Simple Christmas Gift

2009 November 13
by melbarkwith

Do you need some simple, inexpensive gifts for people this Christmas? These small 2010 diaries are the perfect item and you can personalise them to suit any recipient.

2010 diary

  • I purchased this diary from Kmart for $3.  They have a black vinyl cover which I’ve removed.
  • The diary has been covered in the gorgeous Urban Garden designer series paper.
  • I have used the (soon to be very missed) Great Friend Stamp Set to decorate the white panel on the front of the diary.
  • The butterflies have been stamped in Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink inks.
  • A piece of Pink Pirouette striped grosgrain ribbon has been tied around the centre panel.

Don’t forget that EVERYTHING in the Spring Mini catalogue is only available until November 30th.  After that date, all of these  items will be unavailable.  If you would like to place an order for the super gorgeous Great Friend stamp set (or anything else!), please give me a call on 0425 815 857.

I’m going to be waiting (not so) patiently today for my parcel lady, who hopefully has my Summer Mini preorder with her.  Can’t wait to show you some new things.

mel siggy

We’re Back!

2009 November 8
by melbarkwith

After 2 weeks visiting the friendliest mouse you’ve ever met, we are home.  We had a ball at Disneyland, despite visiting one too many Anaheim emergency departments (if you know my kids, you’ll know which one that involved!).

Here’s a couple of photos (narrowed down from the 1000+  I took).  The first is from Breakfast at Ariel’s Grotto, the second at the Lilo and Stitch breakfast and the third is my favourite part of Disney’s California Adventure – Paradise Pier, with the awesome California Screamin’ rollercoaster.

girls and snow white girls and minnie paradise pier christmas tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I plan to be back by Tuesday/Wednesday this week with some cards for you.  For now I’m tackling the pile of washing that followed us home and my neglected vegie garden.  (Oh, and placing my preorder from the super Summer Mini catalogue that was waiting for me at home!  If you would like a copy and are not on my mailing list, please email me so I can get one in the mail to you asap).

(And after 6 stitches in her chin, Chloe is fine.)

mel siggy

 

 

Card Kits for Sale

2009 October 15
by melbarkwith

I’ve been having a bit of a clean out of my stamping area, and have come across lots of leftover card kits from workshops.  Each card kit is $2, including matching envelope.  The love notes and bookmark kits are $1 each.  These prices don’t include postage to get them to you or the stamped images.

If you are interested in any of these kits (quantities specified below the photos), please email me or give me a call on 0425 815 857.

bookmark and love noteGreat Friend Bookmark -  SOLD OUT

Le Jardin Love Note – SOLD OUT

olive great friend

Olive Great Friend Card – 1 available

party hearty saffron

Pacific Point Party Hearty – 2 available

So Saffron/Pixie Pink Great Friend – SOLD OUT

seaworthy

Seaworthy – 3 available

skislope

Ski Slope Winter Post card – 3 available

mel siggy

Get On Board!

2009 September 24
by melbarkwith

I’ve been busily making travel journals for my two big girls, ready for them to write in and add photos etc on our holiday.  The journal for today is Chloe’s.  She chose the colours and told me that it had to have owls on it!  Looking at this photo, the metal binding is a bit wonky probably because I’ve pulled it apart 3 or 4 times.  I’m off to fix that now!

chloe's travel journal

  • I have used one of our On Board journals for Chloe’s book.
  • The front of the journal is covered in Kiwi Kiss cardstock.  I added a strip of Kiwi Kiss Patterns paper for extra detail.
  • A piece of Pumpkin Pie has been scalloped any layered onto Whisper White cardstock.
  • Two pieces from the Pigtail Ribbon originals have added some extra WOW!  While these ribbons are not cheap, you certainly don’t need a lot of them to add detail.  I think they are well worth it.
  • The two owls are from the Bright Delights rub-ons.  They are so cute!
  • I added some Felt Fusion flowers, with Kiwi Kiss corduroy brads in the centre for detail.
  • The chipboard letters have all been embossed using White Craft ink and White Embossing Powder.  I attached them to the journal using Tombow Multi-Purpose adhesive.  This is the perfect adhesive for attaching fiddly things to your project.

mel siggy

Weekend Sketch Challenge #98

2009 September 23
by melbarkwith

I borrowed Playful Petals a few weeks ago from Lisa, and finally got around to using it for Beate’s Weekend Sketch Challenge #98.  I think I’ll be using this sketch over and over again, it’s perfect for so many different stamp sets.

WSC Petal Pizzazz

  • My card base is Pink Pirouette.
  • I have used Bella Rose designer series paper, the colours go so well with the delicate pink of the card base.
  • Both the chocolate and kiwi pieces of designer paper were layered onto Whisper White cardstock.  I then paper pierced around the edges using my Mat Pack.
  • The leaves from Playful Petals were stamped onto the Whisper White image panel using Chocolate Chip ink.  I coloured them in using my blender pens and Kiwi Kiss ink.  I then paper pierced around the edges of the image layer.
  • The largest flower from Playful Petals was stamped twice onto scrap white cardstock and cut out.  I coloured it using my blender pens and Pink Pirouette and Pretty in Pink inks.  The smaller flower was coloured using Pink Pirouette ink.
  • Between the two flower layers is a flower from the Pretties Kit.  I’ve coloured it using a Stampin’ Sponge and Pretty in Pink.  On top of the smaller flower is a half white pearl also from the Pretties Kit.
  • The flowers have been attached using dimensionals.
  • A piece of White Taffeta Ribbon was tied around the centre of the card.
  • The ‘Best Wishes’ stamp from Oval All was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink, onto Pink Pirouette cardstock.  I punched it out using my large oval punch, and then layered it onto a 1″ Chocolate circle, and a Kiwi designer label punch.
  • Two clear rhinestone brads were added in the top right corner for some extra detail.

playful petalsmel siggy

Tree Trimmings Sketch Challenge

2009 September 22
by melbarkwith

Woohoo – 2 days in a row.

Tree Trimmings first caught my eye because of the super low price.  After my first glance, I wasn’t too sure about how much could be done with it.  I find bold image sets the most challenging to use, however they are usually perfect to use with Sketch Challenges.  The easiest way to do this is to find a sketch layout which has similar sizing to the set you’d like to use.  For this card I used Beate’s weekend sketch challenge from last week.

  • tree trimmings wscThe card base is Riding Hood Red cardstock.  I love this colour!
  • The next layer is a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  On top of that is a piece of Bella Rose designer series paper.
  • Another strip of Bella Rose designer series paper is layered on top of some Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I’ve used my Eyelet border punch to create some detail on this.
  • A piece of Whisper White taffeta ribbon is tied around the red layer.
  • On the main image layer I’ve stamped the swirl from Baroque Motifs in Kiwi Kiss ink.  The ornaments from Tree Trimmings were stamped in Riding Hood Red ink and cut out.  Popping them up on dimensionals creates a 3d appearance.
  • The ‘Merry Christmas’ greeting is from the Christmas Classics stamp set.  I’ve paper pierced underneath it and layered it onto a Kiwi Kiss scalloped oval.
  • Finally, in the top right corner of the card I’ve added 2 red brads for some extra detail.

Tree Trimmings

mel siggy

Been a bit slack!

2009 September 21
by melbarkwith

Hi all,
I’m sorry I’ve been so slack lately in updating my blog. Between kids, birthdays, my shoulder, and getting sidetracked on Disneyland planning websites I haven’t made much time for stamping.

Anyway, I’m back and will do my best to keep updating here despite the school holidays :-)

seaworthy

I made this card the other week for Steve’s Grandpa.  I’ve used some supplies leftover from a workshop a few weeks back, so some of you may recognise this a little.

  • The card base is Sage Shadow cardstock.
  • All of the layers are using my fave Chocolate Chip.  The designer series paper is from the Windsor Knot package.  This has some great striped pages, and is perfect for both masculine and feminine cards.
  • The bottom layer of designer paper has been sponged with Chocolate chip.  I’ve paper pierced around the edges using my well loved Mat Pack, and joined the holes together with my Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker to create faux stitching.
  • The main image is from the Seaworthy set.  I’ve stamped it in Chocolate Chip Ink onto Confetti White cardstock.  This cardstock has little flecks in it, and makes a perfect ‘rustic’ accent.  The edges of the image layer have been sponged with Close to Cocoa ink.
  • The sailboat has been coloured in using my blender pens and Sage Shadow and Close to Cocoa inks.  I’m sure I’d be lost without my blender pens (even my 8 year old is getting hooked on them!)
  • The birthday greeting is from the On Your Birthday stamp set.  I’ve added a button from the Button Latte pack for an accent.

mel siggy

Seaworthy

September Product Shares

2009 September 1
by melbarkwith

This month I have two wonderful product shares for you to try!

The first features the 1 1/2″ inch Striped Riding Hood Red Ribbon from the Spring Mini Catalogue.

Stampin' Up! striped rhr ribbonFor just $5 plus s/h, you’ll receive 2.25m of this gorgeous ribbon.  It creates a huge statement on any project, and this is the perfect way to try it out.

The second product share for September is Stampin’ Up!’s regular designer series paper.  For just $8.50 plus s/h you can purchase a half share in any package of regular designer series paper.

DSP share

You can choose from any of Stampin’ Up!’s gorgeous designer series papers, including from the Spring Mini Catalogue and Prints papers.

Email me now to place your order!

mel siggy

A Gift for You in September

2009 September 1
by melbarkwith

SU ribbon bundle

That’s right!  Spend $100 on  a personal order, or host a workshop with $600 in sales, and you’ll receive 2 free rolls of ribbon this month!

SU Ribbon Bundle detail

These ribbons are not available for purchase, the only way to get them is to get them free!

Contact me now if you would like to place an order or host a workshop!

Phone: 9733 0325 or 0425 815 857.

mel siggy

Change of email address

2009 August 31
by melbarkwith

Hi everyone!

Just a note to let you know that I have a new email address -  melandsteve@optusnet.com.au  .  Optus very kindly changed it this afternoon without telling me…

mel siggy