Emma – Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #19

Posted in Cards, Three Thoughts by

I am a huge fan of everything Jane Austin – I own all of her novels and have watched the movies based on those novels, some of them more times than I could possibly count!  So this week’s  Cinema Saturday Challenge gave me yet another excuse to watch Emma (not that I need an excuse, really) and all of a sudden my 3 year old son, Jamie, wants to watch Emma too.  Every day, in fact! 🙂   So why do I love Jane Austin so much?  I think it is the subtleties that are interwoven into the story lines, the relationships between the characters and the way she develops her story lines.  The sometimes subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, humour, and wit, as well as the scenery, the gorgeous clothes, and the sumtuous colours that are indicitive of the times.

This weeks card is inspired by one of my favourite scenes in the movie (well, there are quite a few of them that are favourites actually) where Emma is trying not to think of Mr Nightley, but in reality can’t stop thinking about him – hence the greeting “Thinking of You”.  The colours I chose for this card are also the colours worn on a number of occasions by Mr Nightley in the Gwyneth Paltrow version of the movie.  He wears a waistcoat of very similar material to my background paper, in the scene where he and Emma are shooting arrows and arguing over Harriet Smith’s refusal of Mr Martin.

Stamp Sets: Three Thoughts (from the Simply Sent Kit)

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, DSP Apple Cider (2008 Spring Mini Catalogue)

Inks: Close to Cocoa ink & marker, Chocolate Chip marker.

Accessories: Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, Scallop Edge Punch, Flower and Pearl from the Pretties Kit, Sponge, Markers, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Caramel Gingham Ribbon.

 

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990 – 2009 Stampin’ Up!

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted in Cards, Polka Dot Punches, Sale-a-bration by

I do hope you are all having a wonderful, creative Valentine’s Day!  Today’s post includes a card and envelope which I recently demonstrated at a meeting held by my upline Larisa O’Donnell.  I really like the layout of this card, and made it specifically to fit inside the envelopes which went with the Carousel Notes.  I did make a similar card for my husband for Valentine’s Day only in red and black with lots of gold embossing but you will have to be satisfied with seeing this one! 🙂  I have again used one of the fantastic Sale-a-Bration stamp sets, and if you, like me, just love this set and would like one for yourself, they are only available until the end of February so contact me soon to find out how you can get one.

Stamp Sets: For a Friend, Polka Dot Punches (Sale-a-Bration).

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, DSP Rose Red

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Paper Snips, Dimensionals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artwork copyright Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Bush Fire Appeal

Posted in Cards, Uncategorized by

All of you who live in Australia will be aware of the horror bush fires that Victoria have suffered in recent times.  But for those of you who are from overseas and may not know just how bad they have been, more than 1000 homes were burnt down, as well as schools, shops, churches, and in some cases entire towns or communities.  There were also some 209 lives lost.

 Stampin’ Up! are also helping out by donating 50% of the retail value from the sales of ten nominated stamp sets in the period from  the 12th Feb to the 31st March.  Stampin’ Up! are such an amazing company. So far, from sales of the Bushfire Appeal Stamp Sets, they will be donating over $34,600 to the Australian Red Cross in Victoria.  I am really proud to be a demonstator with a company which is willing to donate to other people in times of need, and which has a heart.

 If you are in another country but would still like to donate to the appeal, you can do so by donating to the Red Cross.   I can assure you that even a couple of dollars will be received with gratitude from all of us who live in this beautiful but unpredictable country.

I will be running a fundraising class on March 22nd, please check out the Upcoming Events page for more details.  We will be making a set of  gorgeous cards using the Baroque Motifs Stamp Set, and here is the folder we will be making to put the cards in.

Contact me on 02 62597412 or 0408639475 or email doug_chris@myacn.net.au

Sale-a-Bration Swap

Posted in Botanical Blooms, Cards, Sale-a-bration by

Last night we had a get together with my upline, Larisa O’Donnell and the rest of her downline, to do some stamping together, some demo’s, and some swaps.  The theme for the swaps this time was Sale-a-Bration, we just had to use one of the Sale-a-Bration stamp sets in some way, and here is what I prepared as a swap. 

Stamp Set: Botanical Blooms

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie.

Inks: Basic Black, Soft Sky, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Not Quite Navy.

Accessories: Word Window Punch, Black Brads, Sponge, Post-it Notes, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool.

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Posted in Botanical Blooms, Cards, Mostly Flowers, Sale-a-bration by

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge – # 18

This is the first time I have made a card for the Cinema Saturday challenge, but I thought it was a bit of fun, and would help me to create something a little different.  This weeks movie is Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, which I have to admit, is a movie I haven’t seen, but I have used an Asian influence to make my card and and then added some red threads.  Chinese Folklore says that there are invisible red threads that connect a new born child’s spirit to all the people who will be important in the child’s life.  As the child grows, the threads shorten, drawing closer those people who are destined to be together.  The threads are said to never break or fray, binding family and friends forever.

Stamp Sets: Mostly Flowers, Botanical Blooms.

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red.

Inks: Versamark, Markers in Real Red, Only Orange and Yoyo Yellow

Accessories: Clear and Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Flower and Half Pearl from Pretties Kit, Red Thread from my personal stash!

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

Polka Dot Punches

Posted in Polka Dot Punches, Sale-a-bration by

I just love, love, love the stamp sets that we are able to get through the Sale-a-bration promotion until the end of February, particularly Polka Dot Punches.  I knew I had to have it as soon as it was released!  I have used it in so many ways already, but haven’t posted them yet as most of them are a surprise!  But you will get to see them soon 🙂  However, this one I will show you.  I can’t take credit for the original idea of this cute little bag, I found it on the blog of Makeesha Byl.  If you are ever looking for some inspiration, have a look at her blog, she has some gorgeous ideas.  I think  this is a terrific idea and I have been looking for some different ways to use my Carousel Notes.

S0, here is my version, it would be perfect for a little girl’s birthday with some sweets or small gifts, or change the colours and add some chocolates for a perfect Valentines gift.

Stamp Sets: Polka Dot Punches (Limited Edition Sale-a-bration Set).

Cardstock: Soft Sky Carousel Note, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate.

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate.

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Clear Rhinestone Brad from the Pretties Kit, Soft Sky Double-Stitched Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips.

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Secret Garden Scrap Page

Posted in Live Your Dream, Scrap Pages, Simply Scrappin' Kit by

Today’s page has been one of those that I have struggled with for quite a while.  I wanted to use the Secret Garden Simply Scrappin’ Kit for a scrap page as I think the colour combination is gorgeous, so when I came across this old photo it was the obvious choice.  But for some reason it just wouldn’t come together, and I am still not entirely sure that I am happy with it, but maybe I am just being fussy! 

Yes, the photo is of me, a very long time ago!! 🙂

Stamp Sets: Live Your Dream.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Almost Artichoke, and papers and stickers from Secret Garden Simply Scrappin’ Kit.

Inks: Cameo Coral, Old Olive.

Accessories: Markers, Paper Snips, Moss Gingham Ribbon.

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

All you need is…… Love!

Posted in Cards, Rub-ons by

Definitely not a traditional Valentine’s Day card, but the sentiment went well with the rest of the card, so I just had to use it!  Just to show you how much I like using Rub-ons, here is a card which uses only rub-ons and some brads for embellishment.  Love it!

And yes, it does say “Love” on the inside of the card, I just forgot to take a photo of the inside page.

Stamp Sets: None!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Rub-ons – Urban West, Brads – Bold Brights.

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

One Layout, Four Cards!

Posted in Cards, Carte Postal, Simple Delights, Three Thoughts by

This evening saw the start of a new series of cardmaking classes, which I run here in my home.  And similarly to last term, we had a lovely evening of chatting, stamping, cardmaking and mess-making 🙂 

And of course, I just had to use Designer Series Papers in my layouts for the cards we made, another of my “favourites” Spring Flowers (they are all my favourites, just one more so on one day, and the next day it’s another…:) )  I used a nice simple layout and just changed the colours around and we have four totally different cards.  So if you missed out on tonight’s class, but would like to join in the fun, it is not too late but you need to contact me asap.  Here’s what you missed out on…..

Stamp Sets: Simple Delights, Carte Postale, Three Thoughts.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana.

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, DSP Spring Flowers.

Accessories: Corner Rounder, Scallop Edge Punch, Vintage Brads, Double Stitched Ribbon in Groovy Guava, Taffeta Ribbon in Very Vanilla and Kraft.

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images Copyright 1990-2009 Stampin’ Up!

Brag Book in a Box

Posted in Brag Book, Simple Delights, Simply Scrappin' Kit by

This brag book is one I made for my sister-in-law Lorraine.  Lorraine was meant to be coming to visit us last week, but had to stay home as the bushfires in Victoria were only about 1 kilometer from her front door.  Our thoughts are with all of those in the Mirboo North area who lost their homes, fortunately Lorraine still has her home, although they have not been given the all clear yet.  News reports of heavy rain in the area have been incorrect, they received only a few spots of rain and they are still in danger of the fire turning if the winds pick up again.

This brag book is made using one of Stampin’ Up!’s Simply Scrappin’ kits.  These kits are great if you want to have lots of co-ordinating papers and stickers, everything matches beautifully making it so easy to make beautiful scrapbook pages, brag books and cards, and there is enough in each pack to make heaps of things.  I think I might give myself a challenge of seeing just how many I can make out of one kit! 🙂

Stamp Sets: Simple Delights

Cardstock: Confetti White, Chocolate Chip, and cardstock, patterned papers and stickers from Simply Scrappin’ Kit Round Up.

Inks: Chocolate Chip.

Accessories: Scallop Punch, Word Window Punch, Vintage Brads.

Artwork by Chris Parker-Barnes

Images copyright 1990 – 2009 Stampin’ Up!