Country Time!

(Playing With The Country Birdhouse and Country Flowers Bundles)

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using two new Stampin' Up! Bundles featured in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue:  Country Birdhouse (item 163401) - which includes the Country Birdhouse photopolymer stamp set (item 163395), and the co-ordinating Country Birdhouse dies (item 163400); and Country Flowers (item 163411) - which includes the Country Flowers photopolymer stamp set (item 163405), and the co-ordinating Country Flowers dies (item 163410).  Although the stamp sets and dies are of course available for purchase individually, there is a 10% Bundled Savings when the stamp set and co-ordinating dies are purchased together using the Bundle item number.  

Country Birdhouse dies - 163400

(Bundle - 163401)

Country Flowers dies - 163410

(Bundle - 163411)

The two stamp sets and co-ordinating dies are part of the Country Woods Suite Collection (item 163418) that also includes the Basic Gray & Smoky Slate Pearls (item 163416), Eyelet 3D Embossing Folder (item 163414), Petal Pink & White 1/4" Diagonal Trim Combo Pack (item 163417), Country Woods 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163393), and Country Lace 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163415).  Of course, as with the stamps and dies, all additional items included in the Suite Collection may certainly be purchased individually - however, if you decide you do want all items included in the Suite Collection using the Suite Collection item number when submitting your order just helps make things a little easier by ensuring that no items will inadvertently be missed out of the order.  If ordering the Suite Collection you will also of course receive the 10% Bundled Savings on the two Bundles.

Just a brief summary of the basic 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 card fold lines.  To ensure crisp folds I also burnish 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 small sharp scissors are very handy for trimming die cuts (i.e. snipping off a few leaves or shortening stems);
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the paper piercer, mini spatula, and tacky putty tips are a great help for picking up and placing small die cuts and embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  

The stamped and coloured images were stamped on watercolour paper using Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406), and watercoloured using the following Classic Stampin' inks:

• Pecan Pie (item 161665);
• Basic Gray (item 149165);
• Mossy Meadow (item 147111);
• Misty Moonlight (item 153118);
• Pumpkin Pie (item 147086);
• Daffodil Delight (item 147094);
• Granny Apple Green (item 147095);
• Berry Burst (item 147143);
• Real Red (item 147084); 
• Old Olive (item 147090), and
• Pool Party (item 147107).

For each of the "Flower Market" buckets, I stamped the sentiment after colouring the bucket.

All foliage cut using the Country Birdhouse and Country Flowers dies was cut from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), and shaded with Old Olive and Mossy Meadow inks applied using Small Blending Brushes (item 160518).  I used the Delicate Forest dies (item 162679) to cut additional leafy sprigs from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock, Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Granny Apple Green cardstock (146990) - and these were also shaded with Old Olive and Mossy Meadow inks.  I used the Simply Zinnia dies (item 163479) to cut the narrow spindly pieces from Old Olive cardstock and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) that I used on the first project, and these were also shaded with Old Olive and Mossy Meadow inks.

Delicate Forest dies - 162679

Simply Zinnia dies - 163479

I think these two Bundles are well complemented by the Garden Meadow stamp set (item 162736) and co-ordinating Garden Meadow dies (item 162740) - stamp set and dies also available together in the Garden Meadow Bundle (item 162741) - and I used the watering can and basket of flowers images on my last card.

Garden Meadow dies - 162740

(Bundle - 162741)

On with the projects!

For this project I began with a 7" x 7" black easel frame from Dollar Tree (glass removed), and used the following additional supplies to complete the project:

• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the 7" square back panel, and birdhouse roof insert;
• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for the 6" square panel;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 5 3/4" square matting panel - the edges scraped with the blade of my craft knife, the birdhouse roof scalloped edge trim, the backing for the birdhouse access hole, and the birdhouse support pole.  I sponged Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277) along the edges of both the scalloped edge roof trim and the support pole;
• text patterned paper with gold splatters from Nature's Sweetness Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 162616) for the 5 5/8" square panel - with one of the Small Blending Brushes I applied Basic Gray ink around the edges of the panel;
• Pretty Peacock cardstock (item 150880) for the birdhouse roof and base - the edges shaded with Early Espresso ink (item 147114) applied with one of the Small Blending Brushes; and
• Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511) - this is a new stand-alone colour introduced with the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue - for the birdhouse base and small circle for the bird perch.  Before die cutting the house base (and small circle) I embossed the cardstock using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406) that I had inked by dragging my Early Espresso ink pad across the raised design on one inside panel of the folder (the side opposite the Stampin' Up! logo).  I applied additional Early Espresso ink to the die cut house base using one of the Small Blending Brushes. 

For the second project I began with a 6 1/2" square x 7/8" deep shadow box frame from Dollar Tree - after removing the foam rose and plastic leaves I painted the frame with white acrylic paint, using a medium grit sandpaper to add a little distressing.  I used a 5 1/2" square piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the back panel.  To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the torn edge embossed panel - before tearing the edges I embossed the cardstock panel using the Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406),  After tearing the edges I shaded the edges with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) applied with one of the Small Blending Brushes; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) and Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) - both trimmed as necessary - to attach the birdhouse to the embossed panel - I am very liberal with my use of the Dimensionals!

A few cards . . . 

Is it possible for there to be too many flowers at the flower market?😉 To complete this 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" top-fold card I used the following additional supplies:

• Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511) for the card base, 5" x 4" embossed panel (embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder - item 156406 - inked by dragging my Basic Gray ink pad - item 149165 - across the raised design on one inside panel of the folder), and 4 7/8" x 3 7/8" inside panel;
• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for the front panel's 5 1/8" x 4 1/8", and 4 1/8" x 3 1/8" matting panels - all edges scraped with the blade of my craft knife - and the inside panel's 5" x 4" matting panel; and
• Pool Party woodgrain patterned paper from Country Woods 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163393) for the 4" x 3" panel.

Additional supplies used to complete this 5" x 4" top-fold card:

• Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511) for the card base;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the front and inside panels' 4" x 3" matting panels;
• Basic White cardstock (item 159276) for the 3 7/8" x 2 7/8" inside panel;
• Pool Party woodgrain patterned paper from Country Woods 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163393) for the 3 7/8" x 2 7/8" panel;
• Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793) for the flowers die cut using the Country Birdhouse dies - shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084) applied with one of the Small Blending Brushes; and
• three small and one large of the white dots from the recently retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) for the flower centers. 

Additional supplies used to complete this 4" x 3" top-fold gift card:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 3 7/8" x 2 7/8" panel; and
• Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for the torn edge embossed panel - the cardstock was embossed using the recently retired Timeworn Type 3D Embossing Folder (item 156505) and then all edges torn.

And finally . . .

Additional supplies used to complete this 5" square top-fold card:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 4 3/4" square matting panel;
• text patterned paper with gold splatters from Nature's Sweetness Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 162616) for the 4 5/8" square panel - edges shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165) applied with one of the Small Blending Brushes;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the "Flower Market" bucket with plant to overlap the birdhouse; and
• three of the Daffodil Delight dots (one in each of the three sizes) from Glossy Dots Assortment (item 162758) - there wasn't quite enough sparkle from the gold splatters in the Designer Series Paper!

Since the launch of the new Annual Catalogue means retiring colours and the introduction of new colours I had to update my cardstock swatches!  For this year's version I used the recently retired Tailor Made Tags dies (item 155563) to cut the cardstock tags - very handy to have the hole already die cut so that the swatches were ready to thread onto a binder ring without additional hole punching!  I conscripted my sister - with her very neat printing! - to print the colour names on the back of each tag.  I will slip this ring of swatches (with a handy ball chain added) into my satchel whenever I head out for an art supply shopping excursion!

Of course on my ring of swatches I have included the five new In Colours Stampin' Up! has introduced for 2024-2026:  Pretty In Pink, Shy Shamrock, Petunia Pop, Summer Splash, and Peach Pie.

If you might be interested in joining Stampin' Up! as an Independent Demonstrator Stampin' Up! has an In Colour Starter Kit Promotion for the month of May.  For $135.00 (CDN) you will receive, in addition to $165.00 (CDN) worth of Stampin' Up! products of your choice, free business supplies, and free shipping on the Starter Kit, the following:

• 2024-2026 In Colour Classic Stampin' Pad Bundle (5 ink pads);
• 2024-2026 In Colour 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock Assortments (20 sheets - 4 sheets of each of the 5 colours);
• 2024-2026 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments (40 sheets); and
• 2024-2026 In Colour Stampin' Write Markers (5 markers).

Whether you are an avid paper crafter interested in obtaining a nice discount on art and crafting supplies for yourself or are interested in establishing a home-based business, you would be most welcome to join my team!

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working with both the Country Birdhouse and Country Flowers Bundles and am definitely looking forward to more projects with these Bundles!

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) - I would be very pleased to be your demonstrator!  The digital version of the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue is now available for you to access at your convenience on my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/).  When visiting my online store don't forget to check out all the products now available as Online Exclusives, as well as some great deals on the Clearance Rack - items on the Clearance Rack are available only while supplies last!  

Have fun creating!

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!! 

Discussing strategy for the big game!