Life IS Beautiful

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Masculine by

Life is Beautiful Christmas Tree Stampin' Up! Card 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping
I have had some time over the past few days to play with some of my new Stampin’ Up! goodies, including the stamp set called Life is Beautiful.
It feels quite appropriate right now, to be loving using a stamp set with this name.
It’s all a choice, the way we see life.  Things might be very different right now, from what we have been used to, but life can still be beautiful if we choose to make it that way.

I have made three different cards using this set, Father’s Day is coming up in a few weeks here in Australia, so I am making some cards to sell at my local markets.
Life is Beautiful Father's Day Card 2020 Plaid Tidings Stampin' Up! Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

These cards are inspired by a card on Page 50 of the new August – December 2020 Mini Catalogue.

Life is Beautiful Father's Day Card 2020 Stampin' Up! Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

The cards use the Plaid Tidings Designer Series Paper, also from the Mini Catalogue.
And here is a Christmas card, using the same stamp set and papers, but with a completely different look.

Life Is Beautiful Christmas Card Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

It feels too early to be making Christmas cards, but I know it will creep up on us, as it always does!

If you haven’t had a chance to have a look at the new Mini Catalogue, with all it’s gorgeous Christmas inspiration, stamp sets and so much more, you can view thePDF here.  Alternatively, if you are in Australia and would like a hard copy, please reach out to me, I am happy to send one. If you have a demonstrator who you normally order through, please reach out to them for a copy.

I hope you can find some way to make life beautiful today.

Happy Stamping!
Chris
xx

Technique Tuesday – Sponging on Stamps

Posted in Cards, Flowers by

Sponging on Stamp technique Dot Dot Stamping

Today I am sharing an easy technique that can really change the look of your stamped image, without needing too many extra tools.
I have used the gorgeous Blossoms in Bloom stamp set from the Annual Catalogue, which is perfect for this technique.
Sponging on Stamp technique card Blossoms in Bloom Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot StampingI have started out by completely inking up the entire large flower image with Blushing Bride ink, making sure that there is a good even spread of ink over the image.  Then using a sponge dauber (you could use a small piece of ordinary sponge if you don’t have daubers – I just find the daubers work best for this technique), apply some Rococco Rose ink by gently dabbing the dauber in the centre of the flowers, and then slightly angling the dauber and dabbing some ink onto the edge of the flowers as well.
I have also done this with the leaves, I used Pear Pizzazz and then sponged with some Old Olive.
Make sure that you ink with your lightest colour first, and sponge the darker colour on after.
This is such a fun but easy technique to have a go at, but leave me a comment if you have any questions.
Happy stamping!
Chris
xx

Masculine Monday

Posted in Cards, Masculine by

Summer Days Masculine Card Colouring July 2020

It sure has been a crazy busy few weeks, and I will share more about that later in my post.  I have had time to think and ponder during those few weeks though, and I thought it was time to add a little structure to my creating, and so this is the start of that, Mondays are going to be for my masculine cards. (That’s Monday Australian time!)
Here’s hoping that I can maintain it and that things don’t get too crazy busy again anytime soon.

I made some time to create a card for brother’s birthday though, using the Host stamp set from the Annual Catalogue, called Summer Days.
Summer Days Masculine Card July 2020
In the background is some of the paper from the In Good Taste Designer Series Paper, and the image stamped in Early Espresso ink, before being coloured with Watercolour Pencils, and then gently painted over with an aqua painter.

I had to go with a wood theme for this card after the last few weeks.  My incredible 14 year old son decided late last year that he wanted to have a go at woodturning.  He had been doing some woodwork classes for a few years but had never tried woodturning.
He took to it straight away and started making beautiful things and learning and growing every day.  He just loves it and spends as much time as he can in front of his lathe.
A few weeks ago, he was asked to make 100 Spatulas for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and they wanted them as quickly as possible.
I’m sure you can imagine that this was an amazing opportunity for him, not just to get paid to woodturn but also to get his name out as a talented woodturner.
So here is a photo of my boy, with the 100 spatulas before they were delivered to the Department.  His Spatulas are to be used as gifts for special guests at public diplomacy and cultural programs overseas.
Jamie with 100 Spatulas

Hopefully I will have a little more time for crafting from now on.
Happy stamping!
Chris
xx

Colour Creations Showcase Bermuda Bay

Posted in Cards by

Colour Creations Header

This week the Art with Heart Team is showcasing the Stampin’ Up! colour Bermuda Bay.
In Good Taste Suite Feathers Stampin' Up! 2020 Annual Catalogue Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

For my card, I have teamed the Bermuda Bay with neutrals, Crumb Cake, White and the In Good Taste Designer Series Paper.
In Good Taste Stampin' Up! 2020 Annual Catalogue Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping
Nearly all of the elements on my card come from the In Good Taste Suite, and the inspiration for my card comes from a card on the left hand side of Page 123 of the Annual Catalogue.
The feathers have been stamped and then fussy cut, and the Bermuda Bay panel has been die cut using the Tasteful Labels Dies and then embossed with the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder.
In Good Taste Suite Stampin' Up! 2020 Annual Catalogue Card inside Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

You can find all of the links for this Showcase on Catherine’s blog, with all of the other amazing ways to use Bermuda Bay in your projects.

Happy Stamping!
Chris
xx

Colour Creations Showcase Balmy Blue

Posted in Cards by

Balmy Blue Flowers Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

The Art with Heart Team are back with another round of Colour Creations, where we showcase each of the Stampin’ Up! colours, a different colour each week, so that you can get some inspiration, new ideas and perhaps new colour combinations to use in your own projects.

Colour Creations Showcase Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

For our first week, we are starting with Balmy Blue, one of the Subtles collection, and a gorgeous blue that goes with so many other colours.
I have chosen to go very monochromatic with my first card, which features the new Blossoms in Bloom Bundle which you can find on Page 51 of the NEW Annual Catalogue.

Balmy Blue Blossoms in Bloom Card Stampin' Up! Dot Dot Stamping Christina Barnes 2020

The flowers are stamped on to white cardstock with the Balmy Blue ink, and then I have die cut with the two different dies, the first layer is cut from Vellum and the second is cut from white, creating a lovely subtle and pretty layering.
You can see the layers better in the close up photo:
Balmy Blue Flowers Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping
The Blossoms in Bloom Bundle, which includes the stamp set and Many Layered Blossoms dies, is now available and you can shop online here any time.
Happy stamping!
Chris
xx

In The Garden

Posted in Cards, Masculine by

In The Garden Masculine Card French Countryside Trolley Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

I’m not sure about you, but we have been spending quite a bit of our “shelter at home” time, out in the garden, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air (well, except the last couple of days which have been rather chilly and overcast), and getting stuck into the garden.
Since it’s the end of Autumn here in Australia, it’s a great time to get our garden in to tip-top shape and we are enjoying having the time to make the most of it.

I’m also enjoying some time to do some stamping and cardmaking, and have been sorting out all the retiring things, so that I have room for new goodies that come with a new Stampin’ Up! catalogue.
I do get sad though, I love all of the gorgeous Designer Series Papers, it is my special addiction, I just have to have it all!
But then I don’t like to cut it up and use it.
I don’t think I am the only one with this addiction though.
Anyway, I found some retired Designer Series Paper which was just perfect for the current challenge at The Male Room, which is “In The Garden”, and made up this card especially for the challenge.
In The Garden Masculine Card French Countryside Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping
The gorgeous stamp is from the French Countryside stamp set, one that is, unfortunately, retiring in a week or so.  It’s gorgeous for colouring and hasn’t had enough use in my craft room.
And isn’t that gorgeous pumpkin paper just perfect for Autumn?
I have popped a strip of it inside the card to keep the theme going.

In the Garden Masculine Card Inside French Countryside Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

Hope you are having a crafty day.
Happy stamping!
Chris
xx

Colour Challenge

Posted in Cards by

It’s been a chilly and overcast couple of days here in my little part of Australia, so the perfect time to stay warm inside, and do some stamping.
And for my inspiration, I have used this gorgeous colour combination from the latest Global Design Project challenge.

94478798_10219455619852692_3305987712443482112_o

Such pretty colours!
Blossoms in Bloom Fun Fold Card 1 2020 Stampin' Up! Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping
I have made a fun fold card, using a new stamp set called Blossoms in Bloom.
And behind that, on the base layer I have used the Scripty Embossing folder.
And here is the inside of the card.

Blossoms in Bloom Fun Fold Card 1 Inside 2020 Stampin' Up! Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

I hope you are having a crafty weekend.
And a warm one!
Happy stamping!
Chris
xx

 

 

 

Sketch Challenge

Posted in Cards, Watercolouring by

AWH Monthly Showcase

Welcome to the Monthly Art With Heart Creative Showcase.
This month the Art With Heart Team have amazing projects to share with you that have been inspired by the card sketch below.
The sketch is to be used as a starting point and has been interpreted in many creative ways by the Art With Heart Team.

Sketch Challenge May 2020

I have used the Good Morning Magnolia stamp set for my card, a favourite which I am very happy to say, is carrying over to the new Annual Catalogue!!

Watercoloured Magnolia Good Morning Magnolia Pencils Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes

I have watercoloured the image with watercolour pencils and an aqua painter.
The pencil colours are in Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry colours, but they come out a lot lighter when they have been diluted with the water.
The flag on the top left has been run through the die cutting machine with the Parisian Flourish Embossing Folder.
Watercoloured Magnolia 2 Stampin' Up! Pencils Dot Dot Stamping Christina Barnes
I love this style of watercolouring, stay tuned for a Tutorial coming soon!!

Watercoloured Magnolia 3 Pencils Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

The next demonstrator to share her interpretation of the sketch is the very talented and lovely Claire Daly.  I am sure Claire will have some wonderful inspiration for you.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy all of the inspiration from this group of talented ladies.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see a list of the products used for my card.
Happy Stamping!
Chris

If you have a broken link or have come to this blog hop midway, you can view all the participants below:

Caroline Manwaring

Rebecca Jacovou

Tina Gillespie

Catherine Proctor

Sharon Davern

Vicki Boucher

Christina Barnes

Claire Daly

Kate Morgan

Andrea Sargent

Kathryn Mangelsdorf

Amie McIlroy

Rachel Woollard

Judy May

Michele Taylor

Thanks for visiting, come back next month, our Showcase is featuring our favourite products from the new catalogue.

If you would like to purchase the items I have used to make this card, please see the product list below and head to my online store, which you can find here.

Product List

Good Morning Magnolia Cling Stamp Set

$63.00

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

$15.75

Watercolor Pencils

$27.75

Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder

$17.00

Aqua Painters

$20.00

Just Add Ink Colour Challenge

Posted in Cards, Uncategorized by

It’s been quite some time since I made a card (again).
What a year it’s been here!
First, catastrophic bushfires.
Then floods.
And now, well, since it’s worldwide, I don’t need to go into what is going on now.
I hope each and every one of you is coping ok.  And I hope you are crafting as that is one way to give us all a little sanity.

It has been a quite a long time since I really got into some stamping and cardmaking, so I went to one of my favourite challenge sites, Just Add Ink, to find something to use as inspiration.
I am feeling a little rusty, so didn’t get into too much detail, just kept to something fairly simple.
The challenge is a colour challenge, using some gorgeous Stampin’ Up! colours.
JAI 504
And here is my card.
Colour Challenge May 2020 Butterfly Wishes Stampin' Up! Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping

I have used the gorgeous Butterfly Wishes stamp set (which might just be one that is continuing on into the new catalogue…), along with some of the Seam Binding Ribbon, and the Stitched Shapes Dies to cut out my circles.

Colour Challenge May 2020 Butterfly Wishes Stampin' Up! Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping2
Happy Stamping!
And please look after yourself, stay healthy and positive.
Chris
xx

Masculine Card Showcase

Posted in Cards, Masculine by

87557777_2564407050352746_6799171737691881472_n

Welcome to another Creative Showcase with the Art With Heart Team.

This month we are featuring Masculine themed projects.
We have many masculine themed products in the Stampin’ Up! range including Stamp Sets and coordinating Dies, Designer Series Papers, Embellishments and Embossing Folders.
Art With Heart Team have a wonderful selection of projects to inspire you to create Masculine Masterpieces.

I have done something a little different with my masculine card today, in that I have used some Designer Series Paper that is definitely not masculine.
It’s the Best Dressed DSP and probably not one you would have chosen for a masculine card.  But I have used the reverse side of this one….
87077996_192940428451175_8357496974894694400_n
and used it as a background for my masculine card.

Masculine Lighthouse Card Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping 1

And I also wanted to keep it nice and simple, so have taken a piece of the fabulous watercolour paper, wet it down with an aqua painter, and then swooshed some ink across it, very quickly and freely.
Then once the watercolour paper was dry, I stamped the lighthouse and birds from the Sailing Home stamp set in Pretty Peacock ink, and the words are from the New Wonders stamp set.
Layered over some Pretty Peacock cardstock, and it’s a very quick and easy card to make.

87166457_199367431434468_5496497019964882944_n

The next demonstrator to share their Masculine project with you is the very talented …..
Kate Morgan.

I hope you enjoy all of the inspiration.
Happy stamping!
Chris

If you have a broken link or have come to this blog hop midway, you can view all the participants below:

Christina Barnes 

Kate Morgan

Andrea Sargent

Sharon Davern

Tina Gillespie

Vicki Boucher

Catherine Proctor

Rachel Woollard

Rebecca Jacovou

Sujatha Harding

Michele Taylor

Caroline Manwaring