The old and the new

Posted in Cards, Echoes of Kindness, Wonderful Favourites by

I have been a very slack blogger recently, but have had a very busy few weeks and something had to give.  But I’m back, and enjoying some personal stamping time 🙂

Yesterday was my Mum’s birthday, and I thought I would post some of the things I made for her.  I have combined some of the retiring Designer Series Papers, with some of the colours and stamp sets about to be released in the new catalogue on April 1st.

Firstly, the card I made for her:

Stamp Sets: Wonderful Favourites, Short Order Alphabet, Echoes of Kindness (New Hostess set available 1st April).

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Blue Bayou (retiring), Soft Sky (retiring), DSP Spring Silhouettes (retiring), Watercolour Paper.

Inks: Black Stazon, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss.

Accessories: Double stitched ribbon in Soft Sky (retiring), Blender pen.

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

 

 

 

 

I also made Mum a file box with the birthdays, addresses etc of everyone in our family.  Our family is getting so big and spread out around Australia that Mum is finding it hard to keep up with when birthdays are, so thought this would help her out.  

Stamp set: Short Order Alphabet

Cardstock: Whisper White Textured, Blue Bayou (retiring), Soft Sky (retiring), DSP Spring Silhouette (retiring).

Inks: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Double stitched ribbon in Blue Bayou and Soft Sky (both retiring).

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

 

And thirdly, I made her a matching photo board.  For those of you who are interested in learning how to make the photo boards, I have a class this coming Wed – 1st April @ 7.30pm, all the details are on the Upcoming Events page.  But you will need to get in quick if you would like to come along as places are limited.

The photo was taken in February on Jamie’s first day at 3 year old pre-school. 🙂

Cardstock: Whisper White Textured, Soft Sky (retiring), DSP Spring Silhouettes (retiring).

Accessories: Double Stitched ribbon in Soft Sky (retiring), Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Magnetic clip from Big W, Chipboard sheet from local craft store, dimensional adhesive.

New Hostess Sets

Posted in Cards, Fresh Cuts, Window Dressing by

This cute stamp set is another of the new Hostess Sets which will be available from April 1st.  I think it is just fantastic, there are so many ways the different components can be put together, or used individually, and I will post a few different ideas I have had with this set over the coming days.   

I don’t use my Bold Brights colours enough, so thought I would do so for this card, and use lots of nice bright spring colours (even though it is definitely autumn here), it’s quite cheery!

Stamp Sets: Window Dressing, Fresh Cuts (both available from April 1st)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Pink Passion, Pink Pirouette.

Inks: Black Stazon, Basic Brown, Pink Passion, Gable Green, Yoyo Yellow, Only Orange, Real Red, Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence.

Accessories: Paper Snips, Small Circle Punch, Markers, Blender pen.

 

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Echoes of Kindness

Posted in Cards, Designer Series Paper, Echoes of Kindness by

I have been really sick over the past few days with a very nasty throat infection which has been going around.  But I still just had to get out those new colours and stamp sets and have a play.  This card took me all day to complete yesterday, and I kept it nice and simple since I just didn’t have the energy to do too much.  But I am quite pleased with the end result, and have decided that I really do like the new In Colours, I like them a lot! 🙂  I wasn’t too sure about Kiwi Kiss but now that I have started using it I am hooked.  The In Colour Cardstock and Inks will be available on the 1st April, along with all the other new goodies from the 2009/10 Catalogue, but feel free to put your order in with me for the In Colours and the new stamp sets that I have been able to show you, and I will get your order in as soon as the orders open on the 1st April.  Or why not come along on the 4th April to have a look at the new catalogue and make something using the new colours etc.  You do need to book in though and places are limited!  You can get all the details on my Upcoming Events page.

Stamp Set: Echoes of Kindness (Hostess Set available 1st April)

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, DSP Good Morning Sunshine (available 1st April).

Inks: Black Stazon, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Aqua Brush, Piercing Tool and Mat Pack

 

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Blooms Away

Posted in Blooms Away, Cards by

I couldn’t wait to play with this new stamp set!  Called Blooms Away, it is a set of Australian Wildflowers, and I have to say that I am thrilled that Stampin’ Up! have brought out some stamp sets that relate to Australia.  The only problem I had was deciding which, of the millions of ideas running around in my head, I would use first! 🙂

This particular card is inspired by a beautiful, huge Eucalyptus tree in a neighbouring yard, which I can see from my craft room, and which in the late Spring and early Summer, was an absolute mass of pale pink gum blossoms.  It was just spectacular.  For this card I have stamped the Gum Blossom image three times on to watercolour papers, and also just the gum nuts, with black Stazon, then coloured them with blender pens.  I have then cut around them using paper snips and also a craft knife to get into the tricky areas.  I have also cut separate leaves, which I traced around from the cut out image onto some mellow moss cardstock, and then lightly coloured some detail on the leaves with Almost Artichoke.  I decided that the card itself needed little embellishment, as I didn’t want to detract from the spray of flowers and leaves.  I have used the new in colour Baja Breeze as a background colour for the flowers, as our skies here in Australia are sometimes that intense colour of blue, especially in the summer.

And remember, this stamp set will be available for purchase from 1st April, along with lots of other lovely new ones from the new Ideas Book and Catalogue, but in the meantime, I will be posting more ideas soon using this gorgeous stamp set.

Stamp Set: Blooms Away

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, Mellow Moss, Watercolour Paper

Inks: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Almost Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Black Stazon

Accessories: Paper snips, sharp craft knife, blender pens, Tombow glue, piercing tool and mat pack.

 

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Patchwork Card

Posted in Cards, Designer Series Paper, Simple Delights by

I am really thrilled to be able to tell you that this card was chosen as the winner of Mel Hanlon’s weekly challenge last week.  Thanks heaps Mel, this means so much to me, especially since I know that you get some beautiful work submitted for your challenges.  And thanks also for putting up a challenge every week. 

Yesterday was my sister, Lesley’s birthday, and I made her a stationery box with the gorgeous Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper (unfortunately no longer available) from the 2008 Spring Mini Catalogue.  I had lots of little bits and pieces of the paper left over and wondered how I could use some of them up, so decided to make a patchwork card for her.  And here is the result.   Making this card was lots of fun, I think I will have to try some more patchwork cards, as I do have rather a lot of those little pieces of paper in my stash! 🙂

100_2397_2

Stamp Sets: Simple Delights (retiring 😦   )

Cardstock: Whisper White, Brocade Blue, Summer Picnic DSP.

Inks: Real Red, Versamark, Night of Navy marker

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, markers, Scallop Edge Punch

The photo is not the best, having been taken on the picnic rug under the shade of some trees during our family picnic lunch yesterday!!

 

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Yayyyyy :) yummy new stuff to play with!!

Posted in Cards, Echoes of Kindness by

This is going to be a really quick post, but I just thought I would share a card I made this afternoon with the new Stampin’ Up! In Colours and one of the new Hostess Stamp Sets which arrived on my front door this morning 🙂  I will post some more details tomorrow when I have more time, but here is the card. 

I kept this card nice and simple as I only had a few minutes yesterday to play with my new goodies.  I have stamped the image with the stazon ink and then coloured with the blender pens with both Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette.  These two colours go together beautifully, and now that I have seen all of the new In Colours I think they are all colours that I will use regularly.  The stamp set I have used is one of the new Hostess sets that will be available from 1st April, so if you would like to get this set free, contact me to book a workshop. 

Stamp Set: Echoes of Kindness

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Ink: Black Stazon, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: Bone Scorer and Ruler, Blender Pen, Black Brads 

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Gone but not forgotten…… Retired List!

Posted in Special Offers by

Get in quick if you want one these!  Stampin’ Up! today released it’s list of retired products from the current Idea Book and Catalogue. This means that these products will no longer be sold after the 31st March, but if they sell out in the mean time, you won’t be able to get them any more!! You can have a look at the full list here, but see below also for an idea of what is running out fast.  This list was only released today and already some are no longer available.  So please contact me asap with your order before you miss out.  I am also going to add my own incentive, and borrow this idea from my upline Larisa O’Donnell – any one who places an order of $120 or more will receive free shipping, but only for the month of March.

IB&C
Page		 Name Item Number Reduced Price Stock Level
Stamp Sets
40 All Through the Year 108728 $25.46  
34 All Year Fun 108992 $43.46  
110 Alphabits 108734 $22.46  
48 Artfully Asian 108738 $34.46  
102 Background Sampler 108742 $22.46  
53 Backyard BBQ 111229 $32.96  
65 Bronc Buster 112376 $26.96  
78 Bud Basics 111232 $25.46  
108 Canvas 108764 $25.46  
33 Dad’s Day 112253 $32.96  
42 Eat Cake 108781 $36.71  
117 Expressive Flexible Phrases 108786 $59.96  
108 Fine Lace 108806 $25.46  
95 Finest Flourishes 108807 $26.96  
107 Floral 108811 $25.46  
108 Fine Lace 108806 $25.46  
108 Friendly 112397 $25.46  
68 Go Team 111975 $25.46  
56 Greetings Galore 108828 $44.21  
92 Happiness 112306 $25.46  
28 Holiday Wishes 108840 $34.46  
26 Hung Up on the Holidays 108842 $22.46  
68 Just Golf 112330 $18.71  
68 Just Tennis 112332 $18.71  
31 Keep Christmas 112216 $28.46  
122 Kia Ora 111989 $23.21  
96 Labelicious 112338 $29.96  
113 Lexicon of Love 108855 $22.46  
53 Like It a Latte 110254 $35.21  
29 Merry, Merry 112223 $34.46  
90 Office Accoutrement 110243 $45.71  
107 On the Spot 108884 $25.46  
108 Paisley 108887 $25.46  
126 Rough Edges Mini Alphabets 108904 $29.96  
83 Sassy Stems 108906 $26.96  
29 Snow Flurries 110244 $15.71  
30 Solemn Stillness 108918 $44.21  
91 Stamp of Authenticity 108920 $45.71  
100 Sweet Sampler 112284 $22.46  
93 Sweet Shapes 108927 $36.71  
60 Sweet Thing 112290 $22.46  
108 Well Worn Words 108954 $25.46  
Buttons
147 Bold Brights buttons 103977 $10.13  
147 Earth Elements & Neutrals buttons 103981 $10.13  
Designer Series Paper
135 Berry Bliss Designer Series paper 110749 $8.96  
136 Brilliant Blue Prints Designer Series paper 109174 $8.96  
134 Brocade Background Designer Series paper 109149 $8.96  
136 Certainly Celery Prints Designer Series paper 109178 $8.96  
136 Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper 109169 $8.96  
134 Dashing Designer Series paper 109150 $8.96  
136 East Coast Prep Designer Series paper 110699 $8.96  
134 Fall Flowers Designer Series paper 109160 $8.96  
134 Le Jardin Designer Series paper 109151 $8.96  
135 Notebook Designer Series paper 110748 $8.96  
136 Old Olive Prints Designer Series paper 109176 $8.96  
134 Outlaw Designer Series paper 109148 $8.96  
135 Petals & Paisleys Designer Series paper 108503 $8.96  
136 Pumpkin Pie Prints Designer Series paper 109170 $8.96  
136 Spring Break Designer Series paper 110698 $8.96  
135 Spring Fling Designer Series paper 110273 $8.96  
135 Spring Silhouettes Designer Series paper 110271 $8.96  
Hodgepodge Hardware
135 Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware 105515 $39.71  
In Color
129 Blue Bayou Classic Stampin’ Pad 109013 $7.46  
146 Blue Bayou double-stitched grosgrain ribbon 109060 $12.71  
129 Groovy Guava Classic Stampin’ Pad 109012 $7.46  
146 Groovy Guava double-stitched grosgrain ribbon 109063 $12.71  
129 In Color A4 card stock 111856 $10.88  
129 In Color textured 12″x 12″ card stock 108694 $16.46  
129 Purely Pomegranate Classic Slampin’ Pad 109011 $7.46  
146 Purely Pomegranate double-stitched grosgrain ribbon 109010 $12.71  
129 River Rock Classic Slampin’ Pad 109010 $7.46  
129 Soft Sky Classic Stampin’ Pad 109012 $7.46  
146 Soft Sky double-stitched grosgrain ribbon 109063 $12.71  
129 Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin’ Pad 109014 $7.46  
146 Wild Wasabi double-stitched grosgrain ribbon 109058 $12.71  
146 Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon 110716 $11.21  
Miscellaneous
133 Days-To-Remember 12″ x 12″ Wall Calendar 103604 $15.71  
133 Pockets & Pieces Office Accents 110730 $12.71  
On Board
140 On Board Accents 107307 $15.71  
141 On Board Blossoms & Basics 109181 $20.96  
141 On Board Ginormous Pieces 109179 $20.96  
140 On Board Simon Lower 107306 $15.71  
Punches
142 1 1/4″ Square punch 104943 $8.63  
142 Spring Flower Bouquet punch 106522 $23.21  
Ribbon
147 Beachfront Ribbon Originals 109189 $17.96  
146 Caramel gingham ribbon 104830 $9.71  
147 District Ribbon Originals 109187 $17.96  
147 FairyTale Ribbon Originals 109188 $17.96  
146 Light Blue gingham ribbon 104829 $9.71  
146 Light Pink gingham ribbon 104828 $9.71  
146 Moss gingham ribbon 104831 $9.71  
Rub-Ons
141 Anchored Rub-Ons 110282 $14.96  
141 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons 110281 $14.96  
141 Urban West Rub-Ons 110285 $14.96  
Simply Scrappin’
137 Crew Kids Boy Simply Scrappin’ 110572 $27.71  
138 Winter Bright Simply Scrappin’ 109663 $27.71  
Simply Sent
13 Friendly Notes Simply Sent 112664 $76.46  
12 Lifelong Notes Simply Sent 112666 $59.96  
13 Sending Happy Thoughts Simply Sent 112665 $76.46  
14 Simple Delights Simply Sent 112667 $59.96  
14 Three Thoughts Simply Sent 112668 $59.96  

Beautiful Butterfly

Posted in Cards, Natural Beauty, Simply Scrappin' Kit by

This beautiful butterfly is just one example of some embossing that I will be teaching at one of my upcoming classes. Please see my upcoming events page if you would like to know more.

Stamp Sets: Natural Beauty, Three Thoughts

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa,Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Watercolour Paper, DSP from Round Up Simply Scrappin’ Kit.

Inks:  Chocolate Chip, Versamark, Really Rust, Sage Shadow.

Accessories: Vintage Brads, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, Scallop Circle punch (for the inverted corners), sponge, clear embossing powder and heat tool.

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Photo Boards

Posted in Designer Series Paper, Scrap Pages by

I wish I could claim this cute idea as my own, but I like to give credit where credit is due, I found the idea on the blog of the very talented Makeesha Byl, and I thought they were such a good idea that I just had to try it out.  These would be wonderful gifts and are really quick and easy to make.  Plus you can change the photo any time you like. I have used a magnetic clip at the top of mine so that it can go on the fridge or a metal strip, or you can put a backing on to it so that it will stand up.  And because they are so quick and easy to make, why not do a couple of different ones?  With so many different gorgeous Designer Series Papers available, plus new ones coming in the new catalogue in April, you can easily find colours and designs to fit your decor.

I am running a class on Wed 1st April at 7.30pm where I will show you just how easy they are to make, so check the details out on my Upcoming Events page and book in soon so that you don’t miss out.

This first photo is of my sister Lesley, holding my son Jamie when he was only a day or so old.

Then, same photo board, different photo…… this photo is of one of our beloved cats, Scat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Products used: Stampin’ Up! DSP Apple Cider, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Double Stitched Ribbon in River Rock, paper snips, dimensionals, adhesive.  Chipboard sheets available from craft shops and magnetic clip from BigW!

 

 

 Then………………….

Same photo, different photo board!  This time using DSP Summer Picnic and Red Gingham Ribbon.

 

 

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990 – 2009 Stampin’ Up!

 

Sorry about the blurry photo, I will try to take another tomorrow in the daylight!

First Vintage Card

Posted in Cards, Polka Dot Punches by

This week’s Saturday Cinema Challenge    is to create a vintage card based around the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons, which is a recent movie and one that unfortunately I haven’t seen as yet.  But the challenge of creating a vintage style card was too much for me to pass up, I have admired many vintage cards from afar but never actually made one myself.  So thanks to Brooke and Sankari for getting me that little bit outside of my comfort zone and encouraging me to do something different.  And, to be perfectly honest, I really enjoyed making this card and just love, love, love it!  I think it might be the start of something beautiful 🙂

I have a very slight understanding of the movie and so in this card I have used the torn paper going diagonally across the card to signify the two characters being pulled apart by the passage of time, but the two hearts are crossing over this tear to signify that their love will live through the passage of time no matter what happens.  The words I have used on the card are also in line with the tagline from the movie which is: Life isn’t measured in minutes, but in moments.  I am looking forward to seeing this movie when I get the chance.

Stamp Sets: Polka Dot Punches (Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration) and Time Flies (Clear Stamps by Kelly Panacci).

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla and Vellum cardstock (Stampin’ Up!), Lace Background paper by Christina Rae, and San Marco paper by Darkroom Door.

Inks: Close to Cocoa and Versamark (Stampin’ Up!).

Accessories: Crocheted Lace from my personal stash, Stampin’ Up! Hodgepodge Hardware, Stampin’ Up! Gold embossing powder and heat gun, Edge Distresser (Heidi Swapp).

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

I had some issues photographing this card, probably because the background paper has a sheen and their seem to be reflections and dark spots in all the wrong places!  I will try again tomorrow, but in the mean time, you get the idea! 🙂