Posted by: Chris | February 7, 2010

Finally…. some stamping!

I have had so much going on over the past couple of weeks that I have had no time to do any stamping at all.  So yesterday I got up earlier and actually had time to make a card! Yayyyy….. :)
One of the reason I have been so busy, is that Jamie had his very first day at pre-school on Friday.  He really loved it, and had just so much fun. So here are a couple of photos, the first one just as we were leaving to walk down to pre-school, and in the second one he is sat right up the front near the teacher.  I will definitely be making a scrapbook page out of these :)

And now to my card.  The ESAD group for Stampin’ Up! demonstrators often runs challenges, and the latest challenge was to use the layout of one of the cards on Page 13 of the Summer Mini Catalogue (the orange card) and make our own version. I also had a few of my own personal challenges that I wanted to add to this, which were, to use some colours that I don’t use very often, and to use a stamp set that I haven’t used for a long time.  And here is what I came up with:

Stamp Sets: Heartfelt Thanks, Three Thoughts.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Gable Green, Orchid Opulence.

Inks: Basic Black, Orchid Opulence, Gable Green, Tempting Turquoise.

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Paper piercing tool and Mat Pack, White Gel Pen, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Paper snips, sponges.

The idea for the colour combination came from a recent post on Gretchen Barron’s blog.  It is not a combination I would have thought of, but it is stunning, and I will definitely be using more bold bright combinations in my cards from now on.  So, thank you for the inspiration Gretchen.

I am sure we all have stamp sets that are sitting up the back of the cupboard, unused and collecting dust.  So set yourself a challenge to get one of them out, and stamp with it again.  Stampin’ Up!bring us so many new, gorgeous sets, that sometimes it is easy to forget about some of the old favourites.
Here’s to more stamping time,
Chris

Posted by: Chris | February 2, 2010

Ferris Wheel Scrapbook Page

Just a very short post today, but I wanted to share with you a scrapbook page uses some of the elements from one of Stampin’ Ups fantastic Simply Sent kits.  The kits are designed for making cards with, but it’s always good to see a different way of using things.  The Simply Sent kits are a wonderful way to get started in cardmaking if you are a beginner, or if you like to have things pre-cut and ready to make into cards.  So just send me an email if you would like to order one, (they are on Page 141 of the IB&C) and don’t forget that if you place an order of $100 or more between now and 31st March, you can have your choice of one of four limited edition stamp sets FREE. It’s a good time to build up some stamping supplies.

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White.

Accessories: Rock Star Simply Sent Card Elements Kit, Corner Rounder Punch, computer and printer for journalling.

And that’s it! Pretty easy, huh?

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

Posted by: Chris | February 1, 2010

Half Sheet Wonder Part 2

Here is the fourth card in the series of Half Sheet Wonder cards, following on from the three cards I posted up yesterday.  The main flower has four layers of cardstock with a “Build a Brad” in the centre.  The leaves have been cut to shape by hand and then I have used the edge of the ink pad for the veins of the leaves.

Stamp Sets: Retro Remix Wheel, Hello Again, For Everything, On Your Birthday.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum.

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow.

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Paper Snips, Build-a-Brad, Circle Scissors.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

Sorry this is such a short post today, but my lovely little boy has been quite unwell over the past two days and just wants to sit next to me and have a snuggle!
Have a good day.
Chris

Posted by: Chris | January 31, 2010

Half Sheet Wonder

If you spend any time browsing the internet, and the many wonderful stamping blogs and websites out there, you will most probably have heard of a “One Sheet Wonder”.  The idea is to take a sheet of patterned paper, or stamped cardstock, and use it to create as many cards as possible.
I came across a post on the blog of a fellow Stampin’ Up Demostrator, the lovely and talented Claire Daly, who had a challenge to do a “Half Sheet Wonder”.  I think I might be too late to enter her challenge, but thought I would share it with you anyway.  And it is such a great idea.
I have taken a sheet of A4  Whisper White Cardstock, and I have used my Retro Remix Stampin Around Wheel up and down the page a few times, and then stamped in between and around it using the cute Hello Again stamp set. 
Here are three of the cards I have made (there is a fourth one which is only half finished), and I still have the other half of my A4 sheet left to use for some other ideas.

Materials for all three cards are:

Stamp Sets:Hello Again, Retro Remix Wheel,  Best Yet, Vintage Labels (Sale-a-bration Set), For Everything, Butterfly Prints.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum.

Inks: Perfect Plum,Pale Plum, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Barely Banana.

Accessories: Paper piercing tool and Mat Pack, Markers, Scallop Circle Punch, 3/4inch Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Butterfly Punch, Slit Punch, Metal Edge Tag, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Circle Scissors, Paper snips, Two-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

I will try to bring you the 4th card tomorrow, and maybe some more examples later in the week.  But why don’t you give it a go too, you can use any patterned paper in any sort of layout, just have fun, and happy stamping!
Chris

Posted by: Chris | January 28, 2010

Valentine’s Card for Men

I recently had a request to design a male Valentine’s Card for a group of ladies.  I struggled with this at first, my husband and I do usually exchange cards on Valentine’s Day but we don’t place much significance on it.  I also don’t have many stamp sets which have hearts or “happy valentine’s” greetings on them, so I had to come up with something using what I currently do have.  I hope you like the end result.  I also made a small matching box.  We made a similar box at last year’s Stampin’ Up! training night here in Canberra, but I altered it slightly and made it from one piece of cardstock instead of two.  Much easier for my class of beginner stampers and box makers.  And it is just the right size for a couple of chocolates or a small gift.

Stamp Sets: Hello Again (Summer Mini Catalogue), Best Yet (Level 1 Hostess Set), Boho Backgrounds.

Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP.

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze.

Accessories: Heart Punch, Word Window Punch, Paper Snips, Markers, Sticky Strip.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

Enjoy your day.
Chris

Posted by: Chris | January 26, 2010

Vintage Labels

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for all the lovely comments I have received over the last two days, it is always good to get comments on my blog and know that other people are getting inspiration and ideas from my projects.
I do hope you enjoyed all the wonderful projects on your way around the blog hop, I certainly did, and now have many more ideas and new things to make :)   I think I need to find an extra day each week, just to fit in all the new projects I want to make!!

And now I would like to share another project which features the wonderful Vintage Label Stamp Set, and one of my all time favourite stamp sets, A Rose is a Rose.  This time a card, with a matching bag and candle, just perfect for giving to someone special.

Stamp Sets: Vintage Labels (Only availabe during Sale-a-bration), A Rose is a Rose, On Your Birthday.

Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pink Flamingo DSP.

Inks: Basic Black, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss.

Accessories: Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4 inch Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Snips, Paper piercing tool and Mat Pack, White Tissue Paper, Heat Gun.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

Happy Australia Day, and happy stampin,
Chris

Posted by: Chris | January 25, 2010

Sale-a-bration Blog Hop

It’s time for another blog hop from the ESAD (Extremely Special Aussie Demonstrators) group, this time to celebrate the start of Sale-a-bration. And this time we have even more blogs taking part, which means more ideas and more inspiration for you. So I hope you have fun on your way around.
My project today is a Scrapbook page using the Vintage Labels Stamp Set. I wanted to do a page in a “vintage” style, and have used a masking technique to create a border with the stamp. I will be adding a small journalling block underneath the photo, but I like to keep my journalling a little private, so you don’t get to see that bit! :)

Stamp Sets: Vintage Labels (Only available during Sale-a-bration), Baroque Motifs.

Cardstock: Basic Black, Naturals Ivory, Belle Bleu Designer Series Paper.

Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink and Marker

Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Sponge Dauber, Black Brads from Vintage Brads.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2010

That’s it for me for now.  Next stop on your way is Christie Wallace from Christie’s Creative Corner.  And if you would like to be in the running for some blog candy, make sure you leave a comment for us all.
And if you are a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator from Australia or New Zealand and you would like to be part of this terrific group, just click on the ESAD link above and it will take you to our home page.
Enjoy the journey! :)

Posted by: Chris | January 24, 2010

Sale-a-Bration Starts Tomorrow!!

Sale-a-bration is always an exciting time of year in the Stampin’ Up! world.  For those of you who haven’t heard of Sale-a-bration before, each year Stampin’ Up! bring out a range of exclusive Stamp Sets which are not available for purchase and will not be available in any of their catalogues.  The only way you can get hold of them is by earning them. 
This year there are four different sets, and it is pretty easy to earn them.  All you need to do is to purchase $100 worth of product from the Idea Book and Catalogue and/or current mini catalogue, and you get to choose one of the Sale-a-bration sets absolutely free.

So, how do you make the most of Sale-a-bration?  This is a really good time to stock up on some of your cardstock, papers, ribbons, anything that you can see you are starting to get low on.
And have a look at your wish list.  Find one stamp set that you really want, and just say that it is around $40, add a pack of Whisper White or Very Vanilla Cardstock ($13.50), and a pack of cardstock in one colour combination (maybe Rich Regals – $14.50) , perhaps an ink pad or a couple of markers ($12 approx), then make sure you have enough adhesive, so you might need another roll of Sticky Strip ($12.95) and some glue dots ($9.50), and there we go, one free Sale-a-bration Stamp Set coming your way!
If you would like a free copy of the Sale-a-bration brochure, please contact me with your address and I will send one out to you.  Or you can see it by clicking here.

And now for the other exciting news.  To celebrate the start of Sale-a-bration, the ESAD Australian Demonstrators group will again be holding a blog hop.  So make sure you come back tomorrow to have a look at all the gorgeous and clever projects the girls have come up with featuring the Sale-a-bration stamp sets.  It is sure to be a heap of fun, inspiration and new ideas. 
So,until tomorrow, happy stamping!
Chris

Posted by: Chris | January 22, 2010

Watercolour Pencils

My lovely and supportive husband gave me some watercolour pencils for Christmas this year (Stampin’ Up! ones of course!), and I just love them, even though I haven’t had enough time to really get to know how to use them properly yet.  But you can be sure that you will be seeing quite a lot of them in the near future, as I do more experimenting.  Anyway, this card was a nice, simple one for my first play with the pencils.  I have stamped the images onto some scrap pieces of watercolour paper with black Stazon, then coloured inside each image using the pencils.  I have then blended the colours together using the Aqua brush, which really brought out the gorgeous, vibrant colours.  I hope you like it!

Make sure you check out my Upcoming events page for classes for February, and hope you get some stamping time this weekend.
Chris

Stamp Set:For Everything

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Watercolour Paper, Kaleidoscope DSP.

Inks: Night of Navy, Back Stazon.

Accessories: Watercolour Pencils, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 square punches, Aqua Brush.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

Posted by: Chris | January 18, 2010

Workshop Cards

The two cards I will show today, are both cards I have designed for some upcoming in-home workshops.  Both cards showcase stamp sets from the Summer Mini Catalogue but I have kept them nice and simple since anything too complicated just doesn’t work in a workshop setting.  Workshops are a wonderful way to earn some Stampin’ Up! products for free, and also a good way to introduce non stampers to “our world” in a fun and friendly environment where they can try things out without having to buy first.  So make sure you contact me soon, if having a workshop is something you would like to try.  All you need to do is to invite your friends, family, neighbours etc over, provide a few refreshments, and I do the rest!  And you might just be surprised at who comes along if you invite them. :)   Stamping, cardmaking and scrapbooking are growing and growing in popularity, and there are still plenty of people out there who have never tried it and would like to.  So don’t be shy, give me a call or send me an email :)

Stamp Set: Butterfly Prints

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Raspberry Tart DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Eyelet Border Punch

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images Copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

Stamp Set: For Everything

Cardstock: So Saffron, Whisper White, Tea Party DSP

Inks: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Large Oval Punch

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2010 Stampin’ Up!

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