A Sneak Peek Of Autumn Trees!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Autumn Trees dies (item 165899), which are featured as part of the Autumn Toile Suite Collection (item 165904) in the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue that launches on Wednesday September 3, 2025!  The Autumn Trees dies will also be available together with the co-ordinating Autumn Trees stamp set (item 165896) in the Autumn Trees Bundle (item 165900).  Despite the name of the dies my projects this week are not autumn-themed!

To complete my projects I also used a variety of current, retiring, and retired Stampin’ Up!® products, but for a few of my projects I also used these additional products from the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue:

• one of the Gray Granite patterned papers from the Autumn Toile 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165882); and

• cloud and border dies from the Light & Wonder dies (item 165762), featured as part of the Lights Of Aurora Suite Collection (item 165768).

The additional stamp and die sets, and Designer Series Papers I used to complete my projects:

• the Notes & Totes stamp set (item 165239) for the "just a note" sentiment, which was stamped directly onto the Designer Series Paper using StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406);

• 2 1/2" and 3" diameter circle dies from Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183);

• 2 7/8" diameter "wonky" circle die from the retiring - and currently available as one of the substantially discounted Last Chance Products - Around It All dies (item 164725);

• leafy branch dies from the retired Tree Rings (with Hybrid Embossing Folder) dies (item 159888), featured in the July-December 2022 Mini Catalogue.  I die cut the leafy branches from watercolour paper, colouring them with Classic Stampin' inks applied using Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three), and, mixed with a little water, applied with small paint brushes;

• small leaves from the retired Giving Gifts dies (item 156563), featured in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue.  These small leaves were also die cut from watercolour paper, and coloured with Classic Stampin' inks applied using Small Blending Brushes;

• Lost Lagoon/Pretty Peacock/Wild Wheat patterned paper from the Thoughtful Journey 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 163303);

• Pool Party circle patterned paper, and Old Olive striped patterned paper from the Online Exclusives Floral Impressions 12 x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165603); and

• Old Olive check patterned paper from the Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678) - this DSP was combined with the Old Olive striped patterned paper from the Floral Impressions DSP on the "just a note" card.

To colour the Tree Rings and Giving Gifts watercolour paper die cuts I used Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114).

The Autumn Trees leaves used on the Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) card were die cut from watercolour paper, and coloured using Old Olive and Mossy Meadow inks applied with one of the Small Blending Brushes.

For the large tree die cut on my first project I used low-tack tape to hold the large outline die and the large detail die together as I passed the dies and the watercolour paper through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653).  To colour the die cut I used Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Crumb Cake, and Early Espresso inks.  After colouring the leafy portion of the tree die cut I lightly spritzed that portion of the die cut with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), blotting dry with paper towel.

On three of the cards I die cut the deer from watercolour paper - again using the two methods to colour the die cuts using Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Early Espresso ink, Old Olive and Mossy Meadow inks, Crumb Cake ink, and Basic Gray ink (item 149165).  I really liked the deer dies from the retired Grove dies (item 157844) but the deer border/edge die from the Autumn Trees dies is certainly a good replacement - and of course these deer can easily be separated and removed from the edge die cut using a sharp pair of scissors!

Just a brief review of the basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week, in addition to the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) that was used for all die cutting, and the Small Blending Brushes (item 160518) used for applying Classic Stampin' inks to die cuts:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, watercolour paper, and DSP, and for scoring card fold lines.  To ensure sharp folds I also burnished the folded scored lines using my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• 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 embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  On the first project I had to glue DSP to a larger cardboard base, and I first used an old paint brush to spread the glue over the base, and immediately after laying the DSP over the prepared base used a brayer (Stampin' Brayer - item 162936) to roll over the DSP to ensure even coverage of the liquid glue and good even adhesion of the DSP to the base surface. The Multipurpose Liquid Glue bottle is duel tipped:  a pen tip and a broad tip.  The broad tip at the base of the bottle is great for applying the glue over a larger surface.  

On with the projects!

For my first project I began with a Dollarama decor frame that I actually picked up at a thrift store.  The frame's inside dimensions are just under 6 5/8" tall by just under 4 5/8" wide.  I cut a piece of medium weight cardboard to fit the frame's inside dimensions, and covered it with the Gray Granite patterned paper from the Autumn Toile DSP, sponging around all edges with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116).  Using the curving edge die from the Light & Wonder dies I cut two grass sections from Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and one from Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676).  All three pieces were shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), lightly spritzed with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), blotted dry with paper towel, and shaded again with Mossy Meadow ink.  Using the curving edge die together with another edge die from the Light & Wonder dies I cut the overlay ground section from Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shading with Crumb Cake ink, and Early Espresso ink (item 147114).  After gluing the Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, and Crumb Cake cardstock sections to the DSP covered background panel I used my craft knife to trim off any excess cardstock on either side of the panel.  After trimming off the excess cardstock I shaded the edges of the cardstock sections with additional Mossy Meadow and Early Espresso inks, and then glued the background panel over the existing decor panel in the frame (since the frame could not be taken apart to remove the existing panel I had to trim my background panel to fit over the existing panel).  I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item  104430) - trimmed as necessary - to adhere the tree die cut to the background panel.  I am always quite liberal in my use of the Dimensionals!  The clouds were die cut from watercolour paper, using the Light & Wonder dies, and "water coloured" with Basic Gray ink (item 149165).  

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

• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the card base, and the 3 7/8" matting panel with 3" diameter circle window.  Before die cutting the window I added a little texture to the matting panel by running the cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653), right side up so that the nicks and marks from my cutting plate would impress a slight textured design into the cardstock surface;
• Pecan Pie Stampin' Write Marker (Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers - item 161697, currently available as one of the Last Chance Products) to add splatters to the Very Vanilla cardstock matting panel by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the 3 5/8" square matting panel with "wonky" circle window.  I used double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to attach this matting panel to the back of the Very Vanilla cardstock matting panel.  To the back of the Early Espresso cardstock matting panel I glued the Autumn Trees die cuts;
• Pool Party circle patterned paper from the  Online Exclusives Floral Impressions 12 x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165603) for the 3 3/4" square background panel, and the torn-edged strip added to the inside of the card;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), and Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108), trimmed as necessary, to attach the window matting panels with attached die cuts to the DSP background panel that had been glued directly onto the card front.  The Mini Stampin' Dimensionals were used behind the deer; and
• two small and one large of the Cloud Cover dots from the Muted Palette Dots (item 165155) added to the bottom right of the card front.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base; and
• white baker's twine (Baker's Twine Essentials Pack - item 155475) for the bow tied around the card front - the center knot and the knotted ends secured with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, and the deer die cut; and
• Linen Thread (item 104199) for the bow tied around the card front.

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

• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) for the card base;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 3 3/4" square front matting panel, and the 3 7/8" square inside panel;
• Gray Granite patterned paper from the Autumn Toile DSP for the 3 9/16" square front matting panel (edges sponged with Crumb Cake ink - item 147116), and the 3 3/8" x 1/2" torn-ended strip added along bottom of inside panel;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 2 1/2" diameter circle die cut (Stylish Shapes dies).  This circle die was also used to die cut the bottom of the deer die cut; and
• one small and one large of the Pecan Pie dots from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) added to the bottom right corner of the card front.

And finally . . .

For my "Archie" card project, included at the bottom of this blog post, I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the irresistible cupcake image from the retired Best Day stamp set (item 160798 - featured in the January-April 2023 Mini Catalogue) on watercolour paper, colouring the image using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Pool Party ink refill (item 122933), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165).  For the 4" x 3 1/2" top-fold card base I used Basic Black cardstock (item 121045); adding to the card front a 3 7/8" x 3 3/8" panel trimmed from a Pool Party striped patterned paper from the retired Peaceful Poppies 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 151324 - featured in the January-June 2020 Mini Catalogue), and a 3 3/4" x 1 1/2" panel trimmed from a Strawberry Slush patterned paper from the 2025-2027 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 165300) behind the left side of which I added a narrow strip of Basic Black cardstock.  I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 3 7/8" x 3 3/8" inside panel, on which I stamped the sentiment from the Trusty Tools stamp set (item 163274) using StāzOn Jet Black Ink.  To the bottom of the inside panel I added strips from both Designer Series Papers used on the card front - the Strawberry Slush patterned strip is the reverse side of the paper used on the card front.  I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) - trimmed as necessary - to attach the fussy cut image to the card front.  To the card front I added one small and two large black dots from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561).  

2025-2027 In Colours Sale!

Just a reminder that there are only a few more days left in the 2025-2027 In Colours Product Sale!  Just until August 31, 2025, Stampin' Up! is offering select products featuring the 2025-2027 In Colours (Cloud Cover, Darling Duckling, Secret Sea, Strawberry Slush, and Timid Tiger) for 15% off, and these select products include Designer Series Papers, cardstock (including two-tone cardstock), inks, ink refills, Stampin' Blends Combo Packs, Stampin' Write Markers, ribbon, embellishments, and kits! You can view the full range of products featuring the 2025-2027 In Colours on my website by selecting from "Menu":

1. "Shop By"
2. "Colour"
3. "In Colours 2025-2027"
4. select "Shop All" if you would like to see the full product selection, or click on one of the individual colours if you would like to see only products in or featuring your favourite colour!

Here is just a sampling of co-ordinating colours with the 2025-2027 In Colours:

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I certainly had a lot of fun starting to play with both the Autumn Trees and Light & Wonder dies - and of course mixing and matching them with my other Stampin’ Up!® products!

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, and the digital version of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue will be available for you to access at your convenience as of September 3, 2025!

If visiting the online store don't forget to check out the Last Chance Products - but just a reminder that all Last Chance Products remain available only while supplies last! 

September 2025 Online Exclusives New Products Release

On September 3, 2025, coinciding with the launch of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue, there will be a release of new Stampin’ Up!® Online Exclusives products!  Lots of exciting new products to look forward to creating with!

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!! 

"What greater gift than the love of a cat."

- Charles Dickens -