Playing With My Storybook Friends!

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story.  You never know where they'll take you."

- Beatrix Potter -

"A friend is someone who helps you up when you're down, and if they can't, they lay down beside you and listen."

- Winnie The Pooh -

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few card projects I worked on this week using one of the Bundles featured in the Stampin’ Up!® January-April 2025 Mini Catalogue that launched on January 7.  The Storybook Friends Bundle (item 164675) - which includes the Storybook Friends photopolymer stamp set (item 164668) and the co-ordinating Storybook Friends dies (item 164674) - is part of the Storybook Moments Suite Collection (item 164681), which also includes the Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678), and Storybook Moments 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 164662), both of which I also used in my projects. The images from the stamp set and the Storybook Moments Specialty DSP are very evocative of the characters and artwork of Beatrix Potter, which I am sure will help arouse many fond childhood memories!  The Storybook Friends Bundle is also of course a perfect compliment to the Storybook Garden Patch Bundle (item 164667) that is also featured as part of the Storybook Moments Suite Collection.  The Storybook Garden Patch Bundle, which I began playing with last week, includes the Storybook Garden Patch cling stamp set (item 164663) and the co-ordinating Storybook Garden Patch dies (item 164666).

In addition to including two sheets with several character images that can be cut using the Storybook Friends dies, the Storybook Moments Specialty DSP also includes two sheets of "cut apart" panels; and two sheets of die cut images - no dies required - that are all easily separated from the base sheet!  When I received the DSP I separated all the die cut images from the two sheets and placed them in one of the sturdy plastic envelopes from one of my die sets, keeping the envelope with the rest of the DSP. Additional images from the Specialty DSP can of course be fussy cut!

Just a quick note regarding the basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock and Designer Series Paper; 

• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) for scoring fold lines on cardstock;

•  Bone Folder (item 102300) for burnishing scored fold lines ;

• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;

• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp little scissors are perfect for doing any necessary trimming of die cuts - and of course they make fussy cutting a whole lot easier too!;



• 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).

I used Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the images for colouring on watercolour paper, and coloured the images using small paint brushes to apply Classic Stampin' inks mixed with a little water.  I also used Stazon Jet Black Ink to stamp the sentiments.

To add shading to some of the cardstock die cuts I used Small Blending Brushes (package of three - item 160518) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to the cardstock die cuts, sometimes adding a little additional visual texture (slightly mottled effect) by lightly spritzing the shaded cardstock die cuts with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185) and blotting dry with paper towel - I really like using this technique on foliage die cuts.

On with the projects!

Additional supplies used to complete this 5 1/2" x 4 3/8" top-fold card:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 5 3/8" x 4 1/4" and 4 1/8" x 3 1/8" matting panels;
• Boho Blue cardstock (item 161724) for the die cut frame (including the frame's center panel on which I stamped the bunny image using Stazon Jet Black Ink), and the sentiment banner cut using the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - frame and edges of the frame's center panel shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118);

• two patterns of Boho Blue/Misty Moonlight checked paper from Timeless Plaid DSP for the front panel's 5 1/4" x 4 1/8" background panel and 2 1/2" x 3/8" strip; I used the same pattern of Timeless Plaid DSP for the inside panel's 5 1/4" x 1 1/4" strip as I used for the front panel's background panel.  All edges of the DSP panel and strips were sponged with Misty Moonlight ink;
• I used one of the cut apart panels (4" x 3") - edges shaded with Misty Moonlight ink - for the frame's backing panel;
• I die cut the two bunny images from the DSP, and used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) - trimmed as necessary - to attach and pop up the bunny image on the front panel; and
• to the card front I added two of the small and two of the large black dots from the retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146).  Unfortunately my stash of these embellishments from the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue is almost depleted after this week's projects! 

Additional supplies used to complete this 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" top-fold card:

• Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985) for the card base, frame, strip for inside panel, and sentiment label (I used the smaller of the two label dies from the new Online Exclusives Grow With Love dies - item 164803 - to cut the sentiment label);

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card front's 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" matting panel, and the 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" inside panel;
• Calypso Coral/Petal Pink gingham patterned paper from Timeless Plaid DSP for card front's 4 1/8" x 3 1/8" panel, and for inside panel's 3 1/4" x 1/8" strip;
• Calypso Coral/Petal Pink/Old Olive check patterned paper from Timeless Plaid DSP for frame's backing panel and inside panel's 3 1/4" x 1/2" strip (this paper is actually the reverse side of the gingham pattern sheet);
• Soft Seafoam cardstock (item 146988) for the foliage die cuts - leafy clump cut using the Country Flowers dies (item 1634100), and the trimmed multi-leafed sprig cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies (item 164133) - both foliage die cuts shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);

• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Real Red ink (item 147084) to colour the bunny image;
• after gluing the bunny image and leafy clump foliage die cut to the sentiment label I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach and pop up the assemblage, and the trimmed leafy sprig die cut was tucked in under the bunny and sentiment label; and
• to the card front I added two of the small and one of the large Very Vanilla dots from the retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146).

Additional supplies used to complete this 4 1/4" x 3 7/8" top-fold card:

• Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for the card base, and the 3 1/2" x 3" embossed panel (embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder - item 156406);

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the front panel's 4" x 3 9/16" and 3 9/16" x 3 1/16" matting panels, and the inside panel's 3 3/4" x 3 3/8" matting panel;
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 101650) for 3 5/8" x 3 1/4" inside panel;
• Lost Lagoon gingham patterned paper from Timeless Plaid DSP for front panel's 4" x 3 1/2" background panel, panel trimmed to fit behind frame opening, and inside panel's 3" x 1/4" strip;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) for frame - shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665);
• Soft Seafoam cardstock (item 146988) for the die cut foliage - leafy clump cut using the Country Flowers dies (item 16341), and the berry sprig cut using the Changing Leaves dies (item 163138) - both foliage die cuts shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);

• Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985) for the three flowers cut using the Country Birdhouse dies (item 163400) - shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084);

• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Lost Lagoon ink (item 161678) to colour the bunny image;
• Greetings Of The Season dies (item 164112) to cut the image tag - I used Very Vanilla baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) for the bow, securing the knotted ends with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue; and

• one of the large Very Vanilla dots from the retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) added to the center of each flower.

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

• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for the card base, and card front's 2 7/8" x 1/4" strip;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the card front's 3 7/8" x 2 7/8" matting panel, and 2 7/8" x 1/2" and 2 7/8" x 1/16" strips; and inside panel's 3 7/8" x 2 7/8" matting panel;
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 101650) for 3 3/4" x 2 3/4" inside panel;
• Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985) for the sentiment banner (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies - item 159183), and flower cut using the Country Birdhouse dies (item 163400).  Sentiment banner shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), with additional splatters added by flicking paint brush loaded with mixture of Crumb Cake ink and water; and flower shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084);
• Soft Seafoam cardstock (item 146988) for trimmed/separated multi-leafed sprig cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies (item 164133);
• Calypso Coral/Petal Pink gingham paper from Timeless Plaid DSP for card front's 3 13/16" x 2 13/16" background panel, and inside panel's 2 1/2" x 1/2" strip;
• Crumb Cake ink, Real Red ink, and Basic Gray ink (item 149165) to colour the bunny image - tag cut using the Greetings Of The Season dies (item 164112);
• after gluing the sentiment banner to the top of the image tag I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the assemblage to the card front - not placing the Dimensionals where the tag overlapped the layered cardstock strips; and
• one small black dot from the retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) added to the flower center.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base and the 2 7/8" x 2 1/8" matting panel;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for the sentiment banner (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies - item 159183 - and shaded with Crumb Cake ink - item 147116);
• trimmed cut apart panel from the Storybook Moments Specialty DSP for the 3 7/8" x 2 7/8" background panel - I used a piece trimmed off the cut apart panel for the inside panel's 3" x 1/8" strip;
• Boho Blue/Misty Moonlight patterned paper from Timeless Plaid DSP for front panel's 2 3/4" x 2" panel, and the inside panel's 2 3/4" x 1/2" strip - the edges of all DSP panels and strips sponged with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118); and
• Crumb Cake ink, Real Red ink (item 147084), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Misty Moonlight ink to colour the bunny image.

I made three more 4" x 3" top-fold cards for my series of garden-themed note cards I started last week:  I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card bases for two of the cards, and for a matting panel on the third card for which I used Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for the card base.  For the third card I combined panels trimmed from both the Storybook Moments Specialty DSP and Timeless Plaid DSP with a bunny image fussy cut from the Specialty DSP and attached using Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430); a bow tied using Crumb Cake baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475); and one small and one large of the Petal Pink dots from the Rainbow Adhesive-Backed Dots (item 162758).  For the inside panel I used Basic White Thick cardstock with a Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) matting panel, and added a Timeless Plaid DSP strip.

For the first two cards I used Timeless Plaid DSP for the background panels; adding the "From The Garden Of" sentiment from the new Online Exclusives Grow With Love stamp set (item 164797) - the watercolour paper sentiment strips trimmed, ends torn, and then shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116).  The backing labels for the sentiment strips were cut from Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) using the smaller of the two label dies from the Grow With Love dies (item 164803) *to take advantage of the 10% Bundled Savings the Grow With Love stamp set and co-ordinating Grow With Love dies are also available together in the Grow With Love Bundle (item 164804).*

On the first card I used Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach the bunny image that was coloured using Crumb Cake ink, Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) - adding a Soft Seafoam cardstock (item 146988) foliage die cut that was cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies (item 164133), and shaded with Mossy Meadow ink; and three of the Old Olive shaded dots from the Ombre Matte Decorative Dots (item 161448).

On the second card I added the flowerpots and spade stamped and die cut using the Storybook Garden Patch Bundle (item 164667) - coloured using Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Crumb Cake ink, and Basic Gray ink.

The bunny image on the second card was coloured using Crumb Cake ink, Real Red ink, Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), Basic Gray ink, Granny Apple Green ink (item 147095), and Mossy Meadow ink.  I added three of the Orchid Oasis dots from the retired 2022-2024 In Colour Matte Decorative Dots (item 159186 - May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue).

And finally . . . two little cards using the Sale-A-Bration Friendly Seagulls stamp set (item 164961).  During the annual Sale-A-Bration Promotion - on now until February 28, 2025 - this photopolymer stamp set is one of the products that can be selected for FREE with a purchase of $75.00 CDN (before applicable taxes and shipping) of Stampin’ Up!® products:

I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for both card bases (4" x 3 5/8", and 4" x 3").  The fussy cut birds were coloured using Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), and Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086); to colour the box of fries I used Daffodil Delight ink, Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and Real Red ink (item 147084).  The sentiment banners were both cut using banner dies from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183).  The "Hey Friend" sentiment was stamped on Basic White Thick cardstock, and the "I love you more" sentiment on watercolour paper.  I tore both ends of the watercolour paper sentiment banner and then shaded it with Crumb Cake ink.  On the second card I also added a panel trimmed from Lost Lagoon patterned paper from the Timeless Plaid DSP (also adding a narrow strip to the inside panel), and added splatters using my Lost Lagoon Stampin' Write Marker (Subtles Marker Assortment - item 161698) by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid. 

On the first card I used a combination of colour washes and ink blending (applying the ink with one of the Small Blending Brushes) to add the sand (Crumb Cake ink), water (Lost Lagon ink - item 161678), and sky (Misty Moonlight ink - item 153118) colours to a 2 1/2" diameter watercolour paper circle cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.  The seashell images were stamped using Crumb Cake ink, and the edges of the sand section were shaded with Pecan Pie ink.  The flying birds were stamped using Stazon Jet Black Ink, and I used a 0.7mm white Posca paint marker to dab on the line of foam between the sand and water.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun starting to play with my new best Storybook Friends - a great cure for the post-Christmas blues!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) is not expected to be back in stock and available for ordering until the week of January 20, 2025.

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 would be very pleased to be your demonstrator! If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com) and I will try my best to help!  The digital versions of the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue, January-April 2025 Mini Catalogue, the companion (and digital-only) January 2025 Scrapbooking Brochure, and the Sale-A-Bration Brochure are all now available for you to access at your convenience on my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/).  The January 2025 release of new Online Exclusives products are also now available in my online store. If you are shopping during the Sale-A-Bration Promotion don't forget to check out the Last Chance Products - retiring products from both the September-December 2024 Mini Catalogue and the Online Exclusives line that will be available only while supplies last - there are some great bargains to be had!

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!! 

The eyes are getting heavy - maybe this new bed won't be so bad after all!