Winter Scenes!

Hello!  Although it is way too early to be contemplating real winter scenes today I am sharing a few card and tag projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Online Exclusives Winter Scenes cling stamp set (item 166088) - the four small images in this stamp set are great for both card and tag projects, and it is never too early to start working on some festive projects!

To complete my projects this week I also used the following additional Stampin’ Up!® dies and Designer Series Papers:

• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - circle and square dies for cutting window openings in framing mats, and the long and short narrow banner dies for cutting the loops for the luggage tag tags;

• Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) - rounded corner rectangle dies to cut the bases and frames for the luggage tag tags, and to cut one window opening in a framing mat.  For cutting the frames for the luggage tag tags I used low tack tape to hold the two dies required to make the frame together while I passed the dies and cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653);

• Online Exclusives Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) - for the base and frame of one of the tags;

• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - foliage;

• Online Exclusives Just A Note dies (item 166101) - the "negative" from the side of the notebook page die cut used as a decorative edge element on one of the cards;

• retired Poinsettia dies (item 153522 - featured in the August-December 2020 Mini Catalogue) - small poinsettia flowers used on the three Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) luggage tag style tags, and on one of the cards (die cut from Basic White Thick cardstock - item 159229);

• retired Joy Of Noel dies (item 161965 - featured in the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue) - small holly leaves and pine sprigs;

• retired Sounds Of The Season dies (item 154043 - featured in the August-December 2020 Mini Catalogue) - two sizes of sleigh bells used on one of the cards (die cut from Basic White Thick cardstock); and

I stamped several of the images directly onto several patterns of Designer Series Papers:

• a Misty Moonlight patterned paper from the Thoughtful Journey 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 163303) - one card (the mottled Misty Moonlight pattern is a perfect representation of a wintry sky forecasting more snow coming);

• Cloud Cover speckled patterned paper from the 2025-2027 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 165300) - two cards and two tags; and

• linen patterned paper from the Online Exclusives Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560) - one tag.

I also stamped a few of the images on watercolour paper (one card and two tags).  I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp all of the images, whether on watercolour paper or DSP.   I used Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166), mixed with a little water and applied with a small paint brush, to add some shading to images stamped on both watercolour paper and the DSP.  When using the ink refill to shade the images stamped on the DSP I was careful not to overdo it with the water - a little goes a long way in this case for sure!  For additional colouring of the image used on the smallest of the Pecan Pie cardstock luggage tag style tags I also used Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), and Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029).

In an attempt to make the Pecan Pie cardstock luggage tag style tags look a little more like authentic luggage tags I glued a trimmed piece of Transparency Film to the backside of the frame pieces before gluing the frame sections over the trimmed image panels.  Boxes of 8 1/2" x 11" sheets of Transparency Film are always available in my local thrift shops!  For each of the luggage tag style tags, in addition  to the frame pieces, I also cut a back panel using the largest of the two dies used to make the frame.  After gluing the frame over the image panel I glued the back panel to the back of the framed image panel, with the right side facing out.  After completing the base of the tag I added the die cut cardstock loop - I used my Bone Folder to slightly curl the cardstock before gluing it to the front and back of the tag.  For two of the Pecan Pie cardstock luggage tag style tags and two additional tags I added eyelets purchased at my local scrapbooking shop - I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes for the eyelets and to set the eyelets.  For the hanging loops on two tags, and for the bow tied around the front panel of one of the cards, I used the retired Black & Very Vanilla 3/8" Large Check Ribbon (item 161982) - definitely one of my favourite SU ribbons! 

Just a quick note regarding 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:

• 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).  To score the four decorative lines at 1/4" intervals along the 5" long x 1 1/4" wide Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) strip on the front of one of the cards I used a stylus and score board (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334);
• 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; 
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755); and
• Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade/colour cardstock die cuts.  For a mottled texture I often spritzed the shaded die cuts with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), either blotting dry with paper towel or allowing to air dry, often adding additional ink after the cardstock die cut was fully dry. 

On with the projects!

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, and the 3" square framing mat with 2" square window;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 3 5/8" square matting panel, and the 5" x 1 1/4" strip with decorative scored lines (which don't show up in the photo but are actually there!); and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the fully matted image panel to the card front.

Additional supplies used to complete this 5 3/8" square top-fold card:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, 4 7/8" framing mat with 2 3/8" square window opening, and the Gallery Blooms, Poinsettia, Joy Of Noel, and Sounds Of The Season die cuts;
• Cloud Cover cardstock (item 165621) for the 5" square matting panel; and
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 5 1/8" square matting panel.

The small shimmery white button used for the center of the poinsettia was from a bag of buttons picked up at the thrift shop - never underestimate the value of a bag of white buttons!

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

• Cloud Cover cardstock (item 165621) for the card base;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 2 3/8" square framing mat with 1 3/4" diameter circle window, 2 5/8" square matting panel, and the 3 1/8" square inside panel;
• Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the 2 1/2" square and 2 3/4" square matting panels, the Just A Note die cut, and the inside panel's 3 1/4" square matting panel;
• for the inside panel a 3" x 1/2" strip trimmed from the same Cloud Cover patterned DSP as used for the image; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the fully matted image panel with the Just A Note die cut to the card front.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, and the 3 1/2" x 4 3/16" framing mat with 1 1/2" x 2 1/8" rectangular window (cut using the Nested Essentials dies);
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 3 3/4" x 4 3/8" matting panel; and
• watercolour paper for the image panel.

To add the splatters to the framing mat (before gluing it over the image panel) I flicked over the mat the paint brush used to mix the Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166) and water used to colour the image.

For the 3 1/2" tall x 2 1/4" wide Everyday Arches tag I used Cloud Cover cardstock (item 165621) for the frame (outside dimensions:  3 1/4" x 2";  window dimensions:  2 9/16" x 1 5/16"), and Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for two 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" arch die cuts (glued wrong sides together).

For the 2 9/16" tall (excluding the loop) x 1 15/16" wide luggage tag style tag I used Cloud Cover cardstock (item 165621) for the 2 1/8" x 1 1/2" frame (window:  1 3/4" x 1 1/16"); Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for two 2 9/16" x 1 15/16" bases (glued wrong sides together), and loop; and watercolour paper for the image panel.

Additional supplies used to complete these three Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) luggage tag style tags, which are:  3" tall (excluding loop) x 2 5/16" wide; 2 5/8" tall (excluding loop) x 1 7/8" wide; and 2 1/8" tall (excluding loop) x 1 1/2" wide:

• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to shade the frames, loops, and back panels;
• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084) for the poinsettias;
• for the holly leaves on the largest and smallest tags - Garden Green cardstock (item 102584), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);
• for the holly leaves, and the Gallery Blooms foliage die cut on the Cloud Cover DSP image tag - Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink;
• for the Gallery Blooms foliage die cuts on the largest and smallest tags - Pecan Pie cardstock, shaded with Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks; 
• for the poinsettia centers - two of the large Daffodil Delight and one of the large Cloud Cover dots from the Muted Palette Dots (item 165155); and

• to embellish the loop on the smallest tag one large dot from the retired Adhesive-Backed Textured Dots (item 163338).

And finally . . .

For the 3 3/4" x 2 3/4" top-fold Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) "Archie" card, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp on watercolour paper the image from the retired Giggle Greetings stamp set (item 131065 - featured in the June 2, 2014-June 2, 2015 Annual Catalogue).  I coloured the fussy cut image using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Old Olive ink (item 147090).  To the card front I added a 1 7/8" x 2 3/4" panel, and two 3/4" x 2 3/4" torn edged strips from patterned papers from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Full Of Life 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 163357); and one large and one small of the Peach Pie dots from the recently retired Party Dots (item 164602 - featured in the January-April 2025 Mini Catalogue).  I used Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108), trimmed as necessary, to attach "Archie" to the card front. To the bottom of the inside panel I added a 3/4" x 2 3/4" strip trimmed from a Crushed Curry striped patterned paper from the retired Regals 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 163774 - May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue).  Using an envelope punch board I made a co-ordinating envelope from another sheet of the Full Of Life DSP.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun starting to play with the Winter Scenes stamp set - even if I am no way prepared yet for actual winter scenes!

Just a product availability update from last week:  the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166145) is back in stock - but is indicated as being low inventory.

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!

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 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!! 

"A cat can make you laugh and cry all in the same minute."

- Unknown -