Tag Archives: Stampin’ Up!

Darth Vader Technique

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When I first started stamping in 2008, this was one of the first techniques I was taught . I’m sure there are other names for it but that’s what we called it, the Darth Vader (from Star Wars, for those that don’t know) Technique.

The reason this was one of the first techniques I was taught is because it uses Stampin’ Write markers to ink the stamp, and at the time, you could buy these markers individually, making it a cheaper way to get more colours in my stash.

Both the stamps were inked with markers on this card. So why is it called the Darth Vader Technique? Once the ink is on the stamp, it’s important to “huff” onto the stamp, the humidity from your breath keeps the ink damp enough to create a nice clear image.

I did a video of making this card on my Facebook page this morning – you can find a link to the page on the sidebar, so please drop in and say hi and leave a comment.

The card used the Elegantly Said stamp set, Scalloped Contours Dies and the Hand-Penned Designer Series Papers.

Happy stamping

Chris 💜

Favourite Stampin’ Up! Colour??

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My very favourite Stampin’ Up! Colour is Rich Razzleberry. Yesterday I was chatting online with the lovely Clare from Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Support and she gave me this colour combo to try out – Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake and Champagne. So, this is what I came up with…….

The strip of Vellum has been embossed with the Timber 3D embossing folder, the leaves die cut using the Intricate Leaves Dies, and the stamped leaves were inked in Crumb Cake and then sponged around the edge with Rich Razzleberry ink on a sponge dauber. The stamp set is called Gorgeous Leaves.


Leave me a comment below and let me know what your favourite Stampin’ Up! Colour is? Do you have a favourite combination using that colour? I love hearing about all the different favourite colours, it is hard to pick just one though.

Someone decided I had done enough stamping after this card, and it was time my attention was elsewhere. We had a lovely snuggle with the sunshine streaming in through the window.

Happy stamping,

Chris 💜

Black and White Christmas

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It’s been quite a while since I shared here, and definitely time to get back into blogging.

So let’s get straight into it!! I have made a fairly simple card, a black and white Christmas card which features the cute bird from the Happy Holly-Days stamp set, and Christmas greeting from the Sweet Little Stockings stamp set.

The corners have been punched out using the Holly Border Punch.

Don’t you just love that bird? Gorgeous for colouring but equally beautiful just like that!! I’ve stamped using just Momento Black ink.

The Male Room have a Black and White challenge happening, so I am going to add this one.

I hope each of you are coping with the situation around the world. Keep crafting and keep smiling.

Happy stamping!

Chris

Using up the left overs.

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I am on a mission to use up those bits and pieces that get saved from other projects. I seem to have an accumulation of these that never get used and they soon mount up. Am I the only one?

So today’s card came from the need to use the gold frame, rather than have it sitting in my stash, and I have used it as a frame for some of the beautiful Poinsettia Place Designer Series Paper, one of my favourites from the current Mini Catalogue.

The background layer has been embossed using the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder, and then the framed layer offset.

The two flowers in the bottom corner have been fussy cut from the paper, and gold sprays of leaves are from the new Curvy Dies.

Now I am wondering who I should give that card to?

Happy Stamping!

Chris x

Forever Greenery

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A quick post today to share a quick card!
The Forever Greenery was my absolute favourite out of all of the Designer Series Papers in this year’s Annual Catalogue, but I haven’t  really used them much yet, so it was time to make a card with it.
Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper DSP Stampin' Up! 2020 Christina Barnes Dot Dot Stamping
It’s very simple, some Garden Green cardstock for the base layer, a layer of the Forever Greenery, and then a frame of white cut out with the Stitched Rectangle Dies which are layered over the patterned paper.
The sentiment is from Best Year stamp set and stamped in Garden Green ink.
Because there are so many different patterns in this paper, it would be very easy to completely change the look of this card, just by using a different sheet of DSP from the same pack.
This one I am adding to the current challenge at The Male Room.
I guess that is the beauty of this paper, it can easily be used for either masculine or feminine cards.

Happy stamping!
Chris
xx

Life IS Beautiful

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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