Posted by: Chris | December 19, 2009

OCC Weekly Sketch Challenge

I am back after some “non-blogging” time, life has caught up with me over the past few weeks and unfortunately my blog has been the first thing to suffer!
As many of you know, my lovely Mum has been unwell for quite some time.  She recently spent three weeks in hospital, and was then transferred to a lovely nursing home, where she is being well looked after, for four weeks of respite care.  Things are certainly a lot easier for the rest of the family now that she is settled somewhere comfortable.

Stamping has continued though! :) Stamping, cardmaking and scrapbooking are such a relaxing “therapy” for me, and is the time when I can sit quietly and digest and “work through” the difficult times, as well as the good ones.  So I do have quite a lot that I have been making but haven’t shared with you.

Today’s card is another Christmas card, although one a little different, in that it uses mostly non-Stampin’ Up! stuff.  I have a massive stash of ribbon which I want to start using, and this one is just a gorgeous colour and matches one of last years In Colours, Purely Pomegranate.  The card also uses this week’s sketch from Our Creative Corner.

Stamp Sets: None!!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate (retired), Certainly Celery

Accessories: Christmas Tree embossing Folder, Big Shot, Ribbon and clear flat back Rhinestones from my own stash.

I hope the lead up to Christmas is not too stressful for all of you, and that you have time to enjoy some Stampin’!
Chris

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

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Posted in Big Shot, Cards, Christmas, Uncategorized

Posted by: Chris | December 14, 2009

Huge Stamp Sale!!

Stampin’ Up! have announced today their first ever Australian Inventory Sale. Some stamp sets are 50% off. The sale starts on 15th December (tomorrow) and runs until the 24th January but only while stocks last. Don’t miss out. You can check out the stamps, papers, glitter and much more that are on sale here.

Contact me today to order yours before they run out!

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Posted by: Chris | December 5, 2009

Razzle Dazzle Butterflies

Today I am going to share with you the swap I made for the Stampin’ Up! Canberra Region Training, which uses my two favourite stamp sets from the Summer Mini Catalogue, Razzle Dazzle, and Butterfly Prints.  I have combined them in another flower pot card.  It may be difficult to see in the photo, but around the edge of the Whisper White layer of cardstock, I have done two scored lines which cross over in the corners.  I really like this technique, which creates some added texture and interest with very little effort!

Stamp Sets: Razzle Dazzle, Butterfly Prints, Weathered.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Almost Amethyst, Close to Cocoa, Apricot Appeal.

Inks: Always Artichoke, Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow, Close to Cocoa.

Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Markers, Scoring Tool.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

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Posted in Butterfly Prints, Cards, Razzle Dazzle

Posted by: Chris | December 3, 2009

Thank you!

A very quick post today, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you for your lovely and generous comments on my Blog Hop projects. I enjoyed making them and have enjoyed sharing them with you.  And I’ll be back real soon with some other projects using some of the new products from the Summer Mini Catalogue.
Thanks for stopping by.
Chris

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Chris | December 1, 2009

Blog Hop!

Welcome to the very first ESAD blog hop!
ESAD (which is short from Extremely Special Aussie Demonstrators) is a yahoo group which connects some 300 Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from around Australia and New Zealand.  So if you are a demonstrator and are not part of this group, feel free to click here to join.

And now on to my projects today.  I have chosen to highlight one of the gorgeous new ribbons in the Summer Mini Catalogue, the Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, which is here just in time for Christmas.  So I thought it only appropriate that I make a Christmas Card with a difference and show you another way of using some of that yummy ribbon that we all have a stash of! :)   I have simply put a layer of ribbon behind the open areas of the Fresh Cut Note front so that the ribbon shows through.  But of course you could use the same technique with a punched out shape.

Stamp Sets: Season of Joy, Occasional Greetings.

Inks: Real Red, Versamark.

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Fresh Cut Notes.

Accessories: Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon (2009/10 Summer Mini Catalogue), Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Large Oval Punch, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads.

Next is a gift bag to match the card, which also features the Polka Dot ribbon, and I have used the new Circle Scissors to cut out the circles for the front and back.  These Circle Scissors make cutting out circles a breeze, and is just so easy to use.

Cardstock: Real Red, I Wish Simply Scrappin’ Kit.

Accessories: Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Circle Scissors, Crop-a-dile, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

These two items, (along with some Stampin’ Up! goodies) will be up for grabs as the Door Prize at my Mini Catalogue launch on Tuesday 8th December at 7.30pm.  So if you live in the Canberra area and would like to come along and have a look at more of the products available in the new mini catalogue, just send me an email or give me a call.  Places are limited though, so get in quickly to register.  Cost is just $5 and includes some “make and takes”.

Well, that’s all from me for the time being, but your next stop on your blog hop is with the very talented Christie Wallace from Christie’s Creative Corner.  And make sure you leave a comment for Christie, and all of us, to be in the running to win some Blog Candy!  But yes, you need to leave a comment on each of the blogs to be in the running to win.  And when you have left a comment on each of the 30 blogs taking part, will need to email our blog hop co-ordinator Leonie, to let her know that you have qualified for the blog candy, by midnight on Wed 2nd December.  leonie@stamp-a-latte.com  Names will be drawn at random.

Have fun, and come back soon.
Chris

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Chris | November 30, 2009

Hello again.

Just before we do some Blog Hopping tomorrow, I wanted to give you a quick look at one of the cute little new Stamp Sets from the Summer Mini catalogue, which starts tomorrow.  This Stamp Set is called Hello Again.
Unfortunately the photo of this card didn’t come out very well, which is disappointing.  The images are stamped onto Glossy White cardstock which I have sponged some blue on, to make it look like a cloudy sky.  But it is hard to see in the photo and much more obvious in real life.  So you will just have to imagine the blue is a bit darker! :)
I have used a recent card sketch, once again from Our Creative Corner, which I have just turned upside down. So, here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

Stamp Set: Hello Again.

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Glossy White.

Inks: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie.

I really like this sketch, it is such a simple one, and I am quite happy with the card too.  Why don’t you try it, too?

Well, I hope you will enjoy the blog hop tomorrow and get heaps of ideas and inspiration.

Happy stamping,
Chris

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

 

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Posted in Cards, Hello Again

Posted by: Chris | November 29, 2009

BLOG HOP TIME!!

Just a very quick post today, to let you know about this exciting event. 

 I am teaming up with a group of fellow Stampin’ Up! demonstrators to bring you a Blog Hop! 
So, what is a Blog Hop, you might ask?  It is where you go from one blog to another via a link on each person’s blog.  Each blog will feature some projects made using products from the new Summer Mini Catalogue.  All the blogs are from members of the Extremely Special Aussie Demonstrators (ESAD) group – that doesn’t mean we think we are extremely special, :) but let me assure you, there are some very talented stampers in the group.

So, make sure you come back here on Tuesday 1st December 2009.  There will be some Blog Candy up for grabs, and lots of great ideas and ways to use the yummy new goodies from the Summer Mini catalogue.

See you then!
Chris

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Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Chris | November 22, 2009

Punch Flowers

I am currently busy making Swaps for our regional Stampin’ Up! training night which is on this coming Wed evening.  Last year I went up to Sydney for this event as they didn’t have one here in Canberra, and it was fantastic.  I came home full of new ideas and inspiration.  So I am excited to be attending again this year without having to travel.  I will show you the card I made for the swaps later in the week.
Here is a cute card made with easy punched out flowers which look much more complicated than they really are.  All I have done is punched out two flowers using the scallop circle punch, one in white and one in the pink DSP.  Then I have cut into each side of the scallops to create petals and layered the white and the pink together.

Stamp Set: On Your Birthday

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Sweet Always Designer Series Paper.

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Soft Subtles Brads, Flower Fusion.

Until next time, happy stampin’!
Chris

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

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Posted in Cards, Designer Series Paper, On Your Birthday

Posted by: Chris | November 20, 2009

Carousel Notes Purse

Another hot day here today, so I am getting in early to post this while it is still bearable in my craft room.  I do have a ceiling fan but not air conditioning in this room, so on a day like it will be today, I can’t sit in here for long periods.  Yesterday I took some supplies out to the dining room where I could sit in air conditioned comfort, and made a Carousel Notes Purse for the hostess of one of my upcoming workshops.  She is starting to get into scrapbooking so I thought this was an ideal gift for her.
If you haven’t come across these purses before, you can go to Janine Tinkleberg’s site, otherwise know as Jan Tink at Stamps, Paper, Scissors.  She is a hugely talented lady, and I love browsing her blog.  The tutorial for the Carousel Notes Purse is here.  I have made a couple of these in the past, they always look gorgeous and are really quite easy to make.

Cardstock: Carousel Notes and Envelopes, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Holiday Treasures DSP.

Accessories: Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive 6.35mm Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 3.5cm Circle Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware (retired), Velcro Dots.

 

 

This is what the inside looks like.  I have left it quite plain so that she can do the stamping and decorating to match her photos.  Inside the envelope pockets (behind the two large squares) are two more carousel notes which slide out for more photos.

Well, stay cool everyone and try to get some stamping time in! :)

Chris

 

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

 

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Posted in 3D, Brag Book, Designer Series Paper

Posted by: Chris | November 19, 2009

Forest Friends

We have had some amazing weather here in Canberra, today is a sweltering 37 degrees centigrade, (that’s around 99 deg F for those of you in other countries) with the same forecast for tomorrow.  It is not unusual for us to get temperatures this high, but not usually in November.
So what is one to do when it is stinkin’ hot outside?  Put the fans on, fire up the air conditioner and stamp, of course! :)

Forest Friends is another of the Stamp Sets from the current Spring Mini Catalogue which will not be with us for much longer.  I think  it is just adorable and used it recently to make these cute little gift cards as a thank you to some of my customers. 

Stamp Sets: Forest Friends, Occassional Greetings.

Cardstock: Whisper white, Sahara Sand, Walk in the Park DSP.

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss.

Accessories: Distressing Tool from the Cutter Kit.

Another quick and easy little card.  But don’t forget that this set and the papers will disappear in 11 days time.  So if you want to get them, contact me to order them before the end of November.

Enjoy your day, even if it is hot!
Chris

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990 – 2009 Stampin’ Up!

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Posted in Cards, Occasional Greetings

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