Jamie’s First Card

Posted in Cards by

Firstly today I want to share with you a card my son made for me 🙂  Jamie is three and a half and has always loved it when I do stamping.  Recently he has started showing even more interest and started asking questions, like “Why are you embossing that, Mummy?”.  Yes he knows what embossing is and lots of other things too.  Anyway, yesterday he found a small piece of black cardstock, he held the two ends together and asked me for the bone folder.  When I gave it to him he tried to fold it, needed a little help with that bit, but he knew what he wanted to do.  Then he asked if he could have something to go on it.  So I showed him a few different punched out shapes, and he chose the pink heart.  Mind you, I had no idea at this stage, what this was all about or what he was actually doing.  Next, he asked if I could put a little blob of glue onto the back of the heart, which he then stuck down onto the black card.  He then handed it to me and said, “Here is the card I made for you, Mummy”.  And here it is… Jamie’s first card! 🙂

Thump and Bump Technique

Posted in Cards, Lovely as a Tree, On Your Birthday by

… at least I think that is what it’s called!

This is a card I made a few weeks ago for my brother-in-law, Greg’s birthday.  I really like Lovely as a Tree stamp set for all sorts of things, but I do think it is particularly suitable for male cards.  I also like using the retired Hodgepodge hardware on male cards, but I guess I will have to be careful just how often I use it otherwise I will run out.  The “thump and bump” technique I referred to is on the left hand side of the base card.  Basically, all you need to do is to take your ink pad or stampin spot and “thump and bump” it straight down onto the cardstock, turning the ink pad at different angles to get the imprint crossing over.  It’s a really easy technique for a quick but effective background.  But if you would like any more details please feel free to contact me.

Stamp Sets: Lovely as a Tree, On Your Birthday.

Cardstock: Confetti White, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke.

Inks: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip.

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Marker, Retired Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Word Window Punch.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990 – 2009 Stampin’ Up!

The Rose

Posted in Baroque Motifs, Cards, Designer Series Paper, Fifth Avenue Floral by

I was lucky enough to win the Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set at the recent Stampin’ Up! Convention at the start of May, and have to admit that I have hardly used any of my other sets since I got it.  I have used it for bleach stamping, embossing and also in this card, watercolouring.  I used a fairly tradition approach to watercolouring for this particular card, but if you are interested in seeing some done in a different way using the same stamp set, why not have a look at Larisa’s blog, she has made an absolutely stunning card and I am sure it will inspire you to try out something different.

The colours for my card today, were from a colour challenge set by Alisa Tilsner, a fellow Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  Once again, these colours are not ones I would think to put together myself, and took me a little while to get used to, but they look stunning together.  The colours are Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Old Olive and Whisper White.  So why don’t you have a go and make a card with these colours, it is a great way of seeing things in a different way and creating something you might not have done otherwise.  I’m not entirely sure that I have ever seen a rose in these colours, but I think it worked out ok.  And yes, the rose has been coloured using Rose Red ink with an aqua brush, and because I have used quite a lot of water in places, it has made quite a pale pink.  And then I have used Perfect Plum (again, washed down quite a lot to blend it in) in the centre.

Stamp Sets: Fifth Avenue Floral, Baroque Motifs.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Rose Red, Perfect Plum textured, Watercolour paper, Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper.

Inks: Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Versamark, Black Stazon.

Accessories: Clear Rhinestone Brads, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing buddy, Powder Pal, White Taffeta Ribbon, Paper snips, Dimensionals.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Fiji Sunset Scrapbook Page

Posted in Designer Series Paper, Rub-ons, Scrap Pages by

I have been a bit slack recently with both my blog posts and doing more scrapbooking, so I thought I had better do both in one hit! 🙂

This scrapbook page is the result of a sketch which I received as part of a “challenge”, and while I really liked the sketch, it wasn’t a really straight forward, simple one (well, not for me anyway!) so I was a little apprehensive about completing it and entering my work.  However, once I got started, it all fell into place very easily.  I think it helps that Stampin’ Up! have so many gorgeous patterned papers, they make scrapbooking just so easy.  Anyway, to cut a long story short, I won that particular challenge, to my complete surprise.  There were many other gorgeous entries.

And yes, I did cut all those little flowers out by hand 🙂

The photos were all taken when my husband and I were in Fiji for a holiday in 2004.  The sunsets over there were just magnificent and very memorable, I really don’t think these photos do them justice, but they serve as a reminder of all the times we sat drinking cocktails in the pool, or sat in the open air restaurant eating our dinner, and watched the sun set over the sea.  Hmmmmmm might be time to go back for another holiday 🙂

Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White  and Real Red (for the Title), Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper.

Ink: Summer Sun, Pumkin Pie.

Accessories: Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Rub Ons, Sponge Daubers, Computer and printer for the Title, circle punches, paper snips.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Wedding Card

Posted in A Wish for Peace, Baroque Motifs, Cards by

The original idea for this card came from Gay Hunter, a lady who started off doing some of my classes and has become a customer and friend.  She came to me one day saying that she needed to make a Wedding Card for some friends and wondered if I would help her with it.  She had an idea for the design, which we tweaked a little, and here is the end result.  I think it is absolutely stunning as a wedding card, so well done Gay, don’t stop with this one, I’ll have to get you on here more often as my “Guest Designer” 🙂

I do apologise for the photo, it was taken at night as turned out a bit glarey, but you get the idea!

Stamp Sets: Baroque Motifs, A Wish for Peace

Cardstock: Whisper White, Brushed Silver

Inks: Versamark

Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pal, Heat Tool, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Ribbon from Gay’s personal stash!

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes and Gay Hunter

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Your own business for only $150!

Posted in Business by

Would you like to be in business for yourself?  Maybe you need some extra cash to pay the bills, or save up for something special.  Or do you like the thought of getting your stamping or scrapbooking supplies at 20% discount.

Which ever way you want to go, Stampin’ Up! can accommodate you and the style of business you would like to have, and until the end of May, you can join this amazing company for only $150. 

And it doesn’t matter where in Australia you live, you can join my team and also have your stamping supplies delivered to you.

The $150 to join not only includes some business supplies, access to the demonstrator website (which is worth it’s weight in gold), a monthly newsletter which includes cardmaking and scrapbooking ideas, techniques and business building ideas, and many, many other benefits, but it also includes these products:

Alphabet Stamp (or equivalent) – $77.95

Simply Scrappin’ Kit – $36.95

12 x 12 Assorted Textured cardstock pack – $21.95

Classic Stampin’ Pad – $11.95

Craft & Rubber Scissors – $37.95

Now, it is possible that I can’t count, but it seems to me that the value of all of those products adds up to more than the $150 that you pay for them!  So which ever way you look at it, that is a good deal and well worth considering.

Just contact me to find out more information, but don’t delay too long, this offer ends on the 31st May 2009.

This post will stay at the top of my blog during May, so scroll down for some card and scrap page posts!

Convention

Posted in A Rose is a Rose, Cards, On Your Birthday by

Yes, I have been missing in action for a few days now, but I do have an excuse! 🙂  I have been busily preparing for the Stampin’ Up! convention which was held here in Canberra on Friday and Saturday (1st and 2nd May), and wow, what an amazing couple of days it has been.  Now my head is just spinning with the ideas and information.  And one of the really fun parts of convention (and indeed many other papercrafting get togethers) is doing “swaps”, where all the participants prepare numerous cards which we then swap with one another.  It is a fantastic way to get new ideas and see stamp sets and accessories used in ways that we may not have thought of.  More ideas to keep my head spinning for weeks!  And it is, of course, a wonderful way to meet and get to know some of my fellow stampers. 

I just thought I would share with you the cards I made for my swaps.  I did three different designs based around the same idea, and in all made 100 of them to swap.

Stamp Sets: A Rose is a Rose, On Your Birthday.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette.

Inks: Mellow Moss, Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke.

Accessories: Crimper

 

 

 

 

The details for the second card are pretty much the same, except for the addition of some of the gorgeous Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, and some paper piercing.

 

And for the third card I have used the spiral punch, Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, and the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the two colours in the rose.

 

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

 

Some Watercolouring

Posted in A Kind Word, Cards, Eastern Influences, Pocket Silhouette by

Yet another new stamp set…… and yep, it was another one I just had to have 🙂 !  Watercolouring is one of my favourite past-times and this set is all about watercolouring.

I decided to do something completely different with this card, instead of using one of the patterned papers for the background paper, I have made my own using stamps and sponging to create a soft and pretty background, perfect for this cute little girl!

I am holding a class this Thursday evening where we will be doing some watercolouring using this stamp set, so if you wish to come along please email me asap.

Stamp Sets: A Kind Word, Eastern Influences, Pocket Silhouettes.

Cardstock: Watercolour Paper, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss.

Inks: Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Lavender Lace, Brocade Blue, Blush Blossom, Regal Rose.

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small circle punch, 6.35mm Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Blender Pen, Aqua Brush.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990 – 2009 Stampin’ Up!

Simply Scrappin’ Kits

Posted in Uncategorized by

Today I have a double page layout, using one of the Simply Scrappin’ Kits from the new catalogue.  The colours are lovely and bright and cheerful, just right for photos from Jamie’s first day at pre-school.  The actual layout I have used is similar to the one which is on the cover of this particular kit, but as always, I have changed it around and this time made a double page layout.  These kits make it so easy to make gorgeous scrapbook pages, not only do they include sheets of 12 x 12 textured cardsock and patterned papers, but also stickers for borders, embellishments and journaling blocks.  And of course they can be used for making cards as well. If you are interested in purchasing this kit, or having a look at some of the other kits available in this range, please contact me dotdotstamping@myacn.net.au

Stamp Set: Short Order Alphabet.

Inks: Whisper White Craft Ink.

Cardstock: All from Simply Scrappin’ Kit Hoppy Memories – Colours are Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red.

Accessories: Chocolate Chip marker. All stickers and embellishment from Simply Scrappin’ Kit Hoppy Memories.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Garden Whimsy Scrap Page

Posted in Garden Whimsy, Pocket Silhouette, Scrap Pages by

The more I use the Garden Whimsy stamp set, the more I like it. Here, I have used it in combination with one of the new sets called Pocket Silhouettes, and also some of the beautiful new designer series papers.  In case you hadn’t noticed, I am really loving faux stitching at the moment, so you will find it on a lot of my cards and scrap pages, including this one 🙂  And if you would like to learn this easy but effective technique, just contact me about my upcoming classes.

Stamp Sets: Garden Whimsy, Pocket Silhouettes.

Cardstock: Old Olive Textured, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Papers.

Inks: Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Old Olive.

Accessories: Markers, Paper piercing tool and Mat, White Gel Pen, Paper Snips, Bashful Blue 2.5cm Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, White ribbon from Dress Up Ribbon Originals.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!