Friday, April 13, 2018

April Twofer Challenge #4

Before the newest round of April snowstorms blocks my internet I thought I best get the Twofers posted as no doubt with the predicted 12+ inches of snow it most likely will take care of the internet and TV. Oh, one of the joys of country living. I hope we don't loose electric power too!



Anyway, the theme this time for the Twofer Challenge #4 is Pets.  We have only a dog and lots of barn cats. When I say lots, I mean LOTS! In fact, one of my daughters calls it a Herd of Cats. And, my hubby is usually the one who feeds them in the barn area and if he is not out there when they think he should be they come up the driveway from the barn and sit and wait outside our kitchen door.


For the barn scene I used an old wood mounted stamp from Stampendous for the background. I colored it with a combination of Bic Markers and Copics. Then I  used the cats from Gina K. Designs in the foreground of the scene. I thought this depicted them sitting and waiting for their master to show up and feed them. This will eventually be a birthday card for my hubby!


My next card used one of the same cat images on it and I combined it with some Halloween elements to create a Happy Halloween card. I sure struggled trying to get my cat to look black but still be able to see the features of it. I finally after several attempts settled on this one. And, the pumpkin I made into a Jack O' Lantern. I never was very artistic when it came to hand carving a pumpkin and the face hand drawn on this one looks like a Grumpy Gus. LOL But it is what it is. The cat and pumpkin images are from Gina K. Designs and the sentiment, spider and web are from a set by Rosewood Stamps. I added them all to a wood grain background that I made by taking a score board, added lines and then swiped my ink pad down it until I felt it looked okay.

If you get a chance, I encourage you to join in on the fun of the Twofer Challenge that Darnell Knaus has sponsored. It sure is a fun thing and having a theme to follow is always an incentive to be creative.

Well, the first flakes are falling so I guess the fun will begin with another snow storm. Just in time for the weekend again. But I guess we do need moisture so I won't complain too much as long as we can stay warm and safe inside. I wish all of you a great weekend and I thank you for the visit and wonderful comments.

God bless,
Verna

27 comments:

Loll said...

Both your cards are AWESOME, Verna! I love those sweet cats waiting to be fed at the edge of the driveway. Great design and amazing colouring with your barn in the background. And the Halloween card is fantastic. You did an amazing job colouring the black cat ... can see all the features, and I know how hard that is! I like your grumpy pumpkin as well. Thanks for playing along with us at Twofer Card Challenge. Hope the snow storm isn't too bad and you keep power. Stay warm!

Greta said...

These are just fabulous--great take on the challenge! Cannot even imagine 12 inches of snow in April--better you than me--haha!

Rosy Newlun said...

12 inches of snow? You have my warmest hugs, cause I've been sweating here. Ooops. Don't want to make you feel bad. We have lots of thunder today and tonight - like the "angels are bowling extra hard and long tonight." I love your coloring - you are so talented! A "herd" of cats lol. I have about 4 outside that we've had fixed and I feed for maybe 6 yrs now? I can't keep track. And we have 2 inside kittys that are fixed and bored. Yes, I hope you have enough firewood and food to get you through a foot of snow ♥

Donna Phelan said...

Oh Man! A Foot of snow?!?! Ridiculous! Hope they're wrong! We are actually having our Spring--2 days in a row and then back to Winter tomorrow lol Stay safe! Cute, cute cards! Love the kitties!

Brenda in IN said...

Verna, these are terrific. The story about the cats sitting there waiting for their food just enhances the trio card. It is so cute with the barn in the background. The Halloween card is adorable and the pumpkin face is good, as is the coloring on the black cat. I hope your snowstorm isn't as bad as predicted. Keep safe and warm.

Shona Erlenborn said...

Yikes, more snow! We're finally basking in the 70's today! Hope the snow doesn't accumulate that much Verna. These cards are awesome, especially the barn scene - hubby is sure to be delighted with that one.

Judy Woodland said...

Good job on the challenge! I love those kitties and you have used them beautifully. They just make me smile. I KNOW you are getting a wicked snowstorm, as are we. Will spring ever come????? Time to hunker once again!

Christina said...

These are beautiful Verna! Such rich colors. I really like the country scene you’ve created. So peaceful. I do enjoy the country and guess where we are we’re consider somewhat suburban-rural. Wishing you a lovely April weekend Verna. Hugs.

Anita in France said...

You had us laughing out loud at the barn cat story, Verna ... I think their cousins live here in our barns ... and do just what yours do! You created such a brilliant scene with your herd of cats ... so wonderfully detailed ... and so much fun ... your DH will love it! Your halloween cat is so cute ... great dimension in the colouring ... and what a cool pumpkin ... I thought they were supposed to be grumpy! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Twofer! Anita :)

Darnell said...

I sure hope you are able to see this comment which will mean you didn't lose power, Verna. You are right, the farmers need the moisture, but really? This has to be one of the most-drawn-out winters on record! I know you will make the most of it if the power does go out - I can just see you coloring by candlelight!

Your two kitty cat designs are spectacular! I love how you told us the story of the herd of cats you have and I think you did them proud with your Halloween and Birthday cards! I like the grumpy face on your punkin, which can be any kinda face you want it to be and that spider hanging down is such a great element! Your scene with the barn in the background and those hungry mousers in the foreground could be the cover of a children's book!! Thank you so much for the shoutout and for playing in Twofer Card Challenge #4! Hugs, Darnell

Happy Dance said...

A "herd of cats..."!!! I can remember living on the farm when I was a little girl, and trying to catch those barn cats - but I never could! I should have gotten some treats from my grandma to help me in my endeavors, lol!! I've always had a love of kitties, and your cards are so darn sweet! LOVE the farmyard scene you've created, and I would have never thought of a Halloween theme! What a great twofer. Thank you so much for joining us at the Twofer Challenge! : ) Bev

Patti said...

Great Twofers! your cats look sweet with those big "hungry" eyes : )

I hope you were spared during the storm and especially that your electricity stayed on!! We only ended up getting about 5" I think so we fared better than expected. Sigh!! Spring will come - I just know it!!

Stay warm friend.

Patti

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

These are so much fun! I like the barn background! Such a creative use of the cats. The Halloween card is very nice too! TFS!

Carol L said...

Your twofer cards are awesome, and I love that black cat Halloween card! You did a great job on both and I love the different looks of the kitty with different fur colors :) I just saw on the news how that storm is ravaging your area as well as Michigan! Be safe in the latest round of snow, and I hope you won't lose power! Spring has GOT to get here soon!!!!!

Susanne Vargas said...

Your cards are so much fun! The barn cats waiting to be fed (they really do look hungry) will make the perfect birthday card for your hubby! And what a great idea to get started with your Halloween cards, especially when it looks as fabulous as yours!
Thank you so much for joining us at the Twofers!

MaryH said...

Once again, you've aced this 2fer challenge. I love what you did with the cats....and I think your punkin face looks cute as can be. I love the technique you've used to make the board background and both cards have terrific coloring too. The barn scene depicted your feeding story just spot on! Good job! TFS & Hugs.

Sharon Fontenot said...

Your cards are darling. Good thinking on the Halloween card. My family is in Minneapolis and keep me informed about the never ending winter. Also my Cubs are suffering the cold temperatures. Keep warm girl.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

12 inches of snow - YIKES!!!! But on the bright side - I see more time for card making coming up! Those two are fabulous! Great idea to make a Halloween card - why did I not think of that??? The expressions on those cats are priceless! love them both!!!! I have my twofers ready - just need to find a day to show them...

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, my goodness, Verna! These are both just as cute as can be! Your story makes the barn cats even more delightful, and your hubby will get such a kick out of this for his birthday. They look exactly as you described. What fun! Love your Halloween card, too! Perfect job coloring the black cat and the pumpkins, and the face on the Jack-O-Lantern looks great to me. You aced this challenge again! I hope you aren't getting slammed too hard by the latest winter storm. It can't seem to stop raining for very long here.

Cheryl Wright said...

Two amazing cards, Verna!! They are both stunning, and I love the story about your hubby feeding the barn cats!

Karen Dunbrook said...

such sweet card Verna...
sure hope you don't lose power...we are in the middle of an ice storm here in Ontario....ugh...what month is it!!??
xx Karen

Diane said...

These cards are FABULOUS!! So fun and so dang cute!!! You have inspired me to get busy on my twofer!! As for your herd, we have the same. We have 7 feral barn/wood shed cats we take care of and 4 had their kittens (19) already. But each morning around 7am they all line up waiting for the hubby to feed them, we have a huge feeder but have to put it in each night or the nasty raccoons will destroy it (and the kittens), but it funny to watch in the morning as 3 or 4 run ahead of him and the last ones behind, guess I should try and get a picture of it! Thank for sharing it was a fun post!

laurie said...

Fun cards AND a fun post to read!I love the expressions on their faces!!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Another awesome dual usage. Those cats are so fun

Dandi93 said...

Love the barn story and the card... You've done an awesome job of creating the story onto the card front... The cats are so cute... Love their eyes

Kara Lynne said...

I'm guessing your snow is melting away by now. We were hit by that same storm in WI. I LOVE your cats waiting to be fed card! So perfectly orchestrated and I know your DH will truly appreciate it! Fabulous black cat too, probably singing to cheer up his grumpy pumpkin pal. Thanks for joining in the fun with us at the Twofer Card challenge!

Lisa said...

I definitely want to try this Twofer challenge one of these days! That story about the cats and that card you made for your husband... PURRFECT!! Makes me giggle...lol! Love it!

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