Final Countdown To Christmas!

(the last Christmas projects of 2023)

Hello!  Hard to believe that Christmas is just a few short days away!  Today I am sharing a few last Christmas projects I worked on this week - again using a combination of festive and non-festive Stampin' Up! products.

For those who are anticipating the post-Christmas let-down I have good news:  the Stampin' Up! January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue will launch on January 4, 2024 - coinciding with the start of the annual Sale-A-Bration that will run until February 29, 2024! With 2024 being a leap year there is an extra day to take advantage of Sale-A-Bration - and there are many fun products available for free with orders of $60.00 or more (CDN), and with orders of $120.00 or more (CDN).  The digital versions of both the Mini Catalogue and the Sale-A-Bration Brochure will be available to access on my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/) on January 4, 2024.

The Last Chance Promotion featuring the retiring products from the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue will end on January 3, 2024.  Many of the retiring products are offered at substantial discounts but products will only be available while supplies last so don't miss out on a great opportunity to stock up on some favourites! 

Just a quick summary of the standard tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming paper and cardstock - can also be used for scoring;
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) - for scoring fold lines, and for crisp folds I also burnished all folded scored lines using my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp scissors come in very handy for doing any necessary trimming of die cuts; 
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the paper piercer, mini spatula, and tacky putty tips are certainly a great help for picking up and placing small embellishments and die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

To heat emboss the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from the Regal Reindeer stamp set (item 159722) on one of the table favour chocolate treat holders I also used::

• an Embossing Buddy (included with the Embossing Additions Tool Kit - item 159971) to pounce over the watercolour paper prior to stamping and embossing to help ensure that the embossing powder would not stick to areas outside of the stamped areas;
• VersaMark Ink (item 102283) to stamp the sentiment - Stampin' Up! advises that the VersaMark Ink is expected to be back in stock the week of January 1, 2024;
• gold embossing powder from Stampin' Emboss Powders-Metallics (item 155555);
• a very fine dry paint brush to carefully brush away excess embossing powder prior to heat setting (a small brush is also included in the Embossing Additions Tool Kit); and
• specialized heat tool (Heat Tool - item 129053) to heat/activate the embossing powder.

On with the projects!

I am a little obsessed with snow globes this year, and for the base of my first project I used a 5 1/2" tall x 3/4" thick MDF snow globe shape I picked up at Dollar Tree several weeks ago:

My first step after peeling off the paper front and sanding the wood with a fine-grit sandpaper to remove any excess paper, glitter, and adhesive, was to add the background "sky" DSP (Blueberry Bushel patterned paper from Winter Meadow 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper - item 162133) - gluing the paper to the MDF and using my craft knife to cut around the circle.  After letting the glue dry for a few minutes I lightly sanded the edges of the DSP with a very fine-grit sandpaper.  I then cut from the same DSP a just shy of 3/4" wide strip - sanding the edges slightly before I glued it around the edges of the circle. I added some sparkle splatters to the sky by whacking my Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) against my Bone Folder.  I covered the back of the MDF shape with Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) - again gluing the MDF shape to the cardstock and cutting the cardstock with my craft knife.  I then began building the scene:  from Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) I cut the four snow hills using the Basic Borders dies (item 155558); and six small and one medium snowflake using the Chic dies (item `58815).  The snowflakes, to which I added a little sparkle using the Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush were the last items glued on.  From watercolour paper I cut five trees using the Reindeer dies (item 159727) - using one of the Blending Brushes (item 153611) to colour the trees with Granny Apple Green ink (item 147095), Old Olive ink (item 147090), and Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).  Also from watercolour paper I cut the fence using the Bag of Bones dies (item 162218), colouring it with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) applied using one of the Small Blending Brushes (item 160518).  Using the Grove dies (item 157844) I cut the two deer from Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) embossed with the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406) that I had inked with Early Espresso ink (item 147114).  After completing the scene - I used one of the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to secure the tree right behind the fawn - I added the globe base (and side pieces), cut from Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) embossed with the Timber 3D Embossing Folder that I had inked with Early Espresso ink.  After gluing on the front base piece and side pieces I sponged additional Early Espresso ink along the side edges.  From watercolour paper I cut four evergreen branches (using the Joy of Noel dies - item 161965); two flower (petal) sections and two large leaves (using the Paper Florist dies - item 161284); two small double leaves (using the Around The Bend dies - item 160649); and two leafy branches (using the Tree Rings dies - item 159888).  All ink used to colour these die cuts was applied using Blending Brushes and Small Blending Brushes.  For the evergreen branches - Mossy Meadow ink; for the two large leaves and two small double leaves - Granny Apple Green and Mossy Meadow inks; for the flowers (petals) - Real Red ink (item 147084); and for the two leafy branches - Crumb Cake ink, Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Early Espresso ink.  The round flower center was cut using the Paper Florist dies from a left over piece of the embossed Early Espresso cardstock used for the base.

Basic Borders dies - 155558

Chic dies - 158815

Reindeer dies - 159727

Bag of Bones dies - 162218

Grove dies - 157844

Joy of Noel dies - 161965

Paper Florist dies - 161284

Around The Bend dies - 160649

Tree Rings dies (also includes Hybrid Embossing Folder) - 159888

For this gift bag with magnetic closure that measures 4 1/4" tall (excluding handles) x 3 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" deep I used the following additional supplies:

• for the box portion a 7 1/4" x 10 1/2" piece of Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) - scored on the 7 1/4" side at 1 1/2" from each end (top and bottom flaps); and scored on the 10 1/2" side at 1 1/2", 5", 6 1/2", and 10" (1/2" tab is the side glue tab).  After assembling the box portion I added splatters to front, back, and side panels by flicking the brush tip of my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) against the marker lid;
• for the two roof sections:  two 4" x 2 1/2" pieces of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045), each scored on the 2 1/2" side at 3/4" (top edge).  On the underside of each 4" x 1 3/4" roof section I drew a pencil line 1/4" in from each side edge on the 4" side to use as guides when gluing the roof sections to the top flaps of the front and back panels of the box;
• for the handles:  two 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips of Pecan Pie cardstock - scored three times at 1/8" intervals along the back side of the 8 1/2" length (so the raised lines would be on the right side of the handles) - handles glued to inside of top flaps of roof sections approximately 3/8" in from each side of roof flaps.  After gluing on the handles I secured the two small magnetic discs - one "+" and one "-" centered on the inside of the top flaps of the roof sections.  To cover the ends of the handles and the magnetic discs I glued to the inside of each roof flap a 3 7/8" x 11/16" strip of Basic Black cardstock;
• circle dies from Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) to cut two circle frames from watercolour paper - using one of the Blending Brushes (item 153611) I coloured the frames with Basic Gray ink (item 149165), lightly spritzed with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), and blotted dry with paper towel;

Stylish Shapes dies - 159183

• with the circle die used to cut the largest circle frame I cut the frame backing from a piece of Very Vanilla Thick cardstock (item 144237) that I had first embossed using the Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder (item 154317), and then heat embossed with gold embossing powder (I dragged my VersaMark ink pad lightly across the embossed cardstock and then added the gold embossing powder - because I wanted the gold embossing to be random I did not use an Embossing Buddy prior to applying the VersaMark ink);
• watercolour paper on which to stamp the bird image from Perched In A Tree stamp set (item 159791) that was die cut using the co-ordinating Aspen Tree dies (item 159798) - the image was stamped using Stazon Jet Black ink (item 101406) and coloured using Basic Gray ink, Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Pool Party ink (item 147107), Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114) all applied with a paint brush and a little water.  I sponged additional Early Espresso ink around the edges of the die cut bird;

Aspen Tree dies - 159798

• Stazon Jet Black Ink to stamp the "Happy Holidays" sentiment from the Brightest Glow stamp set (item 159542) on Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) - after trimming the sentiment strip using the Paper Trimmer I sponged the strip with Crumb Cake ink;

• Joy of Noel dies (item 161965) to cut three evergreen branches from watercolour paper - coloured with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) applied with one of the Blending Brushes (item 153611) - using the Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) I added a little sparkle to the branches;
• Paper Florist dies (item 161284) to cut two leafy stems from Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - shaded with Mossy Meadow ink applied with one of the Blending Brushes;
• Tree Rings dies (item 159888) to cut one leafy branch from watercolour paper - coloured with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks applied with one of the Small Blending Brushes (item 160518); and
• Black & Very Vanilla 3/8" Large Check Ribbon (item 161982) for the two bows.

The two 7/8" diameter black buttons added to the top flap of the front roof section were from my button stash!

These lidded boxes, which each measure 3" long x 1 1/2" wide x 1 1/8" deep, are just the right size to hold one wrapped Lindor chocolate and two chocolate kisses - perfect finishes for a festive dinner!

I used Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the boxes and lids: for the box a 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" piece of cardstock, scored at 1 1/8" on all four sides; and for the lid a 5 5/16" x 3 13/16" piece of cardstock, also scored at 1 1/8" on all four sides.  For two of the boxes I cut the Designer Series Paper panels for the lid's front, back, sides, and top, 1/8' smaller than the corresponding cardstock panels (i.e. two DSP panels @ 2 15/16" x 1"; two DSP panels @ 1 7/16" x 1"; and one DSP panel @ 2 15/16" x  1 7/16"); and for the box with poinsettia decoration I cut the following panels from Distressed Gold 12" x 12" Specialty Paper (item 159237):  two @ 3" x 1 1/16"; two @ 1 1/2" x 1 1/16"; and one @ 3" x 1 1/2".

For the gingerbread man/candy cane box I used Traditions of St. Nick 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162355) for the panels; and for the bow, Real Red ribbon from Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" Ribbon Combo Pack (item 159577).

For the "Merry Christmas" box I used festive floral patterned paper from the Joy of Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161958) for the top panel; Garden Green patterned paper from 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments-Regals (item 161642) for the front, back, and side panels; Garden Green ribbon from Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" Ribbon Combo Pack for the bow; and Tailor Made Tags dies (item 155563) to cut the embossed sentiment tag.

Tailor Made Tags dies - 155563

For the poinsettia box I used the Paper Florist dies (item 161284) to cut three flower (petal) sections from Real Red cardstock (item 102482), and one large leaf from Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676); Tree Rings dies (item 159888) to cut one berry sprig (subsequently trimmed) from Mossy Meadow cardstock; Joy of Noel dies (item 161965) to cut four berries from Real Red cardstock; Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), applied with one of the Blending Brushes (item 153611), to shade the large leaf and berry sprig; Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) to add a little sparkle to the flower and berries; one large gold dot from Brushed Metallic Dots (item 156506) for the flower center; and Black & Very Vanilla 3/8" Large Check Ribbon (item 161982) for the bow.

To add a little colour to a small plain kraft gift bag I made this tag using the following additional supplies:

• Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) to cut the base flag shape from Real Red cardstock (item 102482); two rounded corner rectangles - one from Real Red/white striped paper from 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments-Regals (item 161642) and one from Real Red cardstock (glued to the back of the DSP rectangle to add a little more stability);

Nested Essentials dies - 161597

• Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the sentiment, from the Brightest Glow stamp set (item 159542), on Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229);
• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) to cut the sentiment circle;
• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), applied with one of the Blending Brushes (item 153611), to colour the sentiment circle;
• Grove dies (item 157844) to cut small deer from Basic White Thick cardstock (which was "painted" with a glittery nail polish picked up at Dollar Tree), and two five-leafed stems from Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990) that were shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) applied with one of the Blending Brushes;
• Joy of Noel dies (item 161965) to cut two evergreen branches from watercolour paper - coloured with Mossy Meadow ink applied with one of the Blending Brushes;
• Tree Rings dies (item 159888) to cut two berry sprigs from watercolour paper - coloured with a wash of Mossy Meadow ink applied using paint brush and water;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach bottom of rounded corner rectangle and bottom of sentiment circle to base flag; and two Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach body of deer to base flag;
• Real Red ribbon from Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" Ribbon Combo Pack (item 159577) for the bow; and
• white baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) to loop through the "almost Granny Apple Green" eyelet I added to the top of the rounded corner rectangle (eyelet was from a mixed package I purchased at my local scrapbooking shop).

And finally . . .

For this 4" x 3" top-fold card I used the following additional supplies:

• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for the card base and 3 3/4" x 2 3/4" embossed panel (embossed using the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder - item 162189) - edges scraped with the blade of my craft knife;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 3 7/8" x 2 7/8" matting panel;
• Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the sentiment, from the Brightest Glow stamp set (item 159542), on Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) - after trimming the sentiment strip using the Paper Trimmer I sponged Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) around the edges;
• Real Red ink (item 147084) to stamp hat and scarf images from the Beary Cute stamp set (item 162016) on watercolour paper, and to colour the image tag (ink applied with one of the Blending Brushes - item 153611);

• Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) to cut flag shape from Lost Lagoon patterned paper from Winter Meadow 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162133), and rounded corner rectangle image tag;
• Joy of Noel dies (item 161965) to cut two evergreen branches from Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) applied with one of the Blending Brushes;
• a few sparkle splatters were added to the card front before the image tag was added by whacking my Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) against my Bone Folder;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach image tag;
• white baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) to tie bow through 1/8' punched hole in image tag - knotted ends secured with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue; and
• four of the white dots from Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) added to card front/image tag.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on these projects - now just a few more last minute festive preparations to attend to!

Stampin' Up! has indicated that the Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) are expected to be available for ordering the week of January 1, 2024.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin' Up! products I have used in my projects, and you live in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store found on my website https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/ at your convenience, or simply click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog, which will take you directly to my website and online store.  I very much appreciate your business, and if you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com)! The digital versions of both the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue and the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue can be accessed at your convenience on my website - and the January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue and Sale-A-Bration Brochure starting January 4, 2024!  When visiting my online store don't forget to check out the great deals on the Clearance Rack as well as the selection of products now available as Online Exclusives.

Have fun creating and Merry Christmas!

Laurel

*It has come to my attention that quite often email correspondence from me is delivered to the recipient's spam or junk mail folder - if you have corresponded with me I have replied so be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder!  Thank you!! 

Visions of sugarplums - and maybe a few catnip filled plush mice - starting to dance in my head!