Just Breathe And Enjoy A Scenic Adventure!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Stampin' Up!® Online Exclusives Scenic Adventure Bundle (item 165468).  This Bundle includes the Scenic Adventure photopolymer stamp set (item 165466) and the co-ordinating Scenic Adventure dies (item 165467).  Of course the stamp set and dies are available separate from the Bundle, but when purchased together using the Bundle item number the 10% Bundled Savings applies, and that is definitely a good thing!

To complete my projects I used the following additional dies:

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Adventurous Sky (item 163446) - for clouds, which were die cut from watercolour paper.  I also used the large cloud die to cut from shaded cardstock the base for the line of trees on the "just breathe and take it slow" framed project - I trimmed the die cut so that there would be a flat base;

• Stylish Shapes (item 159183) - I used the 2 15/16" square and 2 1/2" square dies to cut window openings in scene-framing watercolour paper mats;

• recently retired Country Flowers (item 163410) - leafy clump;
• Gallery Blooms (item 165212), and the Online Exclusives Impressions Abloom (item 165610) - for additional foliage; and

• for the travel trailer die cut I resurrected the July 1-August 31, 2022 Sale-A-Bration Tree Lot dies (item 159938) because with the Scenic Adventure dies you can build the ideal campsite!

With the exception of the clouds, I used cardstock for all die cuts, and used Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to the cardstock die cuts for additional colour (shading).  For some of the shaded cardstock die cuts I added a little additional visual texture by lightly spritzing the die cuts with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), allowing to air dry or blotting dry with paper towel. 

For the background - sky - panel for each of the projects I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229), using Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) and Small Blending Brushes to apply Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118) and Pool Party ink (item 147107) to the panel.

For the mountains and large rocks I used Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165); Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202), shaded with Basic Gray ink; Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044), shaded with Basic Gray ink; and Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114).  I used one of the finger Sponge Daubers (item 133773 - package of five) to apply a little Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277) to the mountain peaks.

For the trees, additional foliage, and foregrounds I used Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).  Shading Lost Lagoon cardstock with Mossy Meadow ink gives one of the tree line die cuts a "blue spruce" look (just a hint of blue under the green).  For the double and single pine tree die cuts I used a small sponge to apply Early Espresso ink to the trunks - the rest of the tree shaded with Mossy Meadow ink.  For the Lemon Lime Twist cardstock foreground panel in the travel trailer project I shaded the upper section of the panel with Mossy Meadow ink, and for a little more visual texture used a small synthetic sea sponge to dab on Mossy Meadow ink refill (item 133651).

The nice thing about the tree line die is that you actually get two offset rows of trees from one cut - the upper and lower die cut portions - that you can either use individually or layer together to add a little more depth.

For the water panels I used Coastal Cabana cardstock (item 131297), shaded with Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088); and Azure Afternoon cardstock (item 161719), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink.

For the camp fires I used Gray Granite cardstock, shaded with Basic Gray and Early Espresso inks, and Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Early Espresso ink for the logs; and Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094) and Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086) for the flames.

For the travel trailer I used Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511), shaded with Crumb Cake ink; and Coastal Cabana cardstock, shaded with Shaded Spruce ink.  I shaded the trailer hitch with Basic Gray and Early Espresso inks.  Behind the window openings I glued small pieces of Coastal Cabana and Azure Afternoon patterned papers from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Brights 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortment Stack (item 163775).

I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the sentiments - for the card the sentiment was stamped directly on the watercolour paper matting panel, and for the framed project the sentiment was stamped on a trimmed strip of Basic White Thick cardstock, both ends of which were torn.  I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach, and slightly pop up, the sentiment strip.  I added splatters to the watercolour paper matting panels for both projects - for the card before I stamped the sentiment - using Mossy Meadow ink refill mixed with water.  Over the panels I flicked a paint brush used to mix and pick up the ink refill and water.  To ensure the splatters weren't darker than I wanted I blotted the splatters dry with paper towel.

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

• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting;
• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, and for scoring the card fold line.  To ensure a crisp fold I used my Bone Folder (item 102300) to burnish the folded scored line.  I also used the Paper Trimmer to score the decorative lines on the Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793) backing panel on my "Archie" project;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp little scissors are great for doing any necessary trimming of die cuts;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the spatula and tacky putty tips are definitely a great help for manipulating and placing small die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755). 

On with the projects!

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

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the card base;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 4 1/4" square inside panel; and
• after gluing the 4 5/8" square watercolour paper matting panel over the completed scene I used strips trimmed from one of the Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the panel to the card front.

In addition to the Dollarama black wood frame, glass removed, that has a back opening of 7" square, and the edges of which I distressed slightly with a fine grit sandpaper, I used the following additional supplies to complete this project:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 7" square back panel, and the 5 7/8" matting panel for the 5 3/4" square watercolour paper panel.  I scraped the blade of my craft knife along all edges of the Basic Black cardstock matting panel; and
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) for the 6 1/8" square matting panel. 

In addition to a Dollarama dark brown wood frame, glass removed, with a back opening of 7" x 5", I used the following supplies to complete this project:

• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) to shade an off white photo mat that I had on hand (window opening 4 1/2" x 3").  After shading the matboard mat I lightly spritzed it with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), and then used Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029), mixed with a little water, to add splatters.

And finally . . . 

To complete my ideal campsite scene project I added a thrift store wood frame, glass removed - back opening dimensions 7" x 5", outside frame dimensions 9 1/4" x 7 1/4".  I really enjoy "thrifting" for frames - and other treasures too of course - that I can use for my projects!  Sometimes just a little sandpapering is all that it takes to add new life to an otherwise discarded object! 

For my "Archie" project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post, I used another Dollarama 7" square black wood frame, glass removed - I have stocked up on these frames!   I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the potted-flower-toting feline image from the retired Online Exclusives Fluffiest Friends stamp set (item 162846) on watercolour paper, colouring him with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111); and die cutting him using the co-ordinating - and also retired - Fluffiest Friends dies (item 162849).  Behind the 2 3/8" square opening, which was die cut using the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183), in the 5 1/2" square watercolour paper panel I glued two overlapping Poppy Parade patterned papers from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Brights 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortment Stack (item 163775).  I used Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 6" square matting panel; and Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793) for the 7" square backing panel.  On all four sides of the the Poppy Parade cardstock panel I scored a line 1/4" in from the edge (the cardstock was placed for scoring in the Paper Trimmer with the "right" side down so that the raised sides of the lines would be on the front ("right") side of the panel).  I used Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166), mixed with a little water, to add splatters to the watercolour paper mat - these splatters were added before I glued the DSP panels to the back side of the panel.  I used Poppy Parade cardstock, shaded with Real Red ink, for the flower die cut using the Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610).  For the flower centers - also die cut using the Impressions Abloom dies - I used Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686).  I used one of the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach the smaller Early Espresso cardstock center to the Pecan Pie cardstock center.  I used the Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) to die cut the foliage from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676). Mossy Meadow ink was used for shading on all foliage die cuts.  To attach - and slightly pop up - the die cut feline image I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as required.

July 2025 Online Exclusives New Product Release!

On July 1, 2025, Stampin' Up!® released lots of exciting new products - including two new all-inclusive Kits - in the Online Exclusives line!  Here is a peek at just a few of these products:

• Spooky Sweet Suite Collection (item 166205) - all items in this Suite Collection are also available separately;

• Sweet & Spooky Kit (item 166229) - this Kit includes everything required to make fifteen milk carton style treat boxes (five each of three designs);

• Birthday Fancy Kit (item 166211) - this Kit includes everything required to complete twelve 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards, four each of three designs; and

• Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166145) - I have already seen some great projects posted on social media using this 6" x 8 1/2" Embossing Folder so I am sure it will very quickly become a favourite!

Of course, the Just A Note Bundle (item 166102), which includes the Just A Note stamp set (item 166098) and the Just A Note dies (item 166101), which I used last week for my mini clipboard tag projects (https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2025/06/mini-clipboard-tags-hello-today-i-am.html) is also part of the July new product release!

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun building my Scenic Adventure scenes - even if a few wild animals made an appearance!🐻🐺😉

Stampin' Up! advises that the following products I used this week are not currently available, but I have included the date that Stampin' Up! expects the products to again be available for ordering:

• StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) - week of July 7, 2025; 
• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - week of July 28, 2025; and
• Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610) - week of August 11, 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 version of the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue is available for you to access at your convenience on my website.  If visiting the online store don't forget to check out the entire line of Online Exclusives products as well as all the Last Chance Products!  Just a reminder that all Last Chance Products remain 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!! 

"Your house will always be blessed with love, laughter, and friendship if you have a cat."

- Lewis Carroll -