Week 55--Key

The word this week was, "key." Are you like us and have a can of keys to cars and houses that you haven't owned in a lifetime? NO? We thought everybody did!

Freebird sent this beaded artwork of filigree keys, isn't it delightful? What wondrous doors they must open!

Our official response is a collage:

I guess you'll just have to visit the artists' blogs to see what they had in mind in creating these mini artworks! Be sure to do that or even better, try your hand at this twinchie challenge!

Until next time....

Week 50--News

Not much news to report, just some great art entries for the week.

From Arkansas, Freebird sent her graphic of a newspaper front page in beads:

Our official response is a collage:

Be sure to check out the artists' blogs to see what they have to say about their artwork!
Let them know you saw it here. Maybe you'll want to join in on the fun?

Until next time....

Week 41--Copper

If, indeed, there is a collective consciousness and inspiration is everywhere, then this week's responses drew from that collective wealth. The artists, with very different mediums, illustrated eerily similar ideas.

First up, Freebird beaded an entry to the periodic table:

And it snuck into our official response:

Be sure to visit the artists' blogs to see what they've been creating. And if the spirit moves you, to participate, next time, any time!

It's that time of year for posting next year's list! So you will see "2017" as a new page. It took a couple weeks to sift through the working list and narrow down the choices to 26--coincidentally, one for each letter of the English alphabet. We may rearrange the words yet, which is why there are no dates on the page. Get ready for another exciting year!

Until next time....

Week 40--Astronomy

Look to the stars and what do you see? 

Freebird captured a spaceship and Saturn in her signature beads:

If you could rocket into space, where would you go?

We're not planning on going to Pluto soon, but we occasionally visit the observatory that was responsible for finding the dwarf planet. Thus we have:

Be sure to check out the blogs to learn about the artists and their inspiration, to see what they see. Perhaps, to try your own hand at interpreting the challenge, to boldly go where none have gone before? 

Until next time....

Week 35--Hearts

Freebird sent this in and we will let her words speak, then her art.

I had a design all set up for this week, but with the Dallas thing that just happened it changed my perspective on the design.  I used the background from the tradition theme from last year but the heart design came from wanting and praying for love, understanding, peace and equality for all people.  I guess I am in a tribute mood lately.  Have a blessed and creative week. 

Ours pales in comparison:

Until next time......

Week 28--Orange

There has been just a little hilarity as we were playing with Knock-Knock jokes this week. We have to wonder: does the Banana joke even translate into any other language?
Aren't you glad we chose "orange" this week? Because we are!

First in, from Germany is Tina's contribution:

Orange by
Tina

She sent this note along with her art:

"This week's challenge was very interesting. I thought about it a long time to find something special for your "orange" theme but nothing wanted to come in my mind. So I just started to draw this evening and the result is a little still life of oranges and an abstract drawing of yellow, red and orange on the wall in the background. 
Hope you like it."

And we do!

Freebird sent this beadwork from Arkansas:

Orange by
Freebird

She has her inspiration and materials list on her blog, and naturally, the Knock-Knock joke!

After working on Citrus all week long, our official response is a bit of collage:

Orange by
Cheryl

Be sure to check out the artists' blogs and tell them you found them here! Kind comments and encouragement are always welcome! Thanks for visiting, perhaps consider participating?
Until next time....

Week 24--Sweater

What a difference a week makes! Last week we couldn't wear enough layers, this week we're back to t-shirts, shorts and sandals. We try to enjoy the cooler weather because soon enough it'll be the inferno that makes an Arizona summer. Which is why the twinchie of the week is, "sweater."

Freebird channeled her inner Olivia Newton-John, putting on a varsity sweater from "Grease," as you'll see on her blog.

Letterman Sweater
by Freebird

Our official response was a little off-center, composed of elements for instructions from 2003 for a granny-square poncho. We have no delusions that granny squares or ponchos are or have EVER been hip, just so you know. Square, definitely.

Square
by Cheryl

Have a brilliant week! Until next time....

Week 14--Cake

Our inbox has been filled with delightful stories and some very yummy offerings.

Ann in Denmark got her daughter involved--while Ann drew her twinchie, her soon-to-be ten year-old daughter actually baked a cake! She said by the time she finished drawing, the house smelled heavenly. YUM!

Cake
by Ann

Sarah shared this story from Michigan:

This year a very special thing happened while at lunch on my birthday. An older lady was having her birthday at the restaurant with a group of people. She was in her late 70's, and I was turning 38. I waved at her and wished her a happy birthday and said 'me too!' And she smiled. A half hour later one of the older ladies friends brings my Mom and I each a piece of coconut cream cake. 

I will treasure that moment as I said thank you, and the old lady waved and smiled. Definitely the best birthday cake ever. 

Cake
by Sarah

From Arkansas, Freebird sent a slightly off-centered wedding cake:

Cake
by Freebird

Our official response to the challenge is:

Cake
by Cheryl

This weeks offerings made us very hungry! It just happens to be a birthday WEEK in our house, but EVERY day is cause for celebration, isn't it?
Be sure to check out what all of these talented artists are doing--it's typically a LOT! And join in the fun, won't you?
Until next time....Let them eat CAKE!

Week 4--Royal

We could not be happier for the British royal family, with the arrival of a daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana to Will and Kate this past weekend. It's big doings for Windsor Castle as the princess will retain her succession rights even if they have another child (until now, all male children took precedence over their fair siblings).
Thus far, the participants of the TwobyTwo are all girls...so it's a big WOOHOO!

And without any further ado, the results from the "Royal" challenge:

From Zoe in Australia, who wishes everyone a winning hand:

A Hand-crafted Royal Flush
by Zoe

From Ann in Denmark, who created TWO TwobyTwos:

Royal Copenhagen's Blue Pattern and
a Royal ZIA
by Ann

From Sarah, Michigan/USA, who was also inspired to create TWO!

Two Zentangly Illustrations
by Sarah

JLJohnson created this collage with images from Realm Magazine:

Royal Collage
by JL

And TWO more from Cheryl, Arizona/USA:

Fleur de Lis and
Good to be King
by Cheryl

An effort fit for a king, or future queen, was made by all of the participants this week, don't you think? Be sure to visit each artist's blog to see what else they've been creating!

Until next time...

Week 2--Maze

Maze. Doolhof. Labyrinth(e). And then there's the whole rabbit warren thing that may bring to mind "Alice in Wonderland," depending on how it's translated.

Ann from Denmark offered her take on "maze," by creating a kaleidoscope of color:

Maze of Courant
by Ann

Great line work shows a good measure of patience, don't you agree? You can see what she's been up to on her blog.

Our responses this week are:

A-Maze-Ing
by Cheryl

Maze
by Cheryl

Perhaps another look at this is warranted, perhaps even in 3-D? Until then, "Who Moved my Cheese?" (Now, THERE'S a long story!). Until next time....