Category Archives: Cards

Happy New Year

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Designer Series Paper, Snow Swirled, Trendy Trees by

I hope the holiday season has been kind and enjoyable, and that you have all had plenty of time for some stamping!
Because I have been so busy with other things that I really haven’t had much time to stamp at all.
So today I am going to share two Christmas Easel cards that I made, and then I can move away from Christmas, at least for a few months 🙂

The first is the card I made for my gorgeous little boy, Jamie, who would have been just devasted if I hadn’t made him a card for Christmas.  And of course, the card just had to have a train.  He loves his card, and has to have it up on the coffee table so that he can look at it all the time.

Stamp Sets: Trendy Trees, Choo Choo (retired), Right on Track Stampin’ Around Wheel (retired), Occasional Greetings.

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White.

Inks: Basic Grey, Real Red, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Going Grey, Versamark.

Accessories: Markers, Stampin Around Handle, Paper Snips, Two-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Rhinestone Brad.

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

The next card is again an Easel card, which I made for my sister and her husband.  For the image in this card I have used the stained glass window technique on the vellum, only I have reversed the vellum and coloured the embossed side, instead of colour behind the embossing. This gave it a really nice subtle effect.

Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled, A Wish For Peace.

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Vellum Cardstock, Ski Slope Designer Series Paper (retired).

Inks: Versamark, Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Garden Green, Baja Breeze.

Accessories: Markers, White Embossing Powder and Heat Tool, Rhinestone Brads.

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

Well, I promise that I will bring you something other than Christmas cards very soon, and I look forward to catching up soon for some stamping time with all of you.
And don’t forget to check out my Upcoming Events page for classes starting in a few short weeks time, and send me an email if you would like to book in.
Chris

OCC Weekly Sketch Challenge

Posted in Big Shot, Cards, Christmas, Uncategorized by

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

Razzle Dazzle Butterflies

Posted in Butterfly Prints, Cards, Razzle Dazzle by

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!

Hello again.

Posted in Cards, Hello Again by

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!

 

Punch Flowers

Posted in Cards, Designer Series Paper, On Your Birthday by

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!

Forest Friends

Posted in Cards, Occasional Greetings by

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!

Flower Pots

Posted in Big Shot, Cards, Garden Whimsy, On Your Birthday, Season of Joy, Uncategorized by

Thank you to the lovely ladies who came over this morning to make Flower Pot cards, I had a really good time.  It is always good to be able to do some stamping with other people instead of just on my own.  And I thought I should share the two cards that we made this morning.
I have seen various versions of these flower pot cards around on blogs and websites, but I have no idea who to give the credit to for the original version, but thank you, who ever you are! 🙂 These are just sooooo cute and super easy to make.  I have used my Big Shot to create the spots on the pots but you could easily decorate the pots with a background stamp to give it a bit of “life”.

Stamp Sets: Garden Whimsy, On Your Birthday.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Regal Rose.

Inks: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip.

Accessories: Big Shot, Embossing Folder, Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Markers.
Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990 – 2009 Stampin’ Up!

And the second card is a slider card which goes inside the pot.  I just love this one!

Stamp Sets: On Your Birthday, Season of Joy.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Really Rust, Haiku Designer Series Paper.

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust and Pumpkin Pie.

Accessories: Big Shot, Embossing Folder and Flower Cutting Die, Scallop Edge Punch, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Brads.

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

Our Creative Corner Sketch Challenge

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Christmas Classics, Designer Series Paper, Season of Joy, Tree Trimmings by

Wow, two posts in two days!!  I have been in need of some inspiration of late, so I thought it would be good to use a challenge to get the creative juices flowing.  So I have used this week’s Sketch challenge from Our Creative Corner. It is worth having a look at some of the gorgeous ideas, inspiration and work that is on their blog, so why not head on over there and have a look.
Here is this weeks sketch:

I thought I would continue to get into the Christmas Spirit, and to use some of the products from the current Spring Mini Catalogue which finishes in a few short weeks, at the end of November.
I have used my crimper on the piece of Riding Hood Red cardstock to give it some height and texture but it is a little hard to see it in the photo.  I tried to make it more obvious by taking the photo on an angle but don’t think that has worked well either. So you will just have to take my word for it 🙂  And I just had to add some of my favourite paper piercing, of course 🙂

Stamp Sets: Tree Trimmings, Season of Joy, Christmas Classics.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Ski Slopes Designer Series Paper (only available until end of Nov)

Inks: Riding Hood Red, Versamark.

Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Small Star Punch, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, Crimper, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch (also only available until end of November 😦 )

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

No excuses…..

Posted in A Rose is a Rose, Cards, Weathered by

… I have just been a slack blogger! 🙂

I am going to show you a card today which I made quite some time ago, which uses the Kissing Technique (and no, you don’t need to kiss the stamp for this technique! or even worse, the ink pad!! 🙂 ), which adds some little extra detail to the image.  This particular technique is one we will cover in my Technique Stamp Club which will be starting in February.  As with all my classes, there will be limited places available so you must let me know if you are interested in joining us for this club. You will find more details about this club and other things happening in 2010 on my Stamp Club and Upcoming Events pages.

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Stamp Sets: Weathered Background Stamp, A Rose is a Rose.

Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White.

Inks: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Paper Snips, Paper piercing tool and mat pack, Dimensionals, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon.

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

Top Note Christmas Card

Posted in Big Shot, Cards, Christmas, I Wish, Simply Scrappin' Kit by

Is it me? Or does any one else just love the Top Note Die from Stampin’ Up!?  I think this has to be one of the most versatile and useful dies that I could possibly own for my now most beloved Big Shot 🙂  This card was so easy to make.  I used the “I Wish” Simply Scrappin’ Kit, which includes these gorgeous Designer Series Papers, which are only available in the kit.  The green paper was run through the Big Shot using the Top Note Die and then the Bauble is also a sticker out of the kit.  The only stamping is the greeting, which has been embossed with white embossing powder.

Stamp Set: Christmas Classics

Cardstock: Real Red, I Wish Simply Scrappin’ Kit

Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip Marker

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool.

And that’s it!  Pretty easy, huh?

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