Prairie Grasses!

(playing with the Prairie Grass stamp set)

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Online Exclusives Prairie Grass cling stamp set (item 166168) - the large grass image, definitely one of my favourite images, is indeed quite large measuring 5" tall x 2 3/4" wide, which makes it perfect for larger cards and decor projects.   

For my projects I played with a few different techniques - stamping on both Designer Series Paper and cardstock using StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406), and doing a faux watercolour technique using Classic Stampin' inks and the water-based Stampin' Write Markers to stamp on watercolour paper.  For the faux watercolour technique I first applied the ink or markers to the stamp, used one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two) to lightly mist the stamp with water - sometimes also applying a light mist of water to the watercolour paper before stamping - stamping the image on the watercolour paper, and then, after removing the stamp, sometimes misting the stamped image with more water.  A heat gun (Heat Tool - item 129053) is very handy, as it allows you to dry the stamped image at various stages giving you more control over how much ink spreading or bleeding you want - the more water the more ink spreading, and the more ink spreading the less distinct the stamped image becomes.  The Heat Tool has two heat settings:  the lower temperature setting is for drying ink, and the higher temperature is for heat-setting (activating) embossing powders.  The faux watercolour technique - whether using Classic Stampin' inks or the water-based Stampin' Write Markers - is a lot of fun - mainly because of its unpredictability!  

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! decided to discontinue the Stampin' Write Markers, but the good news is that the colour collection markers, in addition to the individual Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481), are all currently available - while supplies last - as discounted Last Chance Products:  2025-2027 In Colour Stampin' Write Markers (item 165292); 2024-2026 In Colour Stampin' Write Markers (item 163829); Brights Stampin' Write Markers (item 1616960); Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers (item 161697); Regals Stampin' Write Markers (item 161699); and Subtles Stampin' Write Markers (item 161698).  The two In Colour marker collections have five markers; and each of the colour family collections have ten markers.  I used the Pecan Pie marker from the Neutrals Collection, and the Pretty Peacock marker from the Regals Collection.

To complete the projects I also used the following Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Papers, die sets, and stamp set:

• Beautiful Gallery 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 165196) - Pecan Pie and Cloud Cover painted canvas patterned papers.  So much fun to stamp on these canvas patterned papers and create instant little works of art!;

• Online Exclusives Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560) - linen pattern (background panel);

• Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678) - Pecan Pie check pattern, and Calypso Coral/Basic Beige/Cajun Craze/Crumb Cake check pattern;

• Perennial Lavender 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162593) - Lost Lagoon/Pretty Peacock pattern;

• Online Exclusives Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) - for the frames I used low-tack tape to hold the dies and cardstock together while passing the dies and cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653);

• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - large circle die to cut windows in framing mats;

• Notes & Totes dies (item 165240) - fence rail die;

• Online Exclusives Just A Note dies (item 166101) - clipboard clip die;

• recently retired Tune In dies (item 163636) - I used one of the knob dies for the fastener on the clipboard clip die cut;

• Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) - rounded corner rectangle dies for clipboard base, and "notepaper" ("notepaper" lines stamped on watercolour paper using Pool Party ink - item 147107, and the "notepaper" stamp from the Just A Note stamp set - item 166098); 

• Light & Wonder dies (item 165762) - curved edge die; and

• Autumn Trees dies (item 165899) - deer edge die.

I  believe I may have previously mentioned that one of my new obsessions is painted book pages 😺- and I managed to add a torn-edged strip of white-painted book page to one of my cards alongside a strip of Lost Lagoon/Pretty Peacock patterned Perennial Lavender DSP!

Just a quick note regarding the basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects in addition to the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) that was used for all die cutting:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, watercolour paper, and DSP, and for scoring card fold lines.  To ensure sharp folds I also burnish the folded scored lines with 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 embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  For my first project I covered a medium-weight cardboard panel that was trimmed to fit inside a dollar store frame with the linen patterned paper from the Woven Textures DSP.  After applying the glue to the cardboard panel, and spreading it over the panel with an old paint brush, I placed the DSP (cut slightly larger than the cardboard panel) over the panel, and 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 cardboard panel.  After the glue was thoroughly dry I used my craft knife to cut away the excess DSP from around the edges of the cardboard panel (to do this I placed the DSP-covered cardboard panel face down on my cutting mat).

On with the projects!

In addition to the wood frame with inside dimensions of 7 1/8" x 4" picked up at Dollar Tree, edges scraped with a fine-grit sandpaper, I used the following supplies to complete the first project:

• after trimming the stamped DSP panel to 6" x 2 5/8" I used one of the Small Blending Brushes (item 160518) to apply Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) to and around the edges of the DSP panel.  Before gluing the DSP-covered cardboard panel to the inside of the frame I sponged Pecan Pie ink and a little Early Espresso ink (item 147114) around the edges of that panel;
• a 6 1/8" x 2 3/4" piece of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for image matting panel; and
• a 6 1/4" x 3" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for additional image matting panel.

Additional supplies used to complete this 6 1/2" x 4" side-fold card:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Basic Gray ink (item 149165) to add a little shading around the bottom portions of the stamped image - the DSP image panel trimmed to 5 3/4" x 3 1/4" (widest point on torn right side);
• a 6" x 3 1/2" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for image matting panel; and
• two large and two small Cloud Cover dots from the Muted Palette Dots (item 165155) added to card front.

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

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the card base, deer edge die cut, and one of two Light & Wonder curved edge die cuts;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) for the Everyday Arches image dome die cut - I stamped the image prior to die cutting - and for one Light & Wonder curved edge die cut (the two Light & Wonder edge die cuts were lined up with straight edges even);
• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) for shading on the image dome, the Light & Wonder edge die cut, the edges and torn ends of the 3" x 1/8" and 2 5/8" x 1/8" DSP strips, and for second-generation stamping the image on the inside panel;
• Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters to the image dome by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid;
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114) for the Just A Note fence rail die cut - used as the base for the image dome; and
• a 4 3/8" x 3 3/8" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the inside panel - I used the Pecan Pie Stampin' Write Marker to add splatters in the same manner as I did using the Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker.

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 edge die cut;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), for the Everyday Arches frame, and the two Light & Wonder curved edge die cuts;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the inner Everyday Arches frame;
• Pecan Pie ink for the faux watercolour stamping of the image - additional splatters added by flicking a paint brush used to mix some water with the Pecan Pie ink;
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the framed image panel to the card front; and
• one large black dot from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) added to each side of the image panel.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• a 4" x 3" panel of Timeless Plaid DSP for the front panel, and a 3" x 1/2" strip for the inside panel - all edges sponged with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665);
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the clipboard base;
• watercolour paper, shaded around the edges with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) for the notepaper.  I stamped the notepaper lines and then stamped the Prairie Grass image.  I used my black watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 1 - item 161700) for additional shading of the image and for adding splatters - I wanted the image to look like a pencil sketch;

• silver cardstock I had on hand for the clip die cut.  To distress the die cut I wrinkled it up using my fingers, and rubbed over it with a fine-grit sandpaper before adding some black acrylic paint - most of which I then rubbed off with my fingers; and
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks for the clip fastener.

Following the instructions provided by Tim Holtz in a recent video tutorial I made the little pencil from a wooden skewer - I used a black Sharpie marker to colour the lead, and water-based markers to colour the shaft and eraser, adding a narrow strip of aluminum foil around the pencil just above the eraser, adding the ferrule groves with my finger nail.  Before adding the aluminum foil strip I lightly sanded the pencil with a fine-grit sandpaper.  Definitely will be making more of these pencils!✏

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, and matting panel with circle window;
• Pecan Pie and Pretty Peacock Stampin' Write Markers for faux watercolour stamping of the image - additional splatters added by flicking paint brush used to mix water with a little Pecan Pie ink (item 161665);
• from the Lost Lagoon/Pretty Peacock patterned Perennial Lavender DSP a 3 1/2" x 1" strip for the card front, and a 4 1/4" x 3/4" strip (ends torn) for bottom of inside panel.  The card front's strip overlaps the 3 1/2" x 1 1/2" strip of white-painted book page (left edge torn);
• two large and one small of the Pecan Pie dots from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) added to the card front; and
• trimmed strips from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the 4 7/8" square window matting panel over the image panel.

Additional supplies used to complete this project, in addition to the black frame picked up at Dollarama with inside back dimensions of 7" x 5":

• Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) for the faux watercolour stamping of the image, including additional splatters; and
• watercolour paper for the framing mat.  I used double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to secure the watercolour paper mat over a cardboard mat.  I used a ruler and my craft knife to cut the 4 1/2" x 2 7/8" window in the watercolour paper mat - corresponding to the window dimensions in the base cardboard mat.

And finally . . .

For my 4 3/4" square top-fold "Archie" card - he was certainly no stranger to the hairball! - shared at the bottom of this blog post, I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the image (including sentiment) from the long-retired Giggle Greetings stamp set (item 131065) featured in the June 2, 2014-June 2, 2015 Annual Catalogue on watercolour paper.  I coloured the image using Timid Tiger ink refill (item 165283), Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166).  I also used watercolour paper for the card base and the 3 3/4" square window matting panel - the circle window was die cut using the largest circle die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183).  I used Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202) and Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 4" square and 4 1/8" square matting panels respectively.  To attach the window frame over the image panel I used Foam Adhesive Strips (item 141825), and added one small and one large of the Basic Gray dots from the retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) to the lower left corner of the window frame.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun starting to play with the Prairie Grass stamp set - so glad I took advantage of last month's 24-Hour Stamp Sale to add it to my collection!😸

If you think you might be interested in joining Stampin' Up! as an Independent Demonstrator then I have good news!  Until October 31, 2025, Stampin' Up! is offering two great options in the Starter Kit Special:

Option 1:  For $48.00 CDN recieve $165.00 CDN worth of Stampin’ Up!® products of your choice; or

Option 2:  For $135.00 CDN recieve $252.00 CDN worth of Stampin’ Up!® products of your choice.

Regardless of which of the two options is selected there is free shipping on the Starter Kit, and each Starter Kit also includes business supplies (including copies of the most recent catalogues), and a free Paper Pumpkin Kit!  Whether you are an avid crafter who would like to receive a nice discount on your own crafting supplies - and early access to new products, or you are interested in establishing a home-based business, and you live in Canada, you would be most welcome to join my team as one of "Archie's Arties"!  If you would like more information about joining my Stampin' Up! team please do not hesitate to contact me!

Kits Collection Sale!

October 6-8, 2025

During this three-day sale, running from Monday October 6 through to Wednesday October 8, 2025, all kits in the Kits Collection will range from 10% to 30% off!  The sale does not include Paper Pumpkin Kits, Scrapbooking Workshop Kits, or Starter Kits.  The Kits Collection includes all-inclusive crafting and card-making kits for all occasions, and all kits include easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for completing pre-designed projects.  Of course you are also free to create your own projects with the supplies included in the kits!  Kits also make great gifts for fellow crafters - never too early to do a little Christmas shopping!  You can view the full Kits Collection in my online store by first selecting "Shop Products" under the Menu tab, followed by "Kits Collection", where you will be offered the options of "Shop All", "Card Kits", or "Crafting Kits" - if you select "Shop All" you will see all Kits in the Kits Collection.

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!  In addition to the digital version of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue, the digital version of the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue is also available for you to access at your convenience on my website.   If visiting the online store don't forget to check out all the Online Exclusives as well as the new additions to 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!! 

"The cat is above all things, a dramatist."

- Margaret Benson -