Just Believe……

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I love the saying on this card -“Some things have to be believed to be seen”.  I think I was trying to send a message to myself!
Yes, I have once again, been conspicuous in my absence, for which I apologise profusely, but which I can assure won’t be an ongoing thing.  All I will say is that the last six months, when added to the previous 6 or so, have been the most difficult of my life.  But onwards and upwards, I say! There are positive things now starting to happen in my life, including getting back into stamping.

Unfortunately, one of the things I had to let go of was being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  But I will definitely be going back to that in around 6 months time when things are back on track.
In the meantime I will be using lots of the gorgeous stuff I have here and selling my cards at the school that Jamie goes to part time, to help them raise much needed funds.  And I will also be sharing my creations with you.
Have a wonderful crafty day!
Chris

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I’m sitting here wondering what to say, since it has been such a long time since the last time I posted anything on here, and so much has happened in the meantime, including an amazing 2 week holiday in Thailand (of which I may share some photos if you ask very nicely).  But I guess I will just tell you that I have done some stamping for the first time in well over four months.  I have to admit that I found it quite difficult to get myself motivated enough to complete the card, but perhaps it will start to get easier from here on in.  I hope so, because I do enjoy the creative process, and know that it is a good outlet for me.  Anyway, enough rambling from me, here it is:

I do apologise for the photo, I will have to find a better place to take photos, but for now I am sure you can see it well enough to get the idea.
I have used the Hostess Stamp Set “Silhouette Sentiments” and my favourite marker technique to ink up the stamps.  The colours I have used are Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose and Rose Red.  The ribbon was supposed to be in Pumpkin Pie but I didn’t have any so used some of the Peach Parfait Stitched Poly Ribbon instead.  And if you look closely you will see a little of my favourite paper piercing just along the top.

I would also like to say a very quick thank you to the lovely Kerri Donsky.  Your message made me realise that there are some people out there who are thinking of me, so thank you.  It was you who inspired to do some stamping again.

If any of you are trying to contact me, the best way is by email at chrisjparkerbarnes@gmail.com  I am still currently a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! so am able to take your orders from anywhere in Australia, so feel free to contact me.

Thanks for stopping by, and hopefully I will be inspired to do some more stamping to share with you soon.
Chris

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes
Images copyright 1990 -2011 Stampin’ Up!

Another turning point…..

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I imagine many of you have been wondering where I have been hiding recently, and thought it was time that I shared.  I am once again at a turning point in my life, another difficult time in a decidedly difficult year.
My husband and I have split, and I have decided that it is time for me to make a fresh start with my life, so I am moving from Canberra to the lovely city of Adelaide, and taking my gorgeous son, Jamie, with me.
We are both excited about the new adventure and all the possibilities.
But I just ask all of you to be patient, as it is going to take some time for me to move and get unpacked at the other end.  Hopefully I will be able to get straight back into the stamping once I am there and organised.  At this stage my initial move will take place in the first week of December, but not everything is going then, so it could be after Christmas before I am back on track.
So, that being the case, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year, and I look forward to sharing more stamping and my new life with you in the new year.

Chris

Just Add Bling…. and Pink!

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In line with the Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day fundraising events, this week’s challenge from Just Add Ink is to make something that is pink, with bling!
Last weekend I was able to enjoy some stamping time with my friend and fellow Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, Deb Fearns.  Deb brought over some of her new stamp sets out of the catalogue so that I could use some of hers, while she used some of mine!  Which is always a great idea, except that now my “wish list” has grown rapidly to include quite a few more stamp sets than it had on it before last weekend.
Anyway, this card uses one of Deb’s sets, called “Apple Blossoms”, a Level 2 Hostess Set, and also uses the very cute Hello Again Stamp Set.

The colours I have used in this card are Regal Rose for the card base, layered with Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz (which is fast becoming my favourite green!) and Whisper White. The flower is done in two layers, the first layer stamped straight onto the white cardstock, the second one cut out and layered over the top of the first.  It might not be obvious in the photo, but the butterfly has had some Crystal Effects put over it after I have stamped it in Regal Rose, and then I have sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds over the top before the Crystal Effects dried.  It gives a nice raised effect to the butterflies wings, as well as some bling, of course.  I have done the same with a tiny drop in the centre of the flower.
I would also like to make mention of a special fundraising event, which is being put on by another Demonstrator, the very talented Jayne Mercer.  I would just ask all of you to please help raise funds for the cancer council by visiting Jayne’s fundraising page here, and donating something, every dollar helps, so if that’s all you can donate, then it will be helping someone.
Happy Stamping
Chris

Ink Embossing Class

Posted in Cards, Christmas by

Saturday 9th October at 1.30pm – if you would like to come along and make this card, you must contact me asap, as places are limited.

Cherry Cobbler is such a gorgeous rich red, and looks fantastic combined with Old Olive.  The photo doesn’t show just how gorgeous these colours look together.
This card also uses Perfect Punches Stamp Set, Scallop Circle punch, and the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder and the Big Shot.

Happy Stamping,
Chris

Definitely a colour challenge!

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Another challenge from Just Add Ink, this time a colour challenge, and wow, was it a challenge!  Definitely not colours I would normally put together – Rose Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Always Artichoke.  Here is what I came up with:

The main flower image is from the set Friends Never Fade, and I have coloured it using markers.  The greeting is from the fantastic Perfect Punches set, which is a must from the new catalogue – very versatile and useful set.  I have used some of the gorgeous Satin Ribbon in Old Olive. And of course lots of my favourite, faux stitching! 🙂

I hope you are all having a fabulous long weekend, and getting lots of crafting done.
Happy stamping,
Chris

Two posts in one day!

Posted in Big Shot, Cards by

What’s going on? 🙂
I liked the Just Add Ink sketch so much, and had some die cut butterflies left over from my previous card, so I just had to use them.  I’m really not sure if I like this card or not, but again, more new things to play with, so what more of an excuse does a girl need? 🙂

So, I have once again used the Sizzlits Beautiful Wings Die in the Big Shot, with some of the half backed Rhinestones this time.  I have run the white background through the Big Shot with the Finial Press Embossing Folder, then I have used my new Distressing kit to distress the edges and put the colour onto the top of the raised parts.  The patterned paper is from the Regals Designer Series Paper Packs, and the lovely lace is from my own stash.  I haven’t added a greeting to this card because I just didn’t know what to put on it, so left it blank for now. 
Let me know if you like it or not!
Chris

Just Add Ink #136

Posted in Big Shot, Cards, Christmas by

This  week’s Just Add Ink Challenge is a sketch challenge, which you can have a look at if you click on the link.   I had so many ideas for this sketch that I really didn’t know which one to start with.  But, lots of new goodies arrived on my doorstep today, and I had to play with the beautiful new stamp set called “Elements of Style”. Too gorgeous for words! Not sure that I am happy with my watercolouring – had a few too many interruptions, but I think it ended up ok.

I also have to apologise for the photo, we had a very dull, overcast afternoon here in Canberra, which wasn’t very good for taking photos.
Stamp Sets: Elements of Style, Silhouette Sentiments (Level 1 Hostess ).
Inks: Black Stazon, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, Early Espresso.
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Watercolour Paper, Lap of Luxury DSP.
Accessories:Aquabrush, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die and Big Shot, Half-back Pearls, Word Window Punch, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.

The second card today is a variation on the sketch, with a Christmas theme.  Nothing like being prepared for Christmas in advance!

This card uses Contempo Christmas and the greeting is from Heard from the Heart.  The colours are Old Olive and Riding Hood Red – I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas colours. 🙂
I have used the Big Shot with the Top Note Die, some retired DSP and Gold twine, and that’s pretty much it! Simple!

Happy stamping
Chris

Another day, another challenge!

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Yes ok, I am really getting into the challenges at the moment, I am finding them a good way to keep on track with my card making.
Today’s card is for a sketch challenge from Our Creative Corner, and I have made another pretty, girly card, especially for a friend who is going through Chemo at the moment.  I hope it will cheer her up just a little and let her know that I really am thinking of her.

Stamp Sets: Happiness Shared, Curly Cute.
Inks: Versamark, Black Stazon, Markers in Old Olive, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose.
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Watercolour paper, Retired DSP in Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red colours.
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Aqua Brush, Ribbon from my personal stash!

I have done the watercolouring by first putting some colour down using my markers, and then using the aqua brush to spread and blend the colours.  It’s not how I usually do watercolouring, but was easy to do and worked well.  But I do enjoy experimenting! 🙂
Happy stamping,
Chris

Just Add Sympathy

Posted in Cards, Pendant Park, Uncategorized by

This week’s Just Add Ink challenge is to make a sympathy card.  And this really was quite a challenge for me.  As many of you know, my Mum passed away earlier this year, and I received some gorgeous sympathy cards from many of my stamping friends.  But I know how difficult it is to make one, even though, realistically, there isn’t a right or wrong sympathy card.
But with this challenge, I wanted to make a card that was fairly simple, ie not too many accessories, but that also gave the feeling of what it is like to lose someone very close to you.  That feeling of loneliness and emptiness, of a huge hole in your life and the knowledge that life will never be the same again.

I have used the Pendant Park Stamp Set, and while I really love the seat with the little squirrels on it, I thought it had more impact as just an empty seat.  I have also done some very light sponging using a reverse masking technique, for some background interest, but it looks better in real life than in the photo.

I am not sure if I have achieved what I wanted to with this card, but there is a poem that my husband read out at Mum’s funeral service that I would like to share with you, and hope my card come somewhere close to the feelings it invokes.
Have a great day and happy stamping
Chris

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there.  I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
And I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
So do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.  I did not die.