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Friday, 14 October 2022

JAI inspiration challenge - Full of Love friend

Handmade friend card made with Stampin Up Full of Love stamp set, Artistic dies, and Framed Florets stamp set and bundle. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - cardmaking - stamping - colourmehappyHandmade friend card made with Stampin Up Full of Love stamp set, Artistic dies, and Framed Florets stamp set and bundle. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - cardmaking - stamping - colourmehappy

Hello and welcome. Today's card share is for this week's Just Add Ink inspiration challengeThe colourful field of flowers prompted lots of ideas. I've made a clean and simple floral card inspired by the flower colours and lines of the leaves, using the new to me Full of Love stamp set, Artisic dies, and a friendly sentiment from a new stamp set & bundle coming in November called Framed Florets. Take a look.

Friday, 7 October 2022

Simple blended Snowflake Christmas - 2 for 1

2 for 1 snowflake Christmas card using Stampin Up Snow Crystal, Christmas to Remember, and Joyful Flurry stamp sets and Wintry embossing folder. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - cardmaking - stamping - stampinupcards2 for 1 snowflake Christmas card using Stampin Up Snow Crystal, Christmas to Remember, and Joyful Flurry stamp sets and Wintry embossing folder. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - cardmaking - stamping - stampinupcards

Hello and welcome. Today I'm sharing two clean and simple Christmas cards featuring heat embossing and ink blending, using the Snow Crystal and Christmas to Remember stamp sets.

A fun thing about these two cards is that they're both made with only one complete snowflake image. This is a definite time saver when you're making lots of Christmas cards. 

Friday, 30 September 2022

JAI 623 colour challenge - Christmas Merriest Moments

Christmas card made with Stampin Up Merriest Moments stamp set and Merriest Frames hybrid embossing folder and die set and 2022-24 in-colours. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinupcards - cardmaking - diecutting - stampsinkpaperChristmas card made with Stampin Up Merriest Moments stamp set and Merriest Frames hybrid embossing folder and die set and 2022-24 in-colours. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinupcards - cardmaking - diecutting - stampsinkpaper

Hello and welcome. Today I'm sharing a Christmas card created for Just Add Ink challenges. This week's colour challenge combination of Sweet Sorbet, Parakeet Party and Starry Sky was suggested by me. I don't know what sort of project I had in mind when I suggested them but I've created this Christmas card using the very clever Merriest Moments stamp set and Merriest Frames Hybrid embossing folder and die set.

Wednesday, 28 September 2022

Chocolate and cookies make everything better

Handmade cookies and chocolate themed all occasions card made with Stampin Up Nothing's Better Than stamp set and Love You More Than die set. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - cardmaking - stamping - stampinupaustralia
Hello & welcome.

Today I have a fun, just because card to share with you made with the Nothing's Better Than stamp set and Love You More Than dies. This may make you hungry or crave a sweet treat so I hope you have some treats on hand after reading.

Friday, 16 September 2022

JAI 621 sketch challenge - graphic snowflake Christmas

Graphic Christmas card using Stampin' Up! Joyful Flurry stamps and dies bundle, Wintry 3d folder, heat embossing and ink blending. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - cardmaking - diecutting - colourmehappy - stampsinkpaper

Hello & welcome. Today's project is my team card for the latest Just Add Ink sketch challenge. I do love a hexagon so this was a fun sketch to play with.

Early Christmas card prep is on my mind to avoid the mad December rush. I realised the snowflake stamps in my new Joyful Flurry stamp and die bundle and formed hexagon shapes. I paired them with the hexagon dies in the Beautiful Shapes die set to create my card. I did play around with the hexagon elements in the sketch but I'm sure you can see it. Here's how it turned out.

Tuesday, 6 September 2022

Sending Smiles 6 - Spring flower garden

Handmade floral card made with Stampin Up Sending smiles stamps and die bundle, and Stitched with Whimsy die. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - cardmaking - stamping - diecutting - stampinupaustralia - colourmehappy
Hello & welcome to my sixth and last Sending Smiles series card post for now. I'm sure you'll see more of this fab bundle along the way, but for now take a look at this bright and happy card.

Monday, 5 September 2022

Sending Smiles 5 - sending love and flowers

Hello & welcome! Today I'm sharing the 5th Sending Smiles bundle card - a clean and simple flower cluster to send love to someone special.

Friday, 2 September 2022

JAI 619 Just add masculine - Sending Smiles 4 - Sunset palms

Tropical sunset ink blended palms birthday card made with Stampin Up Sending Smiles bundle, Palms dies, blending brushes & Stampin Blends. Card by Di Barnes - Stampin Up Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - cardmaking - stamping - colourmehappy
Hello & welcome! Today is Sending Smiles bundle post 4 and my team project for Just Add Ink challenge 619. This week's challenge is to create a masculine card. It's Father's Day in Australia this Sunday so perfect time for anyone looking for guy card inspo.

I went with a tropical sunset scene birthday card with a blended ink background - yes I'm pretty obsessed with them and sunsets at the moment. Take a look.

Thursday, 1 September 2022

Sending Smiles 3 - Field of flowers thank you

Blue-purple floral thank you card using Stampin Up Sending Smiles stamps and dies. Card made by Di Barnes - Stampin Up Demo in Sydney Australia. colourmehappy - stampinupcards - cardmaking
Hello & welcome! Today I'm sharing the 3rd class project using the Sending Smiles stamps and die bundle.

It's a easy thank you card that's all about the pretty, stemmed flowers in the bundle. I have no idea which flowers they're based on. Any ideas?

This card shows off three 2022-24 In Colors too - Orchid Oasis, Starry Sky, and Parakeet Party. Such a fresh combination.

Saturday, 27 August 2022

Sending Smiles 2 - Inspired neutral floral background

Handmade thank  you card using Stampin Up Sending Smiles stamp set and dies bundle. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - colourmehappy - cardmaking - stamping - diecutting - stampsinkpaper
Today's Sending Smiles card is really is all about the stamps and die in the bundle playing nicely together.

I've created a randomly stamped, cut strip background with the leaf and some floral stamps paired with the wonderful sentiment dies and stamps, with a fresh, neutral colour scheme.

Friday, 26 August 2022

Sending Smiles - Patterned paper card base

Handmade birthday card using Stampin Up double sided patterned paper and vellum. Template included. Card by Di Barnes  - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards colourmehappy  card templates - cardmaking
Hello & welcome. Today I'm sharing one of my recent class projects and the first of 6 new posts featuring the Sending Smiles stamp and die bundle. This card design was inspired by a beautiful card my darling man gave me for Mother's Day.

You can make beautifully coordinated cards with all the elements in the bundle. Even better, the fab 'Sending' stamp and die and coordinating sentiments play so well with others too.

You'll see them playing very nicely together today teamed with the Hues of Happiness paper and the Amazing Year stamp set.

Friday, 19 August 2022

JAI 617 choose two - Christmas scottie dog

Scottie dog themed window Christmas card made with Stampin' Up Christmas Scottie stamp set and punch bundle, Lights Aglow paper, Stylish Shapes and Tree Lot Saleabration dies. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinup cards - saleabration2022 - Christmas 2022

Hello & welcome to another project share. This is my team project for this week's Just Add Ink Choose Two challenge and my first Christmas card of 2022. The three challenge options are gingham, dots, and die cuts. How to choose from these 3 faves?

A tricky choice but I went with dots and die cuts, creating a window card with the Christmas Scottie stamp and punch bundle, Trees for Sale stamp set, free Sale-a-bration Tree Lot dies, and a lovely, foiled, dotty scalloped paper from the Lights Aglow pack as my main elements.

Friday, 12 August 2022

Sunset sailing scene - two ways

Handmade card with ink blended sunset yacht scene using Stampin' Up! Let's Set Sail stamps and bundle. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - colourmehappy - stampinupaustralia - cardmaking - punch artHandmade card with ink blended sunset yacht scene using Stampin' Up! Let's Set Sail stamps and bundle. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - colourmehappy - stampinupaustralia - cardmaking - punch art

Hello & welcome. Today's project is the second from my Summer in Winter class - a sunset scene featuring masking and ink blending techniques using Blending Brushes, and images from the Let's Set Sail stamp and punch bundle. 

We've had lots of amazing sunrises and sunsets in Sydney over Winter, in between tons of rain so I thought it would be fun to recreate them with an idyllic Summer vibe.

I have two versions to show you - the original sample with a soft, dreamy sunset, and a post-class one with much deeper ink blending using the same colours. Here's the original...

Friday, 5 August 2022

JAI 615 inspiration challenge - serene grove neutral birthday

Handmade neutral masculine card using Stampin Up Grove & rectangle dies and Inspired Thoughts stamp set. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - stampinupcards - colourmehappy - 2022-23 annual catalogue - cards for guys


Hello and welcome! Today I have a bit of a different card to share, made for this week's Just Add Ink inspiration image challenge. This one definitely was a challenge as the image looked like something I'd be looking at as renovation ideas rather than to make a card. 

After quite a bit of thinking I was drawn to the frame and back of the cabana structure, timber and touches of greenery, which gave me the idea to make fun fold card, using the Grove dies and Inspired Thoughts stamp sets.

Saturday, 30 July 2022

Hippest Hippos Summer Beach birthday card

Handmade beach themed hippos birthday card made with Stampin Up Saleabration Hippest Hippos and Hippos dies, Rays of Light stamp, Palms dies. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - Saleabration 2022 - annual catalogue 2022-2023 - stampinupcards - colourmehappy

Hello & welcome! Today I have another Sale-a-bration Hippest Hippos stamps & Hippos dies idea to share with you - a fun beach themed birthday card. The Hippos dies includes so many fun accessories to create lots of different different scenes for your hippos.

This card was part of the Summer in Winter class I ran earlier in July. It's the middle of a very wet Winter here in Sydney, Australia so I was craving sun and warmth, and what's more summery than the beach. I wanted to show how to build scenes, mixing quite a few products & techniques to create it.

Friday, 22 July 2022

JAI 613 colour challenge - dancing hippo birthday card

Handmade hippo birthday card using Stampin Up Hippest Hippos stamps, Hippos dies, Stylish shapes and Basic Borders dies, Butterfly Kisses paper, in 22-24 in color paper. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - saleabration 2022 - stampinupcards - cardmaking

Hello & welcome! Today I'm sharing my card for Just Add Ink challenge no 613 - a colour challenge using Mint Macaron, Fresh Freesia, and Starry Sky.

I've made a card featuring the sweetest little dancing hippo in the Hippest Hippos free Sale-a-bration stamp set. I thought she'd look very pretty in the challenge colours and I'm so loving colouring theme hippos, so any opportunity to use them works for me.

Friday, 8 July 2022

JAI 611 sketch challenge - Sending thanks card

Handmade thank you card using Stampin Up Sending Smiles stamp set and dies bundle, Amazing Year stamp set, Hues of Happiness paper and Stampin Blends markers. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinupcards

Hello & welcome! Today's project share is for this week's Just Add Ink challenge - a sketch challenge suggested by me. Its simplicity gives so many possibilities.

I used elements already on my desk from other creating, including the fabulous Hues of Happiness paper, Sending Smiles stamps and dies bundle and Amazing Year stamp set (both of which I used for last weekend's class too - projects coming soon). Here's how it turned out.

Friday, 1 July 2022

JAI 610 inspiration challenge - black and white blended floral birthday

Hello & welcome! I'm here to share my team project for this week's Just Add Ink 610 inspiration challenge. The challenge image is interesting and different on many levels - fun, multiple monochromatic photos, bold pops of colour and a grid layout. These all gave so many options to create my card.

For once I was quite decisive, choosing to focus on the black, white, pops of colour, and grid layout. I substituted balloons on strings for colourful stemmed flowers. The Perfectly Penciled paper pack, Sending Smiles stamp and die bundle and Stampin' Blends markers came together to create the final look.

Friday, 24 June 2022

JAI 609 Just add flowers - Hues of Happiness stack of cards

Set of quick and easy floral cards using Stampin Up Hues of Happiness suite, Happiness Abounds stamp and die bundle, Stylish Shapes dies. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - diecutting - cardmaking - stamping - stampinupcards

Hello and welcome! Today I have a bunch (11 to be exact) of quick, easy and very pretty floral cards to share with you. These are for Just Add Ink's newest challenge - probably the easiest ever - Just add Flowers! These cards are all thanks to 3 gorgeous paper prints from the Hues of Happiness pack. They began with a single card I made as a make and take project for an afternoon tea I organised for my lovely team, customers and crafty friends earlier in June.

Sunday, 12 June 2022

Double Z fold F1 car for a special birthday

Formula 1 F1 themed 21st birthday double z fold card. Card by Di Barnes Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - ecutting - fancy folds
Hello & welcome to another project share. Something a little different today - a card I made for DD's 21st birthday in May. We can talk another time how my baby can actually be 21. She absolutely loves Formula 1 racing and her birthday pressie was a trip to the Melbourne Grand Prix, so her card had to include something related to F1.

Daniel Ricciardo is her favourite driver (& mine too) so the challenge was to create a card with Danny's McLaren car. An oversized double z fold card base is the support act. Here's how it turned out.

Friday, 10 June 2022

JAI 607 Choose two challenge - Cup of Tea card & treats

Handmade tea and friendship card and decorated treat box made with Stampin Up Cup of Tea, Happiness Abounds stamp sets and bundles, Stylish Shapes dies, Butterfly Kisses paper. Card by Di Barnes - Indpependent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - cardmaking - stamping - card challenges - colourmehappy

Hello & welcome. Today I'm sharing my Design Team project for this week's Just Add Ink Choose Two challenge suggested by... me!

I made a tea themed card for a friend using the Cup of Tea stamp set and bundle and new In Color Stampin Blends markers. I do love a cup of tea and of course time shared with friends is the best... and don't drink coffee (shocking I know to some of you). This card was inspired by some treat boxes I made for last weekend. Here's how the card turned out. See the projects that inspired it later in this post.

Friday, 27 May 2022

JAI 605 inspiration challenge - wave sympathy card

handmade sea-wave themed sympathy card using Stampin Up Waves of Inspiration stamp set and die bundle, Inspired Thoughts stamp set and Rectangle stitched dies. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinupcards - diecutting - stampsinkpaper

Hello & welcome to today's project share - a soft and simple water themed sympathy card for this week's Just Add Ink inspiration challenge. How wonderful would it be to be on that beautiful beach.

The Waves of Inspiration stamp set and Waves dies bundle created the beautiful wave that's the focal point of the card, which will send love to family friends who just lost a loved one.

Friday, 13 May 2022

JAI 603 colour challenge - rainbows of happiness

Handmade rainbow card using Stampin Up Rainbow of Happiness stamp set and bundle, Basic Borders dies, cloud punch, Happiness Abounds stamp set & bundle. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - #stampinupcards #colourmehappy #diecutting

Hello & welcome to another project share - my Just Add Ink design team project for this week's colour challenge suggested by Nikki. The challenge colours are Mint Macaron, Blushing Bride & Rich Razzleberry.

What to do what to do? For some reason stripes then a rainbow popped into my mind, even though the colours are defintely not your typical rainbow. So I grabbed the Rainbow of Happiness stamp & die bundle and some other supporting goodies. This is what I made.

Monday, 9 May 2022

New In Colors and Stampin' Blends Colour Chart Download

Stampin Up Stampin Blends Alcohol Markers Colour Chart 2022 pdf download - Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney AustraliaStampin' Up! 2022-2024 In colors - - Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia

Hello & welcome! Today I'm excited to share our new In Color release for 2022 and a Colour Chart update for our Stampin' Blends alcohol markers.

New colour releases are probably the most anticipated element of a new catalogue launch. The 2022-23 Annual Catalogue includes 5 new In Colors - Sweet Sorbet, Parakeet Party, Tahitian Tide, Orchid Oasis, and Starry Sky- and they'll stay in our collection until 2024. They're a bold & happy combination that look great together and will work well with our current colour collections. Take a closer look.

Sunday, 8 May 2022

Poppy Moments wedding card

 
We were thrilled to recently celebrate the wedding of a dear family friend and his beautiful bride and so an extra special card was in order for this wonderful couple. After much thought I chose to make a pretty and elegant, and larger than normal sized card with the gorgeous Poppy Moments die set.

You'll spot some new catalogue purchases too and a couple or retired ones too. Soft Sea Foam, Smoky Slate and white are one of my favourite colour combinations for soft, elegant cards so that's where I started. Here's how it turned out.
 

Saturday, 30 April 2022

Whales of the Ocean cards

whale cards using Stampin Up Waves of the Ocean paper, whale punch, Biggest Wish & Happiest of Birthday stamp sets. Cards by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinupcards - stampinupaustralia - cardmaking - stamping - handmade cardswhale cards using Stampin Up Waves of the Ocean paper, whale punch, Biggest Wish & Happiest of Birthday stamp sets. Cards by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinupcards - stampinupaustralia - cardmaking - stamping - handmade cards

Remember the whale card I shared a couple of weeks ago? I got a bit whale obsessed and made more cards - this time teamed with a paper print from the amazing Waves of the Ocean paper pack  to create some fun watery scenes. Sadly this is a last hurrah for the paper as it's only available until 2 May. Get it now if you love it. Take a closer look at the cards:
 

Friday, 29 April 2022

JAI 601 sketch challenge - Let's have a cup of tea

 Handmade cup of tea card using Stampin Up Cup of Tea stamp set and bundle & Teacups dies, & Beautiful Shapes dies, Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - stampinupaustrallia - diecutting - cardmaking - stamping - stampinupcards

Hello & welcome. Today I'm sharing a sweet tea cup themed card using the new Cup of Tea stamp set and bundle. This is my Design Team project for this week's Just Add Ink challenge, which is a sketch with many, many possibilities. I hope you like how I used it.

Thursday, 28 April 2022

Simply blended stitched leaves

Leaf themed cards using Stampin Up Stitched Leaves and All Together paper. Sentiments from Biggest Wish, Inspired Thoughts & Peaceful Moments stamp sets. Cards by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - die cutting - clean and simple cardsLeaf themed cards using Stampin Up Stitched Leaves and All Together paper. Sentiments from Biggest Wish, Inspired Thoughts & Peaceful Moments stamp sets. Cards by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - die cutting - clean and simple cards

Hello & welcome. As promised last post when I shared this leafy card, I have 2 more cards to share made with the Stitched Leaves dies. Both are very clean & simple and include blended ink panels, one with patterned paper and one with the Timber embossing folder. Let's take a look.

Friday, 22 April 2022

JAI 600 inspiration challenge - leafy thanks

Handmade thank you card made with Stampin' Up! Stitched Leaves dies, Stitched Shapes dies, Peaceful Moments stamp set. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - just add ink - card challenges

Hello & welcome. Today I'm sharing a project for Just Add Ink's 600th challenge. A major milestone worth celebrating.

The inspiration image has lots of lovely details and texture but did challenge me, as the colours are not my fave choices. That said, the leaves reminded me of the beautiful Stitched Leaves dies so I've used these to create a card that fits the challenge in my style. I hope you like what I made.

Friday, 15 April 2022

JAI 599 Just add fave animal - Whale amazing thanks

handmade sea - whale themed thank you card using Stampin' Up Waves of the Ocean collection, Amazing Thanks dies,  whale punch. Card by Di Barnes - Independent Demonstrator in Sydney Australia - colourmehappy - die cutting -

Hello & welcome to a new project share for this week's Just Add Ink challenge suggested by Kerry - Just Add your favourite animal.

The trickiest part of this challenge was choosing my favourite animal. It's like choosing your favourite human or fur child. After much pondering I chose whales - and made a thank you card for a dear & amazing friend.

I mixed new and old goodies on my card - new Waves dies & Blue foils from the Waves of the Ocean collection (see & click image at end of post to see all items), current Amazing Thanks dies & Whale Punch, and papers from the Whale of a Time paper pack. (retired sadly in 2021 & one of our most beautifully illustrated packs ever - a big call I know). Take a look at how it turned out.