challenge!! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - what a fun exhausted elephant Susan! You created two fun card designs!
ReplyDeleteLOVE these elephants, Susan! He looks so deflated and sad! Definitely too much merry at Christmas time and a perfect get well card. Laughter is good for healing and how can you help but laugh at this guy!
ReplyDeleteOh, and congratulations on your Twofer Guest Design position!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being GD at Twofer, great job with the theme. I love both of those funny cards. The paisley sofa and cushions are adorable, he would have a huge headache if they weren't under his head :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh ... these are so adorable Susan! Love your comments about the Santa elephant bringing on his misery to himself. :) Love this image and you have really created a fun scene with your sofa and cushions. The elephant being a bit green seems just right for the look on his face. Awesome creations! Thanks for being our Guest Designer this month at Twofer! xx
ReplyDeleteThese are just great cards, Susan. That elephant is absolutely amazing. He looks like he's either had waaaay too many Christmas cookies, or has indulged in an abundance of spiked eggnog. Your coloring is fabulous, and that Santa hat looks like it was made for him! Your get well card looks exactly like how I feel tonight, only I'm not sick, just tired! He does look a little green around the gills; your coloring is fabulous! Thank you for being out Guest Designer for April's Twofer! Great cards!! Bev
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful Twofer, Susan! That elephant is a hoot, and you gave him two very different looks and situations in which to wallow! Great sentiment and perfect Santa hat on your not-so-merry-now guy! That Bisters inked paper is perfect, and so is your designer sofa and cusions! Sorry the theme didn't fit with your collection, but so glad you have a friend to lend a hand (or a stamp, in this case).
ReplyDeleteYour Twofer elephants are hysterical and who could see them and not have a good chuckle! Great ideas, thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on guesting with these two fabulous and unique cards. The image is so perfect for the two occasions and what fun cards they are....even thought one is a get well one x So creative Susan x
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on GD, Susan. These sweet twofers are so fun and brought a smile to my face. Great stamp to borrow. xx
ReplyDeleteDarling cards, Susan! That is such an unusual elephant image and you captured him so beautifully on both cards!!
ReplyDeleteThat Katzelkraft elephant is a riot, Susan ... and you've shown him in two fabulous and fun guises! On the first over-indulgent one, the detailing on your colouring is fabulous ... right down to those pink eyes ... he must have such an awful headache! Love how he's sitting all over the sofa and cushions on your second design ... he's sure to brighten anyone's spirits! Thanks so much for inspiring our players as our Guest Designer at Twofer! Anita :)
ReplyDeleteHad to revisit. I did end up casing this one but could not find a couch . Had to design one from a sketch I found on line. This is brilliant. I used it as a 60th birthday card and used the sentiment " this is what 60 feels like. Thank you for all the inspiration!
ReplyDelete